A record number of people visited Japan last year, renewing a record set in 2014. A weaker yen and looser visa requirements for Chinese travelers are cited as major factors. The Japan National Tourism Organization estimates that about 19.73 million foreign nationals visited the country last year, up 47 percent from 2014. Topping the list […]
from the 234,747 units in 2014, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association said. In December 2015 alone, sales reached 26,679 units, up 25 percent from the 21,320 units sold in the same month in 2014. “The year 2015 is yet another milestone year. The industry was […]
The number of visitors to Japan in 2016 will surge 19.0 pct from the previous year to hit another record high of 23.5 million, topping the government’s target of 20 million, according to a recent estimate by major travel agency JTB Corp. The upbeat outlook is attributed in part to a growing number of foreign […]
The government will open the State Guest House known as Akasaka Palace to the public from Feb. 5 to 18 on a trial basis in preparation for the extension of its annual opening period from April. Designated as a national treasure, the guesthouse in the Moto-Akasaka area of Minato Ward, Tokyo, has until now been […]
An unlimited-ride ticket offered by Japan Railway (JR) companies that can only be used on local and rapid JR trains at present will be utilized on a stretch of the Hokkaido Shinkansen Line when it starts in March, JR firms announced Jan. 5. It will mark the first time the special one-day Seishun 18 ticket […]
A film co-directed by a Filipino bagged the best animated picture at the recently concluded 73rd Golden Globes awards. The film “Inside Out” was co-directed by Filipino Ronnie del Carmen. Del Carmen couldn’t make it to the awards show due to work but he earlier expressed his feelings about the success of his film. “It’s […]
Japan could start using self-defense force in response to Chinese intrusion around the disputed islands. Top government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga explained the Cabinet approved the objective in May last year, saying foreign naval passage into Japanese seas would trigger seaborne policing action. Suga said it stated its warnings against China through diplomatic channels last November […]
The Foreign Ministry has decided to require new staff to score at least 100 points on the TOEFL English proficiency test, or at least 7.0 on the IELTS test, beginning in fiscal 2016, so they can be helpful in diplomatic negotiations in English from the start. The requirement will be set for prospective staff scheduled […]
Slightly less than 20 percent of husbands tend to become uneasy or worried for no reason following their wives’ childbirth, according to the results of research conducted by a team of experts including those from the National Center for Child Health and Development. They are subject to fits of depression apparently due in part to […]
A 31-year-old man stabbed his wife and took his own life after she talked about separating. Tokyo Metro Police said that a 31-year-old man on Friday stabbed his wife before committing suicide by leaping from the balcony of their apartment, reports Nippon News Network (Jan. 9). At approximately 8:30 p.m., a witness saw the man jump from the […]
