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Kazane Kajiya, 27, (second from left) and others filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the Maternal Health Law infringes upon their constitutional rights by restricting women's ability to make decisions about their own bodies.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 13, 2024

In Japan, a legal fight for the right to sterilization surgery

The plaintiffs' argue that the Maternal Health Law infringes on their rights by restricting a woman's ability to make decisions about their own bodies.
The Niigata Prefectural Government holds a seminar in January 2021 for parents of students seeking jobs.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 14, 2024

Japan in urgent need of personnel for local public service

A shortage of civil servants to support the lives of local residents is raising serious concerns.
A "free school" in Tokyo's Kita Ward. In April, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government began providing subsidies to students attending free schools.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 14, 2024

Local subsidies for Japan's 'free schools' highlight regional inequality

Support groups are calling for uniform financial assistance nationwide for institutions aimed at those who have left mainstream schooling.
Japanese players celebrate after winning a point against Canada during a Volleyball Nations League match on Thursday in Fukuoka.
OLYMPICS / Volleyball
Jun 14, 2024

Japan’s women’s volleyball team punches ticket for Paris

The JVA received the news from FIVA, the sport’s governing body, after it calculated the rankings points as of Thursday.
Tohoku University in Sendai
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2024

Tohoku University to be first winner of Japan's world-class research grants

The university will also fully make Japanese and English its official languages to attract world-class researchers and students.
The number of consultations made by consumers regarding troubles on social media marked a record high in 2023, with people in their 50s or older particularly vulnerable.
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2024

Japan sees social media linked consultations hit record in 2023

In 2023, there were 910,000 consultations, and consumer damage from problematic transactions amounted to a record ¥8.8 trillion.
Yamato Transport drivers push carts loaded with parcels for distribution in Sapporo.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 14, 2024

Japan logistics firms work to reduce parcel redeliveries

The government aims to lower the rate of parcel redeliveries from 10% in fiscal 2022 to 6% in fiscal 2024.
Kei Nishikori servers during his second round match at the French Open last month.
OLYMPICS / Tennis
Jun 15, 2024

Osaka and Nishikori to represent Japan at Paris Games

It will be the second Games for Osaka, who lost in the third round at her home Tokyo Games in 2021.
Group A Streptococcus typically causes swelling and a sore throat in children, but some types of the bacteria can lead to symptoms developing rapidly.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 15, 2024

Rare tissue-damaging bacteria spreads in Japan

At the current rate of infections, the number of cases in Japan could reach 2,500 this year, with a mortality rate of 30%.
Sunflowers are a popular gift for Father's Day in Japan.
JAPAN
Jun 16, 2024

Father's Day custom in Japan developed in own way

In Japan, the Father's Day Council was established in 1981, branching off from the Men's Fashion Unity, for the purpose of disseminating the custom of Father's Day.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prior to the start of a Ukraine peace summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 16, 2024

Kishida calls for peace, as Russia's absence overshadows Ukraine summit

Representatives from more than 90 countries and a dozen international organizations are advocating for a concrete and united roadmap to peace in Ukraine.
A growing number of local governments in Japan are selling reusable oversize waste collected from households on marketplace app Mercari.
JAPAN
Jun 16, 2024

Japan local governments using Mercari app to recycle oversize waste

From clothing boxes to furniture, the initiative aims to raise awareness of reusing goods while reducing carbon emissions from incineration.
Muons can penetrate dense materials, even bedrock several kilometers thick, and therefore are used for internal inspections for volcanos and pyramids, as well as the reactors at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power station.
JAPAN
Jun 16, 2024

Japan team succeeds in muon reacceleration in major breakthrough

Muons have characteristics similar to those of electrons but have a mass some 200 times greater.
The Henoko coastal district in the city of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2024

Okinawa governor's camp fails to secure majority in assembly poll

The tough election result is seen forcing the Okinawa governor to face difficulties managing the prefectural administration.
Foreign visitors learn how to make sushi in a cooking class at Sushi Making Tokyo in the Asakusa district of Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2024

Japan government paper seeks to promote rural areas to foreign visitors

Foreign tourists primarily spend their time and money in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, according to the paper.
Washington is talking to allies about adding 11 more Chinese chipmaking factories to a restricted list.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 19, 2024

