theTokyoBill Japan news brief

theTokyoBill Japan news brief, October 16 2024

In this episode: North Korea severs road, rail infrastructure with South Korea; Genomic research adds to understanding of the Japanese; Advancements in meat culture is MOOving along; Tokyo Metro IPO set at 1200 yen; Transportation companies giving up on IC cards

Duration:: 4m
Broadcast on:: 16 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 PLAYING] Welcome to the Tokyo Bill, a short news brief on recent events in and around Japan. North Korea recently destroyed unused road and rail links with South Korea in a symbolic response to alleged drone flights over Pyongyang. Kim Jong-un declared intentions to sever relations and abandoned peaceful unification efforts. Experts suggest a large-scale attack is unlikely due to fear of US and South Korean retaliation. South Korea condemned the destruction and fired warning shots in response. The destroyed road and rail links were established during a period of detente in the 2000s. Kim's actions aimed to diminish South Korean influence in the nuclear standoff and potentially seek direct talks with the United States. Accusations of drone incursions have heightened tensions between the two nations. [MUSIC PLAYING] A recent genetic analysis of an individual from Japan's Yayoi period reveals immigration patterns from the Korean peninsula during the Yayoi and Kofun periods, or 2,300 to 1,500 years ago. Researchers from the University of Tokyo found that the Yayoi individual's genetic makeup closely resembled Korean populations challenging previous theories. The majority of immigrants to the Japanese archipelago during this time likely originated from the Korean peninsula. Published in the Journal of Human Genetics, the findings shed light on the dual ancestry of the modern Japanese population and emphasized the importance of further studies to understand their complex genetic history and interactions between ancestral groups. [MUSIC PLAYING] Cultured meat is being researched in Japan and overseas as an alternative to traditional livestock farming due to the increasing demand for meat. Recently, Japanese researchers unveiled lab-grown steak meat using muscle cells from cows, aiming to replicate the taste and texture of real beef. Challenges such as cost and taste remain obstacles in making cultured meat a viable alternative, but researchers are working to improve the taste by focusing on different components that contribute to the flavor of beef, including the addition of fats. While some companies are already selling cultured meat products in upscale restaurants, significant advancements are needed to make it more cost-friendly. [MUSIC PLAYING] Tokyo Metro has set its initial public offering price at 1,200 yen per share, generating significant interest from investors in Japan and overseas. The subway operator is set to be listed on the Tokyo stock exchange's prime market on October 23, with a market value of around 700 billion yen. Currently, the central and Tokyo governments own all of the company's shares, but they plan to sell 50% at the time of listing. The proceeds from the sale will be used for reconstruction projects in Northeastern Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Integrated circuit or IEC cards have been the main cashless payment method for public transportation in Japan for 23 years. But some regional transportation systems are abandoning them due to high replacement costs. In Southwest Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, five companies are discontinuing 10 types of IEC cards, opting for credit cards and QR codes instead. In Hiroshima Prefecture, similar moves are being made to lower expenses. Railway journalist Jun Umehara predicts a growing trend of discontinuing IEC card systems, particularly outside of major urban areas due to the costs involved and lack of need. This has been the Tokyo Bill. These stories and more you can read at thetokyobill.com. I've been and remain Tokyo Bill. Thank you for listening and take care. [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING]