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WWII-Era Fighter Aircraft Recovered from Sea Decades After Crash Landing

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KAGOSHIMA, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
A former Imperial Japanese Navy fighter plane that had remained submerged off the coast of Akune City in Kagoshima Prefecture was raised from the seabed on April ninth, marking its first return to land in 81 years since a wartime crash touchdown through the remaining phases of World War II.

The plane, a “Shidenkai” fighter, had been resting on the ocean flooring because it made an emergency water touchdown within the closing part of the Pacific War. Despite many years underwater, key parts such because the engine, wings, and even its 20mm machine weapons stay largely intact, preserving a lot of the plane’s authentic construction.

The airplane was piloted by Lieutenant Yoshishige Hayashi, who had engaged a B-29 bomber throughout fight however was shot down and killed in motion.

Recovery operations started earlier within the day, and after roughly three hours of labor, the plane was efficiently lifted from the ocean, drawing consideration for its remarkably preserved situation.

Hidemoto Himoto, head of a bunch devoted to preserving struggle heritage within the Hokusatsu area, mentioned the plane nonetheless retains a lot of its authentic highly effective kind. He added that he want to convey to Hayashi that the restoration has created a possibility for many individuals to see his plane.

Only 5 Shidenkai plane are recognized to exist worldwide, and with this restoration, the variety of such plane situated in Japan has elevated to 2.

Source: FNN

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Tighter Visa Rules Raise Fears for Curry Restaurants Across Japan

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
Japan tightened its “Business Manager” visa necessities in October 2025, prompting rising concern amongst international restaurant house owners who concern the modifications may power them out of enterprise.

One of the revised guidelines raises the minimal capital requirement to 30 million yen, a major enhance that has left many small-scale operators struggling to conform. A person who runs a curry restaurant warned that “curry shops may disappear from our streets,” expressing concern that the brand new threshold is past the attain of many unbiased companies.

The uncertainty surrounding visa renewals has additionally begun to have an effect on households, with some house owners already taking precautionary steps similar to transferring their kids to completely different faculties in anticipation of a doable return to their house international locations.

Others have moved extra decisively. A lady working a Hong Kong-style congee specialty store selected to shut her enterprise upon studying of the brand new guidelines, opting to not await her visa renewal interval.

After asserting the closure, she acquired an outpouring of messages from common clients expressing remorse, underscoring the emotional toll the modifications are having on each enterprise house owners and their communities.

Source: FNN

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Japan Showcases J-Beauty

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
Japanese cosmetics manufacturers are drawing renewed consideration as world magnificence requirements, as a Tokyo-based experiential tour starting on April eighth invitations main influencers from Europe and past to discover Japan’s distinctive skincare philosophy and cultural strategy to magnificence.

The three-day “TAKAMI TOKYO CLINIC TOUR,” held in Tokyo, is organized by skincare model TAKAMI, which emerged within the Nineties as a pioneer in beauty dermatology.

Built on the idea of “clinic-born, Tokyo-made,” TAKAMI has established a robust status by means of years of confirmed outcomes and belief.

However, Japan’s cosmetics exports have been on a declining pattern since 2022, amid the rising presence of manufacturers from South Korea and China.

David LeBrun, world president of TAKAMI, stated Japan represents each authority and innovation in skincare.

Around 20 prime influencers, primarily from Europe, had been invited to the tour, the place they underwent pores and skin diagnostics and took part in hands-on experiments to study concerning the improvement course of behind the merchandise.

The program prolonged past product promotion, incorporating cultural experiences equivalent to listening to a Buddhist monk whereas consuming tea and taking part in rest actions utilizing the sound of bells, aiming to convey Japan’s distinctive magnificence philosophy and tradition to world audiences by means of social media.

While Western markets have historically favored skincare that delivers fast, seen outcomes, latest tendencies present rising curiosity in approaches that prioritize long-term pores and skin well being and intrinsic magnificence.

This shift has drawn consideration to “J-Beauty,” a distinctly Japanese aesthetic that emphasizes constant, cautious each day care somewhat than instant results.

One taking part influencer famous that Japanese skincare locations sturdy emphasis on sustaining the pores and skin’s barrier operate, including that even when utilizing energetic components, the respect for the pores and skin’s pure steadiness is a defining distinction.

LeBrun stated the corporate’s goal is a world viewers, stressing a long-term perspective that values sustainability and excessive funding in pores and skin well being.

He added that Japan continues to steer the sphere, and the corporate goals to ship these values to the world whereas drawing inspiration from the nation’s strategy.

