Judges reject requirement for trans people to remove reproductive organs for state-recognised gender changeA law requiring transgender people in Japan to undergo sterilisation surgery in order to officially change their gender is unconstitutional, the …
While some countries turn marriage into a patriotic act, it might just give us a radical new way to live our livesOne of the curious things about marriage is the role it’s played in embedding commonly held views about normality. Married people are gene…
To combat an ageing population, a future Japan passes a law to pay older citizens to sign up for an easeful death, in this weird and poignant filmThis strange, melancholy film from Japan effectively makes the (unfashionable) case against euthanasia: th…
Japan’s ageing and lonely population is reaching crisis point. What’s the solution? The director of Plan 75, about a programme of voluntary suicide, explains why her film is ‘far from impossible’Japan is ageing faster than any other country in the worl…
For too long, the plant world has laughed at our puffy faces and runny noses. Finally there’s a plan to stop themWe should all realise by now that nature hates us. Plants use their roots to whisper among themselves, according to the latest research, co…
As young stars smile brightly and declare their love for him, this documentary about a music svengali’s gruesome history of abuse is a rare and terrifying insight into how grooming worksHold on to your hats here but – I think it’s possible that the pat…
This live blog has now closed, you can read more of our UK political coverage hereLynch says in areas where the Department for Transport has not had the final say, the RMT has beeen able to negotiate acceptable pay deals.He claims the DfT is following …
Researchers find no such link for women, suggesting connection between diet and bowel cancer is clearer for menEating a plant-based diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes can reduce the risk of bowel cancer in men by more than a fifth,…
Fans believe the Samurai Blue are part of wave of teams changing the face of football after defeat of GermanyAfter Japan’s stunning victory over Germany in their opening match of the Qatar World Cup, fans of the Samurai Blue are daring to dream their t…
As birth and fertility rates fall, there is official concern about the economic impact of a declining and ageing populationIt is not hard to spot the grey hairs among the late-morning shoppers on Jizo-dori. Their owners have come to buy discount underw…
Contest asks young adults for ideas to revitalise popularity of alcoholic drinks after big fall in tax revenuesThe Japanese government has launched a nationwide competition calling for ideas to encourage people to drink more alcohol after a change in a…
Architect and theorist who believed in creating human-centred buildings, drawing on new technology and ancient traditionsThe architect Christopher Alexander, who has died aged 85, saw buildings and cities as living frameworks for human beings. Through …
While wealthiest got richer, 140m people fell into poverty as jobs were lost, wiping out years of gains for poorest, report findsTwenty new “pandemic billionaires” have been created in Asia thanks to the international response to Covid-19, while 140 mi…
Asia can teach the UK much about keeping schools open during a pandemic, says Edward Vickers, while Jo Campion warns that deaf pupils are likely to fall behind because of the return of face masks in classComparing the experience of European education s…
The pandemic has exploded the myths of lazy stereotypes of east v west‘The fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of ‘Asian values’.” “Asian culture’s emphasis on obedience to authority could play a role in explaini…