October 9, 2025

Teachers in Japan Still Work the Longest Hours, OECD Survey Finds Overwork Persists Despite Slight Reductions, as Non-Teaching Duties and Shortages Strain Education System By Japan News Desk | October 7, 2025 OECD Report Spotlights Japan’s Teacher Burden TOKYO — A new international survey has reaffirmed that Japanese teachers endure the world’s longest workweeks, with elementary educators logging 52.1 hours on average and junior high instructors reaching 55.1, far exceeding global benchmarks and underscoring persistent challenges in the nation’s education landscape. The findings, from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) 2024 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), released

Mie Eyes Japan’s First Penalty Against Customer Abuse Prefecture Pioneers Ordinance to Protect Workers from Vicious Demands and Harassment By Japan News Desk | October 8, 2025 Groundbreaking Measure Targets Worker Dignity TSU, Mie — In a bold step to safeguard employees from escalating harassment, the Mie Prefectural Government has unveiled plans for what it claims will be Japan’s inaugural ordinance imposing penalties on customers who engage in abusive behavior toward workers. This pioneering initiative, set for submission to the prefectural assembly in June 2026, aims to redefine workplace protections by criminalizing excessive nuisances that poison professional environments, marking a

Jiji Press photographer reprimanded Media Outlet Issues Stern Warning After Viral Audio Reveals Biased Comments on New LDP President Sanae Takaichi By Japan News Desk | October 9, 2025 Viral Incident Sparks Media Integrity Debate TOKYO — In a rare public misstep that has ignited discussions on journalistic ethics, Jiji Press announced Thursday it has issued a severe reprimand to one of its photographers for uttering inappropriate remarks during a routine press wait at Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters. The comments, captured on audio during a live online broadcast and swiftly spreading across social media, appeared to target new LDP

Tokyo named worlds best big city for second straight year Resonance Consultancy Ranks Japanese Capital Top in Global Survey, Citing Culture, Infrastructure, and Economic Vitality By Japan News Desk | October 9, 2025 Tokyo Reclaims Global Crown in Urban Excellence TOKYO — For the second consecutive year, Tokyo has been crowned the world’s premier big city, according to Resonance Consultancy’s annual World’s Best Cities report, affirming the Japanese capital’s unmatched blend of tradition and modernity that continues to captivate global audiences. The ranking, released Wednesday, evaluated 100 major metropolises based on a multifaceted assessment of livability, economic strength, and cultural

LDP and Komeito’s Shaky Ties Throw Doubt on Takaichi Becoming Prime Minister Coalition Partners Grapple with Ideological and Ethical Clashes Amid Leadership Transition By Japan News Desk Uncertain Path to Powerhouse TOKYO — In a dramatic twist to Japan’s political landscape, Sanae Takaichi’s recent election as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4 has ignited tensions within the ruling coalition, casting serious doubts on her ascension to prime minister. Komeito, the LDP’s longstanding junior partner known for its pacifist leanings, has signaled reluctance to back Takaichi in the upcoming parliamentary vote, potentially forcing her to court opposition