Japan

Japan has realized that to welcome 60 million tourists, something lacks: workers in the hotels

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Japanese tourism does not come out of accounts. Not at least if the government maintains its goal of reaching in 2030 the 60 million of foreign tourists, considerably above record which already registered last year. An Apir study shows that reaching that goal would require that many (many) work in the tourism sector. Birth crisis and where the accommodations They already drag A personnel deficit. Thus Japan takes risks to have to reth OMOTENASHI. A figure: 36.8 million. 2024 was a memorable year for the Japanese tourism sector. The popularity of destiny, the Paulatina recovery of international trips after the pandemic stop and the Weakness of Yen allowed Japan to reach a New record of tourists and expense. Its flow was so high that in some regions it caused friction with the local population, as in Fujikawaguchiko, where they reached Install a screen To cover the views of the Fuji. The figures help to better understand how the year was. In 2024 Japan received 36.8 million of international tourists, above the record reached before the pandemic (in 2019 they were counted 32 million) and with a total expenditure that exceeded the 51,000 million of dollars. 2025 has not started badly. According to the National Tourism Organization in January, the 3.8 million of foreign visitors. An objective: 60 million. The 2024 balance is high, but Japanese authorities seem to know little. Your goal is to maintain the trend and reach the 60 million of foreign visitors in 2030, a data that expects it to arrive accompanied by an expense of billions of dollars. The goal is so ambitious that it has already caused a certain debate. At the end of 2024 a columnist of The Japan Times He wondered If the country is “prepared” to receive that flood of travelers and in February another newspaper, The Mainichipublic An editorial in which he stated that Japan should “change the focus” of the sector to the increase of visitors. As? Going from “quantity to quality.” One question: Is it possible? That is what they have wondered in the Asia Pacific Institute of Research (Apir). What exactly does the entry of 60 million of tourists? What size and resources should the sector have to assume such demand? To answer these issues, they basically set the muscle of the Japanese tourist tissue. Its conclusion is curious: with the current trend and if it maintains the goal of the 60 million, the sector will find a deficit of hundreds of thousands of workers, a work emptiness that will affect hotels and food services. A prognosis: 536,000. To be accurate the estimated workers’ deficit is 536,000 employeeswhich would mean a problem to address the flow of tourists that the Government aspires to move in five years. Many vacancies may seem, but two trends that “throw” in the opposite sense are understood: on the one hand it is expected that the flow of tourists will increase, on the other that the templates of the hotels and food services are in 2030 a 1.9% lower than last year. A challenge: employment. According to The data collected by The Asashi Shimbunone of the main newspapers in the country, to meet the increase in demand and compensate for the labor deficit, the level of productivity of the sector should increase 2.8% per year. Apartages, the reality is that companies face two draft challenges. One is the demographic derives of the country, which It has been for years losing inhabitants and lime its population of employment population. The other challenge is the capacity of the sector to capture workers. Right now there are accommodations that already drag a considerable template deficit. In 2024 Nikkei spoke more specifically businesses that lack more than 20% of the labor they would really need. “We are definitely seeing a shortage of personnel in the industry,” I recognized Recently a This Week in Asia Masaru Takayama, responsible for a travel agency based in Kyoto. “Many companies in the tourism sector had to fire personnel during pandemic and those people found employment in other sectors,” Takayama abounds. “Now tourism has returned to normal and, with more activity than ever, we have lost those people who have gone to new careers. We have lost their skills and knowledge.” A proposal: 40 million. APIR is not limited to pointing out the personnel deficit to which Japan risks if it maintains its goal of reaching 60 million tourists. The organism also launches A recommendation: rethink that goal, reduce it to 40 million and change the approach. Your proposal goes in The line of The Mainichi: No matter how many tourists arrive (if there are 40, 50 or 60 million) as what they do with their portfolios once they are in Japan. “Instead of focusing on the number of foreign visitors, we should encourage them to spend more,” Yoshihisa Inada points outfrom the University of Konan and responsible for the study. A question: What would you mean? The calculations They are clear from the institute. With 40 million the flow of foreign tourists would still be 8% higher than that of 2024 and the country would continue to suffer from a labor -handed deficit in the tourism industry, but much lower: in that case APRI estimates it in around 138,000 people. To meet demand, there would therefore an increase in annual productivity of 0.7%. Beyond the number of visitors and their symbolic value for the country, the big question is … staying at 40 million and renouncing those extra tourists would stop stopping entering a lot of money? After all, the Government not only aspires to move 60 million travelers in 2030. He wants that farm to arrive accompanied by a tourist expense of around 15 billion yen, about 101,000 million dollars. APRI Calculate That to maintain that goal with 40 million visitors, traveler spending should exceed 227,000 yen (€ 1,400) from 2024 to 375,000 (2,300). A conclusion: “You can”. For a little there are few doubts. “If we improve the … Read more

