Food

Bonenkai restaurant bookings bounce back in Japan

TOKYO, Nov 29 (NHK) - The time-honored tradition of ringing the year out with a restaurant party is making a comeback in Japan, according to a major online booking site that says reservations are at nearly 70 percent of the level seen just before the pandemic.

But there's a difference this year. Instead of the big group get-togethers in izakaya, people are opting for smaller gatherings.

The site operator says groups of four or fewer account for 58 percent of the reservations. That's almost double the rate of three years ago. ...continue reading

JR West Develops Special Umbrella to Protect Passengers from Knife Attacks

JR West Japan has announced the development of a special umbrella designed to protect passengers and crew from attackers wielding knives or other weapons, with plans to equip train cars with these umbrellas.

Bus carrying Japanese tourists crashes in Turkey, 6 people hospitalized

The Japanese embassy in Turkey says six Japanese tourists were hospitalized with injuries on Thursday after their bus was involved in an accident in western Turkey. (NHK)

New Replica COVID Vaccine Sparks Controversy in Japan

Japan’s recent approval and rollout of a new "Replica Vaccine" for COVID-19 has triggered widespread public concern, with some businesses imposing entry bans on vaccinated individuals. The vaccine, which began regular administration in October, has faced backlash due to its ability to "self-replicate" in the body, raising anxiety about its safety.

Japan's Oldest Reactor Gets Approval to Operate 50+ Years

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has granted approval for Kansai Electric Power Company's Takahama Reactor No. 1 to operate for over 50 years, marking a first in Japan, reaching its 50th anniversary next month.

Japan Faces 18 Trillion Yen Economic Loss Due to Sleep Deprivation

Japan is grappling with a severe sleep deprivation crisis, with economic losses estimated at 18 trillion yen annually due to reduced productivity, according to a study by the RAND Corporation.

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