Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Gunma Prefecture--Municipal authorities are offering a specialized education course to help foreign workers learn the rudiments of Japanese language as well as customs and conventions that might seem strange to them Teachers dispatched by the city to private companies provide two-hour lessons as part of a program to promote multiculturalism in local communities Foreign nationals from more than 60 countries live and work in Isesaki Enhancing their ability to converse with the locals will help them to integrate better into Japanese society Officials said candidates eligible for the program must lack language skills for daily conversation and be aged 16 or older and living Employers of wannabe students must offer meeting spaces and other facilities as classrooms Each lesson requires a minimum of five students One class lasts 2 hours and can be held up to 10 times including the preferred day of the week for the course Tuition per person is 3,000 yen ($20.60) for textbooks and other expenses The content of the program will be tailored to the students’ level of proficiency Common complaints from residents concern trash disposal and noise levels Japanese often complain that foreign nationals are not fastidious about sorting their trash properly contact the city’s international division at 0270-27-2731 Statistics from Gunma Prefecture show that 72,300 foreign residents from 115 countries and regions lived in the prefecture as of last December towns and cities with the largest non-Japanese populations in Gunma Prefecture Foreign residents in Isesaki number about 15,100 or 7 percent of the municipality’s total population Gunma town will allow foreign residents to be civil servants Ex-trainees from Vietnam arrested in search for 742 stolen pears Foreign students have uneven access to Japanese classes COVID-19 cluster cases spark backlash against foreign residents 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 The Springfield Sister Cities Association has selected local musician Molly Healey to serve as ambassador and featured performer in Springfield’s sister city of Isesaki Healey will visit multiple Japanese cities and perform at Isesaki’s annual citywide festival “Molly embodies the spirit of cultural exchange and artistic collaboration that is at the heart of our mission,” said Sister Cities executive director Lisa Bakerink “Her performance at Isesaki’s city festival is not just a showcase of her musical talent but also a bridge between communities fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation across borders We’re confident that Molly’s music will resonate with the people of Isesaki and continue the tradition of peace through people.” Sister Cities funds a portion of Healey's trip costs and helps fundraise the remaining expenses. Healey will host her first concert fundraiser at Tie and Timber on Friday, August 9 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5, and all tips and donations will benefit Healey's trip to Japan. Donors can make tax-deductible contributions at peacethroughpeople.org/molly A longtime fiddle player for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils Healey began her solo career in 2015 after purchasing a loop pedal she became an experimental songwriting powerhouse playing a variety of instruments including cello and guitar while experimenting with other sounds More: Springfield's Molly Healey has a new album coming soon, and it will throw you for a loop Healey continues to play the fiddle for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and the Kay Brothers and frequently does session work with artists across the state of Missouri Healey is also the co-organizer of Earth Day: The Festival an annual music festival that raises funds for local environmental organizations For more information or to make a donation, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/molly Springfield Sister Cities Association is a nonprofit organization encouraging goodwill between the people of Springfield and its sister cities by creating and promoting opportunities to foster multi-cultural awareness and appreciation Springfield has sister city relationships with Isesaki The Sister Cities vision is “Peace Through People.” leven Indonesian citizens in Japan have been named suspects in the murder of a fellow Indonesian in the country’s Gunma prefecture The Isesaki Police in Gunma arrested the 11 Indonesians and later named them suspects for murder and overstaying their visas “The Isesaki Police are still investigating the Indonesian citizens arrested on both suspicions,” the Foreign Ministry’s director for citizen protection He added that the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo was monitoring the case and providing legal assistance to the arrested Indonesians Three other Indonesian citizens were injured in the incident and were treated at a hospital all the victims were Indonesian citizens who had overstayed their visas and fell victim to a violent robbery committed by fellow Indonesians Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small or large—find what’s most comfortable for you Savero Aristia Wienanto TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Judha Nugraha, Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed that 11 Indonesian citizens (WNI) were arrested by the police in Isesaki, Gunma, Japan. They are accused of immigration violations to murder He said the information came from a report from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo "The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo