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The number of residents in Tokyo as of Jan. 1 rose by 0.03% from a year before, data shows, marking a year-on-year increase for the first time in three years, while the country's other 46 prefectures saw their populations continue to decline.

JAPAN / Society

Jul 25, 2024

Japan's population continues to fall even as foreign resident count rises

By Yukana Inoue

The number of foreign residents in Japan rose by 329,535 from last year to 3,323,374.

The Ukedo fishing port in the town of Namie in Fukushima Prefecture in March. In 2022, Taiwan lifted most of its import restrictions on food produced in five prefectures including Fukushima.

JAPAN / Society

Jul 24, 2024

Taiwan set to lift remaining import restrictions on Japanese food

By Francis Tang

The latest measure will cover products such as mushrooms and the meat of wild animals.

A housing exhibition like the one worked at by a Polus employee in Chiba Prefecture who died by suicide in 2020 following harassment by a customer.

JAPAN / Society

Jul 24, 2024

Customer harassment caused Chiba worker's suicide, labor office says

After explaining to a customer who was building a new house that additional costs were required, the employee began facing relentless complaints from him.

Workers of Save the Children Japan make preparations on July 11 in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, to deliver food to households facing financial difficulties.

JAPAN / Society

Jul 24, 2024

Japanese households worried about summer vacation food costs

A Save the Children Japan survey found that 89.4% of those applying for food aid said they lack enough money for adequate food due to rising prices.

Newly hired central government workers listen to a video message by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a training session in April.

JAPAN / Society

Jul 24, 2024

Japan weighs abolishing government workers' spousal allowance

A monthly spousal allowance of ¥6,500 ($42) is provided if the dependent's annual salary is below ¥1.3 million, and the child allowance is ¥10,000 per child.

Boxes of canned quail eggs are piled up at a warehouse in Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture, earlier this month.

JAPAN / Society

Jul 23, 2024

Quail egg farmers struggle after schools remove item from lunches

A fatal choking incident in February involving a canned quail egg at a Fukuoka elementary school led schools nationwide to remove the item from their lunches.

Covers for paper fans used for oshikatsu activities are sold at a Sanrio shop in Nagoya.

JAPAN / Society

Jul 22, 2024

60% of Japanese moms enjoy supporting their favorites through 'oshikatsu'

68.5% of mothers spend less than ¥50,000 a year on oshikatsu, with those who spend ¥50,000 or more and less than ¥300,000 accounting for 20.7%.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.

As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

mission sustainability vol.8: Omron Corp.Omron helping firms achieve carbon neutrality

mission sustainability vol.8: Omron Corp.Omron helping firms achieve carbon neutrality

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