Bird strike crushes nose of Air France Airbus A350 in Osaka
An Air France service between Osaka and Paris was forced to turn back on Sunday after a bird strike damaged its nose cone. (simpleflying.com)
Typhoon Mawar may bring violent winds, heavy rain to Okinawa
A very strong typhoon is forecast to approach the Okinawa region in southwestern Japan around Wednesday. Weather officials are warning of rough seas and violent winds. (NHK)
Koji Yakusho wins best actor at Cannes
Japan's Koji Yakusho won best actor at Cannes on Saturday for "Perfect Days" by German director Wim Wenders, a touching tale about a Tokyo toilet cleaner. (Barrons)
Crash of private Japanese moon lander blamed on software, last-minute location switch
A private Japanese moon lander went into free-fall while trying to land on the lunar surface last month, company officials said Friday, blaming a software issue and a last-minute switch in the touchdown location. (Japan Today)
29 May 2023
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SOCIETY
Cosplayers clean up Dotonbori
NOJ - May 29
About 200 people, including "cosplayers" dressed up as characters from manga and anime, cleaned up the Dotonbori area on Saturday, Kyodo reports.
Man fatally shot in Tokyo coffee shop; one of 2 suspects turns himself in
Japan Today - May 28
A man in his 50s was fatally shot in a coffee shop in Machida, Tokyo, on Friday night, in what police believe was a gang-related shooting. The shooter fled with an accomplice but later turned himself in at a police station.
4-year-old boy dies after falling from 12th-floor apartment in Yamaguchi Pref
Japan Today - May 28
A four-year-old boy fell to his death from the 12th floor of an apartment building in Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Friday afternoon.
Muslim migrant damages Shinto shrine
opindia.com - May 27
A video has been going viral on social media wherein a man in yellow attire can be seen vandalising a worship place.
[more society news…]
BUSINESS
Tokyo consumer prices up 3.2 percent in May as food costs jump
NHK - May 26
Overall prices in the Japanese capital remain high as people continue to pay more for food and some services.
Japan data signals stronger recovery, aided by return of tourists
straitstimes.com - May 23
Japan’s slow post-pandemic recovery is showing signs of growing momentum, according to the latest gauges of strength in the service and factory sectors.
Honda electric motorcycles for sale to general public
NOJ - May 21
Honda announced that it will start selling electric motorcycles to the general public for the first time in Japan.
Big Japan firms offer largest wage hikes in 31 years
NHK - May 20
Employees at some of Japan's biggest firms can expect a sizable bump in their pay checks this year. They'll see an average increase of nearly 4 percent following annual wage negotiations. That's the largest jump in 31 years.
[more business news…]
POLITICS
Japan Self-Defense Force conducts large-scale live-fire drills
NHK - May 28
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force has held its annual live-fire exercises at the foot of Mount Fuji in central Japan.
Japan's PM Kishida scolds son for partying at official residence
NHK - May 26
Japan's top government spokesperson says Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has reprimanded his secretary and son Shotaro over reported merrymaking in the leader's official residence.
Japan won't join NATO, but local office OK, Kishida says
Japan Today - May 25
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday the country had no plans to become a NATO member but acknowledged the security alliance's plan to open a liaison office in Japan.
Japan's lower house approves bill to pool funds for defense spending
Kyodo - May 24
Japan's lower house on Tuesday approved a bill creating a special pool of funds to substantially increase defense spending despite opposition lawmakers' resistance.
[more politics news…]
EDUCATION
Over 97 percent of Japan's new univ. graduates employed amid labor shortage
Kyodo - May 26
Over 97 percent of new university graduates in Japan found jobs this spring, up 1.5 points from the previous year for the first rise in three years, reflecting a labor shortage as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, the government said Friday.
G7 spouses inspire Japanese students to aim for peace
Reuters - May 22
Spouses of G7 leaders took part in a symposium, discussing peace issues with young people in Hiroshima.
5 Sengoku Jidai Misconceptions/Myths
The Shogunate - May 22
In this video we will look to examine 5 significant myths or misconceptions about the iconic age of Samurai warring states known as the Sengoku Jidai!
What a Typical Japanese Wedding is Really Like
Paolo fromTOKYO - May 21
Japanese weddings consist of two parts - a ceremony where they exchange vows, and a reception followed afterwards.
[more education news…]
ENTERTAINMENT
Koji Yakusho wins best actor at Cannes
Barrons - May 28
Japan's Koji Yakusho won best actor at Cannes on Saturday for "Perfect Days" by German director Wim Wenders, a touching tale about a Tokyo toilet cleaner.
Takeshi Kitano kills again at 76th Cannes Film Festival
vulture.com - May 24
Takeshi Kitano's Kubi is one peculiar movie, a frantic, blood-drenched, star-studded historical epic that has more beheadings per minute than most feature films.
Nerd Student's Forced To Date With The Prettiest Woman In School
Anime Explained - May 24
Eita (Eyy-Taa) is an extremely dedicated student with dreams of getting into a top medical college. For him, studying is priority no. 1. While Priority no. 2 is…. Studying even more.
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers | Official Trailer
Netflix Anime - May 23
Fumi Yoshinaga’s original manga “Ōoku: The Inner Chambers” receives its first anime adaptation! The tale is set in the magnificent city of Edo, where a reversal of gender roles spurs a whirl of emotions.
[more entertainment news…]
TRAVEL
Bird strike crushes nose of Air France Airbus A350 in Osaka
simpleflying.com - May 29
An Air France service between Osaka and Paris was forced to turn back on Sunday after a bird strike damaged its nose cone.
Typhoon Mawar may bring violent winds, heavy rain to Okinawa
NHK - May 28
A very strong typhoon is forecast to approach the Okinawa region in southwestern Japan around Wednesday. Weather officials are warning of rough seas and violent winds.
'Very, very hot': Japanese backpacker nears Cairns after travelling 3,000km across Australia on a scooter
theguardian.com - May 26
On a service road to the Bruce Highway, one of Australia's most dangerous roads, is a lone traveller on a kick scooter. He set out from Melbourne in late January and has been making the exhausting and occasionally perilous journey almost 3,000km to Cairns in far-north Queensland.
Narita airport to hike user fees for passengers from September
Japan Today - May 26
The operator of Japan's Narita airport plans to raise user charges for international passengers from September, including up to 330 yen for a facility fee, reflecting recent price and labor cost hikes, a source close to the matter said Wednesday.
[more travel news…]