Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Japanese household savings and asset disparities

4 clusters · 7 sources · last updated 1 day ago

Latest: Japan household savings peak in 60s at 28.43 million yen

Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Japan Financial Intelligence and Education Promotion Agency (J-FLEC) highlight significant disparities in Japanese household savings and asset holding

Japan aging: pensions, housing, and care system reforms

29 clusters · 59 sources · last updated 1 day ago

Latest: Japan: Navigating financial support for elderly parents

Japan’s aging challenges are deepening, characterized by significant financial and social pressures. While the government has implemented the Pension-Life-Support Grant for low-income seniors, a widening gap remains betw

Early influenza epidemic in Japan

6 clusters · 14 sources · last updated 2 days ago

Latest: Tokyo municipalities accelerate influenza vaccinations due to early infection surge

Japan is experiencing an unusually early influenza epidemic, with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reporting that the threshold for epidemic status was met during the week of August 17. This marks the second ea

Japan centenarian population growth

2 clusters · 94 sources · last updated 2 days ago

Latest: Japan centenarian population exceeds 100,000 for the first time

Japan is experiencing a significant demographic trend toward increased longevity. On a national level, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that the total number of people aged 100 and older has surpassed

Fractal Workout corporate wellness service expansion

6 clusters · 4 sources · last updated 2 days ago

Latest: Fractal Workout launches post-health checkup support services

Fractal Workout Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based company, has expanded its corporate wellness offerings through several distinct service launches. Initially, the company introduced a support service for small and medium-sized en

Japan pension and retirement system developments

9 clusters · 13 sources · last updated 3 days ago

Latest: Japan pension system details premiums and public servant benefits

Japan continues to manage complex social security and labor transitions. While the National Pension insurance premium payment rate was 85.2% for the period ending June 2023, recent financial analyses highlight the impact

Japan 2026 minimum wage policy and inflation trends

17 clusters · 35 sources · last updated 3 days ago

Latest: Japan part-time hourly wages rise in August 2026

In late July 2026, a government panel recommended a 55-yen (4.9%) increase to the national average minimum wage, setting it at ¥1,176 per hour. While Tokyo is slated to rise to ¥1,280 in October, regional developments co

Japan workplace harassment law reforms

3 clusters · 7 sources · last updated 3 days ago

Latest: Japan workplace survey highlights customer harassment and AI solutions

Japanese businesses are preparing for legal reforms scheduled for October 1, 2026. Under the revised Labor Policy Comprehensive Promotion Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, all companies, regardless of size, m

Japan elderly care and nursing workforce developments

2 clusters · 9 sources · last updated 3 days ago

Latest: Japan prepares 2025 nursing care compensation revision to improve wages

Japan is addressing challenges related to its aging population through advancements in end-of-life care and reforms to the nursing care workforce. Efforts to improve quality of life for the elderly include the expansion

Japanese marriage and matchmaking trends

7 clusters · 21 sources · last updated 4 days ago

Latest: AI technology performance sparks debate among users

Discussions regarding marriage trends in Japan have highlighted various social and economic factors influencing relationship dynamics. Initial observations focused on how ‘oshi-katsu’ (fandom activities) may impact marri

Health Effects of Coffee and Tea Consumption

19 clusters · 83 sources · last updated 4 days ago

Latest: Coffee consumption linked to higher muscle mass and lower visceral fat

Observational evidence continues to link regular coffee consumption with multiple health benefits, particularly regarding liver, cardiovascular, and cognitive health. A long-term study of over 350,000 UK Biobank particip

Kumamoto earthquake recovery: aid packages and ongoing gaps

40 clusters · 112 sources · last updated 5 days ago

Latest: Relief workers share Kumamoto earthquake lessons to improve disaster preparedness

As recovery efforts continue following the July 28, 2026, earthquake, the scale of damage has risen to over 53,800 buildings. While water outages have been restored, many residents remain in evacuation centers or makeshi

Japan welfare and medical assistance policy updates

2 clusters · 4 sources · last updated 6 days ago

Latest: Japan Ministry of Health updates disability welfare and insurance guidelines

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is implementing various updates and considerations regarding welfare and medical assistance systems. One proposal involves new rules for outpatient visits by public as

Japan's Kottai fiscal shift and defense boost

14 clusters · 56 sources · last updated 6 days ago

Latest: Japan Cabinet Office requests 1 trillion yen budget

In late July 2026, Japan’s cabinet approved the “Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform Basic Policy 2026,” known as the Kottai policy. The plan replaces fiscal consolidation language with a commitment to “responsible

FDA, Japan, and China approve Orzeyful for narcolepsy

4 clusters · 9 sources · last updated 7 days ago

Latest: Orzeyful receives global approvals for narcolepsy type 1 treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Takeda’s Orzeyful (oveporexton), the first oral orexin-2 receptor agonist for adults with narcolepsy type 1. Unlike previous treatments that manage symptoms, Orzeyful ta

