Japan waives COVID entry tests in step toward welcoming tourists
Japan is moving away from its strict travel restrictions that have made it an outlier in the world by allowing about 80% of inbound travelers to skip COVID tests and quarantine upon arrival. (Nikkei)
Japan to offer 4th coronavirus vaccine shots from May 25
The Japanese government has decided to provide a fourth shot of coronavirus vaccine for people aged 60 or older and others with higher risks, starting on May 25. (NHK)
13 women awarded damages over Japan exam discrimination
A medical school in Japan has been ordered to pay compensation to 13 women for discriminating against them in entrance exams. (BBC)
Govt.: No need to wear masks outdoors if people have little conversation
The Japanese government has issued a fresh recommendation on the use of face masks. It says people need not wear a face mask when out of doors even if there is not a great distance between themselves and others. The advice is based on the assumption that little to no conversation is taking place. (NHK)
22 May 2022
All Japan Tours
Japan Weather
JAPANESE COMMERCIALS
SOCIETY
Tragic story of the world's loneliest princess - who faces a harrowing choice
mirror.co.uk - May 22
The life of a princess is envied around the world. Royal palaces, lavish ceremonies and a huge wedding are all usually part of the package. But Japan's Princess Toshi is said to be the loneliest princess.
US revokes terrorist designation for Japan's Aum Shinrikyo cult
NHK - May 21
The US State Department has dropped its designation of Japan's Aum Shinrikyo cult as a Foreign Terrorist Organization or FTO.
Teenage boy arrested for fatally pushing friend into sea while playing sumo
NewsOnJapan - May 20
ICHIKAWA, May 20 (NewsOnJapan) - A 17-year-old unemployed boy has been arrested on suspicion of pushing two school students into the sea in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, with one of them becoming unconscious and the other fatally injured.
Woman dies jumping out of car in Hokkaido
NewsOnJapan - May 19
SHIRAOI, Hokkaido, May 19 (NewsOnJapan) - A woman has died after falling out of a car during a quarrel on a highway in northern Japan at around 2:30 am on Thursday morning.
[more society news…]
BUSINESS
Why only 1% of Japan's soy sauce is made this way
Business Insider - May 21
It can take 4 years to make one batch of barrel-aged soy sauce. The natural fermentation process was the norm in Japan for centuries, but when industrialization swept the nation, almost all the country's wooden barrels were replaced with steel ones.
Naomi Koshi Is elevating women in Japan's corporate world
TIME - May 21
Naomi Koshi remembers handing out flyers outside a train station during her second mayoral campaign in 2016, when an older man walked up to her and said, “You are too strong for a woman,” and kicked her.
Japan inflation hits seven year high in April
RTE - May 20
Japan's core consumer prices posted their biggest jump in seven years in April, official data showed today, as global commodity prices soared and the yen slumped against the dollar.
Japan notches trade deficit as imports surge on energy costs
marketwatch.com - May 19
TOKYO — Japan recorded a trade deficit in April as its imports ballooned 28% due to soaring energy costs and the yen’s weakness against the dollar.
[more business news…]
POLITICS
Japan protests China development of ocean gas field
NHK - May 21
Japan has lodged a protest with China after detecting construction work for a new structure near the two countries' median line in the East China Sea.
Kyoto, Japan's beautiful old imperial capital, is going broke fast
cbsnews.com - May 21
The glorious ancient monuments, Zen temples and soaring pagodas of Kyoto have made it a major tourist draw for decades.
Japan to offer 4th coronavirus vaccine shots from May 25
NHK - May 20
The Japanese government has decided to provide a fourth shot of coronavirus vaccine for people aged 60 or older and others with higher risks, starting on May 25.
Japan to make big companies report gender pay gaps
Nikkei - May 20
Japan plans to start requiring large companies to disclose their gender wage gaps as early as this year as part of efforts to address systemic disparities in the workplace.
[more politics news…]
EDUCATION
Abortion In Japan: A History
unseenjapan.com - May 22
It may not currently be a topic of polite conversation in much of local society, but abortion in Japan has existed for as long as people have.
13 women awarded damages over Japan exam discrimination
BBC - May 20
A medical school in Japan has been ordered to pay compensation to 13 women for discriminating against them in entrance exams.
Govt.: No need to wear masks outdoors if people have little conversation
NHK - May 20
The Japanese government has issued a fresh recommendation on the use of face masks. It says people need not wear a face mask when out of doors even if there is not a great distance between themselves and others. The advice is based on the assumption that little to no conversation is taking place.
Tokugawa Japan wasn't nearly as isolated as history books teach
Japan Today - May 18
The draconian Sakoku-rei or Seclusion Edict, as ordered by Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, in 1636, would seal off the country from the outside world for the next two centuries.
[more education news…]
ENTERTAINMENT
Kill Japan's elderly? Cannes film probes chilling idea
rfi.fr - May 22
A Japanese film-maker is shaking Cannes film audiences to the core with a dystopian vision of her country in which old people agree to be euthanised to solve the challenge of a rapidly ageing population.
Are Japanese toddlers as independent as Netflix's Old Enough portrays them?
CNN - May 21
"Old Enough!" -- dubbed "the most wholesome show you've ever seen" by the streaming giant on the show's debut in March -- is an unscripted series in which Japanese toddlers between the ages of 2 and 5 are sent on simple errands to help their parents, entirely without supervision and often while navigating busy roads and transport systems.
When You Wake Up Next To An Attractive Girl And Don't Remember What Happened
TK Media - May 21
A compilation of all the best moments of popular anime.
An Introduction to Kabuki Makeup・Part 1: The Basics
Kabuki In-Depth - May 20
Let's take a first look at the unique world of kabuki makeup, focusing on the basics, including the oshiroi and mebari, and how every element of cosmetic adds layers of meaning to the presentation of the characters.
[more entertainment news…]
TRAVEL
Dogs enjoy day-trip on Japan's bullet train
WION - May 22
The first-ever 'doggy holiday' service was run by Japan Railways which included Pomeranians, a terrier and a pointy-eared, cheerful-looking Shiba Inu.
Inside Japan’s Most Expensive Treehouse: Million Dollar Hideaway
Tokyo Portfolio - May 22
Chris from @Abroad in Japan and Alex from Tokyo Portfolio bring you the exclusive look at one of Japan's most special glamping experiences -- a luxury treehouse!
Japan waives COVID entry tests in step toward welcoming tourists
Nikkei - May 20
Japan is moving away from its strict travel restrictions that have made it an outlier in the world by allowing about 80% of inbound travelers to skip COVID tests and quarantine upon arrival.
Tokyo’s massive Bicqlo Shinjuku to close this June
timeout.com - May 20
Walk around Shinjuku, and you’re bound to run into the massive behemoth that is Bicqlo, the mashup of two of Japan’s largest retail giants: Bic Camera and Uniqlo.
[more travel news…]
FEATURED BLOGS
May 20
We accidentally buy some silkworm candy at Hokkaido?s Vending Machine Land

