Society

Japan's unemployment rate hits 3-year high

Dec 02 (NHK) - The unemployment rate in Japan hit a 3-year high in October. Officials say the coronavirus has driven the figure to 3.1 percent, the highest since May 2017.

The internal affairs ministry says the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose one tenth of a point from September.

It's the third straight month the figure has been in the 3 percent range.

The number of people out of work stood at just over 2 million. That number has risen for 9 straight months.

But job availability inched upwards too.

The ratio of openings to applicants rose a hundredth of a point to 1.04. That means there were 104 openings for every 100 people looking for work.

The labor ministry says that the employment situation remains serious because of the prolonged impact of the coronavirus.

Source: TBS NEWS

Takaichi Elected as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Japan’s Diet elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s 104th prime minister on October 21st, making her the first woman to lead Japan and signaling a sharp shift to the right following a turbulent political season marked by party upheavals, coalition realignments, and public frustration over economic stagnation.

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Strengthens Over South China Sea, 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 201st 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.

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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