Society

Japan's COVID-19 entry ban spurs demonstrations around the world
Japan Times - Jan 22
Demonstrations against Japan’s tight border restrictions on nonresident foreign nationals, implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, have been staged in several countries, with people urging the government to reconsider the measures they say are not based on science.
Annual number of suicides in Japan falls by 251
Japan Times - Jan 22
The number of people who killed themselves in Japan in 2021 came to 20,830, down 251, or 1.2%, from the previous year, the health ministry said in a preliminary report based on police data Friday.
Human torso found in suitcase dumped at disused Nikko golf course
Japan Today - Jan 21
A suitcase containing human body parts was found in a vacant lot at a disused golf course in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, on Wednesday.
15-year-old boy dies after being found at home with bruises on his face
Japan Today - Jan 20
Police in Shiraoka, Saitama Prefecture, are investigating the death of a 15-year-old boy who was found unconscious his bedroom at home, and later died in hospital.
Japan's changing Valentine's chocolate tradition
NHK - Jan 20
Valentine's Day has always been a bit different in Japan where it is usually women who give chocolates to men. But that tradition is changing, a trend accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Famed baseball manga artist Mizushima dies at 82
Nikkei - Jan 18
Shinji Mizushima, a famed baseball-themed manga artist known for such works as "Dokaben" and "Abu-san," died of pneumonia on Jan. 10, his management office said Monday. He was 82.
Boom for shiba inu dog breed arrives in China
Japan Times - Jan 17
SHANGHAI – The number of people in China who keep shiba inu dogs originally from Japan is increasing.
Secrets of Green Tea: Exploring the Japanese Green Tea Industry in Shizuoka, Japan
Nioteas TV - Jan 16
In this episode, we travel across Japan's largest tea growing region to learn different secrets farmers use to get the most out of their tea fields and we also learn how they maintain the health of their surrounding ecosystem.
Japan’s Pet Otter Obsession
aljazeera.com - Jan 14
Pet cafes are popular tourist destinations in Japan where visitors pay to play with otters and other exotic creatures.
Otome Road | Tokyo Anime Central for Girls
KON'CHA! Japan Travel Guide - Jan 13
We visit Ikebukuro again to check out Otome Road and find out what's up with those badged up bags of anime characters.
2022 Anime Preview with N-ko
Netflix Anime - Jan 13
N-ko gives us a preview of the anime of 2022! What titles are you looking forward to?
Japan firefighter punished for YouTube side hustle
gulf-times.com - Jan 12
A Japanese firefighter moonlighting as a gaming YouTuber had cold water poured on his career by public officials, who uncovered the secret side hustle by identifying his voice in the lucrative videos.
A Day in a Dying Town in Japan
SHUNchan - Jan 11
Today, I wanted to show you a day in my life in Japan's dying town with my Japanese grandparents!
Japan Celebrates Last Coming Of Age For 19- To 20-Year-Olds
thenewsmotion.com - Jan 11
Monday was Coming-of-Age Day in Japan, which marks the passage from the teen years to adulthood with many new adults celebrating at the famous Meiji Shrine in central Tokyo.
Lower age of majority won't affect ceremonies
NHK - Jan 11
An NHK survey has found that most major municipalities across Japan will stick with the tradition of allowing people around 20 years old to take part in coming-of-age ceremonies even after the national legal age of adulthood is lowered later this year.
Japanese film 'Drive My Car' honored by US critics
NHK - Jan 11
The Japanese feature film "Drive My Car" has been awarded the 2021 Best Picture and three other honors by the US National Society of Film Critics.

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