Society

Rugby World Cup countdown at 500

May 09 (Japan Times) - Tuesday marked the 500-day mark before the opening of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, as scandals continue to plague the preparations for the tournament.

Twenty teams will compete across 12 venues in Japan when the competition kicks off on Sept. 20, 2019. However, the identity of Japanâ€™s opponents in the opening game at Ajinomoto Stadium hinges on an investigation into player eligibility that could see Russia replace Romania as the top European qualifier.

The tournament, already overshadowed by the Tokyo Olympics the following year, has seen the venue for the Nov. 2 final moved to Yokohama â€” not even on the original shortlist of host cities â€” after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered the redrawing of plans for the new National Stadium due to soaring costs.

Additionally, the naming of training venues was delayed by eight months after many of the locations on the original list drawn up by the local organizing committee did not meet the required standard.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, however, remained positive, saying Tuesday, â€œWith 500 days to go preparations for Rugby World Cup 2019 are on track and moving forwards at a fast pace.â€

Organizers have started selling tickets and launched the recruitment process for some 10,000 volunteers for Asiaâ€™s first Rugby World Cup. Volunteer applications will run through July 18.

Construction or refurbishment of the 12 venues that will host a total of 48 matches is also well underway.

Source: Kyodo

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Moves Toward Vietnam, 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 20th 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.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

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.