Social News(2024/12/13)
Cabinet Office to prepare for large-scale disasters by allocating staff to each prefecture
2024-12-13 22:32:00
In preparation for a major earthquake along the Nankai Trough or an earthquake directly beneath the capital, the Cabinet Office's disaster prevention division is making arrangements to assign new staff members to each prefecture next year, according to an interview with a government official. They are expected to work with volunteers and improve the environment of evacuation shelters in the event of a disaster.
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Mihama and Oi Nuclear Power Plants: Nuclear Regulation Authority urges government to "explain again" impact of active fault investigation
2024-12-13 22:30:00
At a Nuclear Regulation Authority review meeting held on the 13th, Kansai Electric Power explained that after checking the results of an active fault investigation published this year by the government's Earthquake Investigation Committee, it had found that there would be no impact on the earthquake and tsunami forecasts for the nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture. However, the regulators said that the explanation about the impact on the Mihama and Oi nuclear power plants was insufficient and asked for a further explanation.
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Residents living near Aleph and Hikari no Wa facilities call on government to strengthen regulations
2024-12-13 21:04:00
Residents in Tokyo and other areas where Aleph, the former Aum Shinrikyo group that changed its name, and its splinter group Hikari no Wa, are based, have called on the government to strengthen regulations, claiming that their peaceful lives are still being threatened.
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Noto Peninsula earthquake: Review committee recommends certification of 14 new disaster-related deaths
2024-12-13 20:44:00
A committee of experts has recommended that the 14 people who died in Ishikawa Prefecture after the Noto Peninsula earthquake be recognized as disaster-related deaths. If the death toll from the Noto Peninsula earthquake is officially recognized by the local government, it is expected to reach 489.
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Former Kudo-kai leader found not guilty in shooting incident 13 years ago in Fukuoka, Kokura District Court
2024-12-13 20:31:00
In a trial for a former executive of the Kudo-kai, a designated crime syndicate, who was charged with violating the Sword and Firearms Control Law for firing a bullet into the home of a construction company employee in Fukutsu City, Fukuoka Prefecture 13 years ago, the Fukuoka District Court Kokura Branch acquitted him, citing that "the testimony of the perpetrator who claimed the defendant was involved is not credible." The person who was acquitted was Kihachi Uchinabe (57), a former boss of an organization affiliated with the Kudo-kai, a designated crime syndicate in Kitakyushu City.
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Tokyo Women's Medical University submits improvement plan, including abolishing recommendation exams for graduates' relatives
2024-12-13 20:14:00
Tokyo Women's Medical University, which has come under scrutiny over its alumni association's opaque financial flows and problems with recommended entrance exams, has announced an improvement plan that includes restructuring its governance structure and abolishing the recommendation entrance exam for relatives of graduates.
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Nagano District Public Prosecutors Office drops charges against man arrested on suspicion of stabbing event attendee
2024-12-13 19:40:00
On the 13th, the Ueda Branch of the Nagano District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to indict a 38-year-old man who was arrested for stabbing a guest with a knife at an event venue in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, causing serious injuries, and filed the necessary petition with the court to ensure that the man receives appropriate medical treatment.
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Snow in mountainous areas of western Japan through the 15th - be careful when driving and traveling
2024-12-13 19:33:00
Due to the influence of winter pressure patterns and cold fronts, snow is expected to intensify mainly in the mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan coast through the 15th, and snow is also expected to accumulate in the mountainous areas of western Japan. Please check the latest weather information and be careful of driving on snowy roads and the impact on traffic.
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Non-binary person files petition in family court seeking correction of family registry entry
2024-12-13 19:33:00
On the 13th, a "non-binary" person, whose gender identity does not fit either male or female, filed a petition with the Kyoto Family Court requesting that her family register entry, where she is listed as "eldest daughter," be corrected to a gender-neutral description such as "first child."
