Sports

Ohtani Debuts at Dodgers' Fan Fest, Eyes World Series Title

TOKYO, Feb 04 (News On Japan) - Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, 29, made a highly anticipated appearance at the team's Fan Fest, receiving a warm welcome amidst loud cheers from a stadium adorned in Dodger blue. Ohtani shared his feelings on donning Dodgers' colors: "Seeing the blue, it feels like a stark contrast to the Angels' red. It’s finally hitting me that I’ve made the move."

In his first public appearance since joining the team, Ohtani responded to questions about his dog Decopin and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. "Mizuhara and I have a professional relationship, not friends per se, but we get along well within that context," Ohtani remarked. When asked about his pet's favorite activities, Ohtani said, "Decopin reacts a lot to lights. So, I often play with him by moving a light around while I’m lying down." Choosing between pizza or burgers, Ohtani decisively preferred "Burgers!"

Discussing his objectives for the season, Ohtani emphasized, "The only goal is truly to win the World Series. I believe the fans share this sentiment, and it would be great if we could fight through the season together."

Ohtani is set to start the camp on February 10th, Japan time, with high hopes and clear targets for the upcoming season.

Source: FNN

Thousands Clash in Aichi’s Naked Festival

Aichi’s famed Konomiya Hadaka Festival took place on February 10th at Konomiya Shrine in Inazawa City, where men clad in only fundoshi loincloths clashed in a frenzied struggle. The traditional event, which has continued for over 1,200 years, centers around the ‘Shin Otoko’ or ‘Sacred Man,’ chosen by lottery, whom participants believe will cleanse them of misfortune if they manage to touch him.

Japan to Release Emergency Rice Reserves Amid Rising Prices

Rice prices in Japan continue to rise, despite the government’s plan to release emergency reserves in an effort to stabilize the market. A bowl of tendon, topped with freshly fried tempura, is incomplete without steaming hot rice, but the cost of this staple has been steadily increasing.

Avalanche Strikes Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima

An avalanche occurred around noon on Monday along a prefectural road in Fukushima City, leaving two hot spring inns isolated once again due to record snowfall.

USJ Ticket Buyers to Receive Expo Admission

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Foreign Tourists Spend Record 8.1 Trillion Yen in Japan

Foreign tourists spent a record 8.1 trillion yen in Japan last year, an amount equivalent to the cost of building 203 Tokyo Skytree towers. As Japan continues to attract visitors from around the world, many are curious about where this money goes and the financial backgrounds of those spending it.

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