Editorials Jun 25, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis should prompt renewed action to address the overconcentration of people and business in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Business May 5, 2020
Japan to launch model project for land banks to manage plots left unused
The land ministry will begin a model project for so-called land banks this fiscal year, aiming to appropriately manage land plots that are left unused and find new ways to utilize them through regional cooperation. Local governments and nonprofit organizations will act as coordinators for ...
National Apr 14, 2020
The population fell 276,000 to 126.17 million as of Oct. 1, declining for the ninth straight year.
National Mar 10, 2020
In Fukushima, a 'village' aims to lure young people back to disaster-hit town
by Masumi Koizumi
In a deserted part of Fukushima Prefecture dotted with vacant lots, a sleek modern building stands out. In a workshop inside, a woman with a ponytail wearing purple protective eyeglasses carefully melts a tiny glass tube into the shape of a plum blossom. Behind the ...
National Feb 11, 2020
IMF urges gradual consumption tax hike in rapidly graying Japan
The IMF said the tax would need to be lifted to 20 percent by 2050 to finance swelling costs due to an aging population.
Commentary / Japan Feb 6, 2020
Japan's problem? Too much competition
by Jesper Koll
If you thought Japan was a prime example of socialism that works, think again.
National Feb 1, 2020
Tokyo area logged net population inflow of 148,000 in 2019 as migration to capital continues
The greater Tokyo area registered a net inflow of residents in 2019 for the sixth straight year since 2014, when the demographic survey started to cover foreign nationals as well as Japanese, the internal affairs ministry said in a recent report. The number of people, ...
Editorials Jan 9, 2020
There are no quick remedies for the rapid aging and shrinking of Japan's population, but inaction will only make matters worse.
Commentary / Japan Dec 22, 2019
For 2020, a Japan that dares to take risks
by Shihoko Goto
Looking ahead, what Japan needs is to capitalize on that stability and take risks to address the very real longer-term challenges.
Editorials Dec 12, 2019
Fewer newborns means the nation's population will be aging and declining faster.
National Oct 21, 2019
Nagano highlands fertile ground for Filipino interns
by Reito Kaneko
A Filipino technical intern picks strawberries from elevated beds as he backs down an aisle on a swivel chair in a greenhouse — a common scene in this mountainous area of central Japan known for highland agriculture. Farmers from Benguet, an upland province on Luzon ...
Editorials Oct 13, 2019
A decision by the internal affairs ministry raises questions from the viewpoint of local autonomy and the decentralization of administrative powers.