Metrics details metal allergies are becoming increasingly prevalent This study examined metal allergy characteristics and clinical signs associated with patch test results over a 15-year period at the Dental Metal Allergy Clinic of Tokushima University Hospital A retrospective analysis of 1085 patients revealed that 65.4% tested positive for at least one metal allergen and cobalt chloride identified as the most common allergens Female patients were disproportionately affected accounting for 78.4% of the study population there was a substantial increase in patients reporting inflammation due to pierced earrings increasing from 5.0% in 2005 to 43.2% in 2020 Patients with a history of inflammation from earrings had an 81.3% prevalence of metal allergies which was significantly higher than the 60.4% reported in those without such a history (chi-square test These findings suggest a strong link between earrings and metal allergies underscoring the need for improved education and preventive strategies to address the growing impact of metal allergies on public health Our retrospective study at Tokushima University Hospital’s Dental Metal Allergy (DMA) clinic over 15 years aimed to analyze patient characteristics The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of metal allergies to determine the current situation identify specific risk factors and symptoms and develop effective preventive strategies to improve patients’ quality of life Proportion of clinical symptoms by (a) gender and (b) age comparisons were conducted via chi-square tests (b) Prevalence by five-year period; the Kruskal–Wallis test adjusted via the Bonferroni correction was carried out (***p < 0.001 We investigated correlations between the prevalence of metal allergies and several medical history factors history of inflammation due to pierced earrings Our study revealed a weak negative correlation (r = − 0.219 p < 0.001) between the prevalence of metal allergies and age This finding is consistent with our previous results which suggest a general decrease in positive reactions with increasing age no significant correlations were detected with other factors medical history of inflammation due to pierced earrings (r = 0.188 history of rashes induced by jewelry (r = 0.162 While these correlations were not statistically significant and the coefficients suggested a weak relationship a relatively greater correlation coefficient was found for history of inflammation due to pierced earrings (r = 0.188 Despite its statistical insignificance in terms of broader clinical relevance this was the highest correlation observed among the factors studied we decided to further investigate this particular medical history and prevalence of inflammation due to pierced earrings according to medical history (b) The percentage of patients with a medical history of inflammation due to pierced earrings (c) Age distribution according to medical history of inflammation due to pierced earrings (d) The prevalence of 13 allergens was shown to be greater in patients with a medical history of inflammation due to pierced earrings than in those without such a history Comparisons were conducted via chi-square tests Our correlation analysis of patch test reagents revealed significant positive correlations between certain allergens we found a strong positive correlation between PdCl2 (1%) and NiSO4 (5%) in all patient groups (r = 0.446 in the subgroup of patients with a medical history of inflammation due to pierced earrings there was a stronger correlation between PdCl2 (1%) and NiSO4 (5%) (r = 0.562 Proportion of patients with positive reactions to palladium and nickel (a) The percentage of patients who underwent patch tests for both nickel and palladium (c) The percentage of patients without a medical history of inflammation due to pierced earrings Data are presented as percentages (numbers of patients) 36 earrings sold on the market and 45 earrings of patients were nondestructively analyzed in regard to their composition using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence EDX-900 spectrometer (Shimazu Corporation The earrings on the market contained high concentrations and frequencies of copper patients who used nickel-containing earrings had stronger positive reactions to nickel in patch tests than did patients who used earrings containing less nickel We were unable to assess the release amount but we did find a clear relationship between the positive metal elements in patients’ patch tests and the composition of the pierced earrings This strongly suggests a substantial risk associated with wearing pierced earrings This study emphasizes the importance of regulatory measures in mitigating the risk of metal allergies In parallel with successful regulations on nickel exposure in the EU Japan could benefit from similar interventions Introducing comparable regulations or labeling requirements could significantly reduce the risk of metal allergies particularly those related to pierced earrings and serve as a preventive strategy before clinical intervention becomes necessary Palladium is congener to nickel and may also be a high-risk metallic element similar to nickel