Giant Snakes Paraded in 400 Year Old Festival

Tochigi, May 06 (News On Japan) - The annual 'Mamada-no Jaga Maita' was held Sunday in Oyama, Tochigi, where locals carry a giant snake made of bamboo and adorned with fern leaves to pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and protection from plagues.

Designated as an important intangible folk cultural asset by the national government in 2019, the 'Snake Demon Festival' dates back 400 years. Seven 15-meter dragon-headed 'Ja' snakes from each district are paraded around the town and submerged in the pond at Mamada Hachimangu Shrine, where they drink water while splashing about. Originally held on April 8 in the old calendar, it now takes place on May 5 (Children's Day) to accommodate the young bearers of the event.

Source: ANN

Typhoon No. 22 Forecast to Strengthen and Approach Mainland Japan

As of 9 a.m. on October 6th, Typhoon No. 22 (Halong) was located over the ocean south of Japan, moving slowly northward with a central pressure of 994 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds near its center of 23 meters per second. The system is projected to develop into a strong typhoon by October 8th and may reach a “very strong” category when approaching the Tokai region around October 9th. However, the storm’s path remains uncertain, and weather authorities are urging the public to stay alert for new updates.

Driver In Training Behind Tokyu Line Collision That Caused Train Derailment

A collision occurred on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line on the night of October 5th when a local train attempting to arrive at Kajigaya Station in Kawasaki City struck a stationary out-of-service train, causing several cars of the latter to derail. Investigators from the Japan Transport Safety Board arrived at the scene on the morning of October 6th to begin examining the cause of the accident.

Spanish Tourist Injured in Bear Attack at World Heritage Shirakawa-go

A Spanish tourist was attacked by a bear while visiting Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO World Heritage village in Gifu Prefecture known for its traditional thatched-roof houses, on October 5th. The incident adds to a growing number of bear encounters reported across Japan in recent weeks.

Takaichi Wins Leadership Race, Declares All Must Work Like Horses

Sanae Takaichi, elected as the Liberal Democratic Party’s new president on October 4th, declared on stage, “I ask everybody to work like a horse,” after defeating agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff to become the party’s first female leader.

Honey Trap Crimes Becoming More Malicious

A string of so-called “honey trap” cases is drawing attention across Japan as schemes once limited to extortion have become increasingly violent, involving physical assaults and life-threatening intimidation.

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Emperor and Empress Visit Kyoto for First Time in Six Years

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Kyoto for the first time in six years to attend an international forum that began on October 5th, where discussions focused on the role and implications of artificial intelligence in society.

Aぇ! Group Member Arrested for Indecent Exposure in Tokyo

Richard Keita Kusama, a 29-year-old member of the idol group Aぇ! Group under STARTO Entertainment, was arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of public indecency.

Mobile Battery Catches Fire on Osaka Metro, Two Women Injured

A mobile battery caught fire inside a train on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line on October 4th, injuring two women and disrupting operations on both northbound and southbound tracks.

Bones Found in Kochi Mountains Linked to Crime Syndicate Victim

A man in his twenties who was abducted in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, in June and later killed has been confirmed dead after his remains were found as bones in the mountains of Kochi Prefecture.

Honey Trap Crimes Becoming More Malicious

Woman Killed with Dozens of Stab Wounds in Higashi-Osaka

Police have revealed that a woman killed by her former partner in Higashi-Osaka had sustained dozens of stab wounds across her body, including injuries that pierced internal organs.

Why Japan Fears Immigrants: The Untold Truth

Right now in big cities in Japan, there are more and more protests by Japanese people against the government's immigration policies. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

Princess Aiko Catches Covid

Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, has tested positive for Covid-19, the Imperial Household Agency announced on October 2nd, cancelling her scheduled trip to Shiga Prefecture on October 5th and 6th to observe the National Sports Festival.

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