Society

Olympics: Tokyo decorated to mark 1 year to go before Games

Jul 24 (Kyodo) - Organizers and official partners of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games ramped up decorations in parts of the city and held events at Haneda airport on Tuesday, one day before Japan starts the one-year countdown to the opening of the games.

In a project dubbed "Nihonbashi City Dressing," Olympic organizers and major real estate developer Mitsui Fudosan Co. decorated the streets of the business and commercial district with flags, curtains and massive posters of the Olympic logo and athletes expected to compete in the games.

Pieces of art depicting the Olympic rings and swimming athletes were installed on street corners, while giant posters of Japan's promising Olympic athletes, including competition climber Miho Nonaka, were splashed across glass windows of business buildings.

Electronic billboards also played promotional videos of the Games.

The decorations, which will stay up until Aug. 25, aim to build excitement by turning the entire area into a model of a giant stadium. Decorations around the Olympic venue and throughout the city are expected to start around spring next year.

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

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Japan Ranks 92nd in English Proficiency, Lowest in History

EF Education First, a global education organization, published this year’s English Proficiency Index on Wednesday, ranking nations worldwide. Japan’s ranking stood at 92nd among 116 countries and regions, continuing a 14-year trend of record lows.

Famed Hot Spring Struggles to Handle Visitor Surge

Ginzan Hot Springs in Yamagata, known for its Taisho-era charm, is now at peak season for autumn foliage. While this secluded onsen town is a well-known destination in the Tohoku region, an influx of foreign tourists has led local officials to implement restrictions on day visitors starting next month.

Convenience Stores to Start Selling Over-the-Counter Drugs

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced plans to allow the sale of over-the-counter drugs at convenience stores without on-site pharmacists.

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