continues to communicate with the Isesaki Police The police have named 11 Indonesian suspects with the initial charge of immigration violation (overstayer) and the second charge is murder," Judha said in a short message on Thursday Judha said the Isesaki police were still investigating the 11 Indonesians arrested on the two charges continues to monitor the legal process against the Indonesian suspects while providing legal assistance to ensure their rights are fulfilled This alleged murder case was revealed in the handling of the murder case of fellow Indonesian citizens Judha explained that the Indonesian victim with the initials A died from stab wounds while three other Indonesian citizens were hospitalized A's body was repatriated to Indonesia on January 11 "The Indonesian citizen who was killed and injured is an overstayer and is suspected to be a victim of robbery," he said SAVERO ARISTIA WIENANTO | DEWI RINA CAHYANI Editor's Choice: Missing Persons in Glodok Plaza Fire Rise to 13 Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News Prabowo: Bill Gates to Support Free Nutritious Meal Program in Indonesia Prabowo Rejects 'Puppet President' Label, Denies Jokowi's Control Manpower Minister Unveils Reasons Behind Over 24,000 Layoffs by April 2025 Prabowo Claims 99.99% Success Rate for Free Nutritious Meal Program Indonesia and Japan Deepen Strategic Alliance in Clean Energy and Infrastructure Jokowi Responds to Calls for VP Gibran's Impeachment Prabowo Praises Jokowi's Inflation Control in Cabinet Session, Denies Link to Gibran's Presence BPS: Indonesian Economic Growth Slows to 4.87% in Q1 2025 Rupiah Strengthens as US-China Trade Tension Eases BGN Chief Aims for Zero Accidents in Free Nutritious Meal Program 10 Best Cities to Visit in Japan Besides Tokyo to Add to Your Bucket List Indonesia and Japan Deepen Strategic Alliance in Clean Energy and Infrastructure Prabowo to Host Cambodian Senate President This Afternoon Man Sentenced to 53 Years for Stabbing 6-Year-Old Palestinian American to Death French Prosecutor Says Mosque Attacker's Motive Not Linked to Terrorism Traveling Fukuoka: Iconic Landmarks and Tourist Spots in the Japanese City Japan Begin Cooperation in Caregiver Sector Japan Now Home to the Smallest Park in the World Recognized as Japan's Oldest Living Person Tokyo Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go The Pope's Role in Major Events of the Modern Era Prabowo to Host Cambodian Senate President This Afternoon Sistine Chapel Prepares for the Election of New Pope Anthony Albanese Makes Indonesia His First Visit After Winning Australian Election JYP Entertainment Apologizes for DAY6 Concert Chaos in Jakarta AJI, UNESCO Declare Commitment to Support Digital Security of Student Press Inside Sistine Chapel: 5 Key Facts About the Conclave's Iconic Venue Exposing Trump's Move on Mike Waltz Dismissal 10 Best Cities to Visit in Japan Besides Tokyo to Add to Your Bucket List 10 Recommended Budget-Friendly Tourist Destinations in the United States What Are the Cheapest Businesses to Start from Home? 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The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Today's print edition Home Delivery The article you have been looking for has expired and is no longer available on our system who has been featured on KSMU’s Studio Live will serve as an ambassador and featured performer in Springfield’s Japanese sister city The Springfield Sister Cities Association will send Jones to Isesaki this September attend official ceremonies and perform at Isesaki’s annual citywide festival Sister Cities will fund a portion of the cost to send Jones to Japan and will help fundraise the rest of the expenses Jones will host his first concert fundraiser on Sunday and all tips and donations will go towards the trip Tax-deductible donations can also be made at peacethroughpeople.org/donatetodallas Jones is an Ozarks native who has released eight studio albums and written more than 300 original songs Sister Cities selects a local musical group to perform at Isesaki’s city festival each year Springfield has been a sister city with Isesaki in Japan Mayor Ken McClure honored the anniversary of the cities' friendship during Monday's city council meeting The sister city relationship between Springfield and Isesaki was established on July 18 Since then there have been numerous exchanges between the cities from both private citizens and elected officials To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the cities' relationship the mayor of Isesaki gifted Springfield a traditional Japanese Daruma Doll a good luck charm based on Buddhist history To symbolize the anniversary and the friendship between the cities According to a letter from the mayor of Isesaki to McClure the doll wishes "health and long lives to Springfield citizens." "There's the word 'Kizuna' which means 'bonds' in English This word expresses the desire to cherish the bond of friendship that both citizens have fostered over the past 35 years and to deepen our friendship," the letter reads Isesaki has a population of approximately 209,000 The city is the fifth largest in the Gunma Prefecture in Japan It is located in a flat area at the center of the Japanese island more than 100 Springfield families have visited Isesaki children’s art and photograph exchanges have occurred between the Springfield Public Schools and between the two cities’ art museums and there is a program supplying Isesaki with language teachers According to the Sister Cities Association Isesaki and Springfield have much in common "The cities both have similar