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5 days ago
- Politics
Births in Japan Fall Below 700,000 for the First Time in 2024
The number of births in Japan fell below 700,000 for the first time in 2024. Demographic statistics published by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare show that there were 686,061 births, down 41,227 year on year, marking a record low for the ninth year running. The total fertility rate, indicating the number of children a woman has in her lifetime, fell by 0.05 points to a new low of 1.15. The fertility rate tended to be lower in eastern prefectures than in the west, with Tokyo dipping below 1 for the second year, at 0.96, followed by Miyagi at 1.00 and Hokkaidō at 1.01. The highest fertility rates were seen in the prefectures of Okinawa (1.54) and Fukui (1.46), ahead of Tottori, Shimane, and Miyazaki, all at 1.43. While the number of marriages increased by 10,322 to 485,063, it is still very low. Cultural factors including the general aversion to having children outside of marriage in Japan and trends toward marrying late or not at all present major challenges to efforts to lift the number of births. Japan's Demographics 2024 estimate 2023 Births 686,061 727,288 Total fertility rate 1.15 1.20 Deaths 1,605,298 1,576,016 Natural population change –919,237 –840,728 Marriages 485,063 474,741 Divorces 185,895 183,814 Created by based on demographic statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. The number of deaths in 2024 increased by 29,282 to reach a postwar high of 1,605,298. Since the natural decrease in population, which is the difference between the number of births and deaths, surpassed 600,000 for the first time in 2021, it has risen sharply to a record high 919,237 in 2024. During the first baby boom (1947–49) immediately after the end of World War II, the number of annual births in Japan reached 2.5 million, and births per year exceeded 2 million during the second baby boom (1971–74). Since then, the number has consistently declined, without a spike in births when the second baby-boom generation reached the age to have their own children. The number of births dropped below the number of deaths for the first time in 2007. Data Sources (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
One Piece creator hypes up Tony Tony Chopper in live action season 2 reveal
Eiichiro Oda breaks silence with exciting new message as One Piece Live Action gears up for its big return on Netflix Even if you don't believe you've seen any anime, you've definitely heard the name One Piece — the best-selling manga series in history. Creatively conceived by Japanese artist Eiichiro Oda, this legendary adventure epic centers around a young, free-spirited pirate named Monkey D. Luffy and his quirky, mad-cap crew—the Straw Hat Pirates—as they chase after their world's mythical boondoggle known as the One Piece. In 2023, Netflix kicked off the anime-to-live-action tradition with a bang by bringing the highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of One Piece to the world—an incredibly-joyful, action-packed, swashbuckling adventure of a show. Season 2 is on the horizon and per the show's creator, we could be in for a real surprise. Eiichiro Oda speaks out: 'Check out Chopper !' Production I.G/Netflix One Piece fans were treated to a legendary surprise this weekend, with none other than Tony Tony Chopper—aka the best character from the long-running anime—officially teased for Season 2. You can view that new trailer below! Shortly after that reveal dropped, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda sent out a special direct message to fans around the world, praising the team's work and urging all of you to take a look at Chopper's new form. Here's what Oda had to say in his farewell message posted on the website. The live-action ONE PIECE that everyone loves! The heart of Season 2 though, is naturally, our weird, furry, little individualistic mascot. After many, many months of experimentation and celebration with lots of constant drumroll and cheering from the entire engine room, the more time it takes than you thought!! From his anatomical structure and pelt, down to his mouth movements and vocalization, lighting and gravity simulation, an international dream team brought their artistry and innovation to concepting and developing Tony Tony Chopper, and he's finally poised to introduce himself to the globe! Just look at him though!!' Eiichiro Oda, creator of ONE PIECE This only serves to illustrate the level of care that was taken bringing Chopper to live-action. From the CGI and character design to realistic movement and lighting, the crew clearly understood they were working on a massive technical challenge and you can sense their pride in the outcome. Who is Tony Tony Chopper in One Piece? If you're new to the Chopper Chronicles, Chopper is an unfortunate reindeer who, after munching on a mystical fruit, finds himself able to transform into a human and speak. Surprise surprise, hidden under his childlike wonder and cute appearance is a major reason that makes the