Last week, China toughened its language against Taiwan, warning that “independence means war.” A few days prior, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry reported 15 aircraft from the Chinese air force inside its air defense identification zone. This uptick in saber-rattling suggests the military challenge posed by China will likely continue, making it one of the Biden administration’s top priorities. Unlike the Trump administration, with its transactional approach to alliances, the Biden administration may find U.S. interests can be best served through strategic engagement with its allies, on this issue as elsewhere. In particular, part of the military challenge posed
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Japan to introduce fines penalising those breaking Covid-19 safety measures
Unlike many countries in the world which impose penalties for those breaking Covid-19 restrictions, Japan has thus far not implemented similar measures. But that’s about to change.
Following its approval by the Lower House yesterday, Monday February 1, Japan could enact the new penalty bill as soon as Wednesday February 3 to help combat the pandemic. Currently the proposed law is being debated in the Upper House.
According to a Japan Times report, the proposed penalties are:
- Up to ¥500,000 fine for Covid-19 patients who refuse to be hospitalised
- Up to ¥300,000 fine for ‘those who fail to participate’
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Food poisoning top concern for people in Japan
Food poisoning has been the main food safety concern of surveyed Japanese people for almost every year since 2008, according to a study.
Food poisoning was ranked as the top food safety related hazard causing concern in 10 of the past 11 surveys from 2004 to 2018. However, the number of cases has decreased in the past 15 years with 1,330 infections in 2018, reported the study published in a journal managed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
Researchers looked at 15 years since the Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ) was established in 2003. The study explored the
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Japan government calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi, restoration of democracy in Myanmar
By Elaine Lies, Eimi Yamamitsu
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan called on Myanmar on Monday to release Aung San Suu Kyi and others arrested after the military seized power from a democratically elected government, adding it had long supported democracy in the nation and demanded it be promptly restored.
Japan and Myanmar have close ties, with Tokyo a major aid donor over the years and scores of firms engaged in business activities there.
Myanmar’s army declared a state of emergency on Monday and said it had detained senior government leaders, accusing Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) of winning a