News On Japan

Japan's GPS satellite launch successful

Jun 01 (NHK) - The launch of a rocket carrying a satellite that's part of Japan's version of a global positioning system was a success.

The H-2A rocket lifted off Thursday morning from Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. It carried Michibiki No.2, which is part of a 4-satellite system. The satellite was put into orbit at the scheduled time.

The system's first satellite was sent into space 7 years ago. Two others will be launched later this year. Each will orbit Japan for 8 hours a day so that at least one satellite will be flying over the country at all times.

GPS, owned by the US, has a margin of error of about 10 meters. When Michibiki and GPS are working in tandem, that margin will be reduced to just a few centimeters.

Source: ANNnewsCH

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Yumeshima Station, the 'nearest station' to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, is set to open next spring, with a public reveal this week for the first time ahead of its scheduled January opening.

Following the main Halloween event on Thursday, Shibuya Ward's Chief remarked that while Halloween passed without significant disruption, 'engagement with foreign visitors remains a challenge for the future.' (Video Street View Japan)

North Korea's state-run media has announced it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday morning. Japan and the United States have strongly condemned it. (NHK)

The leader of Japan's ruling coalition partner Komeito has stated his intention to step down to take responsibility for the party's setback in Sunday's Lower House election. (NHK)

Diagnosed with lung cancer in his forties and given a prognosis of just six months to live, a man has defied the odds and is still working full-time, eight years after the initial diagnosis. This was made possible by the latest treatment method known as "cancer genome medicine."

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Society NEWS

A man found to be cycling under the influence of alcohol has been charged in Osaka City, western Japan, becoming the first to be penalized in Osaka Prefecture under newly tightened traffic regulations. (NHK)

In Japan, idol culture is a huge part of the entertainment world. At live concerts, various teenage idol groups perform one after another, each with fans eagerly awaiting their favorite act. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

Eleven individuals suspected of laundering money gained through criminal activities were arrested for allegedly facilitating gambling through an online casino.

A woman who repeatedly hurled raw eggs at her neighbor's house in Kawabe, Gifu, has been sentenced to prison. In court, the woman explained her actions stemmed from 'insults being hurled at her almost daily.'

Japanese ex-convict and notorious prank YouTuber Johnny Somali, born Ismail Ramsey Khalid, has made headlines again, this time for disruptive behavior in South Korea that ended in a public assault.

The Hirose River in Sendai City has turned a mysterious red, sparking local concern. Residents are puzzled, with some noting they've never seen anything like it before.

A police officer in Kofu, Yamanashi, accidentally fired her handgun into her own hand on October 29th while apprehending a man who was swinging a knife in public.

A taxi driver has been arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of committing a robbery by drugging a female passenger.