Latest news with #GovernmentofJapan
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Abduction is a Global Issue
このページを 日本語 で読む JAPAN Forward has launched "Ignite," a series to share the voices of students in Japan who write in English. What do they see beyond our obvious differences, disabilities, and insecurities? Individually and collectively, today's students have the power to shape our global future. This sixth essay of the series, by Masakazu Takata, a junior high school student from Maizuru, is on the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens. Annually, the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue holds a North Korean Human Rights Violations Awareness Week Essay Contest for junior and senior high school students across the country. (The Government of Japan established the Headquarters, an organization led by the Prime Minister and composed of all the Ministers of State to resolve the abductions issue.) It aims to raise awareness of the abductions issue through viewing films and stage plays, reading books related to the issue, and other opportunities to help the students understand the feelings of abduction victims and their families. These students often go further, taking the opportunity of the essay contest to think deeply about what they can and should do to resolve the abduction issue. Some, like Masakazu Takata, also take on the challenge to directly communicate their thoughts and ideas to others in English. Let's listen. Sixth in the Series, 'Ignite' We cannot just "know" about the abduction issue. If Megumi and her family had not been abducted, they would still be living an ordinary, happy life. Such a daily life was interrupted by the abduction. In August [2024], I participated in the "Junior High School Summit on the Abduction Issue." There, I listened to a lecture by Takuya Yokota, the younger brother of Megumi Yokota, a victim of abduction. The abduction refers to the incident about fifty years ago when North Korea abducted young Japanese citizens to train their agents. Although North Korea admitted the fact, only 5 out of 17 abductees have returned. Even after half a century, the abduction issue remains unresolved. Masakazu Takata, a student at Maizuru City Kasa Junior High School, reads his winning essay during the 2024 North Korean Human Rights Violations Awareness Week seminar on December 14. (Screenshot) What we can do to solve the abduction issue is to first watch the anime "Megumi." At the summit, Mr Yokota emphasized the importance of thinking about it as a personal matter. It is crucial to watch it with the mindset of "What if my beloved family or friends were suddenly taken away?" After the summit, I watched "Megumi" again. It looked completely different. The first time I watched it was when I was in 7th grade. At that time, I watched it as a bystander. Now, I can feel the pain and suffering of the family. I understood the meaning of "as a personal matter" that Mr Yokota mentioned, and I became able to assert it in my own words. According to a public opinion survey, the percentage of people interested in the abduction issue is 73.6%. As the awareness of the issue fades over time, it is necessary to spread the abduction issue. The internet and social media are used by a wide range of age groups, from young people to the elderly. By utilizing information and communication technology, it is possible to disseminate information widely. The families of the abductees are aging, and Megumi's father, Shigeru, passed away in 2020 without meeting his beloved daughter. Therefore, the abduction issue is a race against time. Megumi Yokota (center) and her family visit the Japan Sea the year before she was abducted by North Korean agents. ( © Yokota family.) Conflicts continue around the world today, such as the invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in Palestine. It is common to see reports of conflicts when you turn on the TV. However, we must not forget about the abduction issue. It has been a silent battle for much longer than wars. From Mr Yokota's lecture, the desire of the abductees to "return to Japan as soon as possible" touched strongly in my heart. The abduction issue is not the past, and Megumi and others are still waiting for help with the single-minded desire to "meet their families." Therefore, I believe that raising our voices in cooperation with the world for the early return of the abductees will be the driving force for their rescue. As a participant in the summit, I felt a mission to disseminate the abduction issue. It is necessary to widely disseminate the current situation of the abduction issue and what we can do. I want to actively participate in future activities for the early return of the abductees. At the time he submitted this essay, Masakazu Takata was a student at Maizuru City Kasa Junior High School, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. He delivered this comment upon receiving the Grand Prize for an English essay by a junior high school student: Comment from the winner: After listening to Takuya Yokota's lecture this summer [2024], I realized that I had to think of the abduction issue as something that concerned me personally. As a citizen, I want to take action in whatever way I can. Author: TAKATA Masakazu Student, Maizuru City Kasa Junior High School このページを 日本語 で読む
Yemen Online
23-07-2025
- General
- Yemen Online
Yemen Ranked Third Worst Country Globally in Food Insecurity Crisis
Sana'a — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has ranked Yemen as the third worst country in the world suffering from a severe food insecurity crisis, following Gaza and Sudan, according to a newly released humanitarian report. The report warns that over 18 million Yemenis may face acute food insecurity by September 2025, with approximately 41,000 individuals at risk of falling into catastrophic famine-like conditions — the most alarming forecast since 2022. Data from WFP indicates that 66% of households across Yemen were unable to meet minimum food requirements in May, marking the highest level of inadequate food consumption recorded in recent years. The crisis is driven by a combination of factors, including: - Economic collapse - Sharp decline in humanitarian aid due to funding shortages - Limited livelihood opportunities - Prolonged internal conflict - Erratic rainfall and agricultural disruption In response, the Government of Japan has pledged $2 million to support WFP's emergency food operations in Yemen, aiming to provide vegetable oil and other essentials to 700,000 people. WFP officials stressed the urgency of international support, stating, 'We are facing unprecedented humanitarian needs in Yemen. Families are increasingly unable to feed themselves, while our funding capacity continues to shrink.' Yemen joins Gaza and Sudan at the top of the global list of countries facing the most extreme hunger emergencies, underscoring the need for immediate and sustained international action.