The presence of oral lichen planus/oral lichenoid lesions in older patients is another noteworthy finding in our study These conditions are likely related to long-term exposure to metals used in dental restorations Frequent contact with metals in the oral cavity particularly in patients with multiple metal restorations Future studies should investigate the relationship between metal exposure from dental restorations and the onset of oral lichen planus and related lesions the proportion of palmoplantar pustulosis/dyshidrotic eczema cases peaked in the 50s Since palmoplantar pustulosis/dyshidrotic eczema is diagnosed separately from psoriasis in Japan the proportion of cases may differ from that reported in other countries some patients developed palmoplantar pustulosis from dyshidrotic eczema; therefore they were classified into the same category as palmoplantar pustulosis/dyshidrotic eczema The difference in age distribution between oral lichen planus/oral lichenoid lesions and palmoplantar pustulosis/dyshidrotic eczema suggests distinct underlying mechanisms of these conditions although further research is needed to clarify the pathophysiology The findings of our study have important public health implications particularly with respect to the prevention and management of metal allergies The high prevalence of metal allergies related to pierced earrings underscores the need for public education on the risks associated with wearing metal jewelry Public awareness campaigns could inform individuals about the potential for allergic reactions which are commonly used in inexpensive jewelry the implementation of regulations to limit the release of allergenic metals from jewelry could significantly reduce the incidence of metal allergies in other countries Such regulatory measures could serve as important preventive strategies reducing the need for clinical interventions and improving the quality of life for individuals at risk of developing metal allergies the reliance on patient self-reports for some of the data introduces the potential for recall bias affecting the accuracy and reliability of the findings Such errors in information or distortions in memory within self-reports can significantly affect the reliability of the study The single-institution design and the potential lack of representativeness of the patient cohort in relation to the broader Japanese demographic could limit the generalizability of these findings Owing to being confined to a specific patient cohort and a particular timeframe the applicability of these findings to broader contexts especially those with diverse cultural or socioeconomic characteristics caution should be exercised when extending these results to different geographic regions or demographic subsets this study may have restricted information on patient history and diagnosis and may have lacked comprehensive data on other influential factors This gap necessitates more expansive studies to explore these associations in greater detail Another inherent limitation of retrospective studies is the difficulty in capturing changes in a patient’s disease progression Because the data represent snapshots at specific time points information about subsequent pathological changes may be incomplete a careful approach is required in interpreting and generalizing the results involving larger and more diverse patient populations are essential to increase the reliability and applicability of these findings This study clearly demonstrates the need for ongoing research particularly in understanding the pathophysiology of metal allergies Future research could explore the genetic basis of metal sensitization the role of environmental factors in allergy development and the long-term health impacts of chronic exposure to allergenic metals Such studies could pave the way for innovative approaches in allergy prevention and treatment We would like to conduct a prospective cohort study to track the development of metal allergies over time in various populations This approach will provide more precise data on the progression of these allergies and their triggers our study highlights the increasing prevalence of metal allergies in Japan particularly among females with a medical history of inflammation caused by pierced earrings The high prevalence of allergies to nickel and other metals underscores the need for public health interventions including regulatory measures and public awareness campaigns Future research should focus on understanding the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to metal sensitization as well as investigating new approaches to prevention and treatment By addressing the growing burden of metal allergies we can improve the quality of life for affected individuals and reduce the long-term health impacts of these conditions The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and received approval from the Ethics Committee of Tokushima University Hospital (protocol code 1036) Informed consent was obtained from all the subjects involved in the study The correlations between the incidence of metal allergies and various factors were analyzed via Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient the correlation between different allergens was assessed using the same statistical method Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request Kawada, T. 