Asia Japan The first survey on how much foreign residents are paying in health insurance and pension premiums will be conducted to analyze their impact on Japan’s social security system; currently the country has no data specifically regarding foreign nationals
Asia Japan Major Japanese firms offered an average 5,58% wage increase in the spring negotiations, as many sought to respond to elevated prices while trying to avoid brain drains; it is the highest increases in 32 years since comparable data became available in 1992
Asia Japan The city of Fujikawaguchiko has started building a large black screen on a stretch of pavement to block the spectacular view of Mount Fuji; the measure intends to repel flocking tourists, as they often behave inappropriately
Asia Japan In 2531 all Japanese will be called Sato, unless the old law and tradition requiring married people to have the same surname is changed, according to Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor of economics at Tohoku University
Asia Japan Oji Holding, specialized in the production of disposable diapers, has decided to focus only on adult and senior products, exiting the market of diapers for babies
Asia Japan Commenting international concern about current spread of streptococcal infections, Hitoshi Honda, professor and infectious disease expert at Fujita Health University said pandemic-level infections are not expected and travel restrictions not required
Asia Japan 157 hospitalizations have been traced back to dietary supplements at the center of an expanding health scare, an increase from the 114 cases that last week Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said were linked to its products containing red yeast rice 'beni kōji'
Asia Japan The film Oppenheimer was first shown in Japanese theaters, several months after its US release in July 2023
Asia Japan The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has issued a health warning due to the spread of A streptococcus bacterial infections that can lead to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), with a 30% mortality rate; cases as of 17 March have exceeded half of 2023
Asia Japan The number of foreign nationals residing in Japan counted over 3,4 million in 2023, +10,9% on 2022, marking a record high for the second consecutive year, with employment-related visas seeing growth amid the country's acute labor shortage
Asia Japan A traditional rice-planting dance was performed on 18 February at Kusano shrine in the Ukedo area in Namie, Fukushima Prefecture; the shrine was rebuilt after being swept away by tsunami triggered by the March 2011 earthquake
Asia Japan Recent survey by Taisho University shows Japanese people in smaller towns and villages with at least 5% foreign population do not regularly interact with the foreigners who live in their communities, underscoring the need to work on integrating society
Asia Japan 40 female participants have formally applied and will for the first time take part in the 'naked man festival', thus changing a 1650-year-old tradition; the event will take place at the Konomiya temple, Inazawa, on 22 February