The number of Japanese people who turned 20 in 2009 marked a record low.
Twenty is the age of majority in Japan.
A survey conducted by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry shows that one point two-seven million Japanese people reached the age of majority in 2009.
It's the lowest number since the ministry started collecting such data in 1968 and the first time it has dropped below one-point-three million.
Twenty-year-olds represent one percent of the Japanese population -- also a record-low ratio.
The number of Japanese people who turned 20 reached its peak in 1970 with two point four-six million. After 1994, when two point zero-seven million people turned 20, the number has been decreasing ever since.
Experts say the number of 20-year-olds will continue to fall. It says the number will be about one-point-two million in ten years.
2009年12月31日木曜日
Temples, shrines prepare for New Year
Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines across Japan are busy preparing for New Year visitors.
At Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, the special large zone for offerings is in front of the main hall.
More than 3 million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first 3 days of 2010.
Young women who work at the shrine are putting up arrows and other lucky charms to drive away evil spirits.
A special charm with the scent of camphor trees from the shrine's grounds has been produced to mark its 90th anniversary in 2010.
At Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, the special large zone for offerings is in front of the main hall.
More than 3 million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first 3 days of 2010.
Young women who work at the shrine are putting up arrows and other lucky charms to drive away evil spirits.
A special charm with the scent of camphor trees from the shrine's grounds has been produced to mark its 90th anniversary in 2010.
Jobseekers receive hot food in Tokyo
Amid the prolonged recession, about 330 unemployed or homeless people made a line for hot food in a park of Tokyo on Thursday. They received soup and rice from volunteer workers.
Every year, volunteer groups provide food during the New Year's holidays for people living on the streets.
This year, the Tokyo municipal government set up temporary housing for the unemployed who are currently applying for jobs. Thanks to the service, few jobseekers in their 20s and 30s are joining the line, but more older people are.
A man in his 50s said he has barely survived this year while looking for a job. He said only a few jobs have been available for him and his hardship is unchanged from last year.
One of the organizers said many people have to live on the street, because despite of their desire to work, they cannot get any job opportunities. He added that the government has to do more to help such people
Every year, volunteer groups provide food during the New Year's holidays for people living on the streets.
This year, the Tokyo municipal government set up temporary housing for the unemployed who are currently applying for jobs. Thanks to the service, few jobseekers in their 20s and 30s are joining the line, but more older people are.
A man in his 50s said he has barely survived this year while looking for a job. He said only a few jobs have been available for him and his hardship is unchanged from last year.
One of the organizers said many people have to live on the street, because despite of their desire to work, they cannot get any job opportunities. He added that the government has to do more to help such people
2009年12月30日水曜日
New Year exodus peaks
The exodus of people heading for their hometowns and resorts for the New Year holidays peaked on Wednesday.
Shinkansen bullet train stations and an airport in Tokyo were crowded from early in the morning.
Japan Railways says almost all the bullet trains leaving Tokyo are operating at full capacity on Wednesday, with the non-reserved section of the first west-bound Nozomi train, 30 percent above capacity.
Seats on some north- and northeast-bound bullet trains, including the Yamabiko trains bound for Morioka, were also booked above capacity on Wednesday morning.
At Tokyo station, families and travelers carrying large pieces of luggage and souvenirs lined up on the Shinkansen platforms before getting on trains.
An elementary school boy says he was looking forward to playing games and soccer with his cousins at his grandmother's home in the west of Tokyo.
A man on his way to his hometown in western Japan, says he plans to relax at his parents' place with relatives.
Airlines say most flights leaving Tokyo's Haneda Airport were full in the morning.
The return rush is expected to peak from January 2nd to the 3rd on expressways and on January 3rd on trains and domestic flights
Shinkansen bullet train stations and an airport in Tokyo were crowded from early in the morning.
Japan Railways says almost all the bullet trains leaving Tokyo are operating at full capacity on Wednesday, with the non-reserved section of the first west-bound Nozomi train, 30 percent above capacity.
Seats on some north- and northeast-bound bullet trains, including the Yamabiko trains bound for Morioka, were also booked above capacity on Wednesday morning.
At Tokyo station, families and travelers carrying large pieces of luggage and souvenirs lined up on the Shinkansen platforms before getting on trains.
An elementary school boy says he was looking forward to playing games and soccer with his cousins at his grandmother's home in the west of Tokyo.
A man on his way to his hometown in western Japan, says he plans to relax at his parents' place with relatives.
Airlines say most flights leaving Tokyo's Haneda Airport were full in the morning.
The return rush is expected to peak from January 2nd to the 3rd on expressways and on January 3rd on trains and domestic flights
British singer Susan Boyle arrives in Japan
British singer Susan Boyle is in Japan to perform in NHK's annual New Year's Eve song event.
She arrived from London at Narita Airport, near Tokyo on Tuesday. This is her first visit to Japan.
In the arrival lobby of the airport, she waved and smiled to people. She told reporters that it was very nice to be in Japan.
The 48-year-old Boyle came to international attention for her beautiful voice after she appeared on a British talent search television show.
Her first album released in November made a big hit, recording top sales in the United States and Britain. The album also became the number one non-Japanese album for 4 weeks in a row.
Boyle is to perform in the year-end TV show in NHK Hall in Tokyo as a guest singer.
2009年12月29日火曜日
Employment offices open during holiday week
Japan's labor ministry will keep some local employment offices open for part of the year-end holiday season.
77 job placement centers across Japan will open on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 days longer than usual, to help people who have lost jobs or accommodation amid the current economic downturn.
At such a center, people can receive job counseling, browse vacancies or apply for vocational training.
People who have lost their housing will be given information about public housing vacancies.
In a similar move, 136 municipal governments across the country are working through Wednesday to offer counseling to unemployed people.
Japan's jobless rate stood at 3.31 million in November.
77 job placement centers across Japan will open on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 days longer than usual, to help people who have lost jobs or accommodation amid the current economic downturn.
At such a center, people can receive job counseling, browse vacancies or apply for vocational training.
People who have lost their housing will be given information about public housing vacancies.
In a similar move, 136 municipal governments across the country are working through Wednesday to offer counseling to unemployed people.
Japan's jobless rate stood at 3.31 million in November.
2009年12月26日土曜日
Former Livedoor president reaches settlement
The former president of Internet firm Livedoor has agreed to hand over roughly 230 million dollars worth of his assets to Livedoor's successor company, for damages caused by accounting fraud.
Takafumi Horie and the firm, which changed its name to LDH, reached an out-of-court settlement on Friday.
LDH says Horie agreed to hand over to the firm almost all of his assets, including LDH shares.
Following a series of accounting fraud scandals in 2006, LDH filed suit demanding about 400 million dollars in damages from 7 former Livedoor executives.
LDH says it had to pay about 340 million dollars in compensation to its former shareholder, Fuji Television Network.
The company and the former president have been sued for compensation by individual investors for falsifying business reports based on inflated sales figures. About 1,800 investors are still in litigation.
With Friday's settlement, LDH says it will not seek monetary damages from Horie, even if it has to financially compensate investors.
Japanese courts have sentenced the disgraced business tycoon to 2 years and 6 months in prison on charges of violating the securities and exchange law. He has appealed the rulings to the supreme court.
Takafumi Horie and the firm, which changed its name to LDH, reached an out-of-court settlement on Friday.
LDH says Horie agreed to hand over to the firm almost all of his assets, including LDH shares.
Following a series of accounting fraud scandals in 2006, LDH filed suit demanding about 400 million dollars in damages from 7 former Livedoor executives.
LDH says it had to pay about 340 million dollars in compensation to its former shareholder, Fuji Television Network.
The company and the former president have been sued for compensation by individual investors for falsifying business reports based on inflated sales figures. About 1,800 investors are still in litigation.
With Friday's settlement, LDH says it will not seek monetary damages from Horie, even if it has to financially compensate investors.
Japanese courts have sentenced the disgraced business tycoon to 2 years and 6 months in prison on charges of violating the securities and exchange law. He has appealed the rulings to the supreme court.
2009年12月25日金曜日
250,000 non-regular workers to lose jobs by March
A Japanese government survey shows that more than 250,000 non-regular workers became unemployed or will lose their jobs in the 18 month period from October 2008 to March next year.
The labor ministry conducted the survey to monitor corporate layoff plans amid the ongoing economic slump.
As of December 16th, 250,291 non-regular workers became unemployed or are expected to lose their jobs by March 31st. The figure has risen by 3,444 from the previous survey in November.
Those dispatched by staffing agencies account for 145,044 of the total. The figure also includes 57,476 seasonal staff and 19,600 contract workers.
The survey shows that only 53 percent of around 118,000 laid-off workers have been able to find new jobs.
The survey also reveals that 57,189 regular staff have lost or will lose their jobs between October 2008 and March next year at companies which dismiss more than 100 workers at the same time. This marks an increase of 2,736 from the previous survey in November.
The labor ministry conducted the survey to monitor corporate layoff plans amid the ongoing economic slump.
As of December 16th, 250,291 non-regular workers became unemployed or are expected to lose their jobs by March 31st. The figure has risen by 3,444 from the previous survey in November.
Those dispatched by staffing agencies account for 145,044 of the total. The figure also includes 57,476 seasonal staff and 19,600 contract workers.
The survey shows that only 53 percent of around 118,000 laid-off workers have been able to find new jobs.
The survey also reveals that 57,189 regular staff have lost or will lose their jobs between October 2008 and March next year at companies which dismiss more than 100 workers at the same time. This marks an increase of 2,736 from the previous survey in November.
2009年12月24日木曜日
Artificial retina to be clinically tested in Japan
Japanese researchers plan to conduct clinical tests to confirm the effectiveness of artificial retinas.
The retinas will be implanted in 5 patients who have lost their eyesight due to disease.
A research group led by Professor Takashi Fujikado at Osaka University says the clinical tests, scheduled to start early next year, are the first such studies to be conducted in Japan.
The retina uses an array of electrodes that stimulate the optic nerves. Images from a tiny camera are transmitted by radio frequencies to the retina's electrodes.
The researchers say the patients will be able to see dots of light arranged in the shape of the object seen by the camera.
Professor Fujikado says that although the technology will only allow a partial recovery of the patients' sight, they will at least be able to recognize shapes.
The retinas will be implanted in 5 patients who have lost their eyesight due to disease.
A research group led by Professor Takashi Fujikado at Osaka University says the clinical tests, scheduled to start early next year, are the first such studies to be conducted in Japan.
The retina uses an array of electrodes that stimulate the optic nerves. Images from a tiny camera are transmitted by radio frequencies to the retina's electrodes.
The researchers say the patients will be able to see dots of light arranged in the shape of the object seen by the camera.
Professor Fujikado says that although the technology will only allow a partial recovery of the patients' sight, they will at least be able to recognize shapes.
2009年12月23日水曜日
Emperor greets public on 76th birthday
The Emperor of Japan turned 76 on Wednesday. In a traditional gesture of gratitude, he greeted crowds of well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Under clear blue skies, thousands of people poured into the Palace compound as the gates opened at around 9:30 in the morning.
The Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince and Princess, along with Prince and Princess Akishino appeared on the palace balcony three times in the morning to greet the visitors.
The Emperor thanked the people for coming to see him on his birthday. He said 2009 marks his 20th year on the throne and his 50th wedding anniversary. He expressed concern for those who are suffering in the current economic climate.
He also wished everyone good health and a happy new year.
The Imperial Household Agency says a record of nearly 30,000 people came to the palace grounds to congratulate the Emperor on his birthday this year.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the heads both houses of the Diet, foreign ambassadors and other public figures also paid their respects to the Emperor on this day.
Under clear blue skies, thousands of people poured into the Palace compound as the gates opened at around 9:30 in the morning.
The Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince and Princess, along with Prince and Princess Akishino appeared on the palace balcony three times in the morning to greet the visitors.
The Emperor thanked the people for coming to see him on his birthday. He said 2009 marks his 20th year on the throne and his 50th wedding anniversary. He expressed concern for those who are suffering in the current economic climate.
He also wished everyone good health and a happy new year.
The Imperial Household Agency says a record of nearly 30,000 people came to the palace grounds to congratulate the Emperor on his birthday this year.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the heads both houses of the Diet, foreign ambassadors and other public figures also paid their respects to the Emperor on this day.
Buddhist monks collect alms
Buddhist monks have gone from house to house asking for alms in Kyoto, western Japan, as part of their winter asceticism practice.