Straw Hat Pirates' doctor so adorable yet deadly. In the anime and manga, Chopper's an extremely emotive character with a very tragic backstory, and we were all, as a fandom, super excited to see how the live-action team would translate Chopper into their world. From what we've seen so far, it looks like they've succeeded, packed with high-flying choreography, CGI, and voice acting that would impress Oda-sensei himself. When will One Piece live action season 2 be released on Netflix? The show One Piece season 2 is officially in the works. Netflix has already greenlit One Piece Live Action Season 2 for production. It will be given full release until 2026. Trust me, this sad resignation came after I, among other rabid and hopeful fans, held hope for a 2025 premiere, but that extra time is surely not with CGI for characters like Chopper to be perfected. While there is no official release date announced yet, the 2026 release window is accordingly cast in stone. One Piece live action: Where to watch If you missed it the first time around, or want to catch up before season two rolls out, now's your best chance to listen. One Piece Live Action Season 1 streaming now exclusively on Netflix. The new series, a Netflix produced, live action adaptation of the beloved franchise, consists of eight episodes chronicling Luffy's journey to form his ragtag band of pirate misfits and go on a whole new adventure across the Grand Line Sea. Season 2 will broadcast this fall on Netflix internationally, including in the U.S. and U.K. Why Chopper's reveal is a game-changer Chopper isn't just a new character though, he's a massive milestone for the series. His arrival heralds that the series is going full bore into the Drum Island Arc, which is perhaps the most emotionally moving and lushly illustrated storyline ever seen in One Piece. In the 17 th story arc, Alabasta, the Straw Hats arrive in a snow-clad island state ruled by a totalitarian tyrant. It's in Sid's that they first encounter Chopper, learning their astromech droid companion's equally tragic backstory. As they develop this tale for a modern audience, tone and visuals will be the series' biggest challenge and their best chance at success. More characters coming in season 2 In addition to Chopper, the new characters we'll be meeting on the arc will be Dr. Kureha, a mysterious doctor who trains Chopper, and Wapol, the arc's main antagonist. Casting announcements for these seven characters and more haven't been made public yet. Anticipation could hardly be higher. According to recent reports, Netflix is spending even more money on Season 2, on visual effects, casting and location shooting. One Piece live action season 2 has big shoes to fill Fresh off the heels of Season 1's enormous success — It was number one in more than 80 different countries! One Piece Live Action is feeling the heat this go-round. With exciting new additions such as Chopper and arcs such as the Zephyr arc becoming more emotionally impactful and intense, Season 2 has the opportunity to be even greater than the first. With Eiichiro Oda closely involved still, Netflix tossing a massive production budget at the endeavor, and viewers clamoring to find out what comes next, One Piece Live Action Season 2 is already one of the most highly-anticipated streaming releases of 2026. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
01-06-2025
- Automotive
Shizuoka: A Global Center for Plastic Modeling
The city of Shizuoka is a modeling mecca. Home to 10 hobby manufacturers—Tamiya, Bandai, Aoshima, and Hasegawa, to name a few—it is where more than 80% of Japan's plastic model kits are produced. The town is so passionate about its status that authorities at city hall created a special department to promote plastic models, playfully proclaiming the municipality 'A Model City.' To highlight its modeling culture, Shizuoka has established 15 life-size monuments shaped like plastic model kits around town. These include information signs as well as working public phones and a mailbox designed to look like kits with pieces still attached to their runners. Clockwise from upper left: a monument in the shopping arcade near Shizuoka Station features parts of a seat and a digital display of a Shinkansen; the monument at the smoking area near the station's north exit consists of parts from a large outdoor ashtray; a monument designed like an old-style model box and a newly opened kit advertises Shizuoka's connection to modeling. (© ) The monument outside Shizuoka City Hall is an actual post box. (© ) The monuments have garnered attention as the modeling market as a whole continues to enjoy broad popularity. According to a Tamiya spokesperson, the pandemic brought a brisk uptick in sales for plastic models as people stayed at home, with the hobby taking on a family flair as parents and children shared in the fun of building replicas together. Makers have also capitalized on the growing popularity of radio-controlled cars as more people take to the outdoors for activities like camping. These trends have fueled the sales of higher-end items as former hobbyists