News On Japan

Toyota puts liquid hydrogen-powered car into 24-hour race

May 29, 2023 (Japan Today) - Toyota Motor Corp on Saturday entered a racing car powered by liquid hydrogen into a 24-hour endurance race in central Japan, making it the first such car in the world to participate in an official race.

The move is the latest endeavor by the Japanese automaker to popularize hydrogen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel amid tightening environmental regulations worldwide since it does not emit carbon dioxide when burnt.

Toyota, the developer of the world's first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle, Mirai, has said offering a wide range of green vehicles, including hybrid cars, is more effective in cutting their carbon footprint than just focusing on electric vehicles.

The entry comes as the use of hydrogen gains popularity across industries. Four major motorcycle makers in Japan, including Kawasaki Motors Ltd, said earlier this month they will jointly develop hydrogen-powered engines with an eye to launching them on two-wheelers. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

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[updated 06:00 a.m.] Airlines and railway operators are warning of further transportation disruptions across Japan on June 2nd as Typhoon No. 6 moves west of Amami after passing Okinawa, bringing very heavy rain to the Pacific side of western Japan and raising the possibility of torrential downpours in Kyushu if a linear rainband forms.
Japan Airlines said at 6 a.m. on June 2nd that some domestic flights had already been canceled due to Typhoon No. 6, while JR Central has warned that the Tokaido Shinkansen could face sudden suspensions, destination changes or cancellations from the night of June 2nd through June 3rd due to heavy rain or strong winds.

[updated 05:00 a.m.] Typhoon No. 6 was located about 90 kilometers west of Amami City in Kagoshima Prefecture as of 5 a.m. on June 2nd, bringing severe weather to the Amami region and prompting evacuation advisories for approximately 83,000 residents, while forecasters warned of dangerous rain, strong winds, and possible flooding across a wide area of Japan through June 3rd. Rainfall totals over the next 48 hours could exceed 300 millimeters in some areas along the Pacific side of western Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 1st, urging Iran to demonstrate maximum flexibility in its ongoing discussions with the United States and expressing hope that an agreement on the nuclear issue can be reached as soon as possible.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi strongly rejected accusations that Japan is embracing "new militarism," describing such claims as false while delivering a speech at a major regional security conference in Singapore on May 31st.

A series of false bear sighting reports posted to an online alert system operated by Aomori Prefecture has disrupted schools, prompted a police investigation, and raised concerns about the growing impact of misinformation on public safety.

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