Society

Olympic training camps canceled across Japan

Mar 18 (NHK) - NHK has learned that foreign countries' national team training camps for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games have been canceled or postponed in 16 cities across Japan due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

The table tennis and gymnastics teams from Colombia had planned to train for the Olympics in the western city of Kitakyushu, but they have informed the city of their cancellation.

Britain's wheelchair basketball team was scheduled to practice next month in Urayasu City, near Tokyo, but canceled because of concerns over health care for the players.

In addition to those moves, Sabae City in Fukui Prefecture has asked China's gymnastics association to cancel its team's training camp in the city in April.

NHK also learned that events or projects to promote exchanges between foreign athletes and local residents have been canceled or postponed in nearly 60 municipalities throughout Japan. They include a project by Matsukawa Town in Nagano Prefecture to send high school students to Costa Rica. The town is set to host the Central American country's national team.

Ishiba Shigeru elected LDP leader

Ishiba Shigeru has been elected leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The former LDP Secretary-General is now virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister. (NHK)

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

A Japanese government information-gathering satellite has successfully been put into a planned orbit around Earth. (NHK)

New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

Japan's National Police Agency is introducing new patrol cars equipped with red lights designed to assist people with hearing impairments, flashing differently depending on whether the vehicle is on an emergency run or a routine patrol.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

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