Society

Imperial Family cancels New Year greeting in solidarity with earthquake victims

TOKYO, Jan 02 (News On Japan) - The Japanese Imperial Family's scheduled appearance on the palace veranda on Tuesday to greet the public five times has been canceled due to the unfolding natural disaster in western Japan.

This decision reflects the deep concern of the Imperial Family for the victims of the recent Noto Peninsula earthquake. The Imperial Household Agency has announced that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, along with other members of the Imperial Family, wish for the swift progress of rescue operations and firefighting efforts in the affected areas, particularly given the severe cold weather conditions.

The cancellation, a first of its kind due to a natural disaster, underlines the gravity of the situation. The agency has taken steps to inform the public about the cancellation, posting details on their website and planning to set up signs on Tuesday morning at various entrances to the Impreial Palace in Tokyo, including from Uchibori Street to Sakashita Gate. Their Majesties' gesture of prioritizing the welfare of the earthquake victims and emergency responders in these challenging times has been noted as a significant and empathetic response to the natural disaster.

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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