industrial bases balance of harmony between tradition and modernization and comparable cultural and parks-oriented environments," reads the organization's website I put on one of my meisen kimono to go visit the Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore It was time for the museum's meisen kimono show. Located in Omiya Park, the Museum is lovely in autumn. It's also next to the famous Hikawa Shrine and its position in clothing history are very interesting Japan was busy exporting all of its best silk to the United States and some to Europe Silk accounted for a third of Japan's total export income So it was an important source of revenue. The silk that was left for domestic use was of a lower quality Japan had been importing reeling and weaving technology from Europe This was making the production of silk kimono much less labor intensive and much cheaper than before. Makers learned how to produce a semi-mechanized type of kimono meisen kimono could be considered the "jeans" of the kimono world And indeed it is estimated that at least 50% of Japanese women wore them Meisen kimono are a Kanto regional product and the industry was very important for Saitama Prefecture Chichibu (Saitama Prefecture) is said to be the first place where the technique was developed But Isesaki in nearby Gunma Prefecture also makes the claim to be first. It was also produced in Ashikaga (Tochigi Prefecture) The collection on display is part of around 600 items donated to the museum by the famous meisen expert and collector What is unique about the production of meisen is that it is halfway between hand-loom weaving and kimono which are dyed with stencils on white cloth It uses a technique invented in Chichibu in 1908 called Hogushiori. Originally Hogushiori were the warp threads that were all laid out and then dyed with stencils They had loose diagonal threads through them to keep them in place as stencil dyeing threads is very much more difficult than dyeing fabric. the Hogushiori threads are removed and the warps are put on the loom to be woven with the weft Whereas with hand-loom weaving every thread would have been tie-dyed this process is much faster and enables the use of more colors and complex designs. which appear the opposite from the back to the front meisen fabric is the same on the back and front This enables the other side of the fabric to be used if the front gets dirty The technique became very popular and various girls' schools used it for their school uniforms For example, Gakushuin Girls' School used Isesaki meisen and Ochanomizu Girls' School used Chichibu meisen. But in the 1930s Isesaki started to stencil dye the wefts as well Isesaki was known for the exciting designs that they produced. where sections of the weft threads were stencil dyed which was produced after 1945 in Hachioji and had a patterned weave in the ground as well as the meisen patterns. Chichibu is also famous for the tamamushi style which shines like an insect's shell because the warps and wefts are opposite colors. They demonstrate the different types and also show the different styles that a woman may have worn at different stages of her life. There are also posters and magazines on display Meisen was advertised in many different ways And there was a lot of competition between makers and department stores to produce the most interesting designs Magazines from the World War II period show how to turn your meisen kimono into pants and padded headgear to protect yourself in dangerous situations the industry largely turned to making futons and cushions as fewer people were wearing kimono. Various tools are on display so it is possible to see how the fabric was produced It is popular in antique shops for its uniquely bright tennis rackets and oil lamps are on the kimono. The exhibition ends with pieces from two workshops that are still producing meisen in Chichibu, with silk from silkworms harvested in Chichibu. They are Arakei and Henmi workshops The link to the exhibition, which runs to December 4th, click here. To find out more on the workshops, click here and here. You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Local education authorities across Japan are struggling to secure classrooms for an increasing number of special-needs children who are even being forced to attend classes in school building hallways Even as schools for such children are scrambling to expand classroom capacity with calls also growing internationally for it to integrate them with their peers in regular classes Japan's education system for special-needs students has been called into question by a United Nations panel and the voices against separating them are becoming louder domestically as well although the central government does not appear likely to budge One expert who is in favor of embracing integration said "The danger is that if special-needs education becomes the norm it will move a long way from what it was originally meant to be." cheers from children rang out from a music class being held in a first-floor hallway at the Gunma Prefectural School for Special Education in Isesaki A total of 10 fifth-grade students had brought their chairs from a classroom into the hallway to listen to nursery rhymes and voice their impressions the echoes from the music that reverberated throughout the school would sometimes disrupt the concentration of other children studying in classrooms The school currently has a total of 167 students enrolled from the first to the ninth grade the number of students has increased from about 110 and physical education and athletics practice are among