Society

Kurdish New Year Festival Held in Saitama

SAITAMA, Mar 22 (News On Japan) - A festival celebrating the Kurdish New Year, known as "Newroz," was held in Saitama City on March 23rd, drawing around 1,500 participants, although tensions briefly escalated as individuals calling for the exclusion of foreigners gathered at the venue.

The event took place at Akigase Park in Sakura Ward, where attendees dressed in vibrant traditional attire and danced to Kurdish music. One participant said, "This is Kurdish clothing. It's very enjoyable."

Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, is considered one of the most important celebrations for Kurdish people, marking the arrival of spring and renewal.

However, the atmosphere became tense when city assembly members from Toda, known for advocating the exclusion of foreigners, appeared at the venue, leading to a confrontation between them and festival participants. According to reports, one of the assembly members was struck during the altercation.

In recent years, discrimination against Kurds living in Japan, including instances of hate speech, has been on the rise. Wakkas Chorak, who organized the festival, expressed hope for coexistence, saying that he wishes for Japanese and Kurdish people to live together peacefully.

Source: TBS

Middle East Tensions Push Up Prices of Cooking Oil and Fish

Rising tensions in the Middle East are beginning to affect not only fuel and transportation costs, but also the prices of everyday foods ranging from cooking oil and fish to onions, with experts warning that the impact could continue for at least another year even if fighting comes to an end.

Japan's Business Manager Visa Applications Plunge 96%

Applications for Japan’s "Business Manager" residency status, which is granted to foreign entrepreneurs launching businesses in the country, have fallen by approximately 96% following the tightening of screening standards introduced in October last year.

Sacred Pilgrimage Site Asks Visitors Not to Wear Revealing Clothing

Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Wakayama Prefecture that has seen a steady rise in visitors from both Japan and overseas in recent years, is urging worshippers to avoid wearing revealing clothing as the summer season approaches, as temple authorities seek to preserve the dignity and spiritual atmosphere of one of Japan’s most revered religious centers.

Japanese Passenger Aboard Cruise Ship as Andes Hantavirus Cases Confirmed

A cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean with a Japanese passenger on board has become the center of a widening international health response, as multiple countries confirm infections linked to a rare strain of hantavirus capable of limited human-to-human transmission.

Vacant Homes With 110 Heirs

The number of vacant homes across Japan has surpassed 9 million—roughly double the figure from 30 years ago—yet efforts to address the issue are being held back by increasingly complex inheritance cases that make resolution difficult.

MEDIA CHANNELS