theTokyoBill Japan news brief

theTokyoBill Japan news brief, October 11 2024

In this episode: Survey: Nearly 20% of workers rely on resignation agencies; JS Kaga in San Diego to train with F-35 fighters; Top female jockey quits racing after suspension; Go-kart operator in hot water for allowing unlicensed driving; Doraemon voice actor dies at 90

Broadcast on:: 11 Oct 2024
Audio Format:: other

A short (3-5 min.) English language news brief; stories from in and around Japan.

Music is Motivate by Wavecont, care of Pixabay.com.

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[Music] Welcome to the Tokyo Bell, a short news brief on recent events in and around Japan. [Music] According to a survey by MyNavy Corporation, close to one in five people in their 20s who changed jobs in Japan used resignation agency services when quitting. [Music] These agencies convey workers' intentions to leave and handle the resignation process for a fee of 20,000 to 50,000 yen. The survey targeted employees aged 20 to 50 and human resources personnel, with 18.6% of respondents in their 20s, 17.6% in their 30s, and 17.3% in their 40s using these services. Reasons included difficulties resigning without assistance and fear of repercussions from their companies. Lack of communication between workers and employers was highlighted as a possible factor in the increasing use of resignation agencies. The Japanese maritime self-defense forces helicopter destroyer J.S. Kaga arrived in San Diego for F-35B Lightning II training operations with the U.S. Navy. The vessel undergo assessments for optimal operations with the fifth generation fighter until November 18th. Kaga's enhancements for F-35B operations, such as a redesigned vow, mark its first deployment since modifications. While Japan does not officially call it an aircraft carrier due to constitutional policies, the upgraded Kaga boosts air capabilities in the East China Sea, drawing criticism from Beijing. Japan's top horse racing authority announced the retirement of Nanako Fujita, its most successful female jockey, after she was suspended for bringing a smartphone into a restricted area at a race course. The ban on communication devices in that area is meant to prevent the sharing of information that could compromise the integrity of the sport, which involves betting on races. Fujita is accused of using her smartphone multiple times from April last year. She retired with 166 wins at JRA meets, the highest for a woman, and made history by being the first woman to win a graded stakes race and compete in a G1 race. Police in Tokyo have referred a case against the manager of a go-kart rental business to prosecutors. The manager is suspected of allowing foreign tourists without valid licenses to drive on public roads. Go-karts are categorized as regular automobiles in Japan and require a valid driver's license to operate. The company in question lent go-karts to two tourists without valid licenses, resulting in property damage. The police have requested businesses to enforce stricter license checks and refrain from allowing photos on public roads. Japanese voice actor Nobuyo Oyama, known for voicing the cat robot Doraemon, has passed away at the age of 90. She had been in and out of the hospital since the beginning of the year and died of old age on September 29th in Tokyo. Oyama began her career as an actor in 1956 and later became a voice actor, spending 26 years as the voice of Doraemon. She declined all other voice acting offers while playing the popular character. In 2015, it was revealed that Oyama had dementia and required nursing care since suffering a stroke in 2008. This has been the Tokyo Bill. These stories and more you can read at thetokobill.com. I've been and remain Tokyo Bill. Thank you for listening and take care.