Society

Toyota's Prius voted this year's best car

Dec 08 (Forbes) - When you hear the name Prius, most people normally think of a fuel efficient car with ho-hum styling and very average performance. What Toyota did to its latest version of the hybrid pioneer has the industry goggle-eyed with the best-looking Prius ever and performance and mileage numbers to match.

And 60 judges in Japan just voted it that country’s Car of the Year for 2023-24. This was the third time that the Prius has captured Japan’s highest motoring honor, previously winning for 1997-98 and 2009-10.

Entering the Japan Car of the Year awards ceremony as the favorite to win, the Prius polled a massive 360 votes after the Japan COTY committee introduced a new voting system giving jurors 16 votes to spread between their best three cars.

Polling 150 votes thanks to its great handling and three powertrains in one chassis—gasoline, diesel mild hybrid and fully electric—the BMW X1 finished in second place to take out the Import Car of the Year trophy, with the Honda ZR-V crossover coming in third with 100 votes. ...continue reading

Source: TBS NEWS

What Is Sanaenomics?

The economic policy bannered by Prime Minister Takaichi as “Sanaenomics” is beginning to take shape, with expectations centering on lower gasoline prices and the restart of electricity and gas subsidies even as critics say the program’s substance remains unclear and insufficiently developed; framed as a successor to Abenomics with greater emphasis on growth strategy, the plan raises questions about what will change in people’s daily lives and how the administration intends to run policy behind the scenes.

Typhoon No. 26 Forming, May Impact Japan

As of 3 p.m. on November 5th, a tropical depression over the sea near the Caroline Islands was slowly moving northward, with the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasting that it would develop into a typhoon within the next 24 hours. Once it forms, it will be designated as Typhoon No. 26.

Morning-After Pill to Be Sold Over the Counter by Year-End

Emergency contraceptive pills, used to prevent unintended pregnancies, are set to become available over the counter in Japan as early as by the end of this fiscal year, marking a major shift after nearly a decade of debate.

Crimes by U.S. Military Personnel Hit Record High in Okinawa

The number of U.S. military personnel arrested for criminal offenses in Okinawa has reached 77 so far this year, already surpassing the record total for all of 2024 as of the end of September.

Japan to Tighten Visa Rules on Foreigners Behind on Health Insurance

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plans to introduce a new system starting in June 2027 that will, in principle, deny changes or renewals of residence status for foreign residents who fail to pay their national health insurance premiums despite repeated requests for payment.

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Ikebukuro Bar Manager Re-Arrested for Forcing Female Staff Into Sex Work

A bar manager and his female employee in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district were re-arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of forcing a female staff member to work under threat and violence, after previously being detained for compelling her to engage in prostitution.

Crimes by U.S. Military Personnel Hit Record High in Okinawa

The number of U.S. military personnel arrested for criminal offenses in Okinawa has reached 77 so far this year, already surpassing the record total for all of 2024 as of the end of September.

13 Japanese Among 57 Foreigners Detained in Cambodia Fraud Base Raid

Thirteen Japanese nationals are among 57 foreigners detained in a police raid on a special fraud base in southeastern Cambodia, according to local reports. Footage captured by JNN showed Cambodian authorities raiding a facility believed to be used for large-scale international scams.