Society

Saitama Drafts Guidelines for Swimsuit Photoshoots at Public Pools

Saitama, Jan 25 (News On Japan) - The committee tasked with discussing the appropriateness of swimsuit photo sessions at public pools in Saitama Prefecture has drafted new conditions for granting permission for such events, cautioning against overly revealing swimwear.

Last June, the Saitama Prefecture Public Park Association, which manages the pool, had requested the cancellation of a planned swimsuit photo session due to the lack of clear rules, as directed by the prefecture. As a temporary measure, the association had responded by illustrating examples of prohibited attire, such as swimwear with excessive skin exposure. Following this, a committee consisting of experts with academic and practical experience continued discussions and on January 24th, they compiled a draft of the new permission conditions.

According to the draft, while freedom of expression should be respected, it is advised to be cautious about allowing extreme swimsuits and poses. It calls for the establishment of diagrams and numerical standards for prohibited items to enable objective judgment. Furthermore, it recommends prohibiting the participation of individuals under 18 years of age and requires organizers to pledge not to involve minors. The committee is seeking opinions from the public through its website and plans to finalize its recommendations next month.

Source: NHK

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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