classes held in the hallways The school building has become noticeably dilapidated and the prefectural government plans to renovate part of it and build a new section for senior high school students but the implementation scheduled for fiscal 2027 is a long way off and high school students nationwide is falling the number of special-needs students is increasing every year totaling more than 150,000 as of May this year there was a shortage of 3,740 classrooms at all of the public special-needs schools across the country some special-needs schools are restructuring to integrate students with disabilities with their peers in general education classrooms -- a trend being seen more and more internationally at the Ishikawa Prefectural School for Students with Special Needs in Kanazawa there are plans afoot to move some of the senior high school students to the site of a regular high school in the city and hold some of the classes jointly Parents of some of the students being forced to change schools are demanding consideration be made for their children who will have to adjust to a new environment Whether students with disabilities should be integrated with others in regular classes in the first place remains a controversial issue in Japan the United Nations' Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recommended that Japan cease special-needs education saying that children with disabilities are being segregated from students in regular classrooms Although the education ministry has said it "will improve the system so that students can receive education together as much as possible," Keiko Nagaoka stated at a press conference following the recommendation that she is "not considering discontinuing the program," all but assuring that the status quo would be maintained The ministry says the reason for the increase in special-needs students is that "understanding has broadened about education based on disabilities and particular traits." some children with disabilities may have had no choice but go to special-needs schools Volunteer groups for such children say they have received a barrage of complaints from parents who said the school boards would not allow them to place their children in local elementary schools even after they made requests to do so "The essential point of inclusive education is not to separate groups of people who are always together based on whether or not they have a disability," said Yoshihiro Kokuni a professor in the history of education at the University of Tokyo He fears that separating students at the school level "could become a gateway to a society that segregates people with disabilities." Kokuni urged making a shift to developing human resources and creating an environment in which students can study without distinction Facilities for disabled face serious labor shortages in Japan: survey 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 air raids continued against Japan until the day of its surrender in the Pacific War because Tokyo was reluctant to accept the Potsdam Declaration over the emperor’s status “It is difficult to end a war once it started,” said Kudo secretary-general of the national association of groups recording air raids and war damage “It is important not to let (politicians) start a war It is vital to choose politicians based on a level-headed judgment.” Kudo: The United States carried out air raids from Aug It is believed to be the largest number of aircraft deployed for (a string of) air raids during the Pacific War where Osaka Arsenal and Kyobashi Station were bombed and Iwakuni and Hikari in Yamaguchi Prefecture Q: Why were air raids conducted on the day of the surrender or the day before A: Japan’s delay in accepting the Potsdam Declaration was in the background The government informed the Allied powers on Aug 10 that it would accept the declaration on condition that the emperor’s rights of sovereignty would not be changed But arguments within the government and military became tangled over a response from the Allied powers Some said the emperor’s status was not guaranteed and an agreement was not reached for some time 10 stopped air raids on urban areas by B-29 bombers to prevent an adverse impact on peace negotiations air raids by B-29 bombers were suspended altogether The United States once waited for an end of peace negotiations although it continued some air raids by other bombers But Japan did not produce its conclusion for some time and the United States decided to carry out large-scale air raids on Aug 14-15 to urge Japan to accept the Potsdam Declaration according to a history of warfare by B-29 bombers military initially considered an air raid on Tokyo which would have a strong psychological impact on the Japanese government but eventually decided to target several areas outside Tokyo Japan decided to accept the Potsdam Declaration at a meeting in the presence of the emperor on Aug military officials on the ground were informed of Japan’s decision and air raids continued until the early hours of Aug A: They could have been prevented if the Japanese government had accepted the Potsdam Declaration sooner The same can be said about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki I feel that it is difficult to end a war once it started That is why it is important not to let (politicians) start a war it is vital to choose politicians based on a level-headed judgment The number of people who experienced the war has been declining but those who do not have firsthand knowledge of war can learn about it I think it is extremely important to know what occurred in the Pacific