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Tuesday, August 11, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
JAPAN: ‘Baby Hatch’ Plan Still on Hold
Three months after a private Japanese hospital proposed the setting up of a ‘baby hatch' to save unwanted infants, conservative officials continue to resist its launch in what critics say illustrates indifference to female reproductive rights in this tradition-bound country.JAPAN: In Denial Mode on ‘Comfort Women’ Issue
For more than 50 years after her return home to South Korea from Taiwan, where she spent three years as a sex slave for Japanese soldiers, Lee Yong Soo, 78, has waited for a sincere apology from the government of Japan. She may never live to see that day.JAPAN/NORTH KOREA: Talks Fail Over Bitter History – No New Dates
Talks between Japan and North Korea this week to normalise bilateral relations failed to get over a bitter past history with the two sides unable to even set future dates for resumption of dialogue.JAPAN: Fair Trade Concept Starts to Sell
When Sonoko Iwasa, started her tiny shop selling ‘fair trade’ goods in Mitaka, a decade ago, she was in for a long struggle to survive in a wealthy, traditional neighbourhood which had little understanding of global issues, let alone marginalised communities in the developing South.DEATH PENALTY-JAPAN: Killing Suspense
Last Christmas Day is etched into the memory of Kaoru Okashita, 60, a Japanese prisoner on death row. In the distance he heard the footfall of guards marching steadily towards his cell early in the morning - and then miraculously passing by without halting.LABOUR-JAPAN: Old Is Gold as Workforce Shrinks
With Japan’s aging population expected to cause a severe drop in the national workforce starting this year the government plans to keep more seniors in employment and stave off having to accept immigrant workers as a solution.JAPAN: Stricken Whaler Upsets Gov’t Gourmets
The stranding of a Japanese whaler off the Antarctic coast may have wrecked plans by the government to promote whale meat as part of the country's traditional diet and resume commercial whaling on that basis.JAPAN: GM Soya for Biofuel – Boon for Organic Farmers
Plans in the United States to boost ethanol fuel production using genetically modified (GM) soybeans has raised cautious hopes among local farmers involved in organically grown crops as well as environmental and consumer groups.JAPAN: Leading Biodiversity Conservation
A call by the United Nations to restore and protect biodiversity in the world through a global convention is seen as being of particular importance to Japan, a leading importer of natural resources.JAPAN/US: ‘Respect Women Before Setting Up Military Bases’
Japan's plans to boost its defence capability with the support of the United States is being opposed by women's rights activists who say that U.S. military bases in this country are a danger to women who live in their vicinities.JAPAN: Petty Crime Linked to Working Poor
Two years ago, a 34-year-old single mother, in dire straits, did something that had never crossed her mind before - steal money from a friend's purse.JAPAN: Powering Ahead on Nuclear Technology
Rapidly growing energy needs in the world coupled with a warm winter season, attributed to global warming, have boosted Japan's nuclear power sector especially the export of nuclear technology to other countries, say experts here.POLITICS-JAPAN: Iraq War Gets Military More Teeth
Ignoring public unease, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has endorsed United States President George W. Bush's controversial new plan to increase the number of troops in war-torn Iraq.JAPAN: Cutting Aid According to Clout
Japan, bent on becoming a significant regional player in Asia, is shaping its overseas development aid (ODA) budget to improve the country’s global visibility and meet strategic interests in the new fiscal year that begins April 2007, according to foreign ministry officials.CULTURE-JAPAN: Ringing in the New Year on Cash Registers
Akiko Ozaki, 41, started the new working year by rushing around the capital bowing and greeting, and even downing glasses of sake (rice wine) with clients loyal to her travel company.CULTURE-JAPAN: Ringing in the New Year on Cash Registers
Akiko Ozaki, 41, started the new working year by rushing around the capital bowing and greeting, and even downing glasses of sake (rice wine) with clients loyal to her travel company.ENVIRONMENT-JAPAN: Bear Depredations Trigger Open Season for Hunters
As hundreds of Asiatic black bears leave their dwindling forests in search of food and threaten villagers officials see an answer in increased hunting licenses.CHALLENGES 2006-2007: Abe’s ‘Beautiful Japan’ Awaited
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces tough tests in 2007 foremost of which are making good on promises of a stable economic future and steering relations with neighbours onto a stronger platform, say analysts.JAPAN: Determined on Seat in UN Security Council
Half a century ago Japan, defeated by Western allied forces at the end of World War ll in 1945, was admitted to the United Nations, marking an end to its violent past and beginning anew in world politics with a clean slate.ASIA: Japan, India Set to Forge New Regional Order
Fledgling bilateral relations between Japan, Asia's powerhouse, and India, a major player in the region, are reckoned to have received a boost as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's four-day visit here winds up on Friday.JAPAN: Women Make a Mark in Niche Businesses
Rie Nakamura, a tall, slim woman in her forties, started her company - a highly sophisticated portal sourcing and delivering packaged food from 6,500 companies - in 2002 and now reports annual sales that touch more than six million US dollars.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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