Society

Toyota's all-electric SUV to debut next year

Oct 30 (NHK) - Toyota Motor has unveiled the first electric vehicle under its dedicated EV brand, Toyota bZ. It is an SUV that will go on sale by the middle of next year.

The automaker said on Friday it plans to bring seven fully electric bZ models to the global market by 2025.

Toyota says the vehicle's range is roughly 500 kilometers on a single charge. It says it aims to achieve world-class battery performance with a 90-percent capacity retention ratio after 10 years' use.

A solar panel in the roof can generate enough electricity to run 1,800 kilometers a year. That means the vehicle can still be used even when disasters or other events make regular charging impossible.

Toyota's Japanese rivals are also launching new EVs. Nissan will start global sales this winter, while Honda plans to release new models in China next spring.

University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

The University of Tokyo has officially decided to increase tuition by approximately 110,000 yen for incoming undergraduate students starting next academic year, bringing the total to 642,960 yen.

Japanese Ambassador Visits Dalian Following Student Death

Following the tragic stabbing and death of a child attending a Japanese school in China, Japanese Ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, visited a local city to urge the Chinese government to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals residing in the area, as concerns grew among the local Japanese community.

Flooding Hits Temporary Housing in Quake-Stricken Wajima

Flooding has reached the temporary housing in Wajima City, built for earthquake victims, and volunteers have begun clearing the mud starting on September 24.

Russian military plane intrudes into Japanese airspace, Tokyo lodges protest

A Japanese government spokesperson says a Russian military airplane entered Japanese airspace three times on Monday. (NHK)

Kishida vows in meeting with Zelenskyy continued support for Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has conveyed his country's intention to maintain support for Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (NHK)

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Man Attacks Female Student to Steal Phone

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Video of Penguins Chasing Butterfly Goes Viral

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Knife Attack at Anime Event Leaves Man Seriously Wounded

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Tokyo Launches Marriage App

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YouTube Breast Pumping Videos Garner Millions of Views, Raising Ethical Concerns

A search for 'breast pump' 「搾乳機」on YouTube returns numerous videos with titles like 'Introduction to Breast Pumping.' But what exactly are these videos?

Teenage Gang Attacks Boy with Airgun in Tokyo Park

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500-Year-Old Sacred Tree Burns at Ibaraki Shrine

A fire broke out at a shrine in Ami-machi, Ibaraki Prefecture, burning a sacred tree over 500 years old, with police investigating the cause as a lightning strike.

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