麻豆影视

Lifestyle

    • Japan wants young people to drink more alcohol. It's just not sure how to convince them

    Bottles of wine are displayed for sale in Tokyo on April 20. (Akio Kon/Bloomberg/Getty Images/CNN) Bottles of wine are displayed for sale in Tokyo on April 20. (Akio Kon/Bloomberg/Getty Images/CNN)
    Share

    The government has been hit in the pocket by an unusual problem -- its young people aren't drinking enough.

    Since the pandemic began, bars and other premises selling alcohol have been hit hard by restrictions, causing sales -- and liquor tax revenues -- to plummet in the world's third-largest economy.

    The government's solution? Launch a contest to find new ways to encourage young people to drink more.

    The "Sake Viva!" campaign, overseen by the National Tax Agency, invites participants to submit ideas on how to "stimulate demand among young people" for alcohol through new services, promotional methods, products, designs and even sales techniques using artificial intelligence or the metaverse, according to the official competition website.

    "The domestic alcoholic beverage market is shrinking due to demographic changes such as the declining birthrate and aging population, and lifestyle changes due to the impact of COVID-19," said the website, adding that the competition aimed to "appeal to the younger generation ... and to revitalize the industry."

    The contest includes promotional ideas for all types of Japanese alcohol, with applications open until September 9. Finalists will be invited to an expert consultation in October, before a final tournament in November in Tokyo. The winner will receive support for their plan to be commercialized, according to the tax office.

    But not everyone is on board, with the competition and tax agency receiving criticism from some people online.

    "Are you kidding me?" one Twitter user wrote. "Staying away from alcohol is a good thing!"

    Others pointed out that it seemed inappropriate for a government agency to encourage young people to drink, and it appeared the campaign had not considered health risks or sensitivity toward people dealing with alcoholism.

    Japan's Health Ministry has in the past warned of the dangers of excessive drinking. In a post on its website last year, it called excessive alcohol consumption a "major social problem" that persisted despite a recent slowdown in consumption. And it urged people with unhealthy drinking habits to "reconsider" their relationship with alcohol.

    A ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the tax agency's competition when contacted by CNN.

    DECLINING SALES

    Japan, along with several other countries in Asia, maintained tough restrictions throughout closing public spaces and reducing business hours for restaurants.

    Izakayas -- Japan's version of a pub or tavern -- were particularly hard hit, with the latest available figures showing sales halved from 2019 to 2020, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

    With fewer opportunities to drink in public, the rate of "household consumption" -- drinking at home -- "increased significantly," the ministry said.

    But young adults have stood out as the exception. About 30% of people in their 40s to 60s drink regularly, meaning three days or more per week, the ministry said -- compared to just 7.8% of people in their 20s.

    "In this way, the decline in drinking habits year by year is thought to be having an effect on the shrinking of the domestic market," the ministry said.

    In a 2021 report, the tax agency said duties on liquor had been a major revenue source for the government for centuries, but had declined in recent decades. Japan received 1.1 trillion yen (US$8.1 billion) in alcohol tax in 2021 -- 1.7% of overall tax revenue, compared to 3% in 2011, and 5% in 1980.

    Japan lifted its state of emergency in October 2021, allowing restaurants to sell alcohol again and stay open later -- but restrictions in some parts of the country remained in place until March this year.

    The country's recovery since then has been hindered by rising inflation, the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, and recent surges in Covid cases that have led to prolonged restrictions.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    A 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy are facing multiple charges after allegedly firing gunshots at a Jewish girls' school last weekend.

    Drone targets Israeli prime minister's house as strikes in Gaza kill 50

    The Israeli government said a drone was launched toward the prime minister鈥檚 house Saturday, with no casualties, as Iran鈥檚 supreme leader vowed that Hamas would continue its fight against Israel following the killing of the mastermind of last year鈥檚 deadly Oct. 7 attack.

    Days after a man was recorded walking behind the counter at a frozen yogurt shop in Richmond, B.C., and scooping product with his hand, a suspect has been criminally charged.

    If you're heading out trick or treating this Halloween, you may end up with more chips, gummies, licorice and other goodies rather than chocolate. Cocoa prices have spiked, and that could be playing a trick with what your kids come home with and what you give out on Halloween night.

    Canada

    • A Vancouver mom says she wants Uber to hold one of its drivers accountable for leaving her 14-year-old daughter in a parking lot in Burnaby.

    • A 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy are facing multiple charges after allegedly firing gunshots at a Jewish girls' school last weekend.

