Kitakyushu to Establish 'Generation Z Division'

Kyushu, Feb 14 (News On Japan) - Kitakyushu City has announced that it will create a new "Generation Z Division" in its organizational reform this April, focusing on support for young people.

Mayor Kenji Kitahashi of Kitakyushu unveiled the initial budget plan for the new fiscal year and an outline of the organizational reform on the 13th, revealing the city's plan to establish a "Generation Z Division" within the city hall this April. The term "Generation Z" refers to young people born in the 1990s and 2000s, and Kitakyushu City is committed to supporting this generation. In a press conference, Mayor Kitahashi stated, "A reboot towards growth is most necessary, and we want to concentrate our resources and efforts there."

The initial general account budget plan for the new fiscal year of Kitakyushu City amounts to a total of 627.9 billion yen. Included in this budget is an "Investment for the Next Generation" fund of 11.1 billion yen, which will be allocated to policies related to children and projects aimed at strengthening and creating industrial infrastructure.

Source: NHK

Japan Troops Begin Bear Countermeasures

The worsening string of bear incidents across Akita Prefecture has prompted the deployment of the Ground Self-Defense Force to assist in countermeasures. On November 5th, fifteen members of the 21st Infantry Regiment based at the Akita garrison were sent to Kazuno City, where they began support activities such as transporting box traps for capturing bears.

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.

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.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

FamilyMart Introduces Online Sign Language Interpreting

FamilyMart has introduced an online sign language interpreting service ahead of the first-ever Deaflympics to be held in Japan.

Calculating Risk and Responsibility: The Life of an Actuary

In the 18th installment of the series “Paths for Science Students,” Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank’s Eguchi offered a detailed look into the little-known but vital world of actuaries—professionals who apply mathematics, probability, and statistics to assess financial risks in pensions and insurance.

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Aichi Faces Surge in Teacher Misconduct as Trust in Schools Erodes

The number of disciplinary actions at public elementary and junior high schools in Aichi Prefecture during the first half of 2025 has exceeded three times that of the same period last year, prompting growing concern among parents over how to engage with schools.

Teachers Compete in Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya

Teachers from across Japan are gathering in Nagoya to compete in a national contest that tests and refines their classroom teaching skills. The event, called the "National Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya," is organized by the Noda Juku preparatory school to help both cram school instructors and school teachers improve their teaching techniques.

Inside Japanese Fonts: How Designers Shape the Way We Read

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

Chinese National Arrested Over Organized TOEIC Cheating

Tokyo police have arrested a Chinese national on suspicion of document forgery and other offenses in connection with a case of TOEIC exam fraud involving impersonation.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

< 2 3 4 5 >