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.
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