On December twenty fifth, three teams devoted to preserving the surroundings of the Philosophers’ Path visited Kyoto City Hall. They submitted a request to take care of the trail as a pure grime path, emphasizing the necessity to defend the encompassing surroundings, together with the long-lasting cherry blossom timber.

A member of a neighborhood resident group remarked, “Differences in opinions among those living along the path have caused divisions. We hope for a solution that benefits everyone without causing harm.”

Located in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward, the Philosophers’ Path stretches about 2 kilometers from close to Ginkaku-ji Temple to the south, providing picturesque surroundings. In spring, roughly 400 cherry timber bloom, and the world is house to fireflies, making it beloved by each locals and vacationers.

According to Kyoto City, elements of the trail have already been paved with asphalt. However, opposition from some residents who want to protect the surroundings has stalled additional paving in different sections.

One native resident expressed their ideas: “If the path is paved with concrete, it will become just another ordinary road. The Philosophers’ Path should remain a dirt trail, preserving its unique character for future generations. Altering it could disrupt the natural ecosystem, affecting insects, birds, and other wildlife.”

However, leaving the trail unpaved has induced some challenges.

A neighborhood resident pointed to a crack in a close-by door, saying, “Look at this. It’s caused by stones kicked up from the gravel path. Even vehicles get damaged.”

Another resident talked about, “We built this parking space for our car, but it’s constantly covered in dust. It’s quite inconvenient.”

There are additionally complaints about muddy circumstances on wet days, with some residents calling for enhancements.

In response, Kyoto City has shaped a dialogue panel, together with consultants, advocates for paving, and cautious locals. On December seventeenth, they performed an on-site inspection to discover potential options that stability sustaining the panorama and bettering livability.

Takahiro Sawai, a consultant of the Philosophers’ Path Preservation Society, urged warning: “It’s important to consider the entire environment, including the habitat of Genji fireflies, which are designated natural monuments in Kyoto.”

On the opposite hand, native resident Fumio Ninobe, who helps paving, argued, “Some parts of the path are already paved with asphalt, and it hasn’t affected the local environment. Fireflies still thrive here.”

Masafumi Kawasaki, a professor at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, famous, “Even if the gravel path is compacted, vehicles passing through can dislodge stones, requiring repairs. We need to carefully plan the path’s maintenance based on specific locations, considering whether there are houses nearby.”

Source: YOMIURI

Currently, iDeCo is on the heart of heated discussions throughout social media platforms.

iDeCo is a non-public pension system that dietary supplements public pensions such because the nationwide pension and worker pension plans. Often known as “another pension,” contributions are gathered and could be withdrawn after the age of 60. Additionally, recipients can take pleasure in advantages such because the “retirement income deduction” if taken as a lump sum fee.

The controversy now stems from a change within the guidelines governing this deduction interval.

Under the present system, people receiving iDeCo lump sums on the age of 60 can maximize the retirement earnings deduction if there’s a “five-year gap” earlier than they accumulate retirement advantages. However, beneath the tax reform proposals outlined by the ruling coalition for the subsequent fiscal yr, this “five-year rule” is ready to change into a “ten-year rule.”

In different phrases, except retirement advantages are deferred till the age of 70, recipients won’t be able to totally make the most of the obtainable deductions. This change has sparked outrage on social media:

From X (previously Twitter):

“There’s no way most companies will let you work until 70!”

“This is a scam… How much more tax do they want to squeeze out of us?”

“This is the very definition of an iDeCo reform gone wrong.”

Amid public outcry, the federal government moved into the ultimate levels of adjustment on December twenty fifth for the fiscal 2025 price range proposal.

Despite rising costs, wage will increase, and the absence of fastened tax reductions subsequent fiscal yr, projected tax revenues are anticipated to achieve a report excessive.

As annual tax revenues proceed to exceed expectations, the query stays: how ought to we put together for our retirement whereas nationwide dwelling requirements present little signal of enchancment?

Source: ANN

For group vacationer visas, the allowable keep will likely be prolonged from the present restrict of 15 days to 30 days. Additionally, adjustments will likely be made to the issuance necessities for particular person vacationer visas. For people aged 65 and older, submission of an employment certificates will not be required.

The ministry additionally plans to introduce a brand new particular person visa legitimate for 10 years, completely accessible to people with considerably excessive incomes.

While the precise timing of those adjustments has not but been decided, ministry officers instructed that the measures are unlikely to be carried out in time for the Chinese New Year holidays on the finish of January 2025.

On December twenty fifth, Iwaya visited China for the primary time since assuming his function as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held successive conferences with Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

During the discussions, either side agreed to advertise people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding. The easing of visa necessities is predicted to contribute to bettering relations between the 2 international locations.

Source: ANN

Now, a brand new method has been applied. Two pedestrian crossings, as soon as painted solely in white, have been redesigned with alternating inexperienced and white stripes.

Fujikawaguchiko Mayor Hideyuki Watanabe defined: “Some suggested using blue, or incorporating Lawson’s signature colors for better visibility on social media, but we decided to prioritize functionality. The green and white stripes are meant to be both noticeable and effective in guiding pedestrians to use the crossings.”

Has it labored? While the variety of individuals utilizing the crosswalks has elevated, challenges stay.

Mayor Watanabe commented additional: “We must analyze the results to determine how pedestrian traffic flows and decide on the next steps accordingly.”

Source: ANN