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National
Town to block Mount Fuji view from troublesome tourists
A huge black barrier to block Mount Fuji from view will be installed in a popular photo spot by Japanese authorities exasperated by crowds of badly behaved foreign tourists. Construction of the mesh net -- 2.5 meters high and the length of a cricket pitch at 20 meters -- will… Read
SDF punishes 5 members for mishandling state secrets
The Self-Defense Forces have reprimanded five members over two cases of mishandling state secrets in its ground and maritime branches, the government said, in the second such punishment of SDF members under the secrecy law since its enforcement in 2014. The ministry said none of the state secrets in question… Read
IAEA says Fukushima treated water discharge progressing as planned
An International Atomic Energy Agency task force confirmed that the discharge of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant is "progressing as planned," as it wrapped up Friday its latest review on the process. It was the second visit to Japan by an IAEA task force, comprised of… Read
U.S. aircraft carrier George Washington leaves for Yokosuka
The U.S. military said the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington has left from Virginia for the Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo, replacing another Nimitz-class vessel, the Ronald Reagan. The George Washington, which was deployed to the base from 2008 to 2015, departed Thursday from Naval Station Norfolk, and will sail… Read
Golden Week holidays start amid post-COVID tourism boom, weak yen
Japan's Golden Week holidays started Saturday, with train stations and airports across the country crowded with tourists amid easing fears of COVID-19, while the yen's sharp fall against other currencies has made overseas travel more expensive. "I'm going on a graduation trip that I couldn't make due to the coronavirus… Read
Emperor, empress to visit Britain as state guests in June
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit Britain as state guests in late June, the Imperial Household Agency said Saturday, marking the first state visit by a sitting emperor since his father Akihito's in 1998. The trip, aimed at fostering goodwill and friendship, will be the second overseas one since… Read
Japan Airlines cancels flight after captain gets drunk at U.S. hotel
Japan Airlines Co said Friday it recently canceled a flight from Dallas to Tokyo after the 49-year-old captain engaged in disruptive behavior while drunk at his hotel in the U.S. city and received a warning from local police. The airline said it decided to cancel Flight 11 to Tokyo's Haneda… Read
Japan announces plans to launch upgraded satellites on new flagship rocket's 3rd flight
Japan’s space agency announced Friday a plan to launch a major upgrade to its satellite imaging system, as a new flagship rocket is put to the test for a third time. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency that an H3 rocket will be launched from the Tanegashima Space Center, on a… Read
More than 600 students in Miyagi get sick after drinking school lunch milk
More than 600 students and others got sick after drinking milk provided for school lunches in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Thursday, a tally by Kyodo News showed Friday. Morinaga Milk Industry Co said the milk was produced by a subsidiary and was supplied to 258 elementary and junior high… Read
Japanese city loses residents’ personal data, which was on paper being transported on a windy day
The Aichi prefectural government has issued an official apology for improper handling of the personal data of 121 resident households. The incident took place on April 19 and involved data pertaining to residents of government assisted housing at four buildings under the jurisdiction of the Prefectural Public Housing Division. However, the data was… Read
