At an occasion held at Ueno Park in Taito Ward, Tokyo till the eighth of this month, quite a few folks complained of feeling unwell after consuming oyster dishes, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government introduced on the sixteenth that the meals poisoning was brought on by norovirus. As meals poisoning brought on by norovirus usually happens in winter, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is urging folks to watch out about washing their fingers and dealing with meals.
The Irresistibly Cute Fluff of Puffed-Up Sparrows
TOKYO, Jan 16 (News On Japan) –
For seven years, a photographer often called biggate4444 (@biggate43) has been capturing the charming sight of sparrows and sharing them on social media. During this chilly season, many of those birds puff up into cute spherical shapes to maintain heat, a phenomenon fondly known as “fukura suzume” (inflated sparrows).
Biggate4444’s posts characteristic these fluffy, plump sparrows, drawing pleasure from sparrow lovers with feedback like “It’s so clever to show off its throat,” “So round and too cute,” and “Such a beautiful silhouette.”
“When I first saw it, it looked like a ball,” remarks biggate4444, who hails from Shikoku Chuo City. It was this “sparrow ball,” as they’re affectionately referred to as, that originally captivated biggate4444. “A friend told me that sparrows puff up in the winter, and I was shocked at how much they resembled balls when I saw them that day. Since then, sparrows have become something special to me.” The first photograph biggate4444 shared this yr was, fittingly, an inflated sparrow. “Seeing them puff up and hop around energetically is incredibly soothing!!” they specific their love for sparrows.
When requested a couple of notably memorable sparrow encounter, biggate4444 shares, “I remember seeing a sparrow perched on a branch, basking in the sunlight, looking very comfortable. With the mild winter, it might be easier for the sparrows.” According to biggate4444, sparrows do not at all times puff up throughout winter; they achieve this when the temperature drops, so encountering an inflated sparrow this yr is perhaps a stroke of luck given the hotter circumstances.
On biggate4444’s social media, one can get pleasure from numerous poses of sparrows, from these giving the digicam a curious tilt of the pinnacle to teams feasting collectively—a pleasant array of endearing sparrow moments.
Lastly, biggate4444 shares their strategy to pictures: “Regardless of the bird, it’s crucial and polite not to do anything threatening or conspicuous. It’s absolutely unacceptable to disturb their daily life. If that’s the case, I’m prepared to give up on taking the photo.” Sparrows, probably the most acquainted wild birds to us and dwelling in coexistence with people, are valuable creatures. While extra individuals are posting pictures of sparrows on social media, it could be biggate4444’s constant perspective of contemplating the sparrow’s perspective that’s the key to capturing their pure habits.
biggate4444’s accounts: Twitter (@biggate43) Instagram (@biggate4444) Shop Homepage Book “Nippon Suzume Sanpo” (A Stroll with the Sparrows of Japan)
Source: Oricon
Haruna Kojima Thrilled to Witness Bruno Mars’ Live Rendition of AKB48’s Classic
TOKYO, Jan 16 (News On Japan) –
Model and former AKB48 member Haruna Kojima up to date her Instagram tales on the 14th, revealing that she attended the “Best of Bruno Mars Live at Tokyo Dome” live performance, which kicked off on the eleventh by the globally famend artist Bruno Mars.
Bruno Mars’ Japan tour began on January eleventh and consists of performances on the thirteenth, 14th, sixteenth, 18th, twentieth, and twenty first, spanning a complete of seven days. During his live performance, Mars stunned followers by incorporating AKB48’s hit tune “Heavy Rotation” into his personal tune “Marry You.” This surprising efficiency sparked a buzz on social media, with reactions from each present AKB48 members and alumni.
Haruna Kojima, who attended the live performance, shared a smiling picture of herself in entrance of Tokyo Dome, captioned, “It was the best! I got to hear Heavy Rotation!” Kojima additionally talked about attending Mars’ December live performance in Las Vegas, saying, “It was so exciting, and it’s always the best fun no matter how many times I see it.” She expressed her pleasure, including, “I thought nothing could top that, but seeing Heavy Rotation live in Tokyo was thrilling.”
Bruno Mars’ incorporation of AKB48’s “Heavy Rotation” into his Tokyo live performance not solely delighted followers but additionally drew reactions from each former and present AKB48 members, highlighting the cultural change between worldwide and Japanese pop music. Haruna Kojima’s attendance and shared experiences on social media exemplify the wide-reaching affect of artists like Bruno Mars and the enduring legacy of AKB48’s music inside the popular culture panorama.
Source: MDPR
News On Japan – Jan 16
A gang of 4 youngsters robbed a person of 25 million yen in a karaoke field on Sunday by spraying him with tear fuel, with one 18-year-old suspect arrested and three others nonetheless on the free.
News On Japan – Jan 16
A police officer who had stepped outdoors the home simply earlier than the New Year’s Day earthquake struck, turning into the only real survivor amongst his household, mourned the lack of his spouse and three kids at a funeral service Monday in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa.
