Around 17,000 First Graders Begin School in Osaka

OSAKA, Apr 07 (News On Japan) - Around 17,000 first graders began their elementary school lives on April 7th as entrance ceremonies were held at public schools across Osaka City.

At Kaihei Elementary School in Chuo Ward, Osaka, 64 new students were welcomed during a ceremony where the children entered to applause, and the principal encouraged them by saying, "Let’s enjoy a lively and energetic school life," as the students looked excited about their first experiences in elementary school.

One new student said, "I’m looking forward to arts and crafts and physical education. I want to draw cute pictures," while another said, "Maybe math. I love numbers because there will be more of them."

Across Osaka City, entrance ceremonies were held at most public elementary schools on April 7th, marking the start of a new chapter for approximately 17,000 first graders.

Source: YOMIURI

Japanese Food Companies Strip Down Packaging to Save Ink

The “ink shock” caused by tensions in the Middle East is beginning to spread across Japan’s food packaging industry, prompting manufacturers to simplify designs and reduce ink usage as concerns grow over naphtha supplies and rising printing costs.

Japanese Cinema in Cannes Spotlight

The Cannes Film Festival opened this week with three Japanese films nominated for the festival’s top prize, the Palme d'Or, including 'Sheep in the Box' directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, 'Nagi Notes' directed by Koji Fukada, and 'Suddenly Feeling Unwell' directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.

Japan Greenlights Coverage for iPS Parkinson’s Treatment

Japan has approved the application of public health insurance to a regenerative medicine product using iPS cells to treat Parkinson’s disease, marking the world’s first practical use of iPS cell-based regenerative medicine.

Chinese Buyers Drive Property Surge in Japan’s Luxury Districts

Foreign acquisition of Japanese land has become a growing topic of debate in recent years, and now the trend is reaching Ashiya, one of the Kansai region’s most prestigious residential areas, where soaring property prices are increasingly being linked to demand from wealthy Chinese buyers.

Azerbaijan Crude Oil Arrives in Japan

A tanker carrying approximately 45,000 kiloliters of crude oil from Azerbaijan arrived in Japan on May 12th, marking the first time Azerbaijani crude has reached the country as the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Why PTA Participation is Rapidly Declining in Japan

Changes are emerging within PTAs that support children's school lives as growing numbers of dual-income households make it increasingly difficult for parents to participate in traditional school activities.

Foreign Children in Japan Learn Bowing Etiquette

As the number of foreign residents living in Japan continues to rise, so too does the number of foreign children attending Japanese schools, prompting educators to strengthen support not only for language learning but also for cultural adaptation.

Ainu Remains Returned From London Natural History Museum

The remains of Ainu people held at the Natural History Museum in London were returned to Japan, marking the fourth case of repatriation of remains taken overseas.

AI Enters Japan Classrooms

The rapid spread of artificial intelligence into classrooms is transforming how students learn and how teachers work, with pilot programs across Japan highlighting that the key lies not in relying entirely on AI but in using it effectively.

Number of Children in Japan Falls for 45th Straight Year

The number of children in Japan continued its long-term decline, with those aged 15 and under falling by 350,000 from a year earlier to a record low of 13.29 million as of May 4th, just ahead of Children’s Day, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Children’s Book Sales Remain Strong

A children’s book sales event held in a park in Tokyo’s Ueno area on May 4th drew 18,300 visitors including families, highlighting the resilience of the children’s book segment even as overall print publishing continues to decline.

University Professor Freed After Six-Year Sentence in China for Espionage

A former professor at Hokkaido Education University who had been detained in China on suspicion of espionage while temporarily visiting the country seven years ago and later sentenced to six years in prison has been released, though concerns remain over his situation.

Who Stands Against Discrimination Toward the Ainu

A preview video for the program "Hokkaido Fact: Who Fights Discrimination—Ainu and the Majority" is set to air from 3:24 p.m. to 4:24 p.m. on May 10th, examining the evolving nature of discrimination surrounding Japan’s indigenous Ainu people and the growing debate over how society should respond.

< 2 3 4 5 >