rediscover modeling in middle age and snap up expensive kits that were once beyond their budgets. Tamiya's Hotshot. The four-wheel-drive radio-controlled buggy debuted in 1985 and remains a popular item with hobbyists of all ages. (© ) Hobby Square is another site celebrating Shizuoka's modeling industry. The facility, near the south exit of JR Shizuoka Station, has displays highlighting the history of plastic modeling and exhibits from different makers, including rare and historic items. The onsite shop carries new releases and specialty items. Characters from the Mobile Suit Gundam series, a mainstay among modeling enthusiasts, greet visitors to Hobby Square. (© ) New and historic items are on exhibit at Hobby Square. (© ) An exhibit detailing the manufacturing process for Gundam models. (© ) Manufacturer Bandai offers specially designed model kits as part of its Gunpla Academia, a school-based initiative to introduce students to the world of craftsmanship. (© ) Deep-Rooted Craftsmanship Shizuoka's tradition of craftsmanship was greatly influenced by Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan for more than 200 years. As a young boy, Ieyasu was a political hostage in Sunpu, which later became the modern city of Shizuoka. At age 40, he took control of the area, relocating from Hamamatsu to the southwest, and built Sunpu Castle in 1589. Ieyasu gathered master carpenters, sculptors, metalworkers, and other skilled craftsmen from around Japan for the project. He also rebuilt the important Sengen Shrine and later expanded the confines of the castle, where he settled after passing the title of shōgun to his son Hidetada, although he continued to wield power behind the scenes. After Ieyasu's death in 1616, the craftsmen constructed Kunōzan Shrine as his resting place. Later shōguns supported these artisans, and many settled in the area, taking advantage of the surrounding forests to create exquisite crafts. Such traditions as Suruga bamboo craftwork are still produced today. A plastic model monument featuring the golden Kindamigusoku armor worn by Tokugawa Ieyasu. (© ) The Model Industry Lifts Off Shizuoka's modern model-making industry dates to 1924 when aviation enthusiast Aoshima Jirō founded an airplane research center in the city. Using his knowledge and experience, Aoshima started manufacturing wooden model airplane kits, which he began to sell in 1932. The models were used to teach aviation, becoming popular items nationwide. Restrictions in the postwar years forced the area's burgeoning number of manufacturers to shift to selling wooden ships. From the late 1950s, as imported plastic models grew in popularity, they adopted plastic for their kits. Aoshima established Aoshima Bunka Kyōzai in 1961 to develop and manufacture model kits, and the company grew to be an industry leader with its easy-to-build offerings. Early wooden models made by Aoshima's company on display at Hobby Square. (© ) A Global Model Giant Emerges Tamiya is another Shizuoka success story. Founded as a lumber company in 1946, it began selling wooden model kits in 1948, making these its primary offering after closing the lumber mill in 1953. It released its first all-plastic kit, a 1/800 scale of the Japanese battleship Yamato , in 1960, but it was the Panther, a 1/35 scale motorized tank issued in 1962, that gave the firm its first major hit and led to the establishment of a separate plastic molding division. Tamiya continued to find modeling success, including the 1976 release of the 1/12 scale radio-controlled Porsche 934 Turbo and its mini 4WD models of the 1980s. It began expanding overseas, and in 1994, it set up its only factory abroad, in Cebu, Philippines, making the firm one of the largest model manufacturers in the world. Clockwise from upper left: Wooden boat models; the 1/800 scale model of the Yamato ; Tamiya's Panther tank. (© ) Tamiya's radio-controlled Porsche 934 Turbo (right), which triggered an R/C car boom in Japan, and other offerings in the series. (© ) Tamiya Craftsmanship Tamiya offers fans several exhibits of interest at its head office. The Archive Room displays products from early wooden models to modern creations, and the lobby of its headquarters features actual sports cars and other vehicles, many of which have been turned into R/C models. The exhibits are open to the public by reservation. Racing cars on display at Tamiya's headquarters. (© ) Tamiya's Archive Room. (© ) Tamiya has also helped in establishing Takumishuku, a center highlighting the traditional crafts of the region. Visitors to the facility can try their hand at techniques like Suruga bamboo lattice ware, hand-dying, pottery, and lacquerware, providing a sense of the centuries-old culture of craftsmanship that remains the backbone of Shizuoka's plastic model industry. The interior of Takumishuku. (© ) A display of Suruga bamboo lattice ware and indigo dying. (© ) An artisan shows how Suruga bamboo lattice ware is made. (© ) (Originally published in Japanese. Reporting, text, and photos by . Banner photo: Different plastic model monuments around Shizuoka. © .)
