Japan screens foreign researchers for espionage risks

Aug 14 (Nikkei) - Japan has set stricter screening requirements for foreign researchers entering the country, aiming to keep sensitive research and technologies from leaking to China and elsewhere.

In order to apply for a Japanese visa, researchers and students need to obtain a certificate of eligibility from their schools and employers. The document includes such information as their purpose of travel and their planned address in Japan.

The government last year began requiring additional information from those involved in sensitive research, such as sponsors and travel histories. Applicants also need to submit past research papers and home-country work histories.

The move comes as China offers generous compensation to recruit foreign experts under its Thousand Talents plan. The U.S. and Europe are also taking steps to prevent technology leaks.

The requirement has applied to relatively few people so far as Japan has limited arrivals to combat COVID-19. Of the 150,000 foreign nationals newly entering the country in 2021, just 89 did so on research-related visas. ...continue reading

PM Takaichi’s Favorite Bag and Pen Spark Shopping Frenzy

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has quickly become Japan’s newest fashion icon. Since taking office just ten days ago, the 63-year-old leader’s signature style -- defined by her understated black tote bag and soft pink pen -- has sparked a nationwide shopping craze.

Record 12 Killed in Bear Attacks Across Japan

Bear attacks are reaching unprecedented levels across Japan, with a record 12 fatalities so far this year as sightings continue daily from mountain towns to city centers, disrupting schools and local institutions.

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Sense of Crisis in World Heritage Shirakawa Village: ‘Never a Year with So Many Bears Before’

Bear sightings have surged across Japan, and in Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa Village—home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go—local authorities held a nighttime drill on October 28th to prepare for possible emergencies.

Japan Mobility Show Opens, Toyota Unveils Century Coupe

The Japan Mobility Show opened on October 29th, marking the start of Japan’s premier automotive exhibition, where foreign manufacturers are stepping up their entry into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Aichi Faces Surge in Teacher Misconduct as Trust in Schools Erodes

The number of disciplinary actions at public elementary and junior high schools in Aichi Prefecture during the first half of 2025 has exceeded three times that of the same period last year, prompting growing concern among parents over how to engage with schools.

Teachers Compete in Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya

Teachers from across Japan are gathering in Nagoya to compete in a national contest that tests and refines their classroom teaching skills. The event, called the "National Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya," is organized by the Noda Juku preparatory school to help both cram school instructors and school teachers improve their teaching techniques.

Inside Japanese Fonts: How Designers Shape the Way We Read

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

Chinese National Arrested Over Organized TOEIC Cheating

Tokyo police have arrested a Chinese national, identified as Li Zhaobei, on suspicion of document forgery and other offenses in connection with a case of TOEIC exam fraud involving impersonation.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.