Japan

2022 - 8 - 31

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Image courtesy of "TTG Asia"

Japan to permit non-guided group tours, raises daily entry cap | TTG ... (TTG Asia)

Travellers will be allowed to enter Japan on non-guided package tours from September 7, as the country further eases border restrictions.

Japan’s border is currently open to Japanese nationals and those with long-term and pre-issued tourism visas. However, travellers to Japan still require entry visas. Travellers will be allowed to enter Japan on non-guided package tours from September 7, as the country further eases border restrictions.

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Image courtesy of "Associated Press"

Japan, seeking arms buildup, makes opaque budget request (Associated Press)

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Defense Ministry made a budget request for the coming year Wednesday without specifying the costs of missiles for preemptive strikes ...

The ministry is seeking money also to develop and construct an offshore landing facility with a connecting jetty on remote islands without adequate ports for warships. They also question if the increase is realistic and say that the government’s plan lacks clarity over how it can fund the spending in a country with an aging and shrinking population. Japan has been also expanding its military cooperation with friendly nations in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. They are being revised to fundamentally strengthen Japan’s military over the next five years. It also aims to step up research and development of unmanned aircraft for reconnaissance and enemy strikes to make up for a smaller number of service members. The ministry also requested an undisclosed amount for development and mass production of a “high-speed gliding vehicle” to defend remote islands, including Okinawa and outer islands near Taiwan.

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Image courtesy of "The Japan Times"

Japan to ease tourism restrictions and raise daily arrival cap to 50000 (The Japan Times)

Starting Sept. 7, entry will be allowed for nonescorted visitors on package tours and the daily arrival cap will be raised to 50000.

To participate in these exchanges and to benefit from the weaker yen, we will raise the daily arrival cap to 50,000 from Sept. 7, as well as allow (tourists on) nonguided tours from all countries to enter the country,” Kishida said. 7 — a significant step toward the full resumption of tourism.

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Image courtesy of "Kyodo News Plus"

110 tril. yen sought for Japan FY 2023 budget, defense costs to rise (Kyodo News Plus)

General-account budget requests by Japan's ministries and agencies for fiscal 2023 totaled over 110 trillion yen ($790 billion), with defense spending ...

The government set aside 5 trillion yen for fiscal 2021 and 2022 each to tackle the pandemic. The fiscal 2022 initial budget allocated 5.40 trillion yen for national defense. It represents the biggest sum among the request components amid continued rises in social security spending. Requests for debt-servicing costs, such as interest payments, stood at 26.99 trillion yen, up from 24.34 trillion yen in the fiscal 2022 initial budget. The requests for the year starting in April marked the first drop in five years from a record 111.66 trillion yen sought for fiscal 2022, but they are set to increase further due to additional costs to address higher commodity prices and the COVID-19 pandemic. General-account budget requests by Japan's ministries and agencies for fiscal 2023 totaled over 110 trillion yen ($790 billion), with defense spending likely to hit a record high, a Kyodo News tally found Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "Anadolu Agency"

Japan further eases COVID-19 border controls for tourism (Anadolu Agency)

According to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the government also plans to allow daily 50,000 people entry from Sept. 7, a significant raise from the current ...

[Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. 7 to join the trend and make sure the benefits of the weak yen are felt,” the prime minister said. 7, a significant raise from the current 20,000 per day.

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Image courtesy of "Economic Times"

Abortion Pill: What is Japan debating? (Economic Times)

In such a regressive approach, Japanese women are not allowed to take birthing decisions alone as they will need their partners consent to take abortion ...

And therefore, making the process of abortion more complex and controlled by establishments that are male-dominated. According to him, the entire process is expected to be lengthier than a surgically administered abortion. [Wade Case](/topic/wade-case)in the US continued to hold up. [NPCI All Set to Pick Up 9-10% Stake in ONDC](/epaper/delhicapital/2022/aug/31/et-front/npci-all-set-to-pick-up-9-10-stake-in-ondc/articleshow/93890320.cms) [Tsugio](/topic/tsugio), the head of the [Gynaecological Association of Japan](/topic/gynaecological-association-of-japan), in a recent interview remarked that a woman taking the abortion pill would have to be hospitalized in order to be monitored. It only propounds that the government in [Japan](/topic/japan)is still far from practicing gender quality and advocacy for the reproductive health and wellness of women.

