HOKKAIDO, Feb 21 (News On Japan) –
Due to the consequences of an unusually heat winter, the nationwide canine sledding race, also known as “Koshien of Dogs,” scheduled to be held in Hokkaido, has been canceled.

The organizing committee of the occasion said that the snow on the course had melted because of the file heat, making it troublesome to carry the race. Since 1984, the nationwide canine sledding race, the place canine pull sleds throughout snowy fields, has been held in Wakkanai City, Hokkaido, incomes it the nickname “Koshien of Dogs.” This yr’s occasion was scheduled for 2 days beginning on February 24, with 56 groups from Hokkaido, Iwate Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, and others, totaling 113 canine, set to take part.

However, on February 19, Wakkanai City recorded a excessive temperature of 10.6 levels Celsius, the very best for February since data started, resulting in widespread snowmelt all through town. According to the organizing committee, which incorporates Wakkanai City, the distinctive heat triggered the snow on the canine sledding course to soften, ensuing within the troublesome determination to cancel the occasion. The Meteorological Agency reported that close to the venue at Wakkanai Airport, the place the common snow depth is usually 40 centimeters, there was only one centimeter of snow left at midday on February 21. The National Dog Sledding Wakkanai Tournament Organizing Committee commented, “While there have been instances of cancellation due to insufficient snow or the impact of the novel coronavirus, cancellation due to melting snow is extremely unusual. We apologize to those who were looking forward to participating in the event and to the citizens who were excited about the race, and we ask for their understanding.”

Source: NHK

TOKYO, Feb 21 (News On Japan) –
In this yr’s Shunto (spring wage negotiations), Honda and Mazda offered full responses to their labor unions on the twenty first, marking the earliest responses amongst main automakers. Both corporations plan to implement wage will increase at a excessive degree, and the main target is on whether or not this pattern will unfold additional.

During this yr’s Shunto, Honda’s labor union demanded a wage improve amounting to twenty,000 yen per thirty days, which represents the very best degree in 32 years when combining base pay will increase and common wage hikes. In addition, they demanded a one-time bonus equal to 7.1 months of wage, which might be the very best ever. On the twenty first, through the second spherical of labor-management negotiations, the corporate absolutely met the union’s calls for, acknowledging points corresponding to rising costs. The firm goals to steer the path of labor-management negotiations inside its group corporations.

On the opposite hand, Mazda responded absolutely on the twenty first to the labor union’s demand for a mixed wage improve of 16,000 yen per thirty days, which incorporates the equal of a base pay hike and common wage will increase. This represents the biggest wage improve for the reason that present personnel system was established in 2003. As each corporations are the earliest responders amongst main automakers, with every firm’s labor union demanding high-level wage will increase, the main target is now on whether or not this motion will proceed to develop.

Source: NHK

TOKYO, Feb 21 (News On Japan) –
The Japan Meteorological Agency is showcasing its new supercomputer, which is able to come on-line from May fifth, to reinforce the prediction accuracy of linear precipitation zones that trigger heavy rainfall.

The supercomputer is a part of a brand new working system that the company says will double the computing capability on the Meteorological Satellite Center in Kiyose City, Tokyo.

This will lengthen the forecast time for localized heavy rain from the present 10 hours to 18 hours. An company official acknowledged, “We aim to improve prediction accuracy to prevent disasters.”

Source: TBS