31 people infected with influenza at Gifu nursing home, 1 death
2025-01-07 20:49:00
A total of 31 residents and staff at a special nursing home in Gifu Prefecture were infected with influenza, and one resident in his 90s died.
Social News(2025/01/07)
Aomori man dies after being buried in snow; snow may have fallen from roof
2025-01-07 19:25:00
On the evening of the 6th, a 62-year-old man was found buried in snow in Aomori City and was confirmed dead. Police believe he may have been buried under snow that fell from a roof while he was shoveling snow, and are currently investigating the details of the incident.
Japan Meteorological Agency solicits ideas for disaster prevention exhibitions from elementary and junior high school students, awards them to be exhibited from the 20th
2025-01-07 19:10:00
In order to convey in an easy-to-understand way how natural disasters such as typhoons and volcanic eruptions work, the Japan Meteorological Agency held a competition to solicit ideas for models and other items from elementary and junior high school students across the country. A junior high school student's idea for a diorama showing how flooding works in areas at zero meters above sea level was actually built and exhibited.
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. leaks personal information of over 8,400 people due to unauthorized access
2025-01-07 19:04:00
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced last year that its company server had been illegally accessed, resulting in the leaking of personal information of more than 8,400 employees and business partners. The company said it would work to prevent recurrence by strengthening security measures in the future.
Heavy snowfall expected mainly along the Sea of Japan coast from January 8th to 10th
2025-01-07 18:58:00
Due to the influence of winter pressure patterns and strong cold air above, heavy snow is expected to fall mainly on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku and Chugoku regions around the 10th of this month, and snow may also accumulate on flat land such as Shikoku. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution regarding the impact on traffic.
Setsuko Tamaki passes away at age 96; served as president of the Himeyuri Alumni Association for 10 years
2025-01-07 18:40:00
Setsuko Tamaki, who was mobilized to nurse wounded soldiers as part of the Himeyuri Student Corps during the Battle of Okinawa 80 years ago, and who has continued to pay tribute to the many schoolmates who fell victim to the war and who has devoted herself to activities to spread peace, has passed away. She was 96 years old.
Earthquake of magnitude 2 observed in Kanto and Tohoku, even in areas far from epicenter
2025-01-07 18:28:00
At around 5:32 pm on the 7th, an earthquake measuring magnitude 2 was observed in the Kanto and Tohoku regions. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.
Decision to pay settlement to beauty clinic that "did not explain risks of treatment"
2025-01-07 18:25:00
It has been learned that a beauty clinic with branches nationwide has received a ruling from the Tokyo District Court to pay a settlement to a patient who underwent a cosmetic treatment that was said to rejuvenate the skin, for failing to inform her of the risk of developing lumps. This was announced at a press conference held in Tokyo on the 7th by the female patient and her lawyer. According to the press conference, the woman had received a cosmetic treatment called "Premium PRP Skin Regeneration Therapy" that was said to rejuvenate the skin twice by 2019 at the Yokohama facility of the "Sacred Heart Beauty Clinic," which has branches nationwide, and sought compensation from the clinic, claiming that lumps had developed under her eyes and temples. As a result of the mediation, the Tokyo District Court decided last month that the clinic should pay the treatment fee and medical expenses to the woman as a settlement, and as there was no objection, the decision was finalized on the 7th. In the decision, the court pointed out that the formulation used in the subcutaneous injection, "Fiblast Spray," is originally an external medicine used for wounds, and subcutaneous injections are not recommended, and that the clinic had neglected its obligation to explain such circumstances and the risk of developing lumps.
National accident investigators on-site to investigate cause of fishing boat capsizing off Kashima Port, Ibaraki
2025-01-07 18:17:00
On the 6th, a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Kashima Port in Ibaraki Prefecture, killing two crew members and leaving three missing. The three have yet to be found, and the Japan Coast Guard is continuing its search. On the afternoon of the 7th, an accident investigator from the Japan Transport Safety Board arrived at the scene and is investigating the cause of the capsizing.
Disaster relief law applied to 10 municipalities in Aomori Prefecture amid record snowfall
2025-01-07 17:47:00
In response to the recent heavy snowfall, the Disaster Relief Act was applied to 10 cities and towns in Aomori Prefecture on the 7th.
Traffic fatalities last year slightly decreased from the previous year, but increased for those aged 65 and over
2025-01-07 17:46:00
A total of 2,663 people died in traffic accidents nationwide last year, a slight decrease from the previous year, but the number of deaths among people aged 65 and over increased. The National Police Agency plans to analyze the accidents in detail and implement effective measures and call for caution.
Tanker stranded in Hakodate, Hokkaido; unable to pull offshore; work to begin tomorrow
2025-01-07 17:45:00
On the 6th, a tanker ran aground near Cape Esan in Hakodate City, Hokkaido. On the 7th, efforts were made to pull the tanker out to sea, but it could not be pulled out, so the effort will be carried out again on the 8th.
80 years since the atomic bombing: Hidankyo representative Minomaki determined to continue calling for nuclear abolition
2025-01-07 17:35:00
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tomoyuki Minamaki, representative committee member of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and renewed his determination to continue calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons, even in this year marking 80 years since the atomic bomb was dropped.
Disaster relief law applied to 10 municipalities in Aomori Prefecture amid record snowfall
2025-01-07 16:43:00
In response to the recent heavy snowfall, Aomori Governor Miyashita announced that the Disaster Relief Act has been applied to 10 cities, towns and villages in the prefecture.
National accident investigators investigate cause of fishing boat capsizing off Kashima Port, Ibaraki
2025-01-07 15:30:00
In connection with the accident on the 6th in which a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Kashima Port in Ibaraki Prefecture, killing two crew members and leaving three missing, accident investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, where relevant parties were gathering, on the afternoon of the 7th to investigate the cause of the capsizing.
Ishikawa Prefecture Wajima Monzen High School holds opening ceremony at local community center after damage to school building discovered
2025-01-07 15:20:00
Monzen High School in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, where it was revealed last month that the school building had been damaged in the Noto Peninsula earthquake, will be holding classes in a local community center from the third term, and the school held its opening ceremony on the 7th.
Nanakusa-gayu festival held at Takayama Shrine in Gifu, praying for good health in the coming year
2025-01-07 14:46:00
On the 7th, the day of the Nanakusa Festival, a festival was held at a shrine in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, to pray for good health and safety for the coming year, and nanakusa-gayu (rice cake with the seven spring herbs) was served.
Nagano Otari Village: Three foreigners rescued from backcountry accident, no injuries
2025-01-07 14:26:00
On the 6th, three foreigners were lost while backcountry skiing in Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture. Police began searching the area on the morning of the 7th and found and rescued the three. None of them had any visible injuries.
Chief Cabinet Secretary: National civil servants living in two places "supporting municipalities as a side job"
2025-01-07 14:16:00
Regarding a new system to support young national civil servants in living based in two regions with a view to revitalizing regional areas, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi explained that the system will allow national government employees to support small and medium-sized cities and towns as a side job, and indicated his intention to proceed with the specific design of the system.
Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Murakami: "Japan Post to ensure proper contracts with contractors and compliance with laws and regulations"
2025-01-07 14:02:00
In response to the Fair Trade Commission's ruling that post offices in the Kanto region had violated the Subcontracting Act by unfairly collecting high "penalty fees" from contractors and instructing Japan Post to correct the situation, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Murakami stated at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 7th that he intends to urge Japan Post to enter into contracts on fair terms and to strictly comply with laws and regulations.
Consumer Affairs Minister Ito to submit amendment to Whistleblower Protection Act to ordinary Diet session
2025-01-07 13:51:00
Regarding the Whistleblower Protection Act, Minister of Consumer Affairs Ito indicated his intention to submit a bill to amend the Act to the ordinary Diet session, based on the report of an expert panel that includes provisions for imposing criminal penalties on businesses if they fire or discipline people who have internally reported wrongdoing for the purpose of retaliating against them.
Seibu Railway Used train acquired from Odakyu Electric Railway First outdoor self-propelled run
2025-01-07 13:27:00
Seibu Railway has completed the renovation of a low-power second-hand carriage it acquired from Odakyu Electric Railway, and on the 7th it ran outdoors on its own for the first time. It is unusual for a major private railway to operate a second-hand carriage from another major company, and Seibu plans to begin commercial operation of the carriages from May of this year.
