Society

Don Quijote takes wraps off Ferris wheel in Osaka tourist spot

Jan 16 (Japan Times) - Discount retailer Don Quijote Co. unveiled a renovated Ferris wheel Monday in Osakaâ€™s Dotonbori shopping district.

The Ferris wheel, knocked out of commission by a technical failure about 10 years ago, was shown to the media before the start of commercial operations Friday.

The wheel, placed on the outer wall of the Don Quijote store in the popular shopping area, is decorated with a giant image of Ebisu, the god of business prosperity.

The store chain hopes the Ferris wheel will be a new tourist attraction in the area, which has become popular among foreign visitors in recent years.

Rides last about 15 minutes. The wheel faces a river, and visitors can also observe Japanâ€™s tallest skyscraper, Abeno Harukas, from itâ€™s highest point about 77 meters above the street.

The company has refurbished the rideâ€™s mechanical components and changed the interior design of the 32 cabins, which seat four. Tickets will cost Â¥600. It will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. year round, except when rough weather poses a safety hazard.

Source: Kyodo

Takaichi Elected as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Japan’s Diet elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s 104th prime minister on October 21st, making her the first woman to lead Japan and signaling a sharp shift to the right following a turbulent political season marked by party upheavals, coalition realignments, and public frustration over economic stagnation.

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Strengthens Over South China Sea, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 201st show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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