Japan town begins blocking Mt Fuji view from 'bad-mannered' tourists

23 Sept 02:33 Key points summarised by AI

Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, is erecting a barrier to block a popular Mount Fuji view due to persistent "bad manners" from tourists.
The decision stems from complaints about visitors ignoring traffic rules, littering, trespassing, and illegal parking at a specific photo spot near a Lawson convenience store.
The 2.5-meter-high, 20-meter-long mesh barrier aims to discourage loitering and address the town's growing overtourism challenges.
While some criticize the move, local officials and residents emphasize that the barrier is a necessary step to enforce basic rules, not to prevent people from seeing Mount Fuji.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.