Source: FNN

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Emperor Plants Rice Seeds in Annual Agricultural Ritual

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
Emperor Naruhito sowed rice seeds on April ninth in a conventional ceremony aimed toward selling agriculture, held at a seedbed close to the Biological Laboratory inside the Imperial Palace grounds.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, the emperor planted seeds of non-glutinous rice “Nihonmasari” and glutinous rice “Mangetsumochi” on the nursery situated beside the laboratory. The annual occasion is a part of efforts to encourage agricultural consciousness and appreciation.

The rice vegetation are anticipated to develop within the coming weeks, with transplanting scheduled for round May, adopted by harvesting anticipated in September.

Source: Kyodo

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AI Emerges as Key Solutions to Japan’s Labor Crisis

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
A document variety of firms went bankrupt as a consequence of labor shortages, spotlighting AI and avatar options showcased on the EC and Store Week Spring exhibition held at Tokyo Big Sight on April eighth.

Among the varied applied sciences showcased to trade professionals, the “Store Labor Shortage Countermeasures Expo Spring” attracted specific consideration.

Fumiya Tanno, gross sales director at exhibition organizer RX Japan, defined: “While the EC market has expanded following the COVID-19 pandemic, physical stores offering real-world experiences are also growing, and addressing labor shortages—one of their biggest challenges—cannot be overlooked, which is why we organized this event.”

According to a survey launched by Tokyo Shoko Research on April eighth, 442 firms went bankrupt in fiscal 2025 as a consequence of labor shortages, marking a document excessive.

At the exhibition, firms introduced visions of “future customer service” aimed toward addressing workforce shortages.

At a sales space collectively exhibited by TANAX and AVITA, an AI humanoid named “Hinata” demonstrated its means to interact clients by means of eye contact and pure dialog, creating a way of familiarity.

Meanwhile, avatar-based programs designed to offer hospitality rather than human employees had been additionally launched.

One such expertise mixed avatars with digital becoming experiences, permitting customers to pick out clothes and take a photograph, after which a picture of themselves sporting the chosen outfit appeared on display screen.

When requested for styling recommendation, reminiscent of whether or not a skirt or pants can be higher, the avatar responded with ideas like preferring a pants type.

Additionally, avatars operated remotely by employees had been in a position to answer extra detailed inquiries in actual time.

Other applied sciences on show included AI cameras able to explaining merchandise when clients picked them up.

Participating firms plan to proceed selling these options at exhibitions, aiming to create a society the place the presence of avatars turns into the norm.

Kei Shimada, government officer at AVITA, mentioned: “Expectations are rising for a world where robots and similar technologies become more familiar, and we believe there will be strong interest. We want to create a society in Japan where customer service through AI and avatars is the standard.”

Source: FNN

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LDP Proposes Drafting Constitutional Amendments

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
Japan’s House of Representatives Commission on the Constitution convened on April ninth for its first spherical of deliberations for the reason that ruling get together’s landslide victory within the February decrease home election, with lawmakers starting discussions on potential constitutional revisions.

The session marked the primary constitutional debate following the election, wherein the Liberal Democratic Party secured a decisive win. Shindo Yoshitaka of the LDP outlined 4 key areas included within the get together’s proposed constitutional amendments, reminiscent of explicitly recognizing the Self-Defense Forces within the Constitution, and proposed starting work on drafting modification clauses for points the place factors of competition have already been clarified.

Meanwhile, Kunishige Toru of the centrist Reform Alliance said that his get together doesn’t view constitutional revision as an finish in itself, however emphasised that it could interact sincerely in discussions ought to revisions be deemed mandatory.

Source: Kyodo

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SoftBank Applies for Tie-Up With TEPCO

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
SoftBank has utilized for a capital alliance with Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, in keeping with sources aware of the matter, following the utility’s name for exterior partnerships as a part of its administration restructuring plan.

The transfer is seen as a part of SoftBank’s technique to safe steady electrical energy provides for its increasing knowledge heart operations, with expectations that TEPCO may present energy underneath a collaborative framework.

In addition to SoftBank, a number of main home and worldwide funding funds are additionally believed to have submitted functions for the proposed capital partnership.

TEPCO plans to evaluate the proposals over the approaching months earlier than making a call on potential alliances.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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New Science Reveals Hidden Gases Emitted From the Skin

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
As temperatures rise, considerations about physique odor return, drawing consideration to a lesser-known scientific discipline that examines the invisible gases emitted from human pores and skin, with Tokai University professor Yoshika Sekine main analysis that would even assist detect illness and stress ranges.

