May 19 (Kyodo) - Japanese actor Masakazu Tamura, who appeared in a number of popular TV series and films in his 60-year career, died of heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo last month, people close to him said Tuesday. He was 77.
Tamura was a household name throughout Japan for playing an awkward but comical police officer in a 1994-2006 TV drama series featuring guest villains such as members of the now-disbanded pop idol group SMAP and former baseball player Ichiro Suzuki.
Japan’s recent approval and rollout of a new "Replica Vaccine" for COVID-19 has triggered widespread public concern, with some businesses imposing entry bans on vaccinated individuals. The vaccine, which began regular administration in October, has faced backlash due to its ability to "self-replicate" in the body, raising anxiety about its safety.
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has granted approval for Kansai Electric Power Company's Takahama Reactor No. 1 to operate for over 50 years, marking a first in Japan, reaching its 50th anniversary next month.
Japan is grappling with a severe sleep deprivation crisis, with economic losses estimated at 18 trillion yen annually due to reduced productivity, according to a study by the RAND Corporation.
The 'Prefectural Attractiveness Ranking,' which started in 2009, marked its 16th edition in 2024, with competition for the bottom rank a hot topic. This year, Ibaraki Prefecture, which ranked last in 2023, moved up two spots, overtaking Saitama Prefecture.
As thick morning fog lifted, sunlight streamed through the distant mountain ranges, revealing Echizen Ono Castle perched above a sea of clouds, built over 400 years ago by a close aide to Oda Nobunaga.
A series of robberies has been occurring in the Kanto region, with two new cases on October 16th in Yokohama and Chiba, where the victims were tied up.
A former married couple got into a serious argument during a fireworks festival in Atami, resulting in both being arrested.
The 'Nada Kenka Festival,' renowned for its fierce clashes between portable shrines, took place in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, attracting large crowds of spectators.
What happened to cause over 100 people to gather at a railroad crossing in the middle of the night? Even after the barrier dropped and the alarm rang, people remained inside the crossing.
Japan has one of the lowest homelessness rates in the world, with less than 0.003% of its population living on the streets. This is a testament to the country's robust social programs and unique cultural approach to addressing homelessness. (Drew Binsky)
Are you currently dating anyone? What does love mean to you? (Asian Boss)
It's that time of year for deer in Nara to get their antlers cut to prevent the aggressive males, which become temperamental during the mating season, from injuring people.
Former Empress Michiko, who had been hospitalized at the University of Tokyo Hospital due to a fracture in the upper part of her right thigh bone, has been discharged.
