Japan
- 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…
- Thailand News
Monkey mayhem: Tails of mischief make headlines worldwide
Recent incidents of monkey attacks have been in the headlines recently in several countries, featuring long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques in Thailand, Japanese macaques in Japan, and Hanuman langurs in India. While these incidents might paint monkeys as villains, the root cause is a phenomenon called over-habituation. Devil monkeys are born when animals lose their fear of humans due to over-habituation,…
- 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,…
- World News
Tokyo’s unique Mori Ouchi café caters to the pessimistic crowd
Tucked away in the Shimokitazawa district of Tokyo, Japan, a unique café, known as Mori Ouchi, offers a haven for those with a pessimistic outlook on life. Despite appearing as a conventional café from the outside, the establishment caters specifically to individuals who view the world negatively. The café, named Mori Ouchi, was conceptualised and launched three years ago amidst…
- 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
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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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
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…
- 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
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
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…
