Japan prohibits foreign tourists from changing drivers

In this week’s news roundup, we report laws prohibiting foreign tourists from switching their driver’s licenses in Japan. Human rights NGO condemns the rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of the House elections. Donald Trump said Japan and South Korea will be hit by 25% tariffs. The mourner prays to Shinzo Abe on the third anniversary of the assassination. Two Americans were rescued in Mount Fuji before Shizuoka Trails Open opened. In rugby, Japan beat Wales 24-19.

Foreign tourists will no longer be able to change their driver’s licenses in Japan starting October 1

On Thursday, the National Police Agency of Japan (NPA) announced that it would implement stricter procedures to convert foreign driver’s licenses to Japan. Under the new regulations, applicants must provide a valid address in Japan. Currently, foreign tourists can declare their hotel or acquaintance home as their place of residence. Testing Japan’s traffic rules will also become increasingly difficult, from 10 questions to 50 questions. The NPA plans to operate the revised system starting October 1 after soliciting public opinion.

Since then, foreign tourists can only drive in Japan through the International Driving Permit (IDP). Drivers from countries such as China, Brazil and Vietnam, which have not signed the 1949 Geneva Road Transport Convention, were excluded. The recent high-profile accidents caused by foreign nationals have led to increasing calls for stricter regulations on foreign licensing conversion. In May, a Chinese man was arrested for a crash involving four children in Sitama County. In the same month, a Peruvian man was arrested after driving in the wrong direction on the shin highway.

Original image: Wikimedia Commons, edit TW

Anti-immigration rhetoric rises ahead of House elections in Councillors

Eight human rights NGOs issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the rise in anti-immigration rhetoric ahead of the House elections for members. An example can be seen last Friday in front of JR Kakogawa Station in Hyogo Prefecture. NHK leader Takashi Tachibana began saying he was “fearing foreigners” and began his stump speech. He then added: “It’s really scary when people from black or Islamic backgrounds gather in front of the station.”

The next day, Naoki Hyakuta, leader of the right-wing opposition Conservative Party, said foreigners “disrespect Japanese culture, ignore Japanese culture, ignore rules, attack the Japanese and steal their property. In the northeast of Kanto, you will see many unparalleled towns. Meanwhile, the right-wing populist party Sanseito has attracted a lot of attention due to its “Japanese first” approach. The party is known for its stance against immigration and coronavirus measures.

Trump hits Japan and South Korea with 25% tariffs

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters on Tuesday that Donald Trump’s letter to Japan was “really regrettable.” He added that his country will not defend its national interests in future talks. A day ago, the US president announced that the U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” against Japan and South Korea will take effect on August 1 unless a trade agreement is reached. He published nearly the same letters about the Truth Society.

The president ended the letter with a warning. If for any reason you decide to raise the tariffs, then we will be added to the 25% we charge, regardless of the number you choose to raise. Please understand that these tariffs are necessary to correct Japan’s tariffs for many years, non-propaganda policies and trade barriers, causing these insufficient trade and trade hazards and causing insufficient trade with the United States.

Shinzo Abe | Anthony Quintano

Mourners pray for Shinzo Abe on the third anniversary of his death

On July 8, the mourners gathered in front of the Kintetsu Railway Yamato-Saidaiji station in Nara Prefecture to pay tribute to Shinzo Abe on the third anniversary of his death. Two days ago, a local volunteer group built a flower stand there. “I hope this is the last time a politician dies in the election,” a 21-year-old student set out from Kyoto to the scene. asahi shimbun. A memorial service was also held at the Choanji Temple in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Abe was shot dead while giving a speech. The former prime minister flew to Nara Medical University Hospital and was pronounced dead five hours after being shot. Assassin Tetsuya Yamagami was soon detained at the scene. He told investigators that his target was Abe because of his connection to Unity Church, a religious organization that allegedly caused financial destruction for his family. The first hearing of the Yamagami trial is scheduled to take place on October 28. According to sources, he does not intend to file a lawsuit against murder.

Two Americans rescued on Mount Fuji before Shizuoka Trails opened

Three trails on the Shizuoka Prefecture side of Mount Fuji are open on Thursday. Before entering, climbers must apply in advance, pay a fee of ¥4,000 and complete a brief test to cover safety issues and environmental protection. Launched this year, hopefully the test will help protect the mountain’s fragile ecosystem and make the accident less likely. Unfortunately, there are still some climbers who think they don’t need to follow the rules, including two Americans who need to be rescued recently.

Last Friday, A 69-year-old man fell ill while camping at the Seventh Station. He allegedly suffered from hypothermia when the rescue team arrived. The next day, another American citizen needed to save. This time, it was a 59-year-old woman who reportedly became the top but then got lost as she descended. Panicked in the darkness, she came to the authorities through her cell phone provider. The rescue team managed to find her after three hours of searching.

Original image courtesy of Jleague

Japanese players are moving

It’s been a busy week for Japanese football players. Kota Takai completed his move from Kawasaki Frontale to Tottenham. Kyogo Furuhashi and Kanya Fujimoto joined Birmingham from Rennes and Gil Vicente respectively. Hayato Inamura leaves Albirex Niigata for the Celtics. Keigo Tsunemoto signed Servette’s FC Basel. Sota Kawasaki arrives at Mainz from Sanga, Kyoto. Junnosuke Suzuki left Shonan Bellmare for FC Copenhagen. Yuki Kobayashi joins Jagiellonia Białystok of Portimonense. Hikaru Kitagawa signed Everton from Hacken in women’s football match.

In rugby news, Japan beat Wales 24-19 in a match in Kitakyushu’s extremely wet conditions. At the break, he led 19-7 away but withered in the second half under high temperatures. Halatoa Vailea completed Eddie Jones’s comeback victory with an attempt in the 71st minute. This is the 18th consecutive test failure for Wales. If they lose to Brave Blossom again on Saturday, they will be the first rugby nation in history to lose 19 consecutive international games.

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