Society

Women make up record 45.5 percent of university students in Japan

Aug 27 (thejakartapost.com) - Women accounted for a record 45.5 percent of students enrolled in university courses in Japan as of May 1, the provisional results of a recent government study showed Tuesday.

The annual education ministry survey showed the number of students had increased by 14,752 from a year earlier to 2.62 million, marking an all-time high for the sixth year in a row.

Female university students totaled a record 1.19 million, maintaining a rising trend since 1981.

"The need for higher education has increased among both men and women," an official of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology said.

But those in the "others" category, including working adults who were nonregular students or completing designated courses, fell by 16,350 to 32,996.

The drop was likely due to universities suspending classes and downsizing their acceptance of such students due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The response deadline for the study, which tallies educational institutions and enrolled students, was extended by around a month this year due to the pandemic.

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Moves Toward Vietnam, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 20th show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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