War so that the same disaster will not be repeated in the future (This article is based on an interview by Yukiko Nagatomi.) The missionary of peace who led the attack on Pearl Harbor Student from Hiroshima behind Nagoya peace day plan POWs killed in Tokyo air raids read out at event Rare map shows what Tokyo was like in 1947 under U.S How one villager diffused tensions over captured WWII B-29 crew EDITORIAL: Saving official documents is vital for passing down history Japanese version The dog that attacked a dozen people including nine elementary school pupils northwest of Tokyo earlier this week had not been vaccinated for rabies The pet owner has admitted that he failed to inoculate the 2-year-old Shikoku that went on a biting spree in Isesaki although their injuries were not life-threatening The owner has a total of seven Shikoku dogs but only three have been registered with the city and there were no records of any having been vaccinated for rabies for nearly 10 years owners need to register any dog aged 91 days or more with their municipalities within 30 days of taking ownership of the animal The law also requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies once a year which is about 130 centimeters long and 60 cm tall was neither registered nor did it have a record of vaccination It is currently in the care of a prefectural animal protection facility Police are investigating the case on the grounds alleged injuries were caused by negligence and as a violation of the rabies law "I am sorry for causing trouble for my bad management," the owner a 62-year-old company executive from Isesaki He said he was aware of the need to register and vaccinate his dogs but thought the vaccination "was not good for their health" after one of his previous dogs had died after getting the jab The owner registered the remaining four dogs after the city issued a guidance on appropriate pet ownership on Thursday and he also plans to have them all vaccinated another Shikoku dog ran away from his owner on Thursday afternoon in Kanagawa Prefecture prompting the police to alert local citizens through email the following day but it has been vaccinated and no one has been injured so far 12 bitten in dog attack northwest of Tokyo, 5 sent to hospital Dallas Jones first started writing songs while riding in the tractor on his fourth-generation family farm he's preparing to represent Springfield as a featured performer in Japan this fall was selected by the Springfield Sister Cities Association to serve as an ambassador for the organization in Springfield's sister city Isesaki stay with an Isesaki host family and perform at Isesaki's annual-city wide festival Isesaki, Japan has been a sister city of Springfield since July 18, 1986 according to the Springfield Sister Cities Association website Over the cities' nearly 40-year partnership the Springfield Sister Cities Association has provided several Ozarks-based musicians to perform at the Isesaki festival Lancaster Station served as the ambassador following a two-year delay due to the pandemic of course," Jones said about learning he was selected as this year's ambassador not ever having been there before and being away from my family and the farm for almost two weeks." Jones works on his family farms and lives with his wife and two sons who are 11 and 14 years old 'Of course you're going,'" Jones said with a laugh Hiroshima and perform a few different sets at the Isesaki city-wide festival Jones has released 10 studio albums and close to 300 original songs He said he enjoys writing about his family The entire cost of Jones' trip to Japan is about $4,000 The Springfield Sister Cities Association has provided a $2,000 scholarship Jones is hosting a fundraiser concert at Wire Road Brewing on Sunday from 6-8 p.m Admission to the concert is free and all tips and donations will be given directly to Jones Donations can also be made through the Springfield Sister Cities Association website at peacethroughpeople.org/donatetodallas SAITAMA--Three desperate former technical intern trainees from Vietnam were arrested on Dec 2 in connection with the theft of hundreds of pears worth about 273,000 yen ($2,600) The former trainees told police they needed money to pay off the debts they incurred to come to Japan and that they could not return to their home country because they were broke A total of 742 pears were stolen in August and September from an orchard in Kamikawa Saitama prefectural police searched an apartment in Isesaki 2 in connection with the theft and arrested the three Vietnamese on suspicion of overstaying their visas in violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law police had been looking for a connection between visitors to the apartment and individuals who abandoned a motor vehicle near where the pears were stolen 4 and 5 found knapsacks containing 182 pears as well as garbage bags that the Isesaki city government asks local residents to use The abandoned motor vehicle had license plates from Tsukuba Police searched the vehicle for evidence and checked social media posts for clues They determined that people who frequented the Isesaki apartment had used the vehicle Saitama prefectural police have received reports about stolen fruit since August About 5,500 pears worth about 1.38 million yen were reported stolen from Kamikawa and two other municipalities Thousands of pears and peaches were also reported stolen from Gunma and Tochigi prefectures have also been taken from farms in those prefectures a 29-year-old former technical intern trainee from Vietnam was arrested and later indicted on charges