Latest news with #Sapporo-based
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Mainichi
Christmas in August? Japan zoo's bears, elephants given ice blocks to cool off from heat
SAPPORO -- As days with temperatures peaking over 35 degrees Celsius continue to be recorded across Japan, bears and elephants at Maruyama Zoo in the capital of the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido were given gifts of ice blocks on Aug. 5. Visitors to the zoo in the city's Chuo Ward could see the animals hugging the cool blocks of ice and scarfing down food placed inside the ice pillars. The ice was provided by Nishioka Kokusho Construction Co., a Sapporo-based company that has been supplying ice to the zoo since 2018. On this day, a total of about 3 metric tons of crushed ice was offered to the polar bears, Himalayan bears and Asian elephants. The polar bears skillfully dug out and ate horse mackerel embedded in the ice, while the Himalayan bears and Asian elephants enjoyed fruit ice containing apples and bananas. Rikaho Wakatsuki, 8, a third-grade elementary school student visiting from Yokohama, commented, "It's hot in Hokkaido too, but the animals looked cool and happy after receiving the ice."
Yomiuri Shimbun
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Fair Trade Tea Products Sold at School Festival in Hokkaido; Students Hope to Raise Awareness of Concept
SAPPORO — Tea sourced through fair trade and commercialized was on sale at a school festival at Sapporo Kiyota High School in Sapporo on July 12. Students at the school helped choose the packaging design for the products developed by a tech firm and employment support facilities for people with disabilities in Hokkaido. The global course at the school has been promoting fair trade, which is a way to purchase products from developing countries at fair prices, for more than 10 years. This time, the school took part in a project to develop tea products launched by Protech, a Sapporo-based tech firm. Users of employment support facilities in Sapporo and Eniwa, Hokkaido, processed products and designed the packages, which were publicly viewed for the first time during the school festival. 'I hope this offers an opportunity for people to understand more about fair trade and employment for people with disabilities,' said a second-year student. Two kinds of tea, Darjeeling and Dimbula, will be available. The products will be available on the website operated by the company.
Time Out
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Enjoy fireworks by Japan's national pyrotechnic team at this autumn event in Osaka
Summer is the season for fireworks festivals in Japan. But for those of you who find it too hot to sit outdoors, there's one happening in late autumn, just as the cooler weather sets in. Taking place on November 1 at Marble Beach in Rinku Park, in the Osaka prefecture city of Izumisano, Osaka Art Fireworks 2025 blends pyrotechnics with music to create a rousing reimagining of the traditional fireworks display. According to the organisers, the fireworks will be computer-controlled and so precisely choreographed – down to 1/30th of a second – that they'll be in perfect sync with the rhythm and vocals of the accompanying music. The hour-long show is produced by the Sapporo-based fireworks collective Great Sky Art, who are representing Japan at the prestigious Montreal International Fireworks Competition this month. This performance in Osaka is being billed as their triumphant homecoming, so you can expect world-class production values and breathtaking fireworks designs. What's more, the show draws inspiration from the venue and the Kansai region, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. With clear, unobstructed views across Osaka Bay, Marble Beach is considered an ideal location for fireworks. It's worth arriving early to catch the sunset, which is ranked among Japan's Top 100, before the fireworks launch at 6pm. Osaka Art Fireworks is a ticketed event, with two main viewing areas to choose from. On the Marble Beach side, seats range from ¥7,000 to ¥10,000, with staircase boxes available for groups of five (¥35,000) and a section for photographers (¥11,000). On the Rinku Premium Outlets side, options range from aisle chair seats (¥8,000) to a luxurious private bungalow (¥120,000). Early-bird tickets are on sale until August 31, offering ¥1,000 off selected seats. For more details, including ticketing information, visit the event website.
Kyodo News
19-06-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Japan firm supporting refugees to donate glasses to war-torn Ukraine
KYODO NEWS - 4 hours ago - 09:25 | All, Japan A Japanese company that makes glasses will donate 5,100 pairs of spectacles to people displaced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Fuji Megane Co., which has been supporting refugees for more than 40 years, will distribute the glasses through the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The glasses, which include 1,670 pairs for children, will be given to the beneficiaries following an onsite eye examination. The Sapporo-based company's dedication to helping refugees stems from the experience of its 82-year-old president, Akio Kanai. Born in Japan-ruled Sakhalin, Kanai was 2 years old when on Aug. 16, 1945, the day after Japan's surrender in World War II, he, fled to Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido along with his mother and older brother due to an advance by the Soviet military on Sakhalin. In a recent telephone interview, Kanai said, "I want to support people in Ukraine," citing his experience as an evacuee. Fuji Megane has supported refugees around the world since 1983, donating a total of 180,000 pairs of glasses to people in countries such as Thailand, Nepal and Azerbaijan. Kanai became the first Japanese person to receive the Nansen Refugee Award, dubbed the Nobel Prize for refugee support, from the U.N. refugee agency in 2006. The prize honors individuals and groups that have taken extraordinary actions to protect refugees. Related coverage: Japan PM throws support behind Ukraine to achieve lasting peace FEATURE: Ukrainian kids practice sumo free from missile attack fears Japan to accept 2 from Gaza for medical treatment amid Israel attacks
The Mainichi
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan firm supporting refugees to donate glasses to war-torn Ukraine
MOSCOW (Kyodo) -- A Japanese company that makes glasses will donate 5,100 pairs of spectacles to people displaced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Fuji Megane Co., which has been supporting refugees for more than 40 years, will distribute the glasses through the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The glasses, which include 1,670 pairs for children, will be given to the beneficiaries following an onsite eye examination. The Sapporo-based company's dedication to helping refugees stems from the experience of its 82-year-old president, Akio Kanai. Born in Japan-ruled Sakhalin, Kanai was 2 years old when on Aug. 16, 1945, the day after Japan's surrender in World War II, he, fled to Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido along with his mother and older brother due to an advance by the Soviet military on Sakhalin. In a recent telephone interview, Kanai said, "I want to support people in Ukraine," citing his experience as an evacuee. Fuji Megane has supported refugees around the world since 1983, donating a total of 180,000 pairs of glasses to people in countries such as Thailand, Nepal and Azerbaijan. Kanai became the first Japanese person to receive the Nansen Refugee Award, dubbed the Nobel Prize for refugee support, from the U.N. refugee agency in 2006. The prize honors individuals and groups that have taken extraordinary actions to protect refugees.