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
Edo Meets Pop Culture: Reimagining Ukiyo-e with a Modern Manga and Anime Twist
Fans of the Japanese anime and manga series Doraemon are familiar with the robot cat's ability to travel into past ages. Publisher Hanzō has tapped into this reputation, recreating famous works by masters like Hokusai and Hiroshige that feature Doraemon and friends romping through Edo (now Tokyo). The expertly crafted prints are made using traditional techniques, providing an authenticity that complements their pop-culture value. Japanese traditional woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e , played an important role in the lives of residents of Edo. Appearing in the seventeenth century, they were the mass media of their day, conveying news and information, advertising the latest fads, and providing entertainment. Artists like Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), and Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) became masters of the form, creating scenes and portraits that are admired for their beauty and techniques to this day. Producing ukiyo-e was a collaborative process that involved an army of nameless artisans, from painters who created original designs to carvers who chiseled images onto woodblocks to printers who applied layer after layer of ink to sheets of Japanese paper. The entire process was managed by publishers called hanmoto . Workers produce ukiyo-e at a book publisher's workshop in a scene from the series Ima yō mitate shinōkōshō shokunin by Utagawa Toyokuni Ⅲ. (Courtesy the Edo-Tokyo Museum Archives) Today, only a handful of publishers still produce woodblock prints. One such modern hanmoto is Sakai Eiji, the president of Tokyo-based Hanzō. Following tradition, he teams up with talented painters, engravers, and printers to create stunning works that push the boundaries of tradition with their inclusion of modern manga and anime themes. Hanzō President Sakai Eiji was in his twenties when he left his job at a trading company and started publishing ukiyo-e . (© ) Hanzo's signature ukiyo-e series featuring characters from Doraemon are whimsical reinterpretations of classics. They have proven popular in Japan and abroad, with many of the company's new releases, which typically come out at a pace of around once a year, selling out in short order. From top: Katsushika Hokusai's Mitsui Shop at Surugachō in Edo from his Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji . (Courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art); Doraemon and friends inhabit the scene in Hanzō's ukiyo-e . (Courtesy Hanzō; © Fujiko-Pro) Modern Pop Culture Invades Edo Along with its Doraemon-themed remakes of famed ukiyo-e works, Hanzō offers a lineup of stunning prints featuring iconic Japanese characters like Godzilla and Crayon Shinchan, as well as Darth Vader, Yoda, and other names from the Star Wars universe. Entertainment firms fiercely guard their intellectual property, and Sakai says that collaborations typically involve long negotiations, particularly when it comes to recasting characters in the ukiyo-e medium. With the Star War series, Hanzō went back and forth with the Walt Disney Company for a year about using Japanese colors, garb, and other traditional elements. Sakai declares that 'the fact that we were allowed to create original interpretations illustrates the high regard the ukiyo-e form enjoys.' From top: Hiroshige's Hara print from his Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō . (Courtesy the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library); a remake of the print featuring characters from the manga and anime Crayon Shinchan . (Courtesy Hanzō; © Usui Yoshito/Futabasha/Shin-Ei Animation/TV Asahi/ADK 2025) Hanzō has another tie-up with the popular smartphone game Fate/Grand Order . The game has amassed an army of dedicated younger players in Japan and is making inroads abroad with its gameplay and lineup of characters inspired by legendary figures from literature, history, and elsewhere. From left: a woodblock print from the Holy Grail War Yūshōden series featuring servant Altria Pendragon; the heroic spirit of rider Ushiwakamaru. (Courtesy Hanzō; © Type-Moon/ FGO Project) Traditional Craftsmanship Sakai previously worked for another publisher but left to found Hanzō some 20 years ago with the purpose of preserving the techniques and traditions of woodblock printing first developed in the Edo period (1603–1868). The industry has suffered a steady decline in the number of skilled practitioners, and Sakai launched Hanzō to support modern-day ukiyo-e artisans in earning income from their skills while helping ensure the wonders of woodcut prints were passed down to future generations. Through the 1980s, there was still a lucrative market for original woodblock prints by renowned artists. But at the start of the 1990s, demand fell off a cliff with the economic downturn sparked by the bursting of Japan's asset market, forcing publishers to shift focus to reproducing famous works by past masters of the genre. The inexpensive replicas provided only a meager income, though, and many artisans hung up their tools without ever passing on their skills to apprentices. Sakai joined the ukiyo-e publishing industry during this period. 