Japan
- World News
Japan’s devastating earthquake and plane crash: A double tragedy with increasing death toll
The death toll from the devastating 6.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan’s central sea yesterday has risen to at least 62, with expectations of a further increase. The latest two victims were found in the city of Suzu, northeast of Ishikawa province, bringing the city’s specific death toll to 22. In Wajima City, at least 24 fatalities were reported. Efforts by…
- World News
Japan braces for severe earthquakes, warns meteorological agency
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of potential severe earthquakes in the country’s central region in the forthcoming week. The agency revealed this forecast in a press conference yesterday, January 1, following an earthquake that registered a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 on the country’s seven-tier scale. The quake was detected off Japan’s coastline on yesterday afternoon, accompanied by warnings of a…
- World News
Taiwanese YouTuber discovers giant 1kg rice ball for 150 baht in Tokyo
A renowned Taiwanese YouTuber, known as Nienie or Janie, recently visited the Asakusa district in Tokyo, Japan. During her visit, she stumbled upon a unique food item at a boxed lunch store – an unusually large rice ball. Weighing one kilogram and filled with four different ingredients, this giant rice ball was priced at a mere 650 yen (approximately 150…
- World News
From shy nerd to top bar host: Tokyo graduate earns up to 4 million baht monthly
The transformation of a shy nerd to a top bar host earning up to 4 million baht per month (US$115,540) is the story of Esuke, an engineering graduate from Tokyo University, Japan. Esuke’s journey from a reserved bookworm to a charismatic host in Shinjuku, Japan, within a year has taken many by surprise. Esuke, during his high school years, was…
- Thailand News
Japanese man turns heads with Thai Tuk-Tuk rides in Tokyo
A Japanese man, known as Jin From Japan on TikTok, has garnered attention after purchasing a Thai Tuk-Tuk to use as a passenger transport vehicle in Tokyo. He also offers a promotional deal of a free ride for the first three kilometres. Jin revealed his unique travel method in Tokyo, which doesn’t cost a single yen, which is riding a…
- Politics News
Cambodia’s prime minister to discuss cross-border trade in Thailand
Hun Manet, the prime minister of Cambodia, has plans to visit Thailand in February to participate in a joint Thai-Cambodian cabinet meeting. The primary focus of this meeting will be to discuss and enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly concerning cross-border trade between the two nations. This was revealed by Thailand’s prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, during a media interaction on Monday. The…
- World News
Tokyo taxi driver feathers his cap with arrest after fatal dove collision
A 50 year old Tokyo taxi driver has been arrested for striking a flock of doves and killing one in Shinjuku district last month. Authorities, who detained the driver, Atsushi Ozawa, under charges of violating wildlife protection laws and causing public alarm, initiated an investigation following a call from a concerned citizen who reported a taxi suddenly accelerating and hitting sparrows…
- Business News
BCPG to divest its nine solar farms in Japan for strategic reinvestment
BCPG Plc, Bangchak Group’s power generation subsidiary, is planning to divest all its nine solar farms in Japan, in a strategic move to revamp its long-term investment in renewable energy. The assets on sale include equity worth 6.93 billion baht and net debt totalling 3.44 billion baht. The company has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Danish renewable energy…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Japan boost human resources through Thai-Kosen institutes
Representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHSRI) of Thailand and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) yesterday convened to discuss the enhancement of Thailand’s human resources via Thai-Kosen institutes. The meeting marked the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, celebrated by MHSRI minister, Supamas Isarabhakdi, and METI minister, Yasuthoshi…
- Thailand News
Spicy showdown: Thai eatery saviour gives yakuza gang a taste of justice in Japan
Police arrested a Thai man working at a Thai restaurant in Japan after he killed one and injured two Japanese yakuza gang members while saving his Thai friend from a brutal attack. According to a local news agency, the incident took place outside a Thai restaurant in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, at around 7.40pm on November 2. Two…
- Business News
Business collaboration: Thailand and Japan’s Wakayama join forces in furniture and agriculture sectors
Thailand is geared towards fostering new partnerships with Japan’s Wakayama prefecture, with a particular emphasis on the co-development of the furniture and agricultural processing sectors. The main objectives of this business collaboration include enhancing product development and expanding export possibilities. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, following a discussion with Wakayama’s governor, Kishimoto Shuhei, yesterday, stated that he urged the prefecture to…
- Thailand News
LINE to LY-nk with Yahoo Japan: App’s big transformation creates a buzz
Starting from Sunday, the widely-used application LINE is set to undergo a significant transformation as it merges with Yahoo Japan, resulting in a name change to LY. The announcement of these substantial changes has generated quite a buzz among users. In light of this merger, LINE will integrate into Yahoo Japan and adopt the new identity of LY Corporation. As…
- Thailand News
Fallen mystery: Thai mother seeks answers in daughter’s Japan condo death
A Thai woman demanded an investigation into the death of her 23 year old daughter who mysteriously fell to her death from the eighth floor of a condominium in Japan, just one day after her arrival. The mother, 48 year old Somporn, reached out to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women yesterday, September 10, seeking assistance to find the…
- World News
Japanese PM eats Fukushima fish amid radioactive waste fears
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida yesterday was seen eating raw fish from Fukushima prefecture in a video released by the Japanese government. The fish was sourced from the northeastern region of the country, notorious for the release of radioactive waste from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. In the clip, Kishida can be seen enjoying the meal in his office,…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s FDA ramps up seafood inspection following Fukushima wastewater discharge
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding back on any immediate action following the discharge of wastewater from Japan’s damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean on August 24. This detail was shared by Lertchai Lertvut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general. Lertchai stated that the FDA has been in conversation with the Department of Fisheries, the Office of Atoms…
