Society

800 bankruptcies in Japan attributed to COVID-19

Dec 16 (NHK) - A Japanese credit-research firm says the coronavirus pandemic has driven 800 businesses in Japan into bankruptcy.

Teikoku Databank says the figure covers companies that went out of business or began legal liquidation procedures from February to December 15.

Restaurants and drinking establishments were the hardest-hit business category, with 126 failing.

Hotels and inns followed at 70, and construction firms at 57. Businesses are expected to experience harsher conditions ahead due to restrictions and other measures to stem a further spread of infections.

The government has decided to suspend its "Go To" travel-incentive campaign nationwide from December 28 to January 11.

Restaurants, pubs and bars are being asked to cut their operating hours in some areas.

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

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New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

Japan's National Police Agency is introducing new patrol cars equipped with red lights designed to assist people with hearing impairments, flashing differently depending on whether the vehicle is on an emergency run or a routine patrol.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

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University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

The University of Tokyo has officially decided to increase tuition by approximately 110,000 yen for incoming undergraduate students starting next academic year, bringing the total to 642,960 yen.

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