Somen noodles slide for Guinness record
On Oct. 21, Nagashi somen — somen noodles flowing in cold water on bamboo pipes — traveled a distance of 2-1/2 miles, a feat that was formally recognized as a world record in Taketa, Oita prefecture. Read more
Focus on Japan
The latest news, trends and photo galleries from Japan by Japan News and Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper founded in 1874.
Japan seeks global cooperation to explore ‘urban mines’
Japan wants to work with the United States and the European Union to promote technology that can recover and recycle metals from used electronic devices, according to government sources. Read more
Declining Japanese town getting attention through flowers
In the small, declining town of Asahi, one man for two decades has been planting vistas of flowers, hoping to attract visitors. Read more
Game from the past finds new players
At the Beigoma Shiryokan museum in Kawaguchi, a city known for its foundry industry, local elementary school students gather to play beigoma, a game using special spinning tops. Read more
Photogenic red sweet corn called a ‘jewel’ of social media
With its burgundy hue, the newly developed Yamato Rouge sweet corn has been all the rage on social media, and the company that developed it couldn’t be happier. Read more
‘Beer balls’ tailor alcohol content to drinker’s preference
There are a variety of ways to enjoy beer these days. Unique beers continue to be created, such as those that allow drinkers to adjust alcohol content. Read more
Japan to independently measure its forests’ carbon absorption
Japan’s government plans to develop its own method of measuring the country’s plant resources, with the goal of accurately determining its carbon dioxide absorption levels. Read more
PHOTO: A Golden Road
Worshippers admired the sun setting over the Genkai Sea and illuminating the approach to Miyajidake Shrine in Fukutsu, Fukuoka prefecture last month. Read more
Tokyo shop sees a big demand for tiny towels
Little gifts come in handy when paying someone a visit, and wrapping them in a small tenugui hand towel can add a playful — and traditionally Japanese — touch. Read more
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Youngsters spread love of reading with furry friends
At a book club event Oct. 14, 10 children from Tokushima prefecture shared their favorite books with “reading dogs” at a prefectural library. Read more
Cosmetics designed for use in space
A leading cosmetics company has unveiled a new line of products that can be used in space, with plans to have them taken to the International Space Station next year. Read more
Whimsical designs breathe life into handmade paper balloons
Paper balloons are a regional specialty of Izumozaki in Niigata prefecture, where they have been produced for more than 100 years. Read more
Gardening left to the goats
A community in Shimane prefecture unleashed a small herd of hungry goats to clean up weeds along an abandoned railway track. Read more
Labor shortages changing policies on second jobs for public employees
Local governments in Yamagata prefecture, Japan’s largest producer of cherries, are increasingly permitting civil servants to take on side jobs harvesting cherries as a means to deal with labor shortages amid a decline in farmers and an aging population. Read more
Tokyo town gives young fans a night of art to moon over
Moon-inspired artwork made their presence known in the streets and open spaces around Shimokitazawa Station in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward. Read more
Upcycling gives new life to cabbage cores, coffee dregs
Efforts to upcycle food, or use parts of food products that would traditionally go to waste, are gaining momentum in Japan amid growing environmental awareness. Read more
Both teens, artists in Japan are sticking with this trend
“Stationery art” has become popular in recent years as more people use items such as masking tape and pencils to create art. Read more
Chiba zoo’s famous red panda, Futa, turns 20
Futa, the red panda known for standing on his hind legs, reached the ripe old age of 20 in July at the Chiba Zoological Park. Read more
Tourists marvel at convenience, cleanliness they find in Japan
On a trip to Japan from Australia in mid-July, Ben Radewell was amazed when taking video of his friend stepping into a glass-walled cube that sits in a corner of a park in Shibuya in Tokyo. The walls became opaque as she entered, making her invisible from the outside. Read more
Top tourism spots threatened by surge in visitors
The rising number of foreign visitors to Japan is expected to benefit the nation’s economy. But there also are concerns about the return of overtourism and just partial success of countermeasures. Read more
Tokyo fashion festival highlights summer yukata
The Oshare Bon Odori summer fashion event in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping area was held in August for the first time since coronavirus shutdowns. Read more
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