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Supreme Court holds hearing for man found not guilty in second trial over death of junior high school student in Nagano
2024-12-13 19:28:00
Nine years ago, in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, a junior high school boy was hit and killed by a car in an accident. A man who was charged with hit-and-run and found not guilty in the second trial heard arguments at the Supreme Court. The prosecution called for a guilty verdict, stating that "he was spending time on things unrelated to providing medical care, and we should say that he is guilty of hit-and-run." Meanwhile, the defense again argued for acquittal.
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A contest to gather ideas to combat misinformation and fake news
2024-12-13 19:17:00
A contest was held in Tokyo to solicit ideas to combat the false information and fake news that is spreading throughout society.
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Hiroshima Prefectural Police Accounting Department staff neglect to process subsidies, resulting in insufficient budget for traffic control measures
2024-12-13 19:07:00
An employee of the accounting department of the Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters failed to complete the procedures for receiving financial assistance from the national government, resulting in a budget shortfall of over 37 million yen, which will have an impact on this year's traffic control measures.
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Victim of former Nomura Securities employee case comments: "I feel betrayed and shocked"
2024-12-13 19:05:00
Following the indictment last month of a former employee of Nomura Securities, a major securities firm, on charges of attempted robbery and murder and arson for allegedly giving a female client in Hiroshima City a sleeping drug, stealing her cash, and setting fire to her house, the female victim made a statement on the 13th, expressing her feelings, saying, "I am deeply shocked that I was betrayed by someone I trusted as a major securities firm."
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JR Keiyo Line to increase rapid service on outbound lines in the evenings with timetable revision in March next year
2024-12-13 18:48:00
JR East has announced timetable changes for March next year, and on the Keiyo Line, which has seen complaints this year about a reduction in rapid train services, it plans to increase the number of rapid trains by up to two on the outbound lines in the evenings.
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Nobel Peace Prize Japan A-bomb Confederation delegation returns home after completing schedule in Norway
2024-12-13 18:42:00
A delegation from the Japan Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, completed its schedule in Norway and returned to Japan on the 13th.
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U.S. soldier sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl - Naha District Court
2024-12-13 18:27:00
Last December, a U.S. air force soldier stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa was charged with taking a girl under the age of 16, whom he did not know, to his home and sexually assaulting her. The Naha District Court sentenced him to five years in prison, saying, "The heinous act was particularly marked by the fact that he continued the sexual acts even after the girl clearly expressed her refusal."
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Japan Exchange Group holds training in various regions to prevent recurrence of TSE employee issue
2024-12-13 18:10:00
In response to the issue of a Tokyo Stock Exchange employee being investigated for allegedly passing information about a company's tender offer to his family, the Japan Exchange Group has revealed that it is taking steps to prevent recurrence, including conducting training on prohibited insider trading in various locations.
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Fukuoka High Court rules for the first time that not recognizing same-sex marriage violates Article 13 of the Constitution
2024-12-13 18:03:00
In a lawsuit filed by three same-sex couples living in Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures against the government, claiming that not recognizing same-sex marriages violates the constitution, the Fukuoka High Court, on second instance, ruled for the first time that the law violates Article 13 of the constitution, which guarantees the right to pursue happiness, pointing out that "there is no longer any reason not to recognize same-sex marriages as a legal system." This is the third time that a similar lawsuit has been found unconstitutional at the second instance, but it is an unusual ruling that strongly urges the government to establish new laws.
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Tokyo District Court expects to finish hearing next month on request for dissolution order against former Unification Church
2024-12-13 17:34:00
It has been learned that the Tokyo District Court is expected to finish its hearing next month on whether to issue an order to disband the former Unification Church. Attention is focused on the court's decision.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and students create poster to increase bicycle helmet use
2024-12-13 17:17:00
As the low rate of bicycle helmet use becomes an issue, the Metropolitan Police Department and students in Tokyo are working together to create posters that will make people want to wear helmets and ride bicycles. Candidates for posters introducing hairstyles that won't fall apart even when wearing helmets were introduced at the Aoyama Gakuin University campus in Shibuya Ward.
