Results for: Japan

In Japan, where traditional marriage rates are declining, a new relationship trend called “friendship marriage” is gaining traction. This alternative marital arrangement is based on shared interests and values, rather than love or romance. Couples in friendship marriages cohabitate, often entering into legal unions, but do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships. They may have relationships with others based on mutual agreement and may choose to have children through artificial insemination. The trend is particularly prevalent among asexual individuals and homosexuals, who face societal and legal barriers to marriage in Japan.

President Biden’s recent comments that Japan and India are ‘xenophobic’ have sparked reactions from Japanese lawmakers. Biden, while emphasizing the benefits of immigration in the US, suggested that these countries’ economic concerns stem from their lower levels of immigration. Several Japanese lawmakers have expressed confusion and skepticism towards the president’s attitude. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials have not yet commented on the remarks. National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby defended Biden’s statements, saying they aimed to praise the US as a nation of immigrants.

YOTEL and Frasers Hospitality have joined forces to bring the first YOTEL property to Japan, set to open in early 2025. Nestled in the heart of Tokyo’s vibrant Ginza district, YOTEL Tokyo Ginza promises an unparalleled experience with its blend of contemporary design and state-of-the-art technology. The hotel will boast 244 meticulously crafted rooms, complete with YOTEL’s signature innovations such as a robotic concierge, SmartBeds™, and seamless digital guest experiences. This launch marks the beginning of YOTEL’s broader expansion plan in Japan, with plans to introduce its innovative transit hotel concept, YOTELAIR, at key entry points in the country.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has suffered a setback in by-elections, losing all three contested seats to the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. The losses, attributed to a major kickback scandal involving political fundraising, have raised questions about Kishida’s leadership and potential ouster by LDP lawmakers. Despite the setbacks, the LDP-led ruling bloc maintains a comfortable legislative majority, and Kishida faces no immediate replacement within the party.

Japanese wildlife experts are warning residents to be on the lookout for hungry and aggressive bears as the animals emerge from hibernation. This year’s poor nut harvest has left the bears with insufficient energy reserves, making them more likely to approach residential areas in search of food. In the past few weeks, there have been a record number of bear sightings and attacks, including six fatal incidents. Authorities are urging hikers, gatherers, and residents to take precautions to avoid encountering bears and to be prepared if they do.

A recent study by a private-sector expert panel indicates that over 40% of Japanese municipalities could witness a significant decline in their young female resident populations by 2050. The study estimated that 744 municipalities, considered as “risk of disappearing,” may face challenges in maintaining essential services due to a sharp reduction in women between the ages of 20 and 30, who are considered a key demographic for childbearing. This projection, while an improvement from previous estimations, underscores the concerning trend of Japan’s falling birth rate and emphasizes the need for local and central government interventions to address this issue.

The Japanese government plans to formulate guidelines for private-sector guarantor services, ensuring support for elderly individuals without relatives in cases of hospitalization or nursing home admission. A survey reveals a surge in single-member households among seniors, highlighting the need for a regulated system guaranteeing access to reliable assistance.

The Road Freight Transport Market in Japan is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.08% from 2023 to 2027. This growth is driven by factors such as increasing demand for infrastructure investment from real estate developers, booming online payments trend, and the country’s robust economy. The market consists of various players offering services such as full truckload, less than truckload, and specialized transport solutions.

An IAEA team has inspected the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to review its ongoing discharge of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific. The plant released about 31,200 tons of the treated water in four batches, and the fifth batch of 7,800 tons is being released through May 7. The IAEA team includes independent international experts from 10 countries, and they will compile a report on their findings at a later date. The discharges have been opposed by fishing groups and neighboring countries, but Japan’s government and TEPCO say the treated water is filtered and diluted to levels much safer than international standards.

Prepare to be amazed! Japan’s Gacha vending machines have reached a new level of surprise, offering Intel Core i7-8700 CPUs for an astonishing $3.25. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to snag a high-end processor at an unprecedented price.