Japan
- Business News
Japan experiences surge in qr code transactions amid push for digitalisation
Across Japan, a surge in electronic payment drives has been noted, as municipalities aim to encourage digitalised consumption through QR code transactions. These campaigns, often run in collaboration with local businesses, have seen increasing popularity, despite resistance from certain demographics, particularly the elderly and those less adept with digital devices. The country’s significant elderly population, a group that has been…
- Thailand News
Thai government tackles rise in nationals overstaying Japan visas
The Thai government pledged to tackle the increasing number of Thai nationals overstaying their 15-day visas in Japan, following a sharp rise in such incidents over recent years. This commitment was confirmed by Jakkapong Sangmanee, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who recently held discussions with a senior official from the Japanese embassy. The public expressed concerns over the potential…
- Thailand News
Thai entrepreneurs make record-breaking sales at Japan food expo
Fifty Thai entrepreneurs showcased their culinary prowess at the Foodex Japan 2024 exhibition held in Tokyo from March 5 to 8. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) revealed that the response from Japanese buyers was so overwhelming that sales soared to nearly 2.5 billion baht. Chanthapat Panjamanond, Thailand’s commercial attaché in Tokyo revealed that orders for Thai food products…
- Business News
Japan’s visa-free privileges for Thais safe despite overstay concerns
Fears of a potential withdrawal of Japan’s visa-free privileges due to an increased number of Thais overstaying their visas have been dismissed by travel operators. The Department of Consular Affairs brought attention to this issue last December, revealing an increase in the number of Thais overstaying from 8,688 in 2021 to 11,472 in 2023. Reports suggest that the Japanese government…
- Thailand News
Tourists banned from Kyoto’s Geisha District
In a bold move to protect Kyoto’s iconic geisha from relentless harassment by tourists, the local council in Gion has decided to ban sightseers from the district’s narrow backstreets. The decision comes after a surge in appalling incidents where traditional entertainers found themselves accosted and disrespected by unruly visitors. This move marks the latest effort to safeguard the revered geisha…
- Thailand News
Japan’s banana boost leaves Thai growers going ape
Thai banana growers are going ape over the news that Japan is considering increasing the import quota of Thai bananas, potentially adding a bunch of up to 100,000 tonnes. This announcement came after a fruitful meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Tokyo, Japan, where the Thai Trade Representative, Naruemon Phinyosinwat, alongside the Thailand team, held discussions…
- World News
Mysterious body found in burnt Japan home sparks online intrigue
A mysterious case has captured the attention of online communities after a house fire in Japan revealed a charred body, raising questions about the victim’s identity since the homeowner and his relatives were confirmed safe. The incident occurred in the town of Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, at noon on February 20, when a house was engulfed in flames, resulting in…
- Thailand News
Air Japan cancels Bangkok-Tokyo flights, stranding passengers
Passengers were left disappointed and frustrated when their Air Japan flight to Tokyo was abruptly cancelled due to technical issues. The fledgling airline, a low-cost carrier within the ANA group, found itself at the centre of controversy after it revealed that it operates with a single aircraft, which brought about a series of cancellations affecting travellers from both Thailand and…
- Business News
Thai industrial authority partners with Japanese firms for green utility project
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is collaborating with Japanese firms, IHI Corporation and IHI Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co, on a green utility project at the Smart Park Industrial Estate in Rayong. The initiative, aimed at encouraging eco-considerate manufacturing, will involve a feasibility study on the development of renewable energy and green infrastructure. The study marks the first phase…
- Thailand News
Agoda reveals hotspots: Bangkok heats up rankings
Agoda unveiled the hottest must-visit destinations with the Big Mango, Bangkok sizzling in second place. Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam emerged as the unrivalled favourites, igniting a tourism frenzy in the first month alone. Moreover, Malaysia and South Korea are hot on their heels, rounding up the top five inbound markets. According to Agoda’s January 2024 booking rankings, Asian travel destinations have…
- Business News
Japanese firms urge Thai government to simplify customs and boost infrastructure
Japanese businesses based in Thailand have urged the government to simplify customs duty rules and enhance transport infrastructure, in addition to introducing economic strategies to increase public spending. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC) in Bangkok recently communicated with the press to share insights from its newest survey assessing the business outlook amongst Japanese firms and investors in Thailand. The…
- Thailand News
Japan’s court sentences young murderer to death in landmark ruling
Japan has confirmed the death penalty for a 21 year old man convicted of murdering two people and setting fire to their house. The Kofu District Court in Yamanashi Prefecture announced the decision on Friday (February 2), following the withdrawal of an appeal by the defendant the day before. The landmark ruling in January marked the first time the death…
- World News
Japanese ramen shop offers lifetime noodles for 73,000 baht
A renowned Japanese ramen shop known for its rich chicken broth and soy sauce made an unprecedented offer: lifetime ramen for a one-time payment of 300,000 yen, or approximately 73,000 baht (US$2,042). Uramusashiya, the shop in question, announced through its official Twitter account that this offer, previously available to students for 100,000 yen (US$2,797), is now open to the general…
- Thailand News
Fewer Japanese tourists have visited Thailand in a historic first
Thailand found itself on the flip side of tourism dynamics, experiencing a historic tourism deficit with Japan in the first half of 2023. The numbers tell a startling tale: one million Thais ventured into Japan, while a mere 300,000 Japanese enthusiasts made their way to the tropical haven of Thailand. In a dramatic departure from the norm, Thailand, renowned for…
- Thailand News
Thai Vietjet flight lands on wrong taxiway at Fukuoka International Airport
Thai Vietjet Air‘s flight VZ810 from Bangkok‘s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Fukuoka International Airport experienced a mishap when the pilot landed on the wrong taxiway. The said flight landed at 8.38am local time with a total of 157 passengers. Upon landing, the flight taxied to the assigned gate as instructed. However due to weather conditions and poor visibility, the aircraft…
- World News
Viral video reveals Japanese man’s covert train misconduct
A Japanese man’s secret groping of a sleeping woman on a train caused a social media storm after it was caught on video and went viral. The man, discovered to be a successful employee of a major company and a graduate of a prestigious university, is also a father of three. The viral video shows the pervert on a train,…
- Aviation News
Japan Airlines cancel 130 flights amid Haneda Airport runway repair
Approximately 130 flights were cancelled today by Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) as the fallout from Tuesday’s accident at Haneda Airport continues to impact operations. The cancellation was necessitated after a collision between a JAL passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard plane at the airport. Reports indicate that one of Haneda Airport’s four runways remains…
- Thailand News
Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil
Thai tourists seem undeterred by Japan‘s recent bout of earthquakes, airplane fireballs, and escalating travel costs. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) predicts that Japan will maintain its allure as the ultimate outbound destination for Thai visitors this year. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA’s Vice-President, revealed that the earthquake on New Year’s Day predominantly impacted Ishikawa prefecture, a lesser-known destination for Thai…
- 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
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
Americans’ top 3 festive escapes: Italy, Japan, and Thailand take the lead
Italy reigns supreme as the ultimate festive haven, clocking in nearly 93,000 average searches from September to December this year. An ever-popular year-round destination, Italy transforms into a winter wonder with charming markets, exceptional skiing facilities, and high-altitude luxury in the Italian Alps – a must-visit for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Taking an unexpected second place is Japan, with 33,275.49 average…
- 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…
- 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…
