Japan
- 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…
- World News
Slap happy: Quirky Slap Bar leaves social media buzzing with bizarre business antics (video)
An unusual business venture known as the Slap Bar has been creating a buzz on social media. The account of @harry_shosta on the Twitter platform shared a clip of this bizarre enterprise, where customers pay for the privilege of being slapped by female employees. This cafe, while offering the usual food and drink services, extends its uniquely strange service to…
- 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…
- 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…
- World News
Japanese parents use ‘Boss’ t-shirts to humorously challenge daughter’s suitor
A viral image making its rounds among Japanese Internet users showcases a couple clad in dark t-shirts adorned with unique phrases. When translated from Japanese, these phrases read “Final Boss” and “Mid-Level Boss,” exuding a strong presence. The story behind this image is truly heartwarming. The individual who shared this image revealed that the couple in the photograph is, in…
- 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
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…
- Travel
Exploring Niseko’s outdoor adventures: A sizzling summer getaway for Thai travelers
Amidst the bustling expanse of Bangkok’s mega-malls, an ever-present trend captures the attention of passersby’s, Hokkaido culinary treats. Thais have long had an insatiable appetite for Japanese cuisine, but a closer look reveals a burgeoning fascination with Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. This growing attraction owes much to the favorable Thai baht to Japanese yen exchange rate and the increasing airlift…
- 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
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…
- World News
Decline in Japan’s ultra-rich predicted amid shrinking population
The ultra-rich population in Japan is set to decrease by 1.8% over five years to 2027, according to the national news agency Kyodo. This downturn is predicted by the British real estate consulting firm, Knight Frank. In a reflection of the country’s broader demographic downswing, data shows individuals in Japan with a net worth of US$30 million or more commonly…
- 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…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways plane collides with EVA Air aircraft on Tokyo Haneda runway
A Thai Airways flight TG683 collided with an EVA Air flight BR189 on a runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, causing no reported injuries. Approximately 260 people were on the Thai airline, while approximately 200 were aboard the EVA Air aircraft. Thai Airways explained that the incident occurred when the plane was moving toward taxiway L15. The winglet on the right…
- 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…
- 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,…
- Business News
Krungsri bank expects Thai government to boost Japanese investment
Krungsri, also known as the Bank of Ayudhya, believes that the new Thai government will continue to encourage Japanese investment in the country. Japan is currently Thailand’s largest foreign investor, contributing 28.6% of total investment, or 23.3 billion baht. As political parties form a coalition government, Japanese investors are closely monitoring the situation. Bunsei Okubo, the head of Japanese corporate and…
- 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…
- World News
Japan prepares to destroy North Korean satellite-launching missile
Japan is preparing to intercept any North Korean missile that enters its territory, according to a statement from the country’s defence ministry. This announcement comes after North Korea informed Japan of its intention to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11. The defence ministry stated it would use its Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) or Patriot Missile PAC-3 to destroy…
- World News
4 killed in Japan gun and knife attack, suspect detained
Japanese police have detained a suspect who had been hiding in a building after allegedly killing four people, including two police officers, in a gun and knife attack near the city of Nakano in Nagano region. The man was taken into custody outside the farm property, with a fourth fatality confirmed overnight—an elderly woman who was found injured at the…
- World News
Japanese model’s revealing outfit on packed train raises public concern
Hou Queenie, a well-known Japanese language teacher and model in Taiwan, recently made headlines for her outfit choice while on a packed train in Japan. Known as the “sexiest teacher in Taiwan,” Queenie dressed in an oversized coat, which she left unbuttoned to reveal a skimpy crop top underneath. This drew attention not only on the train but also online,…
- World News
Hiroshima VR tour immerses visitors in atomic bomb’s devastating impact
In Hiroshima, Japan, a virtual reality tour is providing an immersive experience of the city before, during, and after the devastating atomic bomb attack on August 6, 1945. Hiroshi Yamaguchi, the 44 year old founder of the company behind the tours, believes that this experience can help people better understand the impact of the nuclear attack and the city that…
- Business News
Micron to invest £3.7bn in Japan’s EUV tech for advanced chip production
Micron Technology revealed planned yesterday to invest up to 500 billion yen (US$3.7 billion) in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology in the coming years, supported by the Japanese government. The advanced EUV lithography chip-making machines will be utilised to manufacture 1-gamma chips, which are essential for the mass production of materials used in complex applications such as image processing networks. The…
- World News
G7 leaders convene in Hiroshima to discuss Russia sanctions, China strategy
G7 leaders have gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss tighter sanctions against Russia and protective measures against China’s “economic coercion”. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is hosting the summit in a city marked by its history of nuclear destruction. Over the course of three days, leaders, including US President Joe Biden, will work on presenting a united front on issues…
