Tag - kansai

 
 

KANSAI

Shun Otokita is the rarest of Nippon Ishin lawmakers: He was born and bred in Tokyo, where he got his start as a local politician.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 18, 2024
Can Nippon Ishin no Kai make inroads in Tokyo?
The Kansai-based party is aiming to broaden its support across Japan — starting with Tokyo's No. 15 district election next month.
A woman takes pictures with Kawazu cherry blossom trees, one of the earliest to bloom in Japan, in Tokyo's Sumida district on Monday.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 15, 2024
Economic impact of hanami expected to double this year
Higher tourist numbers and prices, along with a depreciation of the Japanese currency, are among factors contributing to the larger economic impact.
Hankyu's new PRiVACE carriages will feature spacious seats arranged in three rows, equipped with partitions, reading lights, and power sockets.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 27, 2024
Hankyu railway to launch new premium seat service on Kyoto Line
The new PRiVACE carriages will feature spacious seats arranged in three rows, equipped with partitions, reading lights, and power sockets.
Silver coins worth ¥1,000 minted to commemorate the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, at the Japan Mint in the city of Osaka in August 2023
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2024
Osaka Expo to go ahead as scheduled despite Noto quake, government says
Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi said she had urged Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to push back the event to prioritize reconstruction.
The streets of disaster-hit Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture on Wednesday
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2024
Quake-hit Noto and Sea of Japan coast face heavy snowfall
Authorities have warned of possible road closures and the suspension of public transportation due to icy roads and snow.
A sign in Osaka's Dotonbori district advertises the 2025 World Expo.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2023
Japan eyes panel for Osaka Expo cost transparency
The government plans to set up a third-party panel as part of its plan to ensure transparency over the costs for the 2025 Osaka World Expo, it was learned Sunday.
Tigers players Kento Itohara (left), Fumihito Haraguchi (second from left), Ryutaro Umeno (third from left) and Suguru Iwazaki pose for photos during the team's victory parade in Kobe on Thursday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 24, 2023
Triumphant Tigers and Buffaloes hold parades in Kobe and Osaka
Around 1 million fans attended victory parades for the Tigers and Buffaloes in Kobe and Osaka on Thursday.
The Saitama leader of a rebellion (Gackt, center) decides to unite the citizens of his home prefecture by creating a sea and beach for the area in “Fly Me to the Saitama II.”
CULTURE / Film
Nov 16, 2023
‘Fly Me to the Saitama II’: Silliness abounds but the laughs do not
Hideki Takeuchi’s sequel to his award-winning hit comedy treads familiar and ridiculous ground, but it’s just not as funny as the first film.
A man dressed as Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders jumps into the Dotonbori River in Osaka after the Hanshin Tigers won the Japan Series.
PODCAST / deep dive
Nov 9, 2023
Japan’s 'four-eyed tax hiker' and the curse of Colonel Sanders
Baseball writer Jason Coskrey and editor Joel Tansey discuss the Hanshin Tigers’ Japan Series victory; Gabriele Ninivaggi explains how the prime minister hopes to get a home run with his tax plan.
Asahanshin Torakichi's ring name is nod to the Osaka native's favorite baseball team, the 2023 Japan Series champion Hanshin Tigers.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 8, 2023
Tigers’ triumph resonates in a sumo world full of Kansai natives
As Hanshin fans celebrate a long-awaited championship, it's timely to look back at what sumo looked like when Hanshin last won it all in 1985.
Tigers fans during Game 1 of the Japan Series against the Buffaloes, at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Saturday. The Tigers are known for their high attendance figures and rowdy celebrations among the team's loyal fans.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 30, 2023
In the Japan Series, it’s a tale of two fanbases
The Tigers and Buffaloes have a lot of similarities, but there's a yawning gap in the support, enthusiasm and attention paid to each Kansai club.
A type of adenovirus that causes pool fever
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2023
'Pool fever' cases reach highest level in a decade in Japan
Local governments are calling for infection prevention measures such as washing hands and gargling.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2023
Kansai Electric asks solar and wind power firms to suspend output
On Sunday, solar and wind power generation was suspended between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m as electricity supply in the Kansai electric areas would have exceeded demand by 470,000 kilowatts.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Feb 26, 2023
Lamp Bar: Majestic cocktails befitting Japan’s ancient capital
Many visits to Kyoto include a day in Nara, and every trip to Nara should include a stop at Michito Kaneko’s exceptional cocktail bar.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2023
How does the cost of Japan's international schools compare with the rest of Asia?
The price of tuition has declined over the past few years, although enrollment in Tokyo will still set parents back a median cost of over $15,000.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 20, 2022
Court rejects calls to halt Kansai Electric's aging nuclear reactor
The court ruling marked the first judicial decision over the safety of an aging reactor.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2022
Full-scale nuclear accident drill held at Fukui plant for first time in three years
The central government held a comprehensive nuclear disaster drill on Saturday under the premise of a serious accident at the Mihama power station in Fukui Prefecture.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 25, 2022
NTT West internet services disrupted for hours across wide area
The glitch disrupted Flet's Hikari services in central and western Japan and slowed speeds from Kansai to Kyushu.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2022
The Dubai Expo is over. Next stop: Osaka
Due to the Dubai event's one-year postponement, Japanese organizers have just three years, instead of the usual four, to finalize preparations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2022
2022 shaping up as pivotal year for success of 2025 Osaka Expo
The Kansai region hopes to wow the world with flying cars, new medical technologies and hydrogen- and ammonia-powered vehicles and buildings. But is there enough time?

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world