Society

'Special' child benefits to end for higher-earning families in Japan

Dec 11 (Japan Times) - Japan's government and ruling parties agreed Thursday to stop paying 'special' child benefits to households with an annual income of Y12 million or more.

The new rule will apply to benefits to be paid in October 2022 and later.

Under the nation’s child benefit scheme, which covers junior high school and younger children, child-rearing households with annual incomes exceeding certain levels are given Â¥5,000 per child per month as special allowances.

Meanwhile, ordinary child benefits are paid to households under a certain income level, with the monthly amount set at Â¥15,000 per child aged under 3 and Â¥10,000 per older child in principle.

The government and the ruling pair of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito also agreed to give up a plan to use the combined incomes of both working parents as a threshold for double-income households to receive child benefits. The government will keep intact the current system in which the higher of the income earned by the husband and that by the wife is used as a threshold.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

A new chapter opened in Japan’s political history on October 21st as Sanae Takaichi was elected the nation’s first female prime minister. Following her appointment by the Diet, Takaichi declared that her new cabinet would be one of “decision and progress,” pledging to move swiftly on policies from the very first day.

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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