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Kathleen Benoza
JAPAN
May 4, 2023
Almost half of young people in Japan have had suicidal thoughts, survey finds
About 56% of those who had suicidal thoughts did not speak to anyone about it, while 12.4% of people said they opened up to friends and 11.7% to their mothers.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2023
Japan and EU oppose U.S. plan for G7 to ban all exports to Russia, report says
The proposal, made by the United States, would ban all items from being exported to Russia, with exceptions including agricultural and medical products.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2023
Japan panel approves nation's first abortion pill
Final approval from the health minister is expected to follow, but the timing remains unclear.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 18, 2023
Suspect in Kishida attack sued government over election rules, records show
In the lawsuit, the suspect also touched on the state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, claiming the government forced the event to go forward despite public opposition.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 17, 2023
In wake of attack, Kishida thought of bystanders, election and G7 summit
In an exclusive interview, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he did not feel his life was threatened in the immediate aftermath of an attack on Saturday.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2023
Suspect may have used homemade pipe bomb in Kishida attack, investigators say
The revelation came as police raided the home of the 24-year-old suspect in Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 15, 2023
Police probe explosives attack as Kishida returns to election rallies
A suspect is in custody after a cylindrical object landed 1 meter from the prime minister, who was evacuated before the device exploded.
JAPAN
Apr 13, 2023
Yellow sand reaches Tokyo for first time in two years
The dust is expected to envelop most of the nation on Thursday afternoon, continuing to cover parts of the country until noon on Friday before receding until early Sunday morning.
JAPAN
Apr 12, 2023
Yellow sand sweeps into Japan as government agencies urge caution
Dust has begun to cover areas from Hokkaido to northern Kyushu, and if yellow sand is observed in Tokyo, it would be the capital’s first in 16 years for the month of April.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 12, 2023
Around 40% of domestic tasks could be automated in 10 years, study finds
The findings are based on data collected from 65 artificial intelligence experts in Japan and the U.K. who assessed how susceptible 17 types of domestic tasks would be to automation.
JAPAN
Apr 7, 2023
Search for crew from missing SDF helicopter continues as debris is recovered
The coast guard retrieved 10 pieces of debris, including a lifeboat, but there has been no sign so far of the 10 personnel who were were on board.
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2023
Japan announces outline of 'unprecedented' child care policy
The measures aimed at reversing Japan’s declining birthrate include beefing up child care allowances and expanding scholarships for college education.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 29, 2023
Japan's top diplomat set for first visit to China since 2019
As Tokyo presses for the release of a detained Japanese national, Yoshimasa Hayashi has set his sights on a visit to China in an effort to right foundering ties.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 28, 2023
As ties crumble, Chinese spy law could see more Japanese citizens detained
Since China passed its counterespionage law in 2014, 17 Japanese nationals have been detained in the country for allegedly engaging in spy-related activities.
JAPAN
Mar 24, 2023
Japan releases nation’s first guidelines for refugee status eligibility
The new document aims to organize criteria relating to how refugee status in Japan is determined, with the intention of increasing transparency and promoting confidence in the system.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2023
Japan's World Baseball Classic glory spurs fan frenzy at home
Official fan gear for Japan’s star players remains out of stock, with potential buyers reportedly having to wait months.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Mar 23, 2023
The cherry blossoms are here and business is blooming
Kathleen Benoza explains what's at stake during the hanami season, while Thu-Huong Ha and Alyssa I. Smith discuss the science, symbolism and culture of sakura in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 22, 2023
Hay fever medicine in high demand amid high pollen count
Sales of hay fever-related items such as anti-inflammatory nasal drugs more than doubled to 210% of last year's figure in the week from Feb. 27.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Mar 15, 2023
Japan's economy to bloom as hanami season kicks off
Cherry blossom viewing is expected to bring an influx of revelers estimated to have a positive economic impact of ¥615.8 billion, one study has found.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 14, 2023
Tokyo sees another record early start to cherry blossom season
Cherry blossoms in the capital started blooming 10 days earlier than average, tying 2020 and 2021 for the earliest date since 1953, when data first began being collected.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.