From the fleeting scent left behind by somebody dashing onto a practice to the stronger odors that include age, physique odor is one thing folks of all generations are acutely aware of. While typically dismissed as disagreeable, scientists are actually uncovering that people emit quite a lot of scents, together with these linked to fatigue, lack of sleep, and even weight-reduction plan.

At the middle of this analysis is the idea of “skin gas”—hint quantities of invisible fuel launched from the floor of the physique. Unlike pores and skin respiration, this course of includes the emission of odor-related substances because the physique expels compounds by means of a number of pathways.

Sekine explains that pores and skin fuel is produced by means of three main mechanisms. The first includes sweat, which is initially odorless however develops a odor when damaged down by micro organism on the pores and skin’s floor. The second happens when substances circulating within the bloodstream switch into sweat and are launched by means of the pores and skin. The third includes compounds absorbed by means of meals that journey by way of the bloodstream and are emitted instantly by means of the pores and skin.

For instance, consuming garlic initially causes unhealthy breath, however that odor fades comparatively rapidly. However, compounds launched by means of the pores and skin persist longer, leading to a lingering odor that continues even after returning house.

Because pores and skin fuel is emitted in extraordinarily small portions, it has traditionally been tough to measure. Sekine and his crew developed specialised gear to seize and analyze these gases, isolating odor parts and figuring out their sources. This has led to the invention of latest forms of physique odor and their classifications based mostly on origin.

Among these, so-called “aging odor” has drawn specific consideration. Typically rising in males from across the age of 35, it’s linked to sebum, or pores and skin oil. Although oil manufacturing decreases with age, the composition of those oils adjustments, leading to stronger, extra noticeable odors over time.

The implications of pores and skin fuel analysis lengthen far past hygiene. According to Sekine, evaluation of pores and skin fuel could permit for early detection of ailments similar to most cancers, as measurable variations have been noticed between sufferers and wholesome people. In addition, sure compounds improve when an individual feels sleepy or fatigued, providing potential for monitoring bodily and psychological states.

The analysis additionally means that emotional experiences can affect physique odor. Watching an gratifying film, for example, can improve the emission of nice, fruity-scented compounds, highlighting a shocking hyperlink between temper and scent.

As scientists proceed to discover this rising discipline, pores and skin fuel is gaining recognition not simply as a supply of physique odor, however as a helpful indicator of well being, way of life, and emotional well-being.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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Bathing in custom: int’l vacationers delve deeper into Chinese life-style

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SHENYANG, April 9 (Xinhua) — Raindrops patter and thunder rolls as one feels the rhythmic ebb and movement of sea waves whereas reclining within the heat of a pool, and in one other room, the ambiance shifts right into a lush rainforest with verdant foliage and swirling mist.

These charming scenes come not from a blockbuster or a far-flung Southeast Asian getaway, however from a shower heart in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province. “It’s not that Southeast Asia is out of reach. The bath centers here offer better value,” stated Hiroto Uchida, a Japanese vacationer.

He is amongst a surging variety of worldwide vacationers who flock to numerous tub facilities throughout China searching for a deeper immersion into the nation’s wealthy cultural tapestry.

While Japan is famend for its onsen tradition, Uchida was greatly surprised by the sheer scale of the recent springs at Shenyang’s tub facilities. Take the Qinghe Peninsula Hot Spring & Bath Center, for example. Spanning over 100,000 sq. meters, the dimensions of 14 soccer fields, it gives guests the prospect to swim, drift and slide down water chutes. Guests may also get pleasure from singing in a KTV lounge, enjoying billiards, or indulging in a singular bathing expertise in a large “iron pot.”

“And the price is reasonable,” Uchida advised Xinhua. “Spending only about 300 yuan (about 43.6 U.S. dollars), one can enjoy bathing and a buffet for half a day.” He visited the Qinghe Peninsula within the afternoon and stayed till night.

Bathing in China was as soon as a people custom, with many contemplating it as a ritualistic apply earlier than necessary events. As residing requirements improved, the nation’s bathhouse business advanced, shifting from a primary necessity to an expertise pushed by high quality, consolation and leisure.

Gone are the times of single-purpose bathing amenities. Modern bathhouses have advanced into all-in-one life-style complexes that includes spas, meals courts, social golf equipment and lodges. They provide every thing from all-you-can-eat buffets with lobster and durian to gaming lounges, themed suites and even co-working areas.

The business’s market measurement is projected to surpass 200 billion yuan by 2030, with a compound annual progress price of as much as 12 p.c, in keeping with a report launched by the Zero Power Intelligence Research Institute.

