theTokyoBill Japan news brief

theTokyoBill Japan news brief, December 6 2024

In this episode: Beijing Zoo welcomes Japan-born ibises; Tsu city counsellor challenges assembly on rights of children; Nakamura of BOJ suggests third rate hike possible; Record closures of Japanese pubs reported: study; Surveillance drones for Marine SDF; Saudi diplomat accused of accosting hostess, returns to home country

Duration:: 5m
Broadcast on:: 06 Dec 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 Bill, a short news brief on recent events in and around Japan. [Music] Sixteen Japan-born crested ibises have been transferred to Beijing Zoo after completing a month-long quarantine. The birds were born in a breeding program on Sato Island in Niigata Prefecture and were handed over to China in October under a bilateral agreement. The crested ibises are designated as a national natural treasure in Japan and became extinct in a while in the country in 2003. The birds will be raised with 23 other crested ibises already at Beijing Zoo. Both Japan and China are working on expanding exchanges in various fields including breeding a endangered species to stabilize bilateral relations. A member of the Municipal Assembly of the city of Tzu in Niigata Prefecture stated during a council meeting that children have neither rights nor obligations. Takeshi Okumura made his comment during a discussion on creating policies for children by March 2025. Okumura questioned the idea of respecting the personality and rights of children, expressing the perspective that children do not have rights or obligations. He clarified his stance in a later interview stating that rights and personality are things that need to be developed and that basic human rights are inherent in birth. Okumura said his questioning was intended to provoke serious thought on the concept of children's rights. Bank of Japan policymaker Toiyo Aki Nakamoto's comments have sparked speculation about a potential third-grade hike in less than a year. He noted that Japan's economy, while recovering moderately, is still showing signs of weakness due to slow rebounding investment at small and medium-sized firms and increasingly through key consumerism. Nakamoto emphasized the importance of continuing wage hikes for future rate discussions, especially considering economic slowdowns in China and other countries. He believes it is the right time for the central bank to adjust its monetary easing program carefully with any action dependent on Japan's economic progress. A recent study by research firm Taekoku Data Bank reveals that Japanese Izakaya pubs are experiencing a difficult period with a rise in bankruptcies in 2024. The data shows that 203 Izakaya have declared bankruptcy by November of this year, the highest number in the last 15 years. Factors such as changes in consumer spending habits, increased costs for alcoholic beverages, food and labor, as well as inflation and rising living expenses due to a weakened yen are contributing to the financial struggles of the pub owners. This uncertain situation may worsen before improving, necessitating adjustments to overcome these challenges. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to acquire 23 MQ-9B Sea Guardian Surveillance drones by fiscal year 2032. The first drone is set to be introduced in fiscal year 2028 with deployment sites yet to be decided. This plan is part of the defense build-up program to enhance surveillance capabilities and offset manpower losses. The drones are not expected to carry weapons and will focus on monitoring foreign military movements at sea. The JMSDF has been testing the drones since May 2023 and confirmed their performance for surveillance tasks. The cost per sea guardian is around $80 million and has been used by the Japan Coast Guard since 2022. A Saudi Arabian diplomat in Japan is facing charges for groping a woman at a Tokyo coast as far. The incident occurred in July with the case set to be referred to prosecutors in December. The diplomat allegedly touched the woman's breasts at the bar in the Groupongi district. He denied the accusations and after inciting diplomatic immunity left the police station. The Saudi embassy confirmed he has no longer employed there and has returned to his country. This is not the first case of a foreign diplomat in Japan being involved in such criminal activity as was seen with the Singaporean diplomat earlier this year. 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. (upbeat music)