We attempt to get over our dislike of eating insects by? eating some insects.

Say ?Japanese vending machine' to people living outside of Japan and you may get some unscrupulous responses, but the truth is for the most part, Japanese vending mac...

May 19
1,600 empty seats at major Japanese gymnastics competition reserved by single unpaying person

A big mistake? Or did someone have it out for Pommel Horse?

The NHK Cup is a national gymnastics competition that dates back to the 1960s and also serves as a qualifying event for gymnasts seeking spots on the Japanese national team at the Olymp...

May 19
Urusei Yatsura anime remake?s first preview video looks good, sound even better, reveals premier

There's a whole lot to love in this sneak-peak at the remake of the Rumiko Takahashi classic.

The anime industry is in the middle of a remake boom right now, and the updated series are often a chance to make up for a lackluster or limited-sca...

May 19
Why Isn?t Japan as Tech Savvy as It Should Be?

Computer literacy is basic, nontechnical knowledge about computing and software. However, it should also include digital literacy, such as knowing what websites may be harmful or how to interact with others online.

Japan is at the forefront of cre...

May 19
High school girl arrested for stalking Johnny?s 7 MEN Samurai member

Luckily no one was harmed in the tense encounter.

On 18 May, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest of a 17-year-old high school student in Yokohama City for violating the Stalker Control Law and Act on Punishment of Physi...

[more blogs…]