National Oct 14, 2020
As of the end of September, the municipal government of Fukuoka made the use of hanko unnecessary for some 3,800 types of administrative procedure documents.
National / Politics Jun 12, 2020
Koike’s first term as Tokyo governor: Eventful, but little to show for it
by Ryusei Takahashi
Each challenge has revealed a new facet of her political persona, and they will also serve as benchmarks against which voters examine her record.
Business / Corporate Apr 11, 2020
Japanese companies confused by state, municipal flip-flopping on coronavirus closures
Businesses are confused by municipal and central government vacillating over which industries to target for temporary closure under the state of emergency declared for containing the coronavirus contagion. On Friday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government finally announced a list of sectors subject to its closure instructions ...
Food & Drink | Food Sustainability in Japan Apr 4, 2020
Breaking ground: Young farmers embrace urban agriculture in Tokyo
by Chiara Terzuolo
Kei Kawana’s kingdom is Neighbor’s Farm, a 2,000-square-meter plot overlooked by the Tama Monorail, which regularly zips by overhead. This March, she celebrated her first year of agricultural activity, the culmination of many years of patient work, planning and wading through bureaucracy. Kawana, an alumna ...
National Feb 2, 2020
Tokyo tests reward points linked to U.N. sustainable development goals
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is experimenting with offering reward points to citizens who engage in activities that are in line with U.N. sustainable development goals. The initiative, slated to run through fiscal 2020, is part of efforts to motivate people to contribute to society as ...
National Feb 2, 2020
'Wash your hands': Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike calls for coronavirus precautions ahead of Olympics
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike called on residents on Sunday to wash their hands and wear surgical masks to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus which has infected thousands around the world as the city prepares to host the 2020 Olympics. "This is one of ...
National Jan 28, 2020
Olympic preparations putting damper on work for Tokyo gubernatorial election
Administrative work related to the Tokyo gubernatorial election in July has been affected by preparations for the Summer Olympics starting later that month. Four of Tokyo's 23 central wards — Bunkyo, Sumida, Shinagawa and Ota — said they have decided to change ballot-counting facilities for ...
National Jan 26, 2020
Ambitious Zero Emission Tokyo plan wins praise, but begs for action
by Ryusei Takahashi
Just days before the new year, Gov. Yuriko Koike revealed the Zero Emission Tokyo Strategy, the capital's long-awaited plan to eliminate carbon emissions, transition to renewable energy and take the lead in the fight against global warming. "Around the world, we see that cities are ...
National / Science & Health Dec 27, 2019
'Zero Emission Tokyo Strategy' spells out capital's plan to take on global climate crisis
by Oscar Boyd
Tucked into the tail end of the decade was Friday's release of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Zero Emission Tokyo Strategy," which unveils a blueprint for achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. In the strategy, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government states that it recognizes a ...
Business Dec 3, 2019
In divisive move, large-volume fish trade set to be liberalized at Tokyo's Toyosu market
A divisive deregulation is on the horizon at Tokyo's Toyosu wholesale food market, with rules that limit large-volume fish purchases to intermediate wholesalers, select major supermarkets and other certified entities expected to be removed in June 2020. The move is among measures announced by the ...
Olympics Oct 24, 2019
Tokyo government mulls proposing 2020 Olympic marathon start at 3 a.m.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is considering proposing that the 2020 Olympic marathons and race walking events start at 3 a.m. or 5 a.m. in an attempt to prevent them from being moved to Sapporo, officials said Thursday. Amid increasing worry about the impact of the ...