National
Japan society on transgender issues to drop 'disorder' from name
The Japanese Society of Gender Identity Disorder, a body promoting transgender studies, has decided to drop "disorder" from its name based on the latest understanding of people with gender identities differing from those assigned at birth. The change, announced Sunday at its general meeting, is in line with the World… Read
Chinese professor at Japanese university missing after visiting homeland
A Chinese professor at a western Japan university has gone missing after visiting his homeland last summer, the college said Monday, sparking fears that he has been detained by Chinese authorities. Hu Shiyun, a professor at Kobe Gakuin University, became unreachable after arriving in China following the end of summer… Read
Japan to study health impact of PFAS chemicals
Japan will launch a study on the health impact of potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS, a government source said Monday, after their detection across the country fueled concern among local residents. PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, used in various products such as frying pan coatings and water-repellent clothing, have been… Read
Abductee's mother pins hopes on fresh Japan-N Korea dialogue
For Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted to North Korea in the 1970s at age 13, her "miraculous" meeting a decade ago with Megumi's own daughter in Mongolia was a delight but also a painful reminder of the separation that continues to this day. Although the 88-year-old Yokota and… Read
More foreign students set to be eligible for Japan gov't scholarships
The Japanese government plans to expand the scope of foreign university students eligible for its scholarships from April to provide more academic opportunities to children of the country's growing number of foreign workers, according to officials. The education ministry is set to include in the target students who are residing… Read
Japan completes 4th round of Fukushima treated water discharge
The release of the fourth batch of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea concluded Sunday, with the next round possibly starting next month, the plant's operator said. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc released about 7,800 tons of processed water as planned… Read
Inflation dents budgets for cherry blossom viewing in Japan
The average planned budget for cherry blossom viewing this spring in Japan edged down from the previous year amid the impact of inflation, a recent private-sector survey showed. People planning to go to see the flowers will likely spend an average of 6,872 yen per person, down 0.9 percent, although… Read
Cabinet OKs new foreign trainee program to promote longer stays
Japan's cabinet has approved bills to reform the controversial foreign trainee program as the aging country seeks to encourage foreign workers to stay longer through a new system focused on developing skills and protecting rights. Likely to start in 2027, the new program would allow trainees to switch workplaces in… Read
Emperor worried about weak ties to British royals before 1998 visit: documents
Japan's imperial couple "felt a sense of unease" about their links to the British royal family ahead of their state visit in 1998, newly released documents at the National Archives in London showed Saturday. The files opened to public view show that, despite their past visits, then Emperor Akihito and… Read
Edible bug businesses at crossroads in Japan
Human consumption of crickets, which are rich in nutrients and expected to help solve humanity's food crisis, has reached a crossroads in Japan. A recent wave of firms joining the edible bug market may prove to be a short-lived fad as further growth is being impeded by soaring prices of… Read
