Asia Japan Many professors are calling for the lifting of the border blockade on foreign students, which has been in place for almost two years; the government has declared that it will welcome 87 of the 150.000 students in February
Asia Japan For the first time, oil subsidy program will be implemented to curb fuel prices this week; the nation's average gasoline price was 170,2 yen/liter, reaching highest level in over 13 years and topping the threshold required to launch the subsidy scheme
Asia Japan The new age limit to be admitted - accompanied by parent or guardian - at hot springs and sento (public baths) in the areas reserved for the opposite sex, is now six; until 2021, children up to 9, regardless of gender, could go with either parents
Asia Japan A record number of 52 Japanese tech startups is showcasing at CES 2022, the world's most influential tech event, opening today in Las Vegas, USA
Asia Japan Fashion mogul Yusaku Maezawa and his producer Yozo Hirano have returned to Earth after spending 12 days on the International Space Station
Asia Japan Japan will contribute a record 376,7 billion yen ($3,4 billion) to the International Development Association, a World Bank fund for the poorest nations, in a bid to help them recover from the fallout of the pandemic
Asia Japan Tokyo Games' uniforms for 28.000 volunteers remain unused following Covid-19 forced absence of public and staff
Asia Japan New government bonds will be issued - worth ¥22.1 trillion (US$192 billion), they will finance an extra budget for the current fiscal year until next March for an economic stimulus package, adding a further blow to fiscal health
Asia Japan Beaujolais Nouveau event returns after pandemic; the red wine, made from just harvested grapes and leased every year on the third Thursday in November, went on sale at the exact stroke of midnight
Asia Japan The Nikkei index hit a one-month high on Nov 1 on hopes for a stable government and more government spending, as PM Kishida - strong of party election win - promises to tackle crucial issues
Asia Japan A University of Tokyo team created calcium carbonate concrete, a new type of material, from waste cement and carbon dioxide captured from industrial waste gases; the process was inspired by the way some aquatic organisms harden into fossils over time
Asia Japan Suicides among Japanese schoolchildren reached a record high of 415 deaths during the last school year, according to an education ministry report; it is the highest number since tracking began in 1974
Asia Japan Fumio Kishida is expected to become the next prime minister after winning the leadership election in a hard-fought runoff; he said he is ready to "run at full speed" for "a bright future for Japan"