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After almost 150 years, the age when Japanese citizens are deemed adults will drop from 20 to 18, as it is in most developed nations. Young people will have more rights as well as responsibilities, but will still have to wait until they turn 20 to drink, smoke, and gamble.
After the International Olympic Committee called on international sports federations to keep Russia out of events in response to the invasion of Ukraine, Russian teams and athletes in most major sports were banned from competitions under their country’s name or flag. Belarus was also singled out due to its participation in the Ukraine conflict. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister asserted that sports and politics should be separate, but much of the world appears united behind this new addition to the growing list of sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech after Russian troops advanced toward the capital of neighboring Ukraine, citing several reasons that made little sense. He made puzzling references to prevention of genocide and removal of Nazis from the country, and spoke of Russia and Ukraine as being “one nation.” Another major goal seems to be preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, which Putin views as an existential threat.
Japan lags behind other countries in easing curbs on arrivals from overseas, and many politicians and business leaders say this amounts to a “seclusion policy” that is damaging the nation’s economy and international image. With Omicron variant infections appearing to have peaked, the government now plans to scale back restrictions, boosting the quota on daily arrivals from 3,500 to 5,000 and shortening quarantines from a week to three days.
A 19-year-old woman and a system engineer who aided her were arrested after she allegedly cheated on a university entrance exam using a smartphone and the Skype app. The engineer forwarded stills from her video footage of test questions to a university student, who gave answers without being aware of the cheating. The accused woman said she hoped to enter a prestigious university but wasn’t confident in her ability to pass the test.
Several Japanese companies are sponsoring the Beijing Winter Games, including three – Toyota Motors, Bridgestone, and Panasonic – that are top-level sponsors known as Worldwide Olympic Partners. However, while the companies are supplying goods to venues and athletes, they are refraining from running Olympic-themed ads due to condemnation of China’s human rights practices, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.
A Japanese company has announced plans to open a high-tech restaurant that not only collects data from sushi and replicates it with 3D printers, but also tailors meals to customers’ nutritional needs. If the technology catches on, it could “teleport” food to far-flung places, promote health, and reduce food waste and environmental impact. However, it is still quite costly, and the flavors are far from the real thing.
Rahm Emanuel, whose former positions include US Congressman, Obama White House Chief of Staff, and Chicago mayor, made his first visit to Japan as US ambassador. The post has been unoccupied for over two years. Known for his aggressive demeanor, Emanuel seems to be an appropriate choice as the US and Japan strengthen military and other ties amid China’s growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Yahoo Japan is a rare Japanese company in that it embraces remote work and flexible schedules, and it is about to loosen its policies further. From April its employees, 90% of whom work remotely, will get more generous commuting allowances for when they need to come to the office –– even when that requires flying. The company’s goal is to diversify its workforce in terms of both location and lifestyle.
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has been released from immigration detention in Australia, where he was held following the loss of his visa due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19. While the visa cancellation was overturned as legally invalid, whether he will play at the Australian Open remains up in the air, and the government may exercise powers that will keep him out of the country for three years.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Liberal Democratic Party have agreed to allow distribution of a one-time benefit to child-rearing households entirely in cash, after earlier insisting that half of it be put in the form of vouchers. While apparently caving in to opposition pressure, the ruling party maintains that its policy remains unchanged, and it still hopes to stimulate the economy through vouchers, which encourage people to make purchases.
Speaking to a 2020 interview, historian and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari warned of dire consequences if the COVID-19 pandemic is not contained, particularly in developing countries. He said the virus is a threat not only to public health but also to peace and stability, as it could undermine democracies and contribute to authoritarianism.