Society

Japanese Citizenship Restored to Filipina Woman Left Behind After War

Davao, Apr 03 (News On Japan) - As Japan marks 80 years since the end of World War II, Angelita Oshiro, an 86-year-old second-generation Japanese woman living in Davao on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, was finally granted the restoration of her long-awaited Japanese citizenship on April 2nd.

Oshiro expressed her heartfelt wish to visit Japan as a Japanese citizen and reunite with her relatives.

Her father, a Japanese national, was forcibly repatriated to Okinawa by the U.S. military after the war and has since passed away.

Source: Kyodo

Snake Causes Shinkansen Power Outage

The Tokaido Shinkansen resumed service at 7:00 p.m. on April 30th after a power outage forced a suspension of operations, but major delays continued to affect the timetable.

Shizuoka Prefecture to Adopt Year-Round Cool Biz

Shizuoka Governor Heita Suzuki announced on April 30th that the prefecture will implement its “Cool Biz” dress code throughout the year starting in May 2025. Previously limited to the warmer months from May through October, the initiative encourages relaxed attire for government workers, such as going without neckties, to create a more comfortable working environment.

Vietnam Pavilion Opens 17 Days Late

Vietnam’s national pavilion finally opened on April 30th -- 17 days behind schedule -- after delays in exhibit preparations kept it closed during the April 13th launch of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Rules Tightened for Parental Leave Benefits

The rules surrounding benefits for parents on childcare leave were tightened in April due to concerns over the practice known as 'aiming to miss nursery placement.'

Last Chance to See Hokkaido’s Fabled Bridge as Collapse Looms

The "phantom bridge," a Hokkaido heritage site in the Tokachi region known for appearing and disappearing with the seasons, has begun drawing visitors again in 2025 as its elusive form grows increasingly fragile.

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Dispute Over Meal Cost Leaves One Dead in Western Japan

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Japan's Prisons Shift Focus from Harsh Discipline to Inmate Rehabilitation

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