Justin McCurry

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Justin McCurry

Parents in Japan will no longer have free rein over the names they give their children, after the introduction this week of new rules on the pronunciation of kanji characters. The change is designed to halt the use of kirakira (shiny or glittery) names that have proliferated among parents hoping to add a creative flourish to their children’s names – creating administrative headaches for local authorities and, in some cases, inviting derision from classmates.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Justin McCurry

A grim prediction made in a manga first published a quarter of a century ago is being blamed for a dramatic fall in holiday bookings to Japan from several Asian countries. Flight reservations to Japan from some of its key tourism markets have reportedly plummeted, with some linking the fall to The Future I Saw, a Japanese graphic novel based on the “prophetic” dreams of its author, Ryo Tatsuki.

2 weeks ago | eldiario.es | Justin McCurry

El ministro de Agricultura de Japón, Taku Eto, ha dimitido tras decir que nunca compra arroz porque lo recibe gratuitamente, unas declaraciones que provocaron enfado popular en medio del alza acusada de los precios de los alimentos en el país asiático.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Justin McCurry

Japan’s agriculture minister has resigned after saying he never buys rice because he gets it free, a remark that drew public fury in a country facing soaring food prices. Taku Etō’s resignation has added to pressure on the prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, whose failure to rein in soaring rice prices and address a wider cost of living crisis has angered voters ahead of upper house elections in July.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Justin McCurry

Japan’s government is battling record-low approval ratings as consumers voice anger at soaring rice prices just weeks before key national elections. Attempts to bring down the price of the Japanese staple have had little effect, prompting calls for a reduction in the consumption (sales) tax to ease the cost-of-living crisis. A new poll by the Kyodo news agency found that consumers blamed the administration of the prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, for rising pressure on household finances.