News On Japan

Series of old 'Hachiko' photos discovery

TOKYO, Sep 19 (News On Japan) - Previously unseen photos of the famous Akita dog 'Hachiko', a symbol of Shibuya celebrating his 100th anniversary this year, have been recently discovered.

Hachiko, born in 1923, continued to wait for his owner's return at Shibuya Station even after his master had passed away.

Two of the unearthed photos are particularly valuable for creating future sculptures and 3D representations because they capture Hachiko's front and side profiles in a continuous sequence about a year before his passing.

Curator Keita Matsui remarked, "As he is wearing a ribbon for a ceremony, we can determine that it was taken on the evening of March 10, Showa 9 (1934). To have a specific date identified in a photo from his lifetime is incredibly valuable."

Other new photos have also been unearthed, including one with a child from Kobe alongside Hachiko while he was still alive, with the Hachiko Statue in the background. The statue was erected about 11 months before Hachiko's death, making this photo even more special.

Matsui added, "There are very few photos that capture both Hachiko and the Hachiko Statue. Even with the ones we've confirmed, there are only two or three, including this one."

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Nara's Asuka and Fujiwara Palaces have been officially recommended as a candidate for UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list, with the goal of achieving registration at the World Heritage Committee meeting scheduled for the year after next.

University of Tokyo President Teruo Fujii revealed that the university is finalizing plans to raise undergraduate tuition fees by 20%, starting with students entering next academic year.

The ongoing debate over the legalization of separate surnames for married couples in Japan is a topic that has polarized both politicians and the public for over three decades.

Two Liberian men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing 34 million yen through a trick using copper particles plated with gold.

The Yokohama District Court on Monday sentenced a former manager of Bigmotor's Kawasaki branch to a fine of 200,000 yen for damaging public property by cutting azaleas in front of the store.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Society NEWS

Five unemployed men have been arrested and charged with repeatedly stealing golf clubs from parked cars. The total losses are estimated at approximately 57 million yen.

The traditional 'Crow Sumo' ritual, which involves imitating crow calls to pray for good health, was held on September 9 at Kyoto's Kamigamo Shrine. This ritual, which takes place on the Day of Chrysanthemums, has been performed since the Heian Period

Two Liberian men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing 34 million yen through a trick using copper particles plated with gold.

A lightning strike at a live event venue in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, injured nine people, but none are in life-threatening condition.

An exhibition and sale of prison-made goods crafted by inmates aiming for social reintegration was held at Toyama Prison in Toyama Prefecture.

Violinist Taro Hakase (53) announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that causes facial paralysis.

A man was arrested in Higashi-Osaka for allegedly abducting three girls, one of whom has died, with around 80 empty medicine shells discovered in his home.

Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Japan's Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino, turned 18 on September 6, officially becoming an adult member of the Imperial family.