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Fukuoka High Court rules for the first time that not recognizing same-sex marriage violates Article 13 of the Constitution
2024-12-13 17:12:00
In a lawsuit filed by three same-sex couples living in Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures against the government, claiming that not recognizing same-sex marriages violates the constitution, the Fukuoka High Court, on second instance, ruled for the first time that the law violates Article 13 of the constitution, which guarantees the right to pursue happiness, pointing out that "there is no longer any reason not to recognize same-sex marriages as a legal system." This is the third time that a similar lawsuit has been found unconstitutional at the second instance, but it is an unusual ruling that strongly urges the government to establish new laws.
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Kumamoto prefecture employee files complaint with personnel committee over "disciplinary action taken after whistleblowing"
2024-12-13 17:05:00
A prefectural employee who filed a public interest report regarding suspected fraud in Kumamoto Prefecture subsidies held a press conference and revealed that he was filing an appeal with the prefecture's Personnel Commission, claiming that the disciplinary action he received immediately after the results of an investigation into his report were made public was in fact retaliation.
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Tokaido Shinkansen to install women-only toilets on all trains starting this month
2024-12-13 16:45:00
Starting this month, women-only toilets will be installed in trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. JR Central plans to install them on all trains when the timetable is revised next spring.
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Number of influenza patients nearly doubles from previous week; infection control measures needed
2024-12-13 16:42:00
The influenza epidemic is spreading nationwide, with the number of patients who visited medical institutions in the week ending on the 8th of this month estimated to be over 340,000, nearly double the number from the previous week.
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Hiroshima High Court loses second trial in lawsuit filed by second generation Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors seeking government relief
2024-12-13 16:33:00
In a lawsuit filed by the government against "second-generation atomic bomb survivors," whose parents were exposed to the Hiroshima atomic bomb, alleging that it is unconstitutional that the law providing assistance to atomic bomb survivors does not apply to them, the Hiroshima High Court, in its second instance, dismissed the plaintiffs' lawsuit, following the first instance, stating that "it must be said that there is a significant difference in medical and scientific knowledge about the effects of radiation between atomic bomb survivors and their children."
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Souta Fujii, the seven-time champion of the Ryuo Championship, wins his fourth consecutive title and speaks of his joy at defending his title the day after
2024-12-13 16:12:00
On the 12th, Fujii Souta, who won the Ryuo tournament, the highest of the eight major titles in shogi, for the fourth consecutive year, held a press conference the day after the match and spoke of his joy at defending his title, saying, "I would like to incorporate the strategies and ideas of my opponent and play shogi that I can be satisfied with."
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Couple indicted in serial poisoning death case for murder of 68-year-old mother
2024-12-13 16:05:00
On the 13th, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office indicted a couple who were re-arrested on suspicion of murdering a 68-year-old mother by forcing her to ingest harmful chemicals, in addition to the murders of three other relatives, including their 4-year-old daughter.
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"Enjoy Aomori's Nebuta in Winter" - Appearing in Santa Claus costume
2024-12-13 15:49:00
In order to allow people to enjoy Aomori's summer tradition, Nebuta, in the winter as well, a Nebuta dressed as Santa Claus has been made available at a tourist facility in Aomori City.
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Fukuoka High Court rules for the first time that not recognizing same-sex marriage violates Article 13 of the Constitution
2024-12-13 15:48:00
In a lawsuit filed by three same-sex couples living in Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures against the government, claiming that not recognizing same-sex marriages violates the constitution, the Fukuoka High Court, on second instance, ruled for the first time that the law violates Article 13 of the constitution, which guarantees the right to pursue happiness, pointing out that "there is no longer any reason not to recognize same-sex marriages as a legal system." This is the third time that a similar lawsuit has been found unconstitutional at the second instance, but it is an unusual ruling that strongly urges the government to establish new laws.
