Japan accused of ‘massaging’ coronavirus figures ahead of Tokyo Olympics
The accuracy of coronavirus figures released by the Japanese government has been called into question after the health ministry adopted new criteria for its calculations at the beginning of June. (asiaone.com)
Biden supports Suga in moving forward with Tokyo Olympics
CORNWALL, U.K. -- U.S. President Joe Biden gave his support on Saturday to Japan's efforts to carry out a safe Summer Olympics as outlined by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit here. (Nikkei)
Olympic organizers estimate 225,000 fans per day at Tokyo venues
The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee said Friday it has sold tickets for 42 percent of the venues' capacity and expects to see up to about 225,000 spectators per day in the Japanese capital if all ticket holders attend. (Kyodo)
Nobel laureate Negishi Ei-ichi dies
Japanese Nobel laureate Negishi Ei-ichi has died at the age of 85. He was awarded the 2010 Chemistry Prize for developing a new method to synthesize organic compounds. (NHK)
13 June 2021
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SOCIETY
Police believe marijuana’s hallucinogenic properties caused man to plunge to his death in Shibuya
tokyoreporter.com - Jun 12
TOKYO (TR) – A 22-year-old man who fell to his death from a restaurant window in Shibuya Ward last month had marijuana in his system, police have revealed.
Stationmaster cat dies in Japan after being hit by car
soranews24.com - Jun 12
Locals heartbroken after sudden death of Kyushu’s Stationmaster Nya.
93-year-old Japanese ex-taxi driver becomes YouTube legend at racing games
South China Morning Post - Jun 12
Ryuji Urabe is 93 years old but he is still driving. A former taxi driver in Tokyo, Urabe became a YouTube sensation after his grandson started sharing videos of him playing racing games online.
Woman, baby die in suspected murder-suicide after fall from bridge
Japan Today - Jun 10
A woman carrying her baby daughter jumped from a bridge connecting Kansai International Airport to the mainland in Osaka Prefecture on Wednesday. Both died in the incident which police believe was a murder-suicide.
[more society news…]
BUSINESS
Geisha company in Japanese city of Niigata bets on crowdfunding to survive coronavirus downturn
South China Morning Post - Jun 13
An ultra-modern online crowdfunding campaign has come to the rescue of one of the most traditional and uniquely Japanese businesses in the north coast city of Niigata – its geisha community.
Toyota aims for carbon neutral plants by 2035
NHK - Jun 12
Toyota Motor has set a new target date to achieve carbon neutrality at its plants. The company has moved up its plans from 2050 to the year 2035.
Toshiba colluded with government to undermine shareholders, probe finds
Reuters - Jun 10
Japan's trade ministry colluded with Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) management to unduly influence a key shareholder vote last year, an independent probe found, undermining Tokyo's efforts to improve corporate governance and win over foreign investors.
Kewpie to sell 'scrambled egg' made entirely of soy
Nikkei - Jun 10
Japanese mayonnaise manufacturer Kewpie has developed a vegetarian version of scrambled eggs that are made of soy beans, as demand for such products rise.
[more business news…]
POLITICS
Japan accused of ‘massaging’ coronavirus figures ahead of Tokyo Olympics
asiaone.com - Jun 13
The accuracy of coronavirus figures released by the Japanese government has been called into question after the health ministry adopted new criteria for its calculations at the beginning of June.
Biden supports Suga in moving forward with Tokyo Olympics
Nikkei - Jun 13
CORNWALL, U.K. -- U.S. President Joe Biden gave his support on Saturday to Japan's efforts to carry out a safe Summer Olympics as outlined by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit here.
Japan Diet urges WHO to let Taiwan attend assembly
NHK - Jun 12
The Upper House of Japan's Diet has adopted a resolution calling for Taiwan to be able to participate in the annual assembly of the World Health Organization as an observer.
Japan to ease COVID-19 restrictions in Tokyo and Osaka on June 21
Japan Times - Jun 12
Japan is considering implementing less strict coronavirus restrictions in areas including Tokyo and Osaka on June 21 when the state of emergency is lifted, a government official said Friday, as the country seeks to contain the health crisis with less than 50 days to go before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.
[more politics news…]
EDUCATION
Man suspected of stealing recorders from Nagoya middle school
tokyoreporter.com - Jun 10
AICHI (TR) – Aichi Prefectural Police have arrested a 39-year-old ma who is suspected of stealing recorders from a middle school in Nagoya, reports Nikkan Sports
Trese: First Five Minutes in Japanese | Netflix Anime
Netflix Anime - Jun 10
When it comes to the supernatural, the cops have Alexandra Trese on speed dial.
Japan falls behind as international job retraining race heats up
Nikkei - Jun 09
TOKYO -- A fierce battle is taking place among nations determined to ensure post-pandemic economic growth, one that centers on job retraining.
Okinawa schools close under state of emergency
NHK - Jun 08
Many schools in Japan's southern prefecture of Okinawa are temporarily closing starting Monday to curb the spread of coronavirus infections.
[more education news…]
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Nobel laureate Negishi Ei-ichi dies
NHK - Jun 12
Japanese Nobel laureate Negishi Ei-ichi has died at the age of 85. He was awarded the 2010 Chemistry Prize for developing a new method to synthesize organic compounds.
Looking for love, white rhino 'Emma' lands in Japan
timesofmalta.com - Jun 10
Like many of us, Emma has had her travel plans derailed by coronavirus. But after months of delay, the white rhino has arrived in Japan and is looking for love.
What it's Like Living on Japan's Most Active Volcano
Tokyo Lens - Jun 07
In the south of Japan lies the country's most active volcano. With hundreds, if not thousands of eruptions per year, it is a place often covered in volcanic ash, and smoke.
'Four-eyed' goat sighting spooks Miyagi senior
soranews24.com - Jun 06
On 22 May, 80-year-old office worker Eiji Okamoto was out enjoying that natural scenery of Yanaizu Kokuzoson, a Buddhist temple in the mountains outside Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.
[more sci-tech news…]
SPORTS
Olympic organizers estimate 225,000 fans per day at Tokyo venues
Kyodo - Jun 12
The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee said Friday it has sold tickets for 42 percent of the venues' capacity and expects to see up to about 225,000 spectators per day in the Japanese capital if all ticket holders attend.
Sumo wrestler Asanoyama gets 1-year ban
NHK - Jun 12
A high-ranking sumo wrestler who violated coronavirus pandemic protocols is being forced to sit out 6 tournaments as punishment.
The Growth of Interactive Media in Japan
newsonjapan.com - Jun 12
The internet is quickly replacing more traditional forms of entertainment.
Sapporo unprepared for Olympics amid COVID-19 resurgence in Japan
Japan Times - Jun 10
When Olympics organisers shifted the marathon event from Tokyo to Sapporo, they did so because of concerns about the intense summer heat in the capital.
[more sports news…]
TRAVEL
Shinjuku, the best area in Tokyo?
ONLY in JAPAN * GO - Jun 10
Where is the best location in Tokyo to stay, to visit, to eat? Many say it’s Shinjuku.
U.S. government lowers Japan travel warning level
soranews24.com - Jun 10
Last month, the United States placed Japan on its list of Level-4 travel advisory countries, the highest possible ranking and one which carries a “do not travel” warning, due to the country’s coronavirus conditions. Just over two weeks later, though, Japan has now been removed from Level-4 status.
Temperatures soar across Japan
NHK - Jun 10
The mercury rose above 35 degrees Celsius for the first time in Japan this year on Wednesday as temperatures surged across wide areas of the country.
Osaka ranked world's second most livable city, Tokyo fourth
Japan Times - Jun 09
The pandemic has shaken up the rankings of the world’s most livable cities, a study released Wednesday showed, with Osaka and Tokyo ranking in the top five and metropolises in Australia and New Zealand also leaping ahead of those in Europe.
[more travel news…]
FEATURED BLOGS
Jun 10
Japan creates its first law requiring permits for crossbow possession

