Sports

Javelin Star Kitaguchi Sets Sights on 70-Meter Dream

TOKYO, Dec 21 (News On Japan) - The Athletics Awards, an annual ceremony organized by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, was held on December 19th in Tokyo. Haruka Kitaguchi, who became the first female athlete to win the annual MVP award for two consecutive years, expressed her mixed emotions during the event.

"It was a year full of great results, but it was also incredibly tough," said Kitaguchi, the javelin queen of the Paris Olympics. "Next year, I want to focus purely on throwing even farther, aiming for my dream of reaching 70 meters."

Kitaguchi's performance continues to inspire as she sets her sights on new records and achievements in the upcoming year.

Source: Kyodo

Osaka Expands Indoor Smoking Ban

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

Japan's Imperial Household Launches YouTube Channel

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

New Recruits Across Japan Mark First Day as Working Adults

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

Death Toll Could Reach 298,000 in Nankai Trough Megaquake

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

Tokyo's Cherry Blossoms Bloom Early This Year

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 30th that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino) in central Tokyo have reached full bloom, one day earlier than the historical average and five days earlier than last year.

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