Japan

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Clean-up of shores covered with pumice stones due to underwater volcanic eruption underway

Okinawa Prefecture in southwestern Japan has begun removing large volumes of pumice stones that have drifted into a port in Kunigami Village.

29/10/2021

Japan

Japan's Princess Mako loses royal status by marrying a commoner

The Imperial House Law allows only male succession. Female members of the royal family must renounce their royal status when they marry a commoner.

26/10/2021

Japan

Japan's hydrogen power play

In partnership with The Government of Japan

In this episode of Green Japan we focus on the power of hydrogen as an alternative energy to fossil fuels

25/10/2021

Japan

Japan's new leader dissolves parliament, paving way for new elections

At the announcement, all 465 lower house lawmakers stood up, shouted “banzai” three times and left.

14/10/2021

Japan

Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida takes office

Japan elects former diplomat Fumio Kishida as its new Prime Minister in a parliamentary vote on Monday.

04/10/2021

Travel News

This ‘smart’ facemask can translate what you say into 8 languages

A Japanese robotics company has invented a face mask that can translate across languages. We also take a look at other interesting pandemic innovations.

30/09/2021

Japan

Japan's Fumio Kishida set to become new prime minister after vote

Kishida promised action on COVID-19 resurgence and to counter China in the region.

29/09/2021

Work

Robots are here to 'liberate' us from boring work, claims Softbank CEO

Masayoshi Son, one of Japan's wealthiest people, said a future generation of practical "smart robots" would "replace" the entire human working population.

15/09/2021

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Tokyo bids farewell to Paralympics with fireworks display

Tokyo bids a spectacular farewell to the Paralympics with a firework display over the city, as organisers hail the pandemic-delayed Games as the "most important edition" ever

05/09/2021

Japan

Japanese PM poised to resign after bowing out of party vote

Yoshihide Suga came under fire for his handling of the pandemic and for holding the Olympics despite the public’s health concerns.

03/09/2021

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Paralympian and musician: Manami Ito, Japan's show-stealing violinist

Haunting notes stream from Manami Ito's violin as she gracefully draws her bow back and forth, clasping it with her specially designed prosthetic arm

02/09/2021

Health news

Japan reports more contamination in Moderna vaccines from Spain

Japan has detected black particles in more vials of the Moderna coronavirus vaccines imported from Spain.

01/09/2021

Tech News

Tokyo 2020 self-driving buses restart after hitting athlete

The self-driving bus service used to transport athletes and staff at the Tokyo 2020 Games was suspended after an accident injuring a visually-impaired Paralympian.

30/08/2021

Health news

Two die in Japan after receiving suspended Moderna COVID vaccines

The Japanese government had suspended the Moderna vaccine earlier this week over concerns of contaminants in 1.63 million vaccine doses.

29/08/2021

Health news

Tokyo Paralympics putting Japan’s accessibility issues in spotlight

Activists have welcomed the progress made on accessibility and inclusion issues but warn that there is still a long way to go in changing attitudes towards disabled people in Japan.

27/08/2021

Japan

Japan suspends use of 1.63m Moderna vaccines over contamination fears

Officials have asked Moderna to conduct an emergency investigation and told medical institutions to stop using the vaccine produced in Spain.

26/08/2021

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Fireworks mark start of Tokyo2020 Paralympic Games

Fireworks light up the sky above Tokyo's National Stadium as the postponed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games kick off, with people gathering outside the stadium, hoping to taste the atmosphere despite being locked out.

24/08/2021

Work

These robots are making the workplace more inclusive for humans

At Tokyo’s new Dawn café, robots whizz around taking orders. But rather than AI, they are powered by humans thousands of kilometres away.

24/08/2021

Sport

Afghan flag to fly at opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

The Taliban takeover of the country means the Afghan athletes were not able to make it to Japan to compete.

23/08/2021

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Robot cafe offers new spin on disability inclusion in Tokio

At a Tokyo cafe, robots are intended to be more than just a gimmick, offering job opportunities for those who cannot work outside their homes. The robots are remotely controlled by disabled people, who can also communicate with customers via the robot.

20/08/2021

Health news

Hi-tech repair shop for Paralympians opens in Tokyo

With over 100 specialists staffing the shop, athletes in the Paralympic village can be sure their prosthetics, wheelchairs and other equipment is in mint condition during the Games.

17/08/2021

Japan

Creator and 'Godfather of Sudoku' Maki Kaji dies aged 69

It wasn’t until 2004 that Sudoku became a global hit after a fan from New Zealand pitched it and got it published in the British newspaper The Times

17/08/2021

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Torrential rains cause floods, mudslides in Japan

Torrential rain triggered a mudslide and more floods across Japan on Sunday, leaving three people presumed dead and forcing the evacuation of dozens of residents.

15/08/2021

Eco-Innovation

7 ways this Olympic Games has been the most sustainable ever

From medals made of mobile phones to podiums made from repurposed plastic - this has been the most sustainable Olympic Games ever.

15/08/2021

Japan

Japan races to vaccinate as COVID-19 surges after Olympics end

Many people are ignoring government pleas to avoid travel and stay away from bars and restaurants even as the coronavirus spikes at record levels.

13/08/2021

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Ship breaks into two off Japan causing oil leak

A Panamanian ship broke into two in Aomori Prefecture, spilling oil into the ocean. All 21 crew members from China and the Philippines were rescued by helicopter.

12/08/2021