Latest news with #Nara
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Wolves in Japan: could their reintroduction restore nature's balance?
A plan to reintroduce wolves to Japan more than a century after they were hunted to extinction is gaining traction as conservationists warn that the country's rural ecosystems are increasingly out of balance and costly to maintain due to booming wild animal populations. The Japan Wolf Association (JWA), established in 1993, argues that returning wolves to the wild could restore natural order in the countryside and help curb the billions of yen in agricultural damage caused each year by deer, wild boar and monkeys. The group is preparing small-scale reintroduction trials in remote regions and downplaying risks to human communities – but not everyone is convinced it's a wise move, given wolves' fearsome reputation. Kunihiko Otsuki, JWA president and heads of a timber company in central Japan's Nara prefecture, is convinced that reintroducing the apex predator is the right course of action. 'Wolves went extinct in Japan more than 100 years ago but now deer have become a huge problem for farming communities across the country,' he told This Week in Asia. 'They eat crops and the natural vegetation in the mountains, and we believe reintroducing wolves would help bring the natural balance back.' Japanese farmers also have to put up with troops of marauding monkeys that can quickly lay waste to particularly appealing crops, as well as boars that dig up root vegetables.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Japan is a model of cleanliness. So where are all the trash cans?
The new solar-powered trash cans on a street in CNN Newsource Professor Chris McMorran teaches Japanese studies at the National University of Singapore, where his work focuses on serious and important topics like labour, gender and marginalized communities. But when he takes his students to Japan, one major question invariably emerges: why aren't there any trash cans? It's a common refrain, especially among the Western travelers who flock to Japan in increasing numbers every year: how can the country be so clean and organized when there doesn't seem to be a way to dispose of garbage in public places? McMorran's students are not the only ones with that question. Earlier this year, the Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO) conducted a survey of passengers leaving Japan and asked what logistical challenges they faced during their trip. The number one response? A lack of trash cans. Twenty-two percent of tourists cited the difficulty of finding a place to throw away garbage as the single biggest issue they'd dealt with during their trip, ahead of a lack of English speakers (15%) and overcrowding at popular attractions (13%). There are a few different ways to address the trash disposal question, but they generally involve the unique cadences of Japanese etiquette. 'This (lack of trash cans) can be a nuisance particularly for budget-conscious young travelers,' says McMorran. 'Instead of sitting down for a meal at a restaurant, they are more likely to grab an onigiri at a convenience store or an Instagrammable dessert at a stall. Once they finish eating, they search in vain for a place to throw the waste.' He notes that while local Japanese people also buy food and drinks from vending machines or kombini (convenience stores), the difference is that they don't necessarily consume these products on the street. It's considered bad manners to eat while walking — to the point where some cities in Japan have outright barred the practice. Instead, it's more common to take these grab-and-go foods to their home or office, eat it there, and then dispose of the trash. If they do eat while out on the go, most people keep a small bag with them where they can stow trash until they get home. The effect of tourism growth Mass tourism is causing problems with Japan's public trash situation. For example, travelers come from around the world to visit the UNESCO-listed city of Nara, a 45-minute bullet train ride east of Osaka. While the city is home to historic temples and Buddhist artifacts, its most famous residents are wild deer which are known for taking crackers from visitors and 'bowing' to say thank you. Trash, though, has become a life-or-death issue for the deer: nine died in 2019 after eating plastic waste that was left on the ground by tourists. Trash cans were removed from Nara's parks in 1985 to prevent deer from trying to eat out of them. Signs throughout the city cautioned people not to litter as eating trash or food outside of their diet could be harmful for the deer. As the number of travelers increased, it became clear that the posted signs weren't enough, and people weren't following the local custom of taking their trash away with them. The city has since reconsidered its policy and installed several trash bins near the busiest tourist areas. The solar-powered trash cans are printed with 'Save the deer' in English. Tokyo's cool Shibuya neighborhood has also struggled to cope with tourists and the trash they leave behind. Local politicians have cracked down on the notoriously riotous Halloween celebrations and made it illegal to consume alcohol on the street — partly to reduce noise complaints, but also to curb the amount of litter. On TikTok, videos about Japanese etiquette for tourists abound, with some travelers comparing Japan favorably to Canada and the US in its approach to public hygiene or offering tips about where to find a trash can when you really need one (many vending machines have a small one next to them). For some tourists, the lack of easily findable rubbish bins is another charming quirk of Japanese culture. For other visitors, it's a nuisance that dimishes the enjoyment of their vacation. Hong Kong resident Ruben Verebes is in the latter camp. He visited Japan for the first time in September 2024 and said he was annoyed by the difficulty of finding a place to throw litter away. 