Travel

Cherry Blossom Season Begins in Nagoya, Slightly Behind Schedule

NAGOYA, Mar 26 (News On Japan) - Cherry blossoms began blooming in Nagoya on March 26th, according to an announcement by the Nagoya District Meteorological Observatory, two days later than the average year but two days earlier than last year.

"We confirmed that more than five flowers were in bloom today, so we have officially observed the flowering of the standard Somei Yoshino tree at our observatory," said Kawaguchi Takahiro from the Nagoya District Meteorological Observatory.

Around 10:30 a.m. on March 26th, staff at the observatory in Chikusa Ward confirmed that the Somei Yoshino tree on the premises had five to six blossoms—meeting the official criteria for declaring the start of the cherry blossom season.

This marks the second consecutive year that Nagoya's cherry blossoms have bloomed later than the historical average.

The observatory forecasts that the blossoms will reach full bloom in about a week to 10 days.

Elsewhere in the Tokai region, Gifu reported the start of cherry blossom season on March 25th.

Source: Nagoya TV News

Legionella Bacteria Found at Osaka Expo’s Quiet Forest and Water Plaza

Legionella bacteria have been detected in multiple locations at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, prompting health and safety measures. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, seawater collected on June 3rd from the Water Plaza, where water shows are held, was found to contain Legionella bacteria at 20 times the guideline limit.

Japan's Annual Births Fall Below 700,000 for the First Time

The number of babies born in Japan in 2024 fell below 700,000 for the first time since recordkeeping began in 1899, highlighting the nation’s accelerating demographic crisis. According to population statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 4th, the number of births dropped to 686,061—down more than 40,000 from the previous year.

Convenience Stores Nationwide to Sell Government Rice in 1–2 kg Packs

Three major convenience store chains will soon begin selling government stockpiled rice in small packages of 1 to 2 kilograms. FamilyMart will start selling rice harvested in 2021—classified as old stock—at 20 locations in Tokyo and Osaka starting June 6th. The rice will be priced at 360 yen per kilogram, excluding tax, with plans for a nationwide rollout.

Cash Storage to Be Banned in Safe Deposit Boxes

Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and other institutions are moving to revise rules on the use of safe deposit boxes following a string of thefts, with the Japanese Bankers Association now working toward a ban on storing cash in these boxes.

Shigeo Nagashima, Symbol of Japan’s Golden Age of Baseball, Dies at 89

Shigeo Nagashima, one of Japan’s most iconic postwar figures and known as "Mr. Pro Baseball," has died at the age of 89, it was learned on June 3rd. A native of Chiba Prefecture, Nagashima helped define an era of professional baseball and became a national hero.

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