Shortage of Teachers Spurs Early Recruitment Exams in Kansai

OSAKA, Jun 17 (News On Japan) - Many municipalities in Kansai have started their teacher recruitment exams about a week earlier than usual, as a shortage of teachers continues to grip Japan.

Around 3,300 candidates aiming to become public school teachers took the first round of written exams at a high school in Osaka on June 15th. In recent years, there has been a nationwide decline in the number of people entering the teaching profession, resulting in the lowest competitive ratios for public school teacher recruitment exams in 2022.

To secure talented individuals quickly, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has pushed for earlier exam schedules. Consequently, many municipalities in Kansai have moved their exam dates up by about a week. However, the number of applicants in Osaka this year is around 5,600, down by about 300 from last year.

Osaka Prefecture stated, 'We want to ensure we are not lagging behind the national trend. We will review the effectiveness and consider next year’s schedule accordingly.'

Source: YOMIURI

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.