On Wednesday at the sound of a trumpet shell, 60 monks of the Sanzen-in temple began calling on homes and shops in the ancient capital city.
They begged for food and money, reciting sutras in the freezing cold and praying for people's good health in the coming year.
A shop owner says he made an offering out of appreciation for his family's good health this year and to wish for a recovery from the business slump during the next year.
Collected funds will be donated to NHK's year-end charity and other campaigns
On Wednesday at the sound of a trumpet shell, 60 monks of the Sanzen-in temple began calling on homes and shops in the ancient capital city.
They begged for food and money, reciting sutras in the freezing cold and praying for people's good health in the coming year.
A shop owner says he made an offering out of appreciation for his family's good health this year and to wish for a recovery from the business slump during the next year.
Collected funds will be donated to NHK's year-end charity and other campaigns
2009年12月22日火曜日
Tokyo to provide shelter to jobless during holiday
The city of Tokyo is planning to offer shelter and other help to homeless jobseekers during the New Year holiday period.
The move follows a spontaneous holiday aid program last year that saw volunteers giving food and shelter to those affected by the severe recession.
Hundreds of unemployed workers gathered at a tent village that had been set up by volunteer groups in a park in central Tokyo, prompting some local authorities to give up their holidays and pitch in with assistance.
No tent village is planned this year. Instead, the city government will open an accommodation facility in Shibuya, central Tokyo, to up to 500 people.
Only those who have registered with public job placement offices can apply to stay between December 28th and January 4th.
During that period, help will be on hand to find jobs and address other problems the jobless and homeless face.
The recession has eased since last year, but unemployment remains high in Japan.
The move follows a spontaneous holiday aid program last year that saw volunteers giving food and shelter to those affected by the severe recession.
Hundreds of unemployed workers gathered at a tent village that had been set up by volunteer groups in a park in central Tokyo, prompting some local authorities to give up their holidays and pitch in with assistance.
No tent village is planned this year. Instead, the city government will open an accommodation facility in Shibuya, central Tokyo, to up to 500 people.
Only those who have registered with public job placement offices can apply to stay between December 28th and January 4th.
During that period, help will be on hand to find jobs and address other problems the jobless and homeless face.
The recession has eased since last year, but unemployment remains high in Japan.
Pumpkin ritual held on winter solstice in Kyoto
Visitors to a temple in the ancient city of Kyoto on Tuesday ate simmered pumpkin as part of a traditional ritual to ward off illness.
The Kabocha Kuyo, or pumpkin ceremony, is held annually on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, to ensure good health for the next 12 months.
On Tuesday, 300 servings of pumpkin cooked in a sweet broth were sold to visitors for about 5 dollars a bowl.
People then wrote their New Year's wishes on wooden sticks that were left to burn in the main hall, and offered prayers.
A woman in her 70s from Kyoto City said the pumpkin was delicious and that she prayed for vigor in the New Year.
Temperatures fell to just below freezing in Kyoto on Tuesday morning --- about 3 degrees Celsius lower than normal around this time of year.
The Kabocha Kuyo, or pumpkin ceremony, is held annually on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, to ensure good health for the next 12 months.
On Tuesday, 300 servings of pumpkin cooked in a sweet broth were sold to visitors for about 5 dollars a bowl.
People then wrote their New Year's wishes on wooden sticks that were left to burn in the main hall, and offered prayers.
A woman in her 70s from Kyoto City said the pumpkin was delicious and that she prayed for vigor in the New Year.
Temperatures fell to just below freezing in Kyoto on Tuesday morning --- about 3 degrees Celsius lower than normal around this time of year.
Citron bathing on the winter solstice
Guests at a hot spring resort north of Tokyo plunged into an outdoor bath on Tuesday that was filled with 2,010 citrons, the same number as the coming year.
Every year on the winter solstice, a Japanese-style inn located in the city of Nikko offers a hot spring bath with citrons, or Chinese lemons --- also known as yuzu in Japan.
The annual event is based on the tradition that taking a bath with citrons on this day will prevent colds for the year.
The inn put 2,010 yuzu for the coming year and 21 banpeiyu, the largest citrus grown in Japan, to mark the 21st century, into its open-air bath.
Guests enjoyed soaking themselves among the bright yellow fruit bobbing in the spa water.
A female patron said she comes to the event every year because she enjoys the fragrance of the citron bath and it also makes her skin smooth.
Every year on the winter solstice, a Japanese-style inn located in the city of Nikko offers a hot spring bath with citrons, or Chinese lemons --- also known as yuzu in Japan.
The annual event is based on the tradition that taking a bath with citrons on this day will prevent colds for the year.
The inn put 2,010 yuzu for the coming year and 21 banpeiyu, the largest citrus grown in Japan, to mark the 21st century, into its open-air bath.
Guests enjoyed soaking themselves among the bright yellow fruit bobbing in the spa water.
A female patron said she comes to the event every year because she enjoys the fragrance of the citron bath and it also makes her skin smooth.
2009年12月21日月曜日
Ikuo Hirayama's early work back in hometown
A rediscovered early work by the late Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama has gone on show at a museum in his hometown in western Japan.
The painting "Gyofu" or "Fishermen" depicts 2 men standing. Hirayama finished the painting in 1958 when he was in his late 20s and still an unknown artist.
The painting sold as soon as it went on the market but its whereabouts remained unknown until 3 years ago, when it was found in the possession of an antiques dealer in the United States.
The Ikuo Hirayama Museum of Art in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, bought the painting late last month, a few days before Hirayama died on December 2nd.
Hirayama is said to have painted the scene after making several sketches of fishermen at work in the Inland Sea of Japan.
The painting and sketches are being exhibited at the museum from Monday.
The head of the museum, Sukenari Hirayama, the painter's younger brother, says the painting was put on the market one year ahead of "Bukkyo Denrai" or "The Transmission of Buddhism", which catapulted Hirayama to fame as an artist. He says "Fishermen" is a precious work that shows his brother's struggle.
On Monday, a son of one of the fishermen depicted in the painting was among people who came to see the work. 84-year-old Masuichi Kawahara said he was filled with emotion to see his father in the painting after 50 years.
The painting "Gyofu" or "Fishermen" depicts 2 men standing. Hirayama finished the painting in 1958 when he was in his late 20s and still an unknown artist.
The painting sold as soon as it went on the market but its whereabouts remained unknown until 3 years ago, when it was found in the possession of an antiques dealer in the United States.
The Ikuo Hirayama Museum of Art in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, bought the painting late last month, a few days before Hirayama died on December 2nd.
Hirayama is said to have painted the scene after making several sketches of fishermen at work in the Inland Sea of Japan.
The painting and sketches are being exhibited at the museum from Monday.
The head of the museum, Sukenari Hirayama, the painter's younger brother, says the painting was put on the market one year ahead of "Bukkyo Denrai" or "The Transmission of Buddhism", which catapulted Hirayama to fame as an artist. He says "Fishermen" is a precious work that shows his brother's struggle.
On Monday, a son of one of the fishermen depicted in the painting was among people who came to see the work. 84-year-old Masuichi Kawahara said he was filled with emotion to see his father in the painting after 50 years.
60% of small firms have no managerial successors
A survey shows that thousands of small and medium-sized firms in Japan are run by aging people who have no successors.
A government-owned public body, the Japan Finance Corporation, conducted a survey of its client companies with 300 or fewer employees, and more than 9,200 firms responded.
Forty-eight percent of the respondents said their companies are run by people aged 60 or older.
Twenty-eight percent have yet to find successors and 14 percent plan to close down their businesses when they retire.
The chief researcher of the Japan Finance Corporation, Yoshiaki Murakami, says small and medium-sized firms play an important role in employment. He says they should try to continue their operations by handing down the business to their staff or selling it to a company in the same sector.
A government-owned public body, the Japan Finance Corporation, conducted a survey of its client companies with 300 or fewer employees, and more than 9,200 firms responded.
Forty-eight percent of the respondents said their companies are run by people aged 60 or older.
Twenty-eight percent have yet to find successors and 14 percent plan to close down their businesses when they retire.
The chief researcher of the Japan Finance Corporation, Yoshiaki Murakami, says small and medium-sized firms play an important role in employment. He says they should try to continue their operations by handing down the business to their staff or selling it to a company in the same sector.
2009年12月16日水曜日
Russia sent in data on Japanese internment
Russia has sent to Japan DVDs containing recently discovered historical records on the internment of Japanese people in Siberia in the aftermath of World War Two.
The DVDs, which arrived at the health and welfare ministry on Wednesday, contain information originally documented on 66,000 of about 700,000 cards found this summer at the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow.
The records contain the names and dates of birth of those interned and the names of camps where they were held.
The ministry says about 53,000 internees, mostly former soldiers, died as a result of forced labor and exposure to severe cold.
But the ministry has been unable to identify 21,000 of them.
An estimated 600,000 Japanese stranded in northern China and neighboring regions at the end of World War Two were forcibly taken by the then Soviet army to Siberia.
The ministry is planning to receive all the data found at the archive to establish a full picture of the internment and locate the burial sites of the victims.
The DVDs, which arrived at the health and welfare ministry on Wednesday, contain information originally documented on 66,000 of about 700,000 cards found this summer at the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow.
The records contain the names and dates of birth of those interned and the names of camps where they were held.
The ministry says about 53,000 internees, mostly former soldiers, died as a result of forced labor and exposure to severe cold.
But the ministry has been unable to identify 21,000 of them.
An estimated 600,000 Japanese stranded in northern China and neighboring regions at the end of World War Two were forcibly taken by the then Soviet army to Siberia.
The ministry is planning to receive all the data found at the archive to establish a full picture of the internment and locate the burial sites of the victims.
2009年12月15日火曜日
Toshodaiji temple gets year-end cleaning
Buddhist statues, designated as national treasures, at Toshodaiji temple in Japan's ancient capital of Nara underwent their year-end cleaning ritual on Tuesday.
The statues are in the temple's main hall, known as Kondo. It is also a national treasure, and was undergoing restoration work until last month. The cleaning ritual in Kondo was held for the first time in ten years.
Two Buddhist monks used dusters made of washi paper attached to 5-meter long bamboo poles and carefully worked around the treasures.
The chief priest of the temple, Shunkai Matsuura, said he is very grateful to have been able to carry out the ritual after such a long break and that he hopes many people will now feel more attached to
The statues are in the temple's main hall, known as Kondo. It is also a national treasure, and was undergoing restoration work until last month. The cleaning ritual in Kondo was held for the first time in ten years.
Two Buddhist monks used dusters made of washi paper attached to 5-meter long bamboo poles and carefully worked around the treasures.
The chief priest of the temple, Shunkai Matsuura, said he is very grateful to have been able to carry out the ritual after such a long break and that he hopes many people will now feel more attached to
Safety standards to be set for disposable lighters
The Japanese government has begun considering legislation to set safety standards for disposable lighters.
Children tampering with easy-to-use disposable lighters have suffered burns or even caused fires.
In Tokyo, there were more than 500 lighter-triggered fires caused by children 12 years or under between 1998 and 2008, and 3 children under age 5 died.
A panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry began studying safety controls on Tuesday, following last month's request from the Tokyo Metropolitan government.
The Japan Smoking Articles Corporate Association says about 600 million disposable lighters are distributed in Japan each year, but that manufactures set their own safety standards without consideration of the possibility of children tampering with the lighters.
The ministry panel plans to study existing safety controls in the United States and Europe, and consider steps such as redesigning the lighters to make them more difficult to light accidentally.
Some panel members suggested that safety controls should also target nozzle-type lighters used for barbecues, fireworks and other such cases, while others stressed the need to raise consumer awareness.
Children tampering with easy-to-use disposable lighters have suffered burns or even caused fires.
In Tokyo, there were more than 500 lighter-triggered fires caused by children 12 years or under between 1998 and 2008, and 3 children under age 5 died.
A panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry began studying safety controls on Tuesday, following last month's request from the Tokyo Metropolitan government.
The Japan Smoking Articles Corporate Association says about 600 million disposable lighters are distributed in Japan each year, but that manufactures set their own safety standards without consideration of the possibility of children tampering with the lighters.
The ministry panel plans to study existing safety controls in the United States and Europe, and consider steps such as redesigning the lighters to make them more difficult to light accidentally.
Some panel members suggested that safety controls should also target nozzle-type lighters used for barbecues, fireworks and other such cases, while others stressed the need to raise consumer awareness.
