Panasonic to stop making fluorescent lamps by 2027

Oct 02 (NHK) - Panasonic has announced that it will end production of fluorescent lamps in 2027 when an international ban comes into force prompted by the health risks and environmental pollution from mercury used in them.

The Japanese electronics giant says it will end production by the end of September 2027.

Panasonic started selling fluorescent light tubes in 1951 and increased output as Japan's economy enjoyed decades of high growth, but the increasing popularity of more energy-efficient LED bulbs led to a gradual decline in production.

An international conference on mercury use last year decided to prohibit the production, export, and import of fluorescent lamps containing the toxic element by 2027.

Israeli Army Fires Warning Shots at Japanese Diplomat

The Israeli military has fired warning shots at a diplomatic delegation visiting the West Bank, including a Japanese official, during a tour of the Jenin refugee camp on May 21st. Although no one was injured in the incident, the move has drawn sharp criticism from several countries.

Seafood Prices Also Soaring in Japan

Japan is facing a growing crisis not just with rice, but also with seafood, as supply shortages and rising prices begin to hit the consumer's dinner table.

Racehorse Sets New Record for Most Consecutive Losses in Japan

A seven-year-old mare named Padmarwat, based at Saga Racecourse, extended her losing streak to 114 races on May 18th, setting a new national record for consecutive defeats in Japanese horse racing.

Five-Year-Old Girl Found With Stab Wounds as Parents Discovered Dead

Following what appears to be a violent domestic incident, the bodies of a man and a woman were found inside a residence in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, with a five-year-old girl discovered alive but suffering from stab wounds to her back. Authorities believe the two adults had been dead for several days by the time police arrived.

Family Demands Full Disclosure of 295 Hours of Detention Footage

Four years ago, a Sri Lankan woman named Wishma died after repeatedly complaining of illness while detained at a Nagoya immigration facility. The government has admitted to possessing 295 hours of video footage documenting her condition leading up to her death—but has only disclosed five hours of it to the bereaved family.

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