Not infrequently do we discover fresh photographic talent through a breathtaking award-winning image and so it was with our latest Photographer of the Week The photo in question is an extraordinary capture of about-to-hatch anglerfish eggs that deservedly got top honors in the “Faces of the Sea” category of the 2021 United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competition we’ve discovered two additional things after seeing Sayaka’s wonderful portfolio: first that her winning picture is actually part of an amazing quartet of images showing the stages of anglerfish egg development (see below); and second that this avid traveler has not one but many high-quality captures to show off but also from various corners of the globe “Since I was a kid,” writes Sayaka “I felt that just knowing that there is a world I don’t know gives me hope to live.” While there might well be something lost in Google translation her “self-introduction” explains plainly enough what motivates her explorations and her photography Sayaka’s fascination with the underwater world’s more-unusual suspects is obvious in her images especially those from Japan’s chilly waters For more of Sayaka’s superb imagery, check out her website, www.ocean-traveler.net, or follow her on Instagram and Facebook Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp Sake as it’s typically referred to in English (nihonshu in Japanese) is one of Japan's signature alcoholic beverages Iwate Prefecture is a great place to learn about the brewing process and enjoy a tasting of delicious sake yourself Sekino-Ichi makes both traditional Japanese sake and beer The brewery’s seven cellars have been designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan They offer several guided tours depending on what aspect of the brewing process you’re interested in The museum features exhibits on traditional Japanese brewing methods Let your palate be teased with flavors like edamame The brewery’s restaurant features a sampling of nine of these as well as hotpot favorites like nabe and shabu-shabu You can also participate in making mochi yourself by trying your hand at the traditional mochi-tsuki (mochi-pounding) process The buildings still maintain their original Taisho period (1912-1926) feel so you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time Drain your cup while enjoying a glimpse into history take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station (about two hours 35 minutes) https://sekinoichi-co-jp.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages Please enter the e-mail address you used to register to reset your password the third online-only workshop on sustainable high-energy physics convened more than 200 participants from 10 to 12 June Emissions in HEP are principally linked to building and operating large accelerators using gaseous detectors and using extensive computing resources delegates from across the field discussed how best to participate in global efforts at climate-crisis mitigation There is a scientific consensus that the Earth has been warming consistently since the industrial revolution with the Earth’s surface temperature now about 1.2 °C warmer than in the late 1800s The Paris Agreement of 2015 aims to limit this increase to 1.5 °C the current rise in greenhouse-gas emissions far exceeds this target The relevance of a 1.5 °C limit is underscored by the fact that the difference between now and the last ice age (12,000 years ago) is only about 5 °C explained Veronique Boisvert (Royal Holloway) in her riveting talk on the intersection of HEP and climate solutions If temperatures rise by 4 °C in the next 50 years as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s high-emissions scenario it could cause disruptions beyond what our civilisation can handle Intensifying heat waves and extreme weather events are already causing significant casualties and socio-economic disruptions with 2023 the warmest year on record since 1850 Masakazu Yoshioka (KEK) and Ben Shepherd (Daresbury) delved deeply into sustainable accelerator practices Cement production for facility construction releases significant CO2 prompting research in material sciences to reduce these emissions Accelerator systems consume significant energy and if powered by electricity grids coming from grid fossil fuels Energy-saving measures include reducing power consumption and recovering and reusing thermal energy as demonstrated by CERN’s initiative to use LHC cooling water to heat homes in Ferney-Voltaire Efforts should also focus on increasing CO2 absorption and fixation in accelerator regions Such measures can be effective – Yoshioka estimated that Japan’s Ichinoseki forest can absorb more CO2 annually than the construction emissions of the proposed ILC accelerator over a decade Gaseous detectors contribute significantly to emissions through particle detection Ongoing research to develop eco-friendly gas mixtures for Cherenkov detectors resistive plate chambers and other detectors were discussed at length – alongside an emphasis from delegates on the need for more efficient and leak-free recirculating systems On the subject of greener computing solutions Loïc Lannelongue (Cambridge) emphasised the high-energy consumption of servers Collaborative efforts from grassroots movements funding bodies and industry will be essential for progress Stopping global warming is an urgent task for humanity Thijs Bouman (Groningen) delivered an engaging talk on the psychological aspects of sustainable energy transitions emphasising the importance of understanding societal perceptions and behaviours Ayan Paul (DESY) advocated for optimising scientific endeavours to reduce environmental impact urging a balance between scientific advancement and ecological preservation The workshop concluded with an interactive session on the “Know Your Footprint” tool by the Young High Energy Physicists (yHEP) Association to calculate individual carbon impacts (CERN Courier May/June 2024 p66) The workshop also sparked dynamic discussions on reducing flight emissions addressing travel culture and the high cost of public transport Key questions included the effectiveness of lobbying and the need for more virtual meetings a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change authors in 2007 and member of India’s former Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change presented the keynote lecture on global energy system and technology choices While many countries aim to decarbonise their electricity grids Green sources like solar and wind have low operating costs but unpredictable availability necessitating better storage and digital technologies Parikh emphasised that economic development with lower emissions is possible but posed the critical question: “Can we do it in time?” We must aim to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to nearly zero by 2050 While collaboration within local communities and industries is imperative; and individual efforts may seem small every action is one step toward global efforts for our collective benefit Sustainable HEP 2024 showcased innovative ideas practical solutions and collaborative efforts to reduce the environmental impact of HEP The event highlighted the community’s commitment to sustainability while advancing scientific knowledge Hannah Wakeling Oxford and Juliette Alimena DES CERN Courier is essential reading for the international high-energy physics community Highlighting the latest research and project developments from around the world CERN Courier offers a unique record of the ongoing endeavour to advance our understanding of the basic laws of nature started a program to make the hometown tax program (Furusato Nozei but to incentivize foreigners living in or visiting the country to support local regions in Japan.  The website started from October 1 under the name of “Furusato Japan.” It was announced by LUXURIQUE two days earlier in a September 28 press conference in collaboration with four local governments – Arita in Saga but is the company expects to expand it to other languages going forward.  normally associate it with food or other goods or delicious tea from Shizuoka Prefecture.  