Latest news with #Japan-bound
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
It's do-or-die as holes are exposed: Four things learnt in Reds' defeat
How finals will determine Wallabies' No.10 battle Tom Lynagh has thrust himself firmly into contention to steer the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions, but Friday's battle was one that perhaps did his chance some harm. While the 22-year-old still showed some strength running the ball and a few deft passes long and short, his kicking game was a far cry from the clean and booming nature Reds fans have grown accustomed to, while McDermott also shouldered some burden. He also missed five tackles, but his work off the tee, kicking five goals from five attempts, including the Reds' first two penalties of the season, kept them in the hunt before he was subbed out with 15 minutes remaining. Loading National coach Joe Schmidt has previously confirmed if any selection battles were neck-and-neck races, those who had committed to Australian rugby beyond 2025 would be preferred – which could spell the end of Japan-bound Brumbies star Noah Lolesio's bid. That would leave Lynagh in a likely fight with Western Force counterpart Ben Donaldson, who announced this week he had re-signed until the end of 2027. Schmidt, however, has also hinted finals form would count for plenty given the do-or-die nature of that stage. Donaldson and his ninth-placed Force will not get that opportunity. Lynagh and his Queensland teammates will need to rally against the Drua in Brisbane next week before contemplating their finals quest. 'I just had a couple of moments – a lack of focus, and some of those under pressure yes, but I've got to be better.' Tate McDermott Great's son made for the big stage He has spent his time at Ballymore stuck behind an all-star back row of Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Liam Wright. But when injuries have reared, Joe Brial has proven he has the tools to thrive at this level, and he stood up for the most crucial moment of his career to almost steal the win. Trailing by six, Queensland's go forward was lacking as they built up 20 phases without much penetration – players seemingly catching the ball flat-footed and unsure whether to shift it wide or play it through the middle. Brial, the son of 13-Test Wallaby Michael Brial, chose the latter, carrying then shrugging off three defenders en route to a brilliant individual try. The 23-year-old only recently put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension until the end of 2026, and with Wright's worrying injury history – still sidelined with the same shoulder concern that curtailed his Test comeback last year – Brial looms as a key figure in the Reds' finals quest. 'We always knew how good of an athlete Brially was ... he's absolutely shot out of the gates and been really impressive.' Tate McDermott McDermott's case builds, as Reds hope for reinforcements Despite the result, McDermott has given his case for the Wallabies' No.9 jumper another telling boost on the back of his try-scoring brace which kept his side within striking distance. The halfback's long passing game early in the second half unleashed the backline before scoring himself on the inside support, while he finished the night with 67 running metres while beating five defenders. '[Wright] is out for a little while, we're waiting for our next meet with the surgeon on that and get some more [information].' Les Kiss There is still hope McDermott's backline will receive some reinforcements, with outside centre Josh Flook (hamstring) in line to be available for selection against the Drua, with Seru Uru (knee) also a chance. But Kiss confirmed Wright and Faessler (hamstring) would likely not feature for the Reds again this season, with the former having undergone surgery.