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Image courtesy of "Nikkei Asia"

Japan's defense spending likely to exceed 1% of GDP (Nikkei Asia)

TOKYO -- Japan's defense budget is expected to exceed 6 trillion yen ($43 billion), more than 1% of gross domestic product, for fiscal 2023 as the cou.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Japan plans longer-range missiles to counter China, Russia (Aljazeera.com)

Japan says it will develop and mass-produce a cruise missile and a high-velocity ballistic missile, as part of a military expansion aimed at dealing with ...

That would make Japan the world’s third-biggest military spender after the US and China. Five of the missiles landed in waters less than 160km (100 miles) from Japan. [Senkaku Islands](/news/2020/7/14/japan-accuses-china-of-pushing-territorial-claims-during-pandemic), known as Diaoyu in China, and the [Northern Territories](/news/2019/1/22/all-you-need-to-know-about-islands-at-heart-of-russia-japan-feud), known as the Kuril islands in Russia.

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Image courtesy of "Travel Daily"

Japan to raise daily cap entry to 50000 from 7 Sept (Travel Daily)

Japan to allow non-guided package tours from all countries and more than double the number of people it allows to enter daily.

Especially spur visits from people trying to take advantage of the yen. Japan to allow non-guided package tours from all countries and more than double the number of people it allows to enter daily. Japan also had one of the strictest Covid-19 border controls but is easing up on them now to encourage tourism.

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Image courtesy of "Law.asia"

A comparison of patent regimes: Japan (Law.asia)

In contrast, Japan did not have a statutory system for soliciting third-party opinions in litigation until April this year, when a number of legal ...

In order for the court to make a well-balanced decision reflecting the positions of third parties, active use of the system is preferable. The court must hear the opinions of the other party, but the consent of the other party is not required. This is the significance of the amendment of the Patent Act. Therefore, it is recommended to check the website if a concerned party is interested in submitting an opinion for a certain case. The court solicits opinions from a wide range of general third parties without limitation. It is expected that the Japanese court hears opinions internationally to make globally balanced decisions. In contrast, this amendment does not require the consent of the other party, which makes it easy to solicit third-party opinions. The court must hear the opinion of the other party. The court shall determine the necessity of soliciting opinions. On the other hand, it is not usually permitted to use this system to collect prior evidence. The requirements for the third-party opinion solicitation reflect the compromise of these two elements. In Samsung v Apple (2014), the IP High Court solicited third-party opinions regarding the exercise of rights based on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory declared patent due to the importance of the issue and its significant impact, but it was based on an agreement of the parties.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

The bloody truth behind Japan's dolphin hunting (Aljazeera.com)

A new season starts on September 1. Entire families of dolphins will be devastated for aquariums to draw crowds.

[a Tokyo-based aquarium](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220610/p2a/00m/0li/021000c) became the first such facility in the country to end its dolphin show. In reality, this is about the trade of dolphins to aquariums for entertainment across the world, hiding behind “tradition”. Last November, the French parliament passed a bill that bans dolphin shows as well as wild animals used in circuses. It’s a little-known fact that hunting really started only in 1969 with the establishment of the Taiji Whale Museum in order to display live dolphins. [revealed](https://www.dolphinproject.com/campaigns/save-japan-dolphins/statisticaldata/) that at least 563 dolphins were taken from the wild in Taiji alone during the 2021-22 season, of which 498 were slaughtered and 65 were kept for aquariums. The Japanese government has defended the hunt as part of local culinary tradition, but hardly anyone in the country eats dolphin meat. The hunt only continues because of the demand for human entertainment. Today, hunters are unable to meet the annual government-set catch quota of 1,849 dolphins. Under the tarps, the dolphin trainers examined the sex and size of the dolphins, estimated their age and selected two for sale to aquariums — appearance and suitability for training are usually key factors. More than a decade has passed and the world has changed. Just an hour earlier, these dolphins had been swimming freely in the ocean with their family. Nets were set to trap the dolphins, and soon after, seven dolphin trainers from the Taiji Whale Museum arrived.

