Society

Baseball: Ichiro breaks new ground as high school coach

Dec 05 (Kyodo) - Seattle Mariners special assistant Ichiro Suzuki concluded his high school coaching debut on Friday after three days as a special instructor with schoolboy baseball powerhouse Chiben Wakayama in western Japan.

The 47-year-old Suzuki called an end to his career in March 2019 after amassing a combined 4,367 hits from his time in Japan's Pacific League and the majors.

He told the players, "I explained what I could, so I expect good things from you."

Suzuki received permission to coach high school and college players in February after attending mandatory seminars and doing the necessary coursework Japan's student baseball federations require of former professional players.

On Wednesday, Suzuki observed the players practicing and from Thursday began instructing them. On Friday, he practiced alongside the students, while advising them on base stealing. During batting practice, he put on a clinic by hitting ball after ball over the fence.

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

Japan is facing a deepening crisis of poverty and inequality, with rising reports of 'invisible homeless' individuals and growing economic hardships among the population. Discussions over reforms to the country's tax and welfare systems have taken center stage, as policymakers grapple with how to provide meaningful support.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

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