Japanese village uses mannequins to combat loneliness amid population decline
Ichinono: Faced with a dwindling population of less than 60 residents, the village of Ichinono in Japan has found a unique way to counter loneliness—by filling its empty spaces with mannequins. The handcrafted puppets, dressed in bright clothes and posed in various activities, represent the family members who have left the village in search of opportunities in nearby cities.
Many of Ichinono’s inhabitants are elderly, with the younger generation moving out for work and education. To recreate a sense of community, locals began crafting mannequins to resemble children, adults, and even whole families, positioning them throughout the village. Now, these life-like figures significantly outnumber the human residents.
Despite the exodus, Ichinono recently welcomed a new couple, Rie and Toshiki Kato, who moved to the village during the COVID-19 pandemic. They soon had a child, Kuranosuke, who became the village’s first newborn in two decades, bringing hope and joy to the aging population.
Japan’s population decline continues to be a challenge, with a record 36.25 million residents over 65, making up nearly 30% of the population. The total population has been steadily decreasing, marking its 15th year of decline in 2023, and only 730,000 babies were born last year.
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Will Champai Soren become a game-changer for BJP in Jharkhand polls?
Ranchi: Champai Soren, a prominent figure in Jharkhand’s statehood movement, is contesting the 2024 assembly elections from Seraikela, a seat he has consistently held since 1991.
However, there is a surprising shift in his political journey this year. Having resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) earlier this year, Soren is now representing the BJP, a move that could significantly impact the electoral dynamics in the state.
Soren’s switiching is seen as a strategic benefit for the saffron party, which has been working to expand its appeal among Jharkhand’s tribal communities, a demographic traditionally aligned with the JMM. His departure from the JMM, led by Shibu Soren and his son Hemant Soren, was fueled by dissatisfaction with the state government’s policies, which he claimed had failed to address tribal concerns.
Also known as "Jharkhand’s Tiger" for his instrumental role in the statehood movement of the 1990s, Champai Soren has respect and influence among tribal voters. His decision to switch the party could be a turning point in the BJP’s efforts to gain a stronger hold in a state where tribal votes often decide the outcome.
