TOKYO -
Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward will start issuing certificates recognizing same-sex partnerships as being equivalent to marriage from Nov 5, becoming the country’s first municipality to officially recognize such couples.

The certificates will be issued to same-sex couples aged 20 or older living in the ward who have created a notary document ( Read more... )

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TOKYO -

A wave of foreign domestic helpers is expected in the coming months as the Japanese government aims to boost the female labor force, particularly because of the country’s rapidly aging society and declining birthrate.In early September, the government adopted guidelines for housekeeping services by foreign nationals in special deregulated ( Read more... )

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TOKYO -
Not long ago, viewers of Japan’s social scene identified the so-called “zesshoku danshi” (literally, men who fast), meaning men who abstain from physical contact with women. These males prefer the company of other male friends over females, and place high importance on their private time.

Now, reports Nikkan Gendai (June 11), another new ( Read more... )

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The survey, conducted by German market research company GfK and which asked a total of 270,000 people aged 15 and older to rate their own looks, revealed that of the 22 countries surveyed, Japan ranked lowest in terms of overall satisfaction with one’s own physical appearance.

Mexico ranked number one for self-confidence, and China was somewhere ( Read more... )

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TOKYO -
Let’s begin by saying that most teachers are probably dedicated, skilled professionals who keep their sex lives at or close to home. Then there are the others, with whom Shukan Post (June 5) is concerned. Obscene behavior by teachers is a growing problem, the magazine says. It cites education ministry figures to prove its point ( Read more... )

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