Latest news with #TheSankeiShimbun
Japan Forward
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Japan Forward
First Pilot Test of Automated Freight Lane Planned for November
A pilot experiment for an automated freight lane will take place for the first time this November at the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. The project is led by Japan's transport ministry. Conducted in partnership with private-sector transportation and telecommunications companies, the experiment will evaluate how effectively unmanned carts can transport cargo without human assistance. With Japan facing a chronic shortage of truck drivers, the ministry aims to put the technology into practical use as soon as possible. Trucks form a line near Oi Terminal in Shinagawa Ward on January 15, 2024. (©Sankei by Shiro Harada) The concept involves building dedicated lanes, either in highway medians or underground tunnels, with the long-term goal of linking Tokyo and Osaka. The experiment will be conducted in a 700-meter-long (2,297 ft), 7-meter-wide tunnel at the research facility. It will simulate various scenarios, such as multiple carts operating simultaneously and avoiding obstacles like fallen objects. Researchers will measure how cargo weight affects acceleration and braking time, as well as the impact of road vibrations on the cargo. The experiment will also test technology that can automatically transfer cargo from trucks to unmanned carts. According to the transport ministry's estimates, construction costs with current technology could reach ¥25.4 billion JPY (about $178 million USD) per 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) for above-ground routes, and between ¥7 billion ($49 million) and ¥80 billion ($560 million) for underground tunnels. The project is expected to be funded by the private sector. In May, the ministry launched a council of companies interested in operating or using the system. Another round of testing is scheduled for fiscal 2027 or later, on a section of the under-construction Shin-Tomei Expressway between Shin-Hadano in Kanagawa Prefecture and Shin-Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture. ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: The Sankei Shimbun
Japan Forward
3 days ago
- Japan Forward
Gunkanjima: An Island Frozen in Time
このページを 日本語 で読む The only sound that echoed was the crashing of waves against the pier. On this once-sealed island, it felt as if time had stood still. Gunkanjima, officially known as Hashima, is a small island about 1,200 meters (3,937 ft) in circumference, lying off the Nagasaki Peninsula. Once a thriving undersea coal mining site, it is now part of Nagasaki City. The island earned its nickname — meaning "Battleship Island" — because its silhouette resembles the warship Tosa. Remnants of what were once apartment blocks. Tourism and Global Recognition In April 2009, after 35 years of closure, Gunkanjima reopened to tourists. It has since appeared in several films, most notably the 2012 James Bond movie Skyfall. The island gained further recognition in July 2015, when its coal mine was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution." Tourists on Gunkanjima. Gunkanjima's history dates back to the early Meiji era. Before the mine shut down in 1974, approximately 15.7 million tons of coal had been extracted, with mining operations reaching depths of 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) below sea level. At its peak, the island was home to around 5,300 residents — making it the most densely populated place on Earth at the time. The buildings are now in a state of ruin. Prosperity Amid Hardship Coal mining was grueling, but life on the island was relatively prosperous. Goro Kumasho, who spent his twenties there, recalled: "We always bought the best — televisions, washing machines, everything," he said. "Every week, we'd take the ferry to Nagasaki just for fun." No matter how much overtime someone worked elsewhere, he added, they couldn't out-earn a coal miner. Today, what were once schools, hospitals, high-rise apartments, pachinko parlors, and movie theaters lie in ruins. The island that once bustled with life now stands abandoned. Yet its role in Japan's modernization is undeniable. (All photos and videos in this article are from 2015.) Advertisement RELATED: Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan Forward
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Former Princess Mako Gives Birth to First Baby