An island in Japan has revolutionized its vehicles. They have turned cow droppings into hydrogen fuel

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If we talk about hydrogen and mobility, we would possibly have to Add to Japan In the equation. Few companies have tried to make it a real alternative to the electric car like the Japanese Toyota, although it is true that in recent times the idea was Much more than in doubt. An island has shown that technology is still there. Of course, with the invaluable help of tons of cows excrement. The solution in Hokkaido. On the island of HokkaidoJapan, a key region for country production of the countryan innovative project seeks to convert the Hydrogen cow manurethat clean fuel with the potential of feed vehicles, homes and agricultural machinery. With More than one million cows Currently generating 20 million tons of manure per year, this source of waste represents an environmental problem due to its methane emissions and its impact on the Water quality. He Shikaoi Hydrogen Farmlaunched in 2015 by the Ministry of Environment of Japan, addresses this challenge by transforming waste into a sustainable energy resource. As? The manure and urine of cows are Farm collected local and sent to an anaerobic digester, where bacteria break down organic matter to produce biogas and liquid fertilizer. Then, biogas is purified in methane, which later becomes, hydrogen. Sustainable mobility. The plant has a production capacity of 70 cubic meters of hydrogenenough to supply up to 28 vehicles with hydrogen cells per day. In addition to cars, the fuel is currently used In tractors and forklift of the island, whose electrification with batteries is more complex. It is also stored in Canisters that are transported to provide energy to a sturgence fish and Obihiro Zoo. Challenges Several, of course. The main one is logistics, since it must be stored in high pressure tanks, which does so susceptible to leaks and degradation of materials, in addition to requiring specialized infrastructure for transport and distribution. Your acryogenic lmacement at -253 ° C is energetically expensive, which hinders its scalability. In spite of this, the project continues to advance, mainly with subsidies that equate the price of hydrogen with that of gasoline, to promote its adoption in cities such as Sapporo and Muroran. In fact and as we said at the beginning, Japan leads the hydrogen industryalthough the electric cars still They are more profitable than those driven by this gas. Hydrogen from waste. The truth is that the concept of producing hydrogen from waste is not limited to Japan. Other initiatives in the world explore alternative sources such as Pork manurepoultry and even Coconut peels. For example, in Thailand Toyota investigates hydrogen production From chicken excrement. In the United States the University of Illinois developed A METHOD TO MANUFACTURE HYDROGEN With manure, sugarcane residues and corn cobs, significantly reducing the energy consumption of the process. And in Fukuoka, Japan, a wastewater treatment plant produces hydrogen From human wastesupplying a fleet of garbage trucks without emission. All initiatives show that bioenergy from waste can play a key role in the global energy transition. However, the lack of infrastructure and high costs remain barriers for large -scale expansion. Uncertain future. He Project in Shikaoi It is an innovative example of circular economy, where waste becomes energy, reducing emissions and promoting sustainability. However, the viability of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels will depend on technological advances that reduce their cost of production, storage and distribution. Although manure and cow droppings will hardly be the main source of hydrogen in the future, especially worldwide, initiatives such as these can lay the foundations for a new energy industry based on waste recycling, with potential applications in transport, agriculture and clean energy generation globally. Image | Japanexpeter, Nara In Xataka | Remote solar self -consumption: When you can’t install panels on your roof, you ask for remote In Xataka | Solar tiles: What are they, what is their price and what they offer in front of conventional solar panels

The US strategy before China’s unstoppable naval growth has an unexpected protagonist: Japan