Started in 2007 as the brainchild of former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga Furusato Nozei allows users to "donate" funds to communities and regions all over the country in exchange for preferred goods that the region might be known for The amount donated to the local community is documented and residents of Japan buying goods through the program can claim it as a credit against their income tax.  LUXURIQUE is expanding the landscape to include not just products but experiences that can only be attained by visiting the participating areas.  “There is a limit to the types of goods that can be sold But we think that if people come to Arita and experience it this will lead to the next step for our tourism strategy,” explained Arita mayor Yoshiaki Matsuo who was present on September 28 at the press conference.  Originally designed to incentivize urban dwellers to support local farmers and producers in their countryside hometowns these days anyone can adopt a town or region as their own whether they have a family relationship there or not.  the nudge of a tax credit helps make it more attractive than buying the same goods another way and shows local communities that they have support throughout the country.  Furusato Nozei has been cumbersome for foreign residents whose stay in Japan is short Up to now the website has been only in Japanese with little information available in English or other languages.  is to “provide clients with the tailor-made Japanese experience they seek.” Not stated: that includes in language they can understand its relationship with clients allows the company to find out what experiences people coming to Japan are seeking.  CEO Naomi Mano explained in the September 28 press conference that LUXURIQUE sees huge potential to tap into a new audience for Furusato Nozei The company's assessment is that many foreign residents ー and visitors ー would be happy to participate “We estimate that at any one time there are at least 400,000 foreign residents who don’t speak Japanese When these people go back to their countries That makes them a key demographic,” explained Mano.  Buying food and other goods through the program has its limits That is why LUXURIQUE has taken insights gained from clients who asked for something different.  we found out that people were not always interested in goods They were more interested in experiences,” explained Mano on September 28.  This is what now defines the second aim of LUXURIQUE's Furusato Japan project: going beyond famous products and developing experiences as return gifts The experiences are aimed at attracting tourists who would visit the community and spend money there One example is found in the town of Arita in Saga Prefecture, which is famous for its 400-year history of porcelain making. Over the centuries Arita porcelain has been exported all over the world and is thought to have been the inspiration for Germany's famous MEISSEN porcelain.   Arita's Furusato Nozei packages on the website include the option of buying porcelain But they are set to feature programs to visit Izumiyama Quarry ー the birthplace of porcelain learn the history of Arita porcelain at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum or try one’s hand at a potter’s wheel in one of the oldest pottery establishments in Arita.  Kutchan a town near Japan's largest ski resort area of Niseko Mountain range in Hokkaido for example is famous for its snow-related activities.  The city of Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture is blessed with a thriving green tea culture.  Meanwhile, Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture boasts over 300 different types of mochi as well as soothing nature landscapes.  The hope is that Furusato Japan will also lead to an economically sustainable tourism industry and regional revitalization As the idea gathers the attention of other local governments it also seems to be on the brink of further expansion.  “We have already been contacted by several other local governments who would like to participate in the initiative,” explained Mano on September 28 there will be many new ways of enjoying tourism in Japan.  RELATED: The Craftsmen of Fukui: Marrying Tradition and Innovation for Sustainability You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " said Tuesday that all lines of its Tohoku Shinkansen will resume services on April 14 after a powerful earthquake hit northeastern Japan and derailed one of its bullet trains nearly three weeks ago But the lines will operate on temporary timetables until after the Golden Week holidays in early May as trains will need to run at reduced speeds and at a lower frequency between Koriyama Station in Fukushima Prefecture and Ichinoseki Station in Iwate Prefecture Speeds will be reduced from the usual 320 kilometers per hour to 160 kph and about 80 or 90 percent of available trains will run on the adjusted timetables The magnitude 7.4 quake on March 16 derailed a Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train in Shiroishi causing the suspension of services in areas stretching from Tochigi Prefecture Damage to trains and infrastructure is estimated at up to 20 billion yen ($163 million) with the company also expecting a revenue fall of 12 billion yen JR East has gradually restored its services in the affected areas although operations between Fukushima Station and Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture remain suspended JR East President Yuji Fukasawa said he has received reports that five people were hurt in the derailment "We apologize for those injured and to the many people inconvenienced by the service suspensions," he told a press conference Bullet trains back in service between Iwate and Miyagi after quake JR says will take 2 weeks to remove bullet train derailed by quake Tragedy avoided on quake-hit derailed shinkansen from lessons learned To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible I learned this word while traveling in Japan in 2011 after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and powerful tsunami struck the nation — killing more than 15,000 displacing thousands more and destroying some 550,000 homes It was written on prominent signs placed amid the miles and miles of devastation and destruction in Japan It is a word and sentiment that so many need today as the COVID-19 pandemic marches on — altering lives the only Church member in her family when we met in Kesennuma When the earth shook and tsunami alarms sounded on March 11 Instantly they realized it would be necessary to flee by car But when she crested the hill in her coastal city but the story of Lot’s wife filled her soul and she knew she must look forward Yoshiko never saw the tsunami that destroyed her city But when we spoke she was certain of one thing “If I had gone back I wouldn’t have lived.” Yoshiki found her way to her brother-in-law’s home ‘Should I live or should I die?’ My heart was hurt She asked the Lord to send her branch president Yoshiki’s branch president — Koki Yamazaki — was worried about the members There was no electricity or telephone or cell phone service President Yamazaki borrowed a scooter from a Church member and started toward Kesennuma then home to Yoshiki and another Latter-day Saint sister He went from evacuation center to evacuation center looking for the women but he was unable to find Yoshiki or see her in person that night got some sleep and set out again for Kesennuma he found Yoshiki and offered her a small bag of rice “I knew this was God’s help,” said Yoshiki — who was not reunited with her daughter or husband for weeks after the disaster He rode on the rubber until it began to come off knowing the trains and buses were not running asked locals if he could borrow their tools He cut the rubber away and ran on the metal wheel rim until he could drive no more He prayed and promised his Heavenly Father he would do whatever he could Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said a few weeks ago in October general conference that faith means trusting God in good times and bad “even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf.” “The path to holiness and happiness here and hereafter is a long and sometimes rocky one,” he said The answer comes as we work together and wait together — just as did Yoshiki and her branch president our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ know us Genbikei Gorge is a two-kilometre stretch of the Iwai River located