Japanese startup develops bug-repellent clothing

A startup in central Japan has been working on developing bug-repellent fabrics and clothing, with hopes of bringing finalized products to market by the end of March next year.
The company, Fibercraze, teamed up with firms across the country to develop textiles with microscopic holes that can be…[Read more]

Kishida looking to replace all Cabinet members from troubled faction

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is looking to remove all Cabinet members belonging to the largest faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party from their posts amid the deepening political funds scandal, sources said Sunday.
Some members of the faction formerly led by the Prime…[Read more]

Japan hotel operators turn historical buildings into trendy stays

OSAKA — Japanese hotel operators are rushing to develop new types of accommodations from historical buildings in the Kansai region in anticipation of more foreign tourists.

The Kansai region in western Japan, which includes Osaka, Kyoto and several other prefectures, is rich in…[Read more]

Japan Plans to Subtract ‘Blue Carbon’ from CO2 Emissions; Seaweed Said to Lock Up Carbon for Longer than Land Plants

The government plans to subtract “blue carbon” when calculating Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions for annual reporting to the United Nations from next fiscal year. Blue carbon is carbon dioxide absorbed and stored by seaweed a…[Read more]

‘Unexpected’ South Korea Court Decision in Favor of ‘Comfort Women’ Puts Damper on Improving Ties with Japan

In contrast to a recent pattern of reasonable judgments by the South Korean judiciary, the Seoul High Court on Thursday overturned a lower court ruling and ordered the Japanese government to pay compensation to former wartime comfort…[Read more]

Japan, Southeast Asian Countries to Hold 1st Online Talks to Combat Disinformation

Japan plans to hold its first online talks with Southeast Asian countries to discuss measures against disinformation on Monday, government sources said.

The talks are to strengthen cooperation with other countries as tackling disinformation has become an urgent…[Read more]

Germany: AfD in Saxony classified as ‘extremist’

The domestic intelligence service in the eastern state of Saxony has designated the far right AfD party an extremist group. The move follows similar decisions in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.

The regional association of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony has been classified as a right-wing…[Read more]

Russia’s Putin says he will run for president again in 2024

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has decided to run in next year’s presidential elections on March 17, Russian news agencies reported on Friday.

He made the announcement at a ceremony in the Kremlin to honor the “heroes of Russia.”

This will be Putin’s fifth run for the presidency, which…[Read more]

German inflation fall boosts hope of European Central Bank rate cut

Inflation in Germany eased more than expected in November, according to official data released on Friday.

Prices in Europe’s largest economy are increasing at the slowest rate seen since June 2021, mainly thanks to falling energy prices.

Compared to November of last year, p…[Read more]

Germany hit by last-minute train strike: Deutsche Bahn trains “massively affected”

German train drivers have launched a last-minute strike. The 24-hour public transport walkout began on Thursday evening.

It is the fourth strike this year and follows disruption earlier this week due to heavy snowfall in southern Germany.

Passenger services…[Read more]

German court rules federal government violated climate law

The German government failed at meeting emissions reduction targets in transportation and construction, the court ruled.

A German court sided with environmental groups on Thursday, ruling that the federal government had failed to meet its own climate goals in the transport and building…[Read more]

Germany: Munich Airport suspends flights amid heavy snowfall

Heavy snowfall hit southern Germany on Friday night and continued on Saturday, causing major disruptions at Munich Airport, the second-busiest hub in the country.

The airport said on Saturday it was suspending flights until 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Around 320 of the 760 flights scheduled…[Read more]

Cameroonian women awarded German-Africa Prize 2023

The Africa Prize is awarded by the nonpartisan German Africa Foundation to Africans selected by a jury for their commitment to democracy, peace, human rights, economic development, science, arts, culture or society.

The 1st National Women’s Convention for Peace in Cameroon, an umbrella group…[Read more]

Japan space agency hit with cyberattack; rocket and satellite info not accessed

Japan’s space agency was hit with a cyberattack but the information the hackers accessed did not include anything important for rocket and satellite operations, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

“There was a possibility of unauthorized access by exploiting the…[Read more]

Daisaku Ikeda: Influential leader of Japan’s Soka Gakkai Buddhist group dies

Daisaku Ikeda, a former leader of Japan’s influential Buddhist group Soka Gakkai, has died at the age of 95.

Over decades Ikeda expanded the organisation’s international following and forged links with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

He died from natural…[Read more]

Japan begins trial sales of prescription-free morning-after pills

Japan has begun trial sales of morning-after pills without a prescription.

Under the pilot, the pill is set to be available at 145 pharmacies. Until now these had only been available at a clinic or pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription.

A public consultation by Japan’s health…[Read more]

US military aircraft with six aboard crashes off Japan island

apan’s NHK broadcaster said the CV-22 Osprey hybrid plane had been trying to land at Yakushima Airport with one engine on fire. There is no US comment.

Ospreys – which can function as a helicopter and a turboprop aircraft – have been involved in a string of fatal crashes over the…[Read more]

Germany’s shifting political landscape put to the test in key state votes

The German states of Bavaria and Hesse vote in regional elections on Sunday, in what is widely being seen as a test-case for Germany’s shifting political landscape.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to make gains in both states,
The German states of Bav…[Read more]

Germany records over 300% increase in antisemitic incidents

Since the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, nearly 1,000 antisemitic incidents have been reported in Germany. Some of these acts include extreme violence and property destruction, a German association said.

Since the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, nearly 1,000…[Read more]

German intelligence warns of heightened terror risk

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency says the danger of a terror attack in the country is “higher than it has been for a long time.” It cited the October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war as factors.

German intelligence warns of heightened terror risk

Germany’s domestic…[Read more]