News
Japan's Science Council Incorporation Raises Concerns About Academic Freedom and Effectiveness
The Japanese government's move to incorporate the Science Council of Japan while strengthening state oversight has raised concerns about academic freedom, particularly due to the unexplained refusal of six nominated candidates in 2020. This has been criticized as an attempt to cover up the incongruity of the selection process and comes amidst concerns about the SCJ's effectiveness in addressing Japan's declining scientific achievement...
Saisei no Michi Receives Overwhelming Applicant Response for Tokyo Assembly Election
The new regional political party Saisei no Michi, founded by Shinji Ishimaru, has received an overwhelming response with over 1,000 applicants for the upcoming Tokyo metropolitan assembly election. The party, which aims to field up to 60 candidates across all 42 electoral districts, will undergo a rigorous selection process involving document screening, written tests, and interviews.
New Astronauts Arrive, Stranded NASA Astronauts Return
A SpaceX crew capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station, delivering four new astronauts and replacing two NASA astronauts who had been stranded due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule. The newcomers will spend the next few days familiarizing themselves with the station's operations before taking over from the departing astronauts, who will return to Earth in a SpaceX capsule later this week.
Small Businesses in Japan Fear Impact of Rapid Minimum Wage Hike
A nationwide survey by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed that most small businesses, especially those in rural areas, are concerned about the potential negative impact of the government's proposed rapid increase in the minimum wage. The survey found that many small businesses believe meeting the target would be difficult or impossible, and some fear they might have to close down or suspend operations due to declining profits...
Japan's Economy Shows Slower Growth, Raising Concerns About Tariffs and Consumer Spending
Japan's economy grew at a slower pace than initially reported in the October-December quarter, with revised data showing an annualized growth rate of 2.2% instead of the initial 2.8%. This slower growth was primarily attributed to weaker consumption, raising concerns about the impact of U.S. tariffs and soft consumer spending on the Japanese economy.