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Asahi Shimbun
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Governors slam xenophobia, call for open society where all equal
AOMORI--Alarmed at xenophobic sentiment expressed in the lead-up to the July 20 Upper House election, the nation's governors called for measures to nurture multicultural coexistence. The National Governors' Association met in Aomori on July 23 to discuss the challenges stemming from the rapid increase in foreign resident numbers. Discriminatory rhetoric was a hallmark of the election campaign fueled by upstart political party Sanseito which railed against foreigners under its 'Japanese First' policy. Its warnings about foreigners and crime were credited with helping the party to significantly increase its seat showing in the chamber. The National Governors' Association meeting wound up emphasizing that Tokyo and the other 46 prefectural governments view foreigners as residents and community members, unlike the central government, which regards them primarily as a labor force. The association called on the central government to accept foreigners in a wider variety of jobs under the Employment for Skill Development program, which will replace the problem-fraught Technical Intern Training Program. It also sought central government funding so prefectural governments can offer Japanese language education. The governors said basic laws were needed to form the foundation for a multicultural society. Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki, who spearheaded the drafting of the proposal, noted that responsibility for accommodating the daily lives of foreign residents has so far been left to local governments. 'We call on the central government to take responsibility and implement policies,' he added. Nara Governor Makoto Yamashita referred to 'baseless criticisms targeting foreign residents that are spreading online,' which he said smacked of discrimination and xenophobia. 'Japanese people, mainly young generations, have a vague anxiety, so we need to implement policies that eliminate it,' he said. 'Otherwise, it will lead to huge political and social problems.' Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita said the association 'is united in its stance of rejecting xenophobia.' He added that the association would cite its opposition to xenophobia in its statement to be released on July 24, the final day of the meeting.
Japan Times
03-07-2025
- Japan Times
People mourn victims of Atami mudslide four years on
People mourned the 28 victims of a 2021 major mudslide that struck Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, in a memorial ceremony on Thursday, the fourth anniversary of the disaster. In the ceremony, held by the Atami government from 9 a.m. at an elementary school in the city's disaster-hit Izusan district, participants laid flowers for the victims. "We will do everything to achieve recovery and reconstruction as soon as possible," Atami Mayor Sakae Saito said at the ceremony. Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki was also among the participants. At 10:28 a.m., the time when the first report of the mudslide came in four years ago, participants offered silent prayers for the victims as sirens blared around the city. "For the families left behind, the disaster seems like yesterday," Yoko Koiso, 75, who lost her daughter, then 44, said tearfully. "Every day, I think about why she had to die." The mudslide occurred on July 3, 2021, after heavy rain led to the collapse of a soil mound built in an upstream area of the Aizome River. It destroyed 136 buildings and left 28 people dead, including one disaster-related fatality. Bereaved families have filed a lawsuit for damages against the prefecture, the city, and the former and current owners of the site where the mound was built. The Shizuoka Prefectural Police are continuing a criminal investigation into the case on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death.
23-05-2025
Japan Prefectures Mulling Charging Fees for Mt. Fuji Rescues
News from Japan May 23, 2025 14:14 (JST) Shizuoka, May 23 (Jiji Press)--Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures are considering the idea of charging fees for rescuing Mount Fuji climbers during the season in which the mountain straddling the two central Japan prefectures is closed. Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki has instructed prefectural officials to examine the idea, sources said. The Yamanashi government has also begun to consider such fees. At the country's tallest peak, there were accidents requiring rescues in April during the closed season. Local mayors have called for introducing rescue charges. Saitama Prefecture, neighboring Yamanashi and Tokyo, collects fees for helicopter rescues from climbers. "This is a national issue," Suzuki said in a statement. "It is preferable that the central government will identify problems that must be resolved so that how those rescued should bear the costs can be considered." [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Mainichi
21-05-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Local gov't mulls charging rescued hikers for Mount Fuji helicopter use
KOFU (Kyodo) -- A Japanese prefecture that shares Mt. Fuji is considering charging rescued individuals for helicopter deployments to the mountain, following a recent string of off-season emergencies, a prefectural government source said Wednesday. The move comes amid growing calls for Yamanashi Prefecture to address accidents caused by reckless climbing. Last month, a 27-year-old Chinese university student was rescued twice in one week after returning to the mountain despite having been rescued during his first attempt due to illness. The prefecture is planning to explore the possibility of introducing the change by discussing whether to limit the paid rescue service period to the off-season only and whether to include mountains other than Mt. Fuji, the source said. Meanwhile, Yasutomo Suzuki, governor of neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture, has called on the central government to consider ways to cover the cost of rescue operations.
Kyodo News
21-05-2025
- General
- Kyodo News
Local gov't mulls charging rescued hikers for Mt. Fuji helicopter use
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 21:38 | All, Japan A Japanese prefecture that shares Mt. Fuji is considering charging rescued individuals for helicopter deployments to the mountain, following a recent string of off-season emergencies, a prefectural government source said Wednesday. The move comes amid growing calls for Yamanashi Prefecture to address accidents caused by reckless climbing. Last month, a 27-year-old Chinese university student was rescued twice in one week after returning to the mountain despite having been rescued during his first attempt due to illness. The prefecture is planning to explore the possibility of introducing the change by discussing whether to limit the paid rescue service period to the off-season only and whether to include mountains other than Mt. Fuji, the source said. Meanwhile, Yasutomo Suzuki, governor of neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture, has called on the central government to consider ways to cover the cost of rescue operations. Related coverage: Local reaction to Mt. Fuji photo hunters causing major regrets University student rescued from Mt. Fuji twice in one week Climbers of Mt. Fuji to be required to wear proper clothing
