Officials in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, have begun destroying some 23,000 chickens at a poultry farm that's been hit by bird flu.
The highly virulent H5 strain of the avian flu virus was detected in 5 chickens that were found dead at the farm in Yasugi city on Monday.
On Tuesday, dozens of officials in protective gear arrived at the farm to destroy all its chickens.
In addition, movement of chickens and eggs has been restricted at 4 other poultry farms within 10 kilometers of the site.
Officials say no other suspected cases of bird flu have been reported in Shimane or in neighboring Tottori Prefecture.
The Environment Ministry has begun an emergency survey of areas around the infected farm to see if there are any dead wild birds. No abnormalities have been reported so far.
The ministry has also decided to postpone the transfer of 4 Japanese crested ibises to Izumo city, in Shimane Prefecture, from Sado Island, in Niigata Prefecture, that had been planned for Friday this week.
The transfer is part of a scheme to breed the endangered birds at different locations to lower the risk of decimation from disease.
Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:33:00 +0900(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
2010年11月30日火曜日
2010年11月26日金曜日
Toyota robot wins 2010 award
The 2010 Robot of the Year Award has been given to an industrial robot that puts spare tires in car trunks on automobile assembly lines.
The award, established by Japan's industry ministry, is aimed at promoting the practical use of robots.
At the award ceremony in Tokyo on Friday, the brainchild of a group led by Toyota Motor was given the top award for its superior design.
Industrial robots are usually not safe enough to use near humans. But this robot can work with people on the same assembly line, as it is equipped with functions to prevent workers from being hurt in accidents.
Eleven other robots were also given awards at the ceremony. They include a biped robot that can change its facial expression and hold simple conversations.
The robot was even used in a fashion show.
Another award-winning robot is designed to harvest strawberries. With its camera and sensor, the robot can choose ripe berries and pick them without damaging them.
The award, established by Japan's industry ministry, is aimed at promoting the practical use of robots.
At the award ceremony in Tokyo on Friday, the brainchild of a group led by Toyota Motor was given the top award for its superior design.
Industrial robots are usually not safe enough to use near humans. But this robot can work with people on the same assembly line, as it is equipped with functions to prevent workers from being hurt in accidents.
Eleven other robots were also given awards at the ceremony. They include a biped robot that can change its facial expression and hold simple conversations.
The robot was even used in a fashion show.
Another award-winning robot is designed to harvest strawberries. With its camera and sensor, the robot can choose ripe berries and pick them without damaging them.
Rabbits for New Year
Preparations are gathering pace for Japan's New Year celebrations, which will ring in the Year of the Rabbit.
At the Dazaifu-Tenmangu shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan, female attendants are turning out thousands of good-luck charms inspired by rabbits, which will be sold over the New Year period.
The shrine is dedicated to the 10th century statesman, Sugawara Michizane, revered as a god of learning and the arts.
In the shrine's main hall, female attendants clad in traditional hakama costume are attaching rabbit plaques to sacred arrows, or 'hamaya'. They are also hand-painting miniature decorative rabbits.
Like the creatures in real life, the rabbit charms are multiplying rapidly, with the shrine aiming to produce some 100 thousand of them by December 20th.
One of the female attendants says she is crafting each rabbit while praying for good health for all through 2011.
The shrine is expecting more than 2 million worshippers during the first 3 days of the New Year.
At the Dazaifu-Tenmangu shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan, female attendants are turning out thousands of good-luck charms inspired by rabbits, which will be sold over the New Year period.
The shrine is dedicated to the 10th century statesman, Sugawara Michizane, revered as a god of learning and the arts.
In the shrine's main hall, female attendants clad in traditional hakama costume are attaching rabbit plaques to sacred arrows, or 'hamaya'. They are also hand-painting miniature decorative rabbits.
Like the creatures in real life, the rabbit charms are multiplying rapidly, with the shrine aiming to produce some 100 thousand of them by December 20th.
One of the female attendants says she is crafting each rabbit while praying for good health for all through 2011.
The shrine is expecting more than 2 million worshippers during the first 3 days of the New Year.