News On Japan – Jan 16
Japan police have issued a nationwide warrant for a yakuza boss suspected of fatally taking pictures of man in Starbucks in Ehime on Sunday.
News On Japan – Jan 16
In response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the Ishikawa Veterinary Association has launched an initiative to help evacuees with pets by providing free pet care at greater than 40 animal hospitals throughout the prefecture for one month.
News On Japan – Jan 16
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka made her return to Grand Slam tennis on the Australian Open following the delivery of her first baby final July, however exiting the stage in straight units to French participant Caroline Garcia, ranked nineteenth on this planet.
News On Japan – Jan 16
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is on the brink of tighten the screws on Sompo Japan by issuing a enterprise enchancment order inside this month following the insurance coverage fraud scandal involving false claims by used automotive supplier Big Motor.
NHK – Jan 15
Two weeks have handed since an enormous earthquake struck central Japan on New Year’s Day, killing 222 folks. Twenty-two persons are nonetheless lacking. Search operations are persevering with however they’re being hampered by unhealthy climate.
News On Japan – Jan 15
Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) introduced on Monday that the unmanned spacecraft “SLIM,” aimed toward Japan’s first lunar touchdown, has been positioned in a round orbit across the Moon at an altitude of 600 kilometers in preparation for touchdown.
NHK – Jan 15
Monday marks two weeks since a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck central Japan. The catastrophe has claimed at the very least 221 lives, with crews trying to find 22 folks nonetheless unaccounted for. As aid efforts proceed, officers worry harsh circumstances in evacuation facilities are posing a serious well being threat.
News On Japan – Jan 15
In a dramatic begin to their quest for Asian Cup supremacy, Japan’s Samurai Blue, eyeing their first title in three appearances, battled from behind to clinch a 4-2 victory in opposition to Vietnam of their group stage debut.
News On Japan – Jan 15
Japan’s two-day National University Entrance Exam concluded Sunday, ensuing within the disqualification of 4 college students for dishonest, together with using a ruler throughout the math check.
News On Japan – Jan 15
A person was shot and killed on Sunday afternoon at Starbucks in Shikokuchuo, Ehime Prefecture, with the gunman reported to be on the run.
News On Japan – Jan 14
An eruption from the Ontake crater on the distant Japanese island of Suwanosejima, south west of Kagoshima, at 0:22 AM on Sunday morning, despatched volcanic particles flying multiple kilometer from the middle.
NHK – Jan 14
Weather officers in Japan say a robust winter strain sample will intensify starting Sunday evening and persevering with via Tuesday within the areas affected by the lethal earthquake that hit central areas of the nation on New Year’s Day.
News On Japan – Jan 13
Snow started falling within the Kanto area from Saturday afternoon, blanketing Tokyo with its first snowfall of the season, 10 days later than common however 11 days sooner than final yr.
News On Japan – Jan 13
Actors Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, and Yuki Yamada, together with director Takashi Yamazaki through video linkup, attended a particular black-and-white stage greeting occasion in Tokyo on Friday to rejoice the roaring success of “Godzilla Minus One”.
ATM Factories in Overdrive Before New Banknote Launch in July
TOKYO, Jan 16 (News On Japan) –
In preparation for the issuance of latest banknotes this July, ATM producers in Japan are ramping up manufacturing in order that Automated Teller Machines will be capable of deal with each previous and new notes.
The new banknotes, together with the ten,000 yen word that includes the portrait of Eiichi Shibusawa, will probably be issued on July third.
Production volumes at “OKI,” an organization that manufactures ATMs, are anticipated to succeed in practically 20,000 models, double the output of the earlier monetary yr. At their manufacturing unit in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture, operations have been at full capability since final month, saying they’re “experiencing an unprecedented level of production, not only due to the switch to new banknotes but also as a rebound from the semiconductor shortage.”
Train firms have acknowledged that they’ll step by step replace ticket merchandising machines at stations, with the timing various by station and area.
Major merchandising machine firms for drinks and different merchandise have indicated that they’ll part in compatibility with the brand new banknotes, monitoring their circulation. It is anticipated that for a while after their launch, there will probably be machines that can’t settle for the brand new banknotes.
Source: NHK
News On Japan – Jan 16
In preparation for the issuance of latest banknotes this July, ATM producers in Japan are ramping up manufacturing in order that Automated Teller Machines will be capable of deal with each previous and new notes.
News On Japan – Jan 16
Toho Cinemas, Japan’s sixth largest movie leisure firm, confirmed a 4.7% improve in web revenue from March to November 2023, on the again of “Godzilla Minus One,” which exceeded 5.3 billion yen in home field workplace income, and the distribution of anime “Jujutsu Kaisen”.