of illegally slaughtering a hog at his home Police also arrested around a dozen Vietnamese former technical intern trainees in Ota The home where they were found was searched in connection with the livestock thefts many of the former trainees had debts of 1 million yen or so stemming from expenses needed for them to come to Japan But many ended up fleeing their workplaces in Japan because of the strenuous conditions and other reasons Ex-Vietnamese intern arrested on suspicion of slaughtering pig 4 Vietnamese interns arrested on suspicion of slaughtering pig Hundreds of livestock rustled from Tochigi Saitama temple takes in exploited Vietnamese trainees Japanese version Some 700 foreign students have stopped attending classes at a Tokyo university and have been out of contact with the school since last April prompting the Japanese government to investigate as some have overstayed their visas Tokyo University of Social Welfare had 5,133 foreign nationals enrolled as of May 1 the second largest foreign student body after Waseda University's 5,412 according to the Japan Student Services Organization But the private university with some 8,000 total students said last week it had lost touch with about 700 of the roughly 2,600 foreigners who attended the university's Oji campus in Tokyo's Kita Ward The students were enrolled as researchers for the current academic year that ends later this month and have been removed from the university's student register according to its public relations office in Nagoya The university said it also recorded 264 such disappearances in 2016 and 493 in 2017 students went missing after attending classes several times and later stopped paying tuition the Justice Ministry said dozens of foreign students at the university were found to be illegally staying in Japan even after their visas expired Japan not ready yet to offer foreign workers proper labor conditions Japanese local gov'ts call for more help to accept foreigners School gives helping hand to foreigners struggling with Japanese life A gigantic box of instant noodles 1,500 times its normal size was cooked and served to hundreds of people on Sunday in Isesaki breaking the Guinness World Record for the "largest instant noodles tasting event" as a total of 579 participants managed to finish the required servings of tasting samples. About 160 kilograms of instant "yakisoba" stir-fry noodles were prepared in just minutes by pouring 480 liters of hot water over it in a 1.3-meter by 1.8-meter metallic container that resembled the package of the popular Peyoung brand The cooked noodles totalled over 780,000 kilocalories "I came for the Guinness World Record," said 15-year-old Takato Kurosawa who came from neighboring Maebashi with some friends "The tastiness of yakisoba sauce filled my mouth." hosted by Isesaki-headquartered noodle maker Maruka Foods instant noodle samples in two other flavors were also served Sunday's event attracted over 5,000 participants in total Giant Mona Lisa replica created with 24,000 rice crackers in Japan Gold tub at Japanese resort recognized by Guinness as heaviest Japanese woman cuts hair once recognized as world's longest for teenager a beard was considered a symbol of power or a declaration of belligerent intent but bureaucrats in one town could find themselves sent to the bathroom for sporting even the suggestion of a five o'clock shadow have ordered all male employees to shave off their facial hair following complaints from members of the public who said they found dealing with bearded bureaucrats "unpleasant" the first of its kind among Japanese public officials applies to any manifestation of facial hair from lovingly cultivated full beards to trendy goatees and designer stubble The only acceptable public face of Isesaki "Some citizens find bearded men unpleasant so beards are banned," an in-house notice warned this week The notice acknowledges the growing popularity of facial hair among Japanese men but insists that "public servants should look like public servants" The ban was introduced this week to coincide with the start of Cool Biz a summer campaign now in its sixth year that allows male staff to work without jackets and ties to cut down on air-conditioning and help tackle climate change The Isesaki ban is reminiscent of the strict rules on physical appearance enforced by conservative companies in the postwar period in the belief that Japan's rise to economic superpower required absolute conformity But this was the first time that an absence of whiskers had been enforced among civil servants the internal affairs and communications ministry said Bearded Japanese men sniffed at the town government's belief that a workforce of smooth-chinned bureaucrats would "improve decorum" "I am designing beards for my customers that are considered acceptable in the company workplace," Minoru Fujii a Tokyo beard advocacy group comprising mainly barbers He added that there was little he could do to help the put-upon penpushers of Isesaki Correction: An earlier version of this story identified Bill Payne as parks director in 1976 When Nathanael Greene Park was acquired by the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department in 1976 But Cindy Jobe says the vision for the park from the beginning was to be botanical who is now the Springfield Sister Cities coordinator says the idea for integrating a Japanese stroll garden was one of the first ideas to emerge from then parks Superintendent of Operations Bill Payne but if you think about the philosophy of the park in general they’re not softball fields … it was more for passive