Expo Self-Driving Bus Accident: No Injuries, Cause Under Investigation

OSAKA, Jul 22 (News On Japan) - A self-driving bus operating at the Osaka-Kansai Expo made contact with a curb on July 22nd, prompting a temporary halt to autonomous operations. No injuries were reported.

The incident occurred around noon as a self-driving bus operated by Osaka Metro was traveling from the Expo site to the park-and-ride (P&R) parking area. The bus grazed a curb near an overpass during the journey.

Seven passengers and one driver were onboard at the time. According to Osaka Metro, the bus came too close to the curb on the right side, and the driver attempted to manually steer away but was unable to avoid contact.

In response, Osaka Metro suspended autonomous driving for the fleet and switched to manual operation while investigating the cause of the incident.

This marks the second accident involving the self-driving buses at the Expo. In April, another bus collided with a wall, which led to a suspension of autonomous operations for approximately two months.

Source: KTV NEWS

Japan’s H3 Rocket Sends New Cargo Vehicle to Space Station

Japan’s H3 Rocket No. 7, carrying a newly developed unmanned cargo spacecraft, successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 9 a.m. on October 26th, marking another milestone for the nation’s space program.

Tokyo Court Rules Workplace Use of '-chan' as Sexual Harassment

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

Inside Japanese Fonts: How Designers Shape the Way We Read

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

Imperial Family Pays Tribute to War Victims

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

First Snow Caps Mount Fuji, 15 Days Earlier Than Last Year

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Japan’s Geothermal Energy In Spotlight

Geothermal energy is drawing growing global attention as a key to combating global warming and achieving a decarbonized society. Among clean energy sources, it stands out for its stability and scalability. Japan, blessed with abundant volcanic activity, possesses the world’s third-largest geothermal reserves—yet its utilization remains limited.

Hydrogen Ship to Ply Tokyo Bay Next Year

A next-generation hydrogen-powered vessel that operated during the Expo is set to expand its role beyond the event.

Lemmon Comet to Make Closest Approach to Earth on October 21st

A rare astronomical event will unfold next week as Comet Lemmon makes its closest approach to Earth on October 21st, offering skywatchers a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that will not return for roughly 1,400 years.

Glitch Shuts Down Japan’s Weather Satellite

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that satellite images from the Himawari-9 weather satellite are currently unavailable due to a communication failure. While some functions have been restored through the backup satellite Himawari-8, key nighttime observation data such as infrared imagery remain inaccessible.

Deadly Tick-Borne Virus Detected in Tokyo Dog for First Time

Tokyo has confirmed its first case of a dog infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a potentially fatal disease transmitted by ticks. It is the first time an animal infection has been recorded in the capital.

Breakthrough in Immune Control Opens New Frontiers in Medicine

Osaka University’s Professor Shimon Sakaguchi has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering regulatory T cells that suppress excessive immune reactions, a landmark finding that has brought excitement to colleagues, students, and the medical community.

Best Online Cannabis Seeds – Sacred Seeds Australia Brings Legendary Strains to Local Collectors

Collectors and growers in Australia have long been limited by availability. Import restrictions, shifting regulations, and supply gaps have made sourcing quality seeds a challenge.

TeamLab Opens in Kyoto with Cutting-Edge Sensory Experience

TeamLab has opened a new art space, “TeamLab BioVortex Kyoto,” in Kyoto’s Minami Ward, featuring around 50 works including several unveiled in Japan for the first time. Spanning approximately 10,000 square meters, the facility offers an immersive interactive experience where light, sound, and motion respond dynamically to visitors’ movements.

< 2 3 4 5 >