U.S. pushes Japan and Netherlands to muzzle China's chipmaking abilities

Washington is talking to allies about adding 11 more Chinese chipmaking factories to a restricted list, a source said.
A fake online ad that solicits investments using the name and picture of economic analyst Takuro Morinaga without permission. Morinaga said he is not involved in the ad in any way and does not have social media accounts.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 19, 2024

Fake celebrity ad victims in Japan increase tenfold

Victims lost an average of ¥6.87 million, with the largest single loss hitting ¥170 million.
While the education ministry recently introduced a new subject called “logic and expression” in its new curriculum guidelines, experts say that many teachers, in practice, are still focusing on grammar acquisition.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 19, 2024

Japan study downplays complex grammar in improving English writing skills

English learners are better off focusing on making good arguments, according to the Kobe University research.
Emperor Naruhito speaks during a news conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday, ahead of his visit to Britain from Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2024

Emperor recalls time with British royals ahead of visit to U.K.

"I have very fond memories of the Queen driving a car and inviting me to a barbecue," Emperor Naruhito said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2024

Kishida and Luxon affirm information security pact

Kishida and Luxon also agreed to discuss a pact for Japan and New Zealand to exchange military supplies, enhancing defense cooperation between the two countries.
Mayumi Kitakata uses "CatsMe!," an AI-driven smartphone app that purports to tell when a cat is feeling pain, near her 14 year-old male pet cat Chi at her home in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2024

Japan's beloved cats get health care help from AI

The CatsMe! app has been used on 6,000 pictures of cats and by more than 230,000 customers since its launch last year.
Residents at a residential facility for the elderly in Sapporo show off their nails after getting them done during an on-site training session for welfare nail technicians in May.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 20, 2024

'Welfare manicures' bring a touch of color to the lives of Japan’s elderly

The practice, which took off in 2012, has been well-received among residents of care facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Pedestrians shelter from the sun in Tokyo's Ginza district on Sunday. On average, the rainy season begins on June 7 in the Kanto region where Tokyo is situated, but as of Thursday, the Meteorological Agency has yet to declare the start of the season in the capital.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 20, 2024

Japan’s rainy season is significantly late this year

The rainy season is already two weeks overdue in the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo.
Japan is considering a system to let foreign visitors who are exempted from obtaining short-stay visa declare online their information such as purpose of stay before entering the country.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2024

Japan to launch online travel authorization system for visitors

The system's introduction aims to prevent illegal stays.
An electronic shelf tag at a supermarket in Tokyo's Sumida Ward shows a product is sold at different prices according to the expiration date and inventory status.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 21, 2024

Japan's food loss hits a record low in fiscal 2022

With the goal met for businesses to reduce food waste, the government will consider setting a new reduction target.
The Cabinet Office's latest white paper on Japan's aging society predicts that the percentage of people age 65 and above will reach 38.7% of the country's population by 2070.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 21, 2024

More of Japan’s elderly are lonely and have fewer friends, white paper says

Less than half of respondents age 65 years and above polled in 2023 said they had at least an average number of friends, compared with 72.2% in 2018.
The Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima
JAPAN / History
Jun 21, 2024

Oppenheimer apologized to atomic bomb survivors, Japan nonprofit says

Oppenheimer apologized profusely while crying intensely as soon as he met the visitors, an interpreter said.
A group of Chinese tourists walks through the Ginza district in Tokyo.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jun 22, 2024

Japan and Thailand top list of travel destinations for Chinese tourists

The return of Chinese tourists is being closely watched, as their numbers and spending are crucial for the tourism industry’s recovery.
A China Coast Guard vessel sails in the East China Sea near the disputed isles known as Senkaku isles in Japan and Diaoyu islands in China in December 2015.
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2024

Chinese ships enter Japanese waters near Senkakus for two days in row

It was the 21st intrusion by Chinese official ships into the Japanese waters near the Senkakus this year.
Japan Airlines jets at Haneda Airport in 2020
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2024

Japan Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Aomori

JAL Flight 2154, an Embraer 170, returned after takeoff from Aomori Airport to land just over 30 minutes later. No one was injured.

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Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear