Main news(2024/08/23)
Government to compile basic guidelines for improving disaster response, including the creation of a "disaster prevention supervisor"
2024-08-23 21:50:00
Learning from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the government has drawn up basic guidelines for improving disaster response. In order to strengthen the command center function, a new position of "Disaster Prevention Supervisor" will be created within the government, and a system of 1,000 people will be secured so that the national government can immediately provide support in the event of a disaster.
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"The tournament is starting to change" - how will they combat the scorching heat?
2024-08-23 21:47:00
Sweat dripping under the scorching sunlight. This summer's Koshien tournament was held amidst scorching heat. The "two-part system" was introduced for the first time as a measure to combat the heat. Games were played in the morning and evening, avoiding the times when the temperature rises. What is the best way to continue high school baseball in the middle of summer? (Koshien Reporting Team, Nakamura Takuto)
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Former Shimane Prefecture Governor Zenbei Mizoguchi passes away at age 78. Former Finance Ministry official
2024-08-23 21:37:00
Mr. Zenbei Mizoguchi, a former financial affairs official at the Ministry of Finance who served as the Governor of Shimane Prefecture for three terms and 12 years until 2019, passed away on the 20th of this month due to old age. He was 78 years old.
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64-year-old suspect wanted for allegedly getting into woman's car, stealing it and fleeing in Toyama
2024-08-23 21:22:00
Police have issued a nationwide wanted arrest warrant for a 64-year-old suspect on suspicion of robbery and other crimes after he got into the car of a woman in her 70s in the parking lot of a shopping center in Toyama City this month, let the woman drive, and then stole the car and fled.
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Removal of nuclear fuel debris delayed: "Measures should be taken, such as investigating the cause" - Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito
2024-08-23 20:52:00
Following the issue of the test removal of nuclear fuel debris at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant being postponed due to an installation error in the equipment, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito met with Tokyo Electric Power Company President Tomoaki Kobayakawa and asked him to take necessary measures, including investigating the cause.
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The 171st Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize Award Ceremony: Three winners speak of their joy
2024-08-23 19:54:00
The presentation ceremony for the 171st Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize was held in Tokyo, with the three winning authors expressing their joy.
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Archery athlete Shigesada withdraws from Paralympics after being ordered to pay compensation
2024-08-23 19:41:00
Following a lawsuit filed by an archer from the same sport against Japan's archery representative at the Paris Paralympics, for defamation, and an order to pay compensation, the Japanese Paralympic Committee (JPC) announced that Shigesada had requested to withdraw from the Paris Games and had been removed from the Japanese delegation.
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Shiga Konan city employee photographs remains at funeral home, shares with acquaintance, apologizes to bereaved family
2024-08-23 18:28:00
It was discovered that in January of this year, a city employee at a funeral parlor in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture, had taken a photo of the remains in a crematorium and shared the photo with an acquaintance via LINE. The city has apologized to the family, and the mayor stated at a press conference on the 23rd that "this is something that a human being should not do."
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Mycoplasma pneumonia outbreak: first in 8 years; risk of infection spreading unnoticed
2024-08-23 18:24:00
The number of patients with "Mycoplasma pneumonia," which is often contracted by children and is characterized by symptoms such as fever and a prolonged cough, has been increasing rapidly, reaching levels not seen since 2016, eight years ago, when it was at an epidemic level. What exactly are the symptoms? How can you avoid overlooking them when visiting a doctor? The article also introduces a doctor's explanation.
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Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen "Planned service suspension possible due to approach of Typhoon No. 10"
2024-08-23 18:15:00
Regarding the Tokaido Shinkansen operation plans due to the approach of Typhoon No. 10, JR Central has announced that there is a possibility of planned service suspension or long-term suspension on all or some sections of the line for a certain period of time, mainly from the 27th to the 28th of this month, depending on the typhoon's path and strength. JR Central is calling on passengers to pay close attention to future weather and operation information and to consider changing their plans. It has also been announced that there is a possibility that planned service suspension or suspension will be implemented on conventional lines in the Nagoya area during the same period.
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2,492-carat rough diamond found in Botswana, second-largest ever
2024-08-23 17:58:00
A rough diamond measuring over 2,000 carats, believed to be the second largest ever, has been discovered in Botswana, a southern African country that is one of the world's leading diamond producing countries.