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Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Travel agencies look to cash in on Japan's easing of border controls ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

Taipei, Aug. 31 (CNA) With Japan's announcement Wednesday that it will raise the daily cap on inbound visitors from 20000 to 50000 and drop the requirement ...

governor looks to attract semiconductor investment from Taiwan](/politics/202208310029) [Taiwan Expo in Thailand focuses on environmental sustainability](/business/202208310028) [MND details China's 'grey zone' warfare tactics against Taiwan](/cross-strait/202208310027) [Sea warning likely for Super Typhoon Hinnamnor on Friday: CWB](/society/202208310026) [Politics](/politics) [U.S. after ditching Paladin plan](/politics/202208310011) [Cross-Strait](/cross-strait) [Business](/business) [Taiwan Expo in Thailand focuses on environmental sustainability](/business/202208310028) [Travel agencies look to cash in on Japan's easing of border controls](/business/202208310024) ['Returning' Taiwan firms enjoy higher investment output growth: MOEA](/business/202208310023) [Taiwan shares end above 15,000 points as tech sector rebounds](/business/202208310020) [Manufacturing sector remains in sluggish growth mode in July](/business/202208310018) [Society](/society) [Sea warning likely for Super Typhoon Hinnamnor on Friday: CWB](/society/202208310026) [Group promotes use of hair trimmings, stockings to clean up oil spills](/society/202208310022) [Taiwan to take delivery of 500 monkeypox vaccine doses on Sept. governor looks to attract semiconductor investment from Taiwan](/politics/202208310029) [New deals with Taiwan 'important for Palau's future': Palauan VP](/politics/202208310025) [Taiwan Cabinet approves public sector pay freeze for 2023](/politics/202208310014) [Veterans affairs official calls for continued U.S.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Japan's PM cuts ties to Unification church after Shinzo Abe death (The Guardian)

The church had built close ties with Fumio Kishida's ruling party and a host of conservative lawmakers.

Dozens of LDP members have since come forward with their ties to the church and related organisations. [assassination of the party’s former leader Shinzo Abe](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/08/shinzo-abe-former-japan-prime-minister-shot-during-speech-reports) last month. Hundreds of people gathered outside the parliament area later on Wednesday to protest plans for the state funeral. [Cozy ties](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/01/revelations-shinzo-abe-death-unification-church-moonies-political-influence-japan) between members of Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic party, many of them belonging to Abe’s faction, and the South Korean-born church have surfaced since Abe was shot to death while giving a campaign speech in July. Since the 1980s, the church has faced accusations of problematic recruiting, selling religious items and receiving donations, which often led to financial strains on followers’ families and, according to experts, the mental health of adherents’ children. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene, allegedly told police he killed Abe because of his apparent link to the church.

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Image courtesy of "Los Angeles Times"

Japan leader says party will cut ties to Unification Church (Los Angeles Times)

The Japanese ruling party's decision to sever links with the Unification Church follows a widening scandal triggered by Shinzo Abe's assassination.

[purge seven ministers linked to the church](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-08-10/japan-new-cabinet-cut-ties-unification-church). Kishida said that he was rushing the effort but that it may still take time because the review will span decades. Since the 1980s, the church has faced accusations of problematic recruiting, sales of religious items and donations, which often lead to financial strains on the followers’ families and, according to experts, the mental health of adherents’ children. Abe had praised the federation’s co-founder, Hak Ja Han Moon, who is also head of the church, for her effort in promoting traditional family values. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagani, who was arrested at the scene, allegedly told police that he killed Abe because of his apparent link to the church. While religious groups must abide by the law, “politicians are strictly required to be careful about groups with social problems,” Kishida said.

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Japan's PM vows his party will cut ties with Unification Church | CBC ... (CBC.ca)

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday his ruling party will cut ties with the Unification Church following a widening scandal triggered by ...

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Image courtesy of "Money Marketing"

Japan: A bright spot among developed markets? | Money Marketing (Money Marketing)

Pictet Asset Management chief strategist Luca Paolini calls Japan “the bright spot” in the global equity market. “The economy is a standout in the developed ...

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Image courtesy of "Nikkei Asia"

Top Japan railway JR East to cut 4000 train jobs as commuters stay ... (Nikkei Asia)

TOKYO -- East Japan Railway will shrink its rail workforce by about 10% over the coming years to bring it in line with sluggish commuter tra.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

In Japan's 'Udon Capital,' Taxi Drivers Help Travelers Find The Best ... (Forbes)

It's not hard to find decent noodles in Kagawa, the unofficial “Udon Capital of Japan.” But if you're looking for the best udon noodles in the destination, ...

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Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

An $8 Billion Cartoon Bear Leads Push for Japan Tourism Revival (Bloomberg)

A region in southwestern Japan is pinning its hopes for a post-pandemic recovery in tourism on a wide-eyed black bear called Kumamon.

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Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

Japan's Monetary Base Stops Rising for First Time Under Kuroda (Bloomberg)

A key measure of the supply of money into Japan's economy stopped rising for the first time under Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda's leadership, ...

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