2009年12月14日月曜日
New online movie service to be launched next year
Japanese movie lovers will soon be able to view new art films online from the very first day of their theatrical release.
Japanese film distribution companies will team up with small theaters and internet firms to launch the new movie service next February.
Most films distributed in this way will be art movies that are hardly shown in theaters outside metropolitan areas.
The service will be available at about 13 dollars a film, payable by credit card or other means. The price is cheaper than a cinema ticket. Users will be able to watch the films on their personal computers or television sets.
Box office revenues have been leveling off in recent years and distributors of foreign art films have difficulty finding theaters that will screen them.
Masashi Kawaguchi will run the new service. He hopes to revitalize the film industry by giving more people the chance to see movies in their homes and at theaters.
Japanese film distribution companies will team up with small theaters and internet firms to launch the new movie service next February.
Most films distributed in this way will be art movies that are hardly shown in theaters outside metropolitan areas.
The service will be available at about 13 dollars a film, payable by credit card or other means. The price is cheaper than a cinema ticket. Users will be able to watch the films on their personal computers or television sets.
Box office revenues have been leveling off in recent years and distributors of foreign art films have difficulty finding theaters that will screen them.
Masashi Kawaguchi will run the new service. He hopes to revitalize the film industry by giving more people the chance to see movies in their homes and at theaters.
2009年12月13日日曜日
Year-end sweeping at Naritasan-Shinshoji Temple
A major Buddhist temple in Chiba Prefecture has undergone a year-end cleaning ahead of receiving millions of worshippers on the New Year.
The traditional event began at Naritasan-Shinshoji Temple before dawn on Sunday.
About 800 Buddhist priests and staff swept dust from Buddha statues and cleaned altar fittings in the main hall.
Hand-made bamboo brooms about 8 meters long were used to clean points near the ceiling.
The event ended by sweeping the floor of the main hall covered with 300 tatami mats, an area of about 500 square meters.
The New Year preparation will be completed by decorating the temple with sacred straw ropes on December 25th.
The traditional event began at Naritasan-Shinshoji Temple before dawn on Sunday.
About 800 Buddhist priests and staff swept dust from Buddha statues and cleaned altar fittings in the main hall.
Hand-made bamboo brooms about 8 meters long were used to clean points near the ceiling.
The event ended by sweeping the floor of the main hall covered with 300 tatami mats, an area of about 500 square meters.
The New Year preparation will be completed by decorating the temple with sacred straw ropes on December 25th.
Geiko in Kyoto offer New Year greetings
In the ancient capital Kyoto, geiko, or traditional female entertainers, made New Year courtesy calls on their instructors on Sunday.
It is traditional for geiko and maiko, or apprentice geiko, in the city's Gion district to visit their instructors on December 13th to express their gratitude for the past year and exchange New Year's greetings.
The women, dressed in colorful kimono, visited the home of Japanese traditional dance teacher Yachiyo Inoue.
On receiving greetings from the women, Inoue gave each of them words of encouragement and a new folding fan to be used next year.
One of the women, Mameyuri, said she wants to practice more next year so that she can dance better.
It is traditional for geiko and maiko, or apprentice geiko, in the city's Gion district to visit their instructors on December 13th to express their gratitude for the past year and exchange New Year's greetings.
The women, dressed in colorful kimono, visited the home of Japanese traditional dance teacher Yachiyo Inoue.
On receiving greetings from the women, Inoue gave each of them words of encouragement and a new folding fan to be used next year.
One of the women, Mameyuri, said she wants to practice more next year so that she can dance better.
2009年12月12日土曜日
Ozawa: foreigners in Japan may get vote
A top leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan says he expects the Japanese legislature will pass a bill aimed at giving foreign residents in Japan voting rights.
The secretary General of the DPJ, Ichiro Ozawa, made the remarks in a speech at a university in Seoul on Saturday.
Ozawa admitted that there was an unfortunate period in modern history between Japan and South Korea and it is a historical fact that Japan must apologize for.
However, he said if the 2 countries keep mentioning the fact, relations between them will not move forward.
He added it's not South Korea but Japan that should present an aggressive solution to resolve pending issues between the 2 countries.
During a question-and-answer session, Ozawa referred to a bill to grant permanent foreign residents in Japan, including ethnic Koreans, the right to vote in local elections.
He said that the government should sponsor the bill and submit it to the ordinary session of the Diet starting next month.
Ozawa said that he believes Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama thinks the same way and the bill is likely to be enacted in the session.
The secretary General of the DPJ, Ichiro Ozawa, made the remarks in a speech at a university in Seoul on Saturday.
Ozawa admitted that there was an unfortunate period in modern history between Japan and South Korea and it is a historical fact that Japan must apologize for.
However, he said if the 2 countries keep mentioning the fact, relations between them will not move forward.
He added it's not South Korea but Japan that should present an aggressive solution to resolve pending issues between the 2 countries.
During a question-and-answer session, Ozawa referred to a bill to grant permanent foreign residents in Japan, including ethnic Koreans, the right to vote in local elections.
He said that the government should sponsor the bill and submit it to the ordinary session of the Diet starting next month.
Ozawa said that he believes Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama thinks the same way and the bill is likely to be enacted in the session.
1.26 mil households receive welfare benefits
Japan's welfare ministry says the number of households that received welfare benefits in September rose to more than 1.26 million, the largest ever on record.
The ministry says about one million 267,000 households across the country depended on welfare benefits in September. This is an increase of more than 12,000 from the figure for the previous month.
The number of families receiving welfare benefits had risen by more than 10,000 for 7 months in a row since the start of March.
The ministry says it will step up measures to create jobs in areas such as care giving, agriculture, and other industries in an effort to stem the increase in the number of families dependent on welfare benefits.
The ministry says about one million 267,000 households across the country depended on welfare benefits in September. This is an increase of more than 12,000 from the figure for the previous month.
The number of families receiving welfare benefits had risen by more than 10,000 for 7 months in a row since the start of March.
The ministry says it will step up measures to create jobs in areas such as care giving, agriculture, and other industries in an effort to stem the increase in the number of families dependent on welfare benefits.
2009年12月11日金曜日
Character meaning new chosen as kanji of the year
People in Japan have chosen the kanji character meaning "new" as the one that best describes the highs and lows of this year.
A foundation promoting the use of kanji announced the winner on Friday. The character was chosen from among a record 16,000 entries.
The chief priest of Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple wrote the character with a brush and black ink in traditional calligraphy style.
People who voted for the character apparently had in mind the outbreak of the new influenza and the launch of new governments in Japan and the United States.
Voters may also have been thinking of Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki's new Major League Baseball record of 9 consecutive 200-hit seasons.
The second-place character was one meaning "drug" or "medicine," due again to the influenza epidemic as well as drug abuse scandals involving TV celebrities.
The character for "politics" came in 3rd, reflecting Japan's change of government and high voter turnout.
A foundation promoting the use of kanji announced the winner on Friday. The character was chosen from among a record 16,000 entries.
The chief priest of Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple wrote the character with a brush and black ink in traditional calligraphy style.
People who voted for the character apparently had in mind the outbreak of the new influenza and the launch of new governments in Japan and the United States.
Voters may also have been thinking of Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki's new Major League Baseball record of 9 consecutive 200-hit seasons.
The second-place character was one meaning "drug" or "medicine," due again to the influenza epidemic as well as drug abuse scandals involving TV celebrities.
The character for "politics" came in 3rd, reflecting Japan's change of government and high voter turnout.
2009年12月10日木曜日
Remains of former Japanese soldiers repatriate
The remains of more than 4,300 former Japanese soldiers killed in the Philippines during World War 2 have been repatriated.
A government team that retrieved the remains handed them over to the welfare ministry at a ceremony in Tokyo on Thursday.
The latest finding of 4,370 soldiers brings to 7,739 the total number of remains collected in the Philippines since this April. The figure is the highest in 30 years of such work, partly due to the cooperation of a local non-governmental organization.
Welfare minister Akira Nagatsuma said his ministry will do all it can to repatriate fallen soldiers still left behind in foreign battle grounds.
Another 1.15 million Japanese troops, or nearly half those who died outside Japan in World War 2, are still unaccounted for.
Collecting their remains becomes difficult year by year as there are fewer surviving witnesses.
Osamu Takeuchi, who joined the current mission, said he wants the government to have staff stationed in the Philippines to bolster the efforts.
A government team that retrieved the remains handed them over to the welfare ministry at a ceremony in Tokyo on Thursday.
The latest finding of 4,370 soldiers brings to 7,739 the total number of remains collected in the Philippines since this April. The figure is the highest in 30 years of such work, partly due to the cooperation of a local non-governmental organization.
Welfare minister Akira Nagatsuma said his ministry will do all it can to repatriate fallen soldiers still left behind in foreign battle grounds.
Another 1.15 million Japanese troops, or nearly half those who died outside Japan in World War 2, are still unaccounted for.
Collecting their remains becomes difficult year by year as there are fewer surviving witnesses.
Osamu Takeuchi, who joined the current mission, said he wants the government to have staff stationed in the Philippines to bolster the efforts.
2009年12月9日水曜日
Growing calls for Kyoto Protocol extension
A UN conference on climate change is now underway in Denmark. Developing countries taking part in the meeting are stepping up calls for an extension of the Kyoto Protocol.
It may be extremely difficult for the conference to adopt a new framework, as there is a deep rift between the developed countries and developing nations. The focus is on whether delegates can reach a political agreement on the essential points of a new accord.
The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. There are growing calls from developing countries to extend the Protocol, and they are also demanding bigger reduction targets for the developed nations.
But the US withdrew from the Protocol and China and other emerging nations have no obligations under the treaty. Developed countries like Japan and some European nations have commitments, but their greenhouse gas emissions only account for 28 percent of the global total.
Japan and other developed countries are insisting on a new framework including all the major emitters. They are alarmed by the calls to extend the Kyoto Protocol.
It may be extremely difficult for the conference to adopt a new framework, as there is a deep rift between the developed countries and developing nations. The focus is on whether delegates can reach a political agreement on the essential points of a new accord.
The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. There are growing calls from developing countries to extend the Protocol, and they are also demanding bigger reduction targets for the developed nations.
But the US withdrew from the Protocol and China and other emerging nations have no obligations under the treaty. Developed countries like Japan and some European nations have commitments, but their greenhouse gas emissions only account for 28 percent of the global total.
Japan and other developed countries are insisting on a new framework including all the major emitters. They are alarmed by the calls to extend the Kyoto Protocol.
2009年12月8日火曜日
Tsukiji tuna auction off limits during yearend
The popular tuna auctions at Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo will be closed to sightseers during the New Year season.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government decided to ban tours of the tuna bidding floor by visitors from this Thursday to January 23rd, when a higher than usual volume of tuna is put up for auction.
It imposed the ban for the first time a year ago, after complaints mounted that visitors disrupted the bidding by touching the fish, taking flash photos and behaving inappropriately.
Notices of the ban will be posted at the entrance to the market and guards will be deployed around the tuna auction floor to keep tourists out.
Areas except for the tuna floor, including those for bidding on other fish and the eatery sections, will remain open.
Several hundred foreign visitors view the tuna auction each day. The market is one of the largest in the world.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government decided to ban tours of the tuna bidding floor by visitors from this Thursday to January 23rd, when a higher than usual volume of tuna is put up for auction.
It imposed the ban for the first time a year ago, after complaints mounted that visitors disrupted the bidding by touching the fish, taking flash photos and behaving inappropriately.
Notices of the ban will be posted at the entrance to the market and guards will be deployed around the tuna auction floor to keep tourists out.
Areas except for the tuna floor, including those for bidding on other fish and the eatery sections, will remain open.
Several hundred foreign visitors view the tuna auction each day. The market is one of the largest in the world.
Year-end cleaning under way at Horyuji temple
Buddhist monks have held a year-end ritual called Ominugui to clean ancient statues at Horyuji temple in the ancient capital of Nara, western Japan.
On Tuesday, monks chanted a sutra in Horyuji's Golden Hall before setting out to remove accumulated dust from the Shaka Triad, a national treasure, and other statues in the temple.
The cleaners wore masks and used brushes and dusters made of traditional Japanese washi paper, filling the hall with clouds of dust.
Later, many worshippers came to pray in front of the newly clean statues.
A couple in their 50s said they felt refreshed to see the clean look of the statues, adding that they should probably start cleaning their own house too.
