TOKYO (AFP) – A widely ridiculed Japanese government idea to woo Tokyo women into marrying men in rural areas by offering cash payouts and train tickets to matchmaking events has been scrapped, officials said on Friday.
Bureaucrats had envisioned payments of up to JPY600,000 (USD4,140) for women who got married and settled outside of Tokyo as part of efforts to reduce a yawning countryside gender gap, local media reported.
Hanako Jimi, minister of state for regional revitalisation, said on Friday she had instructed officials to “review” the plan, and insisted that reports about the size of payments were “not true”.
Media leaks about the scheme this week drew scorn on social media, where critics saw it as typical in a country where men dominate politics and other areas, more than in any other major industrialised economy.
“Did they think independent, motivated and educated women in the city would think, ‘What? If I marry a local man and move to a countryside, I’ll get 600,000 yen! I’ll do it!’? Are they serious?” said one user on X.
Another said: “Do they still not get it? This is something people who see women as valuable only if they give birth would come up with.”
As they age, many rural areas in the world’s fourth-biggest economy are facing a depopulation crisis, with some small towns having hardly any – or even zero – children.
One cause is that more young women than young men leave the villages and small towns they grew up in and move to big cities, especially Tokyo, for better opportunities in higher education and work.
More than 40 per cent of Japanese municipalities are at “risk of disappearing” due to the expected drop in the number of women in their 20s and 30s, a study by a private-sector expert panel suggested in April.
Jose Joya’s ‘Space Transfiguration’.
PHOTO: ANN/THE LIFESTYLE INQUIRER
ANN/THE INQUIRER – Various factors, including historical significance, provenance, market trends, rarity, reputation, and sentimental value, play a crucial role in determining the demand for artworks in the art collecting world.
So when a Joya sells for over PHP100 million (around USD1.778 million) at an auction, which of these factors could have contributed to its interest among collectors? Is it Joya’s reputation as an internationally well-exhibited Filipino artist? His status as a national artist? Are these the same factors that drove up the price of a classic Amorsolo rural piece to millions?
Often, it is a combination of the mentioned factors that makes the price of an artwork to skyrocket. A common denominator among these factors is also how they are all socially motivated or, rather and more specifically, socially cultivated by the world of art collectors.
Art sociology scholar Olav Velthuis said, “The art market functions as a big consensus marketing machine.” Velthuis explains that this consensus is created by what important figures such as well-known curators, museums, and collectors are saying about a certain work or artist.
In other words, cultivated social significance is a main driving point for the value of an artwork.
People look at debris stuck on a bridge over a river in Ninomiyamachi, southwest of Tokyo, Japan. PHOTO: AP
AFP – A powerful typhoon now downgraded to a tropical storm disrupted flights and trains in Japan on Saturday, with authorities warning of possible landslides caused by heavy rain.
Shanshan, which at landfall was one of the fiercest typhoons to hit Japan in decades, pummelled Kyushu island on Thursday, but its speed has eased to 90 kilometres per hour (kph) from 252kph.
The typhoon killed at least six people and injured over 120, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Now downgraded to a tropical storm, Shanshan was located off the western Wakayama region on Saturday and moving east.
ANA and Japan Airlines cancelled around 60 domestic flights for Saturday, affecting almost 7,200 passengers.
Shinkansen bullet trains in the central city of Nagoya were also suspended.
“Please remain vigilant for landslides, flooding and overflowing rivers,” the Japan Meteorological Agency warned. A city in central Gifu region issued a top evacuation warning to its 2,000 residents near an overflowing river, while some cities in northern Hokkaido saw heavy rain.
More than 32,000 households in southern Kagoshima region, where Shanshan made landfall on Thursday, still had no power, according to the operator. Scientists said climate change is intensifying the risk of heavy rain in Japan and elsewhere because a warmer atmosphere holds more water.
Strong rain in 2021 triggered a devastating landslide in the central resort town of Atami that killed 27 people.
People look at debris stuck on a bridge over a river in Ninomiyamachi, southwest of Tokyo, Japan. PHOTO: AP
Female giant panda Shin Shin eating bamboo in her enclosure at Tokyo's Ueno zoo. PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO (AFP) – Two ageing pandas at a Tokyo zoo will be returned to China next month for medical care, the city’s governor said, with visitors queuing on Saturday to catch their last glimpse of the couple.
The pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin arrived at Ueno Zoo in 2011 and were due to stay until February 2026, but Japan and China agreed it would be better for the 19-year-olds to return to their home country.
“Symptoms such as high blood pressure have been observed since two years ago. They’re currently taking medication and undergoing tests, but there has been no significant improvement,” Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters on Friday.
“I know some people will be sad to see them go, but when we think first of the health of the beloved pandas, it would be best to see them off warmly.”
A final viewing is scheduled for September 28, but local media reported on Saturday that people were already lining up to get one last look at the pandas.
The pair gave birth in 2017 to cub Xiang Xiang – the zoo’s first baby panda since 1988, who became a massive draw – as well as twins in 2021.
Many fans shed tears when Xiang Xiang was returned to China last year, and her departure was broadcast live on local television.
The black and white mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a “panda diplomacy” programme to foster foreign ties.
There are an estimated 1,860 giant pandas left in the wild, mainly in bamboo forests in the mountains of China, according to environmental group World Wide Fund for Nature.
Female giant panda Shin Shin eating bamboo in her enclosure at Tokyo’s Ueno zoo. PHOTO: AFP
Police officers on Ladbroke Grove as the Notting Hill Carnival takes place in west London, England. PHOTO: AP
LONDON (AP) – Two people critically injured in attacks while attending London’s Notting Hill Carnival earlier this week have died, police said.
The Metropolitan Police force said 32-year-old Cher Maximen died early Saturday after being stabbed in the street on August 25. She had been visiting the carnival, billed as Europe’s biggest street party, with her child, who was not hurt.
A 20-year-old local man was arrested and charged with attempted murder, and is now likely to face a murder charge.
Police also announced the death of Mussie Imnetu, 41, who was found unconscious in a west London street with a head injury last Monday night.
The chef had been visiting Britain from his home in Dubai.
A 31-year-old London man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, and police said the charge would be reviewed after Imnetu’s death. More than one million people each year attend the carnival, a two-day celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture that takes place on the streets of the Notting Hill neighbourhood in west London.
The event draws revelers from around the world for its flamboyant dancers, colourful costumes, rousing steel bands and booming outdoor sound systems, but is sometimes marred by violence on the sidelines.
Police said eight people were stabbed at the event this year and more than 300 people were arrested, most for possessing an offensive weapon or drug offences.
“Carnival is about bringing people together in a positive celebration. That it has ended with the tragic loss of life, among other incidents of serious violence, will sadden everyone involved,” said the police spokesperson for Carnival Commander Charmain Brenyah.
Police officers on Ladbroke Grove as the Notting Hill Carnival takes place in west London, England. PHOTO: AP
The site of the helicopter crash in Kamchatka, Russia. PHOTO: AFP
AFP – Rescuers yesterday said they had found 17 bodies after a helicopter crashed with 22 people aboard in Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula in the far east.
The helicopter went missing shortly after takeoff on Saturday carrying 19 tourists and three crew, regional authorities said.
Kamchatka is a picturesque, wild region popular for adventure tourism due to its active volcanoes and pristine nature.
Rescuers spotted the remains of the helicopter yesterday morning in a hilly area at a height of 900 metres, Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on Telegram.
Aerial video footage posted by Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry showed helicopter debris lying on a slope close to the top of a large wooded hill.
The ministry said the aircraft was found close to the location where it went off the radar.
A ministry official, Ivan Lemikhov, said: “At this moment we have already found 17 bodies.The rescuers have set up camp and the search has halted until daybreak,” he added.
The Mi-8 is a Soviet-designed military helicopter that is widely used for transport in Russia.
The helicopter that crashed was operated by a Kamchatka-based company called Vityaz-aero that organises flights for tourists, according to the Emergencies Ministry.
Accidents involving planes and helicopters are very frequent in Russia’s far eastern region, which is sparsely populated and where many areas are only accessible by helicopter.
In August 2021, a Mi-8 helicopter with 16 people on board including 13 tourists crashed into a lake in Kamchatka due to poor visibility, killing eight.
In July the same year, a plane crashed as it came in to land on the peninsula, with 22 passengers and six crew aboard, all of whom were killed.
The site of the helicopter crash in Kamchatka, Russia. PHOTO: AFP
The damaged bus after it overturned on Interstate 20 in Mississippi, United States. PHOTO: AP
BOVINA (AP) – Seven people were killed and dozens were injured in Mississippi, United States (US) after a commercial bus overturned on Interstate 20 on Saturday morning, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Six passengers were pronounced dead at the scene and another died at a hospital, according to a news release. The bus was travelling west when it left the highway near Bovina in Warren County and flipped over. No other vehicle was involved.
The crash was caused by tyre failure, the National Transportation Safety Board said on the social media platform X. The bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. A woman who answered the phone at its Laredo, Texas, office said it was aware of the crash, but she didn’t answer questions or provide her name.
The transit company said it has 20 years of experience providing cross-border trips between 100 destinations in Mexico and the US. Its website promotes “a modern fleet of buses that receive daily maintenance”, and offers “trips with a special price for workers”.
The dead included a six-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister, according to Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey. They were identified by their mother.
Authorities were working to identify the other victims, he said.
Thirty-seven passengers were taken to hospitals in Vicksburg and Jackson.
The department is continuing its investigation and hasn’t released the names of the deceased.
No other information was immediately provided.
The damaged bus after it overturned on Interstate 20 in Mississippi, United States. PHOTO: AP
ANN/ THE DAILY STAR – In a world where cognitive abilities and technical skills are frequently emphasized as key drivers of success, the significance of emotional intelligence (EI) is often underappreciated. Yet, EI – a concept brought into the spotlight by psychologist Daniel Goleman – plays a crucial role in enhancing our daily interactions and professional accomplishments.
Mohammad Moqsud Malaque, a seasoned consultant, trainer, facilitator, and practitioner in the mental health field at Monobikash Foundation, shares his valuable insights on EI.
UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Often abbreviated as EI or EQ for “emotional quotient”, emotional intelligence refers to the ability to perceive, evaluate, and manage emotions in oneself and others. He defines emotional intelligence as “the ability to manage our own emotions and understand the emotions of people around us”.
From the first cries of an infant signalling hunger to the complex emotional dynamics in a corporate office, EI is integral to navigating life’s varied challenges. Malaque’s extensive experience reveals that regardless of mental ability, “we all have intelligence”, pointing to the universality and importance of EI in enhancing personal well-being, fostering healthy relationships, and driving professional success.
EVERYDAY APPLICATIONS OF EI
In everyday life, emotional intelligence manifests in various practical ways. Consider the scenario of a family disagreement. A person with high EI might first recognise their feelings of frustration and then choose to respond calmly rather than impulsively.
Drawing from his professional observations, Malaque highlights how EI is pivotal in maintaining personal relationships. He noted, “If you can’t regulate your anger, you will eventually unleash it upon your loved ones, resulting in resentment and broken relationships.”
This practical example underlines the necessity of emotional intelligence in fostering and sustaining deep, meaningful connections with others.
PHOTO: ENVATOPHOTO: ENVATOPHOTO: ENVATO
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
In professional settings, EI is vital. Malaque explains that regardless of one’s environment, from corporate offices with strict rules to more flexible workplaces, emotional intelligence is important. “You need to learn to cope with the ingrained system of the organisation with emotional intelligence,” he advised. This skill helps professionals balance responses, comply with team dynamics, and recognise personal strengths and limitations – thereby, fostering essential skills like conflict management, effective communication, and teamwork.
Even in the educational sector, EI plays a crucial role in classroom management and student engagement. Teachers with high emotional intelligence can better understand student behaviours and craft responses that foster a supportive learning environment. This was illustrated in a study by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, which showed that teachers trained in EI strategies reported a significant decrease in burnout levels.
LEADERSHIP AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Leadership demands a high level of EI. Malaque elaborates on the foundation of leadership which includes mental strength built upon balanced emotion and cognition, manifesting through behaviour. He describes three types of leadership behaviours – passive, aggressive, and assertive – and argues that assertive behaviour, guided by emotional intelligence, is most effective.
“Leaders need to have assertive behaviour as they are followed by many and looked towards for guidance,” Malaque states, highlighting how emotional intelligence facilitates the development of this leadership style.
DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
The good news is that unlike IQ, which remains relatively fixed throughout life, EI can be developed. Activities like mindfulness meditation, journaling, and active listening exercises can enhance one’s emotional intelligence. Training programmes and workshops designed to improve emotional regulation and empathy can also be beneficial.
As we advance into a future dominated by complex interpersonal dynamics and rapid professional shifts, the importance of emotional intelligence only grows. Reports from leading global forums suggest that emotional intelligence will be among the top skills needed in the 21st-Century job market. This trend underscores the need for continuous development of emotional competencies in both current and future generations.
Emotional intelligence is a force that shapes how we interact, respond, and connect with the world around us.
Firefighters extinguish the fire adjacent to the primary structure involved after a small plane crashed in Oregon, United States. PHOTO: AP
PORTLAND (AP) – Three people died after a small plane crashed into a row of townhouses on Saturday morning in a neighbourhood east of Portland, United States, setting the homes ablaze, authorities told KATU-TV.
Officials earlier in the day had said the plane was carrying two people and that at least one resident had been unaccounted for.
Photos and videos published by KGW-TV in Portland showed one of the townhomes engulfed in flames while black smoke poured out of the adjoining houses. Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis said the fire had spread to at least four of the homes, displacing up to six families. He said two people were treated at the scene, but he didn’t describe the type or severity of injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a twin-engine Cessna 421C, which it says went down around 10.30am near Troutdale Airport, about a 30-minute drive east of Portland.
As the plane went down, it knocked over a pole and power lines, causing a separate brush fire in a nearby field, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. The plane was split into multiple parts as it crashed in the residential area in the city of Fairview, which is home to about 10,000 people.
Firefighters extinguish the fire adjacent to the primary structure involved after a small plane crashed in Oregon, United States. PHOTO: AP
Jude Law poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘The Order’ during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival. PHOTO: AP
VENICE (AP) – Jude Law plays an FBI agent investigating the violent crimes of a white supremacist group in The Order, which premiered on Saturday at the Venice Film Festival.
An adaptation of Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt’s nonfiction book The Silent Brotherhood, Nicolas Hoult was cast as Robert Jay Mathews, the charismatic leader of the group which was considered the most radical hate group since the Ku Klux Klan.
Their crimes, including bank robberies and armored car heists that the group was using to fund an armed revolution, led to one of the largest manhunts in FBI history, in 1983.
“What amazed me was it was a story I hadn’t heard about before,” said Law, who also produced. “It like a piece of work that needed to be made now.”
He added: “It’s always interesting finding a piece from the relative past that has some relationship to the present day.”
Law made the trip to Italy with his director, Justin Kurzel, and co-stars Hoult, Jurnee Smollett and Tye Sheridan for the premiere.
Jude Law poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘The Order’ during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival. PHOTO: APABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Tye Sheridan and Nicholas Hoult at the festival. PHOTO: APPHOTO: AP
His character, called Agent Huss, is an amalgam FBI agent and not based on a specific person. This, they said, was important for positioning him within this story.
“He represents an awful lot of us,” Law said. “He felt his hardest work was behind him and in fact he had his biggest battle ahead of him.”
Kurzel, an Australian filmmaker known for the 2015 adaptation of Macbeth with Michael Fassbender, said he’d always wanted to make an American film in the vein of dramatic thrillers from the 1970s like The French Connection, Mississippi Burning and All the Presidents’ Men. He tried to make this film with the classic simplicity he admired in those classics.
Hoult felt it was a “difficult story to tell and difficult characters to inhabit”, but praised his director for helping to create a safe and creative environment as they explored the darkness of Mathews. He’d just recently learned, on the boat over to the Lido, that Kurzel had told Law to actually follow him around one day to get into character.
“The first time we spoke was in the first scene we interact,” Hoult said. “It gave a great energy.”
And all were struck by the parallels to today. Though no one wanted to comment directly on the upcoming US presidential election, the film, they hope, speaks for itself.
“The history of America is very complex,” Smollett said. “This level of bigotry is not new and it has existed in our nation since it was founded. As artists we get to hold a mirror up to society… explore the very complex sides of humanity, the ugliness, the darkness in order for us to learn from it and hopefully not repeat it.” – Manjira Majumdar
