Society

JR unveils new station in Tokyo opening in 2020

Aug 30 (NHK) - East Japan Railway Company held the first media preview on Wednesday of its new station being built in central Tokyo.

JR East plans to open the station in the spring of 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games that summer. It will stand between Shinagawa and Tamachi stations, and the Yamanote and Keihin Tohoku commuter lines will stop there.

The company says about 70 percent of the planned work has been completed.

The station building has 3 stories above ground and one below. It was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who also designed the new national stadium for the 2020 Games.

The building features white roofs and big glass walls. The railway tracks are already in place.

Kuma said he believes that railway stations will play a bigger role in people's lives. He added that he hopes the new station will fit in well with the surrounding streets.

A JR East official expressed hope that the station will give visitors to the 2020 Games a fresh impression of Japan.

The new station's name will be chosen from proposals submitted by the public. The winning entry will be announced by winter.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Japan Ranks 92nd in English Proficiency, Lowest in History

EF Education First, a global education organization, published this year’s English Proficiency Index on Wednesday, ranking nations worldwide. Japan’s ranking stood at 92nd among 116 countries and regions, continuing a 14-year trend of record lows.

Famed Hot Spring Struggles to Handle Visitor Surge

Ginzan Hot Springs in Yamagata, known for its Taisho-era charm, is now at peak season for autumn foliage. While this secluded onsen town is a well-known destination in the Tohoku region, an influx of foreign tourists has led local officials to implement restrictions on day visitors starting next month.

Convenience Stores to Start Selling Over-the-Counter Drugs

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced plans to allow the sale of over-the-counter drugs at convenience stores without on-site pharmacists.

Japan Looks to Limit Continuous Work

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's advisory panel has outlined a proposal for amending the law to prohibit working more than 14 consecutive days. Under the current system, workers can technically work up to 48 days in a row through a system known as 'four-day-off-per-four-weeks,' while labor agreements also allow for holiday work, meaning there are no effective restrictions on consecutive workdays.

First 'Rose of Versailles' Manhole Covers Appear in Chiba’s Kashiwa

Manhole covers featuring characters from Riyoko Ikeda’s popular manga The Rose of Versailles were unveiled on November 11th at three locations within Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Japan's Abandoned Car Issue - Millions in Forgotten Legends

It's no secret that Japan is lined with seemingly forgotten about cars. This is the second video I dedicate to showing you guys what I can sometimes run across in my travels and as much as it is sad to see cars left to crumble away into nothingness, there's always something impossibly visual about seeing grimy decay, especially if on cars we all love so much. (Dino DC)

20-Year-Old Woman Arrested After 7-Hour ‘Free’ Karaoke

A young woman was arrested after spending seven hours in a karaoke room alone, even extending her stay, without any intention of paying.

Town Revitalization Effort Brings 'Yokai' Wedding to Life

A unique wedding ceremony recently took place in Fukusaki Town, Hyogo Prefecture, where efforts are underway to revitalize the town through the allure of 'yokai' (supernatural creatures in Japanese folklore).

Female Rickshaw Pullers Face Heat: 'Like Slaves' Say Some Foreigners

Tokyo's Asakusa district, bustling with foreign tourists, is famous for its rickshaws, a unique attraction that combines sightseeing with memory-making for visitors.

Father and Son Arrested After Heated Dispute with Frying Pan

An 88-year-old father and his 60-year-old son were arrested in Kushiro, Hokkaido, after a violent dispute where the father allegedly threatened the son with a knife, and the son retaliated by hitting his father with a frying pan, causing minor injuries.