On Tuesday, monks chanted a sutra in Horyuji's Golden Hall before setting out to remove accumulated dust from the Shaka Triad, a national treasure, and other statues in the temple.
The cleaners wore masks and used brushes and dusters made of traditional Japanese washi paper, filling the hall with clouds of dust.
Later, many worshippers came to pray in front of the newly clean statues.
A couple in their 50s said they felt refreshed to see the clean look of the statues, adding that they should probably start cleaning their own house too.
2009年12月7日月曜日
Chinese arrested for cheating immigration system
Police in Tokyo have arrested a Chinese woman on suspicion of illegally re-entering Japan by cheating a fingerprint identification test. It is the first arrest in Japan for deceiving the biometrics-based ID system.
The 27-year-old woman, from China's Fujian Province, had been deported in 2007 for illegally working in Japan. She allegedly re-entered the country last December.
She is suspected of receiving surgery in China on both index fingers and thumbs in order to cheat the biometrics technology.
Investigators say that the woman's fingerprints looked unnatural, suggesting that her skin was removed and replaced.
The woman reportedly admitted to having such an operation in China, paying brokerage fees of some 14,500 dollars.
She had already been indicted in Japan for falsifying her marriage.
The 27-year-old woman, from China's Fujian Province, had been deported in 2007 for illegally working in Japan. She allegedly re-entered the country last December.
She is suspected of receiving surgery in China on both index fingers and thumbs in order to cheat the biometrics technology.
Investigators say that the woman's fingerprints looked unnatural, suggesting that her skin was removed and replaced.
The woman reportedly admitted to having such an operation in China, paying brokerage fees of some 14,500 dollars.
She had already been indicted in Japan for falsifying her marriage.
More Tokyo residents dissatisfied with their lives
A survey has found that the number of Tokyo residents who are dissatisfied with their lives has topped the number of those who are satisfied for the first time in 32 years.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government conducted the annual survey in August covering residents aged 20 or over. More than 2,000 people responded.
50.1 percent of respondents said they are dissatisfied while 45.4 percent said they are satisfied.
Of those feeling dissatisfaction, 63.4 percent cited a lack of adequate savings.
The respondents who said their lives are worse off than a year earlier accounted for 46.8 percent, the second highest figure following the record set in 1976 shortly after the oil crisis.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government conducted the annual survey in August covering residents aged 20 or over. More than 2,000 people responded.
50.1 percent of respondents said they are dissatisfied while 45.4 percent said they are satisfied.
Of those feeling dissatisfaction, 63.4 percent cited a lack of adequate savings.
The respondents who said their lives are worse off than a year earlier accounted for 46.8 percent, the second highest figure following the record set in 1976 shortly after the oil crisis.
2009年12月6日日曜日
Rice from shrine's farm prepared for sake brewing
A brewery in Chiba Prefecture, neighboring Tokyo, has begun making sake ahead of the New Year, using rice harvested in a farm owned by a Shinto shrine.
The brewery was established nearly 250 years ago.
For the first time this year, it is making sake, or Japanese rice wine, jointly with the Tamasaki Shrine.
On Saturday, a ceremony was held in an old cellar to prepare for sake-making. Brewers and 15 local people used oar-like sticks to mix 80 kilograms of rice and 15 kilograms of koji mold in a barrel and start the fermentation process.
The barrel is large enough to produce about 300 bottles of sake, and some of it will be offered to visitors who come to the shrine during the New Year holidays.
A man who participated in the ceremony said he hopes the sake will help attract many visitors to the town.
An executive of the brewery, Takako Akiba, said she hopes visitors to the shrine will savor the taste of the special sake
The brewery was established nearly 250 years ago.
For the first time this year, it is making sake, or Japanese rice wine, jointly with the Tamasaki Shrine.
On Saturday, a ceremony was held in an old cellar to prepare for sake-making. Brewers and 15 local people used oar-like sticks to mix 80 kilograms of rice and 15 kilograms of koji mold in a barrel and start the fermentation process.
The barrel is large enough to produce about 300 bottles of sake, and some of it will be offered to visitors who come to the shrine during the New Year holidays.
A man who participated in the ceremony said he hopes the sake will help attract many visitors to the town.
An executive of the brewery, Takako Akiba, said she hopes visitors to the shrine will savor the taste of the special sake
2009年12月5日土曜日
Tokyo ward to certify eco-friendly builders
Tokyo's Minato Ward is planning to certify building-developers that use domestic timber rather than cheaper imports.
Under the plan, developers would be credited for helping develop the country's forests that soak up carbon dioxide emissions.
Minato ward officials and experts met on Friday to begin studies on the program. One participant said promoting the use of domestic timber will help create nationwide momentum for forest conservation.
Minato Ward has seen a boom in office-building construction in recent years, with cheaper foreign timber used in many of the interior structures. The trend is the same nationwide.
The ward plans to launch the certification system next September. It will be first of its kind to promote the use of domestic timber, regardless of its region of origin.
2009/12/04 18:17(JST)
Under the plan, developers would be credited for helping develop the country's forests that soak up carbon dioxide emissions.
Minato ward officials and experts met on Friday to begin studies on the program. One participant said promoting the use of domestic timber will help create nationwide momentum for forest conservation.
Minato Ward has seen a boom in office-building construction in recent years, with cheaper foreign timber used in many of the interior structures. The trend is the same nationwide.
The ward plans to launch the certification system next September. It will be first of its kind to promote the use of domestic timber, regardless of its region of origin.
2009/12/04 18:17(JST)
Haruki Murakami novel "1Q84" tops best-seller list
Popular author Haruki Murakami's latest novel, "IQ84," is the best-selling book of the year in Japan for any genre.
Leading book wholesaler Tohan said on Friday that the two-volume work has sold a total of 2.23 million copies. The distributor says it is the first time in its 20 years of gathering data that a novel has made it to the top of an annual best-seller list.
"IQ84," a story about a man and woman living in Tokyo in the year 1984, is the first full-length novel Murakami has published in 5 years and deals with issues such as love, violence and religion.
The hardcover edition has more than 1,000 pages but sold out almost as soon as it hit stores in May.
Murakami is one of Japan's best-known contemporary novelists and is often tipped as a candidate for the Nobel Prize for literature.
This year's best-seller list includes 2 books about Japanese words that are often misunderstood, and books about how to stay fit and healthy
Leading book wholesaler Tohan said on Friday that the two-volume work has sold a total of 2.23 million copies. The distributor says it is the first time in its 20 years of gathering data that a novel has made it to the top of an annual best-seller list.
"IQ84," a story about a man and woman living in Tokyo in the year 1984, is the first full-length novel Murakami has published in 5 years and deals with issues such as love, violence and religion.
The hardcover edition has more than 1,000 pages but sold out almost as soon as it hit stores in May.
Murakami is one of Japan's best-known contemporary novelists and is often tipped as a candidate for the Nobel Prize for literature.
This year's best-seller list includes 2 books about Japanese words that are often misunderstood, and books about how to stay fit and healthy
2009年12月4日金曜日
Protected red-crowned cranes counted in Hokkaido
The annual count of red-crowned cranes, a protected species, is under way in Hokkaido, northern Japan.
This year's survey covers about 300 locations, mainly in the eastern part of the prefecture.
In Tsurui Village, a breeding ground of the crane, about 20 children braved freezing temperatures on Friday to take part in the count.
The bird was on the verge of extinction in the early 20th Century but it has since recovered thanks to preservation efforts. In 2005, the number rose above 1,000.
The survey results will be compiled by the end of this month.
This year's survey covers about 300 locations, mainly in the eastern part of the prefecture.
In Tsurui Village, a breeding ground of the crane, about 20 children braved freezing temperatures on Friday to take part in the count.
The bird was on the verge of extinction in the early 20th Century but it has since recovered thanks to preservation efforts. In 2005, the number rose above 1,000.
The survey results will be compiled by the end of this month.
232,000 people show symptoms of mental illness
A government survey has found a record number of people are going to hospitals with symptoms of mental illness.
The survey is conducted every 3 years, targeting over 13,600 medical institutions nationwide.
As of October last year, on average 232,300 people went to medical institutions per day with psychological issues.
The number has increased steadily since 1996, when it was 155,600.
Keio University Professor Yutaka Ono attributed the increase to stress and anxiety caused by societal factors, like the prolonged recession. He said only a quarter of the people who need help visit hospitals.
The survey is conducted every 3 years, targeting over 13,600 medical institutions nationwide.
As of October last year, on average 232,300 people went to medical institutions per day with psychological issues.
The number has increased steadily since 1996, when it was 155,600.
Keio University Professor Yutaka Ono attributed the increase to stress and anxiety caused by societal factors, like the prolonged recession. He said only a quarter of the people who need help visit hospitals.
2009年12月3日木曜日
Specimen of butterfly collected by Hesse found
A specimen of butterfly collected by German novelist Hermann Hesse has been found in Osaka, western Japan.
Hesse, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature, is not only well known as one of the major literary figures of the 20th century but also for his love of nature.
The specimen of a species of butterfly known as Erebia niphonica was found in a collection that a Japanese collector in Osaka obtained in Europe about 30 years ago.
Soichiro Kinoshita says the specimen has been genuinely confirmed as being Hesse's since the handwriting on a label resembles that of Hesse.
He added a sketch by Hesse proved that he was in Austria on a date in 1927, which corresponds to the date and site described on the label of the specimen.
Kinoshita says he could not believe the amazing find and that he plans to donate the specimen to a museum.
Professor emeritus Asao Okada of Toyo University, who translated many of Hesse's novels, says it was a precious discovery since the label carries the date which is after the end of World War One. That would contradict previous beliefs that Hesse stopped collecting insects at the outbreak of the war.
The specimen will be displayed at a special exhibition featuring Hesse that opens on Saturday at the Osaka Museum of National History
Hesse, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature, is not only well known as one of the major literary figures of the 20th century but also for his love of nature.
The specimen of a species of butterfly known as Erebia niphonica was found in a collection that a Japanese collector in Osaka obtained in Europe about 30 years ago.
Soichiro Kinoshita says the specimen has been genuinely confirmed as being Hesse's since the handwriting on a label resembles that of Hesse.
He added a sketch by Hesse proved that he was in Austria on a date in 1927, which corresponds to the date and site described on the label of the specimen.
Kinoshita says he could not believe the amazing find and that he plans to donate the specimen to a museum.
Professor emeritus Asao Okada of Toyo University, who translated many of Hesse's novels, says it was a precious discovery since the label carries the date which is after the end of World War One. That would contradict previous beliefs that Hesse stopped collecting insects at the outbreak of the war.
The specimen will be displayed at a special exhibition featuring Hesse that opens on Saturday at the Osaka Museum of National History
2009年12月2日水曜日
Painter Hirayama dies
Traditional Japanese-style painter Ikuo Hirayama, one of the foremost artists in his field since World War Two, died of a cerebral infarction on Wednesday in Tokyo. He was 79.
Hirayama was born in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan. He was in Hiroshima at the age of 15 when the US atomic bomb hit the city in 1945.
In 1947, he enrolled in what later became the Tokyo University of the Arts.
His breakthrough came in 1959, with a Buddhist-inspired work he painted with hopes for peace, while struggling with the aftereffects of radiation. He soon established his trademark fantasy-like style, also inspired by Buddhism.
Hirayama made more than 100 trips to destinations on the Silk Road, in Central Asia, starting in the late 1960s. His visits inspired a series of works depicting scenes along the ancient trade route.
Hirayama also served as president of his alma mater, campaigned to preserve and repair ancient ruins along the Silk Road and in Cambodia, and headed the Japan-China Friendship Association. He was also a UNESCO goodwill ambassador.
He was recognized with a number of domestic and overseas awards, including Japan's Cultural Merit Award, which he received in 1998.
2009年11月30日月曜日
Job centers test comprehensive support
Job placement centers across Japan conducted a trial run on Monday of a comprehensive assistance service for people out of work.
77 job centers in 17 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, offered the trial service along with their regular job-finding services.
At a center in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, ward officials, welfare workers and lawyers joined the center's staff in offering advice to visitors.
A 62-year-old man who has been living in an Internet cafe received advice on how to find a new job and on how to apply for housing support.
He said he is grateful to be able to get advice on a variety of issues in one place.
Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited another such center in Tokyo and was briefed about decreasing multiple debts and other matters by lawyers and local officials.
Kan later told reporters that the government will do all it can to prevent people from losing both their jobs and their homes at a time when people are preparing for the new year.
