The number of Japanese people who turned 20 in 2009 marked a record low.
Twenty is the age of majority in Japan.
A survey conducted by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry shows that one point two-seven million Japanese people reached the age of majority in 2009.
It's the lowest number since the ministry started collecting such data in 1968 and the first time it has dropped below one-point-three million.
Twenty-year-olds represent one percent of the Japanese population -- also a record-low ratio.
The number of Japanese people who turned 20 reached its peak in 1970 with two point four-six million. After 1994, when two point zero-seven million people turned 20, the number has been decreasing ever since.
Experts say the number of 20-year-olds will continue to fall. It says the number will be about one-point-two million in ten years.
2009年12月31日木曜日
Temples, shrines prepare for New Year
Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines across Japan are busy preparing for New Year visitors.
At Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, the special large zone for offerings is in front of the main hall.
More than 3 million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first 3 days of 2010.
Young women who work at the shrine are putting up arrows and other lucky charms to drive away evil spirits.
A special charm with the scent of camphor trees from the shrine's grounds has been produced to mark its 90th anniversary in 2010.
At Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, the special large zone for offerings is in front of the main hall.
More than 3 million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first 3 days of 2010.
Young women who work at the shrine are putting up arrows and other lucky charms to drive away evil spirits.
A special charm with the scent of camphor trees from the shrine's grounds has been produced to mark its 90th anniversary in 2010.
Jobseekers receive hot food in Tokyo
Amid the prolonged recession, about 330 unemployed or homeless people made a line for hot food in a park of Tokyo on Thursday. They received soup and rice from volunteer workers.
Every year, volunteer groups provide food during the New Year's holidays for people living on the streets.
This year, the Tokyo municipal government set up temporary housing for the unemployed who are currently applying for jobs. Thanks to the service, few jobseekers in their 20s and 30s are joining the line, but more older people are.
A man in his 50s said he has barely survived this year while looking for a job. He said only a few jobs have been available for him and his hardship is unchanged from last year.
One of the organizers said many people have to live on the street, because despite of their desire to work, they cannot get any job opportunities. He added that the government has to do more to help such people
Every year, volunteer groups provide food during the New Year's holidays for people living on the streets.
This year, the Tokyo municipal government set up temporary housing for the unemployed who are currently applying for jobs. Thanks to the service, few jobseekers in their 20s and 30s are joining the line, but more older people are.
A man in his 50s said he has barely survived this year while looking for a job. He said only a few jobs have been available for him and his hardship is unchanged from last year.
One of the organizers said many people have to live on the street, because despite of their desire to work, they cannot get any job opportunities. He added that the government has to do more to help such people
2009年12月30日水曜日
New Year exodus peaks
The exodus of people heading for their hometowns and resorts for the New Year holidays peaked on Wednesday.
Shinkansen bullet train stations and an airport in Tokyo were crowded from early in the morning.
Japan Railways says almost all the bullet trains leaving Tokyo are operating at full capacity on Wednesday, with the non-reserved section of the first west-bound Nozomi train, 30 percent above capacity.
Seats on some north- and northeast-bound bullet trains, including the Yamabiko trains bound for Morioka, were also booked above capacity on Wednesday morning.
At Tokyo station, families and travelers carrying large pieces of luggage and souvenirs lined up on the Shinkansen platforms before getting on trains.
An elementary school boy says he was looking forward to playing games and soccer with his cousins at his grandmother's home in the west of Tokyo.
A man on his way to his hometown in western Japan, says he plans to relax at his parents' place with relatives.
Airlines say most flights leaving Tokyo's Haneda Airport were full in the morning.
The return rush is expected to peak from January 2nd to the 3rd on expressways and on January 3rd on trains and domestic flights
Shinkansen bullet train stations and an airport in Tokyo were crowded from early in the morning.
Japan Railways says almost all the bullet trains leaving Tokyo are operating at full capacity on Wednesday, with the non-reserved section of the first west-bound Nozomi train, 30 percent above capacity.
Seats on some north- and northeast-bound bullet trains, including the Yamabiko trains bound for Morioka, were also booked above capacity on Wednesday morning.
At Tokyo station, families and travelers carrying large pieces of luggage and souvenirs lined up on the Shinkansen platforms before getting on trains.
An elementary school boy says he was looking forward to playing games and soccer with his cousins at his grandmother's home in the west of Tokyo.
A man on his way to his hometown in western Japan, says he plans to relax at his parents' place with relatives.
Airlines say most flights leaving Tokyo's Haneda Airport were full in the morning.
The return rush is expected to peak from January 2nd to the 3rd on expressways and on January 3rd on trains and domestic flights
British singer Susan Boyle arrives in Japan
British singer Susan Boyle is in Japan to perform in NHK's annual New Year's Eve song event.
She arrived from London at Narita Airport, near Tokyo on Tuesday. This is her first visit to Japan.
In the arrival lobby of the airport, she waved and smiled to people. She told reporters that it was very nice to be in Japan.
The 48-year-old Boyle came to international attention for her beautiful voice after she appeared on a British talent search television show.
Her first album released in November made a big hit, recording top sales in the United States and Britain. The album also became the number one non-Japanese album for 4 weeks in a row.
Boyle is to perform in the year-end TV show in NHK Hall in Tokyo as a guest singer.
2009年12月29日火曜日
Employment offices open during holiday week
Japan's labor ministry will keep some local employment offices open for part of the year-end holiday season.
77 job placement centers across Japan will open on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 days longer than usual, to help people who have lost jobs or accommodation amid the current economic downturn.
At such a center, people can receive job counseling, browse vacancies or apply for vocational training.
People who have lost their housing will be given information about public housing vacancies.
In a similar move, 136 municipal governments across the country are working through Wednesday to offer counseling to unemployed people.
Japan's jobless rate stood at 3.31 million in November.
77 job placement centers across Japan will open on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 days longer than usual, to help people who have lost jobs or accommodation amid the current economic downturn.
At such a center, people can receive job counseling, browse vacancies or apply for vocational training.
People who have lost their housing will be given information about public housing vacancies.
In a similar move, 136 municipal governments across the country are working through Wednesday to offer counseling to unemployed people.
Japan's jobless rate stood at 3.31 million in November.