Shenyang, usually hailed because the “capital of bath centers,” is house to just about 1,500 bathing companies, together with round 60 large-scale institutions every spanning over 5,000 sq. meters, and it’s estimated that some 200,000 individuals are employed within the native tub business.

Shenyang is just not alone in attracting worldwide guests. While “China Spa” has develop into a buzzword on social media, worldwide vacationers are including spa recreation to their want lists throughout their travels in China.

China’s bathing business noticed fast progress final yr as searches for “overnight stays at bathhouses” jumped 61 p.c yr on yr in August, in keeping with a bathhouse information launched by Meituan, a significant on-line life-style platform in China.

Zheng Xueda from Shanghai Chunqiu International Travel Agency (Group) Co., Ltd. famous that many vacationer teams have lately requested visits to tub facilities. “This is particularly true for international tourists attending meetings, conferences and exhibitions, who prefer bath centers where they can sing in KTV lounges, enjoy dinners and play games,” he stated.

One instance concerned a bunch from Southeast Asian nations. After exploring conventional sights such because the centuries-old Yuyuan Garden, the guests spent their final night time at a shower heart. “A budget of less than 200 yuan per person is highly appealing to tourists and offers great value,” Zheng added.

Tang Lizhong, government chairman of the Shenyang Bath Trade Association, attributes the sector’s success in attracting worldwide guests to the upgrading of consumption. “Today bath centers have evolved from traditional bathhouses into mini resorts,” he stated.

He added that tub facilities provide a extremely interactive cultural immersion. “They are not just places for physical cleansing and relaxation, but also venues for cultural and social exchange.”

He additionally famous that, amid the rise of the “China chic” pattern, the rising recognition of bathhouse tradition displays a deeper shift in worldwide vacationers’ need to expertise genuine Chinese tradition.

“In the past, their trips were mostly limited to ‘check-ins’ at iconic landmarks as outsiders, focusing on sightseeing and taking photos,” Tang stated. “Now they are more eager to participate and experience, trying to live like locals”.

China recorded over 150 million inbound visits final yr, marking a yr on yr enhance of over 17 p.c, and the spending of inbound vacationers surpassed 130 billion U.S. {dollars}. Visa-free entries by foreigners exceeded 30 million, knowledge from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirmed.

In 2025, China expanded its unilateral visa-free entry, permitting residents of 48 nations to enter with no visa, whereas the variety of nations providing reciprocal visa exemptions rose to 29.

While such insurance policies made it simpler for extra guests to enter China, enhancements in amenities and journey comfort inspired longer stays and deeper exploration. In the phrases of Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy, China’s inbound tourism “is embarking on a new era of flourishing growth.”

The newest version of Blue Book of China’s Tourism Economy, launched by the China Tourism Academy, famous that inbound tourism is shifting from “See China” and “Shop China” towards a complete expertise of on a regular basis life in modern China.

Many worldwide vacationers now select to traverse China through high-speed trains, immersing themselves in distinctive experiences similar to visiting tub facilities, sporting Hanfu apparel for images, amassing stamps at tourism service facilities, and eating at immersive eating places. Some even enterprise into the countryside to take part in actions like cotton planting and bamboo shoot digging.

“International tourists are now seamlessly integrated into the fabric of Chinese daily life, exploring everything from theaters to vegetable markets,” Dai stated. “Bath centers are certainly not the final destination on their itinerary. The next hotspot could be the public squares where seniors gather to dance. The possibilities are endless.”

During this course of, he has noticed a rising pattern of integration between Chinese and overseas vacationers into one another’s every day life scenes. “Through their travels, people can gain profound cultural insights, foster mutual understanding, and strengthen interpersonal exchanges, thereby becoming more familiar and closer to one another,” he stated.

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Ryo Asai Wins Japan Booksellers Award for In the Megachurch

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TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) –
The winner of the 2026 Japan Booksellers Award, through which bookstore workers throughout the nation vote for the e book they most need to promote, was introduced on April ninth, with Ryo Asai, 36, receiving the highest prize for the novel “In the Megachurch,” printed by Nikkei Publishing.

The novel explores the theme of “fandom,” a phenomenon referring to the passionate assist of favourite idols and public figures.

The Japan Booksellers Award considers Japanese novels printed between December 2024 and November 2025, with bookstore workers choosing 10 finalists by way of an preliminary spherical of voting earlier than selecting the grand prize winner in a second spherical.

Source: Kyodo

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