Society

Households on welfare in Japan hit record high in March, topping 1.6 million

Jun 08 (Japan Times) - The number of households on welfare in Japan in March increased by 2,588 from the previous month to hit a record high of 1,641,523, up for the first time in three months, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said Wednesday.

The increase reflected a rise of people who lost their jobs at the end of the fiscal year in March. The data excluded households on welfare whose payments were being suspended.

Households with only elderly members aged 65 or over and those made up of only the elderly and children under 18 numbered 855,586, or 52.4 percent of the total recipient households.

Of the elderly families, single-member households accounted for 90 percent, totaling 776,415.

Ishiba Unveils New Cabinet Lineup

The new leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party has officially announced his executive lineup. LDP President Ishiba Shigeru is set to become prime minister on Tuesday. (NHK)

Two powerful storms approaching Japan

Japanese weather officials say that over the next few days Typhoon Krathon will likely approach the southwestern islands of Okinawa Prefecture. (NHK)

Tateyama Alpine Route Awash in Autumn Colors, Set to Peak in October

Autumn foliage is advancing early in the Tateyama region of the Northern Alps in Toyama Prefecture, with vibrant red and yellow hues starting to appear.

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

A Japanese government information-gathering satellite has successfully been put into a planned orbit around Earth. (NHK)

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