2009年12月26日土曜日
Former Livedoor president reaches settlement
The former president of Internet firm Livedoor has agreed to hand over roughly 230 million dollars worth of his assets to Livedoor's successor company, for damages caused by accounting fraud.
Takafumi Horie and the firm, which changed its name to LDH, reached an out-of-court settlement on Friday.
LDH says Horie agreed to hand over to the firm almost all of his assets, including LDH shares.
Following a series of accounting fraud scandals in 2006, LDH filed suit demanding about 400 million dollars in damages from 7 former Livedoor executives.
LDH says it had to pay about 340 million dollars in compensation to its former shareholder, Fuji Television Network.
The company and the former president have been sued for compensation by individual investors for falsifying business reports based on inflated sales figures. About 1,800 investors are still in litigation.
With Friday's settlement, LDH says it will not seek monetary damages from Horie, even if it has to financially compensate investors.
Japanese courts have sentenced the disgraced business tycoon to 2 years and 6 months in prison on charges of violating the securities and exchange law. He has appealed the rulings to the supreme court.
Takafumi Horie and the firm, which changed its name to LDH, reached an out-of-court settlement on Friday.
LDH says Horie agreed to hand over to the firm almost all of his assets, including LDH shares.
Following a series of accounting fraud scandals in 2006, LDH filed suit demanding about 400 million dollars in damages from 7 former Livedoor executives.
LDH says it had to pay about 340 million dollars in compensation to its former shareholder, Fuji Television Network.
The company and the former president have been sued for compensation by individual investors for falsifying business reports based on inflated sales figures. About 1,800 investors are still in litigation.
With Friday's settlement, LDH says it will not seek monetary damages from Horie, even if it has to financially compensate investors.
Japanese courts have sentenced the disgraced business tycoon to 2 years and 6 months in prison on charges of violating the securities and exchange law. He has appealed the rulings to the supreme court.
2009年12月25日金曜日
250,000 non-regular workers to lose jobs by March
A Japanese government survey shows that more than 250,000 non-regular workers became unemployed or will lose their jobs in the 18 month period from October 2008 to March next year.
The labor ministry conducted the survey to monitor corporate layoff plans amid the ongoing economic slump.
As of December 16th, 250,291 non-regular workers became unemployed or are expected to lose their jobs by March 31st. The figure has risen by 3,444 from the previous survey in November.
Those dispatched by staffing agencies account for 145,044 of the total. The figure also includes 57,476 seasonal staff and 19,600 contract workers.
The survey shows that only 53 percent of around 118,000 laid-off workers have been able to find new jobs.
The survey also reveals that 57,189 regular staff have lost or will lose their jobs between October 2008 and March next year at companies which dismiss more than 100 workers at the same time. This marks an increase of 2,736 from the previous survey in November.
The labor ministry conducted the survey to monitor corporate layoff plans amid the ongoing economic slump.
As of December 16th, 250,291 non-regular workers became unemployed or are expected to lose their jobs by March 31st. The figure has risen by 3,444 from the previous survey in November.
Those dispatched by staffing agencies account for 145,044 of the total. The figure also includes 57,476 seasonal staff and 19,600 contract workers.
The survey shows that only 53 percent of around 118,000 laid-off workers have been able to find new jobs.
The survey also reveals that 57,189 regular staff have lost or will lose their jobs between October 2008 and March next year at companies which dismiss more than 100 workers at the same time. This marks an increase of 2,736 from the previous survey in November.
2009年12月24日木曜日
Artificial retina to be clinically tested in Japan
Japanese researchers plan to conduct clinical tests to confirm the effectiveness of artificial retinas.
The retinas will be implanted in 5 patients who have lost their eyesight due to disease.
A research group led by Professor Takashi Fujikado at Osaka University says the clinical tests, scheduled to start early next year, are the first such studies to be conducted in Japan.
The retina uses an array of electrodes that stimulate the optic nerves. Images from a tiny camera are transmitted by radio frequencies to the retina's electrodes.
The researchers say the patients will be able to see dots of light arranged in the shape of the object seen by the camera.
Professor Fujikado says that although the technology will only allow a partial recovery of the patients' sight, they will at least be able to recognize shapes.
The retinas will be implanted in 5 patients who have lost their eyesight due to disease.
A research group led by Professor Takashi Fujikado at Osaka University says the clinical tests, scheduled to start early next year, are the first such studies to be conducted in Japan.
The retina uses an array of electrodes that stimulate the optic nerves. Images from a tiny camera are transmitted by radio frequencies to the retina's electrodes.
The researchers say the patients will be able to see dots of light arranged in the shape of the object seen by the camera.
Professor Fujikado says that although the technology will only allow a partial recovery of the patients' sight, they will at least be able to recognize shapes.
2009年12月23日水曜日
Emperor greets public on 76th birthday
The Emperor of Japan turned 76 on Wednesday. In a traditional gesture of gratitude, he greeted crowds of well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Under clear blue skies, thousands of people poured into the Palace compound as the gates opened at around 9:30 in the morning.
The Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince and Princess, along with Prince and Princess Akishino appeared on the palace balcony three times in the morning to greet the visitors.
The Emperor thanked the people for coming to see him on his birthday. He said 2009 marks his 20th year on the throne and his 50th wedding anniversary. He expressed concern for those who are suffering in the current economic climate.
He also wished everyone good health and a happy new year.
The Imperial Household Agency says a record of nearly 30,000 people came to the palace grounds to congratulate the Emperor on his birthday this year.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the heads both houses of the Diet, foreign ambassadors and other public figures also paid their respects to the Emperor on this day.
Under clear blue skies, thousands of people poured into the Palace compound as the gates opened at around 9:30 in the morning.
The Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince and Princess, along with Prince and Princess Akishino appeared on the palace balcony three times in the morning to greet the visitors.
The Emperor thanked the people for coming to see him on his birthday. He said 2009 marks his 20th year on the throne and his 50th wedding anniversary. He expressed concern for those who are suffering in the current economic climate.
He also wished everyone good health and a happy new year.
The Imperial Household Agency says a record of nearly 30,000 people came to the palace grounds to congratulate the Emperor on his birthday this year.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the heads both houses of the Diet, foreign ambassadors and other public figures also paid their respects to the Emperor on this day.
