Society

Bracing for 'Crow Blackouts'

TOKYO, Apr 26 (News On Japan) - As crows enter their breeding season, their nest-building activities are causing concern among utility providers due to the increased risk of power outages.

Using cranes, workers have been actively removing large crow nests, some up to 60 centimeters in diameter, from utility poles. These nests often contain not just twigs but also metal objects like wires and hangers, which pose a significant risk of short-circuiting electrical systems.

Katsuhiko Majo of Tohoku Electric Power Network highlighted the dangers posed by these nests. "When nests containing metal make contact with charged parts of the infrastructure, they can cause short circuits and lead to power outages through electrical leakage," he explained.

The problem is expected to worsen as the crow breeding season peaks up to July, increasing the occurrences of "crow blackouts." Utilities are urging the public and local authorities to remain vigilant and are taking preventive measures to mitigate the impact on the power supply.

Source: ANN

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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