Reuse Of Decontaminated Soil To Be Tested Outside Fukushima

Reuse of decontaminated soil to be tested outside Fukushima

Japan's Environment Ministry is planning its first trial outside Fukushima Prefecture on the reuse of soil that was decontaminated after the 2011 nuclear accident.

The ministry says the demonstration will take place at the National Environmental Research and Training Institute in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Pictures Of Postwar Okinawa Under Us Control Being Collected Again

Pictures of postwar Okinawa under US control being collected again

Officials in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa have again started collecting pictures of the prefecture that were taken during the postwar period, when it was under US control. Their work was suspended for about three years, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2017, officials in the prefecture started a program aimed at collecting pictures and videos in the United States of the 1945 Battle of Okinawa and the postwar period, when the prefecture was controlled by the United States. That period ended in 1972.

Prime Minister Kishida Urges Ministers To Swiftly Execute Economic Package

Prime Minister Kishida urges ministers to swiftly execute economic package

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has instructed his ministers to swiftly implement the economic measures in the supplementary budget of around 29 trillion yen, or over 210 billion dollars.

The government convened a task force on Tuesday to comprehensively help people's livelihoods following the Diet's passage of the second extra budget last week.

Welfare Ministry Mulls Response To Ex-unification Church Adoptions

Welfare ministry mulls response to ex-Unification Church adoptions

Japan's welfare ministry says it will review a report on adoptions among followers of the former Unification Church. More than 30 such adoptions reportedly took place after it became illegal to broker adoptions without permits.

The ministry, along with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, had sent a letter of inquiry to the religious group about the controversial practice last month. The group submitted a report by the Monday deadline.

Japan Coach Moriyasu: New Future Awaits Samurai Blue

Japan coach Moriyasu: New future awaits Samurai Blue

The coach of Japan's national soccer team has praised what his squad accomplished in their World Cup campaign, which came to an end with a penalty shootout loss to Croatia.

Moriyasu Hajime said his men opened a new chapter for Japanese soccer, though the team failed to advance beyond the round of 16.

Diet To Debate Bill On Religious Donation Rules

Diet to debate bill on religious donation rules

Japan's Diet will debate a bill on Tuesday that could help people who have been exploited by the former Unification Church. It is meant to regulate efforts to solicit donations for religious groups.

The main ruling Liberal Democratic Party presented a revised draft of the bill after two opposition parties called for a more effective one. They want authorities to prevent religious corporations from collecting donations against people's will.

Japanese Mayor Files Complaint Against Nursery Head Over Child Abuse Cases

Japanese mayor files complaint against nursery head over child abuse cases

The mayor of a city in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, has filed a complaint with police against the head of a nursery over his alleged cover-ups of suspected child abuse cases involving its workers.

The mayor of Susono City, Murata Harukaze, submitted the complaint on Monday against Sakurai Toshihiko, who heads Sakura Hoikuen -- a private nursery school authorized by the local administration.

Government Pledges Swift Action Over Nursery Abuse Cases

Government pledges swift action over nursery abuse cases

Japan's top government spokesperson says the government will act swiftly on the child abuse cases revealed at a nursery.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu spoke to reporters on Monday about the cases at the Sakura Hoikuen nursery in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, in central Japan.

Japan Eases Limits On Drone Flights In Populated Areas

Japan eases limits on drone flights in populated areas

Japan has moved to relax restrictions on drone flights. Owners are now allowed to operate drones beyond their line of sight in populated areas if they meet certain requirements.

The revised civil aeronautics law came into effect on Monday. It allows drones to carry out so-called level four flights, the least restricted category in Japan.