The top or most interesting stories from Japan for January 14.
– A driving school in Miyagi Prefecture was ordered to pay ¥1.6 billion (approx AUD$16 million) in damages to relatives of students and an employee who died during the tsunami caused by the quake on 3/11. The school, less than a kilometre from the shore, didn’t evacuate the students until about an hour after the quake meaning they were hit by the resulting tsunami as they fled the scene. (The Japan Times, Japan News)
– Japanese Defence Minister, Gen Nakatani has confirmed that a much awaited crisis hotline with China is not far off. The hotline, mainly in response to Japan-China tensions in the Senkaku Islands, was agreed to by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.
– However on that note, Prime Minister Abe is seeking a record ¥4.98 trillion defence budget (approx AUD$50 million) to step up surveillance and defence of the disputed Senkaku Islands cluster.
– As the economy on Japan seems to be on the mend, corporate bankruptcies have hit 1990 lows yet smaller business may still be suffering.
– Perhaps an unprecedented positive behind the country’s improving economic situation and market confidence: Japan’s suicide rate is on the decline, with data suggesting since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took power in 2012, the country is seeing a 17-year low.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression, seek help: call a lifeline or locate support services available in your country.