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The United States has been lagging behind in a field that previously dominated with iron fist. Its Marina fleet (sub) has been reduced to the same time as its budget. While China, Russia or even North Korea have been developing A new type of “war” Under the sea giving special importance to the “nuclear” theme in the UUV, Washington was still paralyzed. He Arctic case It is another perfect example. Perhaps for this reason, the approach has turned radically: Japan. Japan as an example. Before the growing Maritime Power of China And the difficulties facing the naval industry of the United States, Congress is evaluating the possibility of Adopt the Japanese model of constant production of submarines. Unlike the American system, where the amount of built vessels varies annually according to the budget, Japan (next to South Korea) has maintained for decades a production rate of A submarine per yearan approach that has provided stability to its naval industry and cost efficiency. The Naval Congress Specialist, Ronald O’Rourke, presented this model at a hearing of the Subcommittee for the Projection of Forces and Maritime Power of the House of Representatives, arguing that the Japanese strategy allows to maintain an constant acquisition rate Without affecting the total size of the fleet. Instead of increasing production, Japan manages the number of submarines in service through the extension of its useful life. The success of the Japanese model. To understand the formula we must go back in time. For decades, Japan has followed this strategy for protect your maritime interestsespecially in the soybeans, Tsugu and Tsushima, key routes where Russian and Chinese ships travel. Initially, its fleet consisted of 16 operational submarines and two training, but in 2010 it extended its objective to 22 submarines without increasing productionsimply prolonging your service time from 16 to 22 years. There is another key: the Japanese system allows Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries alternate the manufacture of submarineswhich avoids fluctuations in the workload of the shipyards and guarantees the maintenance of a highly specialized workforce. This strategy has caused the Japanese naval industry to be efficient, competitive and adaptable to changes in defense needs without generating extra costs or logistic problems. In front of the US decline. On the other sidewalk we have Washington. While Japan maintains its stability in naval production, the United States Navy faces A worrying scenario. The construction of your ships has become increasingly expensive and slowand the data corroborates it, since the total cost of the 46 ships currently under construction was tripled in a single year, from 3.4 billion to 10.4 billion dollars. But there is more. The aircraft carriers, which used to take 8 years to build, now They require 11 years. Here, China is advancing on the right too, As we explain. The attack submarines, whose construction took six years in the 2000s, now take nine. Even the Navy faces the shortage of personnel, both in the shipyards and in the crews, which further aggravates delays. All challenges that make the option of adopting the Japanese approach or that of South Korea, two of the world’s largest naval builders, win traction in Washington, especially when the number of US attack submarines is on the way to decrease in the coming yearswhich could affect the balance of power in the Pacific. Japan as a strategic complement. All this leads us to the proposal of Congress. In addition, the strengthening of the Japanese underwater fleet not only reinforces Tokyo’s defense, but also benefits the United States By having a better prepared ally in the region. O’Rourke pointed out that if Japan decided to expand its fleet to 30 submarines, it could do it maintaining its current production rate and extending the useful life of their vessels at 30 years. The recent delivery of RAIGEI Submarineof the Taigei class, by Kawasaki Heavy Industries to the Japan Ministry of Defense, it is a sample of the efficiency of the system we are talking about. Mitsubishi did the same with him Jingei submarinereflecting a constant production scheme that contrasts with the problems of the American naval industry. The challenge in an uncertain political context. While the Japanese model offers clear solutions, its implementation in the United States is not so simple. The main reason? The American system depends on annual budget negotiationswhat generates fluctuations in naval production and hinders long -term planning. In addition, political and economic uncertainty, including possible commercial restrictions and Threat of new tariffs On the part of the Trump administration, they could further complicate any attempt to stabilize the industry. Thus, the things already measure that competition with China in the maritime field intensifies, the US Congress is forced to reconsider its naval construction strategy. Adopting the Japanese model could represent a viable solution to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure that the Navy keeps its position on the global stage. A complicated equation that would require deep structural changes In the way in which the country finances and manages its industry, a challenge that is yet to be resolved. Image | Tom Dennison In Xataka | The US Navy faces an unprecedented threat: China, Russia and North Korea are developing a new type of underwater war In Xataka | Eight Rompehielos have turned Russia into the power of the Arctic. Your secret: Nuclear force to operate all year

The number of young Chinese enrolled in the art schools in Japan has shot. It’s a springboard to stay

