Travel

Blue Maple Viewing at Yusai-tei in Arashiyama

KYOTO, May 02 (News On Japan) - In Kyoto's Arashiyama, the blue maple trees at the Yusai-tei Art Gallery have reached their peak viewing period. Visitors are enjoying the fresh greenery visible through the gallery's unique circular windows, as well as scenes reflected in the polished tables and water-filled water mirrors.

The Yusai-tei, which is 150 years old, was formerly a ryokan known for being the place where the novelist Yasunari Kawabata wrote "The Sound of the Mountain." It was renovated about 20 years ago by the dyer Yusai Okuda, who acquired it.

A couple from Hamamatsu shared their experience, saying, "It was refreshing for the soul ahead of our marriage," with smiles. The gallery operates on a reservation priority basis with an admission fee of 2,000 yen.

Source: JIJI

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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