NEWSWORTHY
To protect sellers, government working group eyes stricter regulations for tech giants
A government working group is set to call for placing stricter regulations on technology giants such as Amazon.com and Google LLC to prevent them from taking advantage of vendors, sources with knowledge of the matter said Saturday. In a report to be submitted to the ...
Tourists, take note: As drones multiply in Japan, so do rules governing where they can be flown
Make a trip to any major electronics store today and you're bound to find a section selling drones. Once little more than toys for enthusiasts, today's commercially available drones come in all shapes and sizes and are used for all sorts of purposes, with ...
Task force looks into minimizing social cost of casinos
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kicked off the inaugural meeting Tuesday of a government task force that will make recommendations on licensing and operating integrated resorts with casinos.
Bill lays out tougher regulations for 'minpaku' private lodgings
The government has drawn up a draft bill stipulating tougher regulations on minpaku (private lodging) businesses, sources said Tuesday. Drafted amid concerns of an increase in noise complaints and other issues as minpaku services become increasingly popular with tourists, the bill would force providers to ...
Tougher rules sought for charter buses based on fatal Nagano crash
Responding to a fatal ski bus crash in Nagano Prefecture last winter, the government said Tuesday it wants to make charter bus companies renew their business license every five years. Other change in the road transportation law sought by the government would raise the maximum ...
Minato Ward to protect few remaining views of Tokyo Tower
The area that houses the Tokyo Tower takes steps to ensure that high-rises do not obliterate the few remaining views of it.
Police unit plans to use large drone to 'net' unauthorized unmanned aircraft
Police will deploy a large drone with a camera and net to catch unauthorized unmanned aircraft as part of a new anti-drone squad being planned, sources said. The envisaged unit at the Metropolitan Police Department will be the nation's first and comes as new regulations ...
Japan to ground hobbyist drones in urban areas, impose sweeping restrictions elsewhere
New regulations on the flights of drones and other unmanned aircraft will take effect on Thursday, despite concerns over the impact on hobbyists and fears that restrictions may hamper innovation in the emerging sector. Changes to the Civil Aeronautics Law, passed by the Diet in ...
Despite regulatory issues, Airbnb looks to boost listings in Japan, its fastest-growing market
Airbnb Inc. is seeking to increase its number of short-stay listings in Japan, its fastest-growing market. The number of guests for its home rental service has surged 529 percent this year from a year ago, while listings are up 373 percent to 21,000. That has ...
Law gets serious about cycling safety
Bicycle use is growing along with greater public awareness of health and environmental issues, with cities around the country beginning to rent them out to visitors who are eager to tour Japan on the cheap. But this has triggered a rise in fatal accidents caused ...
Frequent fliers can rest easy. Your carry-on bags are safe for now. The trade group for global airlines is reassessing its much-criticized guidelines for handheld luggage after suggesting that the bags become smaller. That idea has been put on hold. "Significant concerns were expressed in North ...
The government needs to strike an appropriate regulatory balance that doesn't pose barriers to the use of drones for constructive purposes but prevents them from being used in ways that poses a danger to people or violates their privacy rights.