Buddhist monks collect alms
Buddhist monks have gone from house to house asking for alms in Kyoto, western Japan, as part of their winter asceticism practice.
On Wednesday at the sound of a trumpet shell, 60 monks of the Sanzen-in temple began calling on homes and shops in the ancient capital city.
They begged for food and money, reciting sutras in the freezing cold and praying for people's good health in the coming year.
A shop owner says he made an offering out of appreciation for his family's good health this year and to wish for a recovery from the business slump during the next year.
Collected funds will be donated to NHK's year-end charity and other campaigns
On Wednesday at the sound of a trumpet shell, 60 monks of the Sanzen-in temple began calling on homes and shops in the ancient capital city.
They begged for food and money, reciting sutras in the freezing cold and praying for people's good health in the coming year.
A shop owner says he made an offering out of appreciation for his family's good health this year and to wish for a recovery from the business slump during the next year.
Collected funds will be donated to NHK's year-end charity and other campaigns
2009年12月22日火曜日
Tokyo to provide shelter to jobless during holiday
The city of Tokyo is planning to offer shelter and other help to homeless jobseekers during the New Year holiday period.
The move follows a spontaneous holiday aid program last year that saw volunteers giving food and shelter to those affected by the severe recession.
Hundreds of unemployed workers gathered at a tent village that had been set up by volunteer groups in a park in central Tokyo, prompting some local authorities to give up their holidays and pitch in with assistance.
No tent village is planned this year. Instead, the city government will open an accommodation facility in Shibuya, central Tokyo, to up to 500 people.
Only those who have registered with public job placement offices can apply to stay between December 28th and January 4th.
During that period, help will be on hand to find jobs and address other problems the jobless and homeless face.
The recession has eased since last year, but unemployment remains high in Japan.
The move follows a spontaneous holiday aid program last year that saw volunteers giving food and shelter to those affected by the severe recession.
Hundreds of unemployed workers gathered at a tent village that had been set up by volunteer groups in a park in central Tokyo, prompting some local authorities to give up their holidays and pitch in with assistance.
No tent village is planned this year. Instead, the city government will open an accommodation facility in Shibuya, central Tokyo, to up to 500 people.
Only those who have registered with public job placement offices can apply to stay between December 28th and January 4th.
During that period, help will be on hand to find jobs and address other problems the jobless and homeless face.
The recession has eased since last year, but unemployment remains high in Japan.
Pumpkin ritual held on winter solstice in Kyoto
Visitors to a temple in the ancient city of Kyoto on Tuesday ate simmered pumpkin as part of a traditional ritual to ward off illness.
The Kabocha Kuyo, or pumpkin ceremony, is held annually on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, to ensure good health for the next 12 months.
On Tuesday, 300 servings of pumpkin cooked in a sweet broth were sold to visitors for about 5 dollars a bowl.
People then wrote their New Year's wishes on wooden sticks that were left to burn in the main hall, and offered prayers.
A woman in her 70s from Kyoto City said the pumpkin was delicious and that she prayed for vigor in the New Year.
Temperatures fell to just below freezing in Kyoto on Tuesday morning --- about 3 degrees Celsius lower than normal around this time of year.
The Kabocha Kuyo, or pumpkin ceremony, is held annually on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, to ensure good health for the next 12 months.
On Tuesday, 300 servings of pumpkin cooked in a sweet broth were sold to visitors for about 5 dollars a bowl.
People then wrote their New Year's wishes on wooden sticks that were left to burn in the main hall, and offered prayers.
A woman in her 70s from Kyoto City said the pumpkin was delicious and that she prayed for vigor in the New Year.
Temperatures fell to just below freezing in Kyoto on Tuesday morning --- about 3 degrees Celsius lower than normal around this time of year.
Citron bathing on the winter solstice
Guests at a hot spring resort north of Tokyo plunged into an outdoor bath on Tuesday that was filled with 2,010 citrons, the same number as the coming year.
Every year on the winter solstice, a Japanese-style inn located in the city of Nikko offers a hot spring bath with citrons, or Chinese lemons --- also known as yuzu in Japan.
The annual event is based on the tradition that taking a bath with citrons on this day will prevent colds for the year.
The inn put 2,010 yuzu for the coming year and 21 banpeiyu, the largest citrus grown in Japan, to mark the 21st century, into its open-air bath.
Guests enjoyed soaking themselves among the bright yellow fruit bobbing in the spa water.
A female patron said she comes to the event every year because she enjoys the fragrance of the citron bath and it also makes her skin smooth.
Every year on the winter solstice, a Japanese-style inn located in the city of Nikko offers a hot spring bath with citrons, or Chinese lemons --- also known as yuzu in Japan.
The annual event is based on the tradition that taking a bath with citrons on this day will prevent colds for the year.
The inn put 2,010 yuzu for the coming year and 21 banpeiyu, the largest citrus grown in Japan, to mark the 21st century, into its open-air bath.
Guests enjoyed soaking themselves among the bright yellow fruit bobbing in the spa water.
A female patron said she comes to the event every year because she enjoys the fragrance of the citron bath and it also makes her skin smooth.
2009年12月21日月曜日
Ikuo Hirayama's early work back in hometown
A rediscovered early work by the late Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama has gone on show at a museum in his hometown in western Japan.
The painting "Gyofu" or "Fishermen" depicts 2 men standing. Hirayama finished the painting in 1958 when he was in his late 20s and still an unknown artist.
The painting sold as soon as it went on the market but its whereabouts remained unknown until 3 years ago, when it was found in the possession of an antiques dealer in the United States.
The Ikuo Hirayama Museum of Art in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, bought the painting late last month, a few days before Hirayama died on December 2nd.
Hirayama is said to have painted the scene after making several sketches of fishermen at work in the Inland Sea of Japan.
The painting and sketches are being exhibited at the museum from Monday.
The head of the museum, Sukenari Hirayama, the painter's younger brother, says the painting was put on the market one year ahead of "Bukkyo Denrai" or "The Transmission of Buddhism", which catapulted Hirayama to fame as an artist. He says "Fishermen" is a precious work that shows his brother's struggle.
