Xenophobia worries and a ban on smiling: Our 5 most-read stories from last week
Naturalized linguist in Japan laments recent political trend to blame foreigners
MUNAKATA, Fukuoka -- An American-born linguist who acquired Japanese nationality two years ago is concerned about the trend that was recently seen in the lead-up to the July 20 House of Councillors election in Japan. With one political party promoting a "Japanese First" agenda and misinformation spreading online, the scholar compared it to the division seen in the U.S. Interviewed before the upper house election, she said she planned to vote to support harmony. Full story.
Blameless but facing deportation: Japan immigration law's inexplicable provision
One day a foreign woman living in Japan suddenly received a visit from a police officer at her workplace. She had come under suspicion of aiding the illegal work of a Vietnamese man. The woman herself had come to Japan to work, but she had no recollection of ever having helped someone work illegally, and half a year later, the criminal charges were dropped. Full story.
LDP's Mio Sugita loses upper house seat after backlash over discriminatory remarks
TOKYO -- Former House of Representatives member Mio Sugita failed to secure a seat in the July 20 House of Councillors election after facing increasing criticism over her repeated discriminatory remarks. Full story.
West Japan town's 'kappa' folklore creature to be replaced after years of scaring tourists
FUKUSAKI, Hyogo -- A popular statue of a "kappa" river creature from Japanese folklore in this western Japan town will be replaced after becoming worn out from years of "work" by popping out of a pond to surprise tourists. Full story.
Japan high school baseball team banned from smiling, waving in tourney entrance march
HIROSAKI, Aomori -- A high school baseball team that smiled and waved as they marched during the summer 2024 Aomori Prefecture tournament's opening ceremony had to abandon doing the same this year as the prefectural baseball federation asked the players to follow tradition. Full story.
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NHK
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Ishiba vows to boost Japan's rice production and exports
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