PHOTO: Wet yoga
About 1,700 committed yoga practitioners braved the rain on the summer solstice, June 21, at Tsukiji Hongwanji temple in Chuo ward in Tokyo. Read more
News
Zoos set up gamete banks for endangered species
The introduction of an animal gamete bank system to preserve the frozen sperm and eggs of rare animals is progressing at zoos and similar facilities with the aim of continuing to breed endangered species in the future. Read more
U.S. startup launches Japanese strawberry factory
Oishii Farm, a U.S. startup run by a Japanese entrepreneur, announced in early June that it began operating the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm in Phillipsburg, N.J. Read more
Artisan adds twist to traditional metal weaving
As he twists together two copper wires, then two more and two more, a woven pattern of shiny metal hexagons takes shape. Read more
Japan likes tourists, just not this many
On two recent occasions, a foreign tourist walked into Shoji Matsumoto’s barbershop, through a front door that grates loudly when opened more than halfway, wanting a haircut. Read more
‘Bridgerton’ is back (again). Here’s where things left off.
With the second half of Season 3 upon us, here’s a quick refresher on where things stand in Netflix’s version of Regency-era London. Read more
Haneda brewery goes local with its flavors
A restaurant near Haneda Airport is brewing up a buzz for its craft beers flavored with local specialties from across Japan. Read more
‘Crying sumo contest’ said to ensure good health for babies
“Crying Sumo,” a traditional event to pray for babies to grow up healthy, was held at Tanabu Shrine in Mutsu, Aomori prefecture, on May 5, celebrated as Children’s Day. Read more
Taylor Swift bests K-pop band to stay No. 1 for 7th week
In its latest week out, “Tortured Poets” had the equivalent of 148,000 sales in the United States, including 157 million streams and 27,000 copies sold as a complete package, according to the tracking service Luminate. Read more
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Special Pokemon art show draws enthusiastic fans
Many fans have been flocking to see a special exhibition featuring Pokemon at the Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama, Shiga prefecture. Read more
Post earthquake, Wajima lacquerware find new homes
A project to find new owners for recovered Wajima lacquerware is underway in areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on Jan. 1. Read more
Bottlenose dolphins are doing their part in ocean cleanup
Three bottlenose dolphins kept in an oceanfront facility in Sanuki, Kagawa prefecture, have gone viral for picking up trash drifting in the ocean. Read more
PHOTO: Flying a giant
Flying a giant: Participants flew Japan’s largest kite, measuring approximately 48 square feet and weighing about 2,094 pounds, during the Oodako Matsuri on May 4. Read more
New tsunami detection system to undergo tests
A new drone-based tsunami detection system is launching this year in Namie, Fukushima prefecture, to streamline the evacuation of residents in the event of a massive tsunami. Read more
Is shrimp good for you? It’s complicated.
But how healthy is our favorite seafood? Is it good for our bodies? What about the world’s mangrove forests and sea turtle populations? And how do you know what to buy the next time you are at the seafood counter? Read more
Verizon adds Peacock to streaming hub
The telecom firm said it will offer YouTube Premium for $10 per month, offering savings of 30% to myPlan customers, starting Thursday. Read more
U.S.-made sake hit shelves in Japan
In April, Japanese sake manufacturer Asahi Shuzo Co., known for its flagship Dassai sake, released Dassai Blue in Japan. The release is notable because the special Junmai Daiginjo sake is produced at a brewery in the United States. Read more
Famed architect’s housing complex facilitates community
Hotakubo Housing, a 1991 complex in Kumamoto City, was a new concept in housing for Japan that was introduced by Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto. Read more
Some Las Vegas-area casinos still have coin-operated slots
Here are the casinos that still operate some old-fashioned machines. Read more
Amid sinking birth rate, women struggle to balance family and work
To curb Japan’s declines in birth rate and population, it’s crucial to overcome the so-called “second child barrier,” the reluctance to have more than one child. Read more
New hydrogen station serves former Olympic village condos
A hydrogen station has opened near Harumi Flag, the extensive condominium complex that was originally the Athletes Village for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Read more
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