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China to require visas for tourists from Japan

Mar 10 (NHK) - The Chinese government is suspending the visa-free privileges of Japanese who visit China for a term of no more than 15 days for sightseeing purposes.

The Japanese Embassy in Beijing says the Chinese government notified Japan of the indefinite suspension on Monday. Beijing says visas will be required for such travelers starting on Tuesday.

Beijing also says Japanese people who briefly visit China on business or to see their relatives will continue to enjoy their visa-free status but they need to present documents issued by their recipients in China.

China is asking arrivals from Japan to Beijing, Shanghai, and other major Chinese cities to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine over concerns of the new coronavirus. The measure is believed to have reduced the number of Japanese tourists.

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Two junior high school students returning from cram school were stabbed at a McDonald’s in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture on Saturday night. One of the students, a 15-year-old girl, was killed. The suspect, a man in his 40s, fled the scene.

The number of dairy farms in Japan has halved over the past 15 years, dropping below 10,000 for the first time, raising the alarm about the future of domestic milk production.

Geiko and maiko in Kyoto's hanamachi districts participated in the traditional 'Kotohajime' event on December 13th, offering gratitude to those who supported them over the past year and extending early New Year's greetings.

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In preparation for the New Year, Oita Prefecture’s Kenkokujinja Shrine has unveiled one of Japan’s largest hamaya (traditional arrow talismans) and kumade (decorative rakes).

A 50-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly killing a male acquaintance by driving a vehicle into the sea at a port in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture.

A man impersonating a plainclothes police officer has been arrested for extortion in Tokyo's Akihabara district, allegedly accusing store customers of illicit filming and coercing them into paying money.

A dusting ceremony was conducted at Shinkyo Bridge of Nikko Futarasan Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The kanji representing this year's societal trends, 'Kanji of the Year,' was announced at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, with 'Gold' chosen for 2024, highlighting Paris Olympics and Ohtani's stellar achievements.

The Wakayama District Court delivered a not-guilty verdict on December 12th in the trial of the former wife of a Wakayama-based wealthy man, popularly known as the ‘Don Juan of Kishu,’ who had been accused of murder and other charges.

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.

A man in his 40s was arrested in Tokyo on December 4th for riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol, marking the first arrest in the city since stricter penalties for bicycle DUI came into effect in November.