Yusuke Kato from The Mainichi:
This city's board of education issued a notice to a junior high school that students should stay properly hydrated, after the school established a rule stating that "in principle, it is considered good manners not to drink (water or tea from a water bottle) during classes or tests," the Mainichi Shimbun has learned from the board and other sources.
This is the second story I have posted about insane school rules in Okegawa. Absolute madness to force students to dehydrate themselves because of 'good manners'.
From The Yomiuri Shimbun:
When passengers and airport staff speak, the display shows a translation into one of 13 languages, including English and Chinese. This appears on a transparent display, allowing speakers to still see each other’s faces.
Click through to the article to see the photo of how this works. Pretty cool tech and I hope they keep it after the trial period.
Takehiro Higashi from Kyodo:
Since its arrival on Japan's shores a quarter-century ago, American membership-only warehouse food and home goods club retailer Costco has grown significantly and evolved into being seen by many as a consumption-driven savior for struggling local economies.
The CostCo bulgogi stick was the only thing keeping peace between Japan and Korea over the past decade. May it drip scalding hot meat juice on me for years to come.
Kat Joplin from The Japan Times:
All too many of my friends and acquaintances in Japan fall under the self-described “aspiring writers” label: people who write in private, but have yet to successfully pitch and publish an article, short story or — most formidable — a full-blown book. And yet, from fiction novelist Karen Hill Anton to memoirist Florentyna Leow (both previous contributors to The Japan Times), it is clear that non-Japanese writers can thrive in Japan. Some find career stability in teaching, translation or corporate work that frees up time for writing, while others find that the culture and vibrance of this country inspires their imaginations and world-building.
I sat down with three authors with books coming out in 2024 — Ellen McGinty, Ambika Nagino and Kristin Osani — to discuss the ups and downs of the publishing industry and the long (and very different) roads each of them took to seeing their books in print.
Shinnosuke Kyan from The Mainichi:
During the fierce ground battles in Okinawa Prefecture in the late stages of World War II, Ie Island, located several kilometers off Okinawa's main island, housed a large airfield built by the Imperial Japanese Army. This was targeted by the U.S. military, turning the island into a horrific battlefield said to epitomize the Battle of Okinawa. Many young children were caught in the crossfire, and two of them, now in their 80s, shared their painful experiences with the Mainichi Shimbun.
No child should ever have to go through this. We need to keep these stories alive to help prevent them from happening again.