Ever since Japan Railways Group (JR), raised the value for its nationwide rail move, a variety of the luster has been misplaced for what was once extensively thought of Japan’s greatest tourism transit deal. But even when the nationwide move has priced itself out of consideration for a lot of vacationers, there are nonetheless nice bargains accessible for these searching for a extra geographically targeted journey in Japan, because of some nice regional rail move bargains, with the move we’re taking a look at at this time one that you just’ll wish to act quick on.

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) is presently providing a one or two-day limitless practice trip move referred to as the Kyun Pass. The move can be utilized on all JR East strains, which stretch from Tokyo all the best way as much as the tip of the northeastern Tohoku area and in addition to components of the Chubu area that embody Niigata, and sure, it may be used on the shinkansen too.

In addition, the Kyun Pass will get you limitless rides on 5 affiliated strains, the Aomori Railway Line, Iwate Galaxy Railway Line, Sanriku Railway Line, Hokuetsu Express Line, and Echigo Tokimeki Railway Line, and even BRT buses on the Kesennuma and Ofunato Lines.

Despite masking such a large space, the value for the Kyun Pass is simply 10,000 yen for a one-day move or 18,000 yen for the two-day model. Considering {that a} regular one-way shinkansen trip from Tokyo to Aomori (in northern Tohoku) by itself is roughly 17,500 yen, it ought to be very straightforward to get your cash’s price out of the Kyun Pass.

▼ The gorgeous snowscapes of Aomori’s Hakkoda Mountains, Nagano’s stunning Zenkoji Temple, and different nice locations in Miyagi and Akita Prefectures are all accessible with the move.

▼ The Kyun Pass emblem (for extra on the that means of kyun, please check with our latest examination of the logic behind the naming of Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses)

But there’s a catch, proper? Sort of, though, relying in your perspective, it may truly make the deal even sweeter. The Kyun Pass is legitimate on weekdays solely, however by planning your journey so that you just’re avoiding the weekends, you’ll even be lacking the largest crowds, making your journey that rather more gratifying.

As talked about earlier, although, you’ll want to leap on this deal instantly, because the final day that the Kyun Pass can be utilized is March 12, and so the single-day move is barely accessible for buy till February 26, and the two-day move till February 25. The move is on the market by the JR East web site right here.

Source: JR East, JR View, PR Times

Insert photographs: PR Times, JR East

Read extra tales from SoraNews24.

— JR East broadcasts awesomely low-cost one-day all-you can trip move, Shinkansen included

— New Japan rail move offers you per week of free rides in an enormous house to chase the cherry blossoms

— New unlimited-ride JR Japan rail move is ideal for a laid-back journey in east and northeast Japan

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“I sincerely apologize for the trouble and concern I have caused everyone. I am very sorry,” Nishimiya mentioned, bowing deeply as he left the station.

Nishimiya, who performs underneath the identify Micro as a part of the duo Def Tech, had been arrested within the act for possessing a number of grams of dried hashish at his residence in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, and was indicted on February twentieth on prices of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

The Tokyo District Court later authorised a bail request from Nishimiya’s authorized group, and he was launched at round 8 p.m. on February twenty first.

Source: TBS

The ceremony started as teams from throughout Japan calling for an early decision to the Takeshima dispute gathered across the venue.

Takeshima, administered as a part of Okinoshima Town in Shimane Prefecture however beneath long-standing management by South Korea, has remained on the heart of a territorial dispute between the 2 international locations. Shimane Prefecture enacted an ordinance in 2005 designating February 22 as “Takeshima Day,” commemorating the date in February 1905 when Japan integrated the islets.

Regarding the ceremony, Prime Minister Takaichi had indicated in September final yr, earlier than taking workplace and whereas campaigning within the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, that cupboard ministers ought to attend, however the tone softened after she assumed workplace.

Representing the federal government at this yr’s ceremony was Naoki Furukawa, parliamentary vice-minister on the Cabinet Office accountable for territorial points, marking the 14th consecutive yr that attendance has been restricted to a parliamentary vice-minister.

Source: TBS

Meteorologist Kana Fukuyama remarked on February 21, the opening day of the competition, “You can really smell the sweet fragrance of plum blossoms.” With temperatures working increased than standard in latest days, the blossoms are anticipated to advance rapidly, and a few early-blooming varieties have already reached their peak barely sooner than in a typical 12 months.

The space, as soon as often called “Japan’s top plum village,” endured a significant setback after Japan’s first home case of plum pox virus was confirmed in 2009. To stop the unfold of the virus, which weakens timber, authorities took the drastic step of chopping down contaminated and surrounding plum timber. Across Ome, roughly 40,000 plum timber had been felled.

So Suzuki of the Yoshino Baigo Shopping Association recalled the painful scenes. “I still remember when the trees were cut down. It was heartbreaking to watch, and I remember how difficult it was,” Suzuki mentioned.

In 2016, native residents took the lead in launching a replanting initiative. This 12 months marks the tenth anniversary of these efforts.