in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture’s second largest city Rugged cliff formations line the sides of the river and during seasonal changes the foliage contrasts gorgeously with the marble-blue waters of the river Walk along the designated path and admire the stunning beauty of the gorge in this lesser-known region of Japan At the pavilion near the start of the path you might catch sight of a pulley system transporting a basket These sweet sticky Japanese-flavoured dumplings are sent to customers between Genbikei Gorge’s steep cliffs Kakkōya (郭公屋) is the shop that is behind the ingenuity of this flying dango phenomenon An empty basket is delivered via a zipline the customer places 500 yen in it and hits a wooden board with a mallet to signal that the money is ready for collection a combination of three dango sticks in different flavours - mitarashi (sweet soy sauce) red bean and black sesame - and some tea to pair with the dangos Kakkōya is located 5 minutes away from the gorge by foot so you can choose to indulge in the shop’s offerings with a superb view Genbikei Gorge provides its visitors with a scenic and novel gourmet experience making a lasting impression on your next visit to the Tohoku region on Monday resumed bullet train services between Iwate and Miyagi prefectures that were suspended after a powerful earthquake hit northeastern Japan more than two weeks ago Tohoku Shinkansen trains are back in service between Ichinoseki and Sendai stations allowing Hokkaido and Akita Shinkansen trains to reconnect to Sendai a major transportation hub in the northeast region The trains will operate at a reduced speed of up to 160 kilometers per hour and the number of services will be kept at around 60 percent of normal times The M7.4 quake on March 16 derailed a Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train in Shiroishi causing suspension of services in areas stretching from Tochigi Prefecture aiming to start operating the entire line around April 20 The temblor left three people dead and more than 200 injured across more than 10 prefectures were seen hastily boarding the first bullet train departing for Iwate after the suspension ended a 64-year-old resident of Sendai who was on his way to his workplace in Morioka He said he had been forced to take a bus to Morioka during the suspension and had to stay at a hotel in the city on weekdays "It's been a long time (to have life disrupted)," he said JR East said recovery efforts are under way at the scene of the derailment with workers hurrying to restore damaged infrastructure The derailed train has been already removed from the site of the accident and is expected to be transported to a JR East facility in Miyagi soon JR East plans to resume bullet train services between Sendai and Fukushima stations the only stretch of the line on which operations are still suspended connecting the two ends of the Tohoku Shinkansen line Fukushima bullet train services return 2 weeks after big quake Quake-hit bullet train services to fully resume around April 20 said Monday it aims to fully resume around April 20 its high-speed shinkansen train services that were disrupted in the wake of a powerful earthquake that hit northeastern Japan last week and caused one bullet train to derail said it is continuing efforts to resume full operations of the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet trains connecting Tokyo and the northeast region after halting services between Nasushiobara Station in Tochigi Prefecture and Morioka Station in Iwate Prefecture following the quake late Wednesday it will likely become the longest suspension of the Tohoku Shinkansen Line since 2011 when the operator halted operations for about a month and a half following the magnitude-9.0 quake and ensuing tsunami that devastated the region JR East said it has so far confirmed about 1,000 cases of damage to equipment and infrastructure including about 300 on railways and 79 electric poles "We are sorry (that this happened) at a time when demand for travel is high We will focus on resuming operations as fast as possible and offering alternative transportation," a JR East official said Many people in Japan travel or relocate during the springtime as the new academic and fiscal year begins in April The operator said it will resume services on Tuesday between Nasushiobara Station and Koriyama Station in Fukushima Prefecture as well as Ichinoseki and Morioka stations It will operate between Koriyama and Fukushima around April 2 before resuming train runs between Sendai and Ichinoseki two days later The operator also said Monday that three passengers aboard the shinkansen train that derailed in Miyagi Prefecture due to the quake reported injuries None of them have been hospitalized with serious injuries It is likely the first case in Japan that passengers sustained injuries in a derailment accident of a bullet train Nobody was harmed when an earthquake derailed a Joetsu Shinkansen train in Niigata Prefecture The operator began work Sunday to remove the 17-car train that came off the tracks on a viaduct some 2 kilometers from a station in Shiroishi The company said it will take at least two weeks to remove the derailed train The M7.4 quake struck off Fukushima Prefecture late Wednesday leaving three people dead and more than 200 injured across several prefectures The winners of the United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competition were announced during today’s U.N The event and competition were coordinated by the Office of Legal Affairs in the U.N Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea and were produced in partnership with Oceanic Global The competition was curated by Ellen Cuylaerts and supported by the Blancpain Ocean Commitment The category winners were Renee Capozzola for “The Ocean: Life & Livelihoods” category Pawel Zygmunt for the “Above Water Seascapes” category Nur Tucker in the “Underwater Seascapes” category Francisco Sedano in the “Digital Ocean Photo Art” category Sayaka Ichinoseki for the “Faces of the Sea” category and Tom St George in the “Oceanic Discoveries” category All of the participants signed a charter of 14 commitments regarding ethics in photography Check out the winners’ pictures below “Two local Indonesian fishermen paddle in a traditional canoe along a shallow coral reef looking for a good place to put down their lines These fishermen are practicing handline fishing a type of sustainable fishing without poles or nets.“ “Visiting epic Kallur cliff on Kalsoy Island is always a great experience I had a bit of snow on the hills and the weather was very challenging I was bombed by a hailstorm and pushed around by the strong wind I was lucky to get to the lighthouse on time and hide behind it I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fully experience this place but the wind dropped a bit and I was more or less safe I took a few shots from the usual spots and then flew my drone which wasn’t easy in the wind and to be honest a bit risky I managed to capture Kalsoy Island from a slightly different perspective In the background are the islands of Kunoy and Vidoy.” “I spent a week in Los Islotes photographing lively and playful sea lions the Cave of Wonders is a hidden cavern filled with all sort of riches and magical artifacts that are guarded by a lion’s head but the cave is guarded by a moray eel and filled with precious species The capacity of underwater caves to harbor rich communities has granted them an important status as biodiversity reservoirs This has been recognized by the European Union which considers marine caves as priority habitats requiring protection The work is a composite of three images that were taken in the Mediterranean Sea.” but they are most likely yellow goosefish eggs The babies rotated inside the eggs as the veil rippled in the current.” “A cave diver glides effortlessly through a beautifully decorated underground chamber The underwater cave systems of the Yucatán Peninsula are renowned for their incredible beauty and crystal-clear waters These underground rivers that wind their way to the ocean are facing increasing pressure from pollution and the over-extraction of water.” DeeperBlue.com is the World’s Largest Community dedicated to Freediving, Scuba Diving, Ocean Advocacy, and Diving Travel We’ve been dedicated to bringing you the freshest news and discussions from around the underwater world since 1996 Contact us: hello@deeperblue.com Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Last of 2 parts: Read Part 1 I hired a car at the nearest bullet train station and set the satnav for Ofunato Station I found that the station no longer existed and neither did the town center unclassifiable objects that once had a purpose.  