The rainy season in Tokyo, also known as tsuyu, is a period of heavy rain that typically occurs from late May to mid-July. It is caused by the convergence of the monsoon winds from the South China Sea and the prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean.

The rainy season in Tokyo is characterized by long periods of overcast skies and frequent downpours. The average rainfall during this time is around 150 mm per month, but it can be much higher in some areas.

The rainy season can make it difficult to get around Tokyo, as public transportation can be disrupted by flooding and landslides. However, it is also a time when the city is less crowded and there are fewer tourists.

Despite the rain, there are still plenty of things to do in Tokyo during the rainy season. You can visit temples and shrines, go shopping, or see a movie. You can also enjoy the beautiful hydrangea flowers that bloom during this time.

Here are some tips for surviving the rainy season in Tokyo:

Pack an umbrella and raincoat.
Wear waterproof shoes.
Be prepared for delays in public transportation.
Have a backup plan for your sightseeing activities.
Enjoy the beautiful hydrangea flowers!
The rainy season in Tokyo can be a challenging time, but it can also be a beautiful and unique experience. If you are planning a trip to Tokyo, be sure to factor in the rainy season and plan accordingly.

Here are some additional details about the rainy season in Tokyo:

The rainy season typically starts in late May and ends in mid-July.
The heaviest rain usually falls in the first two weeks of June.
The average temperature during the rainy season is around 25°C (77°F).
The humidity is high, so it can feel muggy.
The rainy season is a good time to see hydrangea flowers, which bloom in many parts of Tokyo.
Learn more : https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/rainy-season-japan

The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old. This has been the case since 1920, when the National Prohibition Act was passed. The act was repealed in 1945, but the drinking age remained at 20.

In recent years, there have been calls to lower the drinking age in Japan. Some people argue that the current age is too high, and that it prevents young people from learning how to drink responsibly. Others argue that lowering the drinking age would lead to an increase in underage drinking and alcohol-related problems.

The Japanese government has not yet decided whether to lower the drinking age. However, the age of adulthood in Japan was recently changed from 20 to 18. This means that 18-year-olds are now legally allowed to vote, marry, and enter into contracts. However, the drinking age remains at 20.

First time visitors to Japan should be aware of the legal drinking age. If you are under 20, you will not be able to purchase alcohol in stores or bars. You may also be asked to show your ID if you are drinking in a public place.

Here are some tips for first time visitors to Japan who are under 20:

If you want to drink alcohol, be sure to do so in a restaurant or bar that is known to be lenient with underage drinking.
Bring your passport or other form of ID with you when you go out drinking.
Be aware of the signs that a bar or restaurant is not welcoming to underage drinkers. These signs may include a sign that says "20 and over only" or a bouncer who asks for ID at the door.
If you are caught drinking underage, you may be fined or arrested.
It is important to be respectful of the legal drinking age in Japan. By following these tips, you can enjoy your trip to Japan without getting into trouble.

Here is an additional resource that you may find helpful:
https://www.jluggage.com/blog/law/legal-drinking-age-in-japan/

The Japanese drama Netflix series "Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House" is available worldwide from January 12, 2023.　Has anyone seen this Japanese drama?

This drama is set in Kyoto's Hanamachi district (it is a leisure district, so to speak) and follows the main character "Kiyo," who becomes a "manakai-san" (i.e., a kind of cook) at a yakata (that is maiko house) where maiko live together, and her best friend "Sumire," who comes with her from Aomori and later makes her debut as a maiko. The story describes the daily life of Kiyo and her best friend, Sumire, who comes with her from Aomori and later makes her debut as a maiko.

First of all, you must know what a maiko is and what makanai is.

What is makanai? Learn on this page:
https://www.jluggage.com/blog/japan-facts/what-is-a-makanai-in-japan/

A maiko is a girl in the apprentice stage before becoming a geisha.

The story is based on a manga that has been serialized since 2016. It has sold more than 2.7 million copies in total and was adapted into an anime on TV in October 2021, making it popular among children.

A girl named Kiyo, born and raised in Aomori (northern Japan), goes to Kyoto with her best friend Sumire to become a maiko after graduating from junior high school. She began to live with maiko at a yakata where Azusa is the proprietress, and practices musical performances and dancing as a "shikikomi-san" (a prospective maiko).

However, Kiyo is unable to perform any of them well. Finally, she is judged unfit to be a maiko and plans to return to Aomori, but she is hired as a "manaki-san" (a chef) to prepare meals for the maiko who live in the yagata.

The age for marriage is considerably different from country to country and in Japan the age for marriage has been 16 for female and 18 for male.
The law which stipulates the age for marriage was changed recently and now the age is 18 years old for both male and female. The low age of content is Japan in known internationally and it has been controversial over the last few decades. In Japan the age of consent is 13 and this is quite low compared with the other countries of the world. Many people elsewhere on the globe may misunderstand that this is the actual age of consent and want to know why it is so low. However, having sexual relationships with minors are banned by various laws. Learn more: https://www.jluggage.com/blog/law/what-is-the-age-of-consent-in-japan/

Sexual intercourse with a minor, even if the other party consented, may violate Child Welfare Law, Act on Punishment of Activities Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and Protection of Children, etc., and youth development ordinances established by each prefecture. There are various laws.
A minor under the Civil Code used to be defined as a person under 20 years of age (Civil Code Article 4), but a child or adolescent whose sexual activity was problematic was defined as a person under 18 years of age. Now the definition of a minor is a youth under 20 years old because of the amendment of the law.

The laws or ordinances that are in conflict vary depending on the age of the minor, whether or not payment is made, and the manner in which the sexual act is performed.
In addition, there are various cases in which such a case triggers for investigation, such as when a person with parental authority over the other minor notices the child's behavior and consults the police, or when the other minor becomes involved with an investigative agency in another case. If such a case is brought to the attention of the police, whether or not a settlement has been reached with the other woman and her guardian may greatly affect the outcome of the criminal punishment.

Former Prime Minister Abe's Funeral in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi

On the afternoon of October 15, a funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
who died in a shooting incident, was held in his hometown of Yamaguchi Prefecture in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

About this shooting incident refer to the following page:
https://www.jluggage.com/blog/japan-news/japanese-former-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-got-shot-to-death/,

Akie, wife of former Prime Minister Abe, delivered an address as a representative of the bereaved family, saying, "I am gradually getting a sense of what it must have been like." She then paid her respects to the deceased, saying, "I think he had a rich 67-year life. At the prefectural funeral, which began at 2:00 p.m., a moment of silence was offered for former Prime Minister Abe, and after images of his activities during his lifetime were shown on a monitor, Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka, House of Representatives Speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda, and others offered their words of condolence. In her greeting on behalf of the bereaved family, Akie, the chief mourner, said, "On July 8, she took her life in such a manner, and today marks exactly 100 days since her death. I can't believe that I have passed this day, and now that the 49th day has come and gone, and that a splendid state funeral ceremony was recently held at the Budokan, I am gradually beginning to realize how sad I am that he is really gone," she said. He added, "My husband really loved Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is truly unfortunate that he has returned this time in the form of his remains," he emphasized. He also said, "I am sure that my husband was happy and grateful to see the many mourners who came to his state funeral." He then added, "With the support of so many people, I believe that it was a rich 67-year life in which I was able to do great work for the country of Japan, which I loved. The funeral was attended by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno of the Abe Faction, Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Koichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the Policy Research Council, and many other Diet members.