Nipponica

Japan to Consider Specific Measures to Further Strengthen Defense of Okinawa Prefecture’s Nansei Islands <p>The government and ruling parties will begin considering specific measures to further strengthen the defense of the Nansei Islands, with an aim to revise three security-related documents ahead of s...

As with many things in modern life, the poorest are always the most affected when major powers collide. It is always worth acknowledging the innocent victims of the games countries play.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/pol...

#Japan #Taiwan #Okinawa #Military

Japan's gamble to turn island of flowers into global chip hub The country once led the world in semiconductors and electronics, but over the years it fell behind Taiwan, South Korea and China.

Expanding industry in Hokkaido is always welcome but they need the technical expertise to do so. Certain people in high office need to start pumping the brakes on the deportation train if they want this to succeed.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

#Japan #Hokkaido #Tech

Okinawa fosters international talent with study-abroad subsidies Far-flung Japanese prefecture eyes widening young people's perspectives by funding travel

This is a great program for Okinawan students and is a step ahead of many schools in mainland Japan. I think students would benefit from greater exposure to the rest of the world and if Okinawa can do it, other prefectures can as well.

asia.nikkei.com/business/edu...

#Japan #Okinawa #Education

JR East to retire beloved Suica smartcard penguin mascot in spring 2027 The beloved penguin mascot of Suica smartcards used for public transportation and cashless payments in Japan will be retired in spring 2027, owner East Japan Railway Co. said Tuesday.

What to do with a known brand and character? DESTROY!

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Rail

Japan to compile measures to address foreigner-related issues in Jan. - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's government will compile a comprehensive set of measures to address issues related to foreign residents and tourists in Januar

I'm going to assume this quote in this article is a bad translation: "build a safe, secure, orderly, and inclusive society for the people and foreigners living in our country." If not, apparently foreigners are no longer people according to the new government.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan

Japanese government advises using plastic bottles to prevent bear attacks - The Mainichi TOKYO -- The government suggested on Oct. 30 that children should carry empty plastic bottles to repel bears, claiming the animals hate the sound of t

The 21st century samurai is much less cool.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Bears

Mayor of Japan town with many foreigners perplexed by rising support for Sanseito - The Mainichi OIZUMI, Gunma -- Across Japan, more people are taking a critical view of foreigners. For instance, in the recent Miyagi gubernatorial election, a cand

The mayor of Oizumi is speaking out on the benefits of its foreign community but there is still a growing number of people against them.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Gunma #Immigration

Foreign workers in 38% of Japan towns lack access to language education Education infrastructure lags behind immigration influx, government survey shows

Demand that immigrants integrate but give them no tools to do so. Sounds about right.

asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/ja...

#Japan #Immigration

New ‘immigration minister’ post signals Takaichi Cabinet’s priorities The creation of a new post specifically for handling foreign residents shows how immigration is a key policy focus for the Takaichi Cabinet.

My response to this new posting in the cabinet would be different if it was to better help integrate foreign people into Japanese society. But, as per usual, Onoda is going down the well trodded xenophobic route and targeting them instead.

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...

#Japan #Immigration

Japan's Prince Hisahito contracts flu - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prince Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito and second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, has tested positive for influenza, th

Why is this news? Let the kid live his life without the vultures grasping at every private moment.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Emperor

Japan's first female leader: A historic moment with caveats Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, is not known for progressive views on women's equality.

It is good that western news are getting the 'milestone' and 'women empowerment' narratives out of their system & actually started to look at Takaichi as a politician. This is a step back in Japan's slow journey for true equality under the law.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

#Japan #Government

Japan protests Russia ship restrictions near disputed islands off Hokkaido - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan said Wednesday it has lodged protests with Russia over its warnings of a live-fire drill and temporary restrictions on foreign

As someone that appreciates consistency in foreign policy, I welcome a unification in Russian strategy for violating borders on both sides of its empire.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Hokkaido #Russia #Military

Contactless payments to become option for Okinawa water buffalo cart rides With the contactless payment option, the water buffalo cart operator's ticket counter work is expected to become less burdensome and more efficient.

So disappointed they aren’t installing Suica readers on the Okinawan wildlife.

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...

#Japan #Okinawa #Transport #WaterBuffalo

For the first time in years, Japan’s opposition sees a route to power The Liberal Democratic Party has ruled Japan in unbroken succession since Shinzo Abe’s landslide victory in 2012.

Good summary of the PM state of play as of now.

www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...

#Japan #Politics

'Mismatch' between training, needs may be behind Japan expat workers returning early: survey - The Mainichi TOKYO -- Overseas assignments are often seen as prestigious and a fast track to promotion, but a recent survey found that more than 90% of companies h

Interesting to see the opposite view of a Japanese person working abroad and the struggles they face. Perhaps this will help increase mutual understanding of how foreign workers in Japan feel. Or, more likely, perhaps not.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Expat

Railway development drives Tokyo's growth as world's largest metro area Outward expansion brings influx from rural regions as Japan's total population declines

Love the shoutout to Tsukuba and the Tsukuba Express commute as the example of urban growth in the Greater Tokyo region. TX forever!

asia.nikkei.com/business/tra...