a capsized fishing trawler nestled between broken buildings On the phone she had told me “Women are strong.” Her parents’ house had been close to the port she went to pick them up in her car and drove them to her place Now all that remained of the parents’ house was a few bare concrete blocks Their only surviving possessions were the clothes they were wearing at the time.  “They kept their life savings in cash at home.” It had suffered badly from the last serious tsunami triggered by the Chilean earthquake of 1960 the townspeople were sensitized to the risk Every year there were two or three alerts for a “large-scale tsunami” K would pick up her parents and drink tea with them at her place until the all-clear message appeared on her phone the neighboring town got off lightly in 1962 and therefore was slow to react this time Thirty percent of the people working in the local government office died “The first thing was the sound,” K recollected I went out into the garden and saw the wave coming over the top of the pedestrian bridge That's when I knew we had to get out of here too.” The water flooded into K's garden but stopped there she and her parents had fled into the mountains living in an old people's home with no electricity After finding some gas canisters and a portable cooker she defrosted some frozen food and cooked it up for the hundred inmates K’s father was head of the local post office for fifty years his friends called him “Bureau Chief.” One of the proudest days of his life had been when the Emperor decorated him for his long service at a ceremony in Tokyo.  “It would have been much worse if the tsunami had come at night.” These people who had lost so much kept saying they were lucky But perhaps luck comes to those who believe they are lucky.   K was walking past one of the many piles of rubble that dotted the area when she saw something glinting among the lumps of concrete and broken furniture None of their other lost possessions reappeared “If you come late at night you can hear voices,” she said “People trapped inside the cars are calling out for help,” she said Now they are all back together in the family home She works part-time as a juku teacher and volunteers to help aged people though Covid has disturbed the normal routine.   the station spiffing new and equipped with all the latest tech.  The material devastation of 2011 had disappeared like a bad dream K’s father had passed away several years before What is COVID-19 when you’ve been through 3.11 Shoji “Swifty” Sugawara reopened seven weeks after the disaster His top-notch audio equipment was in a sad state Aftershocks would send the stylus skipping across the vinyl from time to time a town of 110,000 in the south of Iwate Prefecture the town was protected from the deadly tsunami The quake knocked down a retaining wall of the building and the electricity was cut in this part of town the sight that greeted his eyes stunned him The institution that he had spent four decades building had taken a hammer blow.  Yet he was determined to get the place up and running by April 26 For that was the meijitsu (date of death) of the man who gave him his nickname and was the inspiration for his life’s work The place that Swifty runs is named after him too: the legendary bandleader The “jazz kissa” (jazz coffee shop) is a peculiarly Japanese institution born from the confluence of two booms in the early sixties The first was the jazz boom set off by the visits to Japan of musicians of the calibre of Art Blakey which increased the availability of audiophile-class equipment such as Swifty’s beloved JBL (James Bullough Lansing) speaker system the typical jazz kissa would have a “no talking” rule and would serve only coffee ensuring that there were no drunken interruptions to the flow of sounds Japan’s six hundred remaining jazz kissas are more broadminded Some play music that isn’t jazz and offer a good menu “Basie” is probably the most famous of them all But it isn’t just a place to listen to life-affirming music in the middle of sparsely populated somewhat left-behind Iwate Prefecture region It is also a node in an invisible network that has a nationwide Well-known Japanese musicians who have been there the only bebopper to be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun Famous foreign visitors include Elvin Jones Freddie Hubbard and sonic bomb-thrower Peter Brotzmann Swifty was born and brought up in Ichinoseki He went to Waseda University and joined its High Society Orchestra as a drummer which led to a one month tour of the United States Several of his pals went on to become highly influential in creative circles he met a well-known music and film critic who became his mentor Those few years were enough to provide him with a lifetime of connectivity he returned to his hometown and set up “Basie.” He has been running it for the last fifty years Count Basie himself visited the jazz kissa named in his honor He was using an electric wheelchair which required Swifty to instal special “barrier free” ramps to negotiate the stairs the great jazzman passed away at the age of 79 Not many people get the chance to get on friendly terms with their musical heroes When Swifty is asked what Count Basie was like in person exactly six months after the quake and tsunami hit Swifty fixed up a charity concert for the Count Basie Orchestra featuring several musicians who had played with Basie for decades Two thousand people attended in the cool of the autumn evening Arrangements for the gig were helped by the fact that one of the temple’s monks was a jazz fan who frequently patronized the Basie jazz kissa I’ve gazed at many thousands of Shoko Hashimoto’s photos of the 3.11 disaster They show the scale and fury of the destruction There are many images of people eating heartily and smiling unfakeable smiles even while living in disused schools just weeks after the tsunami have a deeper significance when dealing with adversity Perhaps all humanity is when survival is at stake Most of us will never know because we will never have to face the same kind of test Author: Peter Tasker  Find other articles by the author here Photographer: Shoko Hashimoto Find Shoko Hashimoto’s work online at this link You must be logged in to post a comment Public Relations Office, Government of Japan Home > Highlighting JAPAN > Highlighting Japan November 2019 > Japan’s Food Culture Mochi is a traditional Japanese food enjoyed around the country a unique mochi culture has developed and been passed down from generation to generation for some 400 years No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form is a unique genre of music venue that evolved in Japan as a place where aficionados gather to listen not to live music but to recorded jazz in acoustic settings that are as close to ideal as possible these kissa flourished in the following decade and were everywhere in Japanese cities by the end of the 1960s Although the golden age of the jazz café faded in the decades that followed and there are still around 600 dedicated jazz kissa in business around the country today Of all the classics that survive around the country Basie is special: a legendary venue spoken of in hushed reverent tones among jazz fans for the unrivaled acoustic experience it offers Owner Sugawara Seiji started the business in Ichinoseki in 1970 after graduating from Waseda University where he been a member of a big band called the High Society Orchestra he returned to his Iwate hometown and converted an earthen warehouse on the grounds of the family home into a new jazz kissa The name was inspired by Count Basie (1904­–84) the legendary piano player and leader of one of the great bands of the big band era The trailer for Hoshino Tetsuya’s 2020 Jazu kissa Beishī: Swifty no tanshi (Jazz Café Basie: The Ballad of Swifty) This world-renowned musician himself heard a rumor about a café with his name in a remote part of Japan he decided