Japan’s⁢ First Female Prime Minister Drives Surge in Demand for Her​ Bag ‌and Pen

TOKYO – Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, is sparking a unique ​phenomenon: a wave of consumer interest not in her policies, but in ‌her personal style. sence being photographed carrying a simple leather bag and using a specific pen on October 21, both items⁤ have experienced a surge in popularity and, in some cases, sold out‌ wholly.

The bag, manufactured by Hamano Inc., a Tokyo-based bagmaker with a 145-year history, retails for 136,400 yen ($875) and is designed‍ to hold A4-sized papers. According to Hamano‍ spokesperson Takanori Kobayashi, it’s the best-selling⁢ item​ in 30 years. All eight colors are currently backordered, with new orders expected to ship as​ late as August due to the bag’s handcrafted ‌nature and limited production capacity.

Equally​ popular is the‌ Mitsubishi Pencil Co.’s Jetstream 4&1 pen in a ‌sparkly light-pink color,dubbed the “Sanae Takaichi model” by ​fans. The‌ pen is frequently out ​of stock both in stores ⁢and ​online, with purchasers frequently enough sharing photos online with‍ the hashtag “Matching Sanae.”

Experts note the phenomenon mirrors the way fans support pop stars and​ athletes, purchasing replicas of their clothing or ‍uniforms. “The attention Takaichi is receiving is⁣ usually reserved ⁣for ⁣pop stars, athletes and influencers,” the article states.⁢

Psychology professor Namiko Kubo-Kawai of⁤ Nagoya‌ Shukutoku University suggests⁢ Takaichi represents a ​new kind of role model for women‍ in⁤ Japan. “In ​Japan, many female role ​models typically were supported for their femininity, but Takaichi is unique as a⁤ high-powered politician,” Kubo-Kawai⁤ said. ⁤”She ⁣may ‌not inspire many feminists, though. Takaichi is⁤ a staunch conservative who⁣ champions Japan’s traditional gender and paternalistic ‌values.” Despite her conservative stance on issues like male-only imperial succession and separate surnames for married couples, Kubo-Kawai believes⁤ Takaichi “fits perfectly as a stylish role model” ​for women seeking depiction.

Most of Japan‘s Coastal Towns ‍Lack Critical Storm Surge Maps, Leaving Millions⁣ Vulnerable

TOKYO – A new ⁢investigation by The Asahi shimbun reveals ⁢that approximately 70 ‍percent of Japan’s coastal municipalities have not⁣ yet ‌created legally mandated storm surge hazard maps, possibly endangering millions of ⁢residents as the threat of increasingly powerful typhoons grows.

These ⁣maps, often referred to as a “compass” for safety, ⁢detail ⁤flood-prone areas, anticipated ⁢water depths, and designated ‍evacuation routes. Their absence leaves⁤ communities unprepared‌ for the ⁣dangers of storm surges – rises in sea ⁣level caused by typhoons or low-pressure ⁤systems that⁣ can overwhelm‍ coastal defenses.

Japan’s Flood Prevention Law requires the 705 municipalities within designated danger zones across 39 coastal prefectures to ‍develop these hazard maps. ⁣However, ‍as of⁤ June, only 230 municipalities (32.6 percent) had ⁤completed ⁣them, with the majority ​located in Tokyo,​ aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka prefectures.

The⁣ lack of preparedness is​ particularly concerning given the past devastation caused by storm surges. The 1959 Ise Bay Typhoon resulted in ​over 5,000 deaths or missing persons in ​Aichi and Mie prefectures, while hurricane Katrina’s storm surge in the United States in ⁣2005 claimed more than 1,800 ⁤lives. experts predict the risk of such events will increase with climate change and more extreme weather patterns.

A key obstacle to map creation ⁣is the slow pace of flood zone designation at the local level. The land ministry has set a deadline of March 2026 for‍ local governments to complete these designations. As of august, only​ 14 of the 39 coastal prefectures -‍ including Kanagawa, Osaka, and Fukuoka – had finished the process. Four prefectures, including Hokkaido and Tokyo, have partially ⁢designated ⁤areas, while 21 have yet ​to⁢ begin.

without⁢ designated flood zones,municipalities cannot proceed with hazard map ⁣development. Identifying vulnerable areas ⁢requires complex simulations of various typhoon scenarios, a process ⁤hampered by budget constraints, staffing⁣ shortages,⁢ and a lack of specialized technical expertise, according to ten of the 25 ‍prefectures that ‌have not completed ⁤designations.

