National
334 prefectural assembly members had ties with Unification Church
At least 334 out of 2,570 prefectural assembly members in Japan have had dealings with the Unification Church or its affiliates, with over 80 percent of them belonging to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday. The November survey shows that the influence of the religious… Read
Japan reports 89,566 new coronavirus cases
Japan on Sunday reported 89,566 new coronavirus cases, down 20,025 from Saturday. Tokyo reported 10,454 new cases, down 2,867 from Saturday. The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo was 20, unchanged from Saturday. The nationwide figure was 353, up 12 from Saturday. The number of coronavirus-related… Read
Japan to expand Okinawa-based ground force unit
Japan is considering expanding an Okinawa-based ground force unit to defend remote southwestern islands and prepare for a contingency involving Taiwan in the face of China's increasing assertiveness, a government source said Saturday. In a move that could further heighten tensions with China, the Defense Ministry plans to double the… Read
London-based art gallery fetes International Kimono Day with catwalk
A London art gallery recently showcased its first-ever Kimono Catwalk, a modern take on the concept of fashion shows and haute couture, as models shuffled down the runway in a wide range of traditional Japanese garments. The event arranged by the Japanese Gallery in Islington, which specializes in Japanese woodblock… Read
Japan reports 109,591 new coronavirus cases
Japan on Saturday reported 109,591 new coronavirus cases, down 337 from Friday. Tokyo reported 13,321 new cases, up 2,077 from Friday. The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo was 20, unchanged from Friday. The nationwide figure was 341, down eight from Friday. The number of coronavirus-related… Read
Is 'standard' Japanese language test best metric for hiring foreigners?
Across the world this Sunday, examinees will sit the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, a lengthy comprehension test that is the most widely taken Japanese exam by foreign nationals, whose upper levels can open opportunities in employment and education. Many companies seeking to hire foreign workers with Japanese ability specify the… Read
Japan reports 109,928 new coronavirus case
Japan on Friday reported 109,928 new coronavirus cases, down 8,273 from Thursday. Tokyo reported 11,244 new cases, down 1,088 from Thursday. The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo was 20, up one from Thursday. The nationwide figure was 349, down two from Thursday. The number of… Read
Relatives of victims mark 10th anniversary of Sasago tunnel disaster
Relatives of nine victims who died in the collapse of the Sasago tunnel ceiling in Yamanashi Prefecture on Dec 2, 2012, gathered at the site on Friday to attend a memorial ceremony. Central Nippon Expressway Co (NEXCO) executives and local government representatives also attended the ceremony at 8 a.m. in… Read
Life goes on with HIV in Japan, but health care shortcomings persist
Hiroto Okui's HIV diagnosis took him completely by surprise. "I never thought it could happen to me. I didn't know what to do," he says. The Tokyo native said it marked the beginning of an extremely difficult period. Now aged 52, Okui recalls how shocking it was to find out,… Read
Yakult Swallows slugger 'Murakami-sama' tops Japan 2022 buzzword list
The nickname for Yakult Swallows record-breaking hitter Munetaka Murakami, "Murakami-sama," was selected as Japan's top buzzword for 2022, the award's organizer said Thursday. After the 22-year-old became Nippon Professional Baseball's youngest batting Triple Crown winner in October, fans coined the word "Murakami-sama" in a play with words over his name… Read