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Governor Saito: About 40% of people have seen or heard about alleged power harassment - Interim survey results
2024-08-23 17:39:00
The interim report of a survey conducted among all Hyogo Prefectural employees in response to documents accusing Governor Saito of power harassment was made public on the 23rd.
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Former Prime Minister Noda is making arrangements to run for the Democratic Party leadership election
2024-08-23 17:23:00
Former Prime Minister Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is making arrangements to run in the party's leadership election to be held next month.
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"Rice shortage expected to gradually recover. Please remain calm," said Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Takemura.
2024-08-23 16:27:00
Regarding the rice shortage at supermarkets and other stores, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Takemura said, "The growth of rice for the 2024 harvest is progressing smoothly, and we expect the shortage to gradually improve in the future," and expressed his intention to call on consumers to remain calm.
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Azabu-Juban and Yoyogi are flooded in urban areas. What is the flood risk in your town?
2024-08-23 16:19:00
Heavy rains have been causing flooding and other damage to roads in Tokyo every day. When torrential rains fall, water tends to gather in areas that are lower than the surrounding areas. We compared images of areas that suffered actual flood damage on August 21st and 22nd with hazard maps. Typhoon No. 10 is also approaching. Please check again to see if your living area is safe.
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"Taiwan's top diplomat and security official secretly visits the US" - British newspaper reports
2024-08-23 15:56:00
The Financial Times, a British economic newspaper, reported that Taiwan's top diplomats and security officials will make a secret visit to the United States this week to meet with senior U.S. government officials. This is the first time that a Taiwanese senior official in charge of foreign affairs and security has been reported to visit the United States since President Lai Ching-te took office, and it is likely to draw strong criticism from China.
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Stock prices fall slightly
2024-08-23 15:56:00
On the 23rd, the Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell slightly.
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Summer high school baseball: "two-part system" to combat heat to be implemented again next year, Kōryō Renmei and others consider
2024-08-23 15:53:00
Regarding the nationwide summer high school baseball tournament, the Japan High School Baseball Federation and others have revealed that they are considering implementing the "two-division system" that was implemented as a new heat countermeasure in this year's tournament again next year.
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Okinawa: Victim girl of sexual assault by U.S. soldier in December last year testifies in court
2024-08-23 15:41:00
On the 23rd, a witness testimony was given in a trial for a case in which a U.S. air force soldier stationed at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa Island was indicted for taking a girl under the age of 16, whom he did not know, to his home and sexually assaulting her in December last year.The girl stated that she was so scared that she could not refuse to go to the defendant's home, and claimed that she "said 'stop' and 'stop' many times."
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Middle school teacher arrested in Osaka for attempting to secretly photograph female students while they were changing
2024-08-23 14:44:00
A 36-year-old teacher at a public junior high school in Osaka Prefecture was arrested by the police for allegedly trying to take pictures of four female students secretly while they were changing on campus with his smartphone. He admitted to the charges during questioning and said he had done it "about 100 to 200 times."
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Indian PM Modi arrives in Ukraine to meet with President Zelensky
2024-08-23 14:30:00
Indian Prime Minister Modi has arrived in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and is scheduled to hold a summit meeting with President Zelensky on the 23rd (Japan time). This is Prime Minister Modi's first visit to Ukraine since Russia's military invasion, and the focus is on what message India, which has avoided directly criticizing the invasion, will send regarding the situation in Ukraine.
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Shogi: King Ito Shoei's inauguration ceremony: Takes title from seven-time champion Fujii
2024-08-23 14:05:00
The investiture ceremony for Shogi King Ito (21), who took the title from seven-time shogi champion Sota Fujii (22) in June this year, was held in Tokyo. Ito commented, "It was a precious opportunity to play against Mr. Fujii, and I would like to continue to work hard to be able to play shogi like that in the future."
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Three trucks and two cars collide on Ken-o Expressway, seven people injured
2024-08-23 13:59:00
According to the fire department, three trucks and two passenger cars collided near the Sakai-Furukawa interchange on the inner loop of the Ken-O Expressway in Sakai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, just before noon on the 23rd, and seven people were injured and taken to the hospital. One man in his 40s who was driving the truck was trapped and rescued, but it is unclear whether he is still conscious. The other six people are all conscious, but their ages and the extent of their injuries are unknown.
