First-of-a-kind blood test paves way for early Parkinson’s diagnosis
With no way of completely curing the condition, earlier diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can have profound impacts on treatment options and a patient’s quality of life.
East Asia
Ovolo is the world’s first hotel group to go vegetarian
In October 2020, Ovolo Hotels announced its “Year of the Veg” campaign. All the hotel restaurants went vegetarian for a whole year. Now Ovolo is the first hotel chain to go all veg.
Japan to expand national parks for biodiversity conservation
The move is in line with an international goal of conserving at least 30% of a country’s land and oceans by 2030.
Major Japan railway now powered exclusively by renewable energy
Tokyu Railways’ trains running through Shibuya and other stations were switched to power generated only by solar and other renewable sources starting April 1.
Taiwan’s ‘biggest offshore wind farm’ generates its first power
According to Orsted, the facility will eventually generate enough power to meet the needs of 1 million households in Taiwan.
Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions fall 5.1% in 2020/21 to record low
In April 2021, Japan, the world’s fifth-biggest carbon emitter raised its climate goal, pledging to trim emissions by 46 percent from 2013 levels by 2030 instead of its previous target of 26 percent.
Tokyo schools drop controversial dress code on hair and underwear color
Other rules being cut include the practice of punishing students with a form of house arrest, and ambiguous language in the guidelines on what is considered “typical of high school students.”
Giant floating solar panel flowers replace coal in Korea become a tourist destination
The solar project on the 17-mile-long reservoir in Hapcheon is able to generate 41.5 megawatts, enough to provide power for 60,000 people more than the total population of the county.
Reported crime in Japan hits postwar low for seventh year running
According to the National Police Agency, the number of reported crimes in 2021 decreased by 7.5% year on year to 568,148, setting a new postwar record for the seventh consecutive year.
Beijing meets air quality standards for the first time
Since 2013, levels of particulate pollution in China’s capital have dropped 63 percent, China Daily reported.