Based on the results of Monday's trial, a government task force will discuss when to introduce the one-stop support service for the jobless.
2009/11/30 14:39(JST)
77 job centers in 17 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, offered the trial service along with their regular job-finding services.
At a center in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, ward officials, welfare workers and lawyers joined the center's staff in offering advice to visitors.
A 62-year-old man who has been living in an Internet cafe received advice on how to find a new job and on how to apply for housing support.
He said he is grateful to be able to get advice on a variety of issues in one place.
Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited another such center in Tokyo and was briefed about decreasing multiple debts and other matters by lawyers and local officials.
Kan later told reporters that the government will do all it can to prevent people from losing both their jobs and their homes at a time when people are preparing for the new year.
Based on the results of Monday's trial, a government task force will discuss when to introduce the one-stop support service for the jobless.
2009/11/30 14:39(JST)
Matsusaka cow fetches highest price in 4 years
A cow was sold for 20 million 90,000 yen, or about 231,000 dollars, at an auction held in Matsusaka City, central Japan, on Sunday.
The city is known for its high quality Matsusaka beef.
Fifty carefully selected cows were brought to the venue, and researchers from the prefectural livestock research institute examined their muscles and overall appearance.
" Miyukihime No 3", weighing 662 kilograms, was chosen as the best cow.
In the auction that followed, Miyukihime No 3 was sold for about 231,000 dollars, exceeding last year's highest price by more than 57,000 dollars.
It was the first time in 4 years that the highest price had exceeded 20 million yen, or about 231,000 dollars.
People attending the auction cheered when they heard that the cow had fetched the high price, despite the harsh economic climate.
The city is known for its high quality Matsusaka beef.
Fifty carefully selected cows were brought to the venue, and researchers from the prefectural livestock research institute examined their muscles and overall appearance.
" Miyukihime No 3", weighing 662 kilograms, was chosen as the best cow.
In the auction that followed, Miyukihime No 3 was sold for about 231,000 dollars, exceeding last year's highest price by more than 57,000 dollars.
It was the first time in 4 years that the highest price had exceeded 20 million yen, or about 231,000 dollars.
People attending the auction cheered when they heard that the cow had fetched the high price, despite the harsh economic climate.
2009年11月29日日曜日
Hadakabo festival held at shrine in Hofu
A wild shrine-carrying festival was held in western Japan on Saturday, with more than 4,000 men taking part.
The Hadakabo festival originated in the early 10th century reception of a scholar and politician, Sugawara no Michizane, by local people when he visited the area.
About 4,500 men dressed in white carried a portable shrine and then dropped it on a stone stairway at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine.
The mobile shrine weighing about 500 kilograms is believed to carry the soul of the scholar and bring good luck when touched.
The participants wrestled one another, yelling and screaming, eager to touch the shrine.
A 36-year-old woman from the area said she could well see how excited the men were. She added that she would have taken part in the event if she were a man.
Hofu Tenmangu Shrine says the event attracted about 110,000 people.
2009年11月28日土曜日
Venus probe Akatsuki unveiled
Japan's space agency has unveiled its Venus explorer vehicle, ahead of a launch scheduled for the middle of next year.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency showed the media the spacecraft nicknamed "Akatsuki", or dawn in English, on Friday.
The agency spent about 15 billion yen, or 170 million dollars, to develop the probe. The small spacecraft measures 2 meters tall by 1.4 meters wide, and weighs 500 kilograms.
Akatsuki will be launched in June 2010 on Japan's H2A rocket. It will take about 2 years to reach Venus, where it will make observations from orbit.
The probe will use 5 separate instruments to carry out observations of the atmosphere, which is mostly carbon dioxide, and the temperature distribution on the planet's surface.
Venus, known as the morning star, is Earth's neighboring planet. As it has a stable atmosphere and a diameter and gravity almost the same as those of Earth, the two are often called "twin planets."
The mission to study the origins of Venus will be Japan's first.
Project Manager Masato Nakamura says Earth and Venus have many aspects in common. He says the probe will look for clues about what dictated the existence or nonexistence of life on the two planets.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency showed the media the spacecraft nicknamed "Akatsuki", or dawn in English, on Friday.
The agency spent about 15 billion yen, or 170 million dollars, to develop the probe. The small spacecraft measures 2 meters tall by 1.4 meters wide, and weighs 500 kilograms.
Akatsuki will be launched in June 2010 on Japan's H2A rocket. It will take about 2 years to reach Venus, where it will make observations from orbit.
The probe will use 5 separate instruments to carry out observations of the atmosphere, which is mostly carbon dioxide, and the temperature distribution on the planet's surface.
Venus, known as the morning star, is Earth's neighboring planet. As it has a stable atmosphere and a diameter and gravity almost the same as those of Earth, the two are often called "twin planets."
The mission to study the origins of Venus will be Japan's first.
Project Manager Masato Nakamura says Earth and Venus have many aspects in common. He says the probe will look for clues about what dictated the existence or nonexistence of life on the two planets.
Forex counters busy with people buying dollars
The soaring yen has prompted people in Japan to flock to foreign exchange counters to purchase dollars or other currencies.
In Chiba City, east of Tokyo, many people rushed to a bank to exchange money on Friday.
The bank said many people sold between 100,000 and 200,000 yen for dollars or euros. One customer bought about 15,000 dollars.
The bank said it received three times more customers than usual.
A woman in her 60s said she'll travel to the United States during the New Year holidays, so she thought today would be a good time to buy dollars.
A male customer said he's taking his family to Hawaii during the summer holidays next year, so he bought about 2,300 dollars. He said that although the yen's appreciation will have a negative impact on Japan as a whole, he's happy about the purchase.
A teller said the staff has been so busy that they haven't been able to take lunch breaks for 2 days in a row.
He said customers are seeking to profit, following reports on the prolonged recession and deflation.
In Chiba City, east of Tokyo, many people rushed to a bank to exchange money on Friday.
The bank said many people sold between 100,000 and 200,000 yen for dollars or euros. One customer bought about 15,000 dollars.
The bank said it received three times more customers than usual.
A woman in her 60s said she'll travel to the United States during the New Year holidays, so she thought today would be a good time to buy dollars.
A male customer said he's taking his family to Hawaii during the summer holidays next year, so he bought about 2,300 dollars. He said that although the yen's appreciation will have a negative impact on Japan as a whole, he's happy about the purchase.
A teller said the staff has been so busy that they haven't been able to take lunch breaks for 2 days in a row.
He said customers are seeking to profit, following reports on the prolonged recession and deflation.
2009年11月26日木曜日
Police search vehicle thieves' facilities
Police in Japan has searched facilities in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, for evidence of a series of vehicle thefts.
The facilities belong to a criminal group, 43 of whose members have been arrested or indicted for stealing a large number of vans.
Police believe the group members, including people from Japan, Nigeria and Brazil, dismantled Toyota vans they stole in Osaka, Hyogo and other prefectures, and illegally exported the parts, mainly to Southeast Asia.
Police have searched 10 sites in Hyogo, which include a firm run by the group. Police suspect the firm is responsible for hiding and dismantling the stolen vehicles.
The criminal ring is suspected of stealing some 500 vehicles, worth roughly seven million dollars.
Police say they want to find evidence of the group's exporting of illegal vehicle parts by checking through documents confiscated in the house search
The facilities belong to a criminal group, 43 of whose members have been arrested or indicted for stealing a large number of vans.
Police believe the group members, including people from Japan, Nigeria and Brazil, dismantled Toyota vans they stole in Osaka, Hyogo and other prefectures, and illegally exported the parts, mainly to Southeast Asia.
Police have searched 10 sites in Hyogo, which include a firm run by the group. Police suspect the firm is responsible for hiding and dismantling the stolen vehicles.
The criminal ring is suspected of stealing some 500 vehicles, worth roughly seven million dollars.
Police say they want to find evidence of the group's exporting of illegal vehicle parts by checking through documents confiscated in the house search
2009年11月25日水曜日
Year-end Kabuki signboards displayed in Kyoto
Kyoto's Minamiza Theatre has posted the names of the Kabuki actors starring in its year-end performances.
The posting of these 2-meter-long cypress boards on the theater facade is a seasonal spectacle dating back more than 300 years. Workers on scaffolding put up the 60 boards on Wednesday.
The actors' names are written on the boards in a font that is unique to Kabuki theatre. Among the performers this year is the living national treasure Sakata Tojuro, winner of the Order of Cultural Merit.
Once the signboards were up, theater staff and spectators threw salt for good luck.
The performances run from November 30th through December 26th.
The posting of these 2-meter-long cypress boards on the theater facade is a seasonal spectacle dating back more than 300 years. Workers on scaffolding put up the 60 boards on Wednesday.
The actors' names are written on the boards in a font that is unique to Kabuki theatre. Among the performers this year is the living national treasure Sakata Tojuro, winner of the Order of Cultural Merit.
Once the signboards were up, theater staff and spectators threw salt for good luck.
The performances run from November 30th through December 26th.
2009年11月24日火曜日
Year-end lottery tickets go on sale
Tickets for the annual year-end lottery went on sale across Japan on Tuesday.
200 million yen or more than 2 million dollars will be handed out to each of 70 grand prize winners.
At a ticket booth in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district, about 1,000 people had queued up by the time sales began at 8:30 AM.
The booth is very popular as it sold 3 tickets that hit the jackpot last year.
Some people had been in line since Friday.
A woman from Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, said she had come to the popular booth on the overnight train and bought 500 tickets.
A man in his 20s says he bought 100 tickets and that if he wins a jackpot, he will save the prize money because of the current economic slowdown.
The drawing will be held on New Year's Eve.
200 million yen or more than 2 million dollars will be handed out to each of 70 grand prize winners.
At a ticket booth in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district, about 1,000 people had queued up by the time sales began at 8:30 AM.
The booth is very popular as it sold 3 tickets that hit the jackpot last year.
Some people had been in line since Friday.
A woman from Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, said she had come to the popular booth on the overnight train and bought 500 tickets.
A man in his 20s says he bought 100 tickets and that if he wins a jackpot, he will save the prize money because of the current economic slowdown.
The drawing will be held on New Year's Eve.
Saplings grown from 300-year-old camellias
Horticulturists have succeeded in growing saplings from centuries-old camellia trees from a Buddhist temple in Kyoto.
Several rare types of camellias grow in the compound of Reikan-ji Temple. A variety called "Nikko-tsubaki" dates back more than 300 years and is believed to have been the preferred tree of Emperor Go-Mizuno-o in the 17th Century.
Priests at the temple have been concerned that the trees are old and appear to be weakening.
Last year, plant experts took cuttings from 3 varieties of camellia in an attempt to propagate new plants.
The saplings have grown from 5 centimeters to more than 20 centimeters tall, faster than usual thanks to growth promoting chemicals.
The saplings will be planted in the temple compound in about 5 years after they have grown taller.
Several rare types of camellias grow in the compound of Reikan-ji Temple. A variety called "Nikko-tsubaki" dates back more than 300 years and is believed to have been the preferred tree of Emperor Go-Mizuno-o in the 17th Century.
Priests at the temple have been concerned that the trees are old and appear to be weakening.
Last year, plant experts took cuttings from 3 varieties of camellia in an attempt to propagate new plants.
The saplings have grown from 5 centimeters to more than 20 centimeters tall, faster than usual thanks to growth promoting chemicals.
The saplings will be planted in the temple compound in about 5 years after they have grown taller.
2009年11月23日月曜日
Interior of Tokyo Sky Tree shown to media
The interior of Tokyo's new broadcasting tower, the Tokyo Sky Tree, was opened to the media on Sunday.
The tower now under construction in Sumida Ward will replace the existing Tokyo Tower in 2012.
The tower, designed to be the world's tallest at 634 meters, currently stands at 215 meters.
Reporters were shown the tower's main pillar, which is 230 centimeters in diameter, and the outer section that will house elevators to the observatories.
In the summer of next year, the first observatory will be completed at 350 meters and the second one at the
450 meter level will be finished in the winter.
A construction manager said the project is going well and one third of the tower has been completed. He said the higher the tower gets, the more difficult the task becomes. He said his staff take pride in making sure they can work safely.
2009年11月22日日曜日
Large crested ibis flock seen on Sado Island
12 crested ibises released into the wild after being raised in captivity have formed a flock on Sado Island, off the Sea of Japan coast. The flock is the biggest in Japan.