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For some time to this part Japan has been living A arrivals boom from abroad. We do not talk only about tourists, since a percentage of the people who arrives do it with the bags to stay. In fact, a nation stands out in these statistics. The Chinese are traveling in mass to not return due to economic opportunities and socio -political challenges themselves. That is why, many young people are aiming at the university to study art. Art as a way for residence. Chinese migration to Japan is reaching unprecedented levels. It We have recently: With the flexibility of Visa requirementsthe migratory flow from China has expanded beyond the wealthy elite, also covering to the middle class. Moreover, it is estimated that by 2026 the number of Chinese citizens residing in Japan It will exceed one million. This increase is transforming not only the demographic structure, but also the culture, lifestyle and educational systems in Many Japanese cities. And within this phenomenon, a group has gained particular relevance: Chinese art studentswho see in Japanese universities an opportunity to establish themselves permanently in the country. The case of Li Yalin. Nikkei told him The weekend with an example. Li Yalin, a 28 -year -old girl, reflects the trend. After obtaining his degree in China, he moved to Japan in 2019 to study Japanese at a language school in Tokyo. However, the pandemic forced her to return to her country. Determined to return, he approved the entrance exam at the University of Arts of Kyoto remotely and today resides in Japan, specializing in Videogame characters design. Raised in a middle class family in Guangzhou, Li grew immersed in Japanese culture, especially through video games like Pokémon. Now he has achieved work in a video game company in Tokyo, where this spring will begin to work. With just a few years in the country, he is already evaluating his way to The permanent residence. A growing phenomenon. The number of Chinese students in the main art universities in Japan It has increased exponentially. He Nikkei study revealed That there are currently 245 Chinese students at the University of Arts of Tokyo, 462 at the University of Art of Musashino, 448 at the University of Art of Tama, 692 at the University of Arts of Kyoto and 823 at the University of Kyoto Seika. In total, Chinese students represent 70% of international students In these universities, which reflects a clear migratory pattern that links education with long -term residence. The 2017 inflection point. He counted the medium in his analysis that the phenomenon It took strength in 2017when the Japanese government relaxed the requirements To obtain permanent residence. The measure was especially beneficial for international students, allowing them to request residence in just one to three years, instead of the five required above. Not just that. Politics is part of the “Cool Japan” initiativewhich seeks to boost the Japanese cultural industry, such as anime, design and video games. As a result, facilities have been implemented in obtaining work visas for foreigners in these sectors, which has made careers animation, design and video games into quick accesses to permanent residence. How they get the residence. Apparently, Japan evaluates residence applicants through A point system which takes into account the academic level, work experience, annual income, age or mastery of the Japanese language. Those who reach 70 points are classified as “highly qualified professionals”, while those who exceed 80 points can request permanent residence In just one year. Ren Junying, 30, is Another successful example. Originally from Hebei, he completed a doctorate at the University of Arts in Tokyo and now works as a jewelry designer in the Japanese capital. Despite having less than a year in the labor market, it has reached 90 points in the evaluation system, which will allow you to obtain residence shortly. Chinese migration and labor structure. Japan has a unique massive hiring system of recent graduates, which facilitates international students to find employment more efficiently than in other developed countries such as the United States or Europe. As a result, the number of Chinese with permanent residence in Japan has grown 40% since 2017, reaching 330,000 in June 2024. Not just that. Permanent residence too benefits spouseswho can obtain unrestricted work visas. In recent years, the number of people under this category has increased significantly, even more strengthening the Chinese community in Japan. Universities such as “Migrant” springboard. Nikkei explained Cases such as the Coach Academy, a preparatory school for Chinese students in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has seen an increase in the registration of young people seeking to enter Japanese art universities. Yang Kailin, 25, arrived in Japan in April 2023 to prepare for a postgraduate degree at an University University. “My goal is to work for a Japanese toy company and, if possible, obtain permanent residence,” I assured the environment. The school introduced an art course in 2015 with just 10 Chinese students. Today, the figure has exceeded 200. Plus: a new phenomenon has emerged. Chinese parents are the ones who drive their children’s migration to Japan. In this regard, an employee of a preparatory academy pointed to the environment that he saw “more enthusiasm to study art in Japan by parents, rather than the students themselves.” The reason? If a student obtains the permanent residence in Japan as a highly qualified professional, Your parents can also benefit of a possible migration. Chinese migration expands. It We counted recently. Japan’s appeal as a migration destination is not limited to art universities. In a context where the Chinese economy shows signs of stagnation and increasing unemployment, many young people seek Alternatives abroad. In fact, the growth of the Chinese community in Japan is transforming the social structure of the country, where the combination of flexible immigration policies, labor access and a high standard of living have turned the Nation into an attractive destination for those who seek stability outside China. Image | Toshihiro Gamo In Xataka | The Chinese … Read more

While the population of Japan sinks irremediably, Tokyo grows. There is an explanation: Ikkyoku Shūchū

