The average length of overtime work in Japan in February grew a record 11.4 percent compared to last year to 9.8 hours per month.
The monthly labor ministry survey says this is the largest year-on-year increase since the survey began in 1990 and a reflection of the recovering economy.
In the manufacturing sector alone, average overtime work jumped 54.6 percent from a year earlier to 13.6 hours per month.
The national survey covered about 33,000 businesses with 5 employees or more.
Meanwhile, the average monthly salary in February including overtime pay was about 2,940 dollars, down 0.6 percent from a year earlier. The ministry says this reflects the cut in workers' base salary.
Winter bonuses of Japanese workers were an average of 4,230 dollars, down by 9.3 percent from a year earlier and the smallest on record.
The ministry says workers salaries have yet to see the full effects of the recovering economy.
2010年3月31日水曜日
2010年3月28日日曜日
Survey: Homeless population declining
The number of homeless people in Japan in January fell by 2,600 to about 13,000 from a year earlier.
The health, labor and welfare ministry believes that the main reason is the increase in the number of welfare recipients.
The ministry collected data on people sleeping in parks, roads and train stations across the country.
It found there were 13,124 homeless people in 474 municipalities -- 2,635, or 16.7 percent fewer than the same period last year.
It says they were concentrated in major urban areas.
Osaka prefecture had the highest number of homeless at 3,338, followed by Tokyo with 3,125.
The ministry says an increasing number of welfare recipients were able to find housing and municipalities are providing more temporary accommodation.
But it adds that the homeless population may exceed the figure in the survey, as this did not cover Internet cafes or cheap lodging houses.
The health, labor and welfare ministry believes that the main reason is the increase in the number of welfare recipients.
The ministry collected data on people sleeping in parks, roads and train stations across the country.
It found there were 13,124 homeless people in 474 municipalities -- 2,635, or 16.7 percent fewer than the same period last year.
It says they were concentrated in major urban areas.
Osaka prefecture had the highest number of homeless at 3,338, followed by Tokyo with 3,125.
The ministry says an increasing number of welfare recipients were able to find housing and municipalities are providing more temporary accommodation.
But it adds that the homeless population may exceed the figure in the survey, as this did not cover Internet cafes or cheap lodging houses.
2010年3月27日土曜日
3 foreign nurses pass national exam
3 people from Indonesia and the Philippines have passed Japan's nursing qualification exam.
They became the first foreign nurses to do so after coming to Japan under the Economic Partnership Agreement, or EPA.
370 such nurses are working at Japanese hospitals as they study to qualify.
The Labor and Welfare Ministry says 254 of them sat the test for the current fiscal year.
The ministry says 2 Indonesians working in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, passed the exam after arriving in the country 2 years ago.
The Filipino who passed came last year and is working in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.
The overall pass rate for this year's exam was about 90 percent, but the ratio of successful applicants among foreign nurses working under the EPA was only 1 percent.
These people must pass the test within 3 years to continue working in Japan. But analysts say the complex Chinese characters used for specialized terms obstruct foreign applicants from passing the test.
About 100 Indonesian nurses who came to Japan 2 years ago as part of the first intake will have to return home if they fail the exam next year. The Japanese government plans to help them learn the language.
One of the successful Indonesian nurses said he studied hard and is very happy to pass. He expressed thanks for the help he received in realizing his dream of working in Japan. He also called for the test to be given in plain Japanese for foreign applicants.
The other Indonesian nurse who passed called for an extension of the period of stay permitted for foreign nurses.
They became the first foreign nurses to do so after coming to Japan under the Economic Partnership Agreement, or EPA.
370 such nurses are working at Japanese hospitals as they study to qualify.
The Labor and Welfare Ministry says 254 of them sat the test for the current fiscal year.
The ministry says 2 Indonesians working in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, passed the exam after arriving in the country 2 years ago.
The Filipino who passed came last year and is working in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.
The overall pass rate for this year's exam was about 90 percent, but the ratio of successful applicants among foreign nurses working under the EPA was only 1 percent.
These people must pass the test within 3 years to continue working in Japan. But analysts say the complex Chinese characters used for specialized terms obstruct foreign applicants from passing the test.
About 100 Indonesian nurses who came to Japan 2 years ago as part of the first intake will have to return home if they fail the exam next year. The Japanese government plans to help them learn the language.