On Monday, a son of one of the fishermen depicted in the painting was among people who came to see the work. 84-year-old Masuichi Kawahara said he was filled with emotion to see his father in the painting after 50 years.
The painting "Gyofu" or "Fishermen" depicts 2 men standing. Hirayama finished the painting in 1958 when he was in his late 20s and still an unknown artist.
The painting sold as soon as it went on the market but its whereabouts remained unknown until 3 years ago, when it was found in the possession of an antiques dealer in the United States.
The Ikuo Hirayama Museum of Art in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, bought the painting late last month, a few days before Hirayama died on December 2nd.
Hirayama is said to have painted the scene after making several sketches of fishermen at work in the Inland Sea of Japan.
The painting and sketches are being exhibited at the museum from Monday.
The head of the museum, Sukenari Hirayama, the painter's younger brother, says the painting was put on the market one year ahead of "Bukkyo Denrai" or "The Transmission of Buddhism", which catapulted Hirayama to fame as an artist. He says "Fishermen" is a precious work that shows his brother's struggle.
On Monday, a son of one of the fishermen depicted in the painting was among people who came to see the work. 84-year-old Masuichi Kawahara said he was filled with emotion to see his father in the painting after 50 years.
60% of small firms have no managerial successors
A survey shows that thousands of small and medium-sized firms in Japan are run by aging people who have no successors.
A government-owned public body, the Japan Finance Corporation, conducted a survey of its client companies with 300 or fewer employees, and more than 9,200 firms responded.
Forty-eight percent of the respondents said their companies are run by people aged 60 or older.
Twenty-eight percent have yet to find successors and 14 percent plan to close down their businesses when they retire.
The chief researcher of the Japan Finance Corporation, Yoshiaki Murakami, says small and medium-sized firms play an important role in employment. He says they should try to continue their operations by handing down the business to their staff or selling it to a company in the same sector.
A government-owned public body, the Japan Finance Corporation, conducted a survey of its client companies with 300 or fewer employees, and more than 9,200 firms responded.
Forty-eight percent of the respondents said their companies are run by people aged 60 or older.
Twenty-eight percent have yet to find successors and 14 percent plan to close down their businesses when they retire.
The chief researcher of the Japan Finance Corporation, Yoshiaki Murakami, says small and medium-sized firms play an important role in employment. He says they should try to continue their operations by handing down the business to their staff or selling it to a company in the same sector.
2009年12月16日水曜日
Russia sent in data on Japanese internment
Russia has sent to Japan DVDs containing recently discovered historical records on the internment of Japanese people in Siberia in the aftermath of World War Two.
The DVDs, which arrived at the health and welfare ministry on Wednesday, contain information originally documented on 66,000 of about 700,000 cards found this summer at the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow.
The records contain the names and dates of birth of those interned and the names of camps where they were held.
The ministry says about 53,000 internees, mostly former soldiers, died as a result of forced labor and exposure to severe cold.
But the ministry has been unable to identify 21,000 of them.
An estimated 600,000 Japanese stranded in northern China and neighboring regions at the end of World War Two were forcibly taken by the then Soviet army to Siberia.
The ministry is planning to receive all the data found at the archive to establish a full picture of the internment and locate the burial sites of the victims.
The DVDs, which arrived at the health and welfare ministry on Wednesday, contain information originally documented on 66,000 of about 700,000 cards found this summer at the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow.
The records contain the names and dates of birth of those interned and the names of camps where they were held.
The ministry says about 53,000 internees, mostly former soldiers, died as a result of forced labor and exposure to severe cold.
But the ministry has been unable to identify 21,000 of them.
An estimated 600,000 Japanese stranded in northern China and neighboring regions at the end of World War Two were forcibly taken by the then Soviet army to Siberia.
The ministry is planning to receive all the data found at the archive to establish a full picture of the internment and locate the burial sites of the victims.
2009年12月15日火曜日
Toshodaiji temple gets year-end cleaning
Buddhist statues, designated as national treasures, at Toshodaiji temple in Japan's ancient capital of Nara underwent their year-end cleaning ritual on Tuesday.
The statues are in the temple's main hall, known as Kondo. It is also a national treasure, and was undergoing restoration work until last month. The cleaning ritual in Kondo was held for the first time in ten years.
Two Buddhist monks used dusters made of washi paper attached to 5-meter long bamboo poles and carefully worked around the treasures.
The chief priest of the temple, Shunkai Matsuura, said he is very grateful to have been able to carry out the ritual after such a long break and that he hopes many people will now feel more attached to
The statues are in the temple's main hall, known as Kondo. It is also a national treasure, and was undergoing restoration work until last month. The cleaning ritual in Kondo was held for the first time in ten years.
Two Buddhist monks used dusters made of washi paper attached to 5-meter long bamboo poles and carefully worked around the treasures.
The chief priest of the temple, Shunkai Matsuura, said he is very grateful to have been able to carry out the ritual after such a long break and that he hopes many people will now feel more attached to
Safety standards to be set for disposable lighters
The Japanese government has begun considering legislation to set safety standards for disposable lighters.
Children tampering with easy-to-use disposable lighters have suffered burns or even caused fires.
In Tokyo, there were more than 500 lighter-triggered fires caused by children 12 years or under between 1998 and 2008, and 3 children under age 5 died.
A panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry began studying safety controls on Tuesday, following last month's request from the Tokyo Metropolitan government.
The Japan Smoking Articles Corporate Association says about 600 million disposable lighters are distributed in Japan each year, but that manufactures set their own safety standards without consideration of the possibility of children tampering with the lighters.
The ministry panel plans to study existing safety controls in the United States and Europe, and consider steps such as redesigning the lighters to make them more difficult to light accidentally.
Some panel members suggested that safety controls should also target nozzle-type lighters used for barbecues, fireworks and other such cases, while others stressed the need to raise consumer awareness.
Children tampering with easy-to-use disposable lighters have suffered burns or even caused fires.
In Tokyo, there were more than 500 lighter-triggered fires caused by children 12 years or under between 1998 and 2008, and 3 children under age 5 died.
A panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry began studying safety controls on Tuesday, following last month's request from the Tokyo Metropolitan government.
The Japan Smoking Articles Corporate Association says about 600 million disposable lighters are distributed in Japan each year, but that manufactures set their own safety standards without consideration of the possibility of children tampering with the lighters.