“It is said that trees become fully grown after 10 years, and they really have grown large and are blooming beautifully,” Suzuki mentioned. “We hope many people will come and enjoy them.”

About 1,200 plum timber have been planted up to now within the plum park, and Yoshino Baigo has begun as soon as once more to reclaim its standing as a celebrated plum blossom vacation spot. Visitors are being inspired to expertise the renewed panorama because the blossoms sign the complete arrival of spring in Ome.

Source: TBS

The Emperor, who reached his 66th birthday on February twenty second, spoke at a press convention held beforehand within the Ishibashi-no-Ma corridor of the Imperial Palace, noting that this 12 months marks 15 years because the Great East Japan Earthquake and 10 years because the Kumamoto Earthquake, and mentioned, “The impact of disasters differs for each person and carries a weight that cannot be measured simply by the passage of time. I would like to continue keeping those in disaster-hit areas in my thoughts.”

Ahead of his birthday, the Emperor addressed reporters, talking about his ideas for communities nonetheless recovering from current calamities and reiterating his hope that reconstruction efforts will proceed steadily. He conveyed his deep sympathy for individuals who have suffered harm and loss, noting the significance of standing near the individuals throughout troublesome instances.

The full, unedited video of the press convention has been launched, providing a complete account of the Emperor’s remarks as he commemorates his 66th birthday.

Source: TBS

At a gold-themed occasion held final month at a division retailer in Tokyo, a gold sculpture of Shohei Ohtani drew crowds of onlookers, with the pair of gold statues priced at 55 million yen and made utilizing roughly 3,000 gold cash. Interest in gold has intensified alongside rising costs and Ohtani’s international fame. Often known as a “safe-haven asset,” gold has surged to roughly 4 instances its stage earlier than Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 4 years in the past.

Amid this backdrop, Japan’s solely working gold mine—Sumitomo Metal Mining’s Hishikari mine in Kagoshima Prefecture—has gained prominence. Development started within the early Nineteen Eighties, with the primary ore vein found at a depth of 100 meters in 1985, marking roughly 40 years since manufacturing began. From the mine entrance, staff descend to a depth of 345 meters, akin to the peak of Tokyo Tower.

At the positioning, geothermal scorching spring water performs a vital function in gold formation. Gold contained in magma throughout volcanic exercise about a million years in the past was carried close to the floor by scorching water, forming one of many world’s highest-grade gold veins. The mine’s whole tunnel size extends about 170 kilometers, and superior equipment is used to exactly find slim veins embedded in laborious rock. Automated gear assists with drilling and explosive placement, whereas staff monitor refined modifications in vein course and rock hardness.

Ore extracted right here averages about 20 grams of gold per ton—greater than ten instances the grade of main international mines. Quartz containing gold is sorted and transported to a refinery in Ehime Prefecture to be processed into gold merchandise. Sumitomo Metal Mining produces roughly 3.5 tons of gold yearly from the mine.

Matsumoto stated the Hishikari mine stays a invaluable asset for the corporate, which has extracted about 270 tons of gold there over the previous 4 many years. An estimated 154 tons should still stay, and ongoing exploration is underneath means across the web site. While gold costs are at the moment elevated, Matsumoto famous that monetary market dynamics typically drive demand, with about 30% of the roughly 5,000 tons of gold produced globally annually used for funding functions. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty has pushed funds into gold as a steady asset.

The firm’s efficiency has been robust, with web revenue for the fiscal 12 months ending March 2026 anticipated to be about 8.5 instances increased than the earlier 12 months, whereas its share value has greater than doubled over the previous 12 months. Still, Matsumoto harassed that as a manufacturing-oriented firm, Sumitomo Metal Mining goals to deal with producing supplies somewhat than relying solely on value fluctuations.

Beyond gold, the corporate mines copper, nickel and different assets abroad, primarily in South America, North America and Australia, typically in partnership with main international mining corporations. It operates eight abroad mines and can be increasing its supplies enterprise. One instance is a useful materials referred to as Solament, which absorbs infrared radiation whereas permitting mild to go by means of and has been included into merchandise similar to umbrellas that had been offered on the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Matsumoto stated the worldwide surroundings has shifted from an period of free-flowing globalization to 1 marked by geopolitical competitors, making useful resource acquisition abroad harder and expensive. For Japan, which lacks home assets, constructing partnerships by providing superior refining and manufacturing applied sciences will likely be key to securing entry. Improving productiveness and decreasing prices at refining amenities are additionally important to sustaining competitiveness.

Looking forward, Matsumoto emphasised the significance of growing human assets to make sure the corporate’s continued progress over the following 400 years, noting that at the same time as AI advances, human judgment stays vital in course of growth and new product creation.

Japan’s solely energetic gold mine has produced about 270 tons of gold to this point and nonetheless holds important potential, with exceptionally excessive ore grades by international requirements. As gold costs soar and geopolitical tensions reshape provide chains, the mine’s function in preserving mining expertise and supporting Japan’s useful resource safety has taken on renewed significance.

Source: TBS