A parade was held in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Monday to call for the return of 4 Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
The parade, the first of its kind, was held on the anniversary of the signing of the 1855 Russo-Japan treaty that recognized the 4 islands as Japanese territory.
It followed visits by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and senior defense officials to the disputed islands in recent months.
About 100 people, including former residents of the islands and the governor of Hokkaido Prefecture, took part. They chanted that the islands are an integral part of Japan as they marched through the city center for half an hour.
A college student says he hopes the parade will raise awareness of the territorial issue among young people like himself.
A participant in his 80s says he hopes Russia will return the islands soon despite the strained bilateral relationship.
The former Soviet Union seized the islands shortly after World War Two ended in 1945.
2011年2月7日月曜日
2011年2月3日木曜日
Women more likely to become Internet addicts
Japan's first large-scale public survey on online habits suggests that women are more likely than men to become addicted to the Internet.
The government commissioned a University of Tokyo research team to question about 64,000 Internet users, starting last September, about the effects of their online activities.
The team concluded that 15 percent of online computer game players, 11 percent of mobile networking service users and 6 percent of mobile game players are addicts.
Women showed a higher level of addiction in all online services, particularly mobile games.
In addition, 52 percent of male and female addicts said they feel burdened by online personal relations.
The research team theorizes that women have a higher tendency to vent their emotions online, and become dependent on the Internet because they find it harder to detach themselves from their online acquaintances.
The government commissioned a University of Tokyo research team to question about 64,000 Internet users, starting last September, about the effects of their online activities.
The team concluded that 15 percent of online computer game players, 11 percent of mobile networking service users and 6 percent of mobile game players are addicts.
Women showed a higher level of addiction in all online services, particularly mobile games.
In addition, 52 percent of male and female addicts said they feel burdened by online personal relations.
The research team theorizes that women have a higher tendency to vent their emotions online, and become dependent on the Internet because they find it harder to detach themselves from their online acquaintances.
Mount Shinmoe continues erupting
Mount Shinmoe on Japan's southern Kyushu Island continues to violently erupt.
The volcano in the Kirishima mountain range erupted in the morning and around noon on Thursday. Columns of smoke from the second eruption reached as high as 2,500 meters.
Thursday's third explosion occurred in the evening, with smoke rising up to 2,000 meters.
Aerial observation by the Meteorological Agency on Thursday found little change in the size and temperature of the build up of lava, which has grown to about 600 meters in diameter.
Officials from the agency say volcanic gas continues to build up under lava covering the crater, and warn that eruptions as violent as those on Tuesday could continue.
The officials are warning against approaching within four kilometers of the crater. They are also advising people outside the exclusion zone to be on the alert for flying volcanic rocks and ash, as well as powerful shock waves.
A government committee on the prediction of volcanic eruptions said on Thursday that explosions at Mount Shinmoe are likely to continue for some time.
Experts on the committee say the ongoing volcanic activities are the first full-fledged magmatic eruptions at the volcano in about 300 years, citing the volcano's eruptions in the 1700s that lasted about two years.
The volcano in the Kirishima mountain range erupted in the morning and around noon on Thursday. Columns of smoke from the second eruption reached as high as 2,500 meters.
Thursday's third explosion occurred in the evening, with smoke rising up to 2,000 meters.
Aerial observation by the Meteorological Agency on Thursday found little change in the size and temperature of the build up of lava, which has grown to about 600 meters in diameter.
Officials from the agency say volcanic gas continues to build up under lava covering the crater, and warn that eruptions as violent as those on Tuesday could continue.
The officials are warning against approaching within four kilometers of the crater. They are also advising people outside the exclusion zone to be on the alert for flying volcanic rocks and ash, as well as powerful shock waves.
A government committee on the prediction of volcanic eruptions said on Thursday that explosions at Mount Shinmoe are likely to continue for some time.
Experts on the committee say the ongoing volcanic activities are the first full-fledged magmatic eruptions at the volcano in about 300 years, citing the volcano's eruptions in the 1700s that lasted about two years.
Mount Shinmoe continues erupting
Mount Shinmoe on Japan's southern Kyushu Island continues to violently erupt.
The volcano in the Kirishima mountain range erupted in the morning and around noon on Thursday. Columns of smoke from the second eruption reached as high as 2,500 meters.
Thursday's third explosion occurred in the evening, with smoke rising up to 2,000 meters.
Aerial observation by the Meteorological Agency on Thursday found little change in the size and temperature of the build up of lava, which has grown to about 600 meters in diameter.
Officials from the agency say volcanic gas continues to build up under lava covering the crater, and warn that eruptions as violent as those on Tuesday could continue.
The officials are warning against approaching within four kilometers of the crater. They are also advising people outside the exclusion zone to be on the alert for flying volcanic rocks and ash, as well as powerful shock waves.
A government committee on the prediction of volcanic eruptions said on Thursday that explosions at Mount Shinmoe are likely to continue for some time.
Experts on the committee say the ongoing volcanic activities are the first full-fledged magmatic eruptions at the volcano in about 300 years, citing the volcano's eruptions in the 1700s that lasted about two years.
The volcano in the Kirishima mountain range erupted in the morning and around noon on Thursday. Columns of smoke from the second eruption reached as high as 2,500 meters.
Thursday's third explosion occurred in the evening, with smoke rising up to 2,000 meters.
Aerial observation by the Meteorological Agency on Thursday found little change in the size and temperature of the build up of lava, which has grown to about 600 meters in diameter.
Officials from the agency say volcanic gas continues to build up under lava covering the crater, and warn that eruptions as violent as those on Tuesday could continue.