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Two dead in house fire in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo; elderly couple unable to be contacted
2024-12-13 15:42:00
On the morning of the 13th, a fire broke out at a house in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, and two bodies were found in the ruins on the second floor. The Metropolitan Police Department believes that the deceased were a couple in their 80s who lived in the house, and is currently investigating.
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Employees of companies with overseas operations participate in Ministry of Foreign Affairs' terrorism drill
2024-12-13 15:36:00
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted a terrorist attack drill for employees of companies with overseas operations, in order to help them learn how to respond if they were caught up in a terrorist incident overseas.
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Proposals to be compiled for the establishment of a "Disaster Prevention Agency" under the Liberal Democratic Party to discuss disaster prevention systems
2024-12-13 15:17:00
The first meeting of a new organization established by the Liberal Democratic Party to discuss the form of disaster prevention system was held, and the organization considered issues such as the role of the Disaster Prevention Agency that the government aims to establish, with the goal of compiling recommendations in the future.
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U.S. soldier sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl - Naha District Court
2024-12-13 15:06:00
Last December, a U.S. air force soldier stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa was charged with taking a girl under the age of 16, whom he did not know, to his home and sexually assaulting her. The Naha District Court rejected the soldier's claim of innocence and sentenced him to five years in prison.
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Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare extends exemption from medical expenses for victims of Noto Peninsula earthquake until June next year
2024-12-13 14:24:00
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has announced that it will extend financial support for those affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, including exemptions from medical and nursing care service fees, which was due to expire this month, until June next year.
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Tokyo LDP branch corrects income and expenditure report, omitting some details such as party ticket purchasers
2024-12-13 13:51:00
The Tokyo branch of the Liberal Democratic Party corrected its income and expenditure report on the 12th, stating that it had not included some of the purchasers and amounts of political fundraising party tickets in its political fundraising income and expenditure report for the two years from last year and the year before. The total amount not included was over 8.3 million yen, and the Tokyo branch of the Liberal Democratic Party stated that it "did not realize that the purchase amounts by individuals and groups exceeded the 200,000 yen that was required to be included."
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Former coach who assaulted women's volleyball team member ordered to pay 100,000 yen fine in Kanagawa
2024-12-13 12:47:00
It has been revealed that a former coach of a high school girls' volleyball team in Kanagawa Prefecture was referred to prosecutors for allegedly assaulting a member of the team by pulling her hair, and was given a summary order from the court to pay a 100,000 yen fine for assault.
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Noto Peninsula earthquake: Temporary housing damaged by heavy rains recovering as residents begin moving back in
2024-12-13 12:46:00
In the torrential rains that hit the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture in September this year, some of the temporary housing units in which victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake live were flooded and damaged. In Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, restoration work on temporary housing units is underway, and residents have begun moving in again since the 13th.
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In response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the government revise and publish guidelines to improve evacuation shelter conditions
2024-12-13 12:16:00
In response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the government revised its guidelines to improve the environment of evacuation shelters, and provided new numerical guidelines for the living space per person, as well as bathing facilities and women's restrooms. While the guidelines are more specific, the challenge remains how to disseminate these guidelines to local governments across the country.
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JR Kyushu considers resuming operations and withdrawing from Japan-Korea route after concealing flooding of high-speed ferry
2024-12-13 12:14:00
In response to the issue of a subsidiary of JR Kyushu concealing flooding on the Queen Beetle, a high-speed ferry that connects Japan and South Korea, JR Kyushu has been aiming to resume operations, but interviews with people involved have revealed that the company is reviewing this policy and considering options including withdrawing from the Japan-Korea route, which has been in operation for over 30 years.
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Fukuoka High Court rules that not recognizing same-sex marriage violates Article 13 of the Constitution
2024-12-13 12:11:00
In a lawsuit filed by three same-sex couples living in Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures against the government, claiming that the denial of same-sex marriage violates the Constitution, the Fukuoka High Court, on the second instance, ruled for the first time that the ban violates Article 13 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to pursue happiness.
