Select Asian students to study medicine in Japan for free, new programme to start as soon as 2026

TOKYO: Japan’s Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry plans to cover tuition and living expenses for select international students from Asia studying at medical schools in Japan. This is the first time that the ministry is attempting such an initiative, which it is undertaking with the aim of contributing to the international community and expanding the use...

Young Japanese woman acquitted of murdering her 77-year-old husband, a self-proclaimed ‘Don Juan’

TOKYO: A Japanese court ruled Thursday (Dec 12) that the young widow of an elderly real estate mogul was not guilty of murdering the self-described "Don Juan" just months into their marriage, local media reported. Jiji Press and other local outlets said Saki Sudo, now 28, was acquitted by a district court in western Japan, which...

‘Good listener’ Japanese man travels for 5 years, stays in 500 strangers’ homes for free

TOKYO: A Japanese man has become an online sensation after couch-surfing in 500 homes of strangers, offering emotional support as a “good listener” to his hosts in exchange for free accommodation. The 33-year-old, named Shuraf Ishida, conceived this idea five years ago after quitting his job. He set out on a journey across the country with...

Japan’s Metaplanet to reward shareholders with Bitcoin for holding stock

Metaplanet is set to distribute Bitcoin to shareholders through a lottery system, aimed at incentivizing participation in its new initiative with SBI VC Trade. Tokyo-listed firm Metaplanet has unveiled a new shareholder benefit program, offering Bitcoin btc-0.43%Bitcoin rewards through a lottery system as part of its collaboration with SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings. In an X post on...

Japan’s popular Princess Aiko turns 23 with her future as a royal in doubt

TOKYO (AP): Japan’s popular Princess Aiko turned 23 on Sunday, as she takes on more official duties even while her future in the imperial family remains in doubt. Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, graduated from university earlier this year and has since been participating in official duties and palace rituals while...

Japan government approves mammoth US$140bil stimulus with aims putting more cash into peoples’ pocket

TOKYO (AFP): Japan's minority government signed off Friday on a US$140-billion stimulus drive aimed at putting more money in consumers' pockets after the ruling party's worst election result in 15 years. The October 27 contest saw voters -- angry over corruption in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and inflation -- deprive new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's...

Matcha shortage in Japan hits some Singapore businesses, enthusiasts

SINGAPORE: When Jillyn Lee, 19, first tried a matcha drink in 2022, she was captivated by its rich and creamy taste. The Singapore Polytechnic student has since made drinking matcha – powdered green tea – a daily ritual, enjoying it at least twice a day. Her obsession with the superfood even led her to Japan in October...

QuickCheck: Is Japan granting ‘breeding visas’ to arrest population decline?

PETALING JAYA: Around the world, many people love Japan for its culture, food and history. As such, many would jump at the chance to live and work in Japan - making any official offer of a visa targeted at foreigners a choice opportunity. With this said, it has been said online repeatedly over the years that...

Safety fears as Japanese ‘tight men’ in silicone body suits morph into ‘women’ in public

TOKYO: A phenomenon has emerged in Japan which involves males labelled as “tight men” who wear silicone bodysuits and lifelike masks to look like women in public spaces. The trend has sparked concerns about the safety of real women. Online sources suggest that their outfits are likely inspired by Animegao Kigurumi, a masked cosplay style rooted in...

Kangaroos Effortlessly Pose Like Idol Group After Japanese Zoo Gathers Them For Picture

It is hard enough to get a decent group shot with friends, let alone animals. But it seems a zoo in Japan has chanced upon the perfect picture of their mob of kangaroos. According to the Hibiki Animal World attraction in Kitakyushi, Fukuoka Prefecture, the kangaroos instinctively found their own places for the shot when called. The...