The Age
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
It's do-or-die as holes are exposed: Four things learnt in Reds' defeat
How finals will determine Wallabies' No.10 battle Tom Lynagh has thrust himself firmly into contention to steer the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions, but Friday's battle was one that perhaps did his chance some harm. While the 22-year-old still showed some strength running the ball and a few deft passes long and short, his kicking game was a far cry from the clean and booming nature Reds fans have grown accustomed to, while McDermott also shouldered some burden. He also missed five tackles, but his work off the tee, kicking five goals from five attempts, including the Reds' first two penalties of the season, kept them in the hunt before he was subbed out with 15 minutes remaining. Loading National coach Joe Schmidt has previously confirmed if any selection battles were neck-and-neck races, those who had committed to Australian rugby beyond 2025 would be preferred – which could spell the end of Japan-bound Brumbies star Noah Lolesio's bid. That would leave Lynagh in a likely fight with Western Force counterpart Ben Donaldson, who announced this week he had re-signed until the end of 2027. Schmidt, however, has also hinted finals form would count for plenty given the do-or-die nature of that stage. Donaldson and his ninth-placed Force will not get that opportunity. Lynagh and his Queensland teammates will need to rally against the Drua in Brisbane next week before contemplating their finals quest. 'I just had a couple of moments – a lack of focus, and some of those under pressure yes, but I've got to be better.' Tate McDermott Great's son made for the big stage He has spent his time at Ballymore stuck behind an all-star back row of Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Liam Wright. But when injuries have reared, Joe Brial has proven he has the tools to thrive at this level, and he stood up for the most crucial moment of his career to almost steal the win. Trailing by six, Queensland's go forward was lacking as they built up 20 phases without much penetration – players seemingly catching the ball flat-footed and unsure whether to shift it wide or play it through the middle. Brial, the son of 13-Test Wallaby Michael Brial, chose the latter, carrying then shrugging off three defenders en route to a brilliant individual try. The 23-year-old only recently put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension until the end of 2026, and with Wright's worrying injury history – still sidelined with the same shoulder concern that curtailed his Test comeback last year – Brial looms as a key figure in the Reds' finals quest. 'We always knew how good of an athlete Brially was ... he's absolutely shot out of the gates and been really impressive.' Tate McDermott McDermott's case builds, as Reds hope for reinforcements Despite the result, McDermott has given his case for the Wallabies' No.9 jumper another telling boost on the back of his try-scoring brace which kept his side within striking distance. The halfback's long passing game early in the second half unleashed the backline before scoring himself on the inside support, while he finished the night with 67 running metres while beating five defenders. '[Wright] is out for a little while, we're waiting for our next meet with the surgeon on that and get some more [information].' Les Kiss There is still hope McDermott's backline will receive some reinforcements, with outside centre Josh Flook (hamstring) in line to be available for selection against the Drua, with Seru Uru (knee) also a chance. But Kiss confirmed Wright and Faessler (hamstring) would likely not feature for the Reds again this season, with the former having undergone surgery.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Express Tribune
'Unscientific' Japan megaquake alerts cause drop in Hong Kong tourism
Listen to article Tourism to Japan from Hong Kong is taking a noticeable hit as online rumours predicting a massive earthquake continue to spread across social media platforms, prompting unease among travellers and forcing airlines and tour operators to adjust services. Hong Kong residents made nearly 2.7 million trips to Japan in 2024, but local travel agencies report a significant decline in inquiries and bookings for 2025, particularly for trips scheduled in summer months. The shift comes despite repeated scientific assurances from Japanese authorities that earthquakes cannot be predicted with precision. Frankie Chow, head of travel agency CLS Holiday, said customer interest in Japan dropped by 70–80% in March and April compared to the same period last year. 'I've never experienced this before,' Chow told AFP, noting that clients are either postponing trips or changing destinations altogether due to fears of a so-called 'megaquake.' The rumours circulating in Hong Kong and Taiwan include claims based on a republished Japanese manga that allegedly predicts a natural disaster in July 2025. Others refer to a Facebook group that purports to forecast earthquakes in Japan and has amassed over a quarter million members, many from Hong Kong. While Japan experiences frequent seismic activity, the country's strict building regulations and disaster preparedness protocols have historically minimised damage. Major quakes are rare but not unprecedented, such as the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which caused widespread destruction and killed over 18,000 people. In January, a Japanese government panel slightly increased the estimated probability of a magnitude 8.0 or higher quake along the Nankai Trough to 75–82% over the next 30 years. A follow-up Cabinet Office report in March estimated that such a quake and resulting tsunami could cause up to 298,000 deaths. While these figures were updated to older assessments, they appear to have fuelled public anxiety, particularly online. In response to the misinformation, Japan's Cabinet Office posted on social media platform X last month: 'Predicting earthquakes by date, time, and place is not possible based on current scientific knowledge.' An official told AFP that the post was part of routine public communication, though Japanese media have linked it to online claims. The impact on tourism has already begun to show. Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines has announced reductions in its weekly round-trip flights to Tokushima and Sendai, citing low demand caused by the earthquake rumours. A tourism official in Tokushima confirmed the change, noting that it will remain in effect from May 12 to October 25. Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director at Hong Kong-based EGL Tours, said his agency had not observed a steep drop in Japan-bound bookings. However, he acknowledged a decrease in Hong Kong visitors at the group's hotels in Japan, while bookings from other countries remained stable. A YouTube video published by local outlet HK01, in which a feng shui practitioner warns viewers against visiting Japan this summer, has racked up over 100,000 views. Despite the lack of scientific basis, the predictions have influenced some travellers like Don Hon, a 32-year-old social worker, who told AFP that while he doesn't fully believe the forecasts, he is avoiding Japan out of caution. 'If a friend asked me to go in July, I'd probably suggest somewhere else,' Hon said. Officials in Japan have expressed concern that misinformation may damage the country's tourism recovery. Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai reassured travellers that there was no reason to worry, but warned that 'if unscientific rumours on social media are impacting tourism, that would be a major problem.' Despite the downturn in confidence, industry experts believe the effect may be temporary. 'Once July passes without incident, people will realise it's not true,' said Huen.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Super Rugby Pacific: Blues slump to loss against Reds, leaving title defence in tatters
The Blues have hope yet but after continuing New Zealand's staggering collective inability to win in Australia this season – stretching that barren run to six attempts – they have officially entered must-win territory. With their season on the line, the Blues' 35-21 loss to the Reds ranks as one of their worst performances of the year. From the malfunctioning lineout that lost four throws, to Mark Tele'a's moment of madness, indecision under the high ball, turnovers, blown chances and brittle defence, the Blues seem bereft of confidence. Vern Cotter could clutch for excuses. The Blues were without Dalton Papali'i and Caleb Clarke, and Beauden Barrett started on the bench after battling illness this week. But their basic skills and inaccuracy were alarming for a team that should be title contenders. One of the great frustrations is how the Blues can switch from losing to a match-winning James O'Connor penalty against the Crusaders in Christchurch last week to a performance that suggests they deserve to slip to ninth place. Having suffered their most single-season losses since 2019, the Blues must now claim their four winnable remaining games – against the Force (home), Drua (away), Moana (away) and Waratahs (home) – to scrape into the playoffs. Their failure to secure a losing bonus point in Brisbane could yet prove costly. The Blues will almost certainly be without Japan-bound All Blacks wing Tele'a for the next couple of weeks after he took a solid shot too far. In the 30th minute, with the Blues trailing 14-0, frustrations boiled over when Tele'a hit his opposite wing Tim Ryan hard but then tipped him into an unnecessarily dangerous position, leaving referee Jordan Way no choice but to brandish a yellow card that was soon upgraded to red. While the Blues eventually replaced Tele'a, his actions left them one man short for 20 minutes, and he now faces suspension for the incident. The Reds, down on troops, emerging from the bye and successive defeats to the Brumbies and Chiefs, rode their luck and goal line defence to a first-half lead. They then made the most of their one-man advantage, with Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott delivering the telling blow to expose the Blues' ruck defence. Five-tries-to-three was a fair reflection of the Reds' first win over the Blues in six years, although Cotter's men will rue blowing many chances to strike. After enduring a poor start by allowing Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh to waltz through for two tries in as many minutes, the Blues had ample chances to convert. Four times they crossed the Reds' line without converting, with a mixture of gallant Reds defence and inaccuracy costing the Blues. Finally, just before half time, the Blues defied their numerical disadvantage to break the deadlock with Kurt Eklund barging over after being twice previously denied. Late tries to Sam Nock and Anton Segner merely mitigated the damage, with the Blues returning home empty-handed. With New Zealand teams suffering five losses (three from the Highlanders), the Chiefs' defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney, the Hurricanes drawing with the Force and now the Blues slumping against the Reds, Australia is becoming something of a 2025 graveyard for Kiwi sides.
The Mainichi
23-04-2025
- The Mainichi
How did American tourist mistakenly bring gun into Japan despite airport screenings?
