Latest news with #TryIt
Asahi Shimbun
26-06-2025
- Health
- Asahi Shimbun
Tutoring firm apologizes for Minamata disease falsity
Executives from the private tutoring company Trygroup Inc. apologize to victims of Minamata disease for spreading misinformation on June 25 in Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture. (Kengo Hiyoshi) MINAMATA, Kumamoto Prefecture—Senior officials from Trygroup Inc. have formally apologized for streaming educational materials that falsely claimed Minamata disease, a pollution-related illness associated with the city, is hereditary. Daigo Kusunose, the private tutoring company's executive officer, and Kyushu regional manager Motohiro Ito visited the city on June 25. 'We sincerely apologize for the unacceptable description,' Kusunose told members of 'Minamata-byou Higaisha, Shiensha Renraku Kai,' a group of Minamata disease patients and their supporters. 'Hearing the disease described as genetic brought back painful memories of a childhood marked by discrimination,' a patient responded. Earlier in the day, the two executives also met with Minamata Mayor Toshiharu Takaoka to apologize. Minamata disease is a severe neurological disorder first identified in the 1950s that is regarded as the most notorious pollution-related illness in modern Japan. It was discovered among residents who had consumed contaminated seafood after a chemical factory released organic mercury into Minamata Bay. The incorrect assumption the disease is hereditary stems from cases where pregnant women ate contaminated fish and the mercury affected their unborn children. The unsubstantiated information appeared in a video lesson geared toward junior high school students from Trygroup's 'Try It' online education service. The lesson covered the four major pollution-related diseases in Japanese history. According to the company, the video was available on its Try It app from 2015 to 2021 and on YouTube from 2016 until as recently as last month. The app version was accessed an estimated 7,000 times, and the YouTube video received over 70,000 views. The Environment Ministry said it reached out to Trygroup with a request to correct the lecture on May 14. Locals had previously contacted both entities on the issue. The ministry then deemed the company's partial correction insufficient and continued to follow up. Trygroup has since posted a written apology on its website and uploaded a full correction and apology on YouTube. It also organized training sessions for all 1,500 employees using official materials on Minamata disease from the Environment Ministry and Kumamoto Prefecture. The company plans to hold another session in July spotlighting a survivor of the disease to provide a firsthand account. However, some members of the patient group criticized the company for relying on government documents in its training, given their decades-long legal battle with the authorities for recognition and compensation. Others expressed a willingness to collaborate on new, accurate educational materials moving forward. This is not the first time misinformation about Minamata disease has caused a public backlash. In February, officials in Uki, a municipality within the prefecture, distributed a calendar to all 23,000 households in the area that falsely described Minamata disease as infectious. Yuta Jitsukawa, director of the nonprofit Minamata Forum, which works to preserve the legacy of the environmental disaster, warned of the risk of historical amnesia. 'When people are simply told to memorize facts, they eventually forget,' he said. 'To prevent that, we must find ways to tell the story that leave a lasting impression.' (This article was written by Kenji Imamura and Ryutaro Ito.)
