No injuries after 30 stranded on Universal Studios Japan roller coaster
OSAKA – About 30 people were temporarily stranded on a roller coaster at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on Saturday afternoon after the ride came to a sudden halt after sensors detected an abnormality, but nobody was injured, the park’s operator said. (Japan Times)
Strong earthquake hits western Japan
A powerful earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.6 hit western Japan early on Saturday. Strong jolts were felt in Oita, Miyazaki, Kumamoto and Kochi prefectures. There was no tsunami. (NHK)
'La Nina' may have been behind heavy snow
Japan's Meteorological Agency says a La Nina weather pattern could have contributed to the recent heavy snowfall across wide areas of the country. (NHK)
As Japan infections surge, so does risk of pandemic fatigue
Japan on Friday acted to contain a record surge in COVID-19 cases with a return to curbs that have however shown diminishing results, while a laggard vaccine booster programme leaves many people vulnerable to breakthrough infections. (Reuters)
22 January 2022
All Japan Tours
Japan Weather
JAPANESE COMMERCIALS #2 (January 2022)
THE PONDERS - "MORNING AFTER"
SOCIETY
Japan's COVID-19 entry ban spurs demonstrations around the world
Japan Times - Jan 22
Demonstrations against Japan’s tight border restrictions on nonresident foreign nationals, implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, have been staged in several countries, with people urging the government to reconsider the measures they say are not based on science.
Annual number of suicides in Japan falls by 251
Japan Times - Jan 22
The number of people who killed themselves in Japan in 2021 came to 20,830, down 251, or 1.2%, from the previous year, the health ministry said in a preliminary report based on police data Friday.
Human torso found in suitcase dumped at disused Nikko golf course
Japan Today - Jan 21
A suitcase containing human body parts was found in a vacant lot at a disused golf course in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, on Wednesday.
15-year-old boy dies after being found at home with bruises on his face
Japan Today - Jan 20
Police in Shiraoka, Saitama Prefecture, are investigating the death of a 15-year-old boy who was found unconscious his bedroom at home, and later died in hospital.
[more society news…]
BUSINESS
Japan pearl prices surge as men too don the precious beads
Nikkei - Jan 22
While it has been said that pearls are the queen of gems and the gem of queens, the latest fashion trends in Japan are showing the precious jewels are also fit for kings.
Yen's lost decades: Japanese buying power sinks to near 50-year low
Nikkei - Jan 22
A measure of the yen's strength has fallen to almost its lowest level in half a century as a combination of currency weakness and stagnant prices saps its purchasing power.
Japan consumer prices up for fourth month
NHK - Jan 21
Japan's consumer prices rose last month for the fourth month in a row, mainly on the back of higher energy costs.
Convenience store sales up in 2021 on stay-home demand
Japan Times - Jan 21
Sales at convenience stores in Japan in 2021 rose 0.6% from the previous year to Y10.3 trillion on a same-store basis, marking the first growth in two years, the Japan Franchise Association said Thursday.
[more business news…]
POLITICS
Former lawmaker Anri Kawai taken to Tokyo hospital after overdosing on sleeping pills
Japan Times - Jan 21
Former House of Councillors lawmaker Anri Kawai was taken to a hospital in Tokyo by an ambulance after overdosing on sleeping pills on Thursday, police sources said Friday.
Japan approves COVID vaccine plan for age 5 to 11
NHK - Jan 21
Japan's health ministry has approved a plan to expand its coronavirus vaccine rollout program to include children aged 5 to 11.
COVID quasi-emergency for 13 more prefectures
NHK - Jan 20
The Japanese government has decided to declare a quasi-state of emergency for 13 additional prefectures, including Tokyo, over a surge in coronavirus infections. The declaration will be in place from Friday through February 13.
How Kishida is inching Japan towards a more China-friendly stance
scmp.com - Jan 20
Fumio Kishida, Japan’s new prime minister, may become the nation’s first leader in the post-Cold-War era to not have visited Washington in the first 10 months of his term, without a specific reason.
[more politics news…]
EDUCATION
Traditional New Year's Soup | Japanese food | Ozouni
Kimono Mom - Jan 22
Today, we made Traditional Japanese New Year's Soup called Ozouni. The taste of soup depends on region to region, so I'm showing two kind of soup.
5 Japanese Concepts to Live by (Philosophies for life)
RedFrost Motivation - Jan 21
Here are 5 Japanese philosophies that will enable you to live life more harmoniously.
Japan's bullying problem: Social media worsens a deeply entrenched issue
france24.com - Jan 21