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Election posters: LDP and Komeito agree to amend law on maintaining dignity
2024-08-23 13:51:00
In response to the issue of how election posters are perceived, working-level officials from the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito have agreed to include provisions in the Public Offices Election Act to maintain a certain level of dignity, and have called on opposition parties to hold discussions toward amending the law.
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Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Treated Water Released Support for Expanding Exports of Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Products
2024-08-23 12:44:00
On the 24th, it will be one year since the release of treated water accumulated at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) into the sea began. In response to the decline in the amount of Japanese exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products to the world due to the import ban measures by China, the government held a meeting to expand exports and confirmed that it would support the development of new markets.
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Shinjiro Koizumi to announce his candidacy for LDP presidential election on the 30th of this month
2024-08-23 11:18:00
Shinjiro Koizumi will hold a press conference on August 30th to announce his candidacy for the LDP presidential election in September. Takayuki Kobayashi has previously announced his candidacy for the presidential election. Former Secretary-General Ishiba will make his candidacy at a shrine in his hometown of Tottori on the 24th, while Digital Minister Kono will make his candidacy in Tokyo on the 26th. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi is making arrangements to make the announcement as early as next week, and will make a decision based on the situation with Typhoon Faxai.
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Extreme heat: Dangerous heatwaves approaching 40 degrees predicted in eastern and western Japan; thorough precautions needed
2024-08-23 11:01:00
Temperatures are set to continue rising on the 23rd, mainly in eastern and western Japan, with some areas already experiencing scorching heat of over 35 degrees. In the afternoon, dangerously high temperatures approaching 40 degrees are expected in some places, so please be sure to take precautions against heatstroke.
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Bank of Japan Governor Ueda: "Market situation remains unstable"
2024-08-23 10:27:00
At a closed-session hearing of the House of Representatives' Financial Services Committee held on the 23rd, Bank of Japan Governor Ueda commented on the instability in financial markets in early August, when stock prices experienced record fluctuations, saying, "We recognize that domestic and international financial capital markets continue to be in a state of instability.For the time being, we will continue to closely monitor developments with a high level of vigilance."
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Seven & i Holdings' acquisition by Canadian company subject to Foreign Exchange Act restrictions
2024-08-23 10:21:00
Seven & i Holdings, which has received a takeover bid from a Canadian company, has learned that it will be subject to restrictions on foreign investment in Japanese companies under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. As the company considers how to respond to the bid, this restriction may become a topic of discussion in the future.
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Support for people taking over work after childcare leave spreads among companies
2024-08-23 09:45:00
There is a growing movement among companies to provide more support to those who take over the work of employees taking childcare leave, etc.
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Baby loggerhead turtles born one after another at aquarium in Kushimoto, Wakayama
2024-08-23 09:42:00
Loggerhead turtle eggs began hatching at an aquarium in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, in the middle of this month, and adorable baby turtles are being born one after another.
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Ukraine Security Council: "Attacks on energy facilities are unacceptable"
2024-08-23 09:19:00
In Ukraine, where Russia continues to engage in military aggression, countries held a conference to discuss energy sector security and adopted a joint statement stating that attacks on energy facilities violate international humanitarian law and are unacceptable.
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High school baseball final Kanto Daiichi vs Kyoto International [Breaking news scheduled for 10:00] First winner
2024-08-23 09:12:00
"Who will win their first championship?" The final of the summer national high school baseball tournament will be held at 10:00 a.m., with Kanto Daiichi High School from East Tokyo and Kyoto International High School facing off. Both teams have advanced to the finals thanks to the outstanding stability of their pitchers, and the first point scored by either team is likely to have a major impact on the outcome of their first championship. We will provide you with the latest information as it comes to you.
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July consumer price index up 2.7% from the same month last year
2024-08-23 09:06:00
The July Consumer Price Index, which tracks the price trends of goods and services consumed at home and excludes fresh food, which is highly affected by weather, rose 2.7% from the same month last year, up 0.1 percentage point from the previous month's 2.6%.
