Tokyo's richest ward counts cost of sending all students to Singapore

TOKYO, Oct 11 (News On Japan) - Tokyo's Minato Ward Assembly recently made a formal decision to allocate 500 million yen of taxpayers' money for overseas study trips for all public junior high schools, sparking both support and opposition.

The destination for these trips is Singapore, known for its iconic Merlion, a 7-hour flight from Tokyo. The program is aimed at about 760 third-year students in public junior high schools.

According to the ward, the per-person cost borne by families had previously been around 70,000 yen for study trips to Kyoto or Nara. The remaining cost of approximately 500,000 yen will be covered by taxpayers' money, totaling a staggering 500 million yen.

Minato Ward has been focusing on international education since 2007, and the 3-night, 5-day study trip to Singapore is considered the culmination of its efforts in elementary and junior high schools.

Minato Ward's chief of education explained, "We aim to promote interactions with local students in English. The program also includes direct experiences of foreign cultures, nature, and history. Students will engage in group activities and explore the city, and no matter the cost, we want to ensure that they learn effectively with taxpayer money, without any wasteful spending."

by Brian Dentry

World’s Longest 150-Meter Rail Departs for Hokkaido on Freight Train

Transportation of a 150-meter railway rail—the longest in the world—manufactured at a steelworks in Kitakyushu City, began on April 18th. The rail will be delivered to Hokkaido over the course of about four days for use in the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension project.

Japan Obesity Society Warns Against Women's Desire To Be Thin

The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity has issued a warning about the health risks of excessive thinness and poor nutrition among women, positioning what it calls 'women's underweight and malnutrition syndrome' as a newly recognized health condition.

Why Are Japan’s Street Ramen Stalls Vanishing?

Once a familiar and comforting presence on urban streets, Japan's cherished ramen stalls are quietly fading away as stricter regulations, an aging workforce, and evolving consumer preferences make their survival increasingly difficult.

Bear Sinks Teeth Into Live Deer as Tourists Watch From Hotel Window

A bear attacking a live deer outside a hotel in Kamikawa, Hokkaido, has shocked onlookers and prompted heightened alert from local authorities.

Strong Winds Cause 'Shaky Landings' at Narita Airport

Strong winds battered wide areas of Japan on April 15th, disrupting air travel, toppling trees in central Tokyo, and fueling a fire that burned down homes in Toyama.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

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.

How Much Do Japanese Kids Pay for Smartphones?

As smartphones become a normal part of childhood, many Japanese families are struggling with when to give them to their children and how to set effective rules around their use.

Viral Painting Technique! Bring Fruit to Life with Acrylic Gouache

In this video, artist Harumichi Shibasaki brings fruit to life using acrylic gouache—a technique that’s been generating buzz for its incredible realism. (Watercolor by Shibasaki)

Miyakonojo Introduces Grandchild Leave for Up to Seven Days

Miyakonojo City in Miyazaki Prefecture has introduced a new leave system called "grandchild leave," allowing grandparents to take up to seven days off to support childcare, in a move that reflects changing work and family dynamics.

U.S. Universities Don't Accept Geniuses

18-year-old Zach Adgarian is considered a genius. He scored 34 out of 36 on the ACT, which, along with the SAT, is a primary criterion for college admissions in the U.S.

Record Number of Foreign Workers in Japan as Medical Interpreters Bridge Language Gap

As Japan sees a record surge in foreign residents and tourists, hospitals across the country are facing a growing challenge: how to communicate effectively with patients who do not speak Japanese.

Young Voices Enter Aging Care Industry Amid Labor Shortage

In Japan’s aging care industry, the average age of helpers has reached 54.4, highlighting a deepening labor crisis driven by persistently low wages and a lack of younger workers entering the field.

Helicopter Pilot for Tourists: Career Change

Choosing a new career can be daunting, but if you've ever dreamed of soaring through the skies and showing tourists breathtaking landscapes from above, becoming a helicopter pilot might be worth considering.

< 2 3 4 5 >