Bullying at school, or "ijime", is a persistent problem in Japan. In 2020, there were 612,000 recorded cases at schools across the country – more than three times the number a decade ago.
Women's working hours underscore gender disparity in Japan
Nikkei - Jan 20
A gender gap is still strongly discernible in Japan's working environment with a bipolarization of working hours among female workers, casting a new shadow over the slowing growth of the Japanese economy.
[more education news…]
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
'La Nina' may have been behind heavy snow
NHK - Jan 22
Japan's Meteorological Agency says a La Nina weather pattern could have contributed to the recent heavy snowfall across wide areas of the country.
Tsunami caused by Tonga volcano eruption stumps Japan weather experts
Kyodo - Jan 18
The eruption of an underwater volcano off Tonga on Saturday that caused tsunami waves of up to around 1 meter to hit parts of Japan's coast stumped weather experts, as volcanic eruptions are said to rarely cause a rise in tide levels.
Tsunami cause no major damage in Japan after Tonga volcano eruption
Japan Today - Jan 17
Japan saw tsunami waves of about 1 meter high in coastal areas on Sunday but no major damage or flooding after the eruption of an underwater volcano off Tonga led to evacuation orders for nearly 230,000 citizens.
This Small Japanese Town Is A UFO Hotspot
VICE News - Jan 16
In a small Japanese town with desolate streets and shuttered storefronts, aliens are said to be frequent visitors.
[more sci-tech news…]
SPORTS
Tennis: Naomi Osaka eliminated from Australian Open in 3rd-round upset
Kyodok - Jan 22
Defending champion Naomi Osaka was eliminated from the Australian Open on Friday in a third-round upset against 60th-ranked American Amanda Anisimova.
Japan names Miho Takagi as team captain for Beijing Games
Japan Times - Jan 22
The Japanese Olympic Committee on Thursday named speed skater Miho Takagi as team captain for the upcoming Beijing Winter Games, where the three-time Olympian is expected to contend for multiple gold medals.
6 Online Casino Tricks To Win Like A King
newsonjapan.com - Jan 21
Casino gaming has taken the gaming world by storm.
N-ko Tries Netflix Games | Netflix Anime
Netflix Anime - Jan 20
N-ko tries her hand at Netflix's new games! Have you tried any yet?
[more sports news…]
TRAVEL
Japanese Girl Reacts to PANDA EXPRESS in Japan
with me JAPAN - Jan 22
There are so many Chinese food restaurant in Japan but Panda Express is something special for me maybe which is because it gives me some nostalgia of my life in America!????????????(or the panda character has some magical power????⭐️)
Walk on a heavy snowy day in Kyoto Japan
VIRTUAL KYOTO - Jan 21
A heavy snow warning was issued in the morning in Kyoto city, and snow makeup was applied to the area around Gion, which is rarely seen.
Riding Japan's Snowy Sleeper Train Express | Sunrise Izumo
Solo Solo Travel - Jan 21
Today we are going to be riding the Sunrise Izumo Sleeper Train to head out to the Snowy landscapes of Japan.
Best Things to Do in Kyoto & Kyoto Attractions
tourandtravel - Jan 21
Kyoto is one of very few cities that avoided destruction during the Second World War. With its 2000 temples and shrines, it is considered the cultural capital of Japan.
[more travel news…]
FEATURED BLOGS
Jan 22
Tweet of the Week #164: University Entrance Exam Mixes American and British English

Last weekend, third-year high school students took their stressful two-day standardized university entrance exams. These exams will decide whether they can enter their university of choice next spring.

However, some weren't too pleased with the t...

Jan 21
How to cancel a floor on a Japanese elevator

Cool hack will save you time and keep you in everyone's good books.

Our Japanese-language reporter Saya Togashi has been travelling in elevators since, well?ever since she can remember. However, she was today years old when she learnt about a...

Jan 20
Best Train Lines for Living in Tokyo: The Chuo-Sobu Line

Finding an apartment in Tokyo that is affordable and accessible can be a challenge. With so many train lines and neighborhoods out there, it is easy to find yourself overwhelmed. Thankfully, we've got you covered with our series on the Best Train ...

Jan 20
Top 5 Japanese Winter Foods

Japan is a country especially proud of its four distinct seasons. So much so that seasonality of food is especially important. If you are lucky enough to be in Japan during the colder months, be sure to treat yourself to these winter delights.

Na...
Jan 17
64-page book about panda butts selling out fast in Japan

I like pan-da butts and I cannot lie.

There's an expression in Japanese ?kyakuyose panda? that loosely translates to ?customer magnet panda.?

It refers to a particular attraction or item that is a huge draw for a shop or other business, such as ...

[more blogs…]