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...

Japan PM under pressure after debacle election

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was on thin ice on Monday (Oct 28) after his ruling coalition was projected to have lost its parliamentary majority in disastrous snap elections. Ishiba, 67, called Sunday's vote days after taking office on October 1, but voters angry at a slush fund scandal punished his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). "We...

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...

Japan rail company starts hands-on train driver experience on real tracks in Shimane Prefecture; costs US$672 per person

MATSUE, (Japan): Ichibata Electric Railway in Shimane Prefecture has started an event that provides a hands-on train driver experience on real tracks after the last train on certain nights. According to the transport ministry, this is the first train operation event in the country to allow participants to drive on the actual tracks. Ichibata Electric Railway services...