Nipponica
LightNews LightNews
banner
nipponica.bsky.social
Nipponica
@nipponica.bsky.social
72 followers 370 following 180 posts
Nipponica is a weblog that curates news about Japan and its evolving place in the world.

https://nipponi.ca
Posts Replies Media Videos
nipponica.bsky.social
As with many things in modern life, the poorest are always the most affected when major powers collide. It is always worth acknowledging the innocent victims of the games countries play.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/pol...

#Japan #Taiwan #Okinawa #Military
Japan to Consider Specific Measures to Further Strengthen Defense of Okinawa Prefecture’s Nansei Islands
<p>The government and ruling parties will begin considering specific measures to further strengthen the defense of the Nansei Islands, with an aim to revise three security-related documents ahead of s...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
Expanding industry in Hokkaido is always welcome but they need the technical expertise to do so. Certain people in high office need to start pumping the brakes on the deportation train if they want this to succeed.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

#Japan #Hokkaido #Tech
Japan's gamble to turn island of flowers into global chip hub
The country once led the world in semiconductors and electronics, but over the years it fell behind Taiwan, South Korea and China.
www.bbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:36 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
This is a great program for Okinawan students and is a step ahead of many schools in mainland Japan. I think students would benefit from greater exposure to the rest of the world and if Okinawa can do it, other prefectures can as well.

asia.nikkei.com/business/edu...

#Japan #Okinawa #Education
Okinawa fosters international talent with study-abroad subsidies
Far-flung Japanese prefecture eyes widening young people's perspectives by funding travel
asia.nikkei.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:59 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
What to do with a known brand and character? DESTROY!

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Rail
JR East to retire beloved Suica smartcard penguin mascot in spring 2027
The beloved penguin mascot of Suica smartcards used for public transportation and cashless payments in Japan will be retired in spring 2027, owner East Japan Railway Co. said Tuesday.
english.kyodonews.net
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
I'm going to assume this quote in this article is a bad translation: "build a safe, secure, orderly, and inclusive society for the people and foreigners living in our country." If not, apparently foreigners are no longer people according to the new government.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan
Japan to compile measures to address foreigner-related issues in Jan. - The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's government will compile a comprehensive set of measures to address issues related to foreign residents and tourists in Januar
mainichi.jp
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
The 21st century samurai is much less cool.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Bears
Japanese government advises using plastic bottles to prevent bear attacks - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- The government suggested on Oct. 30 that children should carry empty plastic bottles to repel bears, claiming the animals hate the sound of t
mainichi.jp
November 5, 2025 at 7:38 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
The mayor of Oizumi is speaking out on the benefits of its foreign community but there is still a growing number of people against them.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Gunma #Immigration
Mayor of Japan town with many foreigners perplexed by rising support for Sanseito - The Mainichi
OIZUMI, Gunma -- Across Japan, more people are taking a critical view of foreigners. For instance, in the recent Miyagi gubernatorial election, a cand
mainichi.jp
November 3, 2025 at 2:49 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
Demand that immigrants integrate but give them no tools to do so. Sounds about right.

asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/ja...

#Japan #Immigration
Foreign workers in 38% of Japan towns lack access to language education
Education infrastructure lags behind immigration influx, government survey shows
asia.nikkei.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:44 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
My response to this new posting in the cabinet would be different if it was to better help integrate foreign people into Japanese society. But, as per usual, Onoda is going down the well trodded xenophobic route and targeting them instead.

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...

#Japan #Immigration
New ‘immigration minister’ post signals Takaichi Cabinet’s priorities
The creation of a new post specifically for handling foreign residents shows how immigration is a key policy focus for the Takaichi Cabinet.
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
nipponica.bsky.social
Why is this news? Let the kid live his life without the vultures grasping at every private moment.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Emperor
Japan's Prince Hisahito contracts flu - The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prince Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito and second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, has tested positive for influenza, th
mainichi.jp
October 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
nipponica.bsky.social
It is good that western news are getting the 'milestone' and 'women empowerment' narratives out of their system & actually started to look at Takaichi as a politician. This is a step back in Japan's slow journey for true equality under the law.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

#Japan #Government
Japan's first female leader: A historic moment with caveats
Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, is not known for progressive views on women's equality.
www.bbc.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
nipponica.bsky.social
As someone that appreciates consistency in foreign policy, I welcome a unification in Russian strategy for violating borders on both sides of its empire.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Hokkaido #Russia #Military
Japan protests Russia ship restrictions near disputed islands off Hokkaido - The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan said Wednesday it has lodged protests with Russia over its warnings of a live-fire drill and temporary restrictions on foreign
mainichi.jp
October 16, 2025 at 1:10 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
So disappointed they aren’t installing Suica readers on the Okinawan wildlife.

