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Chisato Tanaka

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jun 19, 2018

U.N. body offers Tokyo youth a glimpse of life in camps on World Refugee Day

On most weekends, the plaza surrounding the famous Hachiko dog statue outside Shibuya Station is thronged with people. However, the popular Tokyo rendezvous point last Saturday hosted an emergency tent where people in bright blue T-shirts tried to raise awareness ahead of June 20 — the 18th annual...

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jun 13, 2018

Private-sector test results to account for 20% of national university English entrance exam scores

The Japan Association of National Universities (JANU) has adopted its new English proficiency benchmarks for entry into state-run universities, which now measure English speaking and writing skills, giving high school students a better grasp of the language before entering college.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Entertainment news

Jun 5, 2018

Haruki Murakami to make radio debut with one-off music and running-themed show

Exciting news for "Harukists": Internationally acclaimed novelist Haruki Murakami will serve as a DJ for a one-off radio program on Aug. 5, Tokyo FM announced Tuesday.

JAPAN

May 30, 2018

Seibu Group subsidiary challenges Tokyo firm over 'Prince Hotel' trademark infringement

Seibu Group's Prince Hotels and Resorts, one of the nation's largest hotel leisure businesses, is planning to file a lawsuit against the owner of the Tabata Prince Hotel, which opened last month in Tokyo, for infringement of the trademark law.

Japan Times

JAPAN

May 23, 2018

Tokyo Declaration unites global cities against waste and pollution

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike announced Wednesday the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration, in which 22 megacities around the world committed to reducing waste and tackling air pollution by sharing technologies and knowledge.

JAPAN

May 21, 2018

9% rise in overstayers detained over six months puts spotlight on 'provisional release' program

The rise seems to correlate with a Justice Ministry crackdown on “provisional releases,” which detainees allegedly abuse to earn money before deportation.

Japan Times

JAPAN / EXPLAINER

May 21, 2018

Japan's refugee-screening system sets high bar

Last year, Japan granted refugee status to just 20 out of a record-high 19,629 applicants. After the figure was released in February, global and domestic coverage was noticeably polarized.

Japan Times

JAPAN

May 14, 2018

Tanzanian man looks to transform Dar es Salaam's busy bus system using app he developed with Japan-based startup

It is not unusual for overseas visitors on their first visit to Japan to be impressed by the country's efficient rail network, with its heated seats and computerized message boards providing passengers with information updates.

Japan Times

JAPAN / GENERATIONAL CHANGE

May 13, 2018

Young social entrepreneur seeks to help asylum-seekers integrate into Japanese society, even while they're in limbo

It's tough for asylum-seekers to keep their hopes up in Japan, where only 1 in every 1,000 applicants was granted refugee status last year.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Apr 25, 2018

Japan's press freedom ranking rises in 2018 — due in part to deteriorating conditions elsewhere

The nation's press freedom ranking in 2018 slightly increased from the previous year, primarily the result of worsening conditions in other democracies, Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Apr 18, 2018

Orix starts new free information services in various languages for inbound tourists

Orix Corp. officially announced the launch Wednesday of its new free information service for foreign tourists that enables the accessing of local information websites translated into other languages through the scanning of specially designated placards using smartphones.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Crime & Legal

Apr 5, 2018

Australian woman renews plea for Japan's government to amend U.S. forces agreement after rape ordeal

Japan Times

JAPAN

Apr 4, 2018

Slovenia and Colombia envoys raise awareness of land mines at event in Tokyo

The Slovenian and Colombian ambassadors to Japan on Wednesday called for more awareness about the worldwide risks posed by land mines by rolling up their pant legs and sleeves in a symbolic show of support for those who have lost limbs due to the explosive remnants of war.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 30, 2018

Japan high schoolers least obese but least confident, four-nation poll finds

Japanese high school students have lower physical and mental self-confidence but healthier eating habits than their American, Chinese and South Korean counterparts, according to a study released Friday by the National Institution for Youth Education.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 28, 2018

Kyoto University and Todai tie for first in magazine's ranking of Japanese schools

Kyoto University ties the University of Tokyo — moving up two spots from last year — for first place in the ranking of Japanese universities by Times Higher Education magazine.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Crime & Legal

Mar 20, 2018

Syrian asylum-seekers' bid for refugee status rejected by Tokyo court

The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit filed by two Syrian asylum-seekers — echoing the Immigration Bureau's decision not to grant them refugee status — in the first such court challenge in Japan since civil war broke out in the Middle Eastern nation in 2011.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Society

Mar 19, 2018

Cult prevention group seeks stay of execution for 'brainwashed' former Aum Shinrikyo members

The Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery (JSCPR) demanded Monday that the state refrain from executing 12 former members of doomsday cult group Aum Shinrikyo, not including the group's guru leader, amid growing speculation that recent transfers of seven of them could indicate their hanging...

Japan Times

JAPAN / Society

Mar 14, 2018

Turkish Kurd seeking refugee status in Japan losing hope amid what critics call a flawed system

On a chilly afternoon in mid-January, more than 30 Kurdish asylum-seekers gathered in front of United Nations University in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward to call for U.N. action on Turkey's continued all-out attacks on Kurds in the northern Syrian town of Afrin.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 13, 2018

Estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan's national parks hit record 6 million in 2017

The estimated number of foreign visitors to the nation's national parks increased to a new record of 6 million last year, with a park in Kumamoto Prefecture, which was hit by natural disasters in 2016, having enjoyed a boost, the Environment Ministry has announced.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Society

Mar 8, 2018

U.N. regional director praises Japan's efforts to empower women, but notes that few are reaching the top

The past five years of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's much-touted "womenomics" measures, aimed at advancing female economic empowerment, have shown clear-cut progress, with about 70 percent of Japanese women and girls aged between 15 to 64 now being employed or seeking jobs.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.

The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces

By Stephen Mansfield

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