- Thailand News
Air Japan direct flight aims high: Bangkok to Tokyo route to tempt Thai travellers
Air Japan today announced plans to target Thai passengers by offering a direct flight from Bangkok to Tokyo next year. The president of Air Japan, Hideki Mineguchi, revealed to the media that Air Japan is a new low-cost airline under ANA Holdings, which will provide the airline’s first flight from Narita International Airport in Tokyo to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in…
- World News
Love hotel murder mystery: Three family members held by police in Sapporo
Police detained three family members on suspicion of carrying out a murderous attack on a man in a love hotel in the city of Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. The three alleged murderers are suspected of decapitating their victim and bringing the head back to their dwelling three weeks ago. The three under suspicion are 29 year…
- World News
Dolphin attacks increase around Japan’s Suishohama beach, causing alarm
A recent dolphin attack on tourists in the town of Mihama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan, caused widespread alarm. The incident happened yesterday, when four beachgoers, including a man in his sixties and another in his forties, were attacked by dolphins near Suishohama beach – the first sustaining bites to his hand and broken ribs, the latter suffering arm bites. The overall…
- World News
Hunt on for suspected Japanese murderer after headless body found in hotel
Japanese police are urgently pursuing a suspected murderer following a chilling discovery of a headless body in a hotel bathroom in Sapporo City. The shocking case has caught the attention of international media outlets due to its gruesome nature. The headless remains were discovered by staff at the Let’s Susukino Hotel, located in the bustling entertainment district of Susukino in…
- World News
IAEA approval for Japan’s Fukushima water discharge stirs global debate
An international watchdog has given the green light to Japan’s controversial proposal to discharge treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, declaring that the process aligns with global norms. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has assessed that the impact on the environment of such a release will be “negligible,” with the Fukushima site rapidly running…
- Crime News
Thai repatriation: Rescuing nationals caught in Japanese job scam
Efforts are currently underway by the Thai foreign affairs and labour departments to assist in the safe return of six Thai nationals. The Thai nationals were deceived into travelling to Japan under the guise of a fictitious job contract, compelled to undertake illegal work, and then stranded when they declined to take part in these illicit activities. The ongoing efforts are…
- Business News
Thailand investments attract 45 billion baht in foreign funding
In the first five months of 2023, Thailand received foreign investments amounting to 45.4 billion baht, with Japan being the largest spender in the development of businesses in the country. The figures released by the Commerce Ministry show Japan’s investments reaching 15.9 billion baht, followed by China at 11.5 billion baht, and Singapore at 6.35 billion baht. The Business Development…
- Crime News
Thai workers in Japan fall victim to job scam, left stranded and penniless
Two Thai workers in Japan contacted the media for help after falling victim to a job scam in which they were lured to Japan with promises of high salaries, only to end up with no work and living in substandard conditions. The victims claim that the job agents, who charged them 150,000 baht (US$4,321) each for the opportunity, have made…
- Business News
Japanese investors seek Thai tech startups for regional expansion
Thai tech startups have caught the attention of Japanese investors, who are keen to support their expansion into regional markets, according to an executive at Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri). Southeast Asia, and Thailand in particular, are considered prime investment locations for Japanese investors, who see potential in the country’s high-growth tech startups. Bunsei Okubo, head of Japanese corporate and multinational…
- Business News
Japan data centre providers invest US$164m in Thailand expansion
Thailand has seen a significant influx of investment from data centre providers, with two Japan-based companies investing a combined US$164 million in the country. This comes as digital transformation and cloud computing continue to grow exponentially. Telehouse recently launched its first Thai data centre, investing US$74 million in the project. Meanwhile, NTT invested 3 billion baht through its subsidiary, NTT…
- World News
Japan sees fastest wage growth in 30 years but weak household spending persists
In April, Japan experienced a rise in wages as major companies increased pay at the fastest rate in 30 years, responding to workers’ demands for higher salaries to cope with inflation. However, household spending remained weak, highlighting an uneven economic recovery. The wage data offers an early insight into the effects of the spring labour negotiations, known as “shunto,” and…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok considers Japanese central kitchen system for school lunches
Is there a solution to improve the quality of Thai schools’ cafeteria food? The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is exploring the possibility of implementing a central kitchen system, similar to the one used in Japan, to enhance the quality of school lunches in Thailand. The central kitchen concept was introduced by Nobuko Tanaka, a former Japanese school lunch specialist, during…
- World News
Japan on alert as Typhoon Mawar threatens floods and landslides
Torrential rains loom over Japan as Typhoon Mawar approaches, threatening to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across the main islands. Having already caused significant damage in Guam earlier this week, Mawar has since weakened from its super typhoon status to a tropical storm. Taiwan’s coast also experienced the effects of Typhoon Mawar, with seawater flooding the streets of Suao,…
- World News
Skeletons of three infants found in 70 year old woman’s wardrobe
A 70 year old Japanese woman in Osaka alarmed police with a phone call stating she had just given birth. Upon arrival at her home, officers discovered the skeleton remains of three infants hidden in a wardrobe for around 40 years. The woman from Daito, Osaka, Japan, made a sudden call to the police on Thursday, May 25, vaguely claiming…
- Business News
Bank of Japan to maintain ultra-loose policy, downplays change expectations
The Bank of Japan’s Governor, Kazuo Ueda, has stated that the central bank will continue to maintain its ultra-loose monetary policy, as there remains a significant gap to achieve the 2% inflation target sustainably. Ueda’s comments downplay the expectations of a policy change in the near future. He told parliament, “We expect inflation to quite clearly slow below 2% toward…
