Japan calls them soshokukei danshi– “herbivorous men,” or Ojo-man–”girly men.” They are men who shun the traditional aspects of Japanese men, and instead embrace things that tradition defines as being for females alone. Though most of them are not gay, they enjoy shopping, fashion, eating sweets, and spending time with female friends–similar things to what “metrosexual” men in the West like to do. (more…)
November 4, 2009
October 28, 2009
Spread of Flu Causes Japan to Close Schools
The rapid spread of influenza in Japan has caused a massive closing of schools across the nation. According to the health ministry of Japan, 13,964 schools have either been completed closed or had some classes cancelled due to the number of infected students reported between October 18 and 24.
These schools include kindergarten facilities as well. The previous week saw 8,534 schools close. (more…)
October 17, 2009
Japanese Big on Preventative Health
Japan has been the subject of many a joke when it comes to preventative health measures. Every time a photo or a video of Japan surfaces in the West, it seems that it’s more likely than not that it will show people wearing masks, apparently obsessing over disease control.
But maybe this focus is a good thing. The West is definitely not known for its preventative health care, and perhaps doesn’t understand the merits of these measures taken in defense of one’s health. Japan showed the world just how important preventative measures are yesterday during Global Hand Washing Day.
In honor of the day–which was created to highlight the importance of hand washing in preventing diseases and maintaining good health–Japan went further than many nations. While it was just another day around the world for many, in Japan it was nearly a festival of epic proportions.
From posters to DVDs to pamphlets, the importance of hand washing was made known to everyone. A cough etiquette campaign was launched to help prevent the spread of germs. The country even held a special dance created by a well-known choreographer in honor of hand washing.
While many people scoff at this level of involvement, doctors maintain that hand washing is the strongest thing that humans can do to protect themselves against deadly diseases–including the H1NI virus. With 8.8 million kids under 5 alone dying every year from preventable diseases, it’s especially important to teach them the values of staying healthy. And what better way to teach kids–and to get the message to stick–than using a special dance?
Kudos to Japan and their creative measures to keep kids–and adults–healthy.
October 3, 2009
Japanese Elderly Population Prone to Alcoholism?
More and more retired citizens are turning to alcohol in Japan. These elderly people, becoming addicted to drinking, are continually being advised by doctors to stop or suffer the consequences.
Even people who drank earlier in life have found that retirement brings an increase in the consumption of liquor. Many retirees have discovered that they are unable to control their drinking, which has led to an increase of nausea, shakes, hallucinations and other health problems among the elderly population. (more…)
September 18, 2009
Public High School to Be Free in Japan
The Education, Science and Technology Minister of Japan, Tatsuo Kawabata, says that free public high school may be available as early as next spring.
The bill, based on the promises of a free public education made by the Democratic Party of Japan, may pass as part of Japan’s 2010 fiscal budget.
“We’ll eliminate wasteful spending in the ministry, but I don’t think that will be enough,” says Kawabata. Free education will cost the country 450 billion yen annually. (more…)
August 22, 2009
Don’t Get Married, Advises Japan’s Prime Minister
In the United States, you probably wouldn’t hear people advising you not to get married–unless you are a gay couple in the Midwest or being advised by a thrice-divorced bitter man. Marriage is considered “sacred” by many in the country, though about half of married people end up divorced anyway.
In Japan, where only 27% of marriages result in divorce, people are actually being discouraged from getting married–by the country’s prime minister. (more…)
August 1, 2009
Child Abuse Cases Climbing in Japan
For the first time in Japanese history, the number of reported child abuse cases has exceeded 40,000. During fiscal year 2008, a record number of 42,662 child abuse cases were reported at child consultation centers across Japan.
It isn’t the first rise indicated by these studies, either; since 1990, when the statistics were first recorded, the caseload has been rising for 18 years in a row.
This is following a revision to the country’s Child Abuse Prevention Law in 2008. (more…)
July 25, 2009
Japan’s School Year the Longest in the World
While American students can expect to be finished with school after 182 days spent in the classroom every year, Japanese students know that they’ll have a much longer school year ahead–one composed of 243 days.
The value of education in Japan is so high that not only is the school year generally longer, but students are also expected to spend after-school time studying instead of working part-time jobs like many American students might do. (more…)
July 24, 2009
Iron Chef Invades America
One of the most entertaining spectacles on television can be found every week on the Food Network. The concept of the program sounds like a twisted dream”prominent chefs from all over the world go head to head in competitions more suited for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Thats exactly the premise of Iron Chef, which is hands down the most compelling cooking show on television. Even non-gourmands will enjoy the fast paced competition and the near incomprehensibility of the show. (more…)
July 23, 2009
Fear of Rabies on the Rise in Japan
A recent survey conducted by the Japan Veterinary Medical Association indicates that only 40% of pet dogs in Japan are up-to-date with their rabies vaccinations.
Since there have yet to be any cases of rabies reported–and none have, in fact, occurred in the country for over five decades–since rabies kills around 3,000 people in China annually, this new information has Japanese officials concerned. Other neighboring countries have had problems with rabies outbreaks as well. (more…)