News On Japan
Politics

Japan aims to halve pollen emissions in 30 years to tackle hay fever

May 31, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive policy package to tackle hay fever caused by pollen from cedar and cypress trees, aiming to halve emissions over the next 30 years.

As hay fever is estimated to affect more than 40 percent of the population, the government plans to reduce areas of planted cedar by around 20 percent over the next decade by cutting 70,000 hectares of the trees per year, compared with the current level of 50,000 hectares.

To reduce the impact of pollen allergens that trigger symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes mainly during the spring season, more than 90 percent of young cedar trees would be replaced in 10 years with species that release less pollen. ...continue reading

Source: テレ東BIZ

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Violent Winds Batter Okinawa as Typhoon No. 18 Moves Away

Typhoon No. 18 brought destructive winds to the Amami region and areas around Okinawa's main island, with a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 54.5 meters per second recorded on Tokunoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture and homes damaged and power outages reported as the storm passed through the region.

Mystery Deepens with 39 Kg Bread Trail Across Tottori

A series of mysterious illegal dumping incidents involving about 39 kilograms of sliced bread has been reported around Mount Daisen and other parts of Tottori Prefecture in August, with officials investigating whether the food may have been deliberately placed to attract wild animals.

Osaka Couple Donate 400 Million Yen for Giant Myaku-Myaku Statue at Expo Site

An 85-year-old couple have donated a combined 400 million yen to Osaka City with a request that the money be used to create a giant Myaku-Myaku statue about 20 meters tall at the former site of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, envisioning a landmark that could become a lasting symbol of the event and of renewed prosperity for Kansai and Japan.

Lawson to Cut Onigiri Prices by 10 Yen

Lawson plans to cut prices on its main line of onigiri rice balls by 10 yen from September 29 as falling rice prices begin to feed through to retail costs.

Taiji Boosts Security Against Anti-Whaling Activists

Police have established a temporary police post in the whaling town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, ahead of the September 1 opening of the annual drive hunt for whales and dolphins.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         
MORE Politics NEWS

My Number App Launches With Integrated ID Verification

Japan's Digital Agency launched a new smartphone app on August 25 that combines identity verification and administrative procedures, allowing users to access both government and participating private-sector services through a single application.

Takaichi Says Gasoline Prices Will Remain Around 170 Yen Per Liter

Prime Minister Takaichi said the government will continue using subsidies to keep the nationwide average gasoline price at around 170 yen per liter, drawing on reserve funds set aside to respond to developments in the Middle East.

Fukushima Decontamination Soil to Be Reused at Government Offices

The Japanese government plans to reuse low-radioactivity soil generated by decontamination work after the Fukushima nuclear accident at government office complexes in Saitama and Sendai, marking the first such reuse outside Tokyo.

Japan Backs Fusion and Plastic Recycling With 20 Billion Yen Investment

Japan's GX Promotion Organization has invested about 3 billion yen in two startups developing nuclear fusion and plastic recycling technologies, with combined public and private investment expected to reach around 20 billion yen as the government seeks to accelerate the commercialization of advanced decarbonization technologies.

Japan's Postal Services on Chopping Block

Japan's Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has begun considering reductions in postal services, including fewer mailboxes and less frequent deliveries, as the country's postal business continues to suffer losses following a prolonged decline in letters and New Year's cards.

Russia Conducts Missile Drills Near Northern Territories

Russia has conducted missile exercises around the Northern Territories, including what appears to have been a launch from one of the disputed islands, prompting Japan's foreign minister to call Russia's growing military presence there unacceptable.

Japan to Abolish Cool Japan Fund

Japan's government is moving toward abolishing the Cool Japan Fund, a public-private investment vehicle created to support the overseas expansion of Japanese anime, food culture and other industries, after its cumulative losses reached 54 billion yen.

Japan Strongly Protests North Korea Ballistic Missile Launch

Japan strongly protested and condemned North Korea after it launched a ballistic missile at around 5:04 p.m. on August 20, with the projectile believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said.