Society

Russia tests anti-submarine missile in Sea of Japan

May 07 (NHK) - Russia's defense ministry announced on Friday that the country's military had successfully tested a new anti-submarine missile system in the Sea of Japan.

The ministry released a video that showed the launch from a corvette in the Russian Pacific Fleet. It said the latest version of the Otvet anti-submarine missile system hit an underwater test target.

The ministry says the Otvet system can fire various types of missile.

Russian media say the Otvet system has a firing range of up to 50 kilometers, and the missiles it launches fly at a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 and can travel underwater to a depth of 800 meters.

They also report that the system can be installed on corvettes, frigates and other types of warship.

Observers say the test launch was designed to act as a warning to countries such as Japan and the United States, with whom Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created a widening rift.

Source: TBS NEWS

Zao’s Snow Monsters Face Extinction

Zao’s iconic snow monsters, the frost-covered trees known as 'juhyo,' face an existential threat. These towering, snow-laden trees have long been a winter highlight in the region, famously resembling monstrous figures covered in snow. However, their survival is now under severe threat.

Japan Ranks 92nd in English Proficiency, Lowest in History

EF Education First, a global education organization, published this year’s English Proficiency Index on Wednesday, ranking nations worldwide. Japan’s ranking stood at 92nd among 116 countries and regions, continuing a 14-year trend of record lows.

Famed Hot Spring Struggles to Handle Visitor Surge

Ginzan Hot Springs in Yamagata, known for its Taisho-era charm, is now at peak season for autumn foliage. While this secluded onsen town is a well-known destination in the Tohoku region, an influx of foreign tourists has led local officials to implement restrictions on day visitors starting next month.

Convenience Stores to Start Selling Over-the-Counter Drugs

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced plans to allow the sale of over-the-counter drugs at convenience stores without on-site pharmacists.

Japan Looks to Limit Continuous Work

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's advisory panel has outlined a proposal for amending the law to prohibit working more than 14 consecutive days. Under the current system, workers can technically work up to 48 days in a row through a system known as 'four-day-off-per-four-weeks,' while labor agreements also allow for holiday work, meaning there are no effective restrictions on consecutive workdays.

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