Japan records lowest suicide rate since statistics were first kept in 1978
2018 marks the ninth consecutive with a year-on-year decrease in suicides in Japan and the first time in 37 years for the total to fall below 21,000.
East Asia
East Asia spans countries including China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. This archive gathers reported milestones from the region — covering public health, environmental efforts, technology, and social progress. Each entry highlights specific, verifiable developments worth knowing about.
China set to reach carbon emission goals years early
China’s emissions could peak at 13 to 16 gigatonnes of CO2 and begin declining between 2021 and 2025. The official target is a peak by around 2030.
Japan elects Taiga Ishikawa as first openly gay male lawmaker
Taiga Ishikawa made history on July 21 when he became the first openly gay male lawmaker in the country’s history.
Tokyo unveils 2020 Olympic medals, made entirely from recycled cellphones
The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee unveiled its Olympic and Paralympic medal designs. They are all completely made of over six million recycled cellphones.
Scientists make ‘landmark’ discovery synthesizing anti-cancer molecules found in sea sponges
Their new strategy has already helped speed up research into these molecules, including a planned clinical trial in humans.
Thousands of Japanese women join campaign to ban workplace high heel requirements
More than 19,000 people in Japan have signed a petition to ban office dress codes which force women to wear high heels to work.
Taiwan legalizes same-sex marriage in historic first for Asia
Lawmakers in Taiwan have approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, making it the first place in Asia to pass gay marriage legislation.
China’s electric vehicle sales grow 118% year on year and fossil sales fall 13% in Q1 2019
The China passenger car association’s first quarter figures are in, and electric vehicle sales continue their rapid rise, up 118% year on year, to over 254,000.
China to ban all variants of deadly drug
China announced it will ban all variants of a powerful opioid responsible for many of the deaths in America’s opioid crisis.
Honda to electrify 100% of its European sales by 2025
Honda revealed their ambition to make 100% of its European sales electrified by 2025. This has built on the vehicle manufacturer’s previous goal of two thirds electrified by 2025.