Society

Students in Japan urge support for Myanmar people

Mar 05 (NHK) - A group of students in Japan has asked the country's government and lawmakers to support citizens of Myanmar protesting last month's military coup there.

The group on Thursday handed in a petition signed by some 38,300 people to the Foreign Ministry and a cross-party parliamentarians' league supporting Myanmar's democracy movements.

The students study the Burmese language at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and gathered the signatures online.

The petition asks Japan's government and Diet members to urge Myanmar's military authorities to immediately stop violent crackdowns on citizens joining peaceful protests against the coup.

It also asks the Japanese officials to call on Myanmar's military to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and other detained leaders.

The director of the Foreign Ministry's First Southeast Asia Division, Yamada Yoshiyuki, said he deeply grieves the deaths of protesters in Myanmar. Yamada pledged diplomatic efforts to help visibly improve the situation there soon.

The head of the parliamentarians' league, Nakagawa Masaharu, thanked the students for their campaign. He said the league will think over what can be done to help the cause.

The students asked Nakagawa to take firm action so that the wishes of those who signed the petition will help improve the situation.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

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.

Death toll rises to 9 in Japan's Ishikawa following heavy rain

Emergency officials say the death toll from record rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture has risen to nine. (NHK)

Russian military plane intrudes into Japanese airspace, Tokyo lodges protest

A Japanese government spokesperson says a Russian military airplane entered Japanese airspace three times on Monday. (NHK)

Kishida vows in meeting with Zelenskyy continued support for Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has conveyed his country's intention to maintain support for Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (NHK)

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Woman in Floral Mini-Skirt Targets Zoo Outlets with Mysterious Tape

Strange incidents involving a woman placing black tape on outlets have been occurring around zoos in the Izu area of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Japanese Households with Buddhist Altars Has Drastically Decreased

As the number of households with Buddhist altars continues to decline, largely due to space limitations in modern housing, wholesalers of Buddhist goods are struggling with unsold inventory.

Twelve Referred to Prosecutors for Alleged Abuse at Kuwana Festival Horse Event

Twelve individuals involved in the traditional 'Ageuma Shinji' horse event held last year at Tado Shrine in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, have been referred to prosecutors on allegations of violent behavior toward horses, including forcing them up steep slopes.