2010年11月25日木曜日
Death sentence for minor defendant
A district court in Japan has handed down Japan's first death sentence for a minor in a lay judge court, to a youth who was 18 years old when he murdered 2 women and injured a man.
The defendant was indicted for breaking into a house in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, last February, and
stabbing to death his former girlfriend's sister and friend.
The defendant had admitted to the charges, so the lay judge court was tasked with deciding on punishment.
Prosecutors demanded the death sentence.
In Thursday's ruling, Presiding Judge Nobuyuki Suzuki of the Sendai District Court said the defendant broke into the house with a strong intent to kill anyone who would stop him from taking his ex-girlfriend. The judge called the crime cruel and extremely brutal.
The judge said the defendant said words of repentance but only superficially, and did not recognize the seriousness of his crime. The judge added that it is highly unlikely that the defendant can be rehabilitated.
The judge said the court found that the defendant's age at the time of the crime is no reason for him to escape capital punishment.
The defendant was indicted for breaking into a house in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, last February, and
stabbing to death his former girlfriend's sister and friend.
The defendant had admitted to the charges, so the lay judge court was tasked with deciding on punishment.
Prosecutors demanded the death sentence.
In Thursday's ruling, Presiding Judge Nobuyuki Suzuki of the Sendai District Court said the defendant broke into the house with a strong intent to kill anyone who would stop him from taking his ex-girlfriend. The judge called the crime cruel and extremely brutal.
The judge said the defendant said words of repentance but only superficially, and did not recognize the seriousness of his crime. The judge added that it is highly unlikely that the defendant can be rehabilitated.
The judge said the court found that the defendant's age at the time of the crime is no reason for him to escape capital punishment.
2010年11月24日水曜日
Year-end lottery tickets go on sale
Annual year-end lottery tickets have gone on sale across Japan, with a payout of more than 2.4 million dollars for each top prize winner.
About 1,000 people were lined up at a lottery ticket booth in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district when sales began at 8:30 Wednesday morning. Some people had been in line since Tuesday afternoon.
The booth is popular among lottery fans because it sold 3 tickets that hit the jackpot in each of the past 2 years.
A 37-year-old company worker who was first in line told NHK that if he wins, he plans to travel around the world.
A woman in her 60s said she would save the money for her old age.
Lottery sales have been in decline since peaking in 2001. The operator says it has doubled the number of top- and second-prize winners from last year to 444, in an effort to boost sales.
Tickets will be on sale until December 24th. The winners will be drawn on New Year's Eve.
About 1,000 people were lined up at a lottery ticket booth in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district when sales began at 8:30 Wednesday morning. Some people had been in line since Tuesday afternoon.
The booth is popular among lottery fans because it sold 3 tickets that hit the jackpot in each of the past 2 years.
A 37-year-old company worker who was first in line told NHK that if he wins, he plans to travel around the world.
A woman in her 60s said she would save the money for her old age.
Lottery sales have been in decline since peaking in 2001. The operator says it has doubled the number of top- and second-prize winners from last year to 444, in an effort to boost sales.
Tickets will be on sale until December 24th. The winners will be drawn on New Year's Eve.
2010年11月23日火曜日
Hot-water bottles a winter hit
With winter approaching, an age-old heating system is making a comeback in Japan.
Ceramic makers in the central prefecture of Gifu are reporting brisk sales of hot-water bottles, which offer an environmentally friendly way to beat the cold.
Many hot-water bottles in Japan are made of steel. But ceramic ones are proving increasingly popular as they retain heat longer.
Toru Kato is a ceramic master in Gifu's Tajimi City, one of Japan's centers of ceramic manufacturing.
He makes hot-water bottles in the shape of rabbits or hedgehogs as well as basic ovals. He glazes them, then dries them under the sun, turning them slowly.
Kato says that, as an artisan, he is happy if people feel affection for his bottles
2010年11月20日土曜日
Quake drill held at Tokyo Tower
An earthquake drill has been held at Tokyo Tower to rescue many injured people from its 150-meter-high observatory.
About 200 people, including firefighters, took part in the first drill of its kind on Saturday on the assumption that a strong earthquake occurred with a focus in Tokyo Bay.
Rescue workers carrying stretchers ran up about 600 steps to reach the observatory in about 10 minutes.