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Contact Dermatitis. 64, 185–195. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2011.01878.x (2011) Patch Testing and Prick Testing: A Practical Guide Official Publication of the ICDRG Practical Aspects of Patch Testing in Fisher’s Contact Dermatitis Jr.) 9–26 (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins The status quo of metal allergy and measures against it in dentistry Download references This study was supported in part by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Number JP24K13027 We would like to express our gratitude to Springer Nature Author Services for their professional English language editing services which greatly improved the quality of our manuscript Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine designed the study and wrote the manuscript performed the statistical analysis and interpretation of the results All authors read and approved the final manuscript The authors declare no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86868-1 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Akane Dyeing Experience in Tokushima Nishi-Awa Tourism Association Sora-no-sato Tokushima is famous for indigo plants and dye but there is also a traditional form of dyeing that uses a much rarer plant called akane This precious coloring agent was used in ancient times to create a deep red color which was used in the flags and banners of feudal families and even the red center of the Japanese flag take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station (aｂout 45 minutes) then take the JR Limited Express to Awaikeda Station (about 1　hour and 20 minutes) and ride to Tsuji Station (about 10 minuites) The workshops take place in a number of locations Regional Treasures: Akane Dye Shikoku Region | JNTO Official Website Tokushima Prefecture | JNTO Official Website Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages is seeking to liven up its Awa Odori dance festival amid the inbound tourism boom partly by addressing a shortage of accommodation The summer spectacle in Tokushima draws well over a million spectators to the area but the effect on the local economy has been rather limited due to the scarcity of hotels The traditional folk dance festival started Sunday and will last until Thursday amid caution following the country's first-ever advisory on a potential megaquake in the Nankai Trough Organizers took steps such as informing the public on where to evacuate in the event of a massive quake the festival was hit by a controversy involving premium seats Elevated seats priced at 200,000 yen ($1,360) per person but they were later found to have violated the building standards law The number of guest rooms in hotels and inns in Tokushima stood at around 4,000 as of Aug "Guests staying overnight within the city are usually on business trips," said Shinichiro Okamoto Awa Odori spectators tend to stay in Takamatsu in the neighboring Kagawa Prefecture where hotels and inns are concentrated the prefectural government has launched a subsidy program to promote the construction of four-star hotels With Japan expecting to see a record 35 million foreign visitors in 2024 the Tokushima prefectural and city governments are also hoping to lure more tourists through new events Mickey Mouse and other characters from the Tokyo Disney Resort will join a special parade around JR Tokushima Station during an Awa Odori event to be organized by the prefectural government Government surveys showed Tokushima Prefecture ranked at 46th among the country's 47 prefectures in terms of the number of guest rooms at accommodation facilities in fiscal 2022 It was also 46th in the number of overnight stays in 2023 we want visitors to know the charm of Tokushima encourage them to come back," a senior prefectural official said 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 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 TOKUSHIMA – A 6-year-old boy is in critical condition and unconscious after drowning in the Yoshino River in Higashi-Miyoshi 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 boy’s family called emergency services saying that he had drowned while they had taken their eyes off him According to the Miyoshi Police Station in Tokushima Prefecture the boy was found floating face down in the river by his father He was then transported to a hospital in Kagawa Prefecture The boy is a first-year elementary school student in Shikokuchuo City He was visiting the nearby Yoshinogawa Highway Oasis The drowning occurred within a few minutes after both parents had briefly taken their eyes off him about two kilometers southeast of the Miyoshi building of the Higashi-Miyoshi Town Office Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Tokushima Prefecture—Anan city officials announced on Jan 19 that the oldest trace of “shinsha" (cinnabar) mining in Japan was found at the Wakasugiyama cinnabar mining site here Experts theorized that it is possible that the world standard mining technology of the time was introduced at the site more than 1,400 years earlier than believed The location is known as a mining site of cinnabar The trace found suggests that a mining technique using fire was used during the late Yayoi Pottery Cultural Period (1000 B.C.