Japan passes bill to make online insults punishable by jail time

Jun 13 (Kyodo) - A bill to introduce prison terms as part of tougher penalties for online insults was passed Monday at an upper house plenary session, marking a major step toward tackling cyberbullying in Japan.

Moves to amend the country's Penal Code gained traction after Hana Kimura, a 22-year-old professional wrestler and cast member on the popular Netflix reality show "Terrace House," was believed to have committed suicide in May 2020 after receiving a barrage of hateful messages on social media. ...continue reading

Japan's New Cannabis Law Takes Effect

Concern about the growing use of cannabis in Japan, particularly among young people, has prompted new legislation banning the use of cannabis, starting from December 12th.

Uber Japan Launches Ride-Hailing Service for Teens

Uber's Japanese subsidiary announced on December 11th the launch of 'Uber Teens,' a ride-hailing service designed for teenagers aged 13 to 17.

HTV-X Supply Vehicle Unveiled as Successor to 'Kounotori'

Mitsubishi Electric has revealed the new HTV-X unmanned supply vehicle, designed to transport goods to the International Space Station (ISS).

Tokyo Retains Third Place in Global City Rankings

This year’s Global Power City Index was released, revealing that Tokyo has maintained its position as the third-ranked city worldwide for nine consecutive years. Factors such as the increase in foreign visitors to Japan contributed to narrowing the gap between Tokyo and second-ranked New York.

Japan Tops OECD Survey for Problem-Solving Skills

Japan's problem-solving skills have been ranked the best in the world according to an international survey assessing skills needed in daily life.

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Russian Diplomats in Japan Continue to Evade Parking Fines

The issue of diplomatic vehicles avoiding parking fines in Japan due to diplomatic immunity continues, with Russia reaching a record-high number of violations, accounting for 63% of the total.

Joint poll: Negative views among Chinese toward Japan jump to 87.7%

An annual opinion poll shows that more than 87 percent of Chinese have negative views of Japan, up sharply from last year and the second-highest rate recorded. (NHK)

Complaints filed over Hyogo governor's use of PR firm

Complaints against Hyogo Governor Saito Motohiko and the representative of a PR company have been filed with prosecutors and police in western Japan over a possible violation of the public offices election law. (NHK)

Candidate Behind 'Mini-Skirt Campaign' Arrested

A doctor who ran unsuccessfully in the October Lower House election has been arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of promising campaign workers monetary compensation.

Prime Minister Ishiba’s Vehicle Collides With Escort

A vehicle carrying Prime Minister Ishiba collided with a leading escort car. No injuries were reported.

Hyogo governor denies illegality in election campaign

The Governor of Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan has expressed his view that there were no illegalities in his election campaign. The remark came as some are accusing him of violating the public offices election law over the use of a PR company in the campaign. (NHK)

Elon Musk Highlights Japanese 'Wabi-Sabi' in Social Media Post

Elon Musk, the incoming head of the newly established Efficiency Ministry under President-elect Trump, has vowed to reduce $500 billion in government waste annually. Musk, known for his admiration of Japanese culture, sparked speculation on October 21st with a social media post simply stating "Wabi-Sabi" in Japanese, prompting questions about his intentions.

Japan's Agriculture Ministry Urges Nationwide Action to Combat Avian Flu

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries held an emergency meeting to address the rapid outbreak of avian influenza, urging prefectural governments to strengthen hygiene management measures.

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