Toyota clinches 1st victory in Le Mans motor race

Jun 18 (NHK) - Japanese car maker Toyota won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time on Sunday.

Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima and his two teammates clinched the top podium finish by making 388 laps of the track that is slightly over 13 kilometers in the western French town of Le Mans.

Another Toyota team, with Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi, was 2 laps behind and placed second. This allowed Toyota to dominate the top 2 places in the famed endurance race.

Toyota became the second Japanese manufacturer to claim the top podium, following Mazda's win in 1991. Nakajima is the 3rd Japanese driver to win the race.

Japanese Lunar Lander Resilience Launched From Kennedy Space Center

A rocket carrying the lunar lander developed by Japanese space venture ispace was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in the United States.

Foreign visitors to Japan hit record high in 2024

The number of foreign visitors to Japan hit an all-time high last year, topping the annual record set before the coronavirus pandemic. Spending by tourists also reached a record high. (NHK)

Yomiuriland’s Ferris Wheel Makes Final Spin

Yomiuriland’s iconic Ferris wheel, cherished by visitors for over four decades, marked its final day of operation on Monday, as fans flocked to bid farewell to the beloved attraction and relive old memories.

Michelin-Star Chef's Exclusive Film Menu

Last month, Chef Kei Kobayashi, the first Asian to earn three Michelin stars in Paris, supervised dishes for the film "Grand Maison Paris." His restaurant in Paris, as well as five branded establishments in Japan, was featured in a special interview. Kobayashi proposed 20 to 30 menu items for the movie, with several dishes now being offered in Japan for a limited time, including a 5,500-yen course at his Gotemba restaurant.

Chiba Celebrates 'Coming of Age' with Mickey

Chiba's Urayasu City hosted a '20-Year Celebration' event at Tokyo DisneySea on Monday, marking the transition to adulthood for local residents.

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Empress Emerita Publishes 466 Unreleased Poems

A poetry collection featuring 466 previously unpublished poems by Empress Emerita Michiko will be published on January 15.

Chiba Celebrates 'Coming of Age' with Mickey

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New Adults Gather in Kyoto to Showcase Archery Skills

At Kyoto’s Sanjusangendo, newly recognized 20-year-old adults gathered to demonstrate their archery skills during the annual "Toshiya" event.

Hammer Attack at Hosei University Leaves Eight Injured, Korean Student Arrested

A female student wielded a hammer on Hosei University's campus in Tokyo, injuring eight students.

Kitakyushu Celebrates New Adults With Eye-Catching Outfits

A ceremony to celebrate new adults was held in Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, drawing many young people dressed in vibrant and flamboyant outfits.

Two Women Struck and Killed by Train at Narrow Railroad Crossing in Kobe

Two women were fatally struck by a train at a railroad crossing in Tarumi Ward, Kobe City, on January 9th, with investigators believing that the women may have accidentally waited for the traffic signal inside the lowered crossing gate.

Streetlight Falls, Severely Injures School Boy

A streetlight collapsed and struck an elementary school boy, leaving him with a serious injury.

Illegal Host-Club Connections Under Scrutiny

A leader of a massive scouting group has been arrested on suspicion of introducing women to illegal 'fuzoku' establishments. The group is believed to have earned around 7 billion yen through tactics described as akin to human trafficking.

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