'It is infuriating to walk around Tokyo the whole day, racking up 20,000-plus steps on your feet, and not find a single bin to throw away your plastic wrapping from your sandwich,' he says. 'Some 7-Eleven, Family Mart or Lawson stores didn't even have rubbish bins to use, so you are left to hold these dirty wrappers or bottles all day until you get back to your hotel. (It's) great that the streets are clean, but it is annoying having to hold (trash) all day long.' Paul Christie, CEO of travel company Walk Japan, says he focuses on the values of respect and community when he fields questions from clients about the lack of trash cans. 'The Japanese prize cleanliness and cooperate as a society to make it so, the result being that their country rates highly in the neat and tidy stakes,' he tells CNN. 'In the end,' Christie says, 'Japanese communities have made the decision to avoid the nuisance and cost of public garbage cans, and Japanese consumers have accepted the burden of having a disposal plan when they purchase something.' Japan has made a huge push for its citizens to recycle, which is another reason for the small sizes of trash cans. McMorran, the Japanese studies professor, says that some municipalities have as many as 20 different categories of recyclable items, and even some locals can find it challenging to sort them all and throw out everything correctly. 'The spotless public transport system is an excellent example where all passengers treat the stations, trains, buses and fellow travelers with respect and act accordingly.' A darker undercurrent Beyond the topics of cleanliness and hygiene, there's a bleaker reason behind the lack of trash cans in public areas. On March 20, 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult carried out sarin gas attacks on several Tokyo subway trains, killing 14 people and injuring at least 5,500 more. The cult members brought plastic packets of sarin onto subway cars, dropped them on the floor, and then punctured the bags with umbrella tips as they left the train. Several subway workers who attempted to clean up the spill and help passengers escape were among those who died. The incident shocked Japan and changed the country forever. One aftereffect was the removal of trash cans from subway and train stations. While some still exist, they feature clear plastic bags that enable police officers to easily see what's inside, rather than the dark metal cylinders used in the past. And this phenomenon isn't isolated to Japan. Many trash cans were removed from London Underground stations and major intersections throughout the UK capital following several bombings by the paramilitary Irish Republican Army in the 1970s. Japanese authorities also closely monitor terror incidents overseas. Two Japanese rail lines stopped maintaining trash cans after train bombings in Madrid in 2004, citing concerns about terrorism. There is a creative solution for travelers worried about how to carry their waste during the day. Furoshiki are square pieces of cloth used to wrap items, and nearly every souvenir shop in Japan will have some. They can work in the short term for carrying trash until finding a bin, then can serve decorative purposes back home after the vacation.
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
B.C. woman reunited with goats after unexpected encounter with bear
Adam finds out what happed after a group of miniature goats were scared by one big bear. METCHOSIN, B.C. — Hounaida Bellasfar was preparing to go for a walk with her dogs when they were startled by a bear in their yard. 'He was right there,' Hounaida points. 'I was screaming from the bottom of my heart, and he didn't want to move.' The bear looked at the dogs before standing up on its hind legs. 'I was really scared,' Hounaida says. 'He was taller than me.' But Hounaida and the dogs kept making noise for almost an hour, until the bear eventually retreated into the woods. 'My dogs followed him all the way up there,' Hounaida says, pointing the forested hill behind her home. The dogs eventually came back. But when Hounaida returned home, there was no sign of her goats. 'I took my car, and I drove and I called their name.' Hounaida says the 11 miniature goats, including moms and babies, were all wearing bells around their necks. 'I never heard them.' She searched for them everywhere, for hours, but they were gone. 'It was horrible,' Hounaida says. Because these weren't just any goats, they were family — especially Nara. 'She was rejected by her mom,' Hounaida says. 'So, I needed to raise her with a bottle.' Nara and Hounaida were inseparable. When they weren't watching TV together on the couch, or going for rides in the car, the goat would go for hikes with the dogs. 'So, she thinks I'm her mom,' Hounaida laughs. There was still no sign of the goats the next morning and Hounaida couldn't help but think about her work as a grief recovery specialist. 'Instead of panicking and anticipating the negative, just keep being positive,' Hounaida says. 'And trust that your prayer will be answered.' Almost 24 hours later, it was. A neighbour spotted the goats acres away and Hounaida rushed to retrieve them. 'Oh my god! It was amazing!' Hounaida smiles. 'I said, 'Babies!' They were stuck, but when they saw me, they came running!' While Hounaida is unsure if goats fled after being scared by the bear's arrival, or by all the noise being made before it's departure, there is no doubt she couldn't be more grateful that she never gave up hope and her furry family is reunited. 'They are my babies,' she smiles, before picking up a baby and kissing its head. 'They are not goats!'
