Doctors' union calls for cancelling Tokyo Games
A union of hospital doctors in Japan has urged the government to cancel this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics due to the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)
Myanmar to free Japanese journalist as gesture to Tokyo
A Japanese freelance journalist in Myanmar who was jailed and charged with spreading false news or information that could cause public unrest will be freed by the country’s ruling junta as a gesture of friendship with Japan, a state television report said Thursday. (hindustantimes.com)
Ex-Miyakojima mayor arrested for suspected bribery
Japanese police have arrested a former mayor of an island city in Okinawa Prefecture on suspicion of taking a bribe in connection with a land sale for a Ground Self-Defense Force camp. (NHK)
Japanese billionaire Maezawa to travel to ISS in December
MOSCOW – Japanese billionaire entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa and his assistant, Yozo Hirano, will be the next tourists to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), Russia’s space agency Roscosmos said Thursday. (Japan Times)
14 May 2021
All Japan Tours
Japan Weather
SOCIETY
Doctors charged in euthanasia case suspected in another death
Japan Today - May 13
Two doctors indicted last year over the consensual killing of a terminally ill woman in Kyoto were served with fresh arrest warrants Wednesday for allegedly murdering a man, the father of one of them, police said.
Man arrested over murder of 21-year-old university student in Chiba Prefecture
Japan Today - May 13
Police in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, have arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of killing a 21-year-old university student.
Survey finds 31% of older Japanese have no close friends
Japan Times - May 13
Over 31% of Japanese aged 60 or older say they do not have any close friends, according to a government survey involving older populations in Japan, Germany, Sweden and the United States.
Man possessing cannabis livestreams his surrender to police
Japan Today - May 12
A man who turned himself in to police in Tokyo for the alleged possession of cannabis livestreamed as the whole process unfolded via video-sharing platform YouTube, investigative sources said.
[more society news…]
BUSINESS
Kuroda says BOJ ready to buy ETFs 'boldly,' drops no hints on when
Reuters - May 14
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Thursday the central bank was ready to buy exchange-traded funds (ETF) "boldly" when necessary, but did not offer any hints on whether it would step in to stem the current market rout.
Nikon posts record net loss in FY2020
NHK - May 14
Japanese precision equipment maker Nikon, known around the world for its digital cameras, has reported its worst ever fiscal year performance, with sales taking a battering from the coronavirus pandemic.
How to be successful on TikTok
newsonjapan.com - May 14
Have you ever thought about trying to become an influencer on social media but you aren’t sure how to do it?
5 things you need to know about Instagram
newsonjapan.com - May 14
Instagram is an excellent social media platform for businesses and brands.
[more business news…]
POLITICS
Myanmar to free Japanese journalist as gesture to Tokyo
hindustantimes.com - May 14
A Japanese freelance journalist in Myanmar who was jailed and charged with spreading false news or information that could cause public unrest will be freed by the country’s ruling junta as a gesture of friendship with Japan, a state television report said Thursday.
Ex-Miyakojima mayor arrested for suspected bribery
NHK - May 14
Japanese police have arrested a former mayor of an island city in Okinawa Prefecture on suspicion of taking a bribe in connection with a land sale for a Ground Self-Defense Force camp.
Japan's government face growing criticism as COVID-19 state of emergency expands
CNA - May 13
Japan's government is facing growing criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan expands, extends state of emergency
NHK - May 12
Japan is stepping up efforts to contain a rise in coronavirus infections by expanding and extending its third state of emergency of the pandemic.
[more politics news…]
EDUCATION
Japan is the sixth most desirable country for people to move for work
timeout.com - May 13
Last year, Japan was ranked the second most popular destination to move to, so it’s no surprise that the country also made the list in another recent worldwide survey on where people would most like to relocate for work.
How to Spot a REAL Tanuki!
Japan Trail Cam - May 12
Here's a look at some tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog) in popular culture, compared to the real thing.
Navigating Between A Rock And A Hard Place: How To Settle Conflicts With Clients Successfully
newsonjapan.com - May 12
Surely, we all hope that our business will have few problems with customers. Products or services are good, delivery is fast and prices are average on the market, without excesses.
Japanese Multiplication | You didn't learn this at school.
Matescium - May 11
Japanese schools have their unique way of education. They have an interesting way of teaching methods from mathematics to science and technology.
[more education news…]
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Japanese billionaire Maezawa to travel to ISS in December
Japan Times - May 13
MOSCOW – Japanese billionaire entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa and his assistant, Yozo Hirano, will be the next tourists to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), Russia’s space agency Roscosmos said Thursday.
Japan's 1st reactor to operate beyond 40-yr limit to restart in June
Kyodo - May 13
An aging nuclear reactor in central Japan will be restarted in late June, becoming the first unit to operate beyond the government-mandated 40-year service period under new rules set after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the operator said Wednesday.
Pfizer vaccine effective on COVID-19 variants in Japan, study says
Japan Times - May 13
Around 90% of people who received the vaccine developed by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. were found to have developed antibodies against the various COVID-19 variants detected in Japan, a university study showed Wednesday.
Third coronavirus drug approved for use in Japan
NHK - May 11
Japan's health ministry has approved the use of a rheumatoid arthritis drug, baricitinib, for treating COVID-19 patients. It's the third coronavirus drug to be approved in the country, following remdesivir and dexamethasone.
[more sci-tech news…]
SPORTS
Doctors' union calls for cancelling Tokyo Games
NHK - May 14
A union of hospital doctors in Japan has urged the government to cancel this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Foreign sumo fans finding ways to make voices heard
Japan Times - May 13
Sumo isn’t anywhere near the level of the only truly global sport. What its overseas fans lack in numbers, however, they more than make up for in passion.
IOC: Most Tokyo Games athletes to be vaccinated
NHK - May 13
The International Olympic Committee has indicated that most athletes at the Tokyo Games will get vaccinated.
Golf: Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama rusty after monthlong break
Kyodo - May 13
After taking time to soak in the glory, Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama is ready to get back to work at this week's AT&T Byron Nelson, which is both a stop on the PGA Tour and a FedExCup event.
[more sports news…]
TRAVEL
Japan to bar re-entry of residents from India, Nepal, Pakistan
todayonline.com - May 13
Japan will from Friday indefinitely bar foreign nationals with residence status from re-entering the country if they have stayed in India, Nepal or Pakistan within 14 days prior to their return, the government said on Wednesday.
Japan's mountain ascetic hermits
BBC - May 12
For more than 1,400 years, Yamabushi monks have been walking Japan's sacred mountains, believing that this harsh natural environment can bring enlightenment.
Hachiman-bori canal boat ride｜Shiga Prefecture
47 Miracles of Japan - May 12
Hachiman-bori canal used to be a waterway which connected Omihachiman city center to Lake Biwa for trading, and nowadays is known as a tourist attraction.
Remote islands recommended as World Heritage site
NHK - May 11
Forests and diverse wildlife on four remote southwestern islands in Japan are likely to be added to the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites.
[more travel news…]
FEATURED BLOGS
May 13
Ito Japan – Travel Tips To Explore This Relaxing Onsen Town In Izu Peninsula
K's House Ito Onsen - Historical Ryokan Hostel 1

