Society

Japan denies report on Kim Jong Un Olympics invitation

Nov 19 (Japan Times) - A Japanese official indicated to a visiting group of South Korean lawmakers that it would be possible to invite North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to next summer's Tokyo Olympics, a South Korean newspaper reported Wednesday, quoting one of the legislators.

Kim Jin-pyo, who headed the group on a three-day visit to Tokyo through Saturday, said he was told by a high-level Japanese official involved in diplomacy that if the North Korean leader wants to attend the Olympics next July, an official invitation could be extended, according to the JoongAng Ilbo.

A senior Japanese government official denied the report Wednesday, saying they are not at a stage to make such a statement when North Korea's participation in the games is not decided. A senior Foreign Ministry official said Kim Jin-pyo must have offered his personal view.

Japan's Academics Demand Independence

Scholars affiliated with the Science Council of Japan formed a symbolic human chain in front of the National Diet building on May 8th, calling for revisions to the government’s proposed reform bill targeting the council’s structure, as deliberations enter their final phase in the Diet.

Inside Japan’s Failing Sewers

Across Japan, road collapses have been occurring with increasing frequency, often blamed on aging infrastructure. In one recent incident in Ashioshi, Saitama Prefecture, a truck was swallowed by a gaping sinkhole.

Two Men Arrested for Breaking Into Tokyo School

Two men who were arrested for forcibly entering an elementary school in Tachikawa City, Tokyo, and assaulting staff members have been identified as friends of a student's mother. One of the suspects denies the charges, claiming he was only brushing people off after being restrained.

Cherry Blossoms Reach Final Stage, Six Days Earlier Than Average

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Wakkanai and Kushiro, marking the near completion of Japan's cherry blossom front for 2025.

Lack of Sleep After Golden Week May Signal Sleep Disorder, Experts Warn

As many in Japan returned to work or school on May 7th following the Golden Week holiday, a growing number are reporting post-holiday fatigue and sleep deprivation—conditions that experts warn may point to deeper sleep-related issues.

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