Society

World Cup: My tactics to blame for loss, says "devastated" Nishino

Jul 03 (Kyodo) - A "devastated" Japan head coach Akira Nishino took the blame for the 3-2 loss to Belgium that knocked his team out of the World Cup on Monday, saying he made tactical errors.

The Samurai Blue led 2-0 in the second half at Rostov Arena but allowed the World No. 3 side to snatch a come-from-behind victory in the round of 16.

Goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui put the star-studded Belgium team on the verge of elimination, but Japan conceded three times in the last 16 minutes plus injury time to see their dreams of a first quarterfinal berth disappear.

Moments after the loss, the former Japan Football Association technical director admitted he may have allowed Belgium to snatch victory in the fourth minute of added time by failing to adjust his lineup when his team led.

"We were 2-0 up and still the score was reversed. I don't think the players were to blame, I think it was me who might have lost control of the game," the 63-year-old Nishino said.

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.

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