Society

Okinawa's fragile coral threatened by 'Black Devil' killer sponge

Aug 08 (Japan Times) - In recent years, coral in the seas around Okinawa Prefecture has been turning black and dying off due to a particular variety of coral-killing sponge called Terpios hoshinota.

The sponge is like a sheet of paper of about 1 millimeter thick and attaches itself to coralâ€™s calcareous skeleton. It expands by 1 to 2 millimeters every day, covering the coral in black material.

Blackened coral in Okinawa was first confirmed in the 1980s, but the ecology behind the phenomenon was unclear.

Yamashiroâ€™s team began its research in full scale two years ago. It has confirmed blackened coral damage due to Terpios hoshinota on seven islands â€” Kouri, Minna, Aguni, Shimoji, Kurima and Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture, and Kikaijima in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Much of the blackened coral lies in shallow shoals only a few meters deep, but the damage has also spread to a reef spanning a kilometer off the west coast of Okinawaâ€™s main island from the villages of Nakajin and Ogimi.

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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