Until now it was easier to get your hands on a crossbow than an air rifle.

On Tuesday, Japan's House of Representatives held a plenary session, and the days discussions of matters of national legislative importance eventually turned to crossb...

Jun 10
Michelin Guide gyoza in Tokyo: Worthy of the accolade?

We put these internationally lauded dumplings to the test.

Recently, our Japanese-language reporters Go Hatori and Takashi Harada have been taste-testing unusual gyoza from around the country, but little did they know that one of Japan's most...

Jun 8
The case of Hyde’s stolen hydrangea in Wakayama City

On the bright side, he could probably write a song about this.

One of the biggest names in Japanese music is easily the former L'Arc-en-Ciel frontman Hyde. With several top-selling albums and sold-out tours, it can be easy to forget the proli...

Jun 8
Osaka to Fukuoka for less than 40 bucks? It’s possible with Japan’s overnight ferry

Ship's amenities include an onboard Japanese-style bath with a view of the Seto Inland Sea.

For long-distance travel in Japan, most people's default choice is to take the Shinkansen, since Japan's bullet train network is often faster and more...

Jun 7
Japan’s postal service: So great it’ll even deliver a single leaf to your home

Handled with care and delivered in perfect condition.

Customer service in Japan is known for being second to none, with “God-like” attention paid to the needs of customers everywhere you go, from train stations to restaurants and even amusem...

[more blogs…]