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Much of the world has a short and medium term problem, a problem called demography. The fertility rate from various countries It is poor and birth has plummeted in many of them. Asian countries as South Korea, China either Taiwan They suffer this problem, but we cannot talk about demographic winter without mentioning Japan. While the country struggles to achieve the rate that guarantees the generational relief, they are being seen and wishing so that companies have labor. Giants like McDonald’s have changed its contracting policiesthey are putting to work To robots And, due to the lack of childreneven diaper companies have started Look at the adult diapers sector. And, while dealing with that problem, another has been hitting the door for years: the Excessive centralization of the archipelago in a city: Tokyo. And this excessive centralization has a name: Ikkyoku Shūchū. Japan disassembles Ikkyoku Shūchū It is a Japanese term that refers to centralization of the country. This implies that there is an excessive concentration at a very specific point that is not only given because they are born more babies at that point or receive more immigration, but because other areas of the country are emptied because they move to the city that brings together … everything. In the Japanese case, that city is Tokyo, the great city that, for decades, has accumulated industry, administrative functions, political, tourism and, obviously, population. As they point in The Japan Timeswhile the rest of the country waning, Tokyo grew. This has caused a huge demographic imbalance because, obviously, the area around it lost population, but also other locations throughout the country. And the implications of this are huge. To begin with, an economic disparity is created because Everything is concentrated in the big cityso the gap in economic activities is increasing between the capital and the rest of the country. For the citizen, this translates into money and time, since everything is more expensive, transport services and public services are more saturated and teleworking is not always possible. Ichinono, a town with more dolls than neighbors It is also a problem for the rest of the region, since those municipalities that are running out of population cannot maintain essential services and either attract young people who want to work. In fact, what we have seen is that the way to attract couples to that “emptied Japan” is through incentives for you to form a family And have children. There are others cases successful, but also related to the entire world of promoting family creation. Plans against him Ikkyoku Shūchū This phenomenon is sad, since it ends with the smallest peoples and, precisely, in Japan we saw an example of a town in which there are More dolls than people. Due to the lack of services, there are locations that have gone to work. An example is Ina, what implement A telemedicine service that uses drones to facilitate medicines to the elderly. Another is Kamiyama, a town that lost 70% of its population and is achieving Attract companies thanks to the development of high -speed Internet. From the government they have also put themselves to Identify the needs to mitigate the phenomenon of the Ikkyoku Shūchū and promote Decentralization. In January of this year, El País presented a plan of action which will seek to promote economic and social growth through the redistribution of government functions throughout the country. In addition, there is the call ‘Regional Reform 2.0’ that seeks to promote a stronger economy of the different regions and reduce the excessive population concentration of the capital. The end is, according to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, help all people reach happiness. And it is a continuation of the 2016 Regional Revitalization Act that seeks to encourage the implementation of industry and services away from Tokyo to attract population to those other nuclei. It is a beautiful objective for a future that does not look too well if things continue as until now. The estimate is that, of the 124 million Japanese of 2023, in 2100 There will be 63 million and, in addition, very aging, making the entire social security system impracticable. Image | Timo Volz In Xataka | Demographers have been wondering for centuries when the human population will stop growing. It already has an answer: 2080

Japan has encountered a problem with the aging of their growing foreign community: they cannot bury them

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Japan and their society have been immersed in a process of transformation where the role of “foreigner” every time It is more important. Waves arrive in the country, and in many cases to stay. The clearest example is giving with many Chinese who They arrive not to returnbut it is exponential to all nations. This is resulting in the population of advanced foreign residents is increasing, and with it, of deaths. A problem that nobody saw. I told this one Nikkei weekend. Foreign residents in Japan are dealing with serious difficulties in burying their loved ones. The reason? The Cremation predominancewhich has become the norm in the country. He 99.99% of the deceased In Japan they are cremated, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, which leaves those who require burial for religious reasons or simply by tradition with very few options. The problem is especially critical for Muslim and Christian communitieswhich consider unacceptable cremation. The situation is aggravated as the foreign population ages and grows the demand for burial spaces, which has turned the issue into an increasingly urgent challenge for the nation. Examples of a crisis. In the medium report they had a case that occurred last January after the death of A Pakistani man in Kanagawa which unleashed a frantic search for a cemetery that allowed its burial. His family, with limited resources, could not repatriate his body, and after multiple rejections and high costs, they finally managed to bury him in the Cemetery Honojo Kodama in Saitama, for a amount of 300,000 yen (around 2,000 euros), paid by friends of the community. There are more similar cases that are repeated throughout the country. For example, that of a Korean Christian woman 80 years old who died in October, and his son took a month and a half to find a burial site. During that time, his body had to be stored in a police installation. Factors that hinder burials. There are several keys to understanding the controversy around the shortage of cemeteries that allow burials. The first one already said: the predominance of cremation. Japan has gone from burying their dead to incinerate them almost entirely in the last 50 years. In 1913, only 31% of the deceased were cremated, but by 1934 it had already become the majority practice due to health concerns and lack of space. But there is more. Another problem is derived from The scarcity of landsince the large amount of land necessary for cemeteries in a country with limited space is a key obstacle. Also the Environmental concernssince there is fear that burials contaminating groundwater (although there is no clear evidence that supports said statement). Finally, it points to the local community resistancesince in many regions residents oppose the construction of new cemeteries, which has frustrated several projects. The aging of the “foreigners” and the future impact. Japan currently houses 3.41 million foreign residentsof which 220,000 are 65 years or older, an increase of 150% in the last decade. The aging of this population implies that the demand for burials will only grow in the coming years. In this regard, Professor Hirofumi Tanada, an expert in the Muslim community in Japan, estimates that there are around 350,000 Muslims in the countryfacing problems similar to those of other religious minorities. Tanada warned that in 10 or 15 years could be even more difficult Find places of burial, which will intensify the crisis. Regional disparity in the availability of cemeteries. Another of the problems of the problem. Japan presents strong regional inequalities In access to cemeteries. Namely: while in the Kanto region (which includes Tokyo and its surroundings) there are four private cemeteries that allow burials, in regions such as Tohoku and Kyushu have none. Again: despite the growing need, the efforts to create new cemeteries have found obstacles. Last December, the governor of Miyagi proposed to build a cemetery in the region, but received an avalanche of calls and emails from Citizens expressing your opposition. The attempt of a Muslim cemetery. It happened in 2018when the Beppu Muslim Association in Oita Prefecture tried to build a cemetery in the town of Hiji. After seven years of negotiations, they finally agreed with local authorities and residents to build the cemetery in municipal land, with conditions such as the limitation of the use of the cemetery to residents of Kyushu and a regular monitoring of water quality. However, The project was canceled When a new mayor revoked the sale of the land, citing environmental concerns. This left the Muslim community without viable options in the region. Proposals and barriers for a solution. Professor Khan Muhammad Tahir Abbas, director of the Beppu Muslim Association, told that the lack of cemeteries not only affects foreigners, but also Naturalized Japanese and converts to Islam or Christianity. Since 2021, requests have been presented to the Ministry of Social Welfare requesting the creation of adequate cemeteries for religious minorities. However, to date, Japan has not adopted No clear policy about itarguing that differences in customs and beliefs make it difficult to implement a standard solution. Meanwhile, other countries have managed to integrate religious burials into their funeral infrastructure. In Norway, the United States, Canada or Singapore, among others, specific sections have been designated in public cemeteries for Muslims and other religious minorities. A challenge that the nation cannot ignore. With the Foreign resident figures In hand, Japan is facing a problem that cannot be ignored. The lack of accessible cemeteries For this group it is a challenge that will only be aggravated over time. Although the cremation remains the norm, the aging of the foreign community demands a more inclusive answer by the Japanese government. As They explained in Nikkeiif the nation wants to fulfill its objective of being a more diverse and cozy society, it should facilitate solutions that allow religious minorities to bury their dead with dignity. This requires overcoming the local opposition, adapting funeral policies and developing adequate infrastructure, as other nations with … Read more

