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Science & Health

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waits for a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee to begin in Tokyo on Friday.

JAPAN / Explainer

Mar 19, 2025

What's the fuss over Ishiba's gift vouchers?

By Himari Semans and Gabriele Ninivaggi

The prime minister's standing has worsened following reports that he handed out gift vouchers worth ?100,000 ($668) each to rookie lawmakers from his party.

Members of the media raise their hands for questions as outgoing Fuji TV President Koichi Minato attends a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.

JAPAN / Explainer

Jan 28, 2025

What we learned at Fuji TV's marathon Nakai scandal news conference

By Yukana Inoue

Longtime executive of Fuji TV Hisashi Hieda, who has been dubbed the “emperor” of the broadcaster, was not present at the news conference and did not resign.

A mirror reflects a collapsed house in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 10, nearly one year after a major earthquake struck nearby on New Year's Day in 2024.

JAPAN / Explainer

Jan 14, 2025

Miyazaki quake falls short of triggering Nankai Trough megaquake advisory

By Yukana Inoue

Though Monday's temblor struck a similar area to one in August that sparked the first advisory, no such alert was issued.

A health ministry survey showed that 5,824 people age 65 and older died in a bathtub in their home or other residential facilities in 2022, more than double the number of people who died in a traffic accident.

JAPAN / Explainer

Dec 10, 2024

Winter chill, hot baths and the risk of heat shock: How to stay safe

By Kathleen Benoza

Heat shock has come under the spotlight after popular actor and singer Miho Nakayama was found dead at her home last week.

A My Number card reader at a pediatric clinic in Tokyo. While the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards on Monday, most people will remain unaffected by the move in the short term as existing health insurance cards can still be used for another year.

JAPAN / Explainer

Dec 1, 2024

Don’t worry, you can still use your Japan health insurance card — for now

By Tomoko Otake

While the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards on Monday, there is a one-year grace period for their integration with My Number cards.

One shortcoming of the Freelance Act — a new law designed to improve the working conditions of freelancers — is that freelancers and clients don't know much about it.

JAPAN / Explainer

Oct 31, 2024

What is the Freelance Act, Japan’s first-ever law to help freelancers?

By Himari Semans

The law introduces new measures to help self-employed workers. However, some shortcomings remain, experts say.

Naoshi Hirata (center), chairman of a committee tasked with evaluating the risk of a Nankai Trough earthquake, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.

JAPAN / Explainer

Aug 9, 2024

Japan issued its first-ever megaquake alert. What does that mean?

By Francis Tang and Gabriele Ninivaggi

How serious is the situation, and what should people do in the days to come? Here’s what you need to know.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.

Can AI replace a priest? Japan’s temples and shrines are testing the limits.

By Alex K.T. Martin

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