Society

Sendai street shines bright despite pandemic

Dec 19 (NHK) - The coronavirus hasn't stopped a street in the city of Sendai, northeastern Japan, from becoming a dazzling winter wonderland.

The annual Sendai Pageant of Starlight began at 7 p.m. on Friday, when hundreds of thousands of LED lights attached to the street's zelkova trees were switched on.

Due to the pandemic, a ceremony to turn the lights on was canceled this year, along with a parade and other events. The illuminations will also run for longer than usual to prevent overcrowding.

The event runs every day through December 31st, and then the first two weekends of January, plus the 11th.

USJ to Open 'Donkey Kong Country' in December

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has announced that the new 'Donkey Kong Country' area will open on December 11th, expanding the 'Super Nintendo World' by 1.7 times.

Japan Plans to Raise Teacher Pay

Japan's Finance Ministry presented a plan on November 11th during the Fiscal System Council to gradually increase the 'teacher adjustment allowance' --currently awarded as a substitute for overtime pay -- from its current 4% of monthly salary to 10% over a span of five years.

Satellite Malfunction Leaves Japan Weather Images Unavailable

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is currently experiencing issues displaying images from the Himawari weather satellite on its official website. Efforts are underway to identify the cause and restore normal service, but the timeline for recovery remains unclear.

Watami Acquires Subway, Aims to Open 3,000 Stores in Japan

Major izakaya chain operator Watami has acquired Subway Japan in a large-scale acquisition it views as a 'second founding,' aiming to establish a foothold in the fast-food market.

Skytree Begins 'Real-Time Translator'

Tokyo Skytree has started a pilot project for a 'Real-Time Translator' that can display up to 100 languages.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Town Revitalization Effort Brings 'Yokai' Wedding to Life

A unique wedding ceremony recently took place in Fukusaki Town, Hyogo Prefecture, where efforts are underway to revitalize the town through the allure of 'yokai' (supernatural creatures in Japanese folklore).

Female Rickshaw Pullers Face Heat: 'Like Slaves' Say Some Foreigners

Tokyo's Asakusa district, bustling with foreign tourists, is famous for its rickshaws, a unique attraction that combines sightseeing with memory-making for visitors.

Father and Son Arrested After Heated Dispute with Frying Pan

An 88-year-old father and his 60-year-old son were arrested in Kushiro, Hokkaido, after a violent dispute where the father allegedly threatened the son with a knife, and the son retaliated by hitting his father with a frying pan, causing minor injuries.