The Japanese Environment Ministry says the 12 birds -- 6 male and 6 female -- were seen eating together in rice fields near Sado City early Friday morning.
Last year, 10 crested ibises were released into the wild but all the females crossed the sea to the main island of Japan while the males remained on Sado Island during mating season.
But this year, after 20 more birds were released in September, the crested ibises have been spending more time together.
Environment Ministry official Kohei Sasano says he want to closely monitor the flock as crested ibises breed from now until spring.
The birds are designated a national treasure in Japan where they disappeared from the wild in 1981.
Autumn leaves decorated with lights
The decoration of autumn leaves with lights has begun at Oyama mountain in Kanagawa prefecture, near Tokyo.
The local tourism organization started running the annual event 4 years ago.
People decorate about 150 trees with red maple leaves at Oyama temple, which dates from the 8th century.
During recent cool days the leaves have turned a deep red. Now is the time to enjoy the sight.
Illustrated scroll of Tale of Genji on display
An exhibition of illustrated scrolls of the Tale of Genji, a masterpiece of ancient Japanese prose, has opened at an art museum in Nagoya, central Japan.
The Tokugawa Art Museum is showing to the public 2 of the 15 Tale of Genji scrolls in its possession. The scrolls date to the Heian era from the 8th to 12th century. The oldest picture scrolls in Japan are designated as national treasures.
On display is the scroll called Bamboo River, which illustrates the main character Kaoru paying a New Year's visit to the residence of an aristocrat, and depicts a graceful New Year atmosphere. The scroll features Kaoru being made fun of by women.
The other scroll, Eastern Cottage, gives insights on the life of ancient court ladies with a scene in which Kaoru is reading out a story to a woman who has become tired of love.
The exhibition runs through November 29th.
2009年11月21日土曜日
Visitors enjoy virtual-reality Asuka capital
Visitors to an old village in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, are enjoying views of Japan's ancient capital more than 1,200 years ago, using 3-dimensional virtual-reality devices.
Special goggles display computer graphic images of the Asuka capital. People using the goggles can see temples and a burial mound of the time superimposed on the actual scenery.
The device was developed by a team led by Professor Katsushi Ikeuchi of the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo.
CG images include that of a mural and the interior of the Takamatsuzuka Tomb and the image of Kawaradera Temple, which no longer exists.
They also depict Amakashi hill in the village.
The goggles were made available for visitors to use on Saturday.
Tourists were seen enjoying the re-created views of the ancient capital. A woman said she felt as if she were actually in the Asuka Period.
2009年11月20日金曜日
Elderly workers make New Year straw ornaments
The production of lucky charms for the New Year holidays is in full swing in the city of Hitachioota, north of Tokyo.
Straw ropes, called "shimenawa", represent people's wishes for good health and safety. They are hung on the gates or entrances of houses at the New Year.
A center for the elderly has been making straw ornaments for shrines throughout Japan for more than 30 years.
The ornaments are made from local rice seedlings that are harvested in summer.
Some elderly people work in pairs to braid a rope about 7 meters long and 20 centimeters across. Others twist straws on their palms to make an ornament, called "takarabune", that resembles a ship and symbolizes people's hopes for a rich harvest.
One of the elderly workers said it's a shame that there are few young people who will be able to continue the traditional art. Another said they will all do their best to make good decorations for the New Year.
2009年11月19日木曜日
Sommelier contest held in Osaka
A contest to choose the best sommelier in the Asia-Oceania region has been held in Osaka, western Japan.
The event was organized by an international association of sommeliers for the first time in the Asia-Oceania region, to promote wine appreciation.
On Wednesday evening, 20 sommeliers from 10 countries showed up on stage in a hotel. 3 of them were chosen as contestants in the final.
The 3 sommeliers were tested about their knowledge of wine, and had to guess where a selection of wines came from.
Satoru Mori, who works at a French restaurant in Tokyo, was chosen the best sommelier in the region.
2009年11月18日水曜日
Surgical-style masks fail to fully shut out flu
Japan's National Consumer Affairs Center is warning people not to rely too much on surgical-style masks for protection against new influenza viruses.
The center tested 15 types of masks on the market, and found that none perfectly fits the user's face, even those that claim to shut out 99 percent of airborne viruses.
The center has urged manufacturers to change their labeling to avoid misunderstanding among consumers.
The outbreak of H1N1 influenza has heightened consumer worry about the effectiveness of the masks.
Inquiries to the consumer affairs center have jumped to nearly 600 as of the end of September, from the 80 in the year that ended in March.
Risa Yoshida of the center's product testing division says masks work for people with coughs, but that hand-washing and gargling are more effective for warding off flu viruses.
2009年11月17日火曜日
Suicides in Japan top 30,000 for 11th year in row
The annual number of suicides in Japan has topped 30,000 for the 11th consecutive year.
A government white paper on suicide says 32,249 people killed themselves in 2008.
This translates to 23.7 suicides per a population of 100,000, making Japan's suicide rate the highest among the world's 7 major industrialized countries.
Of the roughly 23,000 suicides whose cause could be pinpointed, 65 percent were traced to health problems, 32 percent to economic woes, and 17 percent to troubles at home.
This year's white paper introduces tips on how to prevent people from taking their lives.
It also calls for increased scrutiny on how alcohol may be linked to suicide, noting that men in their prime tend to drink too much to ease their stress.
Juvenile living fish fossil discovered
A Japanese aquarium says it has successfully filmed a juvenile coelacanth in waters off Indonesia.
The coelacanth is a living fish fossil that has undergone little change since prehistoric times.
Aquamarine Fukushima says its research team captured the footage161 meters deep in Manado Bay off North Sulawesi Province.
The team was conducting research using a remote control underwater camera on October 6th when they made the discovery.
The fish is 31.5 centimeters long and appears to be a
newborn. They compared it to a 30-centimeter one that was found dead inside a female coelacanth in Mozambique in 1991.
The aquarium has been studying the fish since it opened 9 years ago. It says it is the first time that a live juvenile coelacanth has been found since the species was discovered in 1938.
Director of the aquarium Yoshitaka Abe says the life history of the coelacanth is enigmatic. The aquarium will continue its research to unravel the fish's biology.
2009年11月16日月曜日
Japan: no ban needed on bluefin tuna trade
Regarding the agreement to slash next year's catch quotas for Atlantic bluefin tuna, Japan, a major tuna consumer, says the cutback, if observed, would be enough to protect the fish from extinction.
On Sunday, an international commission of 48 members agreed to cut next year's catch quota of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea by about 38 percent from this year.
The government and experts say they do not expect an immediate increase in retail prices, as there are stocks to satisfy demand for some period, and also as demand for the expensive fish remains low amid the recession.
Concerning an international move to impose a total ban on the trade in blue tuna, Japanese officials say a trade ban aimed at protecting the fish is unnecessary, now that a major cut in its catch quota has been decided.
Last month, Monaco proposed a total ban on trade in bluefin tuna from the Atlantic Ocean under the Washington Convention. The convention regulates international trade in endangered species.
Japan hopes to persuade other nations to join it against Monaco at an international meeting to discuss the proposal, scheduled in March.
The latest fishing quota cut would have a major impact on Japan, because it consumes up to 80 percent of the bluefin tuna landed worldwide.
Percentage of Japanese men smoking at record low
A government survey says the percentage of Japanese men who smoke has fallen to a record low.
The health ministry surveyed about 8,100 men and women around the country in November.
The percentage of men smoking was 36.8 percent, down about 10 percent from 5 years ago and the lowest figure since the survey began in 1986. The percentage of women smoking was 9.1 percent, a 2 percent drop.
Of the male smokers, 25.3 percent smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day, a 7.4 percent decrease over the last 5 years. Of the female smokers, the percentage of women smoking more than 20 a day remained at around 9.2 percent.
Among smokers, 28.5 percent of males and 37.4 percent of females said they wanted to quit. That's an increase of 3 to 4 percent since the last survey.
The ministry says the results are due to a decrease in smoking space and wider awareness of how cigarettes cause harm
2009年11月14日土曜日
Latest findings related to Himiko shown to public
Many people have gathered at an archeological site near the ancient capital Nara to view the recent discovery of what may be the palace of a legendary ruler of Japan.
Archeologists recently found the remnants of a large structure that dates to the early third century, at the Makimuku ruins in Sakurai City.
Some experts say the find may be the palace of Queen Himiko, who governed the Yamatai Kingdom in that period.
The Yamatai Kingdom is mentioned in ancient Chinese records. The location of the ancient kingdom has been a matter of dispute among Japanese.
Some claim that it was in the Kyushu area, adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, while others say it was in the Kansai area where the Makimuku ruins are situated.
On Saturday, people viewed the remnants of a structure that contained two kinds of posts to make it symmetrical along a line running east to west.
A local woman said she was assured that Queen Himiko had been there, while a man from a different prefecture said he expects the discovery to end the long-standing dispute over the site of the ancient kingdom.
Archeologists recently found the remnants of a large structure that dates to the early third century, at the Makimuku ruins in Sakurai City.
Some experts say the find may be the palace of Queen Himiko, who governed the Yamatai Kingdom in that period.
The Yamatai Kingdom is mentioned in ancient Chinese records. The location of the ancient kingdom has been a matter of dispute among Japanese.
Some claim that it was in the Kyushu area, adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, while others say it was in the Kansai area where the Makimuku ruins are situated.
On Saturday, people viewed the remnants of a structure that contained two kinds of posts to make it symmetrical along a line running east to west.
A local woman said she was assured that Queen Himiko had been there, while a man from a different prefecture said he expects the discovery to end the long-standing dispute over the site of the ancient kingdom.
54% of single parent households in poverty
A government survey shows that more than half of Japan's single-parent households were living in poverty in 2007.
The welfare ministry conducted the survey based on disposable income of households and released for the first time in October a part of the findings that shows the country's overall poverty rate was 15.7 percent.
Further analysis of the findings released on Friday shows that the poverty rate for single parent households was 54.3 percent, 44.1 percentage points higher than that for households with 2 or more adults raising a child or children. The poverty rate for that group was 10.2 percent.
A welfare ministry official said many single-parents are non-regular or part-time workers, and that the situation will not improve unless a system under which such people can work full-time is established in Japan.
The welfare ministry conducted the survey based on disposable income of households and released for the first time in October a part of the findings that shows the country's overall poverty rate was 15.7 percent.
Further analysis of the findings released on Friday shows that the poverty rate for single parent households was 54.3 percent, 44.1 percentage points higher than that for households with 2 or more adults raising a child or children. The poverty rate for that group was 10.2 percent.
A welfare ministry official said many single-parents are non-regular or part-time workers, and that the situation will not improve unless a system under which such people can work full-time is established in Japan.
2009年11月12日木曜日
Japanese comic books going global
A major Japanese publisher is to sell electronic versions of Japanese comic books overseas to compensate for declining domestic sales.
Industry sources say that Shueisha will offer e-books via a Microsoft website that allows users to download software to mobile phones. It plans to begin the service next spring.
The site will be accessible in 28 countries and regions including Japan, the United States and India.
Shueisha intends to offer Japanese and English versions of 20 to 30 popular comics, including Dragon Ball.
The publisher will become the first Japanese firm to operate a full-scale e-book business for overseas customers.
Japanese companies have previously offered limited services due to concern about copyright infringement.
But increases in Internet security and mobile phone functions are contributing to the expansion of the global electronic book market.
Ozawa hints govt-bill on suffrage for foreigners
The secretary general of Japan's governing Democratic Party has hinted that the government may submit a bill granting foreign permanent residents the right to vote in local elections for the Diet early next year.
Ichiro Ozawa on Thursday met Chung Sye Kyun, the leader of South Korea's opposition Democratic Party, who's visiting Japan to attend a memorial event for former South Korean President Kim Dae Jung. Chung strongly called for passage of legislation on foreigners' suffrage.
Ozawa said the government should introduce such a bill, and suggested that the government may do so as early as in next year's ordinary Diet session, but not in the form of lawmaker-sponsored legislation.
Ozawa has been entrusted with handling the issue within the government and the governing party.
The party is studying the possibility of granting foreign permanent residents, many of whom are Koreans, the right to vote in local elections as asked for by South Korea.
2009年11月10日火曜日
Nori seaweed harvest begins in Tokyo Bay
In Japan, fishermen have begun to harvest "nori" seaweed off the coast of Tokyo.
On Tuesday, about 100 fishing boats from a fishing port in Futtsu City on the coast of Tokyo Bay took fully grown seaweed from floating culturing nets.