One of the successful Indonesian nurses said he studied hard and is very happy to pass. He expressed thanks for the help he received in realizing his dream of working in Japan. He also called for the test to be given in plain Japanese for foreign applicants.
The other Indonesian nurse who passed called for an extension of the period of stay permitted for foreign nurses.
2010年3月23日火曜日
Kyushu Shinkansen railway lines connected
Japan's world-renowned bullet train service is covering more ground.
A new rail line extension has been connected on the southwestern island of Kyushu.
A ceremony was held on Monday at Kumamoto station to celebrate the addition of the 120-kilometer section.
Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima helped fasten the last part of the rail with a golden bolt. Then a train that takes care of track maintenance made the maiden run.
This extension of the bullet train or "Shinkansen" line means the high-speed service will run from north to south on Kyushu island.
The train will make the nearly 260 kilometer trip from the northern city of Hakata to the southern city of Kagoshima in 80 minutes.
It is expected to start service in March of next year.
Until then, the train only runs between Yatsushiro of Kumamoto prefecture and Kagoshima.
A new rail line extension has been connected on the southwestern island of Kyushu.
A ceremony was held on Monday at Kumamoto station to celebrate the addition of the 120-kilometer section.
Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima helped fasten the last part of the rail with a golden bolt. Then a train that takes care of track maintenance made the maiden run.
This extension of the bullet train or "Shinkansen" line means the high-speed service will run from north to south on Kyushu island.
The train will make the nearly 260 kilometer trip from the northern city of Hakata to the southern city of Kagoshima in 80 minutes.
It is expected to start service in March of next year.
Until then, the train only runs between Yatsushiro of Kumamoto prefecture and Kagoshima.
2010年3月21日日曜日
Cherry blossoms appear in western Japan
Weather officials in Japan say a warm wind from the south helped raise temperatures across the country on Saturday. Record high temperatures for March were observed in many places.
In the western cities of Hiroshima, Nara and Shimonoseki, cherry blossoms have started to bloom about 10 days earlier than average.
The blossoms in Hiroshima are the second earliest and those in Shimonoseki the third earliest since records began to be kept in 1953.
Meteorological officials say the earlier blossoming is probably due to higher than average temperatures between December and February.
The earliest blossoming was reported in the southwestern city of Kochi on March 10th.
In the western cities of Hiroshima, Nara and Shimonoseki, cherry blossoms have started to bloom about 10 days earlier than average.
The blossoms in Hiroshima are the second earliest and those in Shimonoseki the third earliest since records began to be kept in 1953.
Meteorological officials say the earlier blossoming is probably due to higher than average temperatures between December and February.
The earliest blossoming was reported in the southwestern city of Kochi on March 10th.
2010年3月18日木曜日
Domestic violence, stalking cases hit new highs
Domestic violence cases reported to Japanese police last year reached the highest figure ever, since the domestic violence prevention law took effect 9 years ago.
The National Police Agency says the total number of cases was more than 28,000 in 2009, up 11 percent from the previous year.
Serious cases in which police took legal action for injury or assault charges totaled nearly 1,700, also a new high.
44 of these cases involved murder or attempted murder.
Police also handled about 15,000 stalking cases last year, up 1 percent from the year before, and a new high.
Police say they are stepping up efforts to prevent such violence, after women were killed in Chiba City and Tokyo last year. The 2 women were killed after they had asked police for help.
The National Police Agency says the total number of cases was more than 28,000 in 2009, up 11 percent from the previous year.
Serious cases in which police took legal action for injury or assault charges totaled nearly 1,700, also a new high.
44 of these cases involved murder or attempted murder.
Police also handled about 15,000 stalking cases last year, up 1 percent from the year before, and a new high.
Police say they are stepping up efforts to prevent such violence, after women were killed in Chiba City and Tokyo last year. The 2 women were killed after they had asked police for help.
2010年3月13日土曜日
Two trains make final journeys from Tokyo
A sleeper limited express and a night express have made their final journeys from Tokyo to the central Japanese city of Kanazawa.
About 3,000 enthusiasts gathered at Ueno Station to view the departures on Friday night.
A Japan Railways Group company that operates the trains mobilized 40 workers to prevent people from climbing down onto railway tracks to take photos. Police also deployed officers.
