National
More than 95,000 Japanese aged over 100; most of them women
The number of people in Japan aged 100 or older has hit a record high of more than 95,000 -- almost 90 percent of them women -- government data showed Tuesday. The figures further highlight the slow-burning demographic crisis gripping the world's fourth-biggest economy as its population ages and shrinks.… Read
Lowered adult age sees rise in young Japanese struggling with debt
One feared consequence of Japan's lowering of the age of adulthood to 18 in 2022 appears to have come true -- a rise in young people getting into difficulties with debt. With personal bankruptcy occurring as early as 19, government agencies are doubling efforts to raise public awareness about the… Read
Japan travel industry calls for offering free passports to 18-year-olds
The Japanese government should offer free passports to 18-year-olds who have legally become adults to motivate more young people to travel abroad, the head of a travel industry group said in a recent interview with Kyodo News. Citing that just around 17 percent of Japanese citizens had a passport as… Read
Japan pledges 3 mil doses of mpox vaccine to WHO
Japan has pledged some 3 million doses of an mpox vaccine as part of a global effort to combat the recent surge of the infectious disease across Africa, according to the World Health Organization. Japan's offer is "the largest donation to date" alongside contributions from the European Union, the United… Read
60% of Japan's prefectures have no network for dialysis in emergency
More than 60 percent of Japan's 47 prefectures said they had not established plans to work with neighboring prefectures for dialysis patients in the event of a large-scale disaster, a recent survey by Kyodo News found. The results, underscoring the disparity in preparations, came after a weeklong advisory was issued… Read
University to set up new 'dinosaur department' as popularity grows
A university in western Japan will establish a department specializing in dinosaur studies beginning next April as the field grows in popularity. The Okayama University of Science already offers a course on dinosaurs, but plans to increase the number of lectures, opportunities for field work, and professors with the new… Read
Nearly 80% of local gov't heads favor spouse surname change: survey
Almost 80 percent of heads of local governments across Japan support the introduction of a system allowing married couples to have separate surnames, a survey by Kyodo News showed Sunday. The results come as calls to review the law forcing married Japanese couples to use the same surname grow among… Read
Dating apps most common way to meet a spouse in Japan, study finds
One in four married adults under 40 in Japan found their partners through dating apps, making it the most common way couples meet, a recent government survey showed. The study was conducted in July as part of the Japanese government's efforts to devise ways to help younger generations marry and… Read
Japan's over-65s hit record high 36.25 mil; 1 in 4 working
Japan's over-65s hit a record high 36.25 million in 2024, up 20,000 from the previous year, while one in four people of the age group had jobs, government data showed Sunday, underscoring the Asian country's rapidly aging society. Those aged 65 and older, defined as the elderly in Japan, accounted… Read
Caution urged as botched insect pest control sparks fires in Japan
Fire departments and experts in Japan are urging the public to be careful of using flames and flammable sprays to exterminate pests like cockroaches, amid accidents nationwide causing property destruction and even deaths. Japan has a vibrant population of insects considered pests, from disease-bearing cockroaches to the potentially lethal Asian… Read