An American tourist in his 70s was recently arrested in Japan for possessing a handgun, which he had inadvertently brought with him in his suitcase along with ammunition. Though the case was later dropped, it begs the question: How did the firearm get through security checks at two airports? The man departed from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Hawaii March 21 with his wife in her 80s. They arrived at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture the following day and stayed at a nearby hotel. They planned to embark on a cruise from Kobe to visit various locations in Japan and Busan, South Korea. Their journey, however, was cut short after the discovery of the gun and three bullets the man had brought with him. Regularly carried pistol for self-defense The man found the handgun and ammunition in his suitcase when he opened it at the hotel, and reported it to cruise staff. After receiving the report via port officials, Hyogo Prefectural Police's Kobe Suijo Police Station arrested him on March 24 on suspicion of violating Japan's firearms and swords control law. He had thrown the ammunition into a cruise terminal trash bin, fearing harsher penalties if they were found with the gun. The man apparently carried the pistol on a regular basis for self-defense in the United States, keeping it in a leopard-print fabric pouch. This pouch was packed in his checked suitcase for the flight from Hawaii to Japan. During questioning, he reportedly told the prefectural police that he brought it by mistake and that he knew guns are regulated in Japan. Still, the question remains why the gun was not detected during security checks before his departure from Hawaii or upon his arrival in Japan. According to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, countries that have ratified the Convention on International Civil Aviation set by the United Nations, including Japan, are required to conduct security checks before departure to prevent hijackings and other forms of terrorism. The bodies responsible for these checks vary by country, and in Japan, they are carried out by airlines or contracted security companies. Here, luggage is examined using X-rays and other methods to detect items that may explode, ignite or be used as weapons. Bringing dangerous items aboard an aircraft violates the Civil Aeronautics Act, and can be punished by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 1 million yen (about $7,000). Security checks before flights As the United States has also ratified the convention, an official at Japan's transport ministry expressed confusion, saying, "Handguns should not be able to make it onto a Japan-bound aircraft." A U.S. Transportation Security Administration officer at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport expressed sympathy for the man who was arrested. According to them, items prohibited on flights are explained when passengers check in luggage at airline counters at airports in the U.S. The officer added that there must have been warnings since the man was traveling to a country like Japan where firearms are banned, and that he might not have declared it because he didn't realize the gun was in his luggage. The officer emphasized that all luggage is checked using X-rays and other means. But approximately 6,600 pistols are seized annually at U.S. airports, indicating that many reach security checkpoints. The man's case is an example of how firearms somehow go unnoticed. Professor Hajime Tozaki of J.F. Oberlin University, an expert on airport policies, commented, "Security checks before boarding flights are the are the most important, and the risk of hijacking and terrorism increases if they aren't thorough." He acknowledged that high volumes of luggage and insufficiently trained staff could lead to security oversights. Although pre-flight security has become stricter globally due to frequent terrorist incidents, inspection methods differ by country. The gun and ammunition may have evaded detection by being obscured among other items in the recent case. Security checks in Japan Can Japanese airport inspections miss firearms? Tozaki stated, "Since the plane arrived safely, there isn't much attention paid to dangerous items." At Kansai International Airport, where the man with the gun arrived, luggage inspections are conducted. However, according to Osaka Customs, the basic procedure for inspecting travelers from overseas involves verifying declared possessions. In some cases, X-ray screening or visual checks are performed, but apparently not all luggage is examined. A customs spokesperson acknowledged, "It's true that a handgun passed through Kansai airport, but we refrain from commenting on individual cases." Measures needed for a tourism-oriented nation Tozaki commented, "In this case, the man was unaware that he had brought a gun with him, and he probably didn't act suspiciously. Since it was not declared, it likely went unnoticed at Kansai airport." However, with global tensions rising due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip, he cautioned, "There is a significant possibility that intentional firearm smuggling could increase in the future. The question is how can we prevent it." Kansai International Airport plays a key role as the main gateway for international travelers visiting Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. As the airport is a crucial hub for Japan, which seeks to attract more inbound tourists, Tozaki stressed the need for heightened vigilance regarding the smuggling of dangerous items. He further stated, "Urgent measures may be necessary such as increasing the number of inspectors, with the national government providing financial support for these expenses. The recent case of the pistol should be recognized as an issue that affects Japan's reputation as it aims to become a tourism-oriented nation."