recreation so a Japanese garden really fits that philosophy,” Jobe says Construction of the 7.5-acre garden began in the mid-1980s “I was an intern student holding a survey stick when we were laying out the garden It’s just cool to be a part of it and to see all the relationships that came about because of that,” she says The relationships to which Jobe refers were developed through the city’s burgeoning relationship with Isesaki As the relationship grew and the Sister Cities alliance was formed gardeners from Japan traveled to Springfield to help get the garden going Another was the fact that as experienced as the gardeners were they couldn’t bring any authenticity to the table “I don’t care how much I study how much … the guy that’s in charge of it studies People are never going to look at you as experts That’s why we’re so thankful for our relationship with Isesaki They’re not only providing hands-on experience Springfield has added a second Sister City since then: Tlaquepaque We’re sharing culture and … the idea is that if you’re open and willing to learn about one another you’re just going to be more open-hearted in general,” Jobe says the relationships will be celebrated as they have in the past with the Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival It will feature all sorts of children’s activities and the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden will be open to the public for free “The only thing that costs money at that event is if you don’t have a kite and want to build one the Peace Through People Pavilion and a new art sculpture will be dedicated The statue was created by artist Rodo Padilla of Tlaquepaque This is someone who’s been part of the relationship We hope it’s the first of several pieces.” work on the Japanese stroll garden continues Another group of Japanese gardeners are due to arrive in October “I think people are caught off guard by how much we do,” Jobe says We are always on the lookout for great houses — small If you would like to suggest a home — a friend’s a family member’s or your own — email Jan Peterson at jan.peterson@att.net • What: Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival • Where: Botanical Center at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park • Cost: Free (including admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden); kite kits available for $5 • Info: 417-891-1515 or peacethroughpeople.org • Also: The free Dedication Concert for Peace Through People Pavilion will be at 3 p.m April 22 at the Springfield Botanical Gardens Japanese version Japanese version the hottest June temperature ever recorded was 39.8 C in Kumagaya TOKYO – Temperatures soared across the nation Saturday marking the first time in the history of Japan’s climate records for the mercury to rise above 40 C in June Not since records began in 1875 have temperatures exceeded 35 C in the capital so early in the year The Tokyo Fire Department reported that at least 126 men and women ages 4-94 had been hospitalized for suspected heatstroke on Saturday in Tokyo four men and women in their 50s to 80s are seriously ill Since many people are unaccustomed to such heat at this time of year increased attention should be paid to changes in physical condition The Japan Meteorological Agency has advised people to drink water frequently use air conditioning and refrain from venturing outside SAITAMA--Saitama prefectural police on Jan 19 rearrested two former technical intern trainees from Vietnam on suspicion of stealing more than 180 pears from a farm in Kamikawa had been arrested and indicted on suspicion of overstaying their visas in violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law The police believe that the suspects stole pears for resale purposes and will investigate if the theft is related to similar incidents where thefts of fruit and livestock were reported in succession in the northern Kanto region last year Both suspects have apparently known each other for some time “I can say nothing as of now,” Nguyen said “Nguyen asked me to go to steal together and we went to the pear farm Both said that they have been unable to return to Vietnam because they did not have the money the two are suspected of stealing 182 pears with others at the farm in Kamikawa between Sept the police searched a housing complex in Isesaki on suspicion of theft of the pears and arrested Nguyen and others there Police later arrested Do at the Immigration Services Agency Good Samaritan comes to rescue of Vietnamese in dire straits Vietnam student impersonated friend for virus cash 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 Gunma — Twelve people were bitten by a dog in and around a park in Isesaki Police received an emergency call at about 4:10 p.m The people attacked ranged in age from 7 to 63 and were bitten on their legs and other body parts by a 2-year-old male Shikoku dog None were reported to be in life-threatening condition a 62-year-old company executive in Isesaki on suspicion of violating the animal protection law Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun As the nation struggles to contain the novel coronavirus sweltering summer heat is gripping the country adding to the plight of people wearing face masks according to the Japan Meteorological Agency reached 39 degrees and 38.7 degrees on their thermometers Highs of 38.4 degrees were recorded in both the prefectural capital of Toyama and in Hatoyama the mercury rose above 35 degrees at 150 locations across Japan The JMA and the Environment Ministry issued a warning about the danger of heat stroke in Tokyo and seven other