News On Japan – Jan 16
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is on the brink of tighten the screws on Sompo Japan by issuing a enterprise enchancment order inside this month following the insurance coverage fraud scandal involving false claims by used automobile seller Big Motor.
News On Japan – Jan 15
Following the certification fraud concern at Daihatsu, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has made public its car collision assessments.
News On Japan – Jan 15
The Nikkei Stock Average continued to rise on Monday, setting a post-bubble document excessive for the fifth consecutive day, closing at 35,901, up 324 yen from the earlier week’s finish.
News On Japan – Jan 15
Corporate bankruptcies in Japan final yr reached over 8,000 for the primary time in 4 years, pushed by excessive inflation and labor shortages, with the opportunity of exceeding 10,000 this yr as business faces the ‘2024 Problem’.
News On Japan – Jan 15
Since 2008, a few third of malls in Japan have closed down, with Ichibata in Shimane the most recent to close its doorways, leaving 4 prefectures in Japan with none malls in any respect.
News On Japan – Jan 13
Yamato Transport, considered one of Japan’s largest door-to-door supply firms, has introduced it is going to elevate parcel supply charges by a mean of two% beginning this April.
News On Japan – Jan 13
The influence of the earthquake has prolonged to livestock farming, with one Wagyu beef ranch in Ishikawa Prefecture unable to get feed delivered as a consequence of street harm.
News On Japan – Jan 13
The Nikkei Stock Average reached its highest degree because the bubble period for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, closing at 35,422.95, surging by greater than 2,000 factors over the previous week on the again of modifications to Japan’s funding guidelines.
News On Japan – Jan 13
One of the biggest annual customized automobile exhibits in Japan, Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, opened on Friday at Makuhari Messe simply outdoors of Tokyo in Chiba, that includes 900 idea automobiles and particular version automobiles.
News On Japan – Jan 12
Nankai Bus has been ordered to halt operations following reviews that the corporate has been overworking drivers for greater than 16 hours a day, pushed by extreme workers shortages.
News On Japan – Jan 11
Suzuki has introduced plans to take a position over 600 billion yen in India to construct a brand new manufacturing unit able to producing 1 million automobiles yearly in a transfer to shore up its present 40% market share amid eager competitors from Korea.
News On Japan – Jan 11
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has introduced new laws to overturn the convictions of postmasters wrongfully accused of embezzlement following the invention of flaws in an accounting system offered to put up places of work by Fujitsu.
News On Japan – Jan 11
Fast Retailing, the mother or father firm of Uniqlo and GU, will present 100,000 objects of winter clothes together with down jackets to the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
NHK – Jan 11
Honda Motor has introduced plans to launch a brand new collection of self-developed electrical automobiles in 2026. It says that is the corporate’s first step in increasing its presence within the international EV market.
Ishikawa Prefecture: Newly introduced names of these killed within the Noto Peninsula earthquake; 20 individuals with the consent of their households | NHK
On the sixteenth, Ishikawa Prefecture introduced the names and ages of 20 individuals who died within the Noto Peninsula earthquake, with the consent of their bereaved households.
The prefecture says it would make public the details about different individuals as quickly because it receives the consent of the bereaved households.
South Korean President says North Korea’s change in coverage “recognizes anti-national groups” | NHK
Regarding North Korean chief Kim Jong-un’s shift to treating South Korea as a hostile nation reasonably than a goal for unification, South Korean President Yoon Seong-yeol stated, “The North is an anti-national group.” “I have personally acknowledged that this is the case,” he stated, and expressed his intention to take a powerful stance towards North Korea’s provocations.
US presidential election Republican entrepreneur Ramaswami proclaims withdrawal | NHK
Entrepreneur Ramaswamy, who had introduced his candidacy for the opposition Republican Party within the US presidential election, introduced that he would withdraw from the marketing campaign following the outcomes of the caucus held within the midwestern state of Iowa.
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare offers particular loans of as much as 200,000 yen to households affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake | NHK
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has determined to take particular measures to lend as much as 200,000 yen to households affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and municipalities in Niigata and Fukui prefectures have begun accepting loans at their counters. We plan to start accepting functions in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures as quickly as they’re prepared.
Spring Labor: “Strongly calls on companies to continue raising wages” Basic coverage of Keidanren | NHK
During this 12 months’s spring labor union, the Keidanren’s primary coverage, which serves as a tenet for company administration, was finalized, and it urged firms to proceed elevating wages, saying, “We wish to ask firms to actively take into account and implement it with much more enthusiasm and willpower than final 12 months.” I’m calling.
Political Reform Headquarters Prime Minister Kishida “attends as long as time allows” Political funding concern | NHK
In response to the difficulty surrounding political funding events by factions of the Liberal Democratic Party, Prime Minister Kishida attended, as time permitted, a gathering of the “Political Reform Headquarters” for all get together members, held on the afternoon of the sixteenth. They expressed the concept of exchanging opinions on issues reminiscent of the character of factions.


