Society

Transgender footballer Kumi Yokoyama marries girlfriend in U.S.

Nov 25 (Kyodo) - Kumi Yokoyama, a U.S.-based Japanese footballer who publicly came out a transgender man in June, revealed Tuesday on Instagram they married their girlfriend.

The 28-year-old Washington Spirit forward posted photos showing the couple holding a marriage license with a caption that read "I'm sharing personal news today that I've registered my marriage in the United States."

Yokoyama, who according to the team prefers the "they" pronoun, goes on to explain that same-sex marriage is not recognized in Japan, but they want to advocate for the social and legal recognition of same-sex marriages in their homeland through their own relationship.

Yokoyama, who also plays for the national team, came out while making an appearance on former teammate Yuki Nagasato's YouTube channel and expressed a desire to someday quit soccer and "live as a man," becoming one of Japan's most visible LGBTQ athletes.

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

Japan is facing a deepening crisis of poverty and inequality, with rising reports of 'invisible homeless' individuals and growing economic hardships among the population. Discussions over reforms to the country's tax and welfare systems have taken center stage, as policymakers grapple with how to provide meaningful support.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

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