Shinichi Kokubun, a 73-year-old resident of Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, discusses the reluctance of former residents to return to the area due to fears of radioactivity following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011. Despite the reopening of 10% of Futaba's territory for residence as of August 31, 2022, many former residents remain dispersed across other localities such as Saitama, Iwaki, and Kawamata. Kokubun, who evacuated with his family, has decided to return to Futaba, highlighting the psychological impact of the disaster on the community.

Shinichi Kokubun, a 73-year-old widower, decided to return to his hometown of Futaba in Fukushima, which he had left with his family after the Fukushima nuclear plant accident in March 2011. As of August 31, 2022, Futaba allowed residency in 10% of its territory, lifting the total ban on residence that had been in place since the disaster. Former residents had been dispersed to locations such as Saitama, Iwaki, and Kawamata for twelve years. Shinichi notes that many former residents do not wish to return due to fears of radioactivity.

Shinichi Kokubun, a 73-year-old resident of Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, discusses the fear of radioactivity that keeps many former residents from returning to the area, even after parts of it have been reopened for resettlement. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011, Futaba was evacuated. It was the last of the 11 municipalities evacuated to still have a total ban on residency over 96% of its territory until August 31, 2022, when 10% of the town was reopened for residents. Displaced residents have been living in cities like Saitama, Iwaki, and Kawamata for the past twelve years.

The article discusses the various cookies and similar technologies used by Mediapart on their website and mobile application. It explains that some cookies are necessary for the functioning of the site and cannot be refused, while others are optional and enhance the user experience. The necessary cookies include those for subscriber login, audience measurement, push notifications, and service promotion. Optional cookies are used for collecting statistics and for promoting Mediapart's content on other sites and social networks. The article provides detailed information about each type of cookie and the third-party tools used for different purposes such as audience targeting on social media and client journey analysis.

Kôji Sugihara, a member of the collective Najat, expresses frustration over Japan's silence on the bombings in Gaza. During a rally in front of the Japanese Diet (parliament), he criticizes the Japanese government for prioritizing economic partnerships over addressing what he refers to as genocide in Gaza. Despite the modest size of their protests compared to those in Paris or London, Sugihara believes it is their duty to criticize the government's inaction and demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

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The article discusses the various cookies and similar technologies used by Mediapart, a French online investigative and opinion journal. It explains that some cookies are necessary for the functioning of the site and mobile application, such as subscriber logins, audience measurement, push notifications, and service promotion. Other cookies are optional and enhance the user experience. The article lists the specific technologies and their purposes, including audience measurement tools like AT Internet, content display from various platforms, and tools for statistics and retargeting advertising. Mediapart emphasizes that it does not host advertising but promotes its content on other sites and social networks.

Tomomi Ota, a media design researcher at Keio University and professor of music at Osaka College of Music, has been living with a humanoid robot named Pepper since November 2014. Pepper is described as the first robot with 'a heart.' Ota treats Pepper not just as a tool but as a companion, taking the robot to various social outings such as restaurants, cafes, and even wedding ceremonies. The article highlights the emotional bond that can develop between humans and advanced robots, suggesting that robotics can fulfill emotional roles in human lives, not just utilitarian ones.

Japan has reopened its borders to foreign tourists on October 11, following a confirmation by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23. The reopening comes after over two and a half years of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, a move anticipated by the travel and leisure sectors, which have faced challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.

The article discusses a collaboration between luxury fashion brand Jimmy Choo and Buaisou, a traditional indigo hand dyeing workshop in Shikoku, Japan. Jimmy Choo's Omotesando boutique in Japan has been featuring a unique collection since last summer, which includes 13 hand-dyed, royal blue items such as bags, shoes, and wallets. This collaboration highlights Jimmy Choo's incorporation of traditional Japanese aizome dyeing techniques into their luxury products, showcasing the work of the five craftspeople from Buaisou who are dedicated to preserving traditional arts.

