Japan slips in world gender equality rankings

Jun 21 (NHK) - Japan has fallen in the global gender equality rankings, mainly because men have more opportunities than women in the fields of economy and politics.

Japan is ranked 125th among 146 nations in the annual Global Gender Gap Report released by the World Economic Forum on Wednesday. The country was ranked 116th last year.

The report compiles rankings for "Economic Participation and Opportunity," "Educational Attainment," "Health and Survival" and "Political Empowerment."

Overall, Iceland continues to top the list for 14 years in a row, followed by Norway, Finland and New Zealand.

Japan almost achieves parity in education and healthcare, but received poor assessments in the other two categories. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

Four Young Mechanics Die After Car Crashes at High Speed

A passenger car was captured speeding across the frame from left to right by a security camera just moments before a fatal crash in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, that claimed the lives of four vocational school students.

Fire Breaks Out on Yodobashi Camera Billboard in Front of JR Osaka Station

A fire broke out on the evening of April 25th on an electronic billboard attached to the Yodobashi Camera commercial complex in front of JR Osaka Station, prompting a large emergency response. No injuries were reported.

Toxic Chemicals Detected in Rivers and Groundwater Across Japan

Organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS—suspected to be harmful to human health—have been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey.

Japan to Issue Bicycle Blue Tickets from April 2026

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

Woman Arrested for Drunk Driving After Eating Alcohol-Filled Chocolate

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

English Words That Are Actually CURSE WORDS In Japan

There are some English words that are harmless. But to Japanese, they sound FILTHY! Yes, simple words like chin, napkin, and even people's names like Gary and Ben can sound very inappropriate in Japan! Today, I'll share all of these words with you! (Mrs Eats)

Train Manners in Japan | Do's and Don'ts

Japan has seen a dramatic surge in tourism over the past decade, with visitor numbers tripling, bringing both economic benefits and greater intercultural exchange. However, this growth has also led to issues of "overtourism," especially on trains—the country's most popular means of transport—where overcrowding and cultural misunderstandings about behavior have caused concern among locals.

Key Strategies for Academic Excellence: A Student's Comprehensive Guide

Achieving academic success isn’t only about securing good grades—it’s about learning how to continuously improve, developing effective study methods, and building the confidence to face challenges.

No Brushes, Just Fingers!? A Stunning Landscape Born from "Finger Painting" Fun!

What happens when you ditch the brushes and just use your fingers? You get something... unexpectedly beautiful.

Facial Muscle Training Shows Results in Just One Week

As Japan enters the era of 100-year lifespans, attention is turning to ways to maintain a youthful appearance and healthy body without relying on costly treatments or devices. One growing trend is facial muscle training — a method of exercising the face to address sagging skin, wrinkles, and double chins, all without the use of tools or surgery.