Evacuation order to be lifted for part of Fukushima 'difficult-to-return' zone
【帰還困難区域】来月12日に一部解除へ 福島・葛尾村
NHK -- May 18
Authorities in Japan are set to lift an evacuation order for part of a district designated a "difficult-to-return" zone in Fukushima Prefecture in mid-June.
Residents of the Noyuki district, which takes up 20 percent of Katsurao Village, were forced to leave their homes due to high radiation levels after the 2011 nuclear accident.
Officials from the central and prefectural governments and the village have decided to lift the order for 6 percent of the district on June 12.
It will be the first case in which people will be able to return to their residences in what has been a "difficult-to-return" zone.
Village authorities aim to put rice paddies in the area back into use to revitalize farming, and set up a zone for residents to get together where an assembly hall used to be.
Eighty-two people from 30 households are registered as residents, but only eight people making up four households have so far expressed an interest in returning.
May 18 (ANNnewsCH) - 福島県葛尾村は帰還困難区域の一部を来月12日に解除することを決めました。原発事故後、帰還困難区域とされたエリアに住民が帰還できるのは初めてです。
...continue reading
Japanese ritual dances earn spot on UNESCO list
NHK - Dec 01
UNESCO has decided to add a group of traditional Japanese dances performed across the country to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Why Japanese People Say ”I'm Not Religious”
Japanese Comedian Meshida - Nov 30
When Japanese people are asked their religion, 70 percent of them say no religion but they often visit shrines and temples, pray to gods, and enjoy many religious events all year long.
Binance acquires regulated crypto exchange in Japan
cointelegraph.com - Nov 30
Binance has managed to expand its services throughout the past year by either acquiring an operating license or buying a stake in a regulated entity.
Tokyo court: Non-recognition of same-sex marriage constitutional
NHK - Nov 30
A Japanese court has ruled that not recognizing same-sex marriages is constitutional. It dismissed plaintiffs' claim for government compensation, saying current legal provisions cannot be ruled unconstitutional.
Ex-student awarded damages over high school rule that banned dating
Kyodo - Nov 30
A Japanese court on Wednesday awarded 970,000 yen ($7,000) in damages to a woman who left a Tokyo high school after being admonished by its principal to do so in 2019 for violating a school rule that banned dating by its students.
Japanese tourism trickling back to Hawaii
KHON2 News - Nov 30
Locals are not alone if they have noticed more Japanese visitors in Hawaii.
NHK documentary featuring area with snowy climate in Japan wins ABU prize
NHK - Nov 30
An NHK program featuring coexistence between people and nature in an area of Japan known for its snowy climate has won a prestigious prize from the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.
Jack Ma’s in Tokyo? Alibaba founder who disappeared from public view spotted in Japan
South China Morning Post - Nov 30
Once one of China’s richest businessmen, Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma mostly disappeared from public view two years ago after a run-in with the authorities.
Famous professor seriously hurt in blade attack on Tokyo campus
Kyodo - Nov 29
A well-known Japanese professor was seriously wounded Tuesday in a suspected knife attack on a Tokyo university campus, and the attacker is still at large, police said.
What does the future hold for Japan's railways after 150 years of service?
weforum.org - Nov 29
2022 marks the 150th anniversary of Japan's railway system, which began service between Shimbashi and Yokohama in 1872.
Japan death row prisoners sue government to stop hangings
BBC - Nov 29
Three death row prisoners in Japan are taking the government to court as they fight to end the practice of execution by hanging.
Lower House passes second supplementary budget bill to tackle inflation
NHK - Nov 29
Japan's Lower House has passed a second supplementary budget for the current fiscal year to tackle soaring prices. The bill was sent to the Upper House.
Lawson opens 1st avatar-staffed convenience store in Tokyo
Kyodo - Nov 29
Lawson Inc. opened Monday its first futuristic convenience store in Tokyo staffed by "avatars" remotely controlled by employees, making it possible for even those with mobility issues to enter the workforce.
Freed Japanese filmmaker says Myanmar junta used him for propaganda
laprensalatina.com - Nov 29
Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota said on Monday that the Myanmar military government used him for propaganda as they made him pose with an anti-junta banner and used the photos as evidence to jail him on sedition charges.
Japan to designate fire ants as an alien species that requires urgent action
NHK - Nov 29
The Japanese government has decided to step up measures against highly venomous fire ants by designating them as an invasive alien species that requires urgent action.
Bonenkai restaurant bookings bounce back in Japan
NHK - Nov 29
The time-honored tradition of ringing the year out with a restaurant party is making a comeback in Japan, according to a major online booking site that says reservations are at nearly 70 percent of the level seen just before the pandemic.
