Japan This Week: 7 September 2008

今週の日本

In Japan, a leadership vacuum.

NY Times

Transparency in interrogations curbs police abuse: so what are they afraid of?

Mainichi

So far, it just isn't looking like Asia's century.

Washington Post

Kyushu - the land of warriors holds on to traditions.

CNN

Psy-trance partygoers get set for The Gathering weekend.

Japan Times

Japan: Sumo world in turmoil after wrestlers test positive for marijuana.

Guardian

Woman, 60, held over mail threat to kill pupils.

Daily Yomiuri

Japanese ace loses teen showdown at US Open.

Yahoo! Sports


Last week's Japan news

Japan Statistics

The percentage of the Japanese population over age 65 hit 21.5% in 2007. There are now 27 million elderly people in Japan.

Source: USA Today

The total number of Burakumin--the descendants of Japan's traditional outcaste population--is estimated at between one and three million.

Source: Britannica Concise Encyclopedia

Percentage of household food budget spent on dining out by city (rank of city)

Tokyo: 22.5% (1)
Nara: 20.8% (5)
Nagasaki: 16.2% (16.2)
Aomori: 14.3% (49)

Source: Asahi Shinbun

Only 11,638 trainees enrolled on courses for nursing care givers in April 2008 as opposed to a target of 25,407. Japan will require 1.4-1.6 million care givers by 2014.

Source: Welfare Ministry

Tokyo stocks fell 2.75% on Friday to their lowest levels since March 2008.

Source: Nikkei

Book a hotel in Japan with Bookings

Japanese Fiction

Happi Coats

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