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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.
The Women’s Tennis Association has suspended tournaments in China, after one of the country’s top female players accused a former high-ranking politician of forcing her into a sexual relationship and she subsequently disappeared from public view for several weeks. Many national tennis federations have expressed support for the decision.
Fatal accidents caused by drivers aged 75 or over, of which there were hundreds in 2020, are in the spotlight. Many are surrendering their drivers’ licenses, testing will become stricter, and new cars are required to have automatic braking. However, a major challenge is that rural areas lack other transportation options.
The pandemic has caused many, especially young people and women, to consider escaping cramped, overpriced, and overworked lifestyles in greater Tokyo and moving to rural areas. The government supports this trend, which it hopes will help close Japan’s urban-rural population and income divide.
Two death row inmates are suing the Japanese government over same-day notifications of executions. Retaining capital punishment makes Japan, like the US, an outlier among developed nations, and the practice of not informing prisoners until the day of their hanging has been a particular target of criticism.
A significant reason for Japan’s low turnout in elections is that young people tend not to vote. Many feel the government and particularly the ruling coalition, dominated by older male lawmakers often belonging to political dynasties, has no connection to their lives and concerns.
More schools in Japan are letting female students choose either uniforms with a skirt or with pants, while proposals for unisex uniforms are also being considered. Increased options are seen as having practical benefits, as well as accommodating non-gender-conforming students or those with body image issues.
