Society

Brown Bear Rams Truck in Hokkaido Forest

HOKKAIDO, Apr 30 (News On Japan) - In a startling encounter captured by a dashcam, a brown bear attacked a light truck traveling along a forest road in Nemuro City, Hokkaido.

Emerging suddenly from the right side of the road, the bear charged at the vehicle in a low, swift motion. The initial impact shattered the truck's windshield wipers, and a subsequent strike cracked the front windshield.

Video footage from moments before the attack shows a cub, suggesting that the aggressor was likely the mother bear protecting her young.

The driver, a man in his fifties, and his passenger were unharmed.

Nemuro has seen an increase in bear sightings this month, prompting local authorities and police to issue warnings to the public.

Source: ANN

Shimadzu Unveils World's First Optical Lattice Clock

Shimadzu Corporation has launched the world's first optical lattice clock, which measures time using the oscillation frequency of atoms trapped by lasers. The clock boasts an unparalleled accuracy, with an error of just one second over 10 billion years.

Tohoku Shinkansen Cars Unexpectedly Detach

A Tohoku Shinkansen train came to an unexpected stop between Ueno and Omiya on March 6th after its coupled cars separated. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on the Hayabusa-Komachi No. 21 train.

Japan to Release Rice Reserves as Prices Surge Past 5,000 Yen for 5kg

Japan’s rice prices have been steadily climbing, with the cost of a 5-kilogram bag rising from 2,430 to 3,297 yen last year and further increasing to 3,949 yen this year, putting pressure on household budgets. To curb these rising prices, the government has decided to release its rice reserves.

Gunkanjima Faces Collapse Risk as Buildings Deteriorate

The historic buildings of Hashima Island, commonly known as Gunkanjima, are facing a risk of collapse due to ongoing deterioration, it was revealed on March 3rd. The island, part of the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution," a UNESCO World Heritage site that marks its 10th anniversary this summer, has seen its structures degrade significantly over time.

Nara's Omizutori Fire Ritual Marks 1,274 Year

The annual Shunie ceremony, commonly known as Omizutori, has begun at Todai-ji Temple in Nara. Carrying large torches, attendants lit the way as monks, known as the Rengyoshu, slowly ascended the steps of Nigatsudo Hall.

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