Latest news with #TokyoCityNewsDepartment
The Mainichi
7 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Expert says Japan's stored rice 'can still taste good'
TOKYO -- Japan's government has started selling older stored rice to lower rice prices. Usually, the rice stays in storage to help people after disasters. Selling this rice in stores is new, and some people are worried the taste is not good. Many people believe stored rice tastes bad. Yuichiro Tamaki, a politician, said rice stored for a long time is "food for animals." But rice expert Toshiaki Mitsui from Niigata University said older rice is still good to eat. He tested rice from different years. He said, "New rice tastes best. Older rice can be drier and lose some smell, but it can still taste good." The stored rice is kept at a low temperature, so it stays fresh. Rice stored more than five years is usually sold for animals to eat. Mitsui smiled and said even that rice has good quality, so farm animals eat well too. Rice cooker company Zojirushi says older rice cooks better if you add a little more water. It also says you don't have to wash old rice strongly. Washing it lightly is enough. (Japanese original by Shota Harumashi, Tokyo City News Department) Vocabulary stored rice: rice kept for use later politician: a person who works in the government expert: a person who knows a lot about something quality: how good something is disaster: something very bad like an earthquake or flood
The Mainichi
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Japan's Emperor Naruhito meets Latvian, Bulgarian presidents
TOKYO -- Emperor Naruhito met with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 19, during their visits to Japan to attend Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor asked the Latvian president about measures to preserve the historic and beautiful cityscape of Latvia's capital, Riga, and also discussed the culture of the country, which has produced many renowned musicians. With the Bulgarian president, the conversation touched on the 1970 Osaka Expo, where Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako, posthumously known as Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun, sampled yogurt at the Bulgaria Pavilion, a rare treat in Japan at the time. Emperor Naruhito himself shared a childhood memory of eating yogurt made from a starter culture. Both meetings were described as amicable. In line with national days being celebrated at the Expo, numerous foreign dignitaries are visiting Japan, and the Emperor is expected to continue meeting with international leaders. (Japanese original by Nao Yamada, Tokyo City News Department)
The Mainichi
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Imperial Couple welcome Swedish king, other foreign dignitaries visiting Japan for Expo
TOKYO -- Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted a dinner on May 15 at the Imperial Palace for Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf, who is visiting Japan for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Emperor Naruhito greeted the king with a smile and a handshake at the entrance of the palace. The Imperial Couple's daughter Princess Aiko joined the conversation after dinner. Japan's Imperial Family has long-standing friendships with various royal families around the world. Since this spring, numerous foreign royals have visited Japan for the Expo, and Emperor Naruhito has been meeting with them or hosting dinners together with Empress Masako. On April 25, the Imperial Couple hosted a dinner for King Frederik of Denmark, with whom they have been close since their days as crown prince and crown princess. Ahead of their meeting, the Danish king had offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, for which Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako reportedly expressed their deep gratitude. Princess Aiko joined the conversation after the dinner on this occasion, too. Other visitors to the Imperial Palace have included Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku'aho of Tonga, and Oman's Crown Prince Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said. Beyond royalty, Emperor Naruhito has also met with senior government officials from various countries. The Imperial Couple will continue to welcome many foreign dignitaries visiting Japan in connection with the Expo. (Japanese original by Nao Yamada, Tokyo City News Department)
The Mainichi
08-05-2025
- The Mainichi
Victim slashed multiple times in Tokyo Metro train attack: sources
TOKYO -- The 20-year-old victim of a May 7 knife attack at a Tokyo Metro station was slashed multiple times, investigative sources have told the Mainichi Shimbun. Yoshitaka Toda, of unknown address and employment status, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over the attack at Todaimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. Police believe Toda had a strong intent to kill. The attack occurred at about 6:55 p.m. The victim, a university student, was attacked from behind and suffered cuts to the back of his neck, his forehead and his right hand. According to the sources, the victim was standing at the front of a line to board a train, and Toda is believed to have slashed him from behind as he was getting on. He then followed the student into the train and attacked him again when he turned around, then allegedly cut the student again after he fell. This all reportedly happened in 30 to 40 seconds. A police officer on the train and a Nepalese man in his 30s apprehended Toda. The Nepalese man sustained a finger injury in the process. Toda has reportedly remained silent during interrogation. The victim was quoted as saying he did not know Toda. (Japanese original by Suga Kengo, Yuka Asahina and Yuga Matsumoto, Tokyo City News Department)
The Mainichi
30-04-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: New 'Pre-2 Plus' Eiken English test level introduced
TOKYO -- The Eiken Foundation of Japan has started a new English test level. It is called "Grade Pre-2 Plus." This new test is between Grade Pre-2 and Grade 2. Grade Pre-2 is about the same as middle high school students' English. Grade 2 is for students who finish high school. Grade Pre-2 Plus will be for students in the last years of high school. The foundation said, "We hope students use Grade Pre-2 Plus as an easy step to Grade 2." Now, the step from Grade Pre-2 to Grade 2 is big for many students. Students usually need two years to move from Grade Pre-2 to Grade 2. From Grade 5 to Grade Pre-2, students usually need only about one year for each level. The new grade can help students try for Grade 2. This is the first new Eiken level since 1994. Other Eiken test levels do not change. Students can apply until May 7 for the next Eiken tests. The tests will be in many places around Japan in June and July. (Japanese original by Kengo Miura, Tokyo City News Department) Vocabulary: foundation: a group to give money to help certain activities, like education introduce: to start something new level: how easy or difficult something is motivated: want to keep trying hard stepping stone: a smaller step that helps you do something bigger later apply: to ask to join or do something (for example, taking a test)