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...

#Japan #Okinawa #Transport #WaterBuffalo
Contactless payments to become option for Okinawa water buffalo cart rides
With the contactless payment option, the water buffalo cart operator's ticket counter work is expected to become less burdensome and more efficient.
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
Good summary of the PM state of play as of now.

www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...

#Japan #Politics
For the first time in years, Japan’s opposition sees a route to power
The Liberal Democratic Party has ruled Japan in unbroken succession since Shinzo Abe’s landslide victory in 2012.
www.scmp.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:03 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
Interesting to see the opposite view of a Japanese person working abroad and the struggles they face. Perhaps this will help increase mutual understanding of how foreign workers in Japan feel. Or, more likely, perhaps not.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Japan #Expat
'Mismatch' between training, needs may be behind Japan expat workers returning early: survey - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- Overseas assignments are often seen as prestigious and a fast track to promotion, but a recent survey found that more than 90% of companies h
mainichi.jp
October 15, 2025 at 1:16 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
Love the shoutout to Tsukuba and the Tsukuba Express commute as the example of urban growth in the Greater Tokyo region. TX forever!

asia.nikkei.com/business/tra...

#Japan #Rail #Transport
Railway development drives Tokyo's growth as world's largest metro area
Outward expansion brings influx from rural regions as Japan's total population declines
asia.nikkei.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:12 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
A salute to an icon from my hometown.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/tra...

#Japan #Ibaraki #Tsukuba #Transport
Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary, Funicular Line Shuttles Visitors Up Famous Ibaraki Pref. Mountain
<p>TSUKUBA, Ibaraki Pref.—A cable car connecting the middle section and top of Mt. Tsukuba in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, celebrated 100 years of operation on Sunday.</p>
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
October 13, 2025 at 1:16 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
When you have the major infrastructure like a launch site already built, industry will build around it. Should be bright days ahead for south Hokkaido.

asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...

#Japan #Hokkaido #Space
Japan's Hokkaido Spaceport lands on map as international launch site
Operator has received inquiries from 13 or 14 rocket companies about tie-ups
asia.nikkei.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:13 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
A really cool visual history of Narita and the fight against its expansion by Kyodo.

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Airport #Narita
FEATURE: Narita's holdouts fight for a future beneath the flight path
Resembling shark fins poking above the waterline, the tails of taxiing airplanes are just visible over the tall white fence that separates Kinone Pension from the runways of Narita airport.
english.kyodonews.net
October 10, 2025 at 1:03 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
We need our own Doctor Yellow up north.

www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...

#Japan #Rail
JR East to introduce new inspection shinkansen in fiscal 2029
The next-generation model's design will be finalized around next summer after ideas are sought from employees across JR East group companies.
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 10, 2025 at 12:52 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
Good to see the trend line of horrible election results is continuing.

asia.nikkei.com/politics/jap...

#Japan #Election
Takaichi elected as first female leader of Japan’s ruling LDP
Conservative politician likely to be next prime minister unless opposition unites
asia.nikkei.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:08 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
This is using the PayPay system to register payments. It’s kinda crazy that PayPay is becoming a quasi-open network for payments in the country but I’m all for it if they continue to integrate foreign systems.

www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...

#Japan #HongKong
Explainer | How Hongkongers can use Octopus for payments in Japan and what the perks are
The Post unpacks the steps required to make payments through Octopus, along with benefits and limitations.
www.scmp.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:39 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
The one kind of boom that will be cut by this government.

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Kanagawa #Shutdown
U.S. government shutdown forces Yokosuka fireworks event to be canceled
The impact of the U.S. federal government shutdown that began this week has reverberated across the Pacific, forcing Yokosuka, a city near Tokyo that hosts the U.S. 7th Fleet, to cancel a fireworks ev...
english.kyodonews.net
October 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
As the article cites, 120 more unequal laws to go. The Japanese government will do anything to not alter marriage laws but if we do this piecemeal, maybe this is the way to backdoor equality.

www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...

#Japan #LGBT
Same-sex partners recognized under more laws in Japan
However, the government maintains the position that same-sex partners are not covered by 120 laws and ordinances, including those related to taxes and social security.
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 2, 2025 at 1:17 AM
nipponica.bsky.social
Hey, give the guy one place where the public likes him.

english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...

#Japan #Glasses
Japan PM Ishiba wins award for politician who looks best in glasses
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday was given an award for the celebrity who looks best in glasses in the political category.
english.kyodonews.net
October 2, 2025 at 1:12 AM