In Tokyo, a growing number of protesters, now reaching 13,000, are demonstrating against the state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8. Religious groups and citizens are voicing concerns that the funeral is a political strategy to strengthen the Liberal Democratic Party's power, disrespecting individual freedom and dignity. Despite scandals surrounding Abe, including the Moritomo and Sakura-kai affairs, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida deems the funeral appropriate. Critics argue the event lacks a legal framework and fear it will glorify Abe's controversial legacy, which includes attempts to revise Japan's pacifist constitution and connections with the Moon Sect. The opposition struggles to be heard, and Japan's press freedom ranking has plummeted. Activists, including women's rights advocates and Okinawa residents, resent Abe's legacy for prioritizing military alliances over local interests.

Japan has experienced a 99.2% decrease in foreign tourists due to strict border closures aimed at protecting the country from the COVID-19 pandemic. While Japanese citizens, 54% of whom are vaccinated with three doses, can travel to many countries, foreign tourists are not welcomed in Japan. The tourism industry is under pressure, urging for the return of international visitors. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signaled a potential easing of restrictions on May 5.

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Kazuko Fukuda, the founder of the Japanese youth movement Nandenaino, is working to improve access to emergency contraception and education on women's reproductive rights in Japan. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought gender issues to the forefront, and Fukuda believes this is an opportune time to gain more support from authorities on these matters. Nandenaino, which translates to 'Why don’t we have it?', is focused on advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country.

Japan is transforming the Harumi bay area in southeast Tokyo, previously used for the Tokyo Olympic Games, into a unique residential zone featuring 5,600 homes, schools, and shops, powered by a hydrogen energy supply network. This initiative is part of Japan's real-world testing of new hydrogen technologies, which the country plans to develop extensively by 2030 as part of its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Japan is currently being spared by the fifth wave of Covid-19 that is affecting the rest of the world. For the first time since the pandemic began, Tokyo's restaurants and bars are full, and the city is experiencing a return to festivities with matsuris being cautiously held again after a two-year hiatus. Experts are trying to hypothesize why Japan is an exception, but conclusive reasons remain elusive.

The Olympic torch relay will begin in Fukushima's J-Village, close to the damaged nuclear plant, highlighting the ongoing reconstruction efforts nine years after the disaster. Local communities remain divided, with some feeling it's too soon to celebrate. Former Tepco employee Akihiro Yoshikawa, who returned to live in the area, feels partly responsible for the disaster and is committed to the region's recovery. The innovative Futaba Mirai Gakuen school, located near the plant, faces recruitment challenges due to its proximity to the plant, despite its educational strengths. Discrimination against Fukushima's youth persists, and residents like Nobuyoshi Ito, who founded an NGO, feel like human guinea pigs due to high radioactivity levels. The Japanese government aims to use the 2020 Olympics to showcase the region's rebirth, but many locals, including students, are indifferent or skeptical about the festivities.

The article discusses the challenges faced by Japanese women in balancing career and family, highlighting the societal pressure to choose between the two. Despite more women attaining higher education, many leave the workforce after having children, with only a small percentage in stable full-time jobs. The government, under Shinzo Abe, has made efforts to increase women's participation in the economy, but the target of boosting women in leadership positions to 30% by 2020 remains unmet. Discrimination and harassment in the workplace persist, with the term 'matahara' (maternity harassment) gaining prominence. Initiatives to support women, such as increased childcare places and company programs to promote gender equality, have been introduced, but challenges remain, including long working hours and societal expectations. The article also mentions individuals and organizations advocating for women's rights and the government's initiatives to improve the situation.

The article discusses the challenges faced by Japanese women in balancing career and family life, highlighting the high rate of women leaving the workforce after having children due to lack of childcare, poor career prospects, or discrimination. Despite more women attending university, their participation in stable full-time jobs has decreased over the past 30 years. The government under Shinzo Abe has made efforts to address this issue, promoting greater economic roles for women and setting targets for women in leadership positions, but progress remains slow. The article includes perspectives from Tomoko Mori, a Japanese woman who has recently been promoted at her job and is considering the impact having children may have on her career.

Despite the increasing number of Japanese women attaining higher education, 60% stop working after giving birth to their first child, with only 44.2% holding stable full-time jobs, a significant decline from 67.9% in 1985. Part-time employment has surged from 28.5% to 43.9% over the same period. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's government, which has made women's employment a priority, established a council for the promotion of women's employment in March 2014 and adopted a 'Declaration of Action for a Society where Women Shine' in April 2013, aiming for 30% of leadership positions to be held by women by 2020. However, progress remains far from these targets.