On May 30, the Imperial Household Agency announced that Mako Komuro, 33, has given birth to her first child. The news was shared by Naomasa Yoshida, Grand Steward of the Crown Prince's Household, during a regular press conference. Mako is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, and the niece of Emperor Naruhito. She has two younger siblings, Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito. According to Yoshida, they are delighted by the news and wish her family continued happiness. Mako hugs her sister, Princess Kako, as their parents look on, before leaving the family home at the Akasaka Estate on October 26, 2021. (©Sankei by Noriaki Sato) In 2021, Mako married Kei Komuro, a former college classmate and a commoner, thereby relinquishing her royal status as required by Japan's Imperial House Law. The couple later moved to New York, where Kei Komuro now works as a lawyer. The agency has not disclosed the baby's gender or the exact date of birth. Mako and Kei Komuro on September 3, 2017, at the Akasaka East Residence. (©Sankei by Kengo Matsumoto) ( Read the related article in Japanese . ) Author: The Sankei Shimbun
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Akie Abe Meets Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow
Akie Abe, widow of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was invited to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 29 at the Kremlin in Moscow. The Russian presidential office later released footage and details from the meeting. According to the Kremlin, President Putin told Mrs Abe: "Your husband made a tremendous contribution to the advancement of Japan–Russia relations. I had an excellent personal relationship with him. Although his life was tragically ended by an act of terrorism, both his legacy and his work are deeply respected here in Russia." Akie Abe (second from left) and President Vladimir Putin (second from right), in a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow. May 29 (©Sputnik via Reuters) Akie Abe's response was also released. She reportedly said, "The main purpose of this visit is to express my gratitude for the active dialogue you shared with my husband and your efforts to strengthen Japan–Russia relations." She added, "I'm not a politician and don't intend to speak on political issues." However, she went on to say, "Russia is an important neighbor for Japan. Even in these challenging times, I would be happy to see continued growth in cultural and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries." Akie Abe meets Russian President Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 29. (©Sputnik via Reuters) Referring to Mrs Abe's husband, Putin remarked: "His dream was to conclude a peace treaty between our two nations. We made serious progress toward that goal. While the current circumstances are different and I won't speak to that today, I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet with you." Akie Abe departs from the Kremlin in a limousine after meeting with President Putin. May 29, 2025 (©Sputnik via Reuters) (Read the article in Japanese .) Author: Yuichi Onoda, The Sankei Shimbun
Japan Forward
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Rare Bonsai Collection Shines at Osaka Expo Grounds
このページを 日本語 で読む From May 19 to 22, the Expo 2025 Japanese Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition brought together a stunning array of bonsai at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site. Roughly 130 prized specimens from across Japan were on display. Among them was Yoroikake no Matsu (Armor-Hanging Pine), a black pine once treasured by Tokugawa Yoshinobu. Yoshinobu was the 15th and final shogun of the Edo period. As bonsai garners growing interest overseas, the exhibit drew a large number of international visitors. A Global Revival Standing approximately 120 centimeters tall, Yoroikake no Matsu was the tallest tree in the collection. It captivated audiences with its powerful presence. According to the exhibition's organizing committee, global interest in bonsai surged following its appearance at Expo '70 in Osaka. This year, a few of those same bonsai made a rare return to public display. A bonsai shown at Expo '70 returns to the spotlight. May 19, Yumeshima, Konohana Ward, Osaka (©Sankei by Kan Emori) In recent years, bonsai has seen a surge in popularity among young people around the world. In 2023, Japan's bonsai exports reached ¥920 million JPY (approximately $6.3 million USD, nearly double the figure from 2019. Bo Pett, 29, who traveled from Australia to visit the exhibition, said his attraction to bonsai began through Japanese pop culture. He described bonsai as a fascinating and powerful cultural tradition, and mentioned that he had bought a pot and pruning tools with plans to try it at home. A bonsai featured during Game 1 of the 92nd Hulic Cup Kisei shogi title match in 2021 was also on display. May 19, Yumeshima, Konohana Ward, Osaka (©Sankei by Kan Emori) "We hope this exhibition helps spread the appeal of bonsai culture," said Hiroki Miura, chair of the exhibition committee. Author: Asuka Ishibashi, The Sankei Shimbun Asuka Ishibashi, bonsai, Oaka Expo, Expo 70, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, このページを 日本語 で読む
