Cardboard and plastic: Tottori Prefecture goes low-tech to protect officials from COVID-19
In a nation famed for its cutting-edge robots and toilets, one prefecture is going defiantly low-tech in its effort to defend its officials against COVID-19. In what has been proudly dubbed a "Tottori-style office system," the Tottori Prefectural Government has begun using cardboard and plastic ...
Ikuo Kabashima won a fourth term in the Kumamoto gubernatorial election Sunday, defeating a challenger backed by the local chapter of the minor opposition Social Democratic Party. Voter turnout stood at 45.03 percent, lower than for the previous gubernatorial election in the prefecture in 2016. ...
Kagawa passes Japan's first ordinance to tackle gaming addiction
A local assembly has passed Japan's first ordinance aimed at reducing internet and video game addiction among young people, by recommending that screen time be limited to one hour per day. The ordinance, passed Wednesday by the Kagawa Prefectural Assembly, has triggered controversy — with ...
Japan local governments' hotel tax plans delayed by spread of COVID-19
An increasing number of local governments in Japan are moving to delay discussions on whether to introduce an accommodation tax, as the hotel industry has been hit by the spread of the new coronavirus. The Nara Municipal Government has decided to postpone its proposal for ...
Spreading clusters of coronavirus cases worry Japan's local governments
While the national government drive forward legal revisions to allow the declaration of a national emergency over the COVID-19 virus as early as this week, local governments are growing increasingly concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus in so-called clusters. Experts say that small, ...
Japan's local governments urged to prep for COVID-19 rush on hospitals
Tokyo is estimated to see 45,400 outpatients and 20,500 inpatients per day, of whom 700 will be in severe condition.
Prefectures in Japan face lack of volunteer interpreters for disasters
Several prefectural governments around Japan have raised concerns about a shortage of volunteer interpreters and translators to support foreign residents and tourists during disasters, after making limited progress with addressing the problem, a new survey has shown. The massive floods that were caused by typhoons ...
Women in Japanese politics: Why so few after so very long?
To mark International Women's Day on March 8, there will be worldwide marches, parades, protests and public awareness activities on the contributions of women and the barriers and discrimination they still face. One issue of focus is the state of women in politics and government ...
Tohoku communities scaling down 3/11 memorial events due to coronavirus
Some municipalities have already postponed or canceled their own events.
How far can Japan go to curb the coronavirus outbreak? Not as far as you may think
What some critics slam as Japan’s lax initial response has highlighted the more draconian steps countries other than China are taking to contain the crisis.
Local governments provide instructions on making face masks and disinfectants
Local governments are using the internet to teach residents ways to make their own face masks and disinfectants as stores sell out of such items amid the new coronavirus outbreak. The moves are aimed at allaying concerns among locals over the COVID-19 virus. Many local ...
24 of Japan's prefectures yet to add extra hospital beds for coronavirus patients, survey shows
Twenty-four of the country’s 47 prefectures have not yet increased the number of hospital beds for patients suffering from coronavirus as requested by the central government, a Kyodo News survey showed.