he had to visit and see it for himself But surely the name alone wouldn’t have been enough to tempt Basie all the way to this provincial city more than 400 kilometers north of Tokyo Basie was drawn by rumors of the venue’s legendary sound It was Count Basie himself who gave Sugawara his nickname: “Swifty.” And now the famous venue has celebrated 50 years since it first opened its doors director of the film Jazu kissa Beishī: Swifty no tanshi (Jazz Café Basie: The Ballad of Swifty) said he wanted to create a lasting record before it was too late: “You can’t pretend it’s going to be there forever I wanted to create a record that will live on into the future “My first priority was to capture the sound I was determined to leave a record of Basie’s acoustics for future generations Everything started from the idea of capturing the sound but the sound team worked hard to capture the real thing They didn’t want to fob people off with something fake.” Hoshino wanted to give audience an opportunity to experience the sound produced by the remarkable audio system Sugawara has lovingly put together over the years This passion for the details of sound comes over in the very first moments of the film The audience is confronted with a blank screen but the clattering sound of a steam train clattering relentlessly down the tracks in the middle of a violent thunderstorm from a documentary recording made in Mississippi in 1961 Hoshino played a copy of the recording over Basie’s equipment and captured it with a vintage microphone “The main objective was to get audiences to understand right from the start the volume that Basie’s system can produce The acoustics of the room make it a pleasant sound to listen to I wanted to launch an immediate assault on the audience’s sense of hearing: get people’s auditory attention and the only way to hear this sound is to travel a long way to hear it I wanted the audience to feel this truth for themselves The sound of the steam train carries across time and place My hope was that the sound would somehow magically transport audiences into the room at Basie’s.” Basie in the snow Hoshino says he fell in love with jazz and the world of audio after buying a Miles Davis record as a student in middle school Although he had been a devoted reader of Sugawara’s columns in the audiophile magazine Stereo Sound since he was a teenager it wasn’t until he was in his thirties that he set foot in Basie for the first time Thanks to an introduction from an acquaintance he was finally able to meet the owner himself Director Hoshino Tetsuya was born in 1965 in the city of Kitakyūshū He has managed restaurants and bars since coming to Tokyo in 1986 Jazu kissa Beishī marks his debut as a director So I knew I couldn’t just approach him casually I felt a kind of trepidation going into the project and wasn’t too familiar with the big band era But when I listened to the music at high volume over the speakers at Basie for the first time You could hear all the instruments clearly It was a revelation to me that acoustics like this could exist.” JBL speakers in custom cases dominate the background at Basie Sugawara is more than just an ordinary audiophile nerd He has a genuine “feel” for sound as well as a way with words that helps him to express what he feels He seems to be able to hear the quiet and calm behind this torrential waterfall of sound And Sugawara thinks nothing of keeping a drum kit on the premises—something that would be anathema for most audiophiles who tend to shun any extraneous objects that might wreck the venue’s pristine acoustics Sugawara says a drum kit does nothing to spoil the music: If the cymbals and the skins of the drums—from the lowest to the highest—are in harmony the kit can even add to the overall experience of the sound Part of Sugawara’s philosophy seems to be that jazz listened to in sterile silence lacks the same power to touch the heart Basie owner Sugawara inks a message: “There’s no such thing as a musical genre called jazz—there are only jazz people.” (© Jazz Kissa Basie Film Partners) From time to time Sugawara’s offbeat style of conversation produces profundities that seem to hit on the truth of human existence His essays on audio and jazz are first-rate art criticism “My original idea was to get Sugawara-san to talk the way he writes Turns out he’s not someone who will open up if he knows you’re expecting him to talk It would be at times when I was off my guard and not really expecting anything that he would start to talk seriously about what was on his mind I tried so many times to get behind the mask and always knew what I was trying to get him to say And then of course he wouldn’t say it!” Conversation is like jazz: it’s a matter of give and take a performance won’t spark and take flight “The way he stands and moves when he’s in the café It’s clear that he’s aware of being watched It’s an environment that needs people and noise before it comes to life: customers at the tables a phone ringing—when all these different elements come together that’s when Basie really jumps into life (© Jazz Kissa Basie Film Partners) Hoshino stopping bringing in his full crew of camera and took to entering Basie alone with a small compact camera.  almost like part of the décor or part of the air he suddenly relaxed and started to speak his mind I would have ended up with little more than a home movie so the film does make use of footage that was shot with the full crew as well.” Sometimes Hoshino even recorded Sugawara talking over the phone “He would open up a lot over the phone That’s when he would tell me how much he hates old-fashioned stuff These are things you would never expect to hear from the owner of a jazz kissa It’s no use just going on about how everything was better in the old days He sticks with the same equipment that he likes but that’s because he’s confident that his sound won’t grow old.” Hoshino delves into the world of music and sound, building a story around Sugawara’s narrative and weaving in stories and anecdotes from the musicians and cultural figures who gather around him. At the same time, he investigates the acoustic secrets of old gramophones and famous Stradivarius violins, and discusses jazz with the world-renowned conductor Ozawa Seiji As he continues his quest to understand the mysteries of sound wherever they take him he always comes back to the admiration and amazement he feels for the masters of the form this quote from Ornette Coleman kept going around my head: that what audiences look for in a jazz musician is a human quality It made me realize that it’s not just about the sound I needed to depict the human quality too.” scenes featuring footage of important jazz musicians in performance are another attraction of the film One highlight features precious footage of the avant-garde free jazz alto saxophonist Abe Kaoru playing at Basie not long before his death in 1978 Thanks to a remarkable overlay of sound and image the young genius seems to fly back down to earth and wander through the crowded streets of modern Shinjuku (© Jazz Kissa Basie Film Partners) Despite Hoshino’s expertise in audio equipment and cameras his true métier is the hospitality business and has spent many years rubbing shoulders with the most influential denizens of nighttime Tokyo.  “I never imagined myself directing a film It was thanks to the support of so many people that we managed to get the film completed in this way Sugawara himself says in the film that he owes a debt of gratitude to all kinds of people It made me realize that it was not about him alone He was not some lofty individual up on a mountain peak doing everything himself He always says that there’s nothing special about him just for having gathered all this equipment together and playing the records What’s important are the musicians’ performances That’s what makes this incredible sound And not only that—it’s thanks to all the people who made the records that we are able to listen to this music From the people who cut the records down to the guy who slipped the record into its sleeve.” (© Jazz Kissa Basie Film Partners) And this is perhaps why Sugawara loathes the modern tendency to use the wispy mellow sounds of soft jazz as background music and why he continues to pursue the idea of being there in the moment of capturing the transcendent magic of live performance Recent years have hardly been a golden age for jazz as an art form but Hoshino says a recent episode gave him hope during an event to mark the launch of a jazz-themed manga “The event opened with a high-school band who had won the audition and everyone in the audience was really young ‘the day has come.’ These kids were taking over there had always been this kind of stuck-up atmosphere around jazz—basically lots of snobby old guys acting as if they owned the music But I always feel that as long as young people are interested in jazz I think too often convenience tends to be prioritized above everything else It’s important to be interested in things To find something you are passionate about and stick with it to get serious about it and do it the best you can To be truly moved by something from the bottom of your heart I hope I managed to get something of that into the film.” (© Jazz Kissa Basie Film Partners) (Originally written in Japanese by Matsumoto Takuya Banner photo: Sugawara Shōji at Jazz Kissa Basie All photos © Hanai Tomoko except where otherwise indicated.) Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Striking out at a critical moment in a baseball game is something a star player would usually want to forget especially if the batter’s team ends up with a humiliating loss But that helplessness at the plate in summer 2012 is one of Masaya Suzuki’s precious memories The called third strike was thrown by future superstar Shohei Ohtani shattering the speed record for high school pitchers conveying his emotion to me,” Suzuki recalled of Ohtani’s heater “It was an invaluable experience for me to watch Ohtani’s 160-kph pitch as he shifted into higher gear.” The two players continued playing baseball after high school was working on a platform at JR Kashii Station in the northeastern part of Fukuoka on the southern main island of Kyushu Nine months had passed since he was deployed there and he felt that he fit better in his light blue uniform One of his tasks was to ensure the safety of passengers by pointing at important indicators while seeing off the trains Ohtani was on his way to becoming the American League home run king in the major leagues Suzuki reminisced about the pitching arm of the two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels Suzuki was the ace pitcher of Ichinoseki Gakuin High School which played Ohtani’s Hanamaki Higashi High School in a semifinal of the qualifying round in Iwate Prefecture for the National High School Baseball Championship Ohtani was already drawing considerable attention from scouts both in Japan and the United States and his team was up by seven runs in the top of the sixth inning Ichinoseki Gakuin managed to get runners on first and third base with two outs He was determined to “get a hit at any cost.” clocking 157 kph on the first pitch and 159 kph on the fourth Suzuki was patient and worked the count full “I thought the next pitch must be a fastball It zipped by Suzuki’s knees on the inside corner of the plate The ball smashed into the catcher’s mitt so fast that Suzuki had no time to react An electronic scoreboard flashed “160 kph.” Suzuki went hitless in three at-bats in the game His team lost 1-9 in the seventh inning by the mercy rule Suzuki joined the baseball team of Kyushu Railway Co He saw this as a step toward playing in Nippon Professional Baseball “I wanted to play on the same stage as Ohtani in the future,” Suzuki said up 7 kph from his maximum velocity in high school and he earned a spot on the team’s starting rotation Just when he saw a clear path to NPB in 2016 He was diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament injury on his left elbow Suzuki spent an entire year in rehabilitation But he was unable to attain a complete recovery and could not pitch at full tilt Autumn 2019 marked a turning point in his life Suzuki took the mound in the sixth inning in the second round of the all-Japan championship for corporate teams and Suzuki was pulled after only three pitches JR Kyushu failed to crack the top eight in the competition “Continuing to play baseball seems meaningless now that I am no longer good enough to turn pro,” Suzuki said Suzuki said he will never forget Nonaka’s comment made after a moment of silence “Becoming a professional player cannot represent all the meaning of baseball,” Suzuki quoted Nonaka as saying Suzuki devoted himself to doing whatever he could for his team success with hopes of serving as a middle reliever instead of pitching an entire game as a starter He relied more on breaking balls than fastballs and Nonaka brought him in for vital moments when the team needed to shut down the other team’s bats “He had a strong sense of responsibility as a pitcher and I always expected something good from him,” said Nonaka Suzuki thought seriously about starting a second career “I’m sure I will hit a brick wall in my work and life at some point,” Suzuki explained as well as the connections built through baseball “He must be struggling even though he does not show it,” Suzuki said “All I can do is just root for him as much as possible as one of his fans.” Suzuki checked MLB news as usual during his lunch break He then left the station staff room with a uniform cap in his hands He was later seen speaking to passengers at the ticket gate Ohtani’s 160-kph pitch 11 years ago also had an impact on home plate umpire Masaaki Chida Chida instinctively felt the pitch would be too low after it left from Ohtani’s fingertips But when he checked the position of the mitt of catcher Ryuki Sasaki when the ball was caught Chida raised his right arm and called “strike.” At a postgame meeting of umpires to reflect on their judgments Chida said the record-breaking pitch may have been low Although Chida was in his 14th year as an umpire it was his first time behind the plate in a semifinal of a qualifying round for the national summer tournament Only after he returned home and watched replays on TV did Chida become certain that he made the right call still works as an umpire and is now training juniors Chida clearly remembers the trajectory of Ohtani’s 160-kph fastball “The experience constitutes the happiest moment in my umpire life,” he said “Judging Ohtani’s fastballs on so many occasions gave me confidence in some respect.” (This article was written by Yuki Shibata and Kazuhiro Nagashima.) Young ‘3-way’ baseball star dreams of being the next Ohtani BASEBALL/ Roki Sasaki’s perfect game comes earlier than expected MLB/ Ohtani becomes 1st 2-way All-Star with perfect 1st inning Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Tokyo -- A magnitude 7.2 earthquake ripped across the mountains and rice fields of northern Japan on Saturday killing at least six people as it sheared off hillsides jolted buildings and shook nuclear power plants Military helicopters swarmed the quake zone 250 miles (400 kilometers) north of Tokyo ferrying in supplies and flying the injured to hospitals Officials said at least 144 people were injured and landslides trapped 100 bathers at a hot spring resort Local media reports said the number of injuries exceeded 200 the jolt splashed 5 gallons (20 liters) of radioactive water from two pools storing spent fuel but there was no leakage outside the plant said Trade and Industry Ministry official Yoshinori Moriyama which was followed by some 153 aftershocks including one highway that was severed when a stretch of land collapsed Electricity was cut to about 29,000 households though service was mostly restored by Saturday night who was among about a dozen people being served hot soup at an evacuation center near Kurihara one of the worst-hit cities in northern Miyagi prefecture (state) though damage in cities was limited because the quake struck mostly rural mountainous areas Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said the government was mobilizing troops police and "everybody we possibly can" to find the missing and to rescue and treat the injured He ordered rescue workers to continue their efforts through the night "Our most important task is to save as many lives as possible and we are doing the best we can," he said The six dead included a man who ran out of a building in fear and was hit by a passing truck four people buried by landslides and a construction worker hit by a falling rock at a dam The