Giant pumpkins entered in contest in Western Japan
NHK -- Sep 20
An annual competition featuring dozens of giant pumpkins harvested from across Japan was held on Shodoshima Island, western Japan.
The 37th giant pumpkin contest was held in the town of Tonosho in Kagawa Prefecture on Sunday.
Forty-six pumpkins were brought in from Kagawa Prefecture and other prefectures including Yamanashi and Nagano.
Some of them were so big they needed to be carried and put on a weigh scale by a forklift.
A pumpkin weighing 505.7 kilograms with a circumference of 419 centimeters won first prize.
The biggest pumpkin was produced by Hashimoto Dai from Minami Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. ...continue reading
Sep 20 (ANNnewsCH) - 全国の農家などが自慢のジャンボカボチャを持ち寄り、その重さ日本一を決める毎年行われている「どでカボチャ大会」です。 ...continue reading
Japan detects season's first bird flu case, to cull 40,000 birds
Reuters - Nov 26
Japan detected the first case of highly pathogenic H5-type bird flu this season at a poultry farm in the south of the country, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.
Conductor caught filming women in airport express train toilet
News On Japan - Nov 25
A JR West Japan train conductor has been arrested for secretly filming eight women in the toilet of the express train "Haruka" while on duty.
Japan panel proposes new technical trainee program
NHK - Nov 25
A Japanese government panel has proposed changes to a program for on-the-job training of foreign workers after the initiative was cited for labor abuses.
Japan's $88 billion extra budget clears lower house
Reuters - Nov 25
Japan passed on Friday an extra budget worth around 13.1 trillion yen ($88 billion) aimed at helping households cope with the rising cost of living and corporations boost domestic investment, even amid concerns over the country's worsening finances.
Woman stabbed at music venue near Tokyo
NHK - Nov 24
Japanese police are investigating a stabbing incident that took place at a music arena in Yokohama City, south of Tokyo, on Thursday.
Japan's tallest building opens in Tokyo
NHK - Nov 24
Tokyo has a new landmark, a 330-meter-high skyscraper that opened on Friday. The Mori JP tower has 64 floors for shops, offices and residences. It's the tallest building in Japan, a title that previously belonged to the Abeno Harukas commercial and business tower in Osaka, western Japan.
Japan's largest street dance festival held in Tokyo
News On Japan - Nov 23
As street dance reaches fever pitch in the lead up to the 2024 Paris Olympics with the inclusion of breakdancing, one of Japan's largest street dance events was held in Yoyogi Park, Shibuya, Tokyo.
Wild boar on rampage in Sendai, smashes school windows
News On Japan - Nov 23
A wild boar that ran riot in a school in northern Japan on Thursday, smashing windows and frightening students and parents, is still on the loose in a residential area in Sendai, with local police receiving about 20 reports.
Japan debuts alcohol drinkers' guidelines
News On Japan - Nov 23
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has compiled the country's first-ever "Drinking Guidelines," aimed at mitigating health risks associated with alcohol consumption.
N.Korea says it successfully put satellite into orbit, Japan condemns launch
NHK - Nov 22
North Korea's space agency says the country has launched a rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite and put it successfully into orbit.
Japan's Resonac to open chip packaging R&D centre in US
Reuters - Nov 22
Japanese chip materials maker Resonac (4004.T) said on Wednesday it will set up a research and development centre for advanced semiconductor packaging and materials in Silicon Valley.
Illegal garbage dumping plagues Tokyo streets
News On Japan - Nov 22
Streets littered with heaps of garbage, even spilling onto the opposite sidewalks, have become a pressing issue in Kamata, Tokyo, where local eateries line the streets.
Naked Festival set for full revival after four years
News On Japan - Nov 22
In the crowded halls of the Nishi-Achiyama Kannon-in Temple in Okayama City, men, completely devoid of clothing, press tightly against each other. This is the famous "Naked Festival."
Japan to ban cannabinoid HHCH from Dec. 2 after gummies make many ill
Kyodo - Nov 22
A Japanese health ministry panel on Tuesday decided to ban HHCH, a synthetic cannabinoid, from Dec. 2 after many people who consumed gummies containing the compound had to go to the hospital.
Japan's weather officials forecast warmer than normal winter
NHK - Nov 22
Japan's weather officials predict warmer-than-normal temperatures and less snow across the country in its three-month-period forecast of December through February.
4 million yen in cash found in trash
News On Japan - Nov 21
Approximately 4 million yen in cash was found in trash at a recycling plant in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