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Ukrainian military continues cross-border attacks; Russian military launches offensive in eastern Ukraine
2024-08-23 07:03:00
As Ukrainian forces continue their cross-border attacks into western Russia, Russian forces are stepping up their offensive in eastern Ukraine, and the Ukrainian side has emphasized that it is increasing its military forces in response, intensifying the fighting on both sides.
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Heavy rain in Tokai region, unstable atmosphere, caution against landslides and flooding in low-lying areas
2024-08-23 06:58:00
The warm, humid air has caused heavy rainfall mainly in the Tokai region, with Shizuoka Prefecture recording over 300 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Northern Japan, where a low pressure system accompanied by a front is passing, is also at risk of very heavy rainfall through the 24th, so caution is needed against landslides and flooding in low-lying areas.
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Typhoon No. 10 is likely to approach eastern and western Japan next week with strong force
2024-08-23 06:57:00
Typhoon No. 10, which is in the ocean south of Japan, is expected to move northward after reaching the waters off the Ogasawara Islands on the 25th with a strong wind area. Although there is still a range of forecasts, there is a risk that it will approach eastern and western Japan next week with strong force, so please pay attention to future information.
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Osaka ramen shop sign "Dragon's Tail" removed after protruding into neighboring land
2024-08-23 06:32:00
A three-dimensional dragon-shaped sign for a ramen restaurant in Minami, Osaka, was protruding onto a neighboring piece of land and the owner of the land had requested that it be removed. Work to cut off the "tail" of the sign was carried out in the early hours of the 23rd.
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Vice President Harris to speak on final day of US Democratic Convention
2024-08-23 05:41:00
The Democratic Party convention for the US presidential election is in its final day, and the party's presidential candidate, Vice President Harris, will give a speech. The focus is on whether Harris can unite the party while appealing to a wide range of voters, including independents, and give a boost to the election campaign.
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Shizuoka City: Evacuation orders issued to 1,555 households and 3,579 people in parts of Suruga Ward and Shimizu Ward
2024-08-23 05:13:00
Shizuoka City issued evacuation orders to 1,555 households and 3,579 people in parts of the landslide warning zones in Suruga Ward and Shimizu Ward at 4:45 a.m. on the 23rd, citing the increased risk of landslides due to heavy rain. The information is at warning level 4 out of five heavy rain warning levels, and everyone is being urged to evacuate from dangerous areas.
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Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: "New rice harvest in some areas" - Calls for calm response
2024-08-23 04:58:00
Rice is sold out in supermarkets across the country, and there are moves to limit the number of items that can be purchased. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is calling on consumers to remain calm, as this is the off-season before the full-scale release of new rice, and stockpiling in preparation for earthquakes and typhoons may have exacerbated the situation, even though stocks were already low.
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Former Prime Minister Noda finalizes decision on whether to run for the Democratic Party leadership election
2024-08-23 01:24:00
Former Prime Minister Noda is making final adjustments to decide whether to run for the leadership election of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. With former leader Edano announcing his candidacy and leader Izumi solidifying his intention to run, Noda's actions are likely to determine the outcome of the election campaign.
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LDP Presidential Election: Shinjiro Koizumi considering announcing his candidacy in August
2024-08-23 01:11:00
Shinjiro Koizumi is considering announcing his candidacy for the LDP presidential election in August. Several lawmakers have already decided to announce their candidacy within the month, and other lawmakers who are keen to run are continuing to lobby to secure sponsors.
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Chinese research team devise new method to generate water from lunar soil
2024-08-23 00:25:00
A Chinese research team has announced that they have devised a new method to produce water from lunar soil. The method involves heating the lunar soil to extremely high temperatures, which causes a chemical reaction between hydrogen and minerals to produce water. The team plans to conduct experiments on the moon on a lunar rover scheduled to be launched as early as 2030.
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High School Baseball Summer Koshien Today's Final Kanto Daiichi vs Kyoto International Highlights
2024-08-23 00:14:00
The final of the summer national high school baseball tournament, which is being held at Koshien Stadium, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary since its opening, will be held on the 23rd, with Kanto Daiichi High School from east Tokyo facing Kyoto International High School, both of which are aiming for their first championship.
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