-A.D The technique is called the “fire-placement method,” which was utilized in ancient Rome and China's Han Dynasty the surface of a hard rock is heated by burning sapwood to make it brittle before mining the oldest known example of this method is believed to have been used at the Nobesawa silver mine site in Yamagata Prefecture in the early Edo Period (1603-1867) According to the city government’s cultural promotion division during excavations that began in fiscal 2023 a pit approximately 40 centimeters wide and 50 cm deep was discovered in the sedimentary rock’s bedrock Since it was artificially dug along the vein and black soot remained on the wall it was determined that there was a high probability that it was the remnants of mining using the fire-placement method a professor of archeology at Tokushima Bunri University there are documents that indicate that ancient Rome used similar techniques for mining gold and the Han Dynasty used similar methods for mining cinnabar “It is important to note that world-class mining technology was brought to Japan during the Yayoi Period," Okubo said "It is possible that the latest technology from China was introduced to Shikoku via Kyushu and the Seto Inland Sea.” Vermilion was considered a symbol of power and in ancient times was painted on the faces of the dead and in the stone chambers of ancient tombs In the third-century Chinese history book called “Gishiwajinden,” it is written that cinnabar was harvested in the mountains of Japan and that Queen Himiko offered cinnabar to the Chinese dynasty Japan was likely writing centuries earlier than record suggests Seoul blasts bid for Sado gold mine to go on heritage list China authorities arrest 2 for smashing shortcut through Great Wall with excavator Massive ancient sword still requires months of cleaning 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 Tokushima — “A world first drives in this town,” reads a banner at the Awakainan Bunkamura cultural complex in Kaiyo The town is the starting point of a transport service that uses dual-mode vehicles (DMVs) which can run on both roads and railway tracks By Kota Arakawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer The world’s first full-scale commercial operation of DMVs was achieved in the town by Asa Coast Railway Co The company operates DMVs converted from microbuses Wadaiko drum music played on board while the steel wheels used on the tracks were lowered and I could feel the front of the vehicle slowly rising The DMV ran on the tracks via Kaifu Station and reached the coastline passengers admired the breathtaking view of the sea from the windows This is the favorite view for Kazuhiko Kochi a 51-year-old official of Asa Coast Railway The vehicle then entered Kochi Prefecture before completing its approximately 10-kilometer railroad journey to Kannoura Station where it switched back to bus mode to drive on a national highway After making a stop at Uminoeki Toyo Town Station the vehicle re-entered Tokushima Prefecture to reach its final stop “I was able to appreciate the views of the sea and mountains which makes this vehicle one of a kind,” said a 54-year-old man from Komatsushima “I hope more and more people will use it.” Asa Coast Railway is a joint public and private venture funded by Tokushima and Kochi prefectures as well as the two towns along the route Its railway services started in 1992 as the Asato Line running between Kaifu and Kannoura stations The now defunct Japanese National Railways originally planned railroad construction for that stretch but the plan was aborted and subsequently taken over by Asa Coast Railway DMV driver Kochi was employed by the company in 1993 and started working as a train driver Asato Line trains were filled with the lively conversations of high school students on their commute to school the Tokushima prefectural Shishikui Business High School closed causing a decrease in users of Shishikui Station The number of Asato Line passengers declined and the company’s business fell into the red Then he heard that DMVs would be introduced Yet commercial operations of DMVs posed a host of unprecedented problems Even though existing facilities and equipment could be used the company had to revamp and upgrade them such as building new lower platforms suitable for the height of the vehicles The company was also required to obtain various permissions and approvals regarding bus operations from the central government and prepare a dedicated system for operations and security Drivers had to obtain a bus driver’s license DMV services were finally launched in December 2021 Not only passengers but also railway fans and tourists flocked to each station on the big day “There were shouts of joy when the vehicle changed modes,” Kochi said “I felt a surge of happiness and pride in myself — the world’s first [DMV] was running.” The