Society
Emperor sows rice seeds at palace
NHK - Apr 07
Japan's Emperor Naruhito has planted rice seeds at the Imperial Palace.
Man arrested for attempted murder after woman clings to hood of car
Japan Today - Apr 06
Police in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, have arrested a 78-year-old Buddhist priest on suspicion of attempted murder after he drove his car with a woman clinging to the hood.
Hashida, writer of acclaimed Japanese TV drama "Oshin," dies at 95
Kyodo - Apr 06
Sugako Hashida, a scriptwriter known for the internationally acclaimed television drama series "Oshin" in the 1980s, died Sunday of lymphoma at her home in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, her foundation said Monday. She was 95.
Japanese police searching for man who stole 1.1 million yen in tiny fish
soranews24.com - Apr 05
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on 26 March in Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture, a man smashed through the fence of a yet-to-be-opened shop, and armed with two lights and a nylon net robbed the establishment of roughly 1.1 million yen (US$9,000) in merchandise.
Female monarchs up for debate as Japan looks to secure imperial line
Japan Times - Apr 04
Japan has finally launched formal discussions on how to secure a stable succession to the chrysanthemum throne amid a shrinking number of heirs, with options including allowing women or emperors from the maternal line to reign.
Saitama officially forbids walking up and down escalators
soranews24.com - Apr 02
Masahiro Kawase is a 48-year-old office worker who suffered a stroke six years ago and is paralyzed on his left side. However, in Saitama Prefecture custom dictates that everyone who rides an escalator stands on the left and walks – or in some cases runs – up the right side.
Japan’s Farming After a Nuclear Disaster
Munchies - Mar 31
After the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Fukushima’s farmers work to overcome radiation stigma, despite the prefecture's track record of producing some of the most delicious produce in Japan.
Pandemic not slowing cocaine trafficking in Tokyo, foreign dealer says
tokyoreporter.com - Mar 30
TOKYO (TR) – A person apprehended for possessing or using an illegal drug in the capital may tell arresting officers that they got the contraband in question “from a foreigner.”
Japan's Strangest Cult? | False Gods
VICE - Mar 29
From Margaret Thatcher seances to promising to eliminate North Korea, Happy Science is a controversial new religious movement with over 12 million members in 90 countries.
Second State of Emergency: Two and a half months' record of "Tokyo" and "People's Anguish"
ANNnewsCH - Mar 28
In the city where the lights went out again, there were people who were confused and worried. Two and a half months, which was the length of the second extension, TV Asahi recorded "the city of Tokyo" and "people's feelings".
Japan's Worst Nuclear Disaster Still Haunts Fukushima
VICE News - Mar 28
Ten years later, the scars of the earthquake and nuclear disaster are still visible in Fukushima, Japan.
Fuji Rock lineup to go local amid continued coronavirus concerns
Japan Times - Mar 27
Fuji Rock, the music festival known for being Japan’s premier showcase for overseas acts, is going completely local this year.
Geisha appeal for help as business plummets
NHK - Mar 27
Geisha entertainers at a hot spring resort near Tokyo are asking for financial aid as demand for their performances plummets due to the pandemic.
Japan granted 93 foreigners permission to bring their same-sex spouse
Kyodok - Mar 27
At least 93 foreigners residing in Japan were granted permission to bring their same-sex spouses to the country under a special visa between 2013 and 2020, the first such government survey showed Friday.
Osaka: Pair nabbed over Y280 million luxury theft in Sakai
tokyoreporter.com - Mar 26
Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested two men over an alleged break-in in Sakai City last year that netted them nearly 300 million yen in high-end valuables, reports NHK.
