Tag - local-government

 
 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A revamped 3D diorama of the Chiran airfield and its surroundings is displayed at the Chiran Peace Museum in Minamikyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture, on July 31.
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2025
Hometown donations program used to help preserve wartime memories in Japan
Initiatives are under way in some regions to keep the tragic history of World War II from fading by using digital technology to renovate exhibition facilities.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) speaks at a meeting of the government's Headquarters for Creating New Regional Economies and Living Environments on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 2, 2025
System launched to support regional cooperation across prefectures
The central government plans to provide grants and subsidies to help local governments and businesses with regional development initiatives, and will relax regulations on request.
The city assembly of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, unanimously passes a no-confidence motion against Mayor Maki Takubo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 1, 2025
No-confidence motion passed against embattled mayor of city in Shizuoka
Mayor Maki Takubo, who claimed to have graduated from Toyo University but was actually expelled, must now decide whether to dissolve the assembly or resign.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addresses a ministerial meeting on nuclear power policy held at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
JAPAN
Aug 29, 2025
Japan to give aid to more municipalities near nuclear plants
The move will make around 150 municipalities in 22 prefectures eligible for the aid.
The ministry of labor has suggested a 6% minimum wage increase, but most prefectures reporting so far are opting to go slightly higher.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 25, 2025
Japanese prefectures break with labor ministry on minimum wage
Many prefectures are choosing increases higher than the 6% suggested by the ministry.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Yonaguni in Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 25, 2025
Okinawa town elects independent mayor cautious about defense expansion
Independent candidate Tsuneo Uechi has been elected mayor of the town of Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, a result that could influence the central government's defense policy.
Tatsuaki Igarashi, mayor of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, exits a ride-sharing vehicle at Tsukuba Station in January.
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2025
Japan to boost support for joint ride-hailing services
There is currently just one joint ride-hailing service in the country, despite 2,057 areas nationwide where transportation options are limited or unavailable.
The Toyoake Municipal Government in Aichi Prefecture is planning to enact an ordinance to urge all smartphone users in the city to limit screen time to two hours a day outside work or school.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 22, 2025
Japanese city proposes two-hour daily limit for smartphone use
Toyoake's cap will not be binding and there will be no penalties incurred for higher usage, according to a draft ordinance.
Damaged buildings on the burnt-down Asaichi-dori street in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, after the Jan. 1, 2024, earthquake
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2025
Japan eyeing measure to speed up disaster damage recognition
The new system is designed to dispatch personnel with damage assessment experience to affected areas promptly once a disaster occurs.
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura addresses a meeting of Osaka Ishin no Kai on July 30.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 13, 2025
Osaka governor eager to make another bid for metropolis plan
The plan, which has been rejected twice in referendums, would scrap the city of Osaka and reorganize it into special administrative districts under Osaka Prefecture.
Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki delivers a speech at a conference held by Mayors for Peace, a worldwide organization of city leaders, on Friday in the city of Nagasaki.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2025
Mayors for Peace start general conference in Nagasaki
The conference will discuss actions to be taken by 2029 and adopt a resolution on the abolition of nuclear weapons on the closing day.
Oita Prefectural Kusu Miyama High School in the town of Kusu, Oita Prefecture
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Aug 4, 2025
Two Oita towns to launch program to nurture aspiring local teachers
As the towns are facing population decline, there are few young aspiring teachers there.
Incumbent Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka won a second term on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 4, 2025
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka wins second term
Takeharu Yamanaka, an independent who had the backing of three parties, pledged to enhance child-rearing support for households and strengthen disaster reduction measures.
Maki Takubo, mayor of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, speaks during a news conference in the city on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 1, 2025
Scandal-hit mayor withdraws resignation in Shizuoka Prefecture
The Ito city assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution urging Mami Takubo to step down.
A fireworks display in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, on Aug. 4 last year. The show has been one of the return gifts for hometown tax donations to the city.
JAPAN
Aug 1, 2025
Furusato nо̄zei hometown tax donations hit record ¥1.3 trillion in 2024
Of Japan's 47 prefectures, only Fukuoka, Saga and Kagoshima received lower donations than in fiscal 2023.
Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki (left) hands a proposal to promote a multicultural society to Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki on Wednesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jul 31, 2025
Japan prefectural chiefs seek to promote multicultural society
The project team of the National Governors' Association asked the central government to help the country accept more foreigners to address labor shortages in regional areas.
The city of Kumamoto. The number of local governments that are able to operate their finances without state tax allocations has increased for the fourth consecutive year, the internal affairs ministry announced on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 29, 2025
Local governments not allocated state tax revenue increase for fourth year
In fiscal 2025, such local governments totaled 85, up by two from the previous year, reflecting the growth of local tax revenues backed by robust corporate performance.
Among elderly people age 65 and over, the share of single-person households jumped from 5.0% to 12.1% between 1995 to 2020.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 27, 2025
Use of deceased's person's savings for cremation allowed without heirs' consent
The move is aimed at reducing the financial burden on municipalities, which have often shouldered burial or cremation costs.
A "no swimming" sign and flag are displayed on the beach at Shonan Bellmare Hiratsuka Beach Park in the city of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Aug. 10 last year, following the issuance of emergency information on the increased risk of a huge Nankai Trough earthquake.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2025
Japan holds first meeting on Nankai quake information guidelines review
Japan issued its first Nankai Trough emergency information in August last year following a major quake off Miyazaki Prefecture.
Miyazaki Gov. Shunji Kono speaks at a meeting of the National Governors' Association in the city of Aomori on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 24, 2025
Governors urge central government to address Japan's shrinking population
During a two-day meeting in Aomori Prefecture, governors called for the establishment of a government agency-level control tower to coordinate related policies.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past