The European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, recently commented on Japan's gender gap, stating that it is similar to what Europe experienced several decades ago. However, he also emphasized that both regions can learn from each other and work together to advance women's empowerment. Schmit was in Japan to attend the G-7 labor ministers' meeting, where he expressed his satisfaction with their statement on equal pay and labor equality between men and women. Japan consistently ranks low in gender surveys conducted by international organizations such as the World Bank, trailing behind other G-7 nations. However, Schmit noted that there was no real resistance to the G-7 statement from Japan, indicating a strong awareness on the Japanese side that something needs to be done to address this issue.   Schmit also reflected on Europe's journey towards achieving gender equality, highlighting the ongoing need for continuous effort in this area. He emp...

Japan Sets Ambitious Target to Attract $750 Billion in Foreign Investment by 2030 Japan has unveiled a new action plan to attract more foreign investment and talent in an effort to boost economic growth and enhance its global competitiveness. The government aims to attract 100 trillion yen (approximately $750 billion) worth of foreign direct investment by 2030, which is more than double the 46.6 trillion yen of foreign investment recorded at the end of 2022.   The plan, which aims to capitalize on the country's weak yen to attract foreign investment, also seeks to attract more foreign workers and entrepreneurs, including remote workers commonly referred to as "digital nomads." The move comes as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine highlight the need to strengthen supply chains and ensure national security.   The action plan outlines strategic areas for investment, including semiconductors, digitalization, green technology, and healthcare. To ach...

If you're a senior citizen in Japan, you might be surprised to find out that many of your peers in their sixties are still in the workforce. A survey conducted by Kakehashi Skysolutions found that 66% of the respondents, all past the retirement age of 60, were still employed. Among those who were still working, the most common employment status was that of a contract employee, regardless of their age. However, 78% of those still working belonged to the 60-64 age group, and 51% of this subgroup were working for their original company under a continued-employment arrangement.   It's important to note that continued employment does not necessarily mean rehiring as a regular employee. Many companies in Japan offer continued-employment arrangements that provide benefits and job security but may not offer the same benefits as regular employment.   The survey also revealed that income from their current job was the primary source of income for 65% of those under 65 who do n...

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The Japan Tourism Agency has announced that it will be subsidizing 139 travel packages for foreign tourists, providing unique and exclusive experiences such as participating in Kyoto's Gion Festival or being the lord of an entire castle. The JTA hopes to attract affluent overseas travelers through these programs. Over 1,000 proposals were submitted by private businesses, local governments, and other parties to the JTA, who called for tours and events that draw on natural features, cultural properties, traditional performance arts, and other resources unique to Japan. The 139 proposals were selected based on their novelty and will receive subsidies ranging from 11 million yen to 27.5 million yen ($83,000 to $207,000). These programs will be available to tourists from next February at the latest.   Many of the programs will include festivals, such as the opportunity to join a procession of "yamahoko" floats during the Gion Festival in Kyoto. The Sapporo Tourist Associ...

Did you know that the average price of newly built apartments in Tokyo's central area reached a historical high of 217.5 million yen ($1.4 million) in March of this year? With prices soaring and demand increasing, what is driving the surge in Tokyo's real estate market? Read on to discover the factors behind this trend and what the future holds for Tokyo's apartment prices. Tokyo’s real estate market has been experiencing a significant increase in apartment prices, particularly in the central area of the city. In March of this year, the average price of newly built apartments in Tokyo’s 23 wards surpassed 200 million yen, reaching a historical high of 217.5 million yen. This represents a 2.7-fold increase from the same month the previous year. The trend was not limited to the capital city alone, as the average price of apartments in the wider Tokyo metropolitan area, including Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures, exceeded 100 million yen for the first time, reaching ...

Yokosuka, a city located south of Tokyo, has recently started a trial use of artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT across all of its offices. The city officials hope that ChatGPT will improve the efficiency of its operations. In the one-month trial, Yokosuka will use ChatGPT to make bulletins, summarize records of meetings, edit documents for typographical errors, solicit proposals for new projects, and gain advice for its policies. Chatbots are software applications trained using massive amounts of data from the internet, enabling them to process and simulate human-like conversations with users. The generative AI will only use non-confidential data entered by the city officials, and confidential data will be excluded. City officials will enter questions or instructions in LoGoChat, a chat tool already introduced for local governments and connected with ChatGPT for the trial.   Mayor Katsuaki Kamiji believes that ChatGPT is a tool that the municipal government can use to he...

Japan's aging population and declining birthrate have led to a growing problem of abandoned homes known as "akiya." These unclaimed properties are largely found in rural areas and have become neglected over time, posing a threat to residents, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters. The issue has become so pressing that some estimates suggest akiya will make up over 30% of Japan's housing stock by 2033. The challenges of renovating akiya are significant, as these homes often require extensive repairs and upgrades to meet modern safety standards. Many of these properties were built several decades ago and have fallen into disrepair, making them unappealing to Japanese buyers. However, a growing number of foreigners have been attracted to the low prices and unique architecture of these abandoned homes, seeing them as an opportunity to own a piece of Japan's history.   One of the major challenges of renovating akiya is the language barrier, as many of ...

On its 40th anniversary, Tokyo Disneyland celebrated its milestone by welcoming visitors with colorful celebrations featuring Mickey Mouse and other iconic characters. The theme park, located just east of Tokyo, opened its doors in 1983, welcoming 20,000 people on its first day, according to Oriental Land Co., the operator of Disneyland. Since then, the theme park has expanded continuously, adding popular attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. The construction of nearby JR Maihama Station and several hotels in the area also encouraged steady growth before the opening of neighboring theme park Tokyo DisneySea in 2001.   As of March last year, the total number of visitors to the two parks had surpassed 800 million, according to the company. Over time, the theme parks have produced die-hard fans who make several trips a year to enjoy seasonal parades and purchase limited-edition goods for big events, such as Halloween and Christmas. The parks have also come ...

On April 14th, 2023, the JR Group, which operates the Japan Railways network, announced that it will substantially increase the cost of the Japan Rail Pass. This increase is set to take effect in October 2023, with an exact date yet to be announced. The new pricing structure will see the regular pass increase from JPY 29,650 to JPY 50,000, an increase of 69%. The 14-day pass will rise from JPY 47,250 to JPY 80,000 (69% increase), and the 21-day pass will increase from JPY 60,450 to JPY 100,000 (65% increase). Similarly, the Green Car passes will also experience similar increases in price. Despite these price hikes, the Japan Rail Pass will still not cover Nozomi and Mizuho trains, which are the fastest services on the Shinkansen network. To use these services, pass holders will need to purchase additional tickets, the details of which will be announced at a later point in time. However, the pass will offer new discounts at selected sightseeing spots and attractions. Undoubtedly, thes...

As someone considering renting an apartment in Tokyo, have you ever wondered about the additional costs beyond monthly rent? Did you know that apartment renewal fees and management fees are common in Tokyo's rental market? In this article, we'll explore these additional expenses and provide tips on how to budget for them. Tokyo is known for its expensive housing market, and for renters, the cost of living in Tokyo can be daunting. In addition to the high cost of rent, landlords may also charge additional fees and costs when renewing a rental agreement, such as management fees and 24-hour service fees. These fees can come as a surprise to renters who are unprepared for them.   However, it is important to note that these fees are not uncommon in Tokyo's rental market, and they are typically charged to help landlords cover their operating costs and provide additional services to tenants. In this article, we will discuss apartment renewal fees and additional costs in Toky...