Ito Japan – The Izu Peninsula is located on the gorgeous coastline southwest of Tokyo. Located only a few measly hours away by train, this is one of the most popular getaways for Tokyoites throughout the year, but especially in summer.

The Izu ...

May 13
Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions in Japan

There are many vegans, vegetarians and people who otherwise have to avoid certain types of food for medical, religious or other reasons living in Japan. It's not impossible to cut certain products out of your life, but it is more difficult in Japa...

May 12
The right angle of the Quadrilateral
Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) stand by as the ship goes alongside the Indian navy fleet oiler INS Shakti (A57) during the Malabar naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, 13 April 2012 (Photo: Reuters/Abaca Press).

Author: Mason Richey, HUFS

The leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia and India met virtually on 12 March in their strategic mini-lateral grouping known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad. This was an inaugural leader-lev...

May 11
An old school Tokyo bus stop trio
An old school Tokyo bus stop trio

This time last year I did a short series on suburban bus stops and their sometimes comically eclectic seats. A set of photos that was deliberately devoid of people as the emptiness seemed to somehow suit the surroundings.

The old Tokyo bus stop ...

May 11
How to Politely Say No in Japanese

The word “no” in Japanese is いいえ (iie), but when it comes down to actually refusing something or someone, more thought and planning is involved than you may imagine. On top of this, the word “no” is often not mentioned at all!

While...

[more blogs…]