Donald Trump’s government plans to be even harder with China. His problem is that he needs Netherlands and Japan

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The administration led by Joe Biden has approved during his management years several very ambitious China sanctions. The last one entered into force On December 2just a few weeks before Biden and his team leave the White House. These prohibitions are aimed priority to Chinese companies that They design and produce lithography equipment that intervene in the manufacture of advanced semiconductors, hence the impact they are presumably having on the Chinese chips industry is deep. As expected, China soon react. Just one day later the government led by Xi Jinping announced the prohibition of export of critical minerals to the US. It was possible that the arrival of Donald Trump’s government and his entourage contributed to calm the waters with China a little, but nothing is further from reality. The climbing of sanctions and other moschadillas that have starred US and China in recent years will continue, although now under the baton of Donald Trump. The US prepares more sanctions with the complicity of the Netherlands and Japan According to Bloomberg News Trump’s team wants to even more harden the sanctions to which China is already subjected. The US government has not officially confirmed it, but according to this means of communication, the new sanctions package addresses two different areas that seek to hinder more the development of the Chinese semiconductor industry. The first measure proposes to restrict the quantity and types of chips that NVIDIA can deliver to its Chinese clients without processing a license. Deepseek R1’s success is promoting the adoption of NVIDIA GPU H20 for models training It is important that we do not overlook that Jensen Huang’s company leads the GPU market for applications of artificial intelligence (AI) with an approximate quota of 80%. And, in addition, the success of China AI Deepseek R1 He is promoting The adoption of the GPU H20 of nvidia for Model training (And also that of The Ascend 910 chips of Huawei to solve inference tasks). Whatever this is not all. And, again according to Bloomberg, several US officials have recently met with their Dutch and Japanese counterparts. Presumably they are negotiating what steps they can take to drastically limit the participation of the engineers of the Dutch company ASML and the Japanese Tokyo Electron, which are two of the most important lithography equipment manufacturers on the planet, in the maintenance of the production equipment of the production equipment of semiconductors that are being used by their Chinese clients. The US needs the complicity of the Netherlands and Japan to make this measure prosper, and it is very likely to do so soon. From one thing we can be sure: as has happened on other occasions, China will respond. Image | ASML More information | Reuters In Xataka | Japan has triggered the alarm: China has in its hands the world production of chips and batteries thanks to the gallium

For 15 years a strange circle under an island in Japan was an enigma. The author’s identity was a surprise

