News On Japan

Panasonic to stop making fluorescent lamps by 2027

Oct 02 (NHK) - Panasonic has announced that it will end production of fluorescent lamps in 2027 when an international ban comes into force prompted by the health risks and environmental pollution from mercury used in them.

The Japanese electronics giant says it will end production by the end of September 2027.

Panasonic started selling fluorescent light tubes in 1951 and increased output as Japan's economy enjoyed decades of high growth, but the increasing popularity of more energy-efficient LED bulbs led to a gradual decline in production.

An international conference on mercury use last year decided to prohibit the production, export, and import of fluorescent lamps containing the toxic element by 2027.

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With one month to go until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, construction work is accelerating at the venue as delays in pavilion building continue to pose challenges.

Nagahama, a city steeped in history and culture, is home to numerous sites connected to the legacy of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From Nagahama Castle, where visitors can view Hideyoshi’s handwritten documents and the scenery he once gazed upon, to Kunitomo, a major center of firearm production that supported Japan’s unification, the area offers a rich tapestry of historical insights.

For over half a century, Nagasaki Prefecture has waged a relentless battle against biker gangs, groups known for their reckless, illegal street racing that disturbed public order and endangered lives. Now, after years of intensified crackdowns, Nagasaki police have announced the virtual eradication of biker gangs, culminating in the recent disbandment of the last remaining group in January 2025.

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North Safari Sapporo, which brands itself as 'Japan's most dangerous zoo,' has announced it will close at the end of September, after operating for two decades despite being in an urban planning control zone where development is restricted.

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