A producer says some of the nets were broken by Typhoon Melor early last month but that good quality seaweed has grown this season.
In Tokyo Bay, harvesting begins at this time of the year when the seaweed reaches maturity as seawater temperatures fall. It continues until early spring.
Seaweed grown in the area called "Edo-mae nori" is famed for its high quality in Japan.
NHK Poll:54% support tobacco tax hike
An NHK poll shows that 54 percent support a
government-proposed tax hike on tobacco.
The tax increase is one of the key issues in next year's tax reform.
About 1,100 people aged 20 and older responded to the phone survey from November 6th to the 8th.
Asked whether they support a tax increase on tobacco, 54 percent responded yes, while 20 percent said no. 20 percent were undecided.
When asked about a proposed tax to help cut greenhouse gas emissions, 34 percent said they support it, while 23 percent said they do not. 36 percent were undecided.
Regarding the atomic-bombed cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki jointly bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, 36 percent were for it and 18 percent were not. 39 percent were undecided.
2009年11月7日土曜日
Defendant in Akihabara rampage apologizes
A man who killed 7 people and wounded 10 in a random attack in Tokyo's Akihabara shopping district last year has sent a letter of apology to one of the victims.
In June of last year, former part-time worker Tomohiro Kato went on a stabbing spree after ramming a truck into a crowd of pedestrians at a crossing in the district's vehicle-free zone. He has been indicted on murder and other charges.
On Friday, former taxi driver Hiroshi Yuasa, who fell temporarily unconscious after being attacked, received the 6-page letter through Kato's lawyer.
The letter says the defendant truly apologizes and has no excuses for his actions.
It also says that Kato's regrets and apologies could never make up for what he did and he deserves to die 10,000 times for his crimes.
The letter gave no motive or background reasons, saying only that Kato hardly remembers the incident.
Yuasa said he gained the impression from the letter that Kato was a decent young man and that he cannot understand why he caused such an incident.
He said he plans to send a reply to Kato and ask him to tell everything he knows to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
2009年10月31日土曜日
Japan, Russia agree on data on Soviet internment
Japan and Russia have agreed to allow Japan to use data held by Russia on Japanese detained in Soviet Siberia after the Second World War.
It was recently revealed that Russian State Military Archives in Moscow had about 700,000 cards which carry the names and date of birth of Japanese internees and the camps they were at in Siberia.
Under the agreement, Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will make copies of the data on DVD for use in Japan, starting next month.
About 53,000 Japanese are believed to have died while they were interned in Siberia. The burial sites for 21,000 of them are not known.
The ministry plans to examine the data to clarify the entire picture of internment and collect remains.
Mitsuo Hiratsuka, head of an organization representing former internees, says most survivors are over 85 years old, and he wants to have the truth of the internment unveiled and remains of the dead recovered as soon as possible.
2009年10月11日日曜日
Auto firms adapt vehicles for the handicapped
Japanese auto firms are developing vehicles for drivers with physical handicaps as Japan's population ages.
Toyota Motor has developed a system that allows drivers to store their wheelchairs without the help of other people. Drivers can place their wheelchairs in a box on the rooftop of their vehicles from their seat, using a remote control device.
Honda Motor has put a new device for people with leg disabilities into practical application. The device allows drivers to manually operate a brake and an accelerator by using a lever installed to their left.
Toshihiro Koyama, chief researcher at Honda's welfare vehicle development section, says many physically handicapped people say they want to continue driving.
Koyama said his company plans to develop safer and more convenient welfare vehicles.
Auto firms expect sales of adapted vehicles to increase due to the aging of the population. They are also developing cars that can be operated by legs alone and vehicles to carry people with special needs.
2009年10月8日木曜日
High court acquits Winny creator
The Osaka High Court has acquitted the creator of a file-sharing software program of helping others to violate copyrights, reversing the guilty ruling by a lower court.
Former assistant researcher at the University of Tokyo's graduate school, Isamu Kaneko, was accused of developing and posting on his website the program called Winny.
The program allows users to exchange movies, games and other files on the Internet.
In 2006 a district court found him guilty of assisting copyright violation and imposed a fine of around 17,000 dollars.
Kaneko pleaded not guilty, saying if creators are blamed for the abuse of their software, technological development would be impossible.
On Thursday, a presiding judge at the high court said prosecution of software developers should be limited to cases in which they actively encourage illegal use of the software.
The judge said Kaneko may have been aware that his software could be abused but did not go so far as to promote its illegal use.
The case triggered mixed opinions over the role of software developers.
Some said developers have a responsibility to consider the possible abuse of their software. Others noted the lack of a clear guideline on what amounts to illegal acts could hamper technological development.
Typhoon kills 2, injures 46 in Japan
Typhoon Melor has killed 2 people and injured 46 others in Japan.
In Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, a 69-year-old man died after being hit by a branch that measured 14 meters, which snapped off in the strong wind.
In Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, a newspaper deliveryman died after his motorcycle hit a fallen tree on the street.
In Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, a farmer was seriously injured after being blown off the top of a greenhouse by a powerful gust as he was trying to repair it.
A total of 46 people were injured in 17 prefectures across Japan.
Residents of 64 households in Nara and Mie Prefectures were told to evacuate. Evacuation advisories were issued for an additional 1,000 households in 6 prefectures.
More than 2,400 people in 19 prefectures voluntarily evacuated to shelters.
The typhoon damaged 64 houses, and flooded more than 420 buildings.
In Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, a 69-year-old man died after being hit by a branch that measured 14 meters, which snapped off in the strong wind.
In Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, a newspaper deliveryman died after his motorcycle hit a fallen tree on the street.
In Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, a farmer was seriously injured after being blown off the top of a greenhouse by a powerful gust as he was trying to repair it.
A total of 46 people were injured in 17 prefectures across Japan.
Residents of 64 households in Nara and Mie Prefectures were told to evacuate. Evacuation advisories were issued for an additional 1,000 households in 6 prefectures.
More than 2,400 people in 19 prefectures voluntarily evacuated to shelters.
The typhoon damaged 64 houses, and flooded more than 420 buildings.
2009年10月1日木曜日
UNESCO designates Gagaku as intangible heritage
The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has added Japanese court music Gagaku and 12 other items from Japan, to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The decision came at a meeting of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee of Intangible Heritage in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.
Gagaku is the fourth form of traditional Japanese performing arts to be designated by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of high historical and cultural value, which needs to be preserved. The other 3 are Nogaku, Ningyo Joruri and Kabuki.
The 12 other newly recognized items in Japan include the Yamahoko Junko parade in the Gion Festival in the ancient capital of Kyoto, and an ancient dance by the indigenous Ainu people in Hokkaido.
Overall, UNESCO added 76 living arts and traditions from 27 countries to its list of intangible cultural heritage. They include tango from Argentina and Uruguay, and centuries-old tapestries from Aubusson in central France.
22 items from China, many from minority cultures, have also been granted the UNESCO status.
2009年9月15日火曜日
Over 2000 school facilities closed for new flu
Japan's health ministry says more than 2,000 schools across the country were fully or partially closed last week due to the new influenza epidemic. The figure was 2.8 times higher than that of the previous week.
The ministry said on Tuesday that 2,158 facilities reported closing in the week that ended last Saturday. 772 facilities were closed in the previous week.
The ministry asks educational facilities ranging from nursery schools to high schools to report to the ministry if they close fully or partially.
By prefecture, Tokyo had 372 closures, followed by Saitama with 184, Osaka with 128, and Chiba with 122. The figures suggest that the new flu is rapidly spreading in large cities.
The ministry said on Tuesday that 2,158 facilities reported closing in the week that ended last Saturday. 772 facilities were closed in the previous week.
The ministry asks educational facilities ranging from nursery schools to high schools to report to the ministry if they close fully or partially.
By prefecture, Tokyo had 372 closures, followed by Saitama with 184, Osaka with 128, and Chiba with 122. The figures suggest that the new flu is rapidly spreading in large cities.
JAL reports on tie-up talks and restructuring
Struggling Japan Airlines says it plans to agree on capital tie-ups with foreign airlines by the middle of next month.
Japan Airlines President Haruka Nishimatsu on Tuesday reported to a Transport Ministry expert panel about his company's business improvement program to be drawn up this month.
He said JAL is holding talks with the world's largest carrier, Delta Air Lines, on a capital alliance worth about 500-million dollars. He also said American Airlines, the world's second-largest carrier, is studying the possibility of investing in JAL.
Nishimatsu said JAL plans to cut 6,800 jobs, or 14 percent of its group workforce, over the next 3 years and suspend 30 loss-making international routes.
The participants in the panel meeting asked about the feasibility of JAL's restructuring plans and requested more details.
Japan Airlines President Haruka Nishimatsu on Tuesday reported to a Transport Ministry expert panel about his company's business improvement program to be drawn up this month.
He said JAL is holding talks with the world's largest carrier, Delta Air Lines, on a capital alliance worth about 500-million dollars. He also said American Airlines, the world's second-largest carrier, is studying the possibility of investing in JAL.
Nishimatsu said JAL plans to cut 6,800 jobs, or 14 percent of its group workforce, over the next 3 years and suspend 30 loss-making international routes.
The participants in the panel meeting asked about the feasibility of JAL's restructuring plans and requested more details.
2009年9月12日土曜日
JAL seeks $550 mil. investment from Delta
Japan Airlines is seeking a capital injection of about 50 billion yen, or some 550 million dollars, from US carrier Delta Airlines.
The struggling Japanese airline company has been pursuing capital tie-ups with Delta Air Lines and European carrier Air France-KLM in an effort to fundamentally reform its operations.
Japan Airlines sent top executives, including a deputy president, to the United States to negotiate with Delta on the amount of capital.
The company plans to ask for about 550 million dollars as part of the funds needed to restructure itself, but it is yet to be seen how much Delta will commit.
Japan Airlines also plans to enter into negotiations with Air France-KLM to receive tens of millions of dollars of capital.
If the negotiations are successful, an airline group made up of Japanese, US, and European carriers will come into being.
The struggling Japanese airline company has been pursuing capital tie-ups with Delta Air Lines and European carrier Air France-KLM in an effort to fundamentally reform its operations.
Japan Airlines sent top executives, including a deputy president, to the United States to negotiate with Delta on the amount of capital.
The company plans to ask for about 550 million dollars as part of the funds needed to restructure itself, but it is yet to be seen how much Delta will commit.
Japan Airlines also plans to enter into negotiations with Air France-KLM to receive tens of millions of dollars of capital.
If the negotiations are successful, an airline group made up of Japanese, US, and European carriers will come into being.
2009年8月30日日曜日
"Ponyo" wins hearts of US children
The latest film by Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki is a box-office success in the United States, one year after it became a number one hit in Japan.
"Ponyo" opened at more than 900 US cinemas on August 14th, a new record for the Japanese director.
Walt Disney Pictures is the movie's distributor in the US. Hollywood actors, including Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett, provide the English voiceovers.
Eight-year-old child actors play a goldfish girl, Ponyo, and a Japanese boy, Sosuke. The theme song is sung in English.
Children at a cinema in New York said the movie is more enjoyable than they expected, and some said that Sosuke is adorable.
A US research firm, Box Office Mojo, says "Ponyo" ranked 9th in its first week, and 12th a week later. The company says the figures are good for a children's movie.
"Ponyo" opened at more than 900 US cinemas on August 14th, a new record for the Japanese director.
Walt Disney Pictures is the movie's distributor in the US. Hollywood actors, including Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett, provide the English voiceovers.
Eight-year-old child actors play a goldfish girl, Ponyo, and a Japanese boy, Sosuke. The theme song is sung in English.
Children at a cinema in New York said the movie is more enjoyable than they expected, and some said that Sosuke is adorable.
A US research firm, Box Office Mojo, says "Ponyo" ranked 9th in its first week, and 12th a week later. The company says the figures are good for a children's movie.
2009年8月16日日曜日
Japan's college entrance ratio marks record high
A Japanese government survey shows that more than 56 percent of high school graduates went on to higher education this year, marking the highest ratio on record.
The education ministry survey says that nearly 682,000 people, or 56.2 percent, entered universities, colleges, or junior colleges in April -- the start of a new school year.
The percentage of collegians has increased for 7 years in a row.
The ministry says while the percentage of those choosing junior colleges is on the decline, the number of students entering colleges and universities has steadily increased since 1991. This year, the rate topped 50 percent for the first time.