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The little-known website where users can get a box of full-sized goodies totally for FREE, including booze and snacks
The box even comes with treats for your four-legged pal - ideal if you have a pet CHEERS! The little-known website where users can get a box of full-sized goodies totally for FREE, including booze and snacks Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH the costs soaring, nothing is better than a full-sized freebie - especially if it's snacks and booze. Luckily, if you're on the lookout for a free treat, cash-savvy Brits have found a little-known website where you can get your hands on goodies without forking out a single penny. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Thrifty Brits have discovered a little-know site where you can snap up full-sized snacks and booze for free Credit: Getty 2 The Try It box also comes with treats for your four-legged pal - ideal if you have a pet Credit: ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK The site - Try It - helps people ''discover new favourite products'' to try at home in exchange for a review. To qualify for your free box of goodies, which also include treats for your pet, you first need to sign up and create a profile that helps the brand to get to know you a little. According to the site, the membership won't ever cost you a penny, and your profile info will help them tailor new product experiences around your likes and needs. Once you've tried the products, take a moment to give some honest feedback. When complete, you'll instantly become eligible to receive more boxes, with more products. The site keeps the contents of each campaign a secret until after delivery, so you won't know what products are inside your box until you open it - it's like Christmas but all year round. With a variety of products from food, drinks and tasty snacks, to cosmetics and grooming, healthcare and household essentials, the boxes have something for everyone. Informing fellow cash-strapped Brits about the epic deal, one woman, Tracey Green, took to Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook. Sharing a snap of her brand new full-sized goodies, the thrifty woman said: ''I signed up, received an email with a survey, which I had to answer some questions to see if I was a match and received my 1st free #triyit box. I was so excited to receive it. ''It's not a huge box but was full of full size goodies. These are #Gifted and you get to try lots of products free. I tried Harry Kane's knobbly sticks after England star did a Gary Lineker by releasing snack brand - here's my verdict ''You need to snap photos of the products and leave feedback on what you thought of the products. ''Sign up today, you have nothing to lose. Win win!'' It's not just Tracey raving about the bargain deal, as loads of other people shared their success with the Try It box. Fridge or cupboard? The essential food storage guide Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria. Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer. However, this can compromise the flavour. Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould. Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables. He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot. Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste. He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker. One wrote: ''I got this exact same box the other day too!'' Another chimed in: ''I've had whiskey, cider, dog treats mainly.'' A third lucky customer commented under the post: ''I've been lucky, I've had half a dozen boxes over the last two years. ''My cats and dogs have got to try all sorts of food, as have I and I've got to try whiskies, rums and three different vodkas!'' A mum warned: ''I accidentally clicked I was breast feeding (my children are 9 and 11 ) but it couldn't be changed due to safety, so missed out. Be careful when selecting guys!''
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The little-known website where users can get a box of full-sized goodies totally for FREE, including booze and snacks
WITH the costs soaring, nothing is better than a full-sized freebie - especially if it's snacks and booze. Luckily, if you're on the lookout for a free treat, cash-savvy Brits have found a little-known website where you can get your hands on goodies without forking out a single penny. 2 The site - Try It - helps people ''discover new favourite products'' to try at home in exchange for a review. To qualify for your free box of goodies, which also include treats for your pet, you first need to sign up and create a profile that helps the brand to get to know you a little. According to the site, the membership won't ever cost you a penny, and your profile info will help them tailor new product experiences around your likes and needs. Once you've tried the products, take a moment to give some honest feedback. When complete, you'll instantly become eligible to receive more boxes, with more products. The site keeps the contents of each campaign a secret until after delivery, so you won't know what products are inside your box until you open it - it's like Christmas but all year round. With a variety of products from food, drinks and tasty snacks, to cosmetics and grooming, healthcare and household essentials, the boxes have something for everyone. Informing fellow cash-strapped Brits about the epic deal, one woman, Tracey Green, took to Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook. Sharing a snap of her brand new full-sized goodies, the thrifty woman said: ''I signed up, received an email with a survey, which I had to answer some questions to see if I was a match and received my 1st free #triyit box. I was so excited to receive it. ''It's not a huge box but was full of full size goodies. These are #Gifted and you get to try lots of products free. I tried Harry Kane's knobbly sticks after England star did a Gary Lineker by releasing snack brand - here's my verdict ''You need to snap photos of the products and leave feedback on what you thought of the products. ''Sign up today, you have nothing to lose. Win win!'' It's not just Tracey raving about the bargain deal, as loads of other people shared their success with the Try It box. Fridge or cupboard? The essential food storage guide Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria. Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer. However, this can compromise the flavour. Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould. Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables. He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot. Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste. He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker. One wrote: ''I got this exact same box the other day too!'' Another chimed in: ''I've had whiskey, cider, dog treats mainly.'' A third lucky customer commented under the post: ''I've been lucky, I've had half a dozen boxes over the last two years. ''My cats and dogs have got to try all sorts of food, as have I and I've got to try whiskies, rums and three different vodkas!''
