Society

Satellite imagery shows possible new craters

Jan 27 (NHK) - NHK has learned that satellite imagery shows possible newly formed craters on a volcano in Japan that erupted on Tuesday.

Private-sector land survey company PASCO analyzed a video of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane taken by a German satellite on Wednesday. The mountain is in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

The video shows a line of multiple holes near Kagamiike pond on Motoshirane peak, where the eruption occurred.

The depressions are located about 500 meters north of the pond and extend about 220 meters in a line that runs almost east-west. Each is roughly 10 to 15 meters in diameter.

The firm says the holes are believed to be newly formed craters as they were not visible in footage taken 2 years ago.

Another possible crater was spotted around 300 meters west of the row across a valley. The company says the hollow is only 100 meters or so from a ski lift system.

University of Tokyo professor emeritus Toshitsugu Fujii says the holes are undoubtedly craters made by the eruption.

He says the volcano needs to be monitored closely as the formation of the new craters in a wide area indicates they may have resulted from different eruption mechanisms.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Mako Komuro Appears in Six-Page Town & Country Feature

The October issue of the long-established American lifestyle magazine Town & Country features Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family, on the cover under the headline "Princess Ingognito," dedicating a six-page spread to Komuro and her husband Kei, exploring their life in the United States.