Tokyo becomes biggest city in Japan to recognize same-sex partnerships
Over 100 local governments in Japan now recognize same-sex partnerships, which grants the right to rent property together and to visit their partner in the hospital.
East Asia
China announces planting of Belgium-sized forests and expanded national parks
14,000 square-miles of new forest will go up every year, particularly in drought-prone regions of the North and West.
China makes billion-dose vaccine pledge to Africa to help overcome the coronavirus pandemic
China will donate a billion vaccines, advance billions of dollars for trade and infrastructure, and write off interest-free loans to African countries to help them recover from the pandemic.
Nissan to spend $18 billion developing a cheaper, more powerful EV battery
Nissan says its solid-state battery will cut charging time by two thirds and help its EVs to achieve cost-parity with gas-powered cars.
World’s first wind turbine designed to harness typhoon energy erected in The Philippines
The Japan-based Challenergy’s “Magnus Wind Turbine” features vertical blades spinning around a horizontal axis rather than the long blades spinning from a vertical axis in normal wind turbines.
China’s first clinic for transgender children and adolescents set up in Shanghai
Experts expect that the clinic will serve as a bridge between transgender children, parents, doctors and the various circles of society.
Endangered Siberian tigers are bouncing back in China
Experts say the tigers’ reemergence in the region is largely due to Chinese national policies favoring environmental stewardship.
China breaks ground on massive 100-gigawatt renewable energy project
The new project, likely built in western China, will generate more renewable energy than all solar and wind installations in India combined.
China’s largest battery manufacturer plans $5 billion battery recycling factory
Chinese law imposes a duty on battery manufacturers to be responsible for recycling their products when they reach the end of their useful life.
Mongolia to spend no less than one percent of GDP to plant one billion trees
The goal is to create a legal environment in which at least 1% of Mongolia’s GDP to be spent annually on combating climate change and desertification, and on increasing environmentally friendly and green facilities.