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The Supreme Court in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward

JAPAN / Society

Jun 21, 2024

Japan's Supreme Court recognizes transgender woman as parent

It was the first decision by the top court on whether to recognize a parent-child relationship in a case in which a biological father had a child after transitioning.

The Cabinet Office's latest white paper on Japan's aging society predicts that the percentage of people age 65 and above will reach 38.7% of the country's population by 2070.

JAPAN / Society

Jun 21, 2024

More of Japan’s elderly are lonely and have fewer friends, white paper says

By Francis Tang

Less than half of respondents age 65 years and above polled in 2023 said they had at least an average number of friends, compared with 72.2% in 2018.

A test is conducted using a dummy to replicate an accident in which the leg of a child riding on the back seat of a bicycle strikes a pole.

JAPAN / Society

Jun 21, 2024

Accidents involving children in rear bicycle seats on the rise

By Jessica Speed

They can easily injure themselves on utility poles or guard rails that they can’t see because of the adult sitting in front of them, Japan's consumer watchdog warns.

An electronic shelf tag at a supermarket in Tokyo's Sumida Ward shows a product is sold at different prices according to the expiration date and inventory status.

JAPAN / Society

Jun 21, 2024

Japan's food loss hits a record low in fiscal 2022

With the goal met for businesses to reduce food waste, the government will consider setting a new reduction target.

Textbook publisher Kyoiku-Shuppan switched a section about Ippei Mizuhara (left) in its English textbook to a story about Japanese men's national soccer team.

JAPAN / Society

Jun 21, 2024

Section on Ohtani's ex-interpreter removed from Japanese textbook

The section has been replaced with a section on the Japanese men's national soccer team.

Residents at a residential facility for the elderly in Sapporo show off their nails after getting them done during an on-site training session for welfare nail technicians in May.

JAPAN / Society

Jun 20, 2024

'Welfare manicures' bring a touch of color to the lives of Japan’s elderly

The practice, which took off in 2012, has been well-received among residents of care facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities.

A bill to require facilities for children to check whether workers have criminal records for sex crimes is approved unanimously at a plenary meeting of the Upper House on Wednesday.

JAPAN / Society

Jun 19, 2024

Bill enacted to create sex crime screening system for work involving children

Records that can be checked will include those on nonconsensual sexual intercourse and violations of prefectural ordinances banning molesting and voyeurism.

A person walks among the giant columns supporting the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel in Saitama Prefecture.

Tokyo underground: The city beneath our feet

Tokashiki Beach acts as a sanctuary for sea turtles and offers ideal snorkeling waters. It was also the site of the U.S. Army’s preliminary invasion that led to the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 150,000 people.

On Okinawa's Tokashiki Island, life's a beach???one of the best in the world

By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Destination Restaurants express the land of Japan

Destination Restaurants express the land of Japan

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