number of Asa Coast Railway users has been on the decline since hitting a peak of 176,000 in fiscal 1992 although that is only a preliminary figure “Local passengers are increasing,” he said “We’d like to show off the beauty of the southeast Shikoku region and create a new route to bring in a new stream of people.” The vehicle carrying the hopes of many keeps running today while catching the sea breeze Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons The spring whirlpool viewing season has begun in the Naruto Strait in Tokushima Prefecture The "whirlpool opening" is held every year by Naruto City and the Tourism Association on the day of the spring tide a Shinto ritual was held on a boat with the participation of tourism ambassadors from Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture who prayed for safety at sea and the promotion of tourism are created by the ebb and flow of currents in Naruto Strait and vortexes can reach up to 20 meters in diameter swirling at a velocity of 20 kilometers per hour It's also pretty cool viewing from the observation deck on the lower level of the bridge above the whirlpool Kinda strange vibe inside the steel underbelly hearing and feeling the roaring traffic passing above and seeing the water and rocky shoreline so far below I imagine it was quite a feat to build that suspension bridge between Awaji and Shikoku with the swirling currents of the whirlpool around the foot of the south tower on the north side of Awaji is pretty impressive It was a 2 meter waterfall about 5 meters wide after heavy rain The whirlpool was gentle and I swam towards the waterfall It pulled me down and kept pushing me down Finally after 3-4 seconds I was pushed away from the water and I felt like being in a washing machine Anything to make a Buck this too close to my comfort as the center could shift rapidly The best place to view a Whirlpool is from the safety of Dry Land and NOT on a Boat with NO life Jackets That boat could easily get sucked into the rotating currents and capsize Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts A mix of what's trending on our other sites Vox Populi Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun I have been asking myself this question since I read an Asahi Shimbun story about the Tokushima Modern Art Museum’s announcement that an oil painting in its possession believed to have been by French artist Jean Metzinger (1883-1956) the painting came with a certificate of authenticity when the museum purchased it 26 years ago But suspicions began to arise last year that this could have been forged by Wolfgang Beltracchi a German artist dubbed the “legendary master forger.” When a colleague of mine interviewed him at his studio in Switzerland Beltracchi readily owned up to the deception But he had apparently worked really hard to strive for perfection Beltracchi researched the artist’s diary and created a device for aging his painting artificially Beltracchi’s forgery was not a “copy of the original,” but an original work of his own in Metzinger’s style I am utterly in awe of Beltracchi’s talent I must admit that when I visit art museums I sometimes check the names of the artists before I look at the paintings I imagine some visitors read the museum panel next to the forgery and were truly impressed by the painter’s “characteristically lively style,” never doubting for a moment that this was actually someone else’s work the value of a work of art must be intrinsic what changed between before and after the discovery of the forgery even Michaelangelo was once guilty of it in his youth: He made a marble sculpture of Cupid I’m sure the whole world would just love to look at it now and the museum is reportedly considering exhibiting it again Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture 2 art museums in Shikoku deemed likely victims of a master art forger Kochi officials confirm German painting forged Long-lost work by Yumeji Takehisa ‘star’ of June road show Painting believed to be by Hokusai found in near mint condition TOKUSHIMA — The gondolas on a ropeway connecting the foot and the summit of Mt Bizan in western Tokushima City were recently replaced with brand new ones The Bizan Ropeway will reopen with the new gondolas on March 30 having been suspended for renewal since January The new gondolas have larger windows so that passengers can enjoy a feeling of openness Tokushima is famous for its Awaodori group dancing festival a tourist facility where visitors can see and experience Awaodori dance in its birthplace The floor space per passenger is about 60% greater than before and the windows are about 40% taller There will also be performances of Awaodori dance and Awa Ningyo Joruri “I hope residents and tourists will ride the new gondolas and thoroughly enjoy the view.” The third-generation gondolas had been in service for 25 years and had become too aged to continue Two art museums in Shikoku might be the victims of a master forger The Tokushima Modern Art Museum in Tokushima announced on July 12 that an oil painting believed to be a work by French painter Jean Metzinger (1883-1956) is suspected to be a fake the work is titled “