The ministry panel plans to study existing safety controls in the United States and Europe, and consider steps such as redesigning the lighters to make them more difficult to light accidentally.
Some panel members suggested that safety controls should also target nozzle-type lighters used for barbecues, fireworks and other such cases, while others stressed the need to raise consumer awareness.
2009年12月14日月曜日
New online movie service to be launched next year
Japanese movie lovers will soon be able to view new art films online from the very first day of their theatrical release.
Japanese film distribution companies will team up with small theaters and internet firms to launch the new movie service next February.
Most films distributed in this way will be art movies that are hardly shown in theaters outside metropolitan areas.
The service will be available at about 13 dollars a film, payable by credit card or other means. The price is cheaper than a cinema ticket. Users will be able to watch the films on their personal computers or television sets.
Box office revenues have been leveling off in recent years and distributors of foreign art films have difficulty finding theaters that will screen them.
Masashi Kawaguchi will run the new service. He hopes to revitalize the film industry by giving more people the chance to see movies in their homes and at theaters.
Japanese film distribution companies will team up with small theaters and internet firms to launch the new movie service next February.
Most films distributed in this way will be art movies that are hardly shown in theaters outside metropolitan areas.
The service will be available at about 13 dollars a film, payable by credit card or other means. The price is cheaper than a cinema ticket. Users will be able to watch the films on their personal computers or television sets.
Box office revenues have been leveling off in recent years and distributors of foreign art films have difficulty finding theaters that will screen them.
Masashi Kawaguchi will run the new service. He hopes to revitalize the film industry by giving more people the chance to see movies in their homes and at theaters.
2009年12月13日日曜日
Year-end sweeping at Naritasan-Shinshoji Temple
A major Buddhist temple in Chiba Prefecture has undergone a year-end cleaning ahead of receiving millions of worshippers on the New Year.
The traditional event began at Naritasan-Shinshoji Temple before dawn on Sunday.
About 800 Buddhist priests and staff swept dust from Buddha statues and cleaned altar fittings in the main hall.
Hand-made bamboo brooms about 8 meters long were used to clean points near the ceiling.
The event ended by sweeping the floor of the main hall covered with 300 tatami mats, an area of about 500 square meters.
The New Year preparation will be completed by decorating the temple with sacred straw ropes on December 25th.
The traditional event began at Naritasan-Shinshoji Temple before dawn on Sunday.
About 800 Buddhist priests and staff swept dust from Buddha statues and cleaned altar fittings in the main hall.
Hand-made bamboo brooms about 8 meters long were used to clean points near the ceiling.
The event ended by sweeping the floor of the main hall covered with 300 tatami mats, an area of about 500 square meters.
The New Year preparation will be completed by decorating the temple with sacred straw ropes on December 25th.
Geiko in Kyoto offer New Year greetings
In the ancient capital Kyoto, geiko, or traditional female entertainers, made New Year courtesy calls on their instructors on Sunday.
It is traditional for geiko and maiko, or apprentice geiko, in the city's Gion district to visit their instructors on December 13th to express their gratitude for the past year and exchange New Year's greetings.
The women, dressed in colorful kimono, visited the home of Japanese traditional dance teacher Yachiyo Inoue.
On receiving greetings from the women, Inoue gave each of them words of encouragement and a new folding fan to be used next year.
One of the women, Mameyuri, said she wants to practice more next year so that she can dance better.
It is traditional for geiko and maiko, or apprentice geiko, in the city's Gion district to visit their instructors on December 13th to express their gratitude for the past year and exchange New Year's greetings.
The women, dressed in colorful kimono, visited the home of Japanese traditional dance teacher Yachiyo Inoue.
On receiving greetings from the women, Inoue gave each of them words of encouragement and a new folding fan to be used next year.
One of the women, Mameyuri, said she wants to practice more next year so that she can dance better.
2009年12月12日土曜日
Ozawa: foreigners in Japan may get vote
A top leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan says he expects the Japanese legislature will pass a bill aimed at giving foreign residents in Japan voting rights.
The secretary General of the DPJ, Ichiro Ozawa, made the remarks in a speech at a university in Seoul on Saturday.
Ozawa admitted that there was an unfortunate period in modern history between Japan and South Korea and it is a historical fact that Japan must apologize for.
However, he said if the 2 countries keep mentioning the fact, relations between them will not move forward.
He added it's not South Korea but Japan that should present an aggressive solution to resolve pending issues between the 2 countries.
During a question-and-answer session, Ozawa referred to a bill to grant permanent foreign residents in Japan, including ethnic Koreans, the right to vote in local elections.
He said that the government should sponsor the bill and submit it to the ordinary session of the Diet starting next month.
Ozawa said that he believes Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama thinks the same way and the bill is likely to be enacted in the session.
The secretary General of the DPJ, Ichiro Ozawa, made the remarks in a speech at a university in Seoul on Saturday.
Ozawa admitted that there was an unfortunate period in modern history between Japan and South Korea and it is a historical fact that Japan must apologize for.
However, he said if the 2 countries keep mentioning the fact, relations between them will not move forward.
He added it's not South Korea but Japan that should present an aggressive solution to resolve pending issues between the 2 countries.
During a question-and-answer session, Ozawa referred to a bill to grant permanent foreign residents in Japan, including ethnic Koreans, the right to vote in local elections.
He said that the government should sponsor the bill and submit it to the ordinary session of the Diet starting next month.
Ozawa said that he believes Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama thinks the same way and the bill is likely to be enacted in the session.
1.26 mil households receive welfare benefits
Japan's welfare ministry says the number of households that received welfare benefits in September rose to more than 1.26 million, the largest ever on record.
The ministry says about one million 267,000 households across the country depended on welfare benefits in September. This is an increase of more than 12,000 from the figure for the previous month.
The number of families receiving welfare benefits had risen by more than 10,000 for 7 months in a row since the start of March.
The ministry says it will step up measures to create jobs in areas such as care giving, agriculture, and other industries in an effort to stem the increase in the number of families dependent on welfare benefits.
The ministry says about one million 267,000 households across the country depended on welfare benefits in September. This is an increase of more than 12,000 from the figure for the previous month.
