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Japan compiles measures to reduce pollen levels

TOKYO, Oct 12 (NHK) - Japan's government has compiled a set of measures to reduce the pressing problem of hay fever. It aims to cut pollen dispersal in half over 30 years by reducing cedar forests.

Pollen allergies have become a "social health problem" in Japan, a country that is about 70 percent forested.

The plan is to clear about 20 percent of artificially planted cedar trees over the next ten years.

Ministers agreed that such trees will be cut down or replaced with species that produce less pollen. They will designate areas where this will be done by next March.

The government plans to provide more detailed data of cedar forests so that accurate pollen dispersal levels can be predicted.

It will also be using supercomputer and AI technology to provide weather information that focuses on pollen distribution.

The government wants to include a related budget for these measures in its economic package to be compiled by the end of this month.

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Japan’s position on its handling of World Cultural Heritage sites, including Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) in Nagasaki City, has been upheld by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which rejected South Korea’s demand for a renewed review of Japan’s efforts.

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While visiting Mongolia, the Emperor of Japan toured a water facility in Ulaanbaatar that receives support from Japan.

As Japan's Upper House election approaches, party leaders debated whether restrictions should be placed on foreign property ownership. Amid soaring housing prices—especially in Tokyo where secondhand condominium prices now exceed 100 million yen—seven of the eight major political parties expressed support for some form of regulation on foreign homebuyers.

The Emperor and Empress have arrived in Mongolia for their first official visit to the country as Japan’s imperial couple.

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As Japan's Upper House election approaches, party leaders debated whether restrictions should be placed on foreign property ownership. Amid soaring housing prices—especially in Tokyo where secondhand condominium prices now exceed 100 million yen—seven of the eight major political parties expressed support for some form of regulation on foreign homebuyers.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed doubts about reaching a trade agreement with Japan and hinted at the possibility of imposing tariffs of 30% to 35%.

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The former Abe faction of the Liberal Democratic Party has officially dissolved after submitting a dissolution notice as a political organization to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. The faction had already decided to disband in January 2024 in response to a series of political funds scandals.

Okinawa Prefecture observed its annual Day of Remembrance on June 23rd, commemorating the more than 200,000 Japanese and American lives lost in the Battle of Okinawa during the final stages of the Pacific War.

As the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran continues, the evacuation of Japanese nationals from Israel has commenced.

In a case involving bid rigging for the construction of a new city hall in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, four individuals, including a member of the Gunma Prefectural Assembly, have been arrested for allegedly undermining the fairness of the bidding process.

The Pension System Reform Law was passed and enacted at the Upper House plenary session on June 13th with majority support from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, the Constitutional Democratic Party and others.