Japan Tightens Business Visa Requirements Amid Concerns of Abuse

Tokyo, Japan – Japan is significantly increasing the financial and staffing requirements for it’s Business Manager visa, a move prompted by reported abuses of the system and a desire to attract a higher caliber of foreign entrepreneur.The changes, set to be implemented soon, will raise the minimum investment capital from 5 million yen (approximately $33,000 USD) to 30 million yen (approximately $200,000 USD) and mandate the employment of at least one full-time employee.

The Business Manager visa, formerly known as the Investor/Business Manager visa (renamed in 2015 to broaden its appeal to skilled workers), allows foreign nationals to reside in Japan while conducting business. Over the past decade, the number of visa holders has more than doubled, rising from roughly 18,100 in 2015 to 41,600 at the end of 2024, according to the Immigration Services Agency. Recent regulatory relaxations, including removing requirements for foreign capital and allowing funds from share sales to count towards capital requirements, contributed to this growth.

Though, this expansion has been accompanied by concerns about fraudulent applications. A recent crackdown by Kanagawa prefectural police in July revealed instances of Sri Lankan nationals fraudulently obtaining the visa through the use of “paper companies.” This, coupled with broader anxieties about the ease with which the visa could be acquired, fueled calls for reform from both ruling and opposition parties during this year’s Diet session.While some reports focused on a perceived surge in Chinese nationals utilizing the visa to establish short-term rental businesses (“minpaku”), official data indicates that Chinese nationals have consistently comprised roughly 48-53% of Business Manager visa holders over the past decade.The new requirements align Japan more closely with international standards. South Korea requires a minimum capital of 300 million won (approximately $32 million yen), the United States asks for $100,000-$200,000 (approximately $15-30 million yen), and Singapore requires SG$100,000 (approximately $11 million yen).

To mitigate potential negative impacts on attracting highly skilled foreign personnel, the government will offer exceptions. Holders of Startup Visas – granted through the foreign entrepreneurial activity promotion program approved by the economy ministry – and Future Creation Individual Visas (available to graduates of top universities seeking employment or entrepreneurial opportunities) will be able to transition to the Business Manager visa under the existing, less stringent criteria.

The government’s aim is to attract foreign entrepreneurs who can contribute significantly to the Japanese economy, while simultaneously addressing vulnerabilities in the visa system that have allowed for exploitation.

This article discusses the growing concern about xenophobia in Japan, particularly in the context of election campaigns. It highlights the experiences of foreign residents and the potential political shifts occurring in the country.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Experiences of foreign Residents:

An Indonesian woman: Initially declined a job offer in Japan but accepted after her parents encouraged her, emphasizing her education and life in Japan. She dreams of becoming an engineer but now fears exclusion and losing her “emotional home.”
An indonesian man: Working in a nursing facility, he questions why he’s targeted in election campaigns despite following rules and living properly. He believes problems arise from insufficient training for foreign workers and warns that excluding foreigners will lead to labor shortages in Japan.

Concerns from Human Rights Groups:

Several organizations,including Amnesty International Japan and solidarity Network with Migrants Japan,have expressed concern about election campaigns inciting xenophobia and are calling for a society that protects everyone’s human rights.

Professor Ken Endo of the University of Tokyo explains that criticism of foreign resident policies is widespread among the lower-middle working class.
economic factors: Stagnant wages and dissatisfaction with inequality lead some to believe that support is being prioritized for foreigners over Japanese taxpayers.
Cultural factors: An increasing foreign population can lead to a feeling among some Japanese that “this country will no longer be ours.”
Populism and Xenophobia: Endo draws parallels to Europe, where xenophobic parties gained support, influencing even moderate conservative parties.He warns that if moderate conservatism collapses, a country’s democracy becomes dysfunctional.
Rightward Shift: He observes that Japanese parties with extreme stances are gaining support by advocating for policies further to the right than the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
* Fear for the LDP: Endo fears the LDP might try to win over these supporters, leading to a further rightward shift, and believes Japan is at a critical turning point.

In essence, the article paints a picture of rising anti-foreigner sentiment in Japan, fueled by economic anxieties and cultural concerns, which is beginning to influence the political landscape and poses a threat to the country’s democratic functioning and its commitment to human rights.