The observatory is situated around the middle of the tower, which is as tall as a 30-story building.
The workers put mannequins weighing about 30 kilograms onto stretchers and carried them down in teams of 4 members.
The workers called out to each other so that the stretchers would not hit the walls of the narrow staircase. They completed the drill in about 2 hours.
About 200 people, including firefighters, took part in the first drill of its kind on Saturday on the assumption that a strong earthquake occurred with a focus in Tokyo Bay.
Rescue workers carrying stretchers ran up about 600 steps to reach the observatory in about 10 minutes.
The observatory is situated around the middle of the tower, which is as tall as a 30-story building.
The workers put mannequins weighing about 30 kilograms onto stretchers and carried them down in teams of 4 members.
The workers called out to each other so that the stretchers would not hit the walls of the narrow staircase. They completed the drill in about 2 hours.
2010年11月19日金曜日
Mt Fuji to be designated historical site
The Japanese government will designate Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, as a national historical site.
A Cultural Affairs Agency panel recommended to the culture minister on Friday that the mountain and 10 other sites be officially recognized for their importance to Japanese culture.
Located on the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, the 3,776-meter-high mountain, which is also an active volcano, is a world famous symbol of Japan.
Mt Fuji is also worshipped as a sacred mountain and continues to attract pilgrims. In the ancient poetry book Manyoshu, the mountain is described as a pacifying deity.
The mountain has been legally protected as a place of special scenic beauty, but the new recommendation gives it additional recognition for its place in Japan's history of mountain worship.
A Cultural Affairs Agency panel recommended to the culture minister on Friday that the mountain and 10 other sites be officially recognized for their importance to Japanese culture.
Located on the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, the 3,776-meter-high mountain, which is also an active volcano, is a world famous symbol of Japan.
Mt Fuji is also worshipped as a sacred mountain and continues to attract pilgrims. In the ancient poetry book Manyoshu, the mountain is described as a pacifying deity.
The mountain has been legally protected as a place of special scenic beauty, but the new recommendation gives it additional recognition for its place in Japan's history of mountain worship.
2010年11月17日水曜日
Kyoto Imperial Palace opens to public
The Kyoto Imperial Palace has opened to the public for its annual autumn showing, drawing crowds of visitors to the normally off-limits structure.
Viewing the former official residence of the Japanese emperors in the ancient capital usually requires advance permission, but this is waived twice a year in spring and autumn.
On Wednesday more than 500 people were waiting outside when the palace gates opened at 9 AM.
Visitors are allowed to tour 7 of the palace buildings, including the emperors' living quarters called Seiryo-den, and a ceremony hall called Shishin-den.
In the Seiryo-den, figures of ancient officials who worked at the palace were exhibited, recreating how they prepared emperors' winter wardrobes, personal effects and furniture.
A visitor from Yokohama said the view of the historic palace buildings amid autumn leaves was just beautiful.
The public opening continues through Sunday.
Viewing the former official residence of the Japanese emperors in the ancient capital usually requires advance permission, but this is waived twice a year in spring and autumn.
On Wednesday more than 500 people were waiting outside when the palace gates opened at 9 AM.
Visitors are allowed to tour 7 of the palace buildings, including the emperors' living quarters called Seiryo-den, and a ceremony hall called Shishin-den.
In the Seiryo-den, figures of ancient officials who worked at the palace were exhibited, recreating how they prepared emperors' winter wardrobes, personal effects and furniture.
A visitor from Yokohama said the view of the historic palace buildings amid autumn leaves was just beautiful.
The public opening continues through Sunday.
2010年11月13日土曜日
Yokohama under heavy security for APEC summit
Tight security is in force in Yokohama during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit.
Police officers are patrolling around the summit venue in the Minato Mirai shopping and business district and checking vehicles travelling nearby.
At a shopping center that is usually crowded on weekends, policemen are on patrol everywhere in sharp contrast to few customers.
Some other facilities have decided to close during the 2-day APEC summit that ends on Sunday.
An amusement park located across the street from the summit venue is closed from Thursday through Sunday as it fears heavy security in the area may inconvenience visitors.