    • City staff鈥檚 recommendation that a new bike lane be installed along a collision-prone stretch of Parkside Drive could potentially set up a battle with the province, as it moves to place new restrictions on the ability of municipalities to remove lanes of traffic for that purpose.

    • Days after a man was recorded walking behind the counter at a frozen yogurt shop in Richmond, B.C., and scooping product with his hand, a suspect has been criminally charged.

    • SaskPower was sentenced Friday morning in a Weyburn courtroom, receiving a record fine, after being found guilty of three workplace-safety related violations when two experienced employees were killed on the job in 2020.

    World

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

    A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.

    A Nova Scotia man crossing Canada on foot is passing through southwestern Ontario. Trevor Redmond is perhaps better known as the 鈥楩ellow in Yellow.鈥

    John Cantin vividly remembers opening day for his Victoria diner. Stress levels were high, tables were full, and one of the most popular menu items couldn鈥檛 be freed from the unyielding grip of the waffle maker.

    A Manitoba professor is warning the public after a book on regional mushrooms that he suspects is AI-generated was delisted from Amazon.

    A B.C. judge has issued a decision in a years-long dispute between neighbours that began with a noise complaint over barking dogs, crowing roosters and quacking ducks 鈥 awarding $15,000 in damages to the plaintiffs in the case.

    An Ottawa man was arrested after taking a shower in a stranger's house, Ottawa police say.

    S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh 脷xwumixw (Squamish Nation) Chef Paul Natrall, the man behind Indigenous food truck Mr. Bannock, is bringing cooking classes on First Nations fare to schools and offices throughout Metro Vancouver.

    The Celtic Colours Festival is taking place at venues around Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia from Oct. 11 to 19.

    • A whirlwind 28-day campaign has now ended, undoubtedly going down in history one of the most unusual election campaigns British Columbians have ever seen.

    • An East Vancouver mom is asking for help to find a unique and expensive bike that her son with special needs used, until it was stolen from her backyard.

    • A Mission couple is criticizing the Insurance Corporation of B.C.'s. no-fault insurance policy following a traumatic car crash.

    • City staff鈥檚 recommendation that a new bike lane be installed along a collision-prone stretch of Parkside Drive could potentially set up a battle with the province, as it moves to place new restrictions on the ability of municipalities to remove lanes of traffic for that purpose.

    • While many Canadians created home offices at the height of the pandemic, recent Statistics Canada data reveal the number of people who work from home is about 18 per cent.

    • One person has been injured after a dispute that happened Friday night, police said.

    • A person is dead following a shooting in northeast Calgary on Friday evening. The incident happened around 7:20 p.m., at a home in the 200 block of Homestead Drive N.E.

    • On Saturday, community members from Country Lane Estates RV Resort raised approximately $4,500 for Katie Zipser and Brendon MacLeod, and their 10-month-old son Tucker.

    • Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says she's worried new provincial legislation will bring more big money 鈥 and less leadership 鈥 to municipal elections.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.

    • If you're heading out trick or treating this Halloween, you may end up with more chips, gummies, licorice and other goodies rather than chocolate. Cocoa prices have spiked, and that could be playing a trick with what your kids come home with and what you give out on Halloween night.

    • An Ottawa mother is putting together a Halloween party for women over 40 years old.

    • Montreal police say a 40-year-old woman died after she was struck by a vehicle in the Villeray鈥揝aint-Michel鈥揚arc-Extension borough Friday afternoon.

    • A man and woman are facing multiple charges in connection with cases of extortion and gunfire targeting Montreal restaurants over the summer months.

    • If you were hoping to buy a bottle of Pinot Grigio to kick off the weekend in Quebec, you're not going to be happy.

    • Alberta municipalities are getting their first look at new rules around local political parties and how they will be funded 鈥 and they don't like what they see.

    • One person is in custody after a standoff in Camrose, Alta. that lasted nearly 18 hours.

    • Ice time is at a premium in Edmonton between hockey, figure skating, ringette and other ice sports and the shortage is causing problems.

    • A number of parents at Oyster Pond Academy pulled their children from class Friday after learning about a gender identity presentation.

    • When municipal elections go ahead on Saturday, Halifax will elect a new mayor for the first time in 12-years.

    • The RCMP Criminal Investigation Division is investigating two suspicious deaths in Enfield, N.S.

    • After a few plane rides that took them to another hemisphere on the other side of the world, eight young athletes representing Manitoba had the opportunity of a lifetime to compete and grow as individuals.

