Japan has experienced a surge in tourism in the first half of 2024, welcoming a record-breaking 17.78 million foreign visitors. This influx surpasses pre-pandemic levels driven by a weakened yen that has made Japan an attractive destination for tourists.
An international research team led by Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has achieved a record in optical fiber communication. They have successfully demonstrated a record-breaking aggregate optical transmission bandwidth of 37.6 THz, resulting in a data transfer rate of 402 terabits per second (Tb/s) using standard commercially available optical fiber.
Japan is facing an increase in cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a rare but severe bacterial infection that can rapidly become fatal. As of June 2, 2024, the Japanese Health Ministry has reported a record 977 cases, surpassing last year’s previous peak of 941 cases. This outbreak has already resulted in 77 deaths between January and March.
A Japanese town is taking steps to manage tourism influx, at the Instagram-famous view of Mount Fuji. The comes amidst complaints of littering, trespassing, and traffic violations by tourists.
The Sapporo High Court in Japan has made a decision declaring the nation’s ban on same-sex marriage as “unconstitutional.” This ruling follows a similar decision by the Sapporo District Court in 2021.
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced its decision to grant its factory workers the largest pay increase in a quarter of a century. This decision comes when annual wage negotiations, commonly known as “shuntō,” where major Japanese firms engage in discussions with labor unions regarding salary adjustments for the upcoming year.
Japan slips into a recession and loses its long-held position as the world’s third-largest economy. This is by a contraction in the last quarter of 2023 and looses it position as the world’s third-largest economy to Germany.
Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), named Moon Sniper, a successful touchdown will make Japan the fifth country ever to put a spacecraft on the moon.
At Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, a Japan Airlines (JAL) plane burst into flames after a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on the runway. This accident happened during the landing of JAL Flight 516, which had departed from Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport and was scheduled to land at Haneda.
Japan was hit by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, issuing tsunami warnings and urgent evacuation measures. The earthquake struck the western coast, specifically targeting Ishikawa prefecture and neighboring areas.