early morning quake was centered in the northern prefecture of Iwate and was located about five miles (eight kilometers) underground The quake also knocked down equipment and car parts at the Iwate factory of Kanoto Auto Works Ltd. subsidiary that assembles popular Corollas and other models The company has not decided whether to resume production Monday halted production "as a precaution," but there was no major damage to the building or equipment Rescuers said their top problem was the fractured road system which stopped them from reaching isolated hamlets in the damage zone but we can't even get out there to assess the situation with roads closed off because of landslides," said Norio Sato A landslide in Kurihara buried 15 construction workers but two others were killed and one remained missing Seven people at Komanoyu hot springs were also missing after a separate landslide hit the resort A dozen helicopters and patrol aircraft were dispatched, and the disaster agency mobilized about 760 rescue workers The government also sent a CH-47 helicopter carrying Disaster Minister Shinya Izumi to the region "The extent of damage to roads and bridges was much larger than I had expected," Izumi told reporters Local governors were asking for more troops Television footage showed landslides on rural roads running along mountains separated by long stretches of rice fields Videos aired by public broadcaster NHK also showed a bridge that collapsed showed the force of the quake shook surveillance cameras for 30 seconds water and electricity are all working right now." Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world The most recent major quake in Japan killed more than 6,400 people in the city of Kobe in January 1995 please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent The operation of the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train will resume Tuesday in parts of a section suspended following a quake-caused derailment last week Wednesday night’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake caused the suspension between Nasu-Shiobara Station in Tochigi Prefecture and Morioka Station in Iwate Prefecture trains will run in the section between Nasu-Shiobara and Koriyama Station in Fukushima as well as between Ichinoseki Station in Iwate and Morioka on special timetables The operation will remain suspended in the stretch between Koriyama and Ichinoseki stations JR East said operations on the entire line are likely to resume around April 20 Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Japanese version National Report FUKUSHIMA--Bullet train services resumed between Tokyo and Fukushima in northeastern Japan on April 2 for the first time since a powerful earthquake off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture last month disrupted runs on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line services between Koriyama and Fukushima stations are operating at only half of normal capacity the development came as a great relief to passengers seeking to reach the capital swiftly A 24-year-old company employee who lives in Sendai boarded a bullet train bound for Tokyo from Fukushima Station She said she had to spend an hour and 30 minutes to reach her point of departure by existing railway services as bullet train runs remain suspended from Fukushima to Sendai stations due to damage caused by the quake “It’s good news that the service to Fukushima Station has been restored,” she said “I strongly hope that that will also be the case with Sendai Station soon.” The resumption of operations between Tokyo and Fukushima stations means that the Yamagata Shinkansen Line is also fully restored bullet train services were available only between Shinjo Station in Yamagata Prefecture and Fukushima Station The powerful quake that hit on the night of March 16 derailed a bullet train in Shiroishi It also caused extensive damage to elevated tracks and utility poles and Morioka in Iwate Prefecture to be suspended operations between Nasushiobara and Koriyama stations resumed about a week later together with services between Ichinoseki and Morioka stations said services between Sendai and Ichinoseki stations are expected to reopen on April 4 The company said services between Fukushima and Sendai stations are expected to resume around April 20 raising the likelihood of a full reopening of the Tohoku Shinkansen Line later this month before the Golden Week holiday period gets under way (This article was written by Keitaro Fukuchi and Daisuke Tsujioka.) Tohoku bullet trains resume operation with fewer trains Quake-hit bullet train line to fully resume before Golden Week Launched in 2007, Furusato Nozei is a hometown tax system that encourages people living in urban areas to prepay their annual income and residential taxes to municipalities rather than where they live It is available to anyone who pays tax here Aiming to help in that regard is hospitality and events company, Luxurique. On October 1, it launched Furusato Japan which provides English and Japanese language options (other languages will be available next year) making it easier for people from overseas to benefit from and contribute to the program rather than just concentrating on food and drinks Luxurique also focuses on unique travel experiences Although the number will increase in the future Luxurique has partnered with four municipalities — Arita in Saga Prefecture; Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture; Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture and the town of Kutchan in Hokkaido The idea is for foreigners to immerse themselves in these local cultures while also discovering hidden cultural treasures Programs include private boat trips along Geibikei Gorge While Japanese residents can also take part the target market is people from overseas who aren’t planning to stay here forever Luxurique President Naomi Mano asked many foreign residents if they were using Furusato Nozei Most told her they didn’t even know about it She decided to pitch the idea of running multilingual versions of the service to various Furusato Nozei platforms “Furusato Japan focuses on return gifts and experiences that bring out the best of each municipality,” says Mano “The project was created to support both foreigners living in Japan and local governments in developing their tourism content We have closely collaborated with each municipality to produce value-added projects that we’ll continue to refine we will create exclusive experiences that will appeal to our inbound guests too.”   Wanting to see what one of these travel experiences was like we joined Luxurique on a two-day trip to the town of Arita We began with a delightful Godofu (tofu made from kudzu vines and starch instead of bittern) lunch at Gallery Arita it’s known for the cute Mini Cooper parked outside decorated in porcelain there are around 2,000 cups on display and all customers are allowed to choose one for their tea or coffee it was off to the Kyushu Ceramic Museum which covers the development of ceramics and pottery culture throughout the region it was then a short journey to Izumiyama Quarry led by Yi Sam-pyeong (also known as Kanagae Sanbee) Sam-pyeong‘s influence can be felt and seen throughout Arita and we had the chance to learn about ceramic wheel throwing from his 14th generation descendant Following a short look around the stylish shops at Arita Sera it was time to head to our accommodation for the evening Located alongside the quaint Ureshino River Wataya Besso is an expansive and luxurious inn that is the perfect place to relax after a busy day The multi-course dinner featuring seasonal vegetables sumptuous sashimi and melt-in-your-mouth Saga beef was unquestionably the mildly alkaline salt hot spring bath with a pH of 7.9 known to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth The next morning began with another soothing bath and a Japanese breakfast before leaving the inn for the historic Kakiemon Kiln the distinctive style here is characterized by the elegant and brightly colored pictorial designs painted upon milky white backgrounds Watching the highly skilled artisans going about their work was a real treat As was the fact that we were allowed to stroll around the private gardens and enjoy a cup of tea and snack in front of the charming thatched-roof buildings