Society

DPM Prak Sokhonn and Japan’s Special Envoy Discuss Progress on Myanmar

Mar 10 (EAC News) - The Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and appointed ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, met with the Japan Special Envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar and Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Yohei Sasakawa, on Tuesday morning to discuss matters related to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

According to a post made on Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn official Facebook page, the Cambodian Foreign Minister and the Japanese Special Envoy discussed how the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus has been slower than expected, however, both sides remain hopeful that the ASEAN Special Envory’s upcoming visit to Myanmar will help create a more conducive environment for peaceful dialogue between all parties and return Myanmar back to normalcy.

Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn added that he believes “Mr. Sasakawa’s vast expertise on Myanmar would be an asset which can contribute greatly to this common cause.”

As the ASEAN Special Envoy, the Cambodian Foreign Minister will be headed to Myanmar from 20-23 March, where he will meet with different stakeholder groups involved in the ongoing Myanmar conflict, including representatives of the Myanmar military government and opposition groups. During his visit, he will also be distributing humanitarian aid to a local hospital.

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

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