Police officers are patrolling around the summit venue in the Minato Mirai shopping and business district and checking vehicles travelling nearby.
At a shopping center that is usually crowded on weekends, policemen are on patrol everywhere in sharp contrast to few customers.
Some other facilities have decided to close during the 2-day APEC summit that ends on Sunday.
An amusement park located across the street from the summit venue is closed from Thursday through Sunday as it fears heavy security in the area may inconvenience visitors.
2010年11月8日月曜日
Turnip pickling in Kyoto
The pickling of turnips, known as "senmaizuke", started in Kyoto on Sunday, the first day of winter according to the traditional Japanese calendar.
One of the city's culinary specialties is made from shaved "Shogoin" turnips.
The turnips get sweeter as nighttime temperatures start to drop around this time of year.
Skilled workers at a pickle factory peeled the turnips, which are 20 centimeters in diameter and weigh about 2 kilograms, and shaved off thin slices using special planes.
They arranged the shaved turnips in wooden barrels in fan shapes, and then sprinkled salt on them.
The turnips are taken out of the barrels after 3 days and soaked in a soup stock with kelp.
The hot summer caused a shortage of turnips, but the supply stabilized last month.
The factory's foreman says they will work hard to meet rising demand toward the year end.
The pickling work will continue until April.
One of the city's culinary specialties is made from shaved "Shogoin" turnips.
The turnips get sweeter as nighttime temperatures start to drop around this time of year.
Skilled workers at a pickle factory peeled the turnips, which are 20 centimeters in diameter and weigh about 2 kilograms, and shaved off thin slices using special planes.
They arranged the shaved turnips in wooden barrels in fan shapes, and then sprinkled salt on them.
The turnips are taken out of the barrels after 3 days and soaked in a soup stock with kelp.
The hot summer caused a shortage of turnips, but the supply stabilized last month.
The factory's foreman says they will work hard to meet rising demand toward the year end.
The pickling work will continue until April.
2010年11月4日木曜日
Record number of households on welfare in July
A record number of households in Japan, almost 1.4 million, were receiving welfare benefits in July.
The labor and welfare ministry says the number marks an increase of nearly 12,000 from the previous month.
Among the recipients, 2,666 were elderly people, 1,204 were single mothers, and 1,084 were disabled people.
The largest percentage of recipient households, numbering 4,429, included the unemployed.
Due to the worsening job situation, the number of households on welfare has risen by 11 percent in the past 12 months with an additional 145 thousand recipients.
The number of individuals on welfare in July also increased by about 17,000 to more than 1.9 million from the previous month.
The ministry says it will focus on helping the unemployed find jobs.
The labor and welfare ministry says the number marks an increase of nearly 12,000 from the previous month.
Among the recipients, 2,666 were elderly people, 1,204 were single mothers, and 1,084 were disabled people.
The largest percentage of recipient households, numbering 4,429, included the unemployed.
Due to the worsening job situation, the number of households on welfare has risen by 11 percent in the past 12 months with an additional 145 thousand recipients.
The number of individuals on welfare in July also increased by about 17,000 to more than 1.9 million from the previous month.
The ministry says it will focus on helping the unemployed find jobs.
2010年11月3日水曜日
Illuminations turned on in Yokohama's Chinatown
Illuminations have been turned on early in Yokohama's Chinatown in honor of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings that open on Sunday.
In a lighting ceremony on Monday night, a representative from an association of local restaurants and shops that organized the event and the mayor of Yokohama City activated 28,000 lights decorating trees on the streets of Chinatown.
Crowds gathered to see the flower- and lantern-shaped lights that carry a message welcoming the APEC forum.
The district's annual illumination usually starts in December to celebrate the Chinese New Year on the lunar calendar. The special lighting will continue everyday through the end of February next year.
In a lighting ceremony on Monday night, a representative from an association of local restaurants and shops that organized the event and the mayor of Yokohama City activated 28,000 lights decorating trees on the streets of Chinatown.
Crowds gathered to see the flower- and lantern-shaped lights that carry a message welcoming the APEC forum.
The district's annual illumination usually starts in December to celebrate the Chinese New Year on the lunar calendar. The special lighting will continue everyday through the end of February next year.
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