Japan's Finance Ministry has indicated new government bond issues in fiscal 2021 may increase for the first time in 11 years. The announcement comes amid rising social security costs such as medical care and pensions.

The ministry has worked out an estimate which indicates that if the economy continues to grow by 1.5 percent in nominal terms, social security costs in fiscal 2023 will increase to 38.5 trillion yen, or about 352 billion dollars. That is up 2.6 trillion yen, or nearly 24 billion dollars, from the budget plan for fiscal 2020.

KUMAMOTO--Curved stone walls at Kumamoto Castle that once thwarted enemy attackers but fell victim to earthquakes that jolted the city in April 2016 have risen again to their full glory.

The new walls were unveiled to the media on Dec. 27, as progress is being steadily made in the castle's restoration.