Japan pension and social security reforms

10 clusters · 13 sources · last updated 8 days ago

Latest: Japan elderly households comprise over half of public assistance recipients

Japan is implementing several updates to its pension and social security systems for the 2026 fiscal year. The Pensioner Support Benefit will increase by 3.2% due to inflation. This benefit, which includes Old-age, Disab

Folic acid intake and pregnancy health

3 clusters · 6 sources · last updated 9 days ago

Latest: Flinders University study links high folic acid doses to pregnancy bleeding risks

Medical discussions regarding folic acid intake focus on its role in preventing neural tube defects and the potential risks associated with specific dosage levels. Research from Flinders University indicates that high d

Elderly mobility and safety challenges in Japan

2 clusters · 7 sources · last updated 9 days ago

Latest: Japan addresses elderly mobility safety amid rising accident rates

Japan is addressing safety concerns regarding elderly mobility following fatal accidents involving electric wheelchairs and elderly drivers. In Fukui Prefecture, two deaths were reported involving electric wheelchairs, w

Japan school refusal support awareness gaps

2 clusters · 4 sources · last updated 9 days ago

Latest: Japan survey: 63.3% of parents unaware of home learning attendance system

Recent surveys in Japan highlight a lack of awareness among parents regarding support systems for children experiencing school refusal. A Cybozu Social Design Lab study found that 80.3% of working parents were unaware t

Death of Japanese supercentenarian Shigeko Kagawa

2 clusters · 8 sources · last updated 11 days ago

Latest: Shigeko Kagawa, Japan's oldest resident, dies at 115

Shigeko Kagawa, recognized as Japan’s oldest resident, has passed away at the age of 115. A resident of Yamatokoriyama in Nara Prefecture, she died on August 27. A medical professional and graduate of Osaka Women’s Medi

Japan health insurance coverage reforms

2 clusters · 4 sources · last updated 11 days ago

Latest: Japan to introduce additional costs for OTC-like drugs under health insurance

The Japanese government is planning to revise health insurance coverage for drugs similar to Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications, with changes scheduled to begin in March 2027. The policy would require patients to pay an

Japan labor and workplace welfare developments

2 clusters · 4 sources · last updated 15 days ago

Latest: Japan considers nursing care reforms to combat harassment and labor shortages

Japanese organizations and government bodies are addressing labor shortages and worker welfare through various regulatory and technological shifts. In the private sector, companies like Tsumura Co., Ltd. have seen incre

Japan labor overtime regulation revisions

2 clusters · 5 sources · last updated 16 days ago

Latest: Japan eases overtime limits to combat labor shortages

Japan is revising its overtime guidance policies to increase labor flexibility and address shortages in sectors such as construction, transport, and hospitality. Effective September 1, labor standards inspection office

Medical training programs in Japan

2 clusters · 4 sources · last updated 16 days ago

Latest: Medical training sessions announced in Tokyo and Aomori

Medical training sessions have been announced across Japan for the 2026 fiscal year. In Tokyo, the Tokyo Dental Association is recruiting for a seminar scheduled for September 29, 2026. The training will address facilit

Evolving Guidance on Daily Step Counts and Physical Health

18 clusters · 46 sources · last updated 16 days ago

Latest: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare walking goals lack scientific basis

The traditional 10,000-step daily target, which originated from a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign for the ‘Manpo-kei’ pedometer, is increasingly viewed by experts as lacking a scientific basis. While the target was pro

Student mental health and suicide risks in East Asia

2 clusters · 5 sources · last updated 17 days ago

Latest: Japan youth suicide rates reach record high

Reports from Hong Kong and Japan indicate rising mental health risks and suicide rates among students, particularly during transitions to new school terms. In Hong Kong, youth deaths increased from 35 to 47 cases in a si

Hypertension management and lifestyle factors

2 clusters · 5 sources · last updated 17 days ago

Latest: Lifestyle habits that can worsen high blood pressure

Health discussions regarding hypertension focus on both dietary management and the impact of daily lifestyle habits. Strategies for managing blood pressure include reducing salt intake and increasing potassium-rich food

Taiwan labor employment stability measures

2 clusters · 6 sources · last updated 17 days ago

Latest: Taiwan Ministry of Labor extends wage subsidies for nine industries

Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor has extended its ‘Employment Stability Measures’ through October 31, 2025, to support workers in nine specific sectors facing economic challenges. These industries include food and feed manufac

Japan heatwave: record temperatures and medical strain

70 clusters · 245 sources · last updated 17 days ago

Latest: Japan issues heatstroke alerts for 26 prefectures

The 2026 Japanese heatwave has escalated into a “disaster-level” event, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35 °C. This extreme heat has caused a sharp rise in heat-related deaths and emergency transports, particularly

Japanese demographic and labor market trends

2 clusters · 12 sources · last updated 20 days ago

Latest: Japan childcare waiting lists increase for first time in nine years

Japan is experiencing shifts in its demographic and labor landscape. Preliminary data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare indicates that the country recorded its first increase in births in eleven years durin