A prior engagement meant that we then had to leave the tour early though just had enough time for a short meeting with Arita Mayor Yoshiaki Matsuo who spoke about wanting to encourage more foreigners to visit his town No doubt the partnership with Furusato Japan will help with that Visit the official Furusato Japan website for more information on how to use this service Bike Europe is a part of VMNmedia. The following rules apply to the use of this site: Terms of Use and Privacy / Cookie Statement | Privacy settings Saitama — In land-locked Saitama Prefecture a project will soon be underway to to cultivate a delicacy of the ocean The enterprise in the city of Kuki will use artificial seawater made from the waters of a local hot spring which will then be recirculated as it is purified There is also an idea to use local vegetables and fruits as feed as a way to further promote the locally produced sea urchins The goal is to have the aquaculture farm ready by March of next year with the cultivating of sea urchins beginning in September for shipment in November which was announced at a press conference on Dec which manages the Mori no Seseragi Nagomi hot spring facility Two 4-ton water tanks are to be installed in a vinyl greenhouse built on farmland adjacent to the hot spring facility Technology using ozone will be adopted for the purification of the artificial seawater while the water temperature will be controlled by a heat exchange system with the hot spring water Feeding will be managed by a device equipped with artificial intelligence A special app has been developed to analyze the water quality Costs to set up the facility are estimated at about ¥50 million which will be partially funded by business restructuring subsidies from the Economy According to Yamatake Executive Director Daigo Yamanaka a test run that was started last May has resulted in about 50 sea urchins being successfully cultivated in a small tank Yamatake intends to bring in sea urchins from a hatchery to be built in Hachinohe once the project goes into full operation and with the cooperation of people in the fishery industry The company plans to raise 6,000 sea urchins to a size sufficient for shipping at the aquaculture farm in Kuki over a period of about two months we want to serve them at the restaurant in the [hot spring] facility,” Yamanaka said “It would also be good to use vegetables and fruits produced in Kuki as feed.” the company intends to set up hatcheries in other prefectures to ensure a stable supply of sea urchins sea urchins can be shipped even in the off season,” said Takashi Watanabe an associate professor at National Institute of Technology “We hope to give a boost to Japan’s fisheries industry as a whole through this technology.” Higgs is a transfer student into the elite science school ILC (International Linear Collider) Academy in Japan and they join up with other particles to form the Uroboros group dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the universe The characters, from left to right in the image above, are Up Quark, Down Quark, Higgs Bozon, Gluon Adler, and Elec Smith. Illustrator Minato Yaguchi designed the characters Up is a third-year student and Down's twin brother who loves craftsmanship He has a sociable personality but a violent disposition He is an introvert who can't be separated from Up and he worries that he is a bit heavier than Up and his favorite foods are sticky items such as sticky rice and grated yam and he has to be careful because he can manipulate static electricity The project's official Twitter account is posting four-panel manga about the characters Higgs Bozon 通称“神の粒子”#ParticleBoys#擬人化#イケメン?#素粒子 pic.twitter.com/ZBOMo3XPam Elec Smith 電子さん#ParticleBoys#擬人化#イケメン?#素粒子#静電気 pic.twitter.com/ifepwrMt0z Stamps for the LINE messaging and social media app and various character goods are available for purchase The project will also have a booth at the "Zenkoku Ji-Beer Festival in Ichinoseki" local beer event in Ichinoseki [Via Nijimen] Poland took this shot of the epic Kallur cliff on Kalsoy Island in the Faroe Islands It was the winner of the Above Water category Seychelles took second place in the Above Water category It was taken by Christophe Mason-Parke from the UK This cave reminded Spanish photographer Francisco Sedano of the cave of wonders from the famous Disney movie Aladdin but instead of being filled magical artefacts It took first prize for Digital Ocean Photo Art Sayaka Ichinoseki from Japan managed to photograph these eggs It took first prize in the Faces of the Sea category This image of a cave-diver in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico came first in the Oceanic Discoveries category This picture of two local Indonesian fishermen paddling in a traditional canoe was taken on Adonara Island The photographer Renee Capozzola from the USA took first place in the Life and Livelihoods Nur Tucker from the UK spent a week in Los Islotes in La Paz Mexico photographing lively and playful sea lions This image helped him win in the Underwater Seascapes category was taken close to Cerralvo Island in Baja California Sur It was taken by Rafael Fernandez Caballero from Spain who took third place in the Above Water Seascapes category Brett Stanley from Australia was awarded second place in the Digital Ocean Photo Art category for his conceptual look at the blindness consumers have when it comes to plastics Amazing award-winning underwater photos Check out these amazing underwater pictures Watch Newsround - signed and subtitled VideoWatch Newsround - signed and subtitled Top storiesVE Day: Celebrations across London for 80 year anniversary VideoVE Day: Celebrations across London for 80 year anniversary Met Gala 2025: Zendaya Lewis Hamilton and other amazing looks of the night VE Day: How are you celebrating 35How is a new pope chosen No Mow May: Why grass might be left to grow longer this month Check out some 'tea-rrific' Star Wars art Japanese version Japanese version A strong magnitude 4.6 earthquake hit 35 km (22 mi) away from Ichinoseki, Iwate,  Japan The quake had a moderate depth of 76 km (47 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) Ichinoseki has a very high level of seismic activity Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900 there are about 1,500 quakes on average per year in or near Ichinoseki Ichinoseki has had at least 4 quakes above magnitude 7 since 1900 which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently probably on average approximately every 30 to 35 years The quake had a moderate depth of 74 km (46 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) Ichinoseki was shaken by 1 quake of magnitude 4.5 and 1 quake of magnitude There were also 15 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel She debuted in the entertainment industry in 2001 as an exclusive model for “CANDy” magazine and transitioned into acting in 2003 celebrated for various roles announced first pregnancy on Instagram on August 26 The 38-year-old actress shared the news with her followers expressing her gratitude for the new life she is expecting Komatsu conveyed that her pregnancy is progressing well and her health remains stable Komatsu’s announcement comes after a significant period of personal and professional milestones Her notable roles include appearances in “Infection Island” (2008) as well as TV dramas such as “Bambino!” (2007) also “Buzzer Beat: A Hero on the Edge” (2009) Her work has earned her a respected place in the Japanese entertainment industry Komatsu described her feelings of anxiety and appreciation as she navigates her first pregnancy She acknowledged the support of her family which has helped her maintain peace during this time Komatsu also assured her fans that she will continue working while closely monitoring her health and expressed her hope for their ongoing support Komatsu has been active in various other fields She married an ordinary man in July of the previous year and relocated to Sendai due to her husband’s job she was appointed the first “Ichinoseki Ambassador” for Ichinoseki City reflecting her increasing involvement in community and promotional activities As Komatsu embraces this new chapter in her life her fans and supporters are eager to follow her journey through her continued professional endeavors and personal milestones