Japan has very few Christians, only about 0. 7% of the population. Yet, Christian schools are everywhere and super popular. Why is that? Many people think it's because these schools are seen as fancy or upper-class, especially for girls. But is that really the whole story? Let's talk about one scho
Japanese finance chief Satsuki Katayama hinted that the country might look at surplus money in its foreign‑currency reserves to help pay for upcoming reductions in food sales tax. At a press briefing, she said that excess funds from the $1. 4 trillion reserve pool have historically been moved into t
Indonesia is known for its strong religious roots. Islam is the dominant faith, but there are five other recognized religions. These religions shape the country's culture and laws. However, things are changing. Over the past 20 years, the role of religion in people's lives has been shifting. The co
Indonesia's government has decided to reduce the budget for its main rescue agency, Basarnas. This decision comes even though the country faces more and more disasters. The cuts were approved by a parliamentary panel. They reduced the budget by 69. 38 billion rupiah, or about 4. 5%. This money will
Indonesia's economy is showing resilience, with a growth target of 5. 2% for 2025, despite recent setbacks. The finance minister shared this update, highlighting that the fourth quarter saw even faster growth. This positive outlook extends into 2026, with a growth target of 5. 4% for the $1. 4 trill
Indonesia's central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI), is in the spotlight again. The president, Prabowo Subianto, has picked his nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, for a top role. This move has raised eyebrows, especially since Djiwandono isn't your typical central banker. He's a former businessman and current dep
Japan's finance chief, Satsuki Katayama, recently met with U. S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. They talked about the yen's recent drop in value. The yen hit a one-year low. Both leaders shared worries about this sudden fall. This meeting happened in Washington. It was during a bigger meeting ab
Japan is buzzing with political moves. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is thinking about ending the current parliament session soon. They might call a surprise election for February. This is not a usual step. It shows they want to use the prime minister's popularity to their advantage. Pr
Indonesia has made a bold move by temporarily blocking access to Elon Musk's Grok chatbot. This decision came after concerns were raised about the AI tool generating and spreading sexually explicit content. The country is known for its strict rules against obscene material online, and this action hi
Japan's buildings and landscapes are on display in Montreal. The show is called "Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan. " It is at the Université du Québec à Montréal's Centre de design. This show is open until January 25, 2026. It features 80 projects from all over Japan. These projects