    • Health-care support workers in Manitoba have officially ratified a new deal agreed to earlier this month.

    • An animal rescue group in Manitoba is warning the public after an animal it recently released into the wild was caught in an illegal trap.

    • Concerns surrounding Saskatchewan Party Leader鈥檚 Scott Moe鈥檚 proposed change room policy continue to roll in.

    • SaskPower was sentenced Friday morning in a Weyburn courtroom, receiving a record fine, after being found guilty of three workplace-safety related violations when two experienced employees were killed on the job in 2020.

    • A man from Prince Albert has died following a collision between a semi and an SUV on Highway 2 near Chamberlain, Sask. on Thursday.

    • A Waterloo, Ont. man is sharing video of a recent encounter with a stranger to give others an idea of the hate he experiences in the community.

    • "Mighty" Myles Beaulieu is on the mend after receiving a potentially life-saving liver transplant.

    • Viola Erb died as a result of 鈥渆xternal neck compression and blunt force head trauma,鈥 the forensic pathologist who conducted her autopsy told court on Friday.

    • Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are causing concern for fire departments across the country, according to the organization that represents Canada鈥檚 fire chiefs.

    • Concerns surrounding Saskatchewan Party Leader鈥檚 Scott Moe鈥檚 proposed change room policy continue to roll in.

    • Mark Arcand was re-elected to a third term as Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC).

    • Businesses come and go but there is one in Timmins that has stood the test of time: Steinberg and Mahn in Timmins.

    • Greater Sudbury Police are looking for witnesses and video of an assault that took place late Thursday evening or early Friday morning at the intersection of Cedar and Young streets downtown.

    • A northern Ontario doctor has been named Family Physician of the Year. The award is the highest honour a doctor can receive from the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

    • In case you missed it, 麻豆影视 London has gathered all of the top local stories from this week into one video for your convenience.

    • You can look forward to an absolutely stellar weekend outdoors, with a high pressure ridge holding in the upper atmosphere, bringing above seasonal temperatures.

    • Isabella Restrepo resumed with her testimony on Friday, telling the jury the frightening details surrounding the shooting death that took place at a bush party for young people off of Pack Road in south London on July 30, 2021.

    • The City of Barrie relocated its two automated speed enforcement cameras to help deter motorists from poor driving behaviours in school zones.

    • A man found guilty of dangerous driving causing death in 2021 heard from the victim鈥檚 family in a Barrie courtroom on Friday ahead of his sentencing.

    • The national poppy campaign is set to launch later this month and local legions in Simcoe County are imploring the public to help make it a successful year.

    • In case you missed it, 麻豆影视 Windsor has compiled all of the top local stories from this week into one video.

    • Initially called to the scene on Monticello Street at around 7:00 a.m. for reports of gunfire, police now say that witnesses reported additional shots fired on the same street later in the evening.

    • First responders from across Essex County spent their Friday learning how to rescue large animals in the event of an emergency.

    • A whirlwind 28-day campaign has now ended, undoubtedly going down in history one of the most unusual election campaigns British Columbians have ever seen.

    • For a civilian, it was an extremely rare occurrence. Jay Hammond has never flown a plane, but on Friday he received a pair of pilot wings at a ceremony in North Saanich.

    • BC United doesn鈥檛 have any candidates on the ballot, but the party is still finding itself in the spotlight on the eve of the provincial election.

    • Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.

    • A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.

    • Nearly two years after a man was stabbed to death in downtown Kelowna, RCMP have made an arrest in the case.

    • The last students to graduate from Lethbridge College will make history this weekend as they cross the stage at fall convocation.

    • While the start to fall has seen above-average temperatures for much of southern Alberta, the first chance of winter is in the forecast for Monday evening, which has many in Lethbridge preparing.

    • The Brooks Bandits may have changed leagues, but they haven鈥檛 changed their winning ways.

    • A man from northwestern Ontario has his fishing licence suspended for three years and faces fines of $15,870 for illegally selling leeches and baitfish.

    • Members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service鈥檚 traffic unit are investigating a motor vehicle crash that occurred earlier this week.

    • Ontario's top court breathed new life into a Charter challenge of the provincial government's emissions target on Thursday, a decision heralded as a major victory for the group of young people -- including 17-year-old Sophia Mathur from Greater Sudbury -- who brought the case and others looking to hold governments to account on climate change.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 麻豆影视. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow 麻豆影视