Japan

Tsukimi Ayano's scarecrows congregate at a bus stop in Nagoro. The village used to be home to about 300 people; now there are 30.

A Dying Japanese Village Brought Back To Life — By Scarecrows

9:55am August 26, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

A remote mountain village once was home to hundreds. Now it has just 30 residents. Tsukimi Ayano, 67, is one of the younger ones. She has repopulated the village by making scarecrow-like figures.

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Nenosuke Yamamoto, 80, stands in the shed where he repairs bicycles in Tokyo. "I feel that if I keep on working, I might not age as much," he says. "I might not have dementia or other sorts of aging issues."

For Some Older Adults In Japan, A Chance To Stay In The Workforce

3:29pm August 25, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

As Japan's population shrinks and ages, the government wants older adults to remain employed. The traditional retirement age is 60, but a few companies are welcoming those who want to keep working.

Hiroyuko Yamamoto, a crossing guard in Matsudo, Japan, has been trained in how to recognize and gently approach people who are wandering, or have other signs of dementia, in ways that won't frighten them.

Japanese City Takes Community Approach To Dealing With Dementia

4:47pm August 23, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

Japan expects 7 million cases of dementia among its long-lived residents by 2025. It has started training pharmacists, bankers and postal workers in how to recognize the signs and be supportive.

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This Lawson convenience store in Kowaguchi, Japan, sells a selection of prepared meals and fresh vegetables and meats, along with products aimed at the elderly. Many of the store's older customers find it hard to get to the supermarket, the store's manage

Beyond Slurpees: Many Japanese Mini-Marts Now Cater To Elders

2:02pm August 23, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

Convenience is in the eye of the generation. Increasingly, corner markets in Japan target the 27 percent of residents over 65 — offering nursing care advice and home delivery of meals and groceries.

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Kubo is swept up by origami wings in the new film, Kubo and the Two Strings, an action-adventure, stop-motion animation by Laika studios.

Arts

A Samurai's Son Makes Stop-Motion Magic With Music And Origami

5:19pm August 19, 2016

by NPR Staff

Kubo and the Two Strings is a sprawling new fantasy film from Laika animation studios. Filmmaker Travis Knight says it's all about merging brand new technology with age-old art and craft.

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Boys ranging from six to 12 prepare their flags for the Shimadachi Hadaka Matsuri, an annual festival rooted in Shinto tradition in which the children parade through town to ward off evil spirits and pay respects to the god of health.

Japanese 'Naked' Festivals Keep Centuries-Old Tradition Alive

11:36am August 11, 2016

by Elise Hu

In a mountain town, schoolboys in traditional loincloths keep up a 300-year tradition. The hadaka matsuri festivals, rooted in Shinto tradition, take place to bring purification, luck and prosperity.

Pedestrians in Tokyo watch as Emperor Akihito speaks to the nation. In the rare video message, Akihito said old age and illness may make it difficult for him to fulfill his public duties.

World News

In A Rare Speech, Japan's Emperor Hints At Abdicating

9:05am August 08, 2016

by Elise Hu

Emperor Akihito said his age and poor health could make the performance of his duties impossible. But Japanese law doesn't allow for the emperor to step down.

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Journalists gather in front of Tsukui Yamayuri-en, an assisted care facility where at least 19 people were killed and dozens injured in a knife attack in Sagamihara, outside Tokyo Tuesday.

World News

19 Die In Knife Attack At Care Facility West Of Tokyo

8:59am July 26, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The accused former employee of the mental health facility told police, "It's better that the disabled disappear," Japanese media report.

A first-timer's attempt at making part of a 'character bento,' or Kyaraben, lunch.

For Japanese Parents, Gorgeous Bento Lunches Are Packed With High Stakes

1:18pm July 24, 2016

by Elise Hu

It's cute ... but is it too much cultural pressure?

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A Japanese mother and her 2-year-old pick up free groceries in Tokyo at the charity Second Harvest. Japan has a limited safety net for the poor and the economy is still struggling to gain traction under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Halfway Around The World, Brexit Hits Japan's Already Soft Economy

6:40am June 28, 2016

by Elise Hu

The world's third largest economy is still struggling to gain traction under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The British decision to leave the European Union has delivered another blow.