Fox News
27-05-2025
- Science
- Fox News
Experts solve mystery of ancient 'mummified dragon' discovered by Japanese shogun
Researchers believe they've cracked the mystery of a mummified "rainbow dragon" that's been sitting in a Japanese treasure house for centuries. The "dragon" has been stashed at the Shosoin Treasure House in the historic Japanese city of Nara, according to Pen News. The remains were reportedly found by Yoshinori Ashikaga, a 15th-century shogun, in 1429. Legend states that Ashikaga cut a piece from the Ranjatai, a rare and valuable piece of agarwood, at the time of the skeleton's discovery. The shogun was visiting the Todai-ji temple in Nara at the time. Shortly after, a monk at the temple claimed to have seen "something in the shape of a small dragon" that was dried by the sun. Ashikaga took the skeleton and preserved it. But was the skeleton a dragon after all? Researchers say not quite. A recently published study said the "dragon" was actually a female Japanese marten. The fluffy, weasel-like animal is native to central and southern Japan. "The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus," the study states. Using x-ray technology and radiocarbon dating, researchers found that the marten dated back to the 11th or 12th centuries. The Todai-ji temple underwent heavy renovations at the time, according to Pen News. Experts believe the animal entered the building and was trapped before it died and was mummified. Pictures show the marten missing its forelegs, making it resemble a dragon. Legend states that rain would descend upon the treasure house every time the skeleton's repository was opened – and during the study, researchers fought heavy downpours that made traveling from Tokyo to Nara difficult. Mami Tsuru, a conservationist at the Shosoin Treasure House, told Pen News she's certain the skeleton is the same one recorded by the Todai-ji monk. "The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period," the expert said. Tsuru added, "We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository."
Japan Times
23-05-2025
- Japan Times
NTT develops world's first 'flying lightning rod' using drones
Telecom giant NTT has developed what it describes as the world's first 'flying lightning rod,' or drones that will trigger lightning and redirect it safely to the ground to prevent it from striking people or vital infrastructure. In multiple field tests in the mountainous areas of Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, between December and January, the company flew a drone equipped with a proprietary lightning-resistant cage to an approaching thundercloud when it noted the electric field intensity at ground level had increased, signaling an impending lightning strike. The drone, which was connected to the ground with a wire, triggered a lightning strike — marking the first time such a feat has been achieved globally, according to NTT — with the 2,000 volts of electric current flowing through the wire. The drone's protection cage was partially damaged, but the drone was able to continue flying, the company said. NTT has been developing measures to avoid lightning strikes on its communications infrastructure. According to the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, lightning-related damages are estimated at ¥100 billion ($700 million) to ¥200 billion annually. In April, six students were hospitalized after they were struck by lightning at a junior high school playground in Nara Prefecture. Such incidents underscore the limits of lightning rods, which offer only localized protection and cannot be installed in many environments like wind farms or open-air venues. NTT's technology offers a new approach to prevent lightning strikes — flying the drone into the thundercloud and triggering lightning, then redirecting it. Its drone employs two key technologies: a metal shielding cage that can withstand lightning and an electric field manipulation technique that boosts the likelihood of attracting a strike. The drone was stress-tested against artificial lightning up to 150 kiloamperes, five times stronger than typical strikes, with no malfunction — effectively protecting against over 98% of real lightning scenarios. NTT plans to refine its technology to improve the accuracy of lightning prediction and develop methods for capturing and storing lightning energy. With the technology, NTT said it hopes its flying lightning rods will one day shield cities and digital infrastructure from strikes, with hopes of building a 'lightning-free society.'