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If we go to the dictionary to be exact with the term, the verb “courtej” accompanies the following definition: try to get the love or favors of someone flattering him and looking for his company. Therefore, the finding that took place several decades ago was so surprising. Normally, when we talk about courting WE THINK HUMAN KEY. However, in the animal kingdom they exceed everything seen in our species when it comes to claim the attention of the other. The enigma of the circles. In 1995, a group of divers who were exploring the waters near Amami ōshima, Japan, Japan, They discovered strange circular formations In the seabed. It was surprising, since those structures were symmetric, with radial spikes and valleys, and with such a prominent geometric perfection that it aroused all kinds of speculation about their origin: were they facing a human creation, or was it due to some kind of unknown natural phenomenon , or maybe an unusual organism? The years passed, and it was not until 2011 that A team of scientists managed to solve the mystery. Not just that. They managed to “catch” the suspect repeating the lavish scene. To the surprise of the researchers, the protagonist was A tiny torquigener albomaculosusa small kind of balloon fish that, with a size of just 12 centimeters, seemed to be able to sculpt structures 16 times larger than their own body with a very specific purpose: seduce a couple for reproduction. The art of courtship under the sea. The year of the finding, the scientists recorded the process of creating these circles in the seabed, observing up to 10 reproductive events in two study areas. Each structure took between seven and nine days to complete and required extreme precision. The male balloon fish used its pectoral, anal and flows fins to dig and model the sand in a perfect radial pattern, alternating between rapid and strategic pauses movements To give texture to the formations. In addition, he decorated the peaks of his work with decorative elements such as shells and coral fragments, while the center of the circle was completely clear as we see in the images. Only when these final details were ready, The females began to approach to evaluate the design of the “artist”. The mating ritual. At this point, when a female was interested in the structure, The male stirred the fine sand of the center to attract his attention. If she decided to enter the circle, the male withdrew momentarily before swimming quickly towards her in a repetitive courtship dance. If the female was impressed, she put her eggs in the center of the circlemaking it a temporary nest. If that was already fascinating, shortly after it was revealed that the impressive structures were never reused, they were of only one use. After reproduction, males leave their creation and begin a new one from scratch, since the process of sculpting the circle consumes most of the finest and most adequate sand for reproduction. This apotheosic nest construction ritual, documented years later In the Big Pacific series of BBC Earth/PBS and narrated by Sir David AttenboroughHe has amazed biologists and spectators since then. Ephemeral art. No doubt, the complex work of the balloon fish is One of the most fascinating exhibitions of the animal kingdomcomparable to the elaborate dances of mating of birds or the constructions of some mammals. However, what makes these structures unique is that these are true underwater works of art, carefully designed and molded with geometric precision. In addition, its discovery also offered a new perspective on the evolution of courtship in vertebrates. Although humans tend to think about art and architecture as exclusively ours capacities, these seabl , all that, and surely something else, in the extraordinary work of a tiny creature. Image | H KAWASE et al (2017) FISHES, CC by 4.0 In Xataka | What science tells us about when a romantic relationship will be a success or complete failure In Xataka | We have lost track of one of the few mammals that put eggs. Now we have rediscovered it

A single island houses 70% of the US military bases in Japan. There is a weight reason for not to come out: China

