euronews.com -- May 18
Mipig Cafe, in Tokyo's trendy central Meguro neighbourhood, is the newest addition to Japan's ever-growing list of animal-themed cafes that includes cats, owls and hedgehogs.
Opened in March this year, the cafe lets visitors spend 30 minutes getting acquainted with its oinking occupants for about $8, plus the cost of a drink.
Visitors can pet and play with the tiny trotters on three different floors, while sipping a tea or coffee. The cafe is a new expansion for Mipig, whose main business lies in Japan's Yamanashi prefecture, where they run a micro pig farm.
The ting piglets are imported from the United Kingdom and bred as pets for Japanese families.
While a trip to the cafe might be in your budget, micro pigs themselves can cost around $3,000. Shiho Kitagawa from Mipig says demand for micro pigs is increasing, their waiting list has over 100 names.
News source: euronews.com
Dec 06
The Japanese government approved 13.2 trillion yen ($121 billion) worth of public stimulus spending on Thursday, with the economy due for a total infusion of 26 trillion yen if private-sector and other outlays are factored in.
(Nikkei) Dec 06
In a country where customer service is a point of pride, Amazon Japan is challenging the status quo by daring to leave packages at the door. (Nikkei) Dec 06
The Niigata District Court on Wednesday sentenced a 25-year-old man to life in prison for the sexual assault and murder of a 7-year-old schoolgirl last year. (Japan Times) Dec 06
Police in Saitama City have arrested a 51-year-old Iranian man on suspicion of killing his 50-year-old Iranian ex-wife in a park. (Japan Today) Dec 06
Tokyo 2020 organizers said on Thursday two more Olympic events, the triathlon and equestrian cross-country, have been rescheduled to earlier start times to combat the expected sweltering summer heat. (Japan Today) Dec 06
A senior member of a splinter group from Japan's largest crime syndicate has been arrested for allegedly shooting a member of the parent group in Kobe in August amid a gang feud, police said. (Japan Today) Dec 06
Nissan Motor Co. is making its U.S. factory and office employees take two days off without pay amid slumping sales. (Japan Times) Dec 06
As fireworks light up the winter night, scores of men, women and teenagers crying “washoi, washoi” haul the last of six towering, lantern-covered floats up a small hill and into the town center, the culminating moment of a Shinto festival that has evolved from a harvest thanksgiving into a once-a-year meeting between two local gods. (Japan Today) Dec 06
Afghan police say gunmen who killed a prominent Japanese doctor on Wednesday may have had a strong intent to kill, as they fired automatic rifles several times at him. (NHK) Dec 06
Dentsu Inc said Thursday it has again received a warning from labor authorities over its illegal overtime practices. (Japan Today)