Japan
World
Japan to trial group tours in move to ease Covid border rules
AFP -
There are no plans to lift border restrictions fully, with the trial involving only tourists from four countries who join package tours with predetermined itineraries.
World
Probe after Japanese students given hand sanitiser instead of water during race
AFP -
Yamanashi's high school sport federation says the sanitiser had been stored in an unlabelled plastic bottle alongside those containing drinking water in a cardboard box.
World
World’s oldest person dies in Japan aged 119
Reuters -
Born on Jan 2, 1903 - the year of the Wright Brothers' first controlled flight of their motor-driven airplane - Tanaka was confirmed by Guinness World Records in 2019 as the oldest living person.
World
Japan teacher in hot water after Covid prevention efforts rack up US$27,000 pool bill
AFP -
The teacher, who has not been identified, thought a constant flow of fresh water into the pool would keep it Covid free and left the tap on from late June to early September.
World
Japan confirms first case of Omicron XE in airport arrival
Bernama -
The woman, who had received two shots of the Pfizer vaccine, showed no symptoms.
World
Pregnancy trap for workers in controversial Japan scheme
AFP -
When Vanessa, a worker with Japan's 'technical intern' programme, told her supervisors she was pregnant, she says they first suggested an abortion and then pressured her to quit.
World
Toshiba pauses spin-off plan, weighs going private
AFP -
Its management team will lead discussions with private equity funds and other possible investors on potential offers.
World
Toshiba shareholders reject spin-off plan in key vote
AFP -
The result is the latest setback for the engineering giant, which has faced a series of scandals, financial troubles and shock high-level resignations in recent years.
World
Japan turns down the heat and dims the lights to avoid power cut after quake
Reuters -
Up to 3 million households had faced the threat of blackouts, as utility Tokyo Electric Power Co warned of tight supply and surging demand as snow fell across Tokyo and the temperature dropped to 2 degrees Celsius.
World
Japan issues power warning after quake hits supply
AFP -
Overnight, the government issued its first-ever electricity crunch warning for the capital and other regions, with supply dented because several thermal power plants remain offline after the quake.
World
Four dead after powerful Japan quake rattles east coast
AFP -
Some 30,000 homes were still without power on Thursday morning, with another 4,300 without water.
News
Malaysia, Japan to step up joint efforts to tackle global supply chain issues
Bernama -
Other issues of mutual interest include the enhancement of bilateral trade and investment relations, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.