National Aug 8, 2018
Smoking-linked financial losses in Japan topped ¥2 trillion in fiscal 2015
The majority of the costs went toward medical expenses, with fires caused by careless smoking also said to be a key factor.
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Business / Corporate Aug 7, 2018
Japan Tobacco Inc. has agreed to buy a Bangladeshi cigarette manufacturer for 124.3 billion taka ($1.5 billion), taking its acquisition strategy to one of Asia's fastest-growing economies. The Tokyo-based company is acquiring the tobacco business of Akij Group, the second-largest tobacco company in Bangladesh, Japan ...
National / Science & Health Jul 29, 2018
Following Tokyo's lead, more cities eye tougher rules against passive smoking
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's decision to introduce measures against passive smoking that are stricter than the central government's has inspired more cities to do the same, a survey has found. Of the 20 ordinance-designated cities surveyed, Chiba, for example, plans to draft its own ordinance ...
National / Crime & Legal Jul 18, 2018
Japan's watered-down smoking ban clears Diet
by Tomohiro Osaki
Lighting up in public facilities prohibited for the first time as the nation scrambles to combat secondhand smoke in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Games.
National Jul 10, 2018
'Life or death': Tokyo pub owners fear impact of tougher smoking laws
by Tomohiro Osaki
Hiroshi Yoshida is facing a dilemma. Under an anti-smoking ordinance adopted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly last month, the 73-year-old owner of a small udon (wheat noodles) restaurant in the Takadanobaba district will soon have to make a choice: declare the entire interior nonsmoking or ...
Food & Drink Jul 7, 2018
Restaurant chains are taking the smoking ban into their own hands
by Patrick ST. Michel
Although the anti-smoking laws recently passed by Japan's national government have yet to go into effect, several popular restaurant chains have already gone completely smoke-free. But will that be enough to help make Japan a smoke-free country by 2020?
National Jun 27, 2018
Tokyo lawmakers approve anti-smoking ordinance as capital gears up for 2020 Olympics
by Tomohiro Osaki
The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly passed an anti-smoking ordinance that is stricter than the national version currently under consideration, in a move intended to rein in secondhand smoke.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jun 23, 2018
Public remains ignorant of the hazards associated with smoking
by Philip Brasor
“Secondhand smoke” describes the fumes in the air that result from someone smoking tobacco. “Sidestream smoke” (fukuryūen) comes off the tip of the cigarette itself rather than out of the mouth of the person smoking it. Since sidestream smoke is estimated to make up ...
National / Politics Jun 21, 2018
Japanese lawmaker apologizes for heckling lung cancer patient during the man's Diet testimony
A ruling party lawmaker apologized Thursday for heckling a lung cancer patient last week during the man's parliamentary testimony on an anti-smoking bill. Yoichi Anami, a Lower House member from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, said the remark because of his feelings "that ...
Business / Corporate Jun 13, 2018
British American Tobacco hit by heated-tobacco slowdown as Japan growth stalls
British American Tobacco PLC said the rapid growth of tobacco-heating products in Japan has slowed, adding to doubts that the category can offset the decline in traditional cigarettes. Market share gains of BAT's Glo device have stalled over the last seven weeks, after the tobacco-heating ...
Business / Corporate May 18, 2018
Phillip Morris' iQOS e-cigarette is capable of harvesting smoker's data: ex-project manager
by Tom Lasseter, Duff Wilson, Thomas Wilson and Paritosh Bansal
In seeking regulatory approval overseas for iQOS, an electronic smoking device, Philip Morris International Inc. is claiming the product is less likely to cause disease than traditional cigarettes. But the iQOS, which is gaining popularity in Japan, holds another, less obvious advantage over regular ...