First official matches held at new Shogi Hall: 13 games
2025-01-07 13:01:00
The Japan Shogi Association's headquarters, the Shogi Kaikan, was relocated due to the building's aging, and the first official match was held there, marking the beginning of the association's history in the new building.
Three foreigners lost in backcountry in Otari Village, Nagano, found and helped descend
2025-01-07 12:51:00
On the 6th, the police received a report that three foreigners had become stranded while backcountry skiing in Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture. The police began searching the area on the morning of the 7th, and found the three, who are currently preparing to descend the mountain.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries holds emergency meeting to deal with bird flu: "Early report of abnormalities required"
2025-01-07 12:49:00
In response to a series of confirmed cases of avian influenza at poultry farms across the country over the New Year holiday period, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries held an emergency meeting to confirm that it would once again take thorough measures to prevent the virus from being introduced into poultry farms.
Okinawa's Tonaki Village faces risk of losing half of its staff in the new fiscal year
2025-01-07 12:46:00
In Tonaki Village, an isolated island in Okinawa, the number of employees is expected to decrease due to retirements and other factors, and it has been discovered that about half of the fixed number of positions will be vacant in the new fiscal year. In recent years, many people have declined employment offers even after they have been made, and there is no prospect of securing sufficient personnel, so for the time being, the village plans to focus on maintaining a minimum level of resident services.
Sapporo Snow Festival: Work begins to bring in snow for making snow sculptures
2025-01-07 12:10:00
Transporting snow to be used for making snow sculptures at the venue of the Sapporo Snow Festival, a winter tradition in Sapporo to be held next month, began on the 7th.
Fishing boat capsizes off the coast of Kashima Port, Ibaraki; 2 dead, 3 missing; search continues
2025-01-07 12:08:00
On the 6th, a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Kashima Port in Ibaraki Prefecture, killing two crew members and throwing three into the sea and leaving them missing. The three have yet to be found, and the Japan Coast Guard and others are continuing their search.
Tanker runs aground off the coast of Hakodate, Hokkaido, no injuries, no oil spill confirmed
2025-01-07 08:30:00
On the night of the 6th, a tanker carrying petroleum products ran aground on the coast of Cape Esan in Hakodate, Hokkaido. According to the Hakodate Coast Guard, none of the 11 crew members were injured, and no oil spills have been confirmed.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to implement new support measures to reduce the cost of earthquake-proofing elderly homes
2025-01-07 07:06:00
The Noto Peninsula earthquake one year ago caused a series of house collapses, and the delay in making homes earthquake-proof, especially among elderly households, was pointed out as a nationwide issue. In response to this, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will begin a new support measure for loans called reverse mortgages to reduce the financial burden of earthquake-proofing.
Fishing boat capsizes off the coast of Kashima Port, Ibaraki; 2 dead, 3 missing; search continues
2025-01-07 06:50:00
On the 6th, a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Kashima Port in Ibaraki Prefecture, killing two crew members and throwing three into the sea and leaving them missing. The Japan Coast Guard has been searching through the night, but the three have still not been found and have decided to continue the search.
Mother and child on bicycle hit by van, killed or injured in Saitama City
2025-01-07 05:39:00
On the evening of the 6th, a 31-year-old mother and her newborn daughter were riding bicycles together when they were hit by a van at an intersection in Nishi Ward, Saitama City, killing the mother and causing serious injuries to the daughter, including a broken skull.
Government proposes revision of entertainment law to limit fines for unlicensed host clubs to 300 million yen
2025-01-07 05:30:00
In response to the ongoing problem of unscrupulous host clubs, the government has put together a draft amendment to the Entertainment and Amusement Business Law, which would increase the maximum fine for corporations operating without a license to 300 million yen, 150 times the current amount.
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to advance practical implementation of system for early detection of drug supply shortages
2025-01-07 05:24:00
Although there is a continuing shortage of medicines, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has not been able to grasp the actual demand and supply situation, so it plans to work toward putting into practical use a system that uses electronic prescriptions and other measures to detect signs of supply shortages at an early stage for highly needed medicines.