The number of families receiving welfare benefits had risen by more than 10,000 for 7 months in a row since the start of March.
The ministry says it will step up measures to create jobs in areas such as care giving, agriculture, and other industries in an effort to stem the increase in the number of families dependent on welfare benefits.
2009年12月11日金曜日
Character meaning new chosen as kanji of the year
People in Japan have chosen the kanji character meaning "new" as the one that best describes the highs and lows of this year.
A foundation promoting the use of kanji announced the winner on Friday. The character was chosen from among a record 16,000 entries.
The chief priest of Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple wrote the character with a brush and black ink in traditional calligraphy style.
People who voted for the character apparently had in mind the outbreak of the new influenza and the launch of new governments in Japan and the United States.
Voters may also have been thinking of Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki's new Major League Baseball record of 9 consecutive 200-hit seasons.
The second-place character was one meaning "drug" or "medicine," due again to the influenza epidemic as well as drug abuse scandals involving TV celebrities.
The character for "politics" came in 3rd, reflecting Japan's change of government and high voter turnout.
A foundation promoting the use of kanji announced the winner on Friday. The character was chosen from among a record 16,000 entries.
The chief priest of Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple wrote the character with a brush and black ink in traditional calligraphy style.
People who voted for the character apparently had in mind the outbreak of the new influenza and the launch of new governments in Japan and the United States.
Voters may also have been thinking of Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki's new Major League Baseball record of 9 consecutive 200-hit seasons.
The second-place character was one meaning "drug" or "medicine," due again to the influenza epidemic as well as drug abuse scandals involving TV celebrities.
The character for "politics" came in 3rd, reflecting Japan's change of government and high voter turnout.
2009年12月10日木曜日
Remains of former Japanese soldiers repatriate
The remains of more than 4,300 former Japanese soldiers killed in the Philippines during World War 2 have been repatriated.
A government team that retrieved the remains handed them over to the welfare ministry at a ceremony in Tokyo on Thursday.
The latest finding of 4,370 soldiers brings to 7,739 the total number of remains collected in the Philippines since this April. The figure is the highest in 30 years of such work, partly due to the cooperation of a local non-governmental organization.
Welfare minister Akira Nagatsuma said his ministry will do all it can to repatriate fallen soldiers still left behind in foreign battle grounds.
Another 1.15 million Japanese troops, or nearly half those who died outside Japan in World War 2, are still unaccounted for.
Collecting their remains becomes difficult year by year as there are fewer surviving witnesses.
Osamu Takeuchi, who joined the current mission, said he wants the government to have staff stationed in the Philippines to bolster the efforts.
A government team that retrieved the remains handed them over to the welfare ministry at a ceremony in Tokyo on Thursday.
The latest finding of 4,370 soldiers brings to 7,739 the total number of remains collected in the Philippines since this April. The figure is the highest in 30 years of such work, partly due to the cooperation of a local non-governmental organization.
Welfare minister Akira Nagatsuma said his ministry will do all it can to repatriate fallen soldiers still left behind in foreign battle grounds.
Another 1.15 million Japanese troops, or nearly half those who died outside Japan in World War 2, are still unaccounted for.
Collecting their remains becomes difficult year by year as there are fewer surviving witnesses.
Osamu Takeuchi, who joined the current mission, said he wants the government to have staff stationed in the Philippines to bolster the efforts.
2009年12月9日水曜日
Growing calls for Kyoto Protocol extension
A UN conference on climate change is now underway in Denmark. Developing countries taking part in the meeting are stepping up calls for an extension of the Kyoto Protocol.
It may be extremely difficult for the conference to adopt a new framework, as there is a deep rift between the developed countries and developing nations. The focus is on whether delegates can reach a political agreement on the essential points of a new accord.
The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. There are growing calls from developing countries to extend the Protocol, and they are also demanding bigger reduction targets for the developed nations.
But the US withdrew from the Protocol and China and other emerging nations have no obligations under the treaty. Developed countries like Japan and some European nations have commitments, but their greenhouse gas emissions only account for 28 percent of the global total.
Japan and other developed countries are insisting on a new framework including all the major emitters. They are alarmed by the calls to extend the Kyoto Protocol.
It may be extremely difficult for the conference to adopt a new framework, as there is a deep rift between the developed countries and developing nations. The focus is on whether delegates can reach a political agreement on the essential points of a new accord.
The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. There are growing calls from developing countries to extend the Protocol, and they are also demanding bigger reduction targets for the developed nations.
But the US withdrew from the Protocol and China and other emerging nations have no obligations under the treaty. Developed countries like Japan and some European nations have commitments, but their greenhouse gas emissions only account for 28 percent of the global total.
Japan and other developed countries are insisting on a new framework including all the major emitters. They are alarmed by the calls to extend the Kyoto Protocol.
2009年12月8日火曜日
Tsukiji tuna auction off limits during yearend
The popular tuna auctions at Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo will be closed to sightseers during the New Year season.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government decided to ban tours of the tuna bidding floor by visitors from this Thursday to January 23rd, when a higher than usual volume of tuna is put up for auction.
It imposed the ban for the first time a year ago, after complaints mounted that visitors disrupted the bidding by touching the fish, taking flash photos and behaving inappropriately.
Notices of the ban will be posted at the entrance to the market and guards will be deployed around the tuna auction floor to keep tourists out.
Areas except for the tuna floor, including those for bidding on other fish and the eatery sections, will remain open.
Several hundred foreign visitors view the tuna auction each day. The market is one of the largest in the world.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government decided to ban tours of the tuna bidding floor by visitors from this Thursday to January 23rd, when a higher than usual volume of tuna is put up for auction.
It imposed the ban for the first time a year ago, after complaints mounted that visitors disrupted the bidding by touching the fish, taking flash photos and behaving inappropriately.
Notices of the ban will be posted at the entrance to the market and guards will be deployed around the tuna auction floor to keep tourists out.
Areas except for the tuna floor, including those for bidding on other fish and the eatery sections, will remain open.
Several hundred foreign visitors view the tuna auction each day. The market is one of the largest in the world.
Year-end cleaning under way at Horyuji temple
Buddhist monks have held a year-end ritual called Ominugui to clean ancient statues at Horyuji temple in the ancient capital of Nara, western Japan.
