Travel

Kofu's Plum Blossoms: A Colorful Prelude to Spring

Kofu, Feb 18 (News On Japan) - The plum blossoms are reaching their peak earlier than usual in Kofu due to the warm winter. Furoen Garden, a famous plum spot, is witnessing early blooms in over 2,000 plum trees in various colors, including red, white, and pink, spanning 30 different varieties.

This year, the unusually warm winter has caused the blossoms to peak about two weeks earlier than usual, with half of the garden's plum trees already in full bloom.

Early-blooming varieties like "Kan-Kobai" and "Toji-Bai" are nearly at full bloom.

Even the mid-blooming plum trees, which typically start flowering around mid-February, have nearly half of their flowers in bloom.

Many visitors are enjoying the sweet fragrance of the plum blossoms as they stroll through the garden and take photos.

The plum blossom season at this garden is expected to last until early March when the late-blooming varieties start to flower.

Website: 不老園; Garden Park of Eternal Life

Source: ANN

BOJ Raises Policy Rate to 0.5 Percent

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to raise its policy interest rate from an annualized 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent. This marks the first rate hike in six months and appears aimed at correcting the historically weak yen.

Severe Rice Shortage Looms in Japan

Japan is facing an unprecedented rice shortage, with recent data highlighting alarming supply-demand imbalances in the domestic market. The Agricultural Newspaper reported on January 10 that the DI (Demand-Supply Index), a measure of rice market balance, reached a record high of 80. This figure indicates a critical shortfall in rice availability, surpassing even last year's levels when supermarket shelves were emptied.

Media Scandal Deepens as Fuji TV Faces New Allegations

The resignation of popular television personality Masahiro Nakai has sent shockwaves through the Japanese entertainment industry. Announced through his agency’s website, Nakai apologized, stating, “I’m truly sorry for this sudden farewell.” His decision to retire has sparked debates over whether this marks the conclusion of ongoing controversies surrounding him and the television networks involved.

Aquarium Director Caught in Endangered Turtle Scandal

Former executives of the Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, including a former director and three others, have been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of fraudulently receiving management fees by misreporting the number of endangered turtles in their care.

Man Stabs Three Near Nagano Station

Three people were attacked near JR Nagano Station at around 8 p.m., leaving a man in his 40s in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest and two others hospitalized.

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