The officials are warning against approaching within four kilometers of the crater. They are also advising people outside the exclusion zone to be on the alert for flying volcanic rocks and ash, as well as powerful shock waves.
A government committee on the prediction of volcanic eruptions said on Thursday that explosions at Mount Shinmoe are likely to continue for some time.
Experts on the committee say the ongoing volcanic activities are the first full-fledged magmatic eruptions at the volcano in about 300 years, citing the volcano's eruptions in the 1700s that lasted about two years.
Bean-scattering rite held at Shinshoji temple
A traditional event of scattering beans to drive away evil spirits took place at Naritasan Shinshoji temple, east of Tokyo, on Thursday.
Actress Juri Ueno, who is starring in NHK's epic drama "Go," and other celebrities threw beans from a platform set up in front of the temple's main hall. People who packed the venue rushed to catch the beans.
Bean-throwers at Shinshoji only shout "Fukuwa uchi!," meaning "Good luck in!," whereas the phrase "Oniwa soto!," or "Demons out!," is also shouted at the traditional rite practiced all across Japan.
The unique practice at Shinshoji is based on the legend that even demons repented thanks to the mercy shown by the divine figure enshrined at the temple.
About 40,000 people visited the temple for the event, in which a total 1,260 kilograms of beans were scattered.
Actress Juri Ueno, who is starring in NHK's epic drama "Go," and other celebrities threw beans from a platform set up in front of the temple's main hall. People who packed the venue rushed to catch the beans.
Bean-throwers at Shinshoji only shout "Fukuwa uchi!," meaning "Good luck in!," whereas the phrase "Oniwa soto!," or "Demons out!," is also shouted at the traditional rite practiced all across Japan.
The unique practice at Shinshoji is based on the legend that even demons repented thanks to the mercy shown by the divine figure enshrined at the temple.
About 40,000 people visited the temple for the event, in which a total 1,260 kilograms of beans were scattered.
Sumo association holds emergency meeting
The Japan Sumo Association has pledged to look into allegations of match-fixing. It also said if the allegations are confirmed, it will severely punish those involved because such acts are a betrayal of sumo fans' trust.
Chairman Hanaregoma met reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday, after the association held an emergency executive meeting to discuss how to handle the matter.
The chairman said the association has set up an investigative panel consisting of 7 outside experts.
Tokyo police found e-mail messages suggesting bout-fixing on cell phones of a wrestler and a former wrestler who is now a stable master. The phones were confiscated during a probe into illegal betting on professional baseball games within the sumo world.
Hanaregoma said he is indignant and sorry about having to meet reporters over a new problem, which he believes the sumo world hadn't had before. He apologized to fans for causing concern.
The chairman said the association has yet to determine the truth, although it interviewed 12 of the 13 wrestlers and stable masters whose names are mentioned in the messages in question.
He promised to make the results of the inquiry known to reporters as soon as they become available.
Chairman Hanaregoma met reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday, after the association held an emergency executive meeting to discuss how to handle the matter.
The chairman said the association has set up an investigative panel consisting of 7 outside experts.
Tokyo police found e-mail messages suggesting bout-fixing on cell phones of a wrestler and a former wrestler who is now a stable master. The phones were confiscated during a probe into illegal betting on professional baseball games within the sumo world.
Hanaregoma said he is indignant and sorry about having to meet reporters over a new problem, which he believes the sumo world hadn't had before. He apologized to fans for causing concern.
The chairman said the association has yet to determine the truth, although it interviewed 12 of the 13 wrestlers and stable masters whose names are mentioned in the messages in question.
He promised to make the results of the inquiry known to reporters as soon as they become available.
Sumo stable master, 2 wrestlers admit bout-fixing
Sources at the Japan Sumo Association say 2 sumo wrestlers and a stable master have admitted their involvement in match-fixing.
The sources say the 3 are former wrestler and current stable master Takenawa, as well as wrestlers Chiyohakuho in the 2nd tier juryo division and lower-ranked Enatsukasa. The sources say they made the admissions to questioning by the association's board on Wednesday.
The 3 are among 13 wrestlers and stable masters who exchanged or were mentioned in e-mails suggesting bout-fixing. Tokyo police found the texts on mobile phones of a wrestler and stable master. The phones were confiscated during a probe into illegal gambling on professional baseball games in the sumo world.
The sources say Takenawa and Chiyohakuho confessed to fixing bouts while Enatsukasa admitted his role as a go-between.
The sources also say Chiyohakuho has implicated another wrestler, apart from the 13 linked to the e-mails, as his opponent in a fixed bout.
The sumo association has set up a special investigative panel of outside experts to probe the allegations. On Thursday, the panel will begin questioning the 14 suspected wrestlers and stable masters to find out what took place and whether any others were involved.
The sources say the 3 are former wrestler and current stable master Takenawa, as well as wrestlers Chiyohakuho in the 2nd tier juryo division and lower-ranked Enatsukasa. The sources say they made the admissions to questioning by the association's board on Wednesday.
The 3 are among 13 wrestlers and stable masters who exchanged or were mentioned in e-mails suggesting bout-fixing. Tokyo police found the texts on mobile phones of a wrestler and stable master. The phones were confiscated during a probe into illegal gambling on professional baseball games in the sumo world.
The sources say Takenawa and Chiyohakuho confessed to fixing bouts while Enatsukasa admitted his role as a go-between.
The sources also say Chiyohakuho has implicated another wrestler, apart from the 13 linked to the e-mails, as his opponent in a fixed bout.
The sumo association has set up a special investigative panel of outside experts to probe the allegations. On Thursday, the panel will begin questioning the 14 suspected wrestlers and stable masters to find out what took place and whether any others were involved.
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