Behind the growing enrollment rate are a decline in the population of 18-year-olds and a rise in the number of colleges.
This year, the number of 18-year-olds was 1.21 million, which is less than 60 percent of the figure in 1992, when the age bracket was at its peak. The number of colleges in Japan now stands at 773 - a record high.
While the percentage of those entering colleges rose, the future of those graduating from them looks rather bleak. Of those who graduated this spring, only 68.4 percent were able to land jobs, which is down 1.5 percentage points from a year before.
The education ministry survey says that nearly 682,000 people, or 56.2 percent, entered universities, colleges, or junior colleges in April -- the start of a new school year.
The percentage of collegians has increased for 7 years in a row.
The ministry says while the percentage of those choosing junior colleges is on the decline, the number of students entering colleges and universities has steadily increased since 1991. This year, the rate topped 50 percent for the first time.
Behind the growing enrollment rate are a decline in the population of 18-year-olds and a rise in the number of colleges.
This year, the number of 18-year-olds was 1.21 million, which is less than 60 percent of the figure in 1992, when the age bracket was at its peak. The number of colleges in Japan now stands at 773 - a record high.
While the percentage of those entering colleges rose, the future of those graduating from them looks rather bleak. Of those who graduated this spring, only 68.4 percent were able to land jobs, which is down 1.5 percentage points from a year before.
2009年8月13日木曜日
Annual summer dance festival opens in Tokushima
Dancing fever has engulfed the western Japanese city of Tokushima, following the opening of the traditional summer dance festival called Awa-odori.
The annual event started on Wednesday evening with an opening ceremony at a dance arena near the city hall.
Groups of dancers in traditional cotton kimono began dancing in rhythm in 7 designated areas in the city.
The festival runs through Saturday.
2009年8月9日日曜日
Nagasaki marks 64th A-bomb anniversary
Nagasaki observed the 64th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the city on Sunday.
A memorial service was held at the Peace Park near Ground Zero, with about 5,800 people taking part.
They included representatives from 29 countries -- a record number -- and the mayors of 87 overseas cities who are attending the Mayors for Peace conference.
The participants observed a minute's silence at 11:02 AM, the exact time the atomic bomb was dropped.
In his speech, Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue praised US President Barack Obama's appeal for a nuclear-free world. He called on people everywhere to declare their support for Obama and take steps to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.
UN General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto said he came to Japan to express solidarity with the victims and survivors of one of the greatest atrocities the world has ever witnessed.
At the Mayors for Peace conference, atomic bomb survivors and citizens collected signatures to urge Obama to visit Nagasaki.
A participant from Belgium, who signed the petition, said visiting Nagasaki and listening to survivors' accounts made him realize the importance of abolishing nuclear weapons.
He added that leaders from all over the world should visit Nagasaki.
2009/08/09 22:44(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
A memorial service was held at the Peace Park near Ground Zero, with about 5,800 people taking part.
They included representatives from 29 countries -- a record number -- and the mayors of 87 overseas cities who are attending the Mayors for Peace conference.
The participants observed a minute's silence at 11:02 AM, the exact time the atomic bomb was dropped.
In his speech, Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue praised US President Barack Obama's appeal for a nuclear-free world. He called on people everywhere to declare their support for Obama and take steps to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.
UN General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto said he came to Japan to express solidarity with the victims and survivors of one of the greatest atrocities the world has ever witnessed.
At the Mayors for Peace conference, atomic bomb survivors and citizens collected signatures to urge Obama to visit Nagasaki.
A participant from Belgium, who signed the petition, said visiting Nagasaki and listening to survivors' accounts made him realize the importance of abolishing nuclear weapons.
He added that leaders from all over the world should visit Nagasaki.
2009/08/09 22:44(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
2009年8月8日土曜日
Lay judges say trial time was tight
Japan's first lay judges described their experience as stressful. They said it was hard to deliberate and hand down a ruling in just four days.
The trial, held at the Tokyo District Court, closed on Thursday. Six lay judges and three professional judges tried a murder case. They sentenced the male defendant to 15 years in prison.
After the ruling, a male lay judge told reporters that the schedule was tight. He said he got tired because he had to handle a vast amount of information, adding that he had to check the record and other documents even during the 30-minute breaks.
A female lay judge said it was difficult to draw conclusions in such a limited time.
Defense lawyers needed more time than usual to prepare for the session. They said they had to work through the night on the eve of their closing arguments.
The court had estimated that four days would be enough for lay judges to settle the case, where the defendant had admitted the charges.
The trial, held at the Tokyo District Court, closed on Thursday. Six lay judges and three professional judges tried a murder case. They sentenced the male defendant to 15 years in prison.
After the ruling, a male lay judge told reporters that the schedule was tight. He said he got tired because he had to handle a vast amount of information, adding that he had to check the record and other documents even during the 30-minute breaks.
A female lay judge said it was difficult to draw conclusions in such a limited time.
Defense lawyers needed more time than usual to prepare for the session. They said they had to work through the night on the eve of their closing arguments.
The court had estimated that four days would be enough for lay judges to settle the case, where the defendant had admitted the charges.
DNA test links Noriko Sakai to stimulants
Tokyo police say they have reason to believe missing pop singer and actress Noriko Sakai was personally using illegal stimulants.
They are looking for the 38-year-old after obtaining an arrest warrant for her on Friday on suspicion of illegal drug possession.
Police say a raid on Sakai's condominium in central Tokyo turned up traces of stimulants and a device for inhaling such substances. The DNA on the inhalation device is a match for Sakai's.
The singer's real name is Noriko Takaso. She went missing on Monday, hours after her husband was arrested on the same charge.
Police say her husband has said the items found in the residence do not belong to him.
They are looking for the 38-year-old after obtaining an arrest warrant for her on Friday on suspicion of illegal drug possession.
Police say a raid on Sakai's condominium in central Tokyo turned up traces of stimulants and a device for inhaling such substances. The DNA on the inhalation device is a match for Sakai's.
The singer's real name is Noriko Takaso. She went missing on Monday, hours after her husband was arrested on the same charge.
Police say her husband has said the items found in the residence do not belong to him.
2009年8月3日月曜日
Poor weather causes vegetables prices to rise
Rainy weather and a lack of sunshine in many parts of Japan has created shortages of vegetables and caused wholesale prices to rise.
The farm ministry says the average price of 14 major fresh vegetables traded at the Tokyo metropolitan central wholesale market in July was 160 yen per kilogram, or about 1.7 dollars. That's 5 percent higher than normal.
In particular, the price of potatoes from areas around Tokyo and elsewhere has soared by about 60 percent. Onions from southwestern Japan and elsewhere are up 36 percent. Tomatoes from northeastern regions have risen 14 percent and carrots are up by 6 percent.
By contrast, the prices of cabbage and Chinese cabbage from Nagano Prefecture in central Japan and Gunma Prefecture north of Tokyo, where weather has been more stable, have fallen by some 13 percent, due to abundant crops.
Market sources say vegetable shipments from Hokkaido in northern Japan are about to move into top gear, but poor weather conditions in the region are likely to keep prices of potatoes and onions high for the time being.
2009年8月1日土曜日
Jobless rate rises to 5.4% in June
Japan's unemployment rate worsened to 5.4 percent in June.
The internal affairs ministry says the seasonally adjusted jobless rate was up 0.2 percentage points from a month earlier and close to the all-time high of 5.5 percent recorded in April 2003.
The number of workers fell by 1.51 million from a year earlier to 63 million.
The number of jobless increased by a record 830,000 to 3.48 million.
In a separate report, the labor ministry says the ratio of job offers to job seekers in June dropped by 0.01 point from May to 0.43, meaning there were 43 jobs available for every 100 on offer. It was the lowest on record for the second straight month.
For permanent positions, the ratio of job offers to job seekers was at 0.24, the same as May and the lowest on record.
The labor ministry says the deterioration of the employment situation has eased but, as yet, there are no signs of improvement.
It says the severe job situation may continue for some time as industrial production is recovering but at low levels.
2009/07/31 10:53(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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The internal affairs ministry says the seasonally adjusted jobless rate was up 0.2 percentage points from a month earlier and close to the all-time high of 5.5 percent recorded in April 2003.
The number of workers fell by 1.51 million from a year earlier to 63 million.
The number of jobless increased by a record 830,000 to 3.48 million.
In a separate report, the labor ministry says the ratio of job offers to job seekers in June dropped by 0.01 point from May to 0.43, meaning there were 43 jobs available for every 100 on offer. It was the lowest on record for the second straight month.
For permanent positions, the ratio of job offers to job seekers was at 0.24, the same as May and the lowest on record.
The labor ministry says the deterioration of the employment situation has eased but, as yet, there are no signs of improvement.
It says the severe job situation may continue for some time as industrial production is recovering but at low levels.
2009/07/31 10:53(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
Video Quality
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2009年7月30日木曜日
Japan's industrial output rises 2.4% in June
Japan's industrial output rose 2.4 percent in June from the previous month, marking the 4th consecutive month of increase.
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said on Thursday that the industrial output index stood at 81 in June, against a base of 100 for 2005.
The rise is attributed to increases in production of steel for automobiles, and semiconductors for cell phones and game consoles.
The ministry says major manufacturers are forecasting that production will rise 1.6 percent in July and 3.3 percent in August.
The ministry says the recent government stimulus measures are helping to revive industrial output, as indicated by increased production of hybrid vehicles and liquid crystal display TVs.
It also cautions that production levels remain low, and that it will keep a close watch on future trends.
2009年7月29日水曜日
Children's baseball event starts in Tokyo
An international children's baseball event has started in Tokyo as a prelude to next year's World Children's Baseball Fair.
Young players from Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Germany, Taiwan and Japan are taking part in the friendship event organized by the World Children's Baseball Foundation in Tokyo.
In the opening ceremony on Wednesday, the foundation chief, Sadaru Oh, said he wants to help children have good memories of playing baseball.
Oh, who holds the world record for home runs in a top league, was the manager of the Japanese national team that won the first World Baseball Classic tournament in 2006.
Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara was in the batter's box when Choji Murata, a former leading pitcher of Japan's Pacific League team, the Lotte Lions, threw the ceremonial first ball. The governor swung at the ball and missed despite his promise to hit a home run.
Girls' teams from Tokyo's Adachi Ward and Canada met for the day's first game before a cheering crowd of spectators.
More than 20 countries are to take part in the World Children's Baseball Fair scheduled for July 2010 in Tokyo.
Young players from Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Germany, Taiwan and Japan are taking part in the friendship event organized by the World Children's Baseball Foundation in Tokyo.
In the opening ceremony on Wednesday, the foundation chief, Sadaru Oh, said he wants to help children have good memories of playing baseball.
Oh, who holds the world record for home runs in a top league, was the manager of the Japanese national team that won the first World Baseball Classic tournament in 2006.
Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara was in the batter's box when Choji Murata, a former leading pitcher of Japan's Pacific League team, the Lotte Lions, threw the ceremonial first ball. The governor swung at the ball and missed despite his promise to hit a home run.
Girls' teams from Tokyo's Adachi Ward and Canada met for the day's first game before a cheering crowd of spectators.
More than 20 countries are to take part in the World Children's Baseball Fair scheduled for July 2010 in Tokyo.
2009年7月28日火曜日
Obesity costing US $147 bil. annually
US health authorities say obesity is costing the country 147-billion dollars annually, and warn that the burden could further increase unless the problem is tackled.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the cost of treating diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses tied to obesity.
The CDC found that the cost had risen to 147-billion dollars, or 9.1 percent of total medical spending, in 2006.
People who are obese were spending about 1,400 dollars more on health care, or about 40 percent more than people of normal weight.
The CDC says obesity-related illnesses are pushing up overall US medical costs. It says that society-wide programs, rather than individual efforts alone, are necessary to counter the problem.
The CDC has issued a set of 24 recommendations to help prevent obesity. The strategies urge communities and schools to promote healthy eating and more physical activity.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the cost of treating diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses tied to obesity.
The CDC found that the cost had risen to 147-billion dollars, or 9.1 percent of total medical spending, in 2006.
People who are obese were spending about 1,400 dollars more on health care, or about 40 percent more than people of normal weight.
The CDC says obesity-related illnesses are pushing up overall US medical costs. It says that society-wide programs, rather than individual efforts alone, are necessary to counter the problem.
The CDC has issued a set of 24 recommendations to help prevent obesity. The strategies urge communities and schools to promote healthy eating and more physical activity.
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