Sports

'Shohei Ohtani's Dog Depicted in Tulip Art

HYOGO, Apr 21 (News On Japan) - In the city of Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, the annual Tulip Festival is underway, captivating visitors with fields of vibrant tulips at the peak of their bloom.

Around 500,000 tulips of roughly 300 varieties are in full bloom in the Tanto area of Toyooka, where local residents have been planting and caring for the flowers in preparation for this seasonal event.

A major highlight this year is a large-scale floral art installation depicting Dekopin, the dog of Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani, rendered entirely with tulips.

Visitors were delighted by the display, with one saying, "Dekopin! It’s blooming so beautifully and looks adorable." Another added, "It was even more beautiful than I imagined." When asked if their child was enjoying it, a parent responded, "Yes, definitely."

The tulips are currently at their best, and the festival is scheduled to continue through next weekend.

Source: KTV NEWS

Large-Scale Fire Spreads to Over 170 Buildings in Oita

A large-scale fire that broke out in the Saganoseki district of Oita City has burned through more than 170 structures and continues to emit thick white smoke on the morning of November — nearly 17 hours after the first emergency call was made — prompting the prefectural government to request disaster relief deployment from the Self-Defense Forces.

Chinese State Media Attack Japan as Flight Cancellations Surge

China’s Communist Party–affiliated Global Times reported on its front page this morning that it had “demanded a clear explanation from the Japanese side” regarding the discussions held on the previous day, underscoring Beijing’s position that Tokyo must address the issue directly.

Storm Clouds, Hail and Thunder Threaten Japan’s Coasts

Although the winter weather pattern is easing today on November 19th, bringing clear skies to some regions, forecasters warn that coastal areas may still face sudden bursts of rain, snow, and severe convection driven by rapidly developing thunderclouds.

Japan Is Facing an Unprecedented Surge in Bear Attacks

A reporting team found itself face to face with a bear while investigating the sharp rise in bear-related incidents that has left 13 people dead this year.

Sakurajima Erupts, Sending Plume 4,400 Meters High and Disrupting Flights

Sakurajima erupted in the early hours on October (date not provided in source), sending a plume of ash soaring to 4,400 meters above the crater, the first time it has exceeded 4,000 meters since October last year, with volcanic rocks reaching as far as the sixth station on the mountainside as the volcano continued erupting intermittently throughout the morning and caused ash to fall over Kagoshima Airport, where a thin layer accumulated on aircraft.

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