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Kanji Quiz: What's the Correct Reading of "御強"?

TOKYO - The challenging kanji for today is "御強." This kanji is related to food, but does it ring a bell? Here's a hint: It's something eaten during festivals or on special days.

Kanji Quiz: What's the Correct Reading of

The correct answer is "Okowa"! "Okowa" is a traditional Japanese dish made with glutinous rice, often used for celebrations and as offerings. It has a sticky texture and can be enjoyed in various flavors, sweet or salty, with different kinds of ingredients added.

Its richness in taste within its simplicity, and its ability to elevate the atmosphere of special days, are where its charm lies. There are also unique regional variations of Okowa across Japan, and discovering them can be quite enjoyable.

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Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 25 continued across Chiba Prefecture on September 22 even as flights and major highways returned toward normal, with entire sections of the JR network remaining suspended for the day and all Narita Express services canceled because of flooding, landslides and damage to railway infrastructure.

Japan came within two runs of producing one of international cricket's biggest upsets on September 22, pushing reigning T20 world champion India to the final ball before losing a rain-shortened match at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.

Japan's Asian Games campaign continued across a packed Day 4 schedule on September 22, with the women's badminton team securing another medal, the women's basketball team completing an unbeaten group stage, and Japan adding a historic bronze medal in mixed air rifle shooting as several of the host nation's biggest medal opportunities moved into the evening.

Japan collected another 12 medals on Day 3 of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 21, with 17-year-old swimmer Shin Ohashi and karateka Kakeru Nishiyama winning gold, while the host nation also advanced strongly in women's volleyball, baseball, soccer, handball and hockey.

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