TRAVEL

On October 5, the National Police Agency announced a revision to the Anti-Organized Crime Law to be submitted to the ordinary session of the Diet. The initiative follows anti-gang ordinances adopted by all prefectures and administrative divisions last October. In spite of attempting to reduce criminal activities, the moves are not without their critics, reports Nikkan Gendai (Jan. 28). At a January 24 meeting broadcast on video sharing site Niko Niko Douga (see link below), a panel of writers and journalists, including Makoto Sataka, Manabu Miyazaki, Soichiro Tahara, and Takashi Tsujii, voiced displeasure with the measures, which are intended to discourage ordinary citizens from fostering the activities of yakuza groups. Since its institution in October, the prefectural legislation has been called "overkill," with critics calling it a violation of basic human rights. (Tokyo Reporter)

Two members of Japan's Association for Aid and Relief trapped under a hotel that collapsed in a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on Wednesday night in Turkey's eastern Van province were pulled out of the rubble alive early on Thursday, but one of them died soon after being rescued. Miyuki Konnai, who rushed to Turkey to help the victims of the previous quake in Van, was pulled out alive from the rubble of the Bayram Hotel more than five hours after the hotel collapsed, but another staffer, Atsushi Miyazaki, was missing until the morning after the tremor. Miyazaki (41), who was a doctor, was also rescued alive nearly 13 hours after the quake, which hit the Edremit district of Van at 9:23 p.m. on Wednesday. (todayszaman.com)

Rolling through woods in dark greens straight out of Hayao Miyazaki's Tonari No Totoro, the local train rolls across trestles over pebble filled streams, where anglers wave at it as it passes by. Japan's local lines are part of the identity of rural Japan. Often just one or two cars riding a causeway above rice paddies or along quiet and deserted seacoasts. Some such as the Enoden Line in the city of Kamakura have become famous tourist attractions. But most are in deep financial trouble. Thirty-three lines have been removed since 2000, and with them 634 kilometers (394 miles) of track. Of the 92 local lines running in 2009, 76 lines, over 80%, were running in the red, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). (majirox news)

Studio Ghibli Inc. has displayed an anti-nuclear power banner at its Tokyo head office at the initiative of noted animator Hayao Miyazaki. The banner, placed on the roof of the building in Koganei, western Tokyo, since Thursday, reads, "Studio Ghibli wants to create movies using electricity without nuclear power plants." The staff drew the message and illustration on the banner after Miyazaki proposed that they should "express a candid feeling," according to the animation studio. (Kyodo)

The Japan National Tourism Organization said Friday it has compiled an English-language map that introduces tourism spots and theme parks related to Japanese "anime" as part of efforts to attract more foreign tourists. Museums and tour spots listed by the Japan Anime Map include Tokyo's Koganei, which is related to director Hayao Miyazaki's popular animation film, "Spirited Away." The colorful map also introduces the culture of "otaku" -- obsessive fans of anime and video games -- by showing photographs and captions of main otaku districts across Japan including Tokyo's Akihabara. (Kyodo)