Welfare will be reduced from 2018

Japanese government reviewed the cost of welfare, and 67% of welfare recipient households will have a reduction in monetary monthly stipends from October 2018.  Welfare recipients can still receive medical services, dental services, live in public apartments, their children can go to nursery school or public high school for free. Also, they don’t need to pay into the national pension plan (social security) and tax. … Continue reading Welfare will be reduced from 2018

NHK’s new sitcom about British man’s Tokyo life

NHK is the Japanese national public broadcasting organization in Japan. Out of Japan, when you want to watch Japanese news, there is NHK WORLD channnel on cable TV.  The 2020 Olympics will held in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese government and many companies expect that many people will visit Japan during this time, so NHK makes a new sitcom called Home Sweet Tokyo to highlight about … Continue reading NHK’s new sitcom about British man’s Tokyo life

A team in Tokyo University developed repairable glass

A research team, including a Professor from Tokyo university, Takuzo Aizawa and a PhD student Yu Yanagisawa revealed their repairable glass by compressing pieces together. They tried to invent a new kind of glue, but by chance they found polyether thioureas, which has a self repairing and adhesive function. The glass was made by polyether thioureas and can be “repaired”. When the broken glass pieces … Continue reading A team in Tokyo University developed repairable glass

Apologize for 20 seconds early departure

Last month, something happened that it must happen only in Japan. One train left 20 seconds earlier. The train supposed to left 9:44 40 seconds, but the train left 9:44 20 seconds. The rail company, Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company, MIR, released a apology.  (BBC, 2017 http://www.bbc.com/japanese/42023075) When train arrives or departs 1 minute too earlier or has delays, it is a big issue for Japanese … Continue reading Apologize for 20 seconds early departure

Big Camera accepts bitcoin as payment

Big Camera that is appliance chain shops, which has 41 stores in Japan, started accepting payment with bitcoin including online shop, Biccamera.com. Bic Camera.com (English ver) There is a limit to buy with bitcoin is 100,000yen (1000 U.S Dollar when $1=100yen). Also, Megane Super that is glasses retail shops, which has 369 shops (2017, Oct), and H.I.S that is travel agency accept bitcoins. Only 38 H.I.S … Continue reading Big Camera accepts bitcoin as payment