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The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Passenger tried opening door on ANA jet during flight: Our 5 most-read stories from last week
We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between May 24 and June 1. The first story was viewed by 17.0% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi) ANA Tokyo-US flight made emergency landing after passenger tried opening door WASHINGTON (Mainichi) -- An All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight heading to Texas from Tokyo over the weekend was forced to divert and make an emergency landing after a passenger tried to open an exit door mid-flight. Full story. Japan's scorching summer heat forcing fireworks, other festivals to change schedules TOKYO -- The extreme summer heat that has struck Japan in recent years due climate change is altering the landscape of annual fireworks and other festivals in the country, forcing the summer events to be moved to spring or autumn. Even so, there are cases where it has been difficult to reschedule the festivals due to their traditional nature. Full story. Shiga governor says reactions to midge outbreak at Osaka Expo site excessive OSAKA -- Shiga Gov. Taizo Mikazuki said reactions over a plague of non-biting midges at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue might be overblown. Full story. Tokyo mom questions school collecting PTA membership fees before consent When the new school year began in April last year, a 51-year-old Tokyo woman received a notice from her son's elementary school detailing various fees, which included a PTA membership fee. Full story. Japan's former Princess Mako has 1st baby; gender, birthday undisclosed TOKYO -- Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30. Full story.
The Mainichi
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Mainichi
Health premium prepayment for foreigners in Japan? Our 5 most-read stories from last week
We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between May 17 and 25. The first story was viewed by 19.5% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi) Japan LDP panel wants foreign residents to prepay health insurance premiums TOKYO -- The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) special committee drafted a proposal on May 21 aimed at encouraging foreign residents in Japan to pay their National Health Insurance premiums, calling for the introduction of a prepayment system at the time of enrollment. Full story. 'Deplorable': Disabled man among victims as 'rip-off bar' dates surge in Japan TOKYO -- When a man with vision loss joined a dating app, he disclosed his disability in the self-introduction section. He was confident that anyone who approached him after reading it would understand his condition. Full story. Japan expert probes 'AI will do it for me' approach to English learning TOKYO -- With the rapid expansion of generative AI, tasks like translating English to Japanese or writing compositions have become easier than ever. But how should one react when a child says about learning English, "AI will do it for me"? Full story. Disaster prophecy in 1999 Japan book leads to flight reductions, canceled trips from HK TOKYO -- Prophecies of disaster written in a 1999 manga book, with no scientific backing, are affecting travel to Japan among Hong Kongers as word of the predictions spreads on social media. Full story. Japan university under fire for offering courses in pseudoscientific 'healing therapies' TOKYO -- Speaking positively to water creates beautiful ice crystals; sugar pellets infused with highly diluted minerals and other substances can heal disease: These are typical claims associated with controversial "hado" vibrational healing and homeopathy, respectively. Full story.
The Mainichi
19-05-2025
- The Mainichi
**********: Our 5 most-read stories from last week
We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between May 10 and 18. The first story was viewed by 24.3% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi) Buried history of sexual torture under now-defunct law in Japan recalled a century on OSAKA -- A century has passed since the promulgation in April 1925 of the Peace Preservation Law, which stripped away freedom of speech and thought in Japan. Before its abolition in 1945, over 100,000 people were apprehended under the law, and over 1,000 are believed to have died due to torture or illness. It was a dark period, during which many women were also oppressed and subjected to unimaginable sexual torture. Full story. Japan police tackle prostitution in Osaka nightlife area with Nobel-winning 'nudge theory' OSAKA -- In the bustling nightlife district near Osaka's Umeda area is a narrow street known for attracting women engaged in prostitution and men seeking their services. Locals whisper warnings such as, "Never go there," cautioning their children against setting foot in the notorious lane. Full story. 'If I enter a reformatory, I can leave home': 15-year-old murder suspect in Japan CHIBA -- A 15-year-old boy who was arrested May 12 on suspicion of murder in this eastern Japan city has told police that if he entered a juvenile detention center, he could leave home and that he thought killing someone with a knife would be the surest way to achieve that, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned from a source close to the investigation. Full story. Edging Toward Japan: Embracing the otherness of the gaijin existence By Damian Flanagan I have an old friend who tends to post slightly unusual material on social media. He is British guy living in Japan for many long years and always has himself wearing sunglasses in a kind of "gangster chic," quite often accompanied by young attractive Japanese women and sometimes accompanied by the night owls and bar flies of Osaka's night-time demi-monde. Full story. Outsiders' alleged attack on Japan school staffers reveals security challenges TOKYO -- Police recently arrested two men on suspicion of assault for allegedly entering a public elementary school in Japan's capital and injuring five staffers. The suspects, identified as acquaintances of a second grader's mother, apparently entered the school building through an unlocked gate and entrance after the woman contacted them. Full story.
The Mainichi
16-05-2025
- The Mainichi
The Mainichi News Quiz for May 16
How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz to test your news knowledge. Ready? According to a recent survey, what percentage of climbers on Mount Fuji's Yoshida Trail approved of the entry restrictions implemented last year? A) About 20% B) About 70% C) About 80% D) About 90% Go to The Mainichi Home Page
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Researchers raise red flag over alarming new pet obsession in Japan: 'We aim to continue conducting research'
Otters have become increasingly popular as pets in Japan, but researchers say the growing trend comes at a cost. The soaring demand for the animals is raising concerns about illegal poaching and smuggling of the Asian small-clawed otter, which is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to a team of researchers from Kyoto University, Japan is one of the most popular destinations for captive river otters. Their appearance on TV programs and social media platforms has fueled the obsession with them, leading to an increase in people adopting otters as pets and the opening of cafes where customers can interact with the animals. While the international trade of the Asian small-clawed otter — the most common species at cafes — is prohibited by a global agreement to regulate trade in endangered animals, Kyoto noted that booming demand is driving the illegal smuggling of the animals. The research team found that captive otters in Japan are mostly coming from Thailand after comparing wild otters' DNA with that of native species in zoos and aquariums. Because Asian small-clawed otters are at high risk of becoming endangered, the continued trafficking of the animals poses a threat to wild otter populations. Since the Japanese river otter was officially declared extinct in 2012, the first author of the study, Mayako Fujihara, said preserving other otter species is a top priority. "It is precisely because Japan's endemic otter species has gone extinct that we aim to continue conducting research that will help protect other vulnerable species," Fujihara said. According to The Mainichi, river otters require special care and can consume up to 20% of their body weight in a single day. They also require a large area to swim around, which could lead to a monthly water bill of over $700. Plus, otters can transmit dangerous bacteria, such as Salmonella, to people and other pets, and they're not easy to house-train. Otters are crucial to the health of freshwater ecosystems, controlling populations of crabs and mollusks and preventing the buildup of nutrients, which improves water quality. If too many are removed from their natural environment, it could have far-reaching impacts on ecosystems. Since Asian small-clawed otters aren't native to Japan, they could outcompete other species for resources and threaten biodiversity. Not to mention, many animals in the illegal pet trade are transported in horrific conditions, and some do not survive the journey. Researchers have realized the important role sea otters play in maintaining ecosystem balance: the animals prevent coastline erosion, eat invasive green crabs, and keep kelp forests from disappearing. These discoveries could lead to stricter laws to protect them from the illegal wildlife trade. Do you think we should deal with air pollution by burying things underground? Sounds great No way Only for certain waste I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Internet has allowed sellers to be more secretive and avoid detection from authorities, but researchers have developed a tool that could make it easier to track them. One of the best ways to help otters is by reporting any suspicious activities or online listings to anti-trafficking organizations and donating to wildlife groups that support these efforts. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
