Ministry to let excluded areas rejoin Japan's hometown donation system
The decision comes after the Supreme Court nixed the government's decision to exclude the city because of the expensive return gifts it sends to donors.
Just 60% of municipalities in Japan keep emergency supplies for infants and elderly
The survey found a stark contrast between the variety of emergency foods prepared by populous big cities and by smaller towns and villages.
Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking
Yamato on Thursday became the first municipality in Japan to attempt to stop people using their smartphones while walking outside in public places. Following the passage of a draft ordinance in the city's assembly in Kanagawa Prefecture, the rule will come into effect next Wednesday. ...
Japan to beef up coronavirus panel with local officials and risk experts
The government plans to reorganize its panel of experts on the novel coronavirus, economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura has announced. While the current expert panel has no legal backing, a new panel will be placed under the government's coronavirus advisory council, which is based on ...
900 LGBT couples have been certified in Japan since 2015, survey finds
Certifications grew by nearly 500 in fiscal 2019 alone, led by Osaka.
Osaka's second merger push faces pitfalls from pandemic, Abe's poll woes
Osaka voters will once again face a referendum on merging the city’s 24 wards following a decision on a plan that would create four large, semiautonomous wards.
Anti-coronavirus measures checked as disaster drills held in Japan
The move comes after the central government called for measures to be taken to prevent infections at shelters.
80% of Japan's mayors oppose shifting school-year start to fall
The bulk of officials are undecided, but the chiefs of towns and villages appear to be mostly opposed.
The city of Yamato in Kanagawa Prefecture plans to set an ordinance intended to prevent smartphone use while walking. Through the ordinance, the city aims to alert people to the danger of using smartphones while walking, which involves the risk of collisions with other pedestrians ...
Japan to offer more aid for local governments that beef up child consultation centers
The subisidy hike is intended to encourage municipalities to invest more in child consultation staff as the pandemic raises the risk of child abuse.
Japan's local governments struggling with applications for virus cash
At local municipalities, officials are giving up holidays in the hope of delivering as quickly as possible the handout to all residents.
Japan wants domestic travel restraints observed even after eased emergency
The government will request citizens not to travel between areas where the coronavirus state of emergency is in place and other locations once the measure is partially lifted, economic and fiscal policy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Wednesday. The request will be included in the government's ...
