Features
A grave new world: The tomb of Emperor Nintoku
Daisen Kofun, believed to be the final resting place of the mysterious Emperor Nintoku, is the largest tomb in Japan. Nintoku was reputedly the 16th emperor of the nation, but because his life and reign are shrouded in myth, his existence remains controversial. The grounds of the tumulus are amongst… Read
Microplastics in drinking water not a health risk for now: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday the level of microplastics in drinking-water is not yet dangerous for humans but called for more research into potential future risk. In its first report into the effects of microplastics on human health, WHO looked into the specific impact of microplastics in tap… Read
Some local governments successfully reintegrate 'hikikomori' back into society
Fujisato is a small town (population 3,214) in Akita Prefecture. Mountains enclose it. In winter, snow fairly buries it. Nearly half its population (47 percent) is elderly. In 2006 two elementary school children were murdered there. Generally speaking, when you’ve said that about a place in the remote hinterland, you’ve… Read
Citizen to sell 'world's most accurate' quartz wristwatch
Citizen Watch Co Ltd will release what it claims is the world's most accurate quartz wristwatch in the fall of 2019. It is a solar-powered wristwatch priced at ¥1.8 million (excluding tax). Its product name is "The Citizen." "We employed a wristwatch technology that enables to most accurately mark the… Read
G7 or G5? Trump and Johnson add unpredictability to French summit
Brexit Britain's overtures to U.S. President Donald Trump risk further complicating the search for common ground this weekend at a Group of Seven summit already clouded by transatlantic rifts over trade, Iran and climate change. The summit host, President Emmanuel Macron of France, has set the bar low for Biarritz… Read
Ramen chain offering 5 free beers for every bowl of ramen you order
There are a lot of ramen restaurants in Japan, but one you really should go to is Ippudo. Ordinarily, there are two reasons to eat at the chain: it’s signature Tokusei Shiromaru Fukuoka-style tonkotsu (pork stock) ramen, and its spruced-up Tokusei Akamaru ramen, which ads spicy miso to the mix for a complex, even more stimulating… Read
Letters from Japan: 'Ghosted in Portugal'
Savvy Tokyo's resident "Love in Japan" columnist, Hilary Keyes, answers anonymous questions from readers on everything from dating in Japan to women’s health issues. Got a question you’d like to ask Hilary? Email it to editorial@gplusmedia.com with the subject "Ask Hilary". Hi Hilary, I’m writing from Portugal and I was… Read
Korean Air to reduce flights to Japan
Korean Air has confirmed plans to reduce the number of flights to Japan, while increasing flights to Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Chinese markets. Korean Air will suspend the Busan-Osaka route (14 flights a week) from Sept 16, as well as Jeju-Narita (3 flights a week) and Jeju-Osaka (4 flights a… Read
Brand-name drug prices rising at slower pace, lower amounts
Drug companies are still raising prices for brand-name prescription medicines, just not as often or by as much as they used to, according to an Associated Press analysis. After years of frequent list price hikes, many drugmakers are showing some restraint, according to the analysis of drug prices provided by… Read
Sharp 3D fan
Sharp’s PJ-J2DBG fan is a 3D fan with “hybrid nature wings” based on the shapes of several birds’ wings, to bring the maximum amount of wind. The fan controls its movement and changes its angle automatically to circulate air throughout the room, and sends wind within a smaller concentrated range… Read