On Tuesday, monks chanted a sutra in Horyuji's Golden Hall before setting out to remove accumulated dust from the Shaka Triad, a national treasure, and other statues in the temple.
The cleaners wore masks and used brushes and dusters made of traditional Japanese washi paper, filling the hall with clouds of dust.
Later, many worshippers came to pray in front of the newly clean statues.
A couple in their 50s said they felt refreshed to see the clean look of the statues, adding that they should probably start cleaning their own house too.
On Tuesday, monks chanted a sutra in Horyuji's Golden Hall before setting out to remove accumulated dust from the Shaka Triad, a national treasure, and other statues in the temple.
The cleaners wore masks and used brushes and dusters made of traditional Japanese washi paper, filling the hall with clouds of dust.
Later, many worshippers came to pray in front of the newly clean statues.
A couple in their 50s said they felt refreshed to see the clean look of the statues, adding that they should probably start cleaning their own house too.
2009年12月7日月曜日
Chinese arrested for cheating immigration system
Police in Tokyo have arrested a Chinese woman on suspicion of illegally re-entering Japan by cheating a fingerprint identification test. It is the first arrest in Japan for deceiving the biometrics-based ID system.
The 27-year-old woman, from China's Fujian Province, had been deported in 2007 for illegally working in Japan. She allegedly re-entered the country last December.
She is suspected of receiving surgery in China on both index fingers and thumbs in order to cheat the biometrics technology.
Investigators say that the woman's fingerprints looked unnatural, suggesting that her skin was removed and replaced.
The woman reportedly admitted to having such an operation in China, paying brokerage fees of some 14,500 dollars.
She had already been indicted in Japan for falsifying her marriage.
The 27-year-old woman, from China's Fujian Province, had been deported in 2007 for illegally working in Japan. She allegedly re-entered the country last December.
She is suspected of receiving surgery in China on both index fingers and thumbs in order to cheat the biometrics technology.
Investigators say that the woman's fingerprints looked unnatural, suggesting that her skin was removed and replaced.
The woman reportedly admitted to having such an operation in China, paying brokerage fees of some 14,500 dollars.
She had already been indicted in Japan for falsifying her marriage.
More Tokyo residents dissatisfied with their lives
A survey has found that the number of Tokyo residents who are dissatisfied with their lives has topped the number of those who are satisfied for the first time in 32 years.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government conducted the annual survey in August covering residents aged 20 or over. More than 2,000 people responded.
50.1 percent of respondents said they are dissatisfied while 45.4 percent said they are satisfied.
Of those feeling dissatisfaction, 63.4 percent cited a lack of adequate savings.
The respondents who said their lives are worse off than a year earlier accounted for 46.8 percent, the second highest figure following the record set in 1976 shortly after the oil crisis.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government conducted the annual survey in August covering residents aged 20 or over. More than 2,000 people responded.
50.1 percent of respondents said they are dissatisfied while 45.4 percent said they are satisfied.
Of those feeling dissatisfaction, 63.4 percent cited a lack of adequate savings.
The respondents who said their lives are worse off than a year earlier accounted for 46.8 percent, the second highest figure following the record set in 1976 shortly after the oil crisis.
2009年12月6日日曜日
Rice from shrine's farm prepared for sake brewing
A brewery in Chiba Prefecture, neighboring Tokyo, has begun making sake ahead of the New Year, using rice harvested in a farm owned by a Shinto shrine.
The brewery was established nearly 250 years ago.
For the first time this year, it is making sake, or Japanese rice wine, jointly with the Tamasaki Shrine.
On Saturday, a ceremony was held in an old cellar to prepare for sake-making. Brewers and 15 local people used oar-like sticks to mix 80 kilograms of rice and 15 kilograms of koji mold in a barrel and start the fermentation process.
The barrel is large enough to produce about 300 bottles of sake, and some of it will be offered to visitors who come to the shrine during the New Year holidays.
A man who participated in the ceremony said he hopes the sake will help attract many visitors to the town.
An executive of the brewery, Takako Akiba, said she hopes visitors to the shrine will savor the taste of the special sake
The brewery was established nearly 250 years ago.
For the first time this year, it is making sake, or Japanese rice wine, jointly with the Tamasaki Shrine.
On Saturday, a ceremony was held in an old cellar to prepare for sake-making. Brewers and 15 local people used oar-like sticks to mix 80 kilograms of rice and 15 kilograms of koji mold in a barrel and start the fermentation process.
The barrel is large enough to produce about 300 bottles of sake, and some of it will be offered to visitors who come to the shrine during the New Year holidays.
A man who participated in the ceremony said he hopes the sake will help attract many visitors to the town.
An executive of the brewery, Takako Akiba, said she hopes visitors to the shrine will savor the taste of the special sake
2009年12月5日土曜日
Tokyo ward to certify eco-friendly builders
Tokyo's Minato Ward is planning to certify building-developers that use domestic timber rather than cheaper imports.
Under the plan, developers would be credited for helping develop the country's forests that soak up carbon dioxide emissions.
Minato ward officials and experts met on Friday to begin studies on the program. One participant said promoting the use of domestic timber will help create nationwide momentum for forest conservation.
Minato Ward has seen a boom in office-building construction in recent years, with cheaper foreign timber used in many of the interior structures. The trend is the same nationwide.
The ward plans to launch the certification system next September. It will be first of its kind to promote the use of domestic timber, regardless of its region of origin.
2009/12/04 18:17(JST)
Under the plan, developers would be credited for helping develop the country's forests that soak up carbon dioxide emissions.
Minato ward officials and experts met on Friday to begin studies on the program. One participant said promoting the use of domestic timber will help create nationwide momentum for forest conservation.
Minato Ward has seen a boom in office-building construction in recent years, with cheaper foreign timber used in many of the interior structures. The trend is the same nationwide.
The ward plans to launch the certification system next September. It will be first of its kind to promote the use of domestic timber, regardless of its region of origin.
2009/12/04 18:17(JST)
Haruki Murakami novel "1Q84" tops best-seller list
Popular author Haruki Murakami's latest novel, "IQ84," is the best-selling book of the year in Japan for any genre.
Leading book wholesaler Tohan said on Friday that the two-volume work has sold a total of 2.23 million copies. The distributor says it is the first time in its 20 years of gathering data that a novel has made it to the top of an annual best-seller list.
"IQ84," a story about a man and woman living in Tokyo in the year 1984, is the first full-length novel Murakami has published in 5 years and deals with issues such as love, violence and religion.
The hardcover edition has more than 1,000 pages but sold out almost as soon as it hit stores in May.
Murakami is one of Japan's best-known contemporary novelists and is often tipped as a candidate for the Nobel Prize for literature.
This year's best-seller list includes 2 books about Japanese words that are often misunderstood, and books about how to stay fit and healthy
Leading book wholesaler Tohan said on Friday that the two-volume work has sold a total of 2.23 million copies. The distributor says it is the first time in its 20 years of gathering data that a novel has made it to the top of an annual best-seller list.
"IQ84," a story about a man and woman living in Tokyo in the year 1984, is the first full-length novel Murakami has published in 5 years and deals with issues such as love, violence and religion.
The hardcover edition has more than 1,000 pages but sold out almost as soon as it hit stores in May.
Murakami is one of Japan's best-known contemporary novelists and is often tipped as a candidate for the Nobel Prize for literature.
This year's best-seller list includes 2 books about Japanese words that are often misunderstood, and books about how to stay fit and healthy
2009年12月4日金曜日
Protected red-crowned cranes counted in Hokkaido
The annual count of red-crowned cranes, a protected species, is under way in Hokkaido, northern Japan.
This year's survey covers about 300 locations, mainly in the eastern part of the prefecture.
In Tsurui Village, a breeding ground of the crane, about 20 children braved freezing temperatures on Friday to take part in the count.
The bird was on the verge of extinction in the early 20th Century but it has since recovered thanks to preservation efforts. In 2005, the number rose above 1,000.
The survey results will be compiled by the end of this month.
This year's survey covers about 300 locations, mainly in the eastern part of the prefecture.
In Tsurui Village, a breeding ground of the crane, about 20 children braved freezing temperatures on Friday to take part in the count.
The bird was on the verge of extinction in the early 20th Century but it has since recovered thanks to preservation efforts. In 2005, the number rose above 1,000.
The survey results will be compiled by the end of this month.
232,000 people show symptoms of mental illness
A government survey has found a record number of people are going to hospitals with symptoms of mental illness.
The survey is conducted every 3 years, targeting over 13,600 medical institutions nationwide.
As of October last year, on average 232,300 people went to medical institutions per day with psychological issues.
The number has increased steadily since 1996, when it was 155,600.
Keio University Professor Yutaka Ono attributed the increase to stress and anxiety caused by societal factors, like the prolonged recession. He said only a quarter of the people who need help visit hospitals.
The survey is conducted every 3 years, targeting over 13,600 medical institutions nationwide.
As of October last year, on average 232,300 people went to medical institutions per day with psychological issues.
The number has increased steadily since 1996, when it was 155,600.
Keio University Professor Yutaka Ono attributed the increase to stress and anxiety caused by societal factors, like the prolonged recession. He said only a quarter of the people who need help visit hospitals.
2009年12月3日木曜日
Specimen of butterfly collected by Hesse found
A specimen of butterfly collected by German novelist Hermann Hesse has been found in Osaka, western Japan.
Hesse, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature, is not only well known as one of the major literary figures of the 20th century but also for his love of nature.
The specimen of a species of butterfly known as Erebia niphonica was found in a collection that a Japanese collector in Osaka obtained in Europe about 30 years ago.
Soichiro Kinoshita says the specimen has been genuinely confirmed as being Hesse's since the handwriting on a label resembles that of Hesse.
He added a sketch by Hesse proved that he was in Austria on a date in 1927, which corresponds to the date and site described on the label of the specimen.
Kinoshita says he could not believe the amazing find and that he plans to donate the specimen to a museum.
Professor emeritus Asao Okada of Toyo University, who translated many of Hesse's novels, says it was a precious discovery since the label carries the date which is after the end of World War One. That would contradict previous beliefs that Hesse stopped collecting insects at the outbreak of the war.
The specimen will be displayed at a special exhibition featuring Hesse that opens on Saturday at the Osaka Museum of National History
Hesse, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature, is not only well known as one of the major literary figures of the 20th century but also for his love of nature.
The specimen of a species of butterfly known as Erebia niphonica was found in a collection that a Japanese collector in Osaka obtained in Europe about 30 years ago.
Soichiro Kinoshita says the specimen has been genuinely confirmed as being Hesse's since the handwriting on a label resembles that of Hesse.
He added a sketch by Hesse proved that he was in Austria on a date in 1927, which corresponds to the date and site described on the label of the specimen.
Kinoshita says he could not believe the amazing find and that he plans to donate the specimen to a museum.
Professor emeritus Asao Okada of Toyo University, who translated many of Hesse's novels, says it was a precious discovery since the label carries the date which is after the end of World War One. That would contradict previous beliefs that Hesse stopped collecting insects at the outbreak of the war.
The specimen will be displayed at a special exhibition featuring Hesse that opens on Saturday at the Osaka Museum of National History
2009年12月2日水曜日
Painter Hirayama dies
Traditional Japanese-style painter Ikuo Hirayama, one of the foremost artists in his field since World War Two, died of a cerebral infarction on Wednesday in Tokyo. He was 79.
Hirayama was born in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan. He was in Hiroshima at the age of 15 when the US atomic bomb hit the city in 1945.
In 1947, he enrolled in what later became the Tokyo University of the Arts.
His breakthrough came in 1959, with a Buddhist-inspired work he painted with hopes for peace, while struggling with the aftereffects of radiation. He soon established his trademark fantasy-like style, also inspired by Buddhism.
Hirayama made more than 100 trips to destinations on the Silk Road, in Central Asia, starting in the late 1960s. His visits inspired a series of works depicting scenes along the ancient trade route.
Hirayama also served as president of his alma mater, campaigned to preserve and repair ancient ruins along the Silk Road and in Cambodia, and headed the Japan-China Friendship Association. He was also a UNESCO goodwill ambassador.
He was recognized with a number of domestic and overseas awards, including Japan's Cultural Merit Award, which he received in 1998.
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