Station workers called for calm from people who were rushing toward the front cars of the trains to take photos, and no major troubles were reported.
The limited express "Hokuriku" and night express "Noto" retire on Saturday after connecting the 2 cities for over a half century.
The trains left the station, sounding their whistle, shortly after 11 PM amid cheers from onlookers.
About 3,000 enthusiasts gathered at Ueno Station to view the departures on Friday night.
A Japan Railways Group company that operates the trains mobilized 40 workers to prevent people from climbing down onto railway tracks to take photos. Police also deployed officers.
Station workers called for calm from people who were rushing toward the front cars of the trains to take photos, and no major troubles were reported.
The limited express "Hokuriku" and night express "Noto" retire on Saturday after connecting the 2 cities for over a half century.
The trains left the station, sounding their whistle, shortly after 11 PM amid cheers from onlookers.
2010年3月10日水曜日
Gale uproots historic tree at Kamakura shrine
Strong winds have uprooted a legendary giant gingko tree at a shrine in Kamakura, near Tokyo.
The 30-meter-tall tree at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine was found blown over early on Wednesday. Nobody was injured.
According to the shrine, the tree is presumed to be more than 1,000 years old. It measures roughly 7 meters around at its base and grew at the bottom of stairs leading to the main hall of the shrine.
In the year 1219, third Kamakura shogun, Minamoto no Sanetomo, was ambushed and killed by his nephew Kugyo near the tree.
Kugyo is said to have hidden behind the tree before the attack, leading to it being nicknamed "kakure ichou" or "hiding gingko tree" after the episode.
The sacred tree was designated a natural treasure by Kanagawa Prefecture, where the shrine is located.
The 30-meter-tall tree at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine was found blown over early on Wednesday. Nobody was injured.
According to the shrine, the tree is presumed to be more than 1,000 years old. It measures roughly 7 meters around at its base and grew at the bottom of stairs leading to the main hall of the shrine.
In the year 1219, third Kamakura shogun, Minamoto no Sanetomo, was ambushed and killed by his nephew Kugyo near the tree.
Kugyo is said to have hidden behind the tree before the attack, leading to it being nicknamed "kakure ichou" or "hiding gingko tree" after the episode.
The sacred tree was designated a natural treasure by Kanagawa Prefecture, where the shrine is located.
Tokyo marks 65th anniversary of US air raids
Bereaved families in Japan have renewed their anti-war appeal at a memorial service marking the 65th anniversary of the massive US air raids on Tokyo in World War Two.
About 100,000 people were killed in those bombings on March 10th, 1945, 5 months before the end of the war.
The service on Wednesday was at a memorial hall in Tokyo's Sumida Ward, one of the worst-hit areas.
More than 300 people attended, including Prince Hitachi, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, as well as survivors of the bombings and relatives of the victims.
Ishihara said in a speech that there should never be another war and he vowed to build a Tokyo where people can live safely and comfortably.
A 72-year-old man, who lost his father and younger brother in the raids, told NHK that he has never forgotten the bombings during the past 65 years. He said the war should not be repeated at any cost.
The organizer of the service says the challenge as the war survivors age, is to pass on to future generations a sense of the tragedy of war.
About 100,000 people were killed in those bombings on March 10th, 1945, 5 months before the end of the war.
The service on Wednesday was at a memorial hall in Tokyo's Sumida Ward, one of the worst-hit areas.
More than 300 people attended, including Prince Hitachi, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, as well as survivors of the bombings and relatives of the victims.
Ishihara said in a speech that there should never be another war and he vowed to build a Tokyo where people can live safely and comfortably.
A 72-year-old man, who lost his father and younger brother in the raids, told NHK that he has never forgotten the bombings during the past 65 years. He said the war should not be repeated at any cost.
The organizer of the service says the challenge as the war survivors age, is to pass on to future generations a sense of the tragedy of war.
2010年3月6日土曜日
Osaka tragedy leads to International Safe School
A public elementary school in Osaka has been recognized by the World Health Organization as Japan's first "International Safe School" for its efforts to protect children's safety.
In 2001, a man entered the playground at Ikeda Elementary School and randomly stabbed pupils and teachers, leaving 8 children dead.
Since then, the school has installed security equipment in the playground and introduced a safety management system to monitor pupils on their way between school and home.
