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Last Week in Japanese News 03/12/2023-03/18/2023 [1]
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Date: 2023-03-19
Hello, this is RWPOINTWOMAN and this is Last Week in Japanese News. Here is where I translate articles from the Easy Japanese news reader app from Japanese to English. They always concern Japan and they mostly come from the Easy section.
On with the show!
March 13, 2023:
Boats carrying people made to look like hina dolls advance along river inside street. (NHK)
In Katori, Chiba Prefecture, there is a street that looks as if it is from the Edo Era. A Doll's Festival event was held at the Ono River inside this street on March 12. About 60 people wore beautiful kimono and looked like hina dolls. And then they boarded 5 boats and advanced down the river in the street. Aboard the boats, there were performances of historic music. A little girl onboard one of the boats said, "I became a princess and it was fun. It was extremely wonderful." Along the river, there were a lot of people enjoying the festivities. A woman from Kanagawa Prefecture said, "I was glad I could take my time looking around. It felt like spring because it was beautiful."
Cherry trees predicted to bloom earlier than usual this year, March 16 for Tokyo. (NHK)
It is getting warmer in various parts of Japan. It looks as if the cherry trees will bloom earlier than usual this year. Every year, entities such as companies that issue weather reports predict when the Yoshino cherry trees will bloom. The predictions released March 9 by the Japan Weather Association and Weather Map are March 16 for Tokyo and Fukuoka and March 22 for Osaka city. The Japan Weather Association predicts March 29 for Sendai and Weather Map predicts March 25. Regardless of which one, it is said to look to be a few days to 1 week earlier than usual. The Japan Weather Association states that this is because over the course of the next few days, many parts of Japan will warm to around 20°C and high temperatures will also continue afterwards.
March 14, 2023:
Japanese NHS to require payment for COVID-19 treatment starting May 8. (NHK)
The law has been changed so that COVID-19 is now a Level 5 illness effective May 8. It is the same level as diseases like influenza. Until now, the Japanese government had made treatment for it free. Starting on May 8, there will be out-of-pocket costs as with other illnesses. This is also the case for influenza. The plan is to make the expensive medicine for it free until September. The Japanese government will also pay up to ¥20,000/mo in the event of hospitalization. The government plans to increase the number of hospitals that can treat COVID-19.
March 15, 2023:
GaaSyy thrown out of House of Councilors for never attending sessions. (NHK)
GaaSsy was elected to the House of Councilors last July. Since then, he has not attended even 1 session of the National Diet. Because of this, the other Councilors meet on March 15 about stepping him of his National Diet qualifications. His political party, the NHK Party, said things like, "The qualifications of Diet members from minor parties must not be stripped," in opposition. However, only 1 person voted against this with the rest voting in favor. Due to this, it was decided that he be stripped of his qualifications and expelled. This is the 3rd time a Diet member has been expelled since the Constitution was written. This is the 1st time it was for failure to attend National Diet sessions.
March 16, 2023:
Number of children who committed suicide in Japan last year 514, highest level ever. (NHK)
According to Japan, the number of children who committed suicide last year was 514. This is the highest number ever. 354 were in highschool, 143 were in middle school, and 17 were in elementary school. People who counsel those with suicidal ideation over things like social media has the following to say. Children who get no joy out of being in places like their own homes or school have found relief walking to places like the shopping mall. However, this has become impossible due to COVID-19. These children might be choosing death because it is more difficult to go somewhere more suitable by themselves. And they said, "There are many children who do not think adults are really listening even after discussing their problems with them. We want the adults around them to pay attention to their feelings and listen carefully to whether they are all right." There are places a child can discuss these matters over the phone. • Childline (0120-99-7777) run by incorporated nonprofit organization Childline Support Center Japan. • 24-Hour Child Dial (0120-0-78310) run by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. • Children's Rights (0120-007-110) run by the Ministry of Justice.
March 17, 2023:
Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon to "Start Shuttle Diplomacy." (NHK)
On March 16, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol visited Japan and met with Prime Minister Kishida to have a discussion with him. Due to worsening international relations between Japan and South Korea, the leaders of these 2 countries have not met outside international conferences in 12 years. In South Korea, people who worked in places like Japanese factories during the Pacific War are suing Japanese corporations. Regarding this problem, the government of South Korea decided last week to have South Korean organizations pay the settlements instead. Prime Minister Kishida said, "I think this is a good way to restore relations between Japan and South Korea to what they were before," regarding the South Korean government's decision. And then the leaders of the 2 nations said they were restarting "Shuttle Diplomacy," which entails going back and forth between them. Prime Minister Kishida said, "President Yoon came to Japan and built trust and friendship. I want the tires between Japan and South Korea to continue to deepen."
That's all for now.
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