Travel

Expo Water Show to Resume

OSAKA, Jul 11 (News On Japan) - The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition announced that the popular water show at the Expo venue, which had been suspended since early June due to the detection of Legionella bacteria at levels exceeding safety standards, will resume on July 11th.

The show, held daily at the Expo’s Water Plaza, was halted on June 4th after water samples revealed Legionella levels more than 20 times above the standard threshold.

At a press conference held on July 10th, the association stated that water quality tests have now confirmed safety. Additional countermeasures have also been implemented, including the installation of new circulation pumps to prevent future contamination. Based on these improvements, the water show will restart from July 11th.

Separately, part of the 'Silent Forest' area, which was also closed due to the detection of Legionella, will partially reopen for public use.

The association emphasized its commitment to maintaining water quality through disinfection and regular testing, stating, "We hope many visitors will come and enjoy the water show."

Source: YOMIURI

Typhoon No. 22 (Halong) to Bring Record Winds, Izu Islanders Urged to Evacuate Early

At 10 p.m. on October 8th, Typhoon No. 22 (Halong), classified as a very strong system, was located about 170 kilometers south of Aogashima, moving northeast at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a special warning for violent winds and high waves in the Izu Islands as the typhoon approaches the region. Authorities are urging residents to complete evacuations before conditions worsen, warning that on October 9th, the islands may experience winds of unprecedented intensity, making it extremely dangerous or even impossible to move outdoors.

Typhoon No. 23 (Nakri) Forms, Moving Northwest Toward Okinawa

A tropical depression that had been moving northwestward over the Mariana Islands developed into Typhoon No. 23 (Nakri) at 3 p.m. on October 8th east of the Philippines. It is the third typhoon to form this month. The system is expected to move northwest along the edge of a high-pressure zone toward the Okinawa and Amami regions.

Japanese Teachers Still Work World’s Longest Hours

Elementary and junior high school teachers in Japan still work the longest hours among their peers worldwide, according to an OECD report released on Tuesday. While the 2024 results by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showed working hours had fallen by around four hours per week compared with the previous survey in 2018, Japan’s teachers still far exceeded their global counterparts.

Beer Shortages Hit Japan's Izakayas

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Magnitude 4.9 Quake Off Fukushima, No Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture around 9:30 a.m. on October 7th, registering a maximum intensity of 4 on the Japanese seismic scale. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, there is no risk of a tsunami caused by this tremor.

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