theTokyoBill Japan news brief

theTokyoBill Japan news brief, October 9 2024

In this episode: Airport trash bins use solar power to increase efficiency; JAL to include wagyu beef to US, Singapore-destined passengers; Aeon updates hiring practices; Real wages slip despite general rising trend; Evangelion creator returns to anime for Space Battleship Yamato project; 7 & i offered 20% more by Canadian firm

Broadcast on:: 09 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 Build, a short news brief on recent events in and around Japan. [Music] Narita Airport has installed solar powered trash bins called Smago, which automatically compact their contents and send notifications when they need to be emptied, making collections more efficient. The bins are equipped with sensors to track garbage levels and can alert smartphones and other devices before reaching capacity. The airport operator, in collaboration with Forest Technique, installed nine Smago bins on the terminal's fifth floor deck for a month-long trial. The goal is to reduce the workload of airport workers who currently make frequent garbage collection rounds. [Music] Japan Airlines Co. has launched a service for passengers traveling to the United States and Singapore to buy Japanese luxury Wagyu beef, which will be inspected for customs clearance. The highest A5 grade Wagyu from Hokkaido and Kagoshima prefectures can be purchased on the airline's website and picked up at Haneda and Narita airports during check-in. The beef, priced 20 to 30 percent lower than the equivalent grade beef abroad, must be ordered 48 hours before departure. Kagoshima Wagyu costs 29,300 yen per kilogram for U.S.-bound passengers, while Hokkaido Wagyu is priced at 27,800 yen. Cut meat is sold to passengers going to Singapore. Z-Peritokyo, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, also started Wagyu sales in January. To address labor shortages, Japanese supermarket operator Aeon Retail is now prioritizing hiring candidates who previously rejected job offers. Aeon's new system gives preferential consideration to young candidates who turn down offers upon graduation, but apply again within three years. The company's update marks a 40-year change to its hiring practices and reports its openness to rehiring former employees who left for other companies. Aeon already rehires former employees who leave for reasons like child rearing and nursing care, though their revision implemented last month, is part of a trend among Japanese firms to streamline hiring processes and secure a sufficient workforce. Hideaki Anno, creator of Evangelion, is returning to anime with a new project based on space battleship Yamato. He made the announcement at his special screening in Tokyo on the original series 50th anniversary. Space battleship Yamato is a popular anime about a battleship turned spaceship on a mission to save humanity. Anno's new project will be a theatrical anime with a fresh storyline, produced by his studio, Kara. Seven and eye holdings has received a new acquisition proposal from Canadian convenience store operator, Alementa Seongkushtard. The offer is valued at $47 billion US, a 20% increase from the previous proposal. Seven and eye will review the offer in a special committee of outside directors. The Japanese retail giant rejected the initial offer, stating that it undervalued the company. Also, they expressed concerns about regulatory scrutiny. The company's 711 brand is the largest convenience store chain in the United States, while Kushtard's Circle K is number two. This has been the Tokyo Bill. These stories and more you can read at thetokobill.com. I have been, and remain, Tokyo Bill. Thank you for listening, and take care. (upbeat music) (upbeat music)