At the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, the second half of the boys’s singles free skate was held on the third, and Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama received for the primary time with overwhelming energy, with a complete of over 300 factors from the primary half.
Difficult Kanji Reading: What Does “緊緊” Mean?
TOKYO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) –
Dengeki Online’s serialized function “Difficult-to-Read Kanji” challenges readers with a spread of characters, from these so complicated they’re virtually unimaginable, to seemingly easy ones which might be surprisingly tough to pronounce. The challenge is spearheaded by “Kyōji Yanagi,” a humble calligrapher who lives along with his cat. He’ll proceed to introduce kanji which may not be immediately readable, so let’s all take into consideration them collectively!
To learn different tough kanji, right now’s problem is… The featured kanji for this installment is “緊緊.” It’s a personality utilized in phrases like “emergency (緊急),” however in fact, it is not learn as “kinkin.” The trace is ○shi○shi. Now, how ought to or not it’s learn?
The reply is “hishihishi!” It conveys varied meanings reminiscent of a powerful, urgent sensation, a state with out gaps, a sound made underneath stress, relentlessness, or persistently persevering with an motion. Indeed, in the event you’re in a tense scenario, you may need to say “緊緊.”… Although it is extra generally utilized in hiragana, let’s take this chance to recollect it!
Source: Dengeki
Nationwide Turtle Survey Highlights Invasive Spread and Native Decline
TOKYO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) –
The Japan Nature Conservation Association revealed the outcomes of its nationwide turtle survey on Thursday, February 1, with greater than half the collected samples being the ‘Red-Eared Slider,’ as this invasive species continues to develop its habitat, whereas there are considerations over the declining inhabitants of the native Japanese Pond Turtle.
Before the onset of winter final November, reporters accompanied consultants to a river in Aichi Prefecture for an investigative report.
Yabe, a turtle researcher for 40 years, identified, “There’s a turtle over there.”
What was discovered within the river was the Mississippi Red-Eared Slider, an invasive species also referred to as the “Green Turtle.”
Yabe, reflecting on the scenario, expressed concern: “The Red-Eared Slider is becoming more prevalent. Thinking about Japan’s turtles, it’s quite despairing.”
The growth of the Red-Eared Slider’s habitat was confirmed by a survey performed for the primary time in ten years.
The Japan Nature Conservation Association introduced the outcomes of the “Nationwide Turtle Survey” (performed from July 1 to September 30, 2023, with a pattern dimension of two,147 turtles), which collected turtle sighting info throughout the nation…
Ohno from the Japan Nature Conservation Association reported, “55.3% of all turtles were Red-Eared Sliders.”
The survey discovered that over half of the turtles noticed had been Red-Eared Sliders.
Ohno added, “We’ve received reports from Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and even Naha in Okinawa, showing it has truly spread nationwide.”
This unfold is perhaps contributing to the decline of native species just like the Japanese Pond Turtle.
The proportion of sightings of the Japanese Pond Turtle, a local species, has decreased with every survey, indicating a possible decline of their inhabitants.
In the river in Aichi Prefecture, virtually all the many turtles noticed had been Mississippi Red-Eared Sliders, with just one turtle believed to be a Japanese Pond Turtle.
Yabe, with 40 years of turtle analysis expertise, concluded, “It’s virtually impossible to eradicate invasive species. The key is to reduce the Red-Eared Slider’s population to a level where it minimally impacts the ecosystem.”
Source: 日テレNEWS
Israel prepares to march on Rafah, southernmost a part of Gaza; over 1 million folks crowded collectively | NHK
Israel has indicated that it’s making ready to maneuver troops into Rafah, the southernmost a part of the Gaza Strip and the place many displaced folks have fled, and has obtained criticism from the United Nations and nations resembling Germany, which have historically taken a pro-Israel stance. There are rising issues that the humanitarian disaster may deepen additional.
Liberal Democratic Party interviews pro-Abe members relating to political funding difficulty, confirms quantity and utilization | NHK
The Liberal Democratic Party has been conducting interviews with related members in response to points associated to factional political funding events, and on the third, celebration officers confirmed with Abe-aligned members the quantity of kickbacks and the way they had been used.
Half of Regional Railways Facing Driver Shortages
TOKYO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) –
A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) survey has revealed that half of the 140 regional railway operators are experiencing a scarcity of practice drivers, resulting in an emergency assembly convened by 172 operators, together with main corporations, on Friday, February 2.
Kishitani Katsumi, the MLIT Technical Counselor, expressed concern: “In rural areas, we’re increasingly observing situations where it’s impossible to organize timetables due to the lack of drivers.”
In October final 12 months, the MLIT carried out a survey amongst 172 railway operators nationwide, together with main corporations, to evaluate the excess or deficit of practice drivers.
The outcomes confirmed that out of 140 regional railway operators, half, or 70 operators, reported a “shortage,” whereas 43 operators had a “surplus.” Furthermore, among the many 32 operators together with JR and different main corporations, 7 reported experiencing shortages.
To tackle the scarcity of practice drivers, the MLIT is contemplating reducing the age for acquiring the nationwide railway driver’s license from April onwards to 18 years outdated. This transfer is a part of broader efforts to alleviate the present disaster and make sure the easy operation of regional rail companies throughout the nation.
Source: ANN
Elementary faculty in Okuma Town, Fukushima opens for the primary time in 13 years Children deliver residence private belongings | NHK
Elementary colleges and kindergartens in Okuma Town, Fukushima Prefecture, the place evacuation orders are nonetheless in place as a result of Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, have been visited by individuals who have been attending the varsity on the time of the accident for the primary time in 13 years, and left behind within the lecture rooms. I took residence research supplies.
Shiga’s Winter Bloomers Herald Early Spring
Shiga, Feb 03 (News On Japan) –
In Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture, alongside the shores of Lake Biwa, the early-blooming rapeseed flowers, generally known as “Kanzaki Hanana,” are delighting guests with their seasonal splendor.
The rapeseed blooms are situated in a area close to the shore of Lake Biwa in Moriyama City, the place roughly 12,000 crops dye the world a vibrant yellow. This gorgeous show varieties a stupendous distinction towards the white, snow-covered Hira mountain vary within the background.
These winter-blooming rapeseed crops are cultivated by native seniors from the Silver Human Resources Center as a seasonal custom. Visitors are handled to an early style of spring amidst the snowy panorama.
A customer commented, “It feels like spring with all these rapeseed flowers blooming, even though there’s snow. It’s truly beautiful.”
The rapeseed flowers are anticipated to stay a sight to behold till mid-February, providing a singular and picturesque expertise of early spring within the area.
Source: YOMIURI
US paper “President Zelenskiy decides to dismiss military commander-in-chief and communicates to US” | NHK
A number one American newspaper reported, citing a number of sources, that the Ukrainian authorities has knowledgeable the American authorities that Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has determined to dismiss General Zarzhny.
However, the precise timing of his dismissal shouldn’t be clear.


