Society

Princess Aiko Attends National Disaster Prevention Forum in Niigata

NIIGATA, Sep 08 (News On Japan) - Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of the Emperor and Empress, attended a national disaster prevention conference while accompanying her parents on their visit to Niigata Prefecture.

Arriving at the venue in Niigata City shortly after 10 a.m. on September 7th, Aiko greeted organizers with a smile, saying "Thank you very much." The annual Bosai Kokutai (National Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction) is held to share lessons from disasters and pass that knowledge on to younger generations.

At the session, presentations were made on the activities of the Disaster Welfare Assistance Team (DWAT), which had been dispatched to Suzu City in the Noto Peninsula, one of the hardest-hit areas in the recent earthquake.

Aiko, who works at the Japanese Red Cross Society and is involved in training young volunteers, listened attentively while taking detailed notes. In the afternoon, she was scheduled to hear reports from volunteers who supported evacuees with pets in the Noto disaster area.

Source: FNN

Niseko Tourism Surge Drives Land Frenzy

The Niseko area at the foot of Mount Yotei, about a two-hour drive from Sapporo, is now in the spotlight once again as one of Japan’s top resort destinations prepares for the peak ski season. Fueled by surging inbound demand, construction of hotels and leisure facilities is rapidly expanding across the region—but local residents are increasingly alarmed by the rise in illegal land development and unauthorized building extensions.

Takaichi Launches Into First Major Diet Battle After 3 a.m. Study Session

The Budget Committee of the House of Representatives opened on November 7th, with Prime Minister Takaichi facing her first full-scale debate since taking office.

Aluminum Balloon Causes Sapporo Subway Blackout

A power outage that halted operations on the Sapporo Municipal Subway on November 3rd was caused by an aluminum-coated balloon. Investigations have revealed that similar troubles have occurred across various transportation systems in Japan.

Rifles Approved for Bear Culling

The National Police Agency announced on November 6th that it has revised the National Public Safety Commission regulations to allow police officers to use rifles for bear control. The amendment will take effect on November 13th.

Kamiya Faces Takaichi in First Diet Debate Over Foreign Worker Policy

In the House of Councillors on November 6th, Prime Minister Takaichi faced her first major challenge from Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya, who took the podium for the first time to question the government’s stance on accepting foreign workers.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Seventh Suspect in Teacher Voyeurism Ring Reverses Confession

A 27-year-old elementary school teacher in Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, who became the seventh suspect arrested in a voyeurism scandal involving a group of educators, has retracted his earlier confession and now denies filming any illicit footage.

Bear Killed Inside Yamagata Hot Spring Inn After Overnight Intrusion

A 1.2-meter bear was shot and killed just before noon on November 8th at a hot spring inn in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, after entering the building overnight and causing extensive damage.

Rifles Approved for Bear Culling

Man Arrested for Forcing Thai Girl to Work Illegally at Massage Parlor

A 51-year-old man has been arrested for forcing a 12-year-old Thai girl to work illegally at a private massage parlor in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward, in what police believe may be part of a human trafficking operation.

How a Tiny Osaka Town Became One of Kansai’s Happiest Places

Tajiri, a town of just about 8,300 residents, has surged from 10th to 3rd place in the Kansai Happiness Ranking thanks to its strong community ties and family-focused support funded by Kansai Airport taxes.

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.

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.

< 2 3 4 5 >