Society

Japan Donates 700,000 AstraZeneca Jabs to Iran

Jan 17 (financialtribune.com) - ran received 700,000 AstraZeneca vaccine shots from Japan over Friday and Saturday as part of the country’s pledge to increase donations in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The two shipments were delivered to Imam Khomeini International Airport, bringing Japan’s total donation to Tehran to 3.6 million jabs, ISNA reported.

Tokyo had sent another batch of AstraZeneca shots to Iran back in July.

Japan has been making large donations to Asian nations most in need of vaccines to help curb the outbreak around the world.

As per a grant aid project signed in October, Japan provided Iran with six MRI machines as well as 14 CT scan machines along other medical equipment.

Iran has vaccinated the majority of its population of over 85 million people with Sinopharm vaccine doses purchased from China.

Zao’s Snow Monsters Face Extinction

Zao’s iconic snow monsters, the frost-covered trees known as 'juhyo,' face an existential threat. These towering, snow-laden trees have long been a winter highlight in the region, famously resembling monstrous figures covered in snow. However, their survival is now under severe threat.

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.

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