prefectures in the Kanto region asking people to refrain from going outside They are also cautioning against exercising outdoors in general The Tokyo metropolitan government’s fire department issued an advisory for people not to wear masks while outdoors if they can keep a safe distance of 2 meters from others They advised people to rehydrate frequently and to avoid exercising or performing any tasks that require lifting heavy loads while wearing masks Politicians use face masks to make fashion statements Japanese version Japanese version Japanese version Sericulture alive and kicking in Surin's Phayaram village despite climate challenges Thai sericulture is trying to adapt to the growth of technology and the impact of global warming with support from authorities and overseas experts a small village in tambon Phearam of Muang district in the northeastern province of Surin is home to 122 households and a population of 523 people The village was established in 1761 during King Ekkathat's reign of the Ayutthaya Kingdom has been passed down in this community for centuries "Local folks continue to preserve their old livelihoods traditions and customs as well as supernatural beliefs especially the intellectual heritage of growing mulberries which is used from birth until the end of life," said Yothaka Bunmak head of the Sericultural Women's Group's Phayaram Community Enterprise Every woman in the village must learn and master these skills before getting married mulberry cultivation and silk production in Surin province depended on the mercy of Mother Nature only scant numbers of silkworms could be raised The impacts of global warming also put sericulture at high risk as silkworms are highly susceptible to rapid changes in the weather Such a condition can cause the silkworms to die resulting in the silk producers losing their income for the entire year the province developed the so-called Surin Province Development Strategy (2023–2042) which focuses on adapting agricultural production through modern knowledge and technology to upgrade products' quality and value a development project called the Climate Smart Farmer Model for Mulberry Silk Cultivation in Surin was initiated by the Foundation for Community-Soul (FCS) The project received financial support from the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (Afcia) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is running for 16 months said the focus is on promoting innovation to help farmers combat the possible impact of climate change while protecting their long-preserved authenticity traditional silk reeling and native silk patterns are used in the training process Phayaram village has been envisioned as a future learning centre for traditional mulberry silk cultivation The idea was inspired by Thailand's Jim Thompson Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima and Japan's Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture Tomioka City is recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site for its traditional mulberry silk cultivation and silk weaving Its silk mill is Japan's first modern silk factory for processing silkworms told a delegation of Thai silk farmers and media during their visit to Tomioka last month that the 152-year-old factory once had as many as 556 women workers operating 300 looms using silk weaving techniques from France The factory also houses Arafune Cold Storage a natural ancient-style depository that provides a perfect nursery for silkworm eggs and enables the mass production of cocoons The storage chamber was created by piles of fallen rocks and retained perfect air ventilation and cool temperatures The Arafune storage was closed 70 years ago and replaced by new technology the group also visited the Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm The farm was once a residence of Yahei Tajima who developed Japan's modern silk cultivation techniques called "seiryo iku" The farm is also registered as a Unesco World Heritage Site "We could see from the visit that Japanese sericulture knowledge is well-organised and carefully preserved," Ms Yothaka said "The tour gave us the inspiration to be open to opportunity and learn to adapt," she added Ms Yothaka said Phayaram village developed its own silk variety using organically raised indigenous silkworms which yield shiny silk threads with a soft and endurable texture priced at 3,000–4,000 baht per kilogramme The strong point of Phayaram silk is the traditional reeling method This involves using clay pots to maintain an optimal temperature The community's silk production is chemical-free and conservation-oriented in every step from the silkworm to the store shelf The community also uses natural dyes to produce naturally beautiful colours that do not harm the environment for its treasured iconic patterns The weaving process also emphasises traditional weaving techniques which are crucial for the fabrics to be certified by Queen Sirikit Sericulture Centre and granted royal insignias "Every piece of silk fabric we produce represents pride in continuing our traditional profession and heritage "Now we must learn how to cope with global warming to preserve our livelihoods and identities as long as possible," Ms Yothaka said director of the Queen Sirikit Sericulture Centre Regional Office 4 in Nakhon Ratchasima said the centre has supported community silk production including skill development and mulberry cultivation to enhance the value of the products in line with the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for many years By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy