Society

Nearly 40% of people feel lonely in Japan amid pandemic

Mar 19 (Japan Timesj) - Nearly 40% of adults in Japan feel lonely as social interaction remains limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent survey showed.

Younger people tend to feel more isolated, according to the online survey conducted in February by organizations including Tokyo nonprofit Anata no Ibasho.

Of the 3,011 people age 20 or over who gave valid answers, 37.3% said they feel lonely.

There has been no major change in the proportion since April 2020, shortly after the pandemic began, according to the survey.

The survey found that 39.5% of men and 35.1% of women are experiencing loneliness.

Japan Names 40C-Plus Days

Japan already classifies days with highs of 30C or above as manatsubi (midsummer days) and those reaching 35C or above as moshobi (extremely hot days). It has now introduced a new term for days when temperatures climb to 40C or higher.

Father Admits Killing and Body Abandonment in Kyoto

Police investigating the death of an 11-year-old boy whose body was found in a forest in Kyoto Prefecture believe his father moved the remains between several locations over a number of days in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.

Strong Typhoon Raises High Surf Risk for Pacific Areas of Japan This Weekend

A large and powerful Typhoon No. 4, internationally named Sinlaku, was located near the Mariana Islands and moving north-northeast as of the latest update. The storm is expected to gradually shift its course eastward and pass southeast of the Ogasawara Islands around April 18, before making its closest approach around April 19.

Japan to Release 50 Million Stockpiled Medical Gloves

Japan will release around 50 million stockpiled medical gloves from next month as concerns grow over shortages of medical supplies linked to tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Fully Reopens

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route connecting Toyama and Nagano fully reopened on April 15th, marking the start of the spring tourism season along one of Japan’s most celebrated mountain routes.

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