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Starbucks to trial renting cups to customers in Japan

Nov 18, 2021 (Japan Times) - Starbucks Coffee Japan Ltd. said Wednesday that it will begin offering takeaway drinks in rental cups in central Tokyo on a trial basis from Monday.

The initiative, to be tested in 10 stores in the Marunouchi district of the capital until the end of May 2022, is aimed at reducing the use of disposable cups.

The coffee chain will require customers to return the rental cups within three days, including the day of purchase, after which the cups will be washed and reused.

The cups are made of stainless steel, which has high thermal insulation, and come with lids to make them easy to carry around. Customers can order any drink with a rental cup. ...continue reading

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Typhoon No. 6 made landfall in southern Wakayama Prefecture at around 4:30 a.m. on June 3rd before rapidly moving northeastward and emerging over the Pacific Ocean, but forecasters warned that the storm continues to pose a major flood threat as intense rain bands sweep across the Tokai and Kanto regions.

[updated 8 a.m.] Typhoon No. 6 is disrupting Japan’s transport network on June 3rd, with JR East reporting suspensions and partial cancellations across parts of the Kanto region, NEXCO Central saying some expressway sections are already closed, and airlines canceling or warning of disruptions at major airports including Haneda, Narita, Chubu and Kansai as the storm moves along the Pacific side of western and eastern Japan.

A breaking weather alert was issued for the Izu region of Shizuoka Prefecture early Wednesday morning, after the formation of a linear rain band, a phenomenon capable of producing prolonged and extremely intense rainfall over the same area. Authorities warned that the risk of disasters has risen sharply as heavy rain continues to fall, increasing the likelihood of flooding, landslides, and other weather-related emergencies.

[updated 03:30 a.m.] Authorities issued a Level 5 Flood Occurrence Information alert for the Kuwano River and the Naka River tributary in Tokushima Prefecture, warning that flooding may already be underway and urging residents to take immediate action to protect their lives.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 1st, urging Iran to demonstrate maximum flexibility in its ongoing discussions with the United States and expressing hope that an agreement on the nuclear issue can be reached as soon as possible.

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A fire has destroyed Sasamasamune Brewery, a historic sake producer in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, leaving the future of the nearly 200-year-old business uncertain after large quantities of sake and brewing rice were lost in the blaze.

A medical examiner testified that a university student who died after being assaulted in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, suffered repeated blows to the face and head, telling the court that the victim was likely struck dozens of times.

A fire broke out at a temple in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, on June 1st, leaving a resident monk with minor burns, destroying his home, and spreading into a nearby mountainside.

Emperor Naruhito visited the Iwabuchi Floodgate on Tokyo's Arakawa River by boat on June 1st, inspecting one of the capital's most important flood control facilities.

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Cosplayers gathered in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district on May 30th to promote environmental conservation by taking part in a large-scale cleanup campaign aimed at reducing marine plastic waste and other litter.

A series of false bear sighting reports posted to an online alert system operated by Aomori Prefecture has disrupted schools, prompted a police investigation, and raised concerns about the growing impact of misinformation on public safety.