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Hiroshima High Court loses second trial in lawsuit filed by second generation Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors seeking government relief
2024-12-13 11:48:00
In a lawsuit filed by the government against "second-generation atomic bomb survivors," whose parents were exposed to the Hiroshima atomic bomb, alleging that it is unconstitutional that the law providing assistance to atomic bomb survivors does not apply to them, the Hiroshima High Court, in its second instance, dismissed the plaintiffs' lawsuit, following the first instance, stating that "it must be said that there is a significant difference in medical and scientific knowledge about the effects of radiation between atomic bomb survivors and their children."
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Souta Fujii, the seven-time champion of the Ryuo Championship, wins his fourth consecutive title and speaks of his joy at defending his title the day after
2024-12-13 11:36:00
On the 12th, Fujii Souta, who won the Ryuo tournament, the highest of the eight major titles in shogi, for the fourth consecutive year, held a press conference the day after the match and spoke of his joy at defending his title, saying, "I would like to incorporate the strategies and ideas of my opponent and play shogi that I can be satisfied with."
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Usage rate of "My Number Health Insurance Cards" increased to over 28% from the suspension of previous health insurance card issuance
2024-12-13 11:33:00
Regarding the utilization rate of the "My Number Health Insurance Card," which combines a My Number card and a health insurance card, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Fukuoka revealed that in the week from the 2nd of this month, when new issuance of the conventional insurance cards was suspended, the utilization rate was just over 28%, up from the previous month before the suspension.
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Nobel Peace Prize Japan A-bomb Confederation delegation returns home after completing schedule in Norway
2024-12-13 10:34:00
A delegation from the Japan Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, completed its schedule in Norway and returned to Japan on the 13th.
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Two dead in house fire in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo; elderly couple unable to be contacted
2024-12-13 10:01:00
On the morning of the 13th, a fire broke out at a house in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, and two people were found dead. The elderly couple who lived in the house have been unable to be contacted, and the Metropolitan Police Department is currently working to identify them.
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Emperor and Empress to visit Wajima, Ishikawa on December 17th
2024-12-13 08:54:00
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will visit Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture on December 17th to visit those affected by the disaster, which was severely damaged by the heavy rains in September following the earthquake on New Year's Day.
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The Imperial Household Agency's Instagram has over 1.8 million followers, 17% of whom are young
2024-12-13 05:08:00
The Imperial Household Agency revealed that the number of followers on its official Instagram account, which began operation in April this year, has increased to over 1.8 million, of which 17% are young people who want to share information via social media.
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Fukuoka High Court rules on same-sex marriage lawsuit today as unconstitutional rulings continue across the country
2024-12-13 02:21:00
On the 13th, the Fukuoka High Court will hand down a ruling on the second instance of a lawsuit filed by three same-sex couples living in Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures against the government, claiming that the denial of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. In the second instance of lawsuits filed in various locations, the Sapporo High Court and the Tokyo High Court have ruled that the cases are unconstitutional, and attention is focused on whether the ruling on the 13th will follow suit.
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"Don Juan of Kishu" ex-wife found not guilty; focus on whether prosecutors will appeal
2024-12-13 01:40:00
On the 12th, a 28-year-old ex-wife who was accused of murder and other crimes for killing a wealthy company president from Wakayama Prefecture who was known as "Don Juan of Kishu" was acquitted. The ruling noted that "reasonable doubt remains that the ex-wife committed the murder," and the focus will be on whether the prosecution will appeal.
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Researchers say government proposal for greenhouse gas reduction targets is insufficient
2024-12-13 00:56:00
In response to the national government's proposal to set a new greenhouse gas reduction target by fiscal 2035, which is to be submitted to the United Nations, of a 60% reduction compared to fiscal 2013 levels, researchers and young people held an emergency rally in Tokyo on the 12th, calling for the target to be raised even higher. The national government has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide by 46% compared to fiscal 2013 levels by fiscal 2030, and is currently considering a new reduction target, which is to be submitted to the United Nations by February next year, centered on a proposal to reduce emissions by 60% by fiscal 2035.
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