'I wasn't drawn so much by the prints themselves,' he explains. 'Rather, I wanted to preserve the traditional carving and printing techniques and to engage with younger people to let them know about the existence of these amazing skills.' Woodblock prints have come to be valued primarily as works of art, but their roots lie firmly in the popular culture of Edo. Sakai sees their counterpart in modern forms of entertainment like manga and anime, and it was the hope of appealing to young people that inspired him to feature characters from today's pop culture. Little did he expect that his endeavor would also pique the interest of fans far beyond Japan's borders. Hanzō held a hands-on ukiyo-e event at the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku, Tokyo, a popular accommodation for overseas visitors. (© ) The event featured a demonstration by Tetsui Hirokazu, who is a second-generation woodblock printer. (© ) Producing woodblock prints is an expensive, time-consuming process. The basic materials are pricey, like the woodblocks themselves and the Japanese paper on which the designs are drawn and final images printed. Then there are the skilled carvers and printers, who might work for several weeks on a single piece. This limits the number of prints Hanzō can publish, with its current team of artisans able to create around five or six new works a year. Still, Hanzō has received a steady stream of offers for tie-ups featuring copyrighted characters. Sakai says he wants to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as he can 'to get more and more people interested in ukiyo-e .' However, the logistics involved along with the unpredictability of the publishing market make this a difficult goal, and along with its woodblock prints, Hanzō also creates ukiyo-e works that can be reproduced with high-resolution inkjet printers. Hanzō uses woodblocks made from high-quality cherry wood. (© ) Limited edition neon ukiyo-e on fabric board, featuring Godzilla in Tokyo (left) and Osaka. (Courtesy Hanzō; TM, © Toho Co., Ltd.) Another of Hanzō's projects is the recreation of the cover of the 1905 first edition of French composer Claude Debussy's La Mer , which is based on Hokusai's iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa . Sakai kept the color scheme and other aspects of the original, creating a stunning work highlighting the skills of ukiyo-e artisans. It was released to coincide with Hokusai's masterpiece being featured on Japan's newest ¥1,000 banknote, with different versions of the work available for purchase. La Mer: Orchestra Score , first print (left); original painting La Mer (Vagues Vertes Jade) with platinum leaf. (Courtesy Hanzō) Sakai declares his commitment to bringing attention to ukiyo-e with new collaborations and drawing new fans by highlighting the techniques and beauty of the art style. 'I want to create a buzz and get young people interested in learning the traditional methods of woodblock printing while current artisans are still able to pass along their skills.' (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo: Doraemon and other characters inhabit a reproduction of Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake from Hiroshige's woodblock print series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo . Courtesy Hanzō; © Fujiko-Pro.)
20-05-2025
- Business
Trading Companies and Finance Firms Rank Highly in Japanese Student Job-Hunter Survey
A survey of Japanese university students set to graduate in 2026 found that the trading company Itōchū was the most popular place that respondents would like to work. Sumitomo and Mitsubishi were other trading companies in the top 10, at seventh and eighth, respectively. Their global operations, high salaries, and varied career paths make them appealing employers for young people. There were also a number of finance businesses in the top 10, with Nippon Life in second, Daiwa Securities Group in third, and SMBC Nikkō Securities in ninth. These were popular for their stable operating bases, excellent benefits, and specialized duties. Interest in the airline industry and businesses related to travel and hospitality has revived following a dip during the pandemic. All Nippon Airways was in fourth position and lower down, Japan Airlines was twenty-third and JTB was fortieth in the list. Surging international visitor numbers and the rise in travel expenditure have seen these firms attract students with strong language skills and cross-cultural communication. Overall Ranking Created by based on data from Bunkahōsō Career Partners' Recruiting Information Lab. Ranking by Liberal Arts/Sciences Students Created by based on data from Bunkahōsō Career Partners' Recruiting Information Lab. Ranking by Women/Men Created by based on data from Bunkahōsō Career Partners' Recruiting Information Lab. The survey was conducted by Bunkahōsō Career Partners' Recruiting Information Lab on its website and at job-hunting events from October 1, 2024 to March 15, 2025. There were 19,856 valid responses (7,441 from women and 12, 415 from men; 14,036 from liberal arts students and 5,820 from sciences students). (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