#Japan #Rail #Transport

Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary, Funicular Line Shuttles Visitors Up Famous Ibaraki Pref. Mountain <p>TSUKUBA, Ibaraki Pref.—A cable car connecting the middle section and top of Mt. Tsukuba in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, celebrated 100 years of operation on Sunday.</p>

A salute to an icon from my hometown.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/tra...

#Japan #Ibaraki #Tsukuba #Transport

Japan's Hokkaido Spaceport lands on map as international launch site Operator has received inquiries from 13 or 14 rocket companies about tie-ups

When you have the major infrastructure like a launch site already built, industry will build around it. Should be bright days ahead for south Hokkaido.

asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...

#Japan #Hokkaido #Space

FEATURE: Narita's holdouts fight for a future beneath the flight path Resembling shark fins poking above the waterline, the tails of taxiing airplanes are just visible over the tall white fence that separates Kinone Pension from the runways of Narita airport.

A really cool visual history of Narita and the fight against its expansion by Kyodo.

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Airport #Narita

JR East to introduce new inspection shinkansen in fiscal 2029 The next-generation model's design will be finalized around next summer after ideas are sought from employees across JR East group companies.

We need our own Doctor Yellow up north.

www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...

#Japan #Rail

Takaichi elected as first female leader of Japan’s ruling LDP Conservative politician likely to be next prime minister unless opposition unites

Good to see the trend line of horrible election results is continuing.

asia.nikkei.com/politics/jap...

#Japan #Election

Explainer | How Hongkongers can use Octopus for payments in Japan and what the perks are The Post unpacks the steps required to make payments through Octopus, along with benefits and limitations.

This is using the PayPay system to register payments. It’s kinda crazy that PayPay is becoming a quasi-open network for payments in the country but I’m all for it if they continue to integrate foreign systems.

www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...

#Japan #HongKong

U.S. government shutdown forces Yokosuka fireworks event to be canceled The impact of the U.S. federal government shutdown that began this week has reverberated across the Pacific, forcing Yokosuka, a city near Tokyo that hosts the U.S. 7th Fleet, to cancel a fireworks ev...

The one kind of boom that will be cut by this government.

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Kanagawa #Shutdown

Same-sex partners recognized under more laws in Japan However, the government maintains the position that same-sex partners are not covered by 120 laws and ordinances, including those related to taxes and social security.

As the article cites, 120 more unequal laws to go. The Japanese government will do anything to not alter marriage laws but if we do this piecemeal, maybe this is the way to backdoor equality.

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...

#Japan #LGBT

Japan PM Ishiba wins award for politician who looks best in glasses Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday was given an award for the celebrity who looks best in glasses in the political category.

Hey, give the guy one place where the public likes him.

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Glasses

‘Very tough’: why Japan’s love affair with US travel is fading The slowdown points to ‘deep structural challenges’ curbing Japan’s outbound travel enthusiasm, market watchers say.

The weak yen and safety concerns were always a concern but now both have exponentially increased in recent years. Bad news for Hawaii but will the rest of the country even notice?

www.scmp.com/week-asia/li...

#Japan #US #Travel #Tourism

Sapporo urges caution after spate of bear sightings near residential area - The Mainichi SAPPORO -- Repeated sightings of brown bears near a residential area in this northern Japan city's Minami Ward have prompted city authorities to call

All technically correct but it is important to note that southern Sapporo City is largely rural and mountainous so it isn’t like these sightings are in the urban city proper.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Hokkaido #Sapporo #Bear

Japan's Star Flyer to resume international flights, eyeing Taiwan tourists Regional airline hopes to pull out of domestic business travel slump

More competition in international routes, the better.

asia.nikkei.com/business/tra...

#Japan #Airlines

Toyota’s Woven City Sets Stage for Advanced Technology Experiments, Aims for Advancements in Multiple Directions <p>Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday officially launched Woven City, a cutting-edge demonstration site where participants including companies from a range of industries will work together to develop new ...

Been following this for a long time. This is essentially a Japanese EPCOT with a heavy focus on the automotive industry. The key to success is if ten years from now, there is still innovation going on.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/com...

#Japan #Shizuoka #Technology

JICA to Cancel ‘Hometown Project’ Amid Confusion Over Scheme After Host Cities Deluged with Complaints <p>The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has decided to scrap the “JICA Africa Hometown” program, it was learned Thursday, amid confusion and complaints over the scheme.</p>

The management and PR of this program was a cluster from day one. This was just a rebranded ‘sister city’ arrangement, but poor communication convinced people that it would allow open immigration from these four countries. Complete disaster.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/gene...

#Japan #Africa