Nipponica

Sekisui House, Daiwa House Industry and Sumitomo Forestry together sold around 30,000 homes in the U.S. in fiscal 2023, about 30% more than in Japan.

The three Japanese groups are especially focused on Texas and Florida. More companies like Tesla are moving their headquarters to these states for their low tax rates, creating an influx of employees and boosting demand for housing.

Texas has plenty of space but I thought Florida was completely built up or underwater. Guess there is still a little bit of land to shove a thousand more units onto.

An agave “century plant” said to bloom only once every 100 years has begun to open its bushy yellow blossoms in Hibiya Park in Tokyo.

Time to head to the park before they close up again.

I'm concerned about the trend toward exclusion. Even regarding accepting immigrants, the situation in Japan differs from that in the West, which has been accepting immigrants for a long time. We live in an age where anyone can travel abroad, but it seems that Japanese people are still not used to foreigners. I sometimes get the impression that Japan is unilaterally imposing its values and customs on them. And even on matters where we should be treated equally, I feel that Japanese people are given priority.

Places like this are key to helping newcomers to get the simple things done in Japanese society that most people think are simple. Just setting up a phone contract or bank account is hard to impossible for those that don't know the procedures and rules. I got lucky when I first came here as my university helped with all the initial bureaucracy but most do not have the luxury. And huge respect for the Japanese that recognize this problem and are doing something about it.

Tactical voting, unity and impassioned pleas from some of the nation’s biggest celebrities helped a left-wing coalition score a surprise win over the far-right in France’s legislative election on July 7. The result is widely being hailed as a victory for French democracy, and a display of unity in the face of creeping extremism.

Nearly 10,000km away in Tokyo, there is no such enthusiasm. The same day, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike secured a third term at the helm of the world’s largest metropolis by population. Instead of the tactical voting seen in France, there was voter apathy in Tokyo.

Credit to the French people for actually deciding to participate in the democratic process. Voting apathy in Japan is far from a new phenomenon and the lack of engagement from the populous just keeps the same faces and parties in power. Perhaps that is the secret plan of the electorate but I'm willing to bet that something more deep-seated is to blame for a lack of interest in government.

Japan's wage levels are low by international standards, hindering consumption growth. And many businesses recognize the need for wage increases. A survey by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that over 40% of small and mid-sized enterprises believe the minimum wage should be increased. On the other hand, 65% of companies feel burdened by the current wage level, reflecting the tough business environment, including rising raw material prices.

As is the case in many recent stories, this is far from a Japan-only issue. Minimum wages have stagnated in many countries, but with the yen's rapid devaluation, Japanese workers may be feeling it more. While it will likely hurt small businesses in the short term, it is necessary to raise the economic stability of society as a whole.

A man wielded a knife and set fire to the ground floor of Takahama City Hall in Aichi Prefecture at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, after spreading what appeared to be paraffin.

Like in many other countries, Japanese debates over the best response to Donald Trump’s potential return to the American presidency have gained momentum of late. In fact, the phrase moshitora—shorthand for “What if it’s Trump?”—has become a regular part of the Japanese political lexicon. Below I share some reflections on what a Trump 2.0 administration could mean for the US-Japan relationship.

Not entirely sure I fully agree with this take but as long as the government follows the Abe playbook, they should be in good standing with any future American ruler.

Fifteen students at a metropolitan high school in Tokyo’s Ota Ward complained of burning lips and other problems after eating a spicy brand of potato chips on Tuesday, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

National breaking news. Never eat chips from a stranger.

Shun Nakaoka, a transgender lawyer, suffered repeated losses in her battle against Japan’s judicial system, but she refused to give up.

The fight reflected much of what she has gone through in her life.

A story of a great person that continuously fights for the rights of the marginalized. Japan has made some progress in LGBT and specifically trans rights, but there is so much more to go.

"How should we line up today?" "In order of beauty!" The "Grand Cheer Stars" team members and staff were joking around, and the atmosphere was bright. The participants, wearing blonde wigs and polka-dot outfits, are mainly in their 60s, and include those currently working as caregivers, hospitality workers, and child care workers. In dance, age or status don't matter, and the members call each other by self-chosen nicknames such as "Charlotte," "Heidi" and "Clara."

A light hearted story after a weekend of bleakness. Let's all be as active and carefree as these ladies when we reach their age, as long as the oceans can be held back (sorry, bleakness briefly returned).