Society

Village of the Sun and Full-Bloom Cherry Blossoms

MIYAGI, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - Shibata Town, known for its flourishing cherry blossoms, has embraced a tree ownership system to pass the beauty of its roughly 400 commemorative trees—planted to mark births, marriages, and other milestones—on to future generations.

The site, situated on a hill overlooking the town and near the famed Hitome Senbonzakura, has become a popular gathering spot for families and others hoping to enjoy a peaceful hanami experience.

Shibata Town is a picturesque municipality located in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, known widely for its cherry blossoms and traditional charm. Nestled along the banks of the Shiroishi River, the town boasts a serene natural setting with gently rolling hills, seasonal colors, and a rich historical background. Each spring, Shibata transforms into a floral spectacle as thousands of cherry trees bloom, attracting visitors from across the region. Among its most famous spots is the hilltop area overlooking the town and the celebrated Hitome Senbonzakura, or "a thousand cherry blossoms at a glance," where rows of trees create sweeping pink vistas.

Beyond its seasonal appeal, Shibata retains a strong sense of local identity and history. It is home to traditional festivals, local produce markets, and a close-knit community that values both preservation and hospitality. The combination of natural beauty, historical resonance, and civic pride makes Shibata Town a quiet yet vivid example of rural Japanese life sustained by shared cultural and environmental values.

Source: TBS

Trump Doubles Tariffs While Calling Nippon Steel’s $14 Billion US Deal Historic

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 30th that his administration plans to double the current tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent. Speaking at a plant owned by major American steelmaker U.S. Steel, Trump declared that the existing 25 percent tariff on steel imports would be raised to 50 percent starting June 4th. The same rate will also apply to aluminum products, with the measure expected to affect exporters globally.

Japan’s Healthcare in Crisis, Doctors Overworked as Research Time Dwindles

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Japan Overhauls Prison System for First Time in a Century

Japan has officially abolished both penal servitude and imprisonment without labor, replacing them with a newly introduced 'custodial sentence' system. This marks the first major reform of the country's penal code since it was established in 1907.

Okinawa Survivor Breaks Silence After 80 Years

Okinawa resident Sueko Urasaki, who appeared as a trembling child in a U.S.-filmed recording of the Battle of Okinawa, has spoken publicly for the first time in 80 years about her harrowing experience, expressing a heartfelt plea for peace to future generations.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

Ancient Wall Carvings Reveal Burial Secrets of Japanese Nobility

Japan’s largest known cluster of horizontal tombs lies in the southeastern Osaka city of Kashiwara, where more than 160 cave tombs have been confirmed in what is now known as Takai Horizontal Tomb Park. Including uninvestigated areas, the total may exceed 200 burial chambers.

Foreign Tourist Punches Car, Makes Threatening Gestures in Asakusa

A visiting family in Tokyo’s Asakusa district was left shaken after witnessing a sudden outburst by a foreign tourist who punched their car and made aggressive gestures in the middle of the road.

Man Admits to Dropkick Assault and Robbery in Osaka

A trial opened on May 29th at the Osaka District Court for 28-year-old Kazuya Nagaya, who is accused of seriously injuring a man by kicking him from behind and stealing his bag in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture. Nagaya admitted to the charges, stating, "No doubt, it’s exactly as you said."

Debt-Ridden Son and Rough Girlfriend Connected to Father's Murder

The body of an 87-year-old man who served as the chairman of a civil engineering and construction firm was found buried beneath a pile of soil at a materials storage yard in Kitakyushu on May 20th, prompting an ongoing investigation that now includes possible murder charges. The police arrested the chairman’s son the following day, and on May 23rd, also arrested a woman acquainted with the son, believing the two had conspired to abandon the body.

Debate Over Euthanasia in Japan Reignited by ALS Murder Case

"Please let me die with dignity." This was a social media post believed to have been written by a woman suffering from ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, before she was killed in 2019 at her own request. The case, in which two doctors were arrested and tried, ignited a national debate on euthanasia in Japan—specifically, the ethical and legal implications of assisting the terminally ill to end their lives.

< 2 3 4 5 >