Labor shortages in Japan's construction sector provide unexpected economic boost
As Japan's construction firms are squeezed by the tightest labor market since the 1970s and a rapidly aging population, they are pouring investment into technology — and providing unexpected support to an economy reeling from the bitter U.S.-China trade war. The industry sees artificial intelligence ...
Japan ramps up spending for typhoon relief but workers are scarce
Following a series of storms, including the worst typhoon in decades, the government is ramping up spending on rescue, repair and cleanup. But there's a catch: There are more shovels than hands. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration has agreed to use ¥700 million for immediate ...
An executive of a government-certified institution for inspecting compliance with building standards took cash from a housing company in return for favorable treatment, including filling out application forms on its behalf, it was learned Monday. Senior officials at such inspection organizations are generally considered to ...
U.S. startups focusing on care products and services for the elderly are tapping into the graying Japanese market, where more than 35 million people are over the age of 65. Seismic, a California-based apparel company, hopes to expand in Japan with its Powered Clothing, a ...
Nearly 3.5 million freelancers working in Japan amid rise in flexible employment styles
Up to 3.41 million people, accounting for about 5 percent of Japan's total labor force, are estimated to be working as freelancers, according to a recent survey conducted by the government. Analysts expect the number of freelancers to grow amid the government's push for more ...
Heatstroke suspected in death of worker at Tokyo Olympics construction site
A worker at a Tokyo Olympics construction site was found unconscious Thursday and was later confirmed dead at a hospital, the Tokyo Organizing Committee said, with police saying heatstroke may have been the cause. Soaring temperatures have killed at least 57 people across the country ...
Leopalace21 inside directors to resign en masse over shoddy construction scandal
Leopalace21 Corp.'s outgoing president, Eisei Miyama, will not remain as a director and will step down en mass with six other inside directors on the apartment rental firm's board, according to sources. Bunya Miyao, the managing executive officer of the company, will succeed him as ...
A wearable "third arm" for construction workers is among the latest innovations under development in Panasonic Corp.'s burgeoning collaboration with academia to make robots an increasing part of people's lives in aging Japan. Panasonic already has expertise in using robots in manufacturing but has reached ...
Tokyo-based drone service and solution provider Terra Drone Corp. will launch operations in India this year to apply unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tech within the industry field of Asia's third-largest economy. Terra Drone India Pvt., a local unit of the firm, was incorporated last month ...
Tokyo prosecutors suspect JR Tokai official leaked maglev bid information to Obayashi
Investigators suspect Obayashi gained an advantage over its competitors by obtaining inside information from the railway operator.
Building project threatens Beatles statue in Mongolian capital
A statue of the Beatles erected in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar could be at risk amid an alleged land grab, protesters say, as rapid development turns a city once famed for wide open spaces into a cluttered metropolis. Residents are protesting against plans to ...
'Macho' photo contest hopes to boost demolition industry's image, draw more workers
An unprecedented online photo contest highlighting demolition workers was held recently to raise public awareness of their profession in a chronically understaffed industry. The wrecking ball industry is struggling to find workers because many people have the impression that it is a tough job, so ...
