Why Japan Is Paying Single Mothers to Move to the Countryside

Japan’s population is projected to shrink by a third by 2065. With small towns getting smaller, local governments are looking for creative ways to bring in new people.

A DIY Sake-Tasting Tour in Japan

US-Japan Journalism Fellow Jay Greene of the Wall Street Journal explores the delights of Japan’s sake industry.

Microsoft’s Futuristic Headset Strategy: Pilots Over Zombie Hunters

Jay Greene discusses emerging augmented-reality technology from Microsoft and the way it is being incorporated into the pilot-training process at Japan Airlines.

In Japan, these Single Moms and Shrinking Cities are Trying a New Start – Together

Susie Armitage writes on the relationship between Japan’s single moms, who face many challenges in Japan’s work culture, and the underpopulated areas that are developing programs to promote relocation.

Japan Exasperated by Trump’s Trade Policies

As US farmers suffer under high tariffs, Japanese officials are in no rush to cut a new trade deal with the United States.

US-Japan Journalism Fellowship | 2017 Program

Four American journalists visited Japan on September 3–23, 2017, as part of the 2017 US-Japan Journalism Fellowship, which allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese policymaking and the dynamics of US-Japan relations.

Japan on Missile Mission to Get 127 Million People to Hide—Fast

Natalie Andrews reports on Japan’s efforts to train its citizens how to effectively respond to a missile threat, a necessary process given looming threats from North Korea.

Immersive Learning: A Haunted House in Japan Teaches Citizens Earthquake Preparedness

At the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, visitors go through an “experience learning facility” where they’re taught how to survive in the immediate aftermath of a major natural disaster. In a country like Japan, where major earthquakes threaten to kill thousands and decimate GDP, this kind of simulation training could be invaluable to the civilian population.

Toilet Power: Toyota Is Using Sewage Sludge to Power Its New Electric Car

Hydrogen fuel cell cars could help solve the global warming crisis, but nobody wants to buy them. But Toyota thinks it may have found a solution. For unlimited clean energy, it’s turning to one of the dirtiest places there is: the toilet.

LBO Focus: Japan’s Aging Population Burnishes Health Deals

The Japanese government realizes the country lacks a sufficient capacity of nursing homes and senior-care facilities. For the past five years, the government has worked to incentivize the private sector to take on the task of building nursing homes and other such health-care facilities. To attract this kind of development, the government has provided subsidies for the construction costs of new facilities as well as discounts on property taxes.