Japan Remembers The 3/11 Disaster | Guidable - Your Guide to a Sustainable, Wellbeing-centred Life in Japan

Japan Remembers The 3/11 Disaster

By Guidable Writers Mar 12, 2021

In this week’s article we report on how Japan remembers the victims of the 3/11 disaster ten years after the event; Japan’s prime-minister’s first visit to the US; the work environment for women in Japan and Japan’s business views of the emergency.
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Ten Years After The 3/11

Ten years ago occurred one of the worst natural disasters in history – the Fukushima triple disaster. The deadly combination of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown killed 15,900 people. There are still 2,500 people who haven’t been found.

The memorial service held this year was the first one for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako who assented to the throne in 2019 (the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic). Speaking in the half-empty Budokan, the emperor stated that he and the empress will continue to listen to the voices of people from the affected regions.

The Japanese scientists point out that even though the level and intensity of tremors in the region have reduced, the locals must be prepared for earthquakes in the future.
Source: NHK World


Suga Meeting Biden In The US

Japanese prime-minister Suga will be the first foreign leader to meet president Joe Biden after he was inaugurated in January 2021. The goal of the meeting is to confirm Japan-US close ties and strengthen cooperation in Indo-Pacific. The important topic of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s will also be addressed in the meeting.

Source: The Japan Times

The Work Environment For Women In Japan Is Still Far Behind Other Western Countries

One of the biggest business magazines in the world The Economist just published its “glass-ceiling index”, a ranking of countries that represents how comfortable for a woman to climb a corporate ladder and feel welcomed in a workplace. Among 29 major world economies, Japan ranked 28th meaning that the country still has a long way ahead.
Source: NHK World

Japanese Business Is Somehow Depressed Due to The Second State of Emergency

Japanese business sentiment has turned negative in the January-March period for the first time in three quarters. The main reason for it is of course the extended state of emergency that is set to expire on March 21. Although it was lifted in all of the prefectures except Tokyo, the capital still remains the main driver of the Japanese economy hence the business’ negative views.

Among large, medium and small companies, the latter unexpectedly the most negative about the economy. The state of emergency has hit hard the service industry by asking to reduce working hours and the public’s general aversion to crowded places.

Source: The Japan Times