Society

Sony to crank out vinyl records for first time in 28 years

Jun 29 (Japan Times) - Sony Corp. said Thursday it will resume production of vinyl records for the first time in three decades this fiscal year as the format sees a resurgence in popularity.

The electronics giant halted vinyl production in 1989 as compact discs became the dominant format, opting to outsource the remaining business to Toyo Kasei Co. --- believed to be Japan's only remaining record maker --- and foreign firms.

Sony said subsidiary Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. recently installed a press for vinyl records at a factory in central Japan. The unit had already set up a record-cutting machine to create lacquer masters at a Tokyo recording studio.

Demand for vinyl is on the rise, with domestic production up eightfold in the past six years. In 2016, 799,000 discs were made, compared with 105,000 in 2010, according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

Toyota Advances Hydrogen Tech With Hybrid Engine Development

Hydrogen, anticipated as the next-generation automotive fuel, is seeing accelerated efforts for its real-world implementation. Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled its first hybrid vehicle that combines a hydrogen-powered engine and an electric motor, announcing plans to conduct on-road tests starting next spring.

Hyogo Governor Secures Re-Election

Former Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito has secured re-election following the gubernatorial election triggered by his resignation.

Teachers in Japan Demand Better Pay and Conditions

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Ferrari Auctioned for Over 170 Million Yen, Sets New Record

A Ferrari seized from a tax delinquent was auctioned by the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau, fetching over 170 million yen, the highest bid ever recorded for such an auction.

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.

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