What should declining Japanese cities do?
Aging societies and population decline have been on the rise globally, but in Japan, the situation has been exacerbated ten-fold. A staggering 36.21 million people, or 28.9% of the populace, are 65 and over. Further, 74.6% of Japan's 1,747 cities are.....»»
Japanese island eradicates rabbit-killing mongoose
Japan has wiped out all mongooses on a subtropical island, officials said, after the animals ignored the venomous snakes they were brought in to hunt and preyed on endangered local rabbits instead......»»
Apple to ditch Japanese display suppliers after iPhone SE switch to OLED
It’s been a while since Apple last updated the iPhone SE, and rumors suggest that a new version of this iPhone is coming next year with significant upgrades – including an OLED panel. If true, this also means that Apple will ditch its Japanese di.....»»
Hawk defies expectations in the face of habitat decline
Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) that spend their winters in California seem to be going up in number, yet their preferred grassland habitat has been declining for over 20 years. Most other grassland bird species are, sadly, doing the expected: plum.....»»
Global South cities lack cooling green spaces
Cities in the Global South are more exposed to extreme heat because they lack cooling green spaces, new research shows. The study found that Global South cities have just 70% of the "cooling capacity" provided by urban greenery in the Global North. T.....»»
Study finds lower-income NYC residents trade comfort for affordability
In a revealing piece of research coauthored by a Singapore Management University academic, public policies to ease urban heat in one of the largest first world cities have seen price gaps emerge between homes in cooler and hotter areas, with lower-in.....»»
Study reveals key strategies to combat urban heat vulnerability
A QUT study analyzing five decades of research and thousands of studies has identified five critical areas needed to tackle urban heat vulnerability (UHV), a growing issue impacting millions in increasingly heat-prone cities......»»
Toyota design boss asks if radical Lexus next-gen EV styling ‘going to be OK?"
As Lexus readies a next generation of electric vehicles with a radical, new design language, design bosses promise the departure will be as dramatic as when the Japanese premium brand introduced its polarizing spindle grille. The new guiding mantra a.....»»
Q&A: Rwanda is creating shiny, modern cities after the genocide—but this won"t help communities heal from the past
Over the past 17 years, Rwanda has cleared informal settlements to make way for modern urban construction. Kigali's ambitious city master plan is expected to be fully realized by 2050. But what about the people who are pushed out in the process, and.....»»
While some cities clear homeless encampments, others are granting a "right to shelter"
At the end of June, the US Supreme Court upheld an Oregon city's ban on outdoor camping. The court's decision means that people experiencing homelessness can be arrested, ticketed and fined for sleeping outside, even when there are no alternatives......»»
For metro governments, bigger may not be economically better
When big cities gobble up smaller ones nearby, residents often are told a consolidated government is more efficient, providing improved services and other economic benefits......»»
The truth about Tasers: What UK statistics and research tell us
Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently urged the police to take "all necessary action" in response to unrest across cities and towns in England and Northern Ireland......»»
One of 2023’s biggest global hits is now streaming on Netflix
The First Slam Dunk is heading to Netflix. Here are three reasons why you need to watch this terrific Japanese anime sports film......»»
Civilization VII hands-on: This strategy sequel rethinks the long game
Classic turn-based gameplay meets a radical rethink of the overall structure. Enlarge / Firaxis has upped the ante on presentation for the cities. It's still a bit abstract and removed, but they have more vibrancy, detail, and mo.....»»
Ancient civilizations had ways to counter the urban heat island effect—how history"s lessons apply to cities today
As intense heat breaks records around the world, a little-reported fact offers some hope for cooling down cities: Under even the most intense periods of extreme heat, some city blocks never experience heat wave temperatures......»»
Politicization of water use exacerbates farmers" distrust, researchers find
Researchers have found that in agricultural areas with declining resource availability, climate-adaptation risks increase when discussion about water allocation becomes politicized......»»
A cute, cheap death trap? Japanese Kei cars banned by yet another US state
Limited in size and power, Kei cars are like fishes out of water on US roads. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Kei cars are the antithesis of the big American SUV. Where EPA regulations effectively penalize.....»»
A cute, cheap deathtrap? Japanese Kei cars banned by yet another US state
Limited in size and power, Kei cars are like fishes out of water on US roads. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Kei cars are the antithesis of the big American SUV. Where EPA regulations effectively penalize.....»»
Japan cancels flights and trains as another typhoon approaches
Hundreds of Japanese flights and trains were cancelled Thursday in the middle of a major holiday week as another typhoon roared towards the archipelago......»»
City birds found to be carriers of antimicrobial resistant bacteria
Research led by scientists at the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research at Oxford University has found that wild birds such as ducks and crows living close to humans, for example in cities, are likely to carry bacteria with antimicrobial.....»»
Researchers highlight the carbon-saving potential of compact cities
In recent years, the dramatic rise in extreme weather events due to climate change has escalated what was once termed "climate change" into a "climate crisis." With global average surface temperatures reaching unprecedented levels, the urgency to tra.....»»