We’ve listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between March 7 and 15. The first story was viewed by 23.4% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)
Foreign tourists enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom in this file photo. (Mainichi/Kenjiro Sato)
Japan to tighten immigration control for foreign tourists under new ‘JESTA’ system
TOKYO — The Japanese Cabinet approved a bill on March 10 to amend the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, introducing an electronic travel authorization system. Full story.
This photo taken in July 2023 shows the municipal office in the Kumamoto Prefecture village of Kuma, which was named by the Population Strategy Council as a “municipality at risk of disappearance,” with a projected decline of over 70% in its female population. (Mainichi/Yoshiyuki Hirakawa)
‘Men should stand at front,’ among views blamed for driving women from regional Japan
TOKYO — Analysis of a Japanese government survey has uncovered marked regional differences in attitudes toward gender roles in Japan, with one expert suggesting that such beliefs are driving young women away from regional areas. Full story.
Foreign tourists interact with deer in the city of Nara, April 19, 2024. (Mainichi/Kazugi Yamaguchi)
Nara officials exhausted after numerous calls over abuse of beloved deer
NARA — Complaints directed at a Nara Prefectural Government division concerning abuse of its famous deer have surged, leaving employees stressed and disrupting their work. Full story.
A notice about a “suspension of leather goods sales” is seen in the bottom left of this photo taken at the entrance of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. (Mainichi)
Talks underway to resume sales of super popular ‘Imperial Palace wallets’ in Japan
TOKYO — The cultural association that sells goods related to Japan’s Imperial Family has been in discussions with the Imperial Household Agency to resume selling the so-called “Imperial Palace wallets and purses” after they faced a suspension in sales at the end of last year due to a surge in popularity. Full story.
The Gunma Prefectural Government building in the city of Maebashi is seen in this file photo. (Mainichi)
Worker in Japan’s Gunma Pref. suspended for 3 months after taking 109-day cruise
MAEBASHI — The Gunma Prefectural Government announced on March 11 that a 63-year-old senior specialist in the land development department had been given a three-month suspension, effective March 10, for being absent from work to take a 109-day overseas cruise despite not having enough vacation days. Full story.
AloJapan.com