Japan Times -- Nov 30
A marionette clock based on Doraemon, the robotic cat from one of Japan’s most popular manga, was unveiled Friday in Tokyo’s Odaiba waterfront district to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the character, which has since been turned into anime, movies and video games.
The face of the cat, which travels back from the 22nd century to help an elementary school boy named Nobita, is depicted in the center of a clock that’s in a box sitting on top of a 3.8-meter tall, 4-meter wide base made up of other boxes.
One of Doraemon’s secret tools, a “mood-lifting orchestra,” appears from behind a curtain in the large main box at certain times to perform the theme to the Doraemon TV program.
Fujiko F. Fujio (1933-1996) started running Doraemon comic book stories in December 1969 in a kids magazines published by Shogakukan Inc.
News source: Japan Times
Dec 12
A former top bureaucrat at the farm ministry admitted Wednesday to killing his socially reclusive son, during the first day of his high-profile trial in Tokyo. (Japan Times) Dec 12
A man appealed Wednesday against the life sentence he was handed earlier this month for the 2018 murder of a 7-year-old girl in the city of Niigata, his lawyer said. (Japan Times) Dec 12
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 30-year-old teacher at a high school in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture over the alleged molestation of a former pupil, reports TBS News (Dec. 10). (tokyoreporter.com) Dec 11
Last remaining member of original group of 20 founding idols announces graduation, says she “still loves AKB48.” (soranews24.com) Dec 10
Empress Masako said Monday she is happy to have completed her duties as part of Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement rituals, and pledged to continue such work and help her husband more for the happiness of the people. (Japan Times) Dec 08
A Buddhist temple in Kyoto is holding its annual year-end event serving cooked Japanese radish, or daikon, to pray for the good health of visitors. (NHK) Dec 07
Prosecutors indicted on Friday actress Erika Sawajiri on charges of possessing the illegal drugs MDMA and LSD following her arrest last month. (Japan Today) Dec 07
Police in Kitagata, Gifu Prefecture, have arrested a 25-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business after he pepper sprayed employees and customers at a supermarket in August. (Japan Today) 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)