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At the end of January, in the Japan islands closest to Taiwan, Many places began to evacuate the area. The action was part of a series of drills that have been intensified in the last two years preparing for “the worst”, understanding this as An armed conflict between China and Taiwan. In fact, the most important island of Okinawa prefecture has a fact that attests to tension in the area: there is no other place in Japan with such a number of soldiers in the United States, and they have been there since World War II. Okinawa: trapped between two powers. For more than a century, Okinawa has been a territory in disputemarked by the conflict between Japan, the United States and China. Its history, which goes from being an independent kingdom to become a battlefield and military baseit reflects the weight of geopolitical decisions about the lives of its inhabitants. The island was originally The kingdom of Ryukyuan independent state that maintained tax relations with both Imperial China and with the Japanese domain of Satsuma. However, in the 1870s, Japan attached the archipelagoestablishing its control over the island. During World War II, Okinawa was the stage of One of the bloodiest battlesused as a shield to prevent US troops from reaching the main islands of Japan. After the war, instead of being returned to Japanese sovereignty, Okinawa was under control of the United Statesbecoming a military strategic point. Already in 1972, after 27 years of American occupation, The island was finally returned to Japan. However, the US military presence never disappeared. In fact, Okinawa houses 70 % of US military bases in Japandespite representing only 0.6 % of the national territory. It is estimated that there are 80,000 Americans on the island, of which 30,000 are uniformed military. The “slow” withdrawn. This week had the New York Times that the departure of those thousands of American marines has already begun, more or less, although With a delay of more than 20 years Regarding the original calendar. Before Christmas, a 105 Marines contingent that would normally have been sent to the island He was redirected to the new Camp Blaz base in Guam. This small movement marked the first trimming of military personnel in Okinawa within the agreement between Washington and Tokyo to reduce that US military presence on the island that goes back to World War II. According to the pact, 9,000 marines (almost half of the troops on the island) should be relocated at some point. However, due to the construction of replacement bases, its exit could take more than a decade to complete. United States maneuvers on the island A discontent agreement. Negotiation for the reduction of military presence It began in 1995when the case of three American soldiers who raped an okinawense girl caused massive protests on the island. This led to the United States and Japan They will agree to relieve the military load on Okinawa. As? In essence, by closing The Fuutema Air Base and the construction of a new installation in the north of the island. The first plan, signed in 1996, established a period of five to seven years for relocation, but almost three decades of that agreement, the original base remains operational and the new landing track is still 12 years after being completed. Geopolitics: the brake on the reduction. In any case, the delay in the withdrawal of US troops is due, in large part, to the growing military presence of China in the region. Recently and As we countthe Japan Ministry of Defense reported that Four Chinese warships sailed between Okinawa and a nearby islandincreasing concern in Tokyo and Washington about security in the Western Pacific. The rise of China, together with the threat of North Korea and tensions in Taiwan, has changed strategic dynamics. In fact, the times told that many in Tokyo and Washington wonder If they should really reduce the presence of marines in Okinawaespecially when the island is within the range of Chinese missiles and would be a key point in any conflict in the region. China’s hat. Although historically Okinawa maintained commercial relations with China, Beijing’s current influence on the region is seen with concern for many Japanese. The tensions between China and Japan by the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands They have fueled the fear that Okinawa can become a conflict point Between both countries. An uncertain future. For all this, and despite international pressure, the transfer of the Marines progress to slow pacealmost testimonial. Japan, meanwhile, has chosen to keep the status quoinvesting in the modernization of existing bases instead of accelerating relocation. In this regard, Camp Schwab, in the north of the island, will be the new home of the Marines relocated from Fuhenma. The construction includes an area of ​​land five times greater than the pentagon to house landing clues and hangars. It does not seem, therefore, that you think too much about an exit. For its part, Camp Fosterin the southern part of Okinawa, it is being remodeled with new barracks, schools and homes, consolidating the military presence in that area. Japan spends According to the New York Times1.5 billion dollars a year in the construction of new facilities, in addition to the 2.8 billion dollars already allocated to Camp Blaz base in Guamwhich, as we said, will house a part of the displaced marines of Okinawa. Yet, Pentagon still does not provide a clear calendar For relocation. And here we return to the exit box: in case of conflict in Asia, LTo Guam’s remoteness could represent a strategic problemsince the Marines would have to return to Japan crossing a combat zone. Thus, what is clear is that the island remains a key piece on the Indo-Pacific board, trapped between the strategic needs of the United States and Japan, and the own aspirations of autonomy of its population. Image | US Indo-Pacifi In Xataka | The Japan islands closest to Taiwan have begun to evacuate the area. They have been preparing … Read more

In its pulse with the US, China has restricted key minerals for the Tech industry. Japan fears an impact globally

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The commercial war between United States and China It is developing with export controls. While Washington restricts the sending of advanced semiconductors and other avant -garde technologies, Beijing responds by limiting access to strategic resources. However, Japan has not hesitated to warn that the repercussions of this confrontation can go beyond these two powers. Financial Times points out That both the Japanese government and the companies in the country are alarmed by the recent measures of the Asian giant, which could mark the beginning of a “declaration of economic war against the rest of the world.” Japan, the greatest global consumer of Germanio, Graphite and Gallic, continues to receive these critical minerals, but fears that China further limits its supply. The dilemma of re -export controls China wants to prevent Gallium, whose supply to control 98%, drive military applications in the United States. And not only is he trying to do it directly with the export controls, but also indirectly with the Re -export controlswhich seek to limit the sending of products that contain this element, but the rules of the game are not clear at this time. The Chinese Gallic is in pieces made in Japan and imported by Tesla, as well as in Broadcom optical communication components and semiconductors used in Apple devices. However, Japanese suppliers that make up the supply chain of these US companies claim to ignore the gallium limit that they can incorporate into their products. So, as they warn, China could decide overnight that an excess of gallium is being sent to the United States and demand that a export license to continue supplying. The dynamics of licenses is well known: the United States has also used them To restrict the export of Nvidia graphics chips to Chinaand the problem is that, in most cases, they are never granted. In a globalized world, the decisions of key countries resonate beyond its borders. A change in the export policies of China or the United States can reconfigure access to essential resources, affect global prices and alter the economy of some nations. What seems like an isolated dispute can have direct effects on global markets, even making themselves feel in consumers. Images | Lio voo | Ln In Xataka | China’s veto to export minerals to the US had a small print and affects a key element of Ukraine defense: drones

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