The school also offers children lessons on safety measures such as protecting themselves from suspicious individuals.
On Friday, about 600 pupils, teachers and parents attended a ceremony to mark the WHO designation.
Principal Daisuke Fujita said the school will advance its safety program and make it world famous. The pupils also pledged to work to protect life.
More than 30 schools around the world have so far been recognized under the WHO program.
In 2001, a man entered the playground at Ikeda Elementary School and randomly stabbed pupils and teachers, leaving 8 children dead.
Since then, the school has installed security equipment in the playground and introduced a safety management system to monitor pupils on their way between school and home.
The school also offers children lessons on safety measures such as protecting themselves from suspicious individuals.
On Friday, about 600 pupils, teachers and parents attended a ceremony to mark the WHO designation.
Principal Daisuke Fujita said the school will advance its safety program and make it world famous. The pupils also pledged to work to protect life.
More than 30 schools around the world have so far been recognized under the WHO program.
2010年3月3日水曜日
Popular manga "One Piece" sets publishing record
A Japanese publishing company says it will print a record 3-million first-run copies of the latest issue of a popular manga comic series, "One Piece."
Shueisha will release the 57th issue of the manga, "One Piece," on Thursday.
The 3-million copy first run is the highest for any book ever published in Japan. The previous record was 2.9 million copies, set in 2004 when the 5th installment of the Harry Potter series came out.
"One Piece" is the story of a boy who sets out on an adventure to become a pirate king.
The series has sold more than 185 million copies in Japan, proving the popularity of manga, despite a deep slump in the publishing industry.
"One Piece" has also been published in 25 countries and regions around the world.
Shueisha will release the 57th issue of the manga, "One Piece," on Thursday.
The 3-million copy first run is the highest for any book ever published in Japan. The previous record was 2.9 million copies, set in 2004 when the 5th installment of the Harry Potter series came out.
"One Piece" is the story of a boy who sets out on an adventure to become a pirate king.
The series has sold more than 185 million copies in Japan, proving the popularity of manga, despite a deep slump in the publishing industry.
"One Piece" has also been published in 25 countries and regions around the world.
2010年3月1日月曜日
River fishing season opens in Chichibu
The fishing season is underway in one of the popular destinations for mountain stream fishing near Tokyo.
At 6AM on Monday, the first day of March, the fishing season was declared open in the Urayama River, which runs through the mountainous Chichibu region in Saitama prefecture, neighboring Tokyo.
Anglers, who had gathered from near and far, could be seen casting their lines.
The local fisheries cooperative released about 25,000 yamame trout and char fries in the river, enabling some anglers to catch 20 centimeter long yamame one after another.
The fishing season will end on September 30th.
At 6AM on Monday, the first day of March, the fishing season was declared open in the Urayama River, which runs through the mountainous Chichibu region in Saitama prefecture, neighboring Tokyo.
Anglers, who had gathered from near and far, could be seen casting their lines.
The local fisheries cooperative released about 25,000 yamame trout and char fries in the river, enabling some anglers to catch 20 centimeter long yamame one after another.
The fishing season will end on September 30th.
Young actresses graduate from Takarazuka school
Thirty-eight young women dreaming of future stardom have graduated from the Takarazuka Music School, an academy affiliated with an all-female musical theatre troupe in Takarazuka City, near Osaka.
Chosen from over 800 applicants, the women have been studying dancing and singing for the past 2 years.
At a ceremony on Monday, the actresses --- dressed in formal black kimono and dark green hakama skirts ---received a graduation certificate from the school principal.
A representative of the students, Ami Norimatsu, said she was filled with gratitude, joy and hope. She pledged to pursue the school's teachings of purity, righteousness and beauty.
The graduates will join the professional Takarazuka Revue Company and make their debut in a production of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" starting on March 16th.
2010/03/01 20:05(JST)
Chosen from over 800 applicants, the women have been studying dancing and singing for the past 2 years.
At a ceremony on Monday, the actresses --- dressed in formal black kimono and dark green hakama skirts ---received a graduation certificate from the school principal.
A representative of the students, Ami Norimatsu, said she was filled with gratitude, joy and hope. She pledged to pursue the school's teachings of purity, righteousness and beauty.
The graduates will join the professional Takarazuka Revue Company and make their debut in a production of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" starting on March 16th.
2010/03/01 20:05(JST)
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