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
What is the current status of Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project?
Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) is progressing rapidly on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project. The country's first bullet train will pass though – Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. The 508-km long Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is under execution with technical and financial assistance from Government of Japan. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will have 12 stations namely – Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati. The total estimated cost of MAHSR project is Rs 1,08,000 crore (approximately). Of these, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81% of the project cost i.e. Rs. 88,000 crores. Balance 19% cost i.e. Rs. 20,000 crores will be funded through equity contribution from Ministry of Railways (50%) and State Governments of Maharashtra (25%) and Gujarat (25%). Till June 30, 2025, the Cumulative Financial expenditure of Rs. 78,839/- crore has been incurred on the project. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashiwni Vaishnaw said that all the civil contracts of the project have been awarded. 'Out of total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded,' he said. The Union Minister further added that the work of the under-sea tunnel (21Kms approx.) has also started. 'Till now, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of Girder Casting and 308 km of Girder launching have been completed,' Vaishnaw added. The Railway Minister also stated that the Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December, 2027. 'The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by Dec, 2029. However, Bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive Project,' he noted.
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Visit to Japan by Hon. Mr. James MARAPE, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Hon. Mr. James MARAPE, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea will visit Japan from July 20 to 23, 2025 to attend Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. During his stay in Japan, Prime Minister Marape will participate in the National Day Event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, as an official guest of the Government of Japan. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea. The Government of Japan hopes that this visit will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea. (Reference) Prime Minister Marape's previous visit to Japan July 2024 Attending the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) September 2022 Attending the State Funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo And other occasions Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
MRI machine at FGPH Islamabad: Senate body concerned over delay in installation
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Government Assurances expressed serious concern over the delay in installation of a MRI machine at the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad. The committee met with Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan in the chair at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, on Thursday. The members of the committee expressed serious concern over the delay and said that poor patients are suffering due to lack of this facility. They said that poor people could not afford this facility from private clinic. They recommended that MRI machine should immediately be installed in the hospital. The officials clarified that the MRI machine was donated by the Government of Japan. They said that the civil work pertaining to the operation of the machine had been delegated from Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), resulting in procedural delays. They said that civic work is expected to be completed within 10 days, while Japanese engineers are scheduled to visit in the first week of August 2025 for installation and operation. Chairman Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan remarked, 'The concerned authorities must seek confirmation from the Japanese government on the exact operational date to avoid further setbacks.' The committee also reviewed the status of other various assurances given by federal ministries on public issues ranging from digital connectivity and health infrastructure to energy pricing and highways construction. The committee also took up the critical issue of increasing petroleum products and its deregulation by the government. Senator Kamran Murtaza said that Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) should clearly explain the government's plans to delegate the authority of petroleum products price fixation to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). It was told to the committee that, in line with the Prime Minister's directive, various proposals for a deregulation framework have been discussed with key stakeholders, including refineries, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), the Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP), petroleum dealers, and transporters. Senator Murtaza inquired about possible risks such as reduced market shares for refineries, increased smuggling and quality issues, market dominance by large OMCs, price hikes during peak demand, and unrestricted imports leading to hoarding. In response, the ministry clarified that a phased approach is under consideration. Initially, the pricing formula may be delinked from Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to foster fair competition. Market behaviour will be closely monitored before fully deregulating prices to ensure consumer protection and sector stability. The committee took up critical issues, beginning with the long-standing concern of poor telecom services in underserved regions. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed the committee that surveys have been conducted and new projects have been initiated at three different locations to address the non-availability of 4G data and voice call services in Dheri Mera, Union Council Salhad, Abbottabad District. Expressing dissatisfaction over the slow progress, Senator Dost Muhammad Khan highlighted, 'Thousands of residents in Wana, South Waziristan — estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 people — remain deprived of internet facilities.' Supporting this, Senator Kamran Murtaza stressed, 'Similar connectivity gaps persist in Balochistan, where towers exist but signals remain non-functional.' The committee directed the ministry to submit a follow-up report within three months. Turning to infrastructure, Senator Dost Muhammad Khan voiced serious concerns over the deteriorating condition of roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 'NHA must ensure timely repair or recover costs from contractors if standards are compromised,' he insisted. The ministry officials assured that the matter would be taken up with the concerned contractors for immediate action. The meeting was attended by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Senator Dost Muhammad Khan, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Senator Kamran Murtaza, and senior officers from the concerned ministries and departments. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
