NewsOTP

TOKYO | IOC President Thomas Bach referred to his Japanese hosts as Chinese when he appeared in public on Tuesday for the first time since arriving in Tokyo last week. Giving a pep talk at the headquarters of the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee, Bach’s opening remarks were, “You have managed to make Tokyo the best-ever prepared city for the Olympic Games. This is even … [Read more...] about Olympics boss refers to Japanese people as ‘Chinese’

TOKYO| The first positive coronavirus case inside the Olympic Village has been confirmed just six days before the Opening Ceremony, officials said Saturday, amid growing fears about the spread of the virus during the Games. Tokyo Olympics organizing committee officials declined to identify the person infected with the virus but said the individual had traveled to Japan … [Read more...] about First case of coronavirus in Olympic Village confirmed six days before Opening Ceremony

Japan's Deputy Prime minister made statements about Taiwan's defense, raising the possibility of a "Japan exception to China's policy of no-first-use nuclear weapons. After the swearing-in of Joe Biden, America's 46th president, Suga Yoshihide, the Japanese prime minister, visited the White House in April. After private discussions Yoshihide was given a joint statement by … [Read more...] about Does Japan control the trigger for US nuclear war on China?

JAPAN| Get ready for the most thrilling train ride of you life. Universal Studios Japan will unveil a new Demon Slayer ride at the park in September. This ride was inspired by 2020's box office smash 'Demon Slayer - Mugen Train'. It surpassed Titanic and'Ghosted Away to become Japan's highest-grossing film. It was a huge success in Japan, with anime fans from all over … [Read more...] about Universal Studios Japan is opening a new Demon Slayer ride

TAIPEI | In its "Defense of Japan" white paper published on Tuesday (July 13), Japan's Ministry of Defense (MOD) removed Taiwan from a map of China for the first time. In previous years, the white paper merged Taiwan and China in the same chapter and map, drawing criticism from Taiwanese living in Japan. However, the latest version stresses the distinction between the … [Read more...] about Japan removes Taiwan from China map in defense white paper

JAPAN| At 10.30pm on a cold December night in 2019, a former titan of the global car industry lay bundled inside a box on board a plane, waiting to flee Japan. "The plane was scheduled to take off at 11pm," recalls Carlos Ghosn."The 30 minutes waiting in the box on the plane, waiting for it to take off, was probably the longest wait I've ever experienced in my life."Now, … [Read more...] about How I escaped Japan in a box : Ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn

TOKYO| Japan is now the country that holds the world record for the fastest internet speed ever, destroying the previous record.Japan has just set a new world record for the fastest internet speed, absolutely obliterating the previous record by nearly double. According to a paper presented at the International Conference on Optical Fiber Communications in June 2021, Japan … [Read more...] about Japan obliterates world record for fastest internet speed ever

JAPAN| The Gate Tower Building is one of the many several tall office buildings that make up Osaka’s impressive skyline, but there is something about it that makes it unique in the world – it has a functional highway going right through it. Photos of this architectural anomaly have been doing the rounds on social media for over two decades now, and it’s easy to see why. … [Read more...] about This Japanese Building Has a Highway Passing Right Through It

JAPAN| The Aruka Shrine in Japan’s Ebina City is the oldest shrine in all of Sagami Province, but to the general public it’s known for a unique ceremony that involves a priest wearing a 2-meter-long headgear in the shape of a green onion. Negi-san, the head priest at Aruka Shrine has been performing the green onion ceremony for about four years , but it only went viral … [Read more...] about Every Year, This Japanese Shrine Holds the Weirdest Ritual You’ll Ever See

JAPAN| Developed by Triumph, a company that has created other offbeat bras in the past, the rice bra reflects the interest more and more women show in agriculture. The weird rice bra features two cups that resemble plant pots, made from recyclable plastic. They can both be filled with soil and rice seeds, and watered through a hose that doubles as a belt that goes around … [Read more...] about Bra That Grows Rice Showcased in Japan

JAPAN| Fitness instructor Mika Takishima begins her exercise videos with a smile, raising her clenched fist and exclaiming, “Age is just a number!”She is 90 years old. “You stumble on a small step, right? Let’s do some ankle exercise to prevent a fall.”In one clip, she shows how to move the joints and shoulder blades in a circular motion. In another, she shares a … [Read more...] about Meet Takimika, Japan’s 90-Year-Old Fitness Instructor who has inspired many

Japan has promised to join the United States in defense of Taiwan if China decides to invade the sovereign nation, asserting that “Okinawa could be next.” On Monday, Deputy prime minister Taro Aso said China moving into Taiwan could present an imminent threat to the Japanese city of Okinawa, Kyodo News Agency reported. “If a major problem took place in Taiwan, it would … [Read more...] about Japan vows to join US to defend Taiwan against China: ‘Okinawa could be next’

JAPAN| A quick glance at the British press recently and you’d be forgiven for thinking that we can’t have too many people in our romantic relationships. So popular are stories of polyamorous pansexuality that it feels like being in a couple is so much fun, we just want to share. The truth is that the UK is seeing a slight trend towards being happily single, particularly … [Read more...] about Why Are Japanese Men Not Dating Japanese Women?

Mie University produced its first every ninja studies graduate this summer; 45-year-old Genichi Mitsuhashi. While you do not have to physically train as a ninja, Mitsuhashi embraced his studies wholeheartedly and starting living a ninja way of life. Speaking to Japan Times, he explained, ‘I read that ninjas worked as farmers in the morning and trained in martial arts in the … [Read more...] about Japan University Offers Ninja Studies Degree

TOKYO| A Frenchman in Japan who says his children were abducted by their Japanese mother began a hunger strike in Tokyo Saturday, in a protest he hopes will bring international attention to his fight to be reunited with his family. "I've given everything, I've lost my job, my house and my savings in the last three years. I weigh 80 kilograms now, and I'll give it all … [Read more...] about French father goes on hunger strike for children ‘abducted’ by Japanese wife

Japan| If you haven't visited a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple in Japan before, praying is usually done at the 拝殿 haiden (worship hall). For the traditional New Year's visit, known as 初詣 hatsumōde, it is customary to stop in front of the 賽銭 saisen offertory box, make a donation (usually a 5-yen coin, which is said to bring good luck), then shake a thick woven rope, known … [Read more...] about Video Of Black cat praying at Japanese shrine becomes online sensation

FUKUSHIMA| Many photographers love the idea of documenting abandoned areas and towns. We think that the areas of Fukushima in Japan, which were devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami as well as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear catastrophe, may not be on many explorers' top lists. Malaysian photographer Keow Wee Loong, however, seems to have little concern for the … [Read more...] about Man Sneaks Into Fukushima’s Abandoned Red Zone And Photographs A Town Untouched Since 2011

GARDEN| Zen gardens are also known as Ku Shan Shui Karesansui in Japanese. They consist of carefully placed rocks, well-pruded bushes and gravel that is raked into patterns that imitate flowing water. These gardens are meant to aid meditation on the true meaning and purpose of existence. Famous karesansui stone gardens like Ryoan-ji in Kyoto attract tourists from all over … [Read more...] about Japanese cat demonstrates how to appreciate a Zen garden