Society

Empress Emerita Publishes 466 Unreleased Poems

TOKYO, Jan 15 (News On Japan) - A poetry collection featuring 466 previously unpublished poems by Empress Emerita Michiko will be published on January 15.

Titled "Yufusuge," the collection includes poems composed by the Empress Emerita during the Showa and Heisei eras. The publication came to fruition after Nagata Kazuhiro, a literary advisor to the Imperial Family, strongly recommended making the works widely known. His efforts, in coordination with the Imperial Household Agency, led to the release of the collection.

Last year, Empress Emerita Michiko fractured her right femur and underwent rehabilitation. According to close aides, she attended the New Year's event on January 1st without using a cane at all when greeting attendees.

She also attended the New Year’s public greeting on January 2nd alongside Emperor Emeritus Akihito.

The Imperial couple reportedly maintains a daily routine of walking within the grounds of the Sentō Imperial Residence, including stairs in the morning, and strolling around the Akasaka Imperial Grounds in the afternoon.

Close aides have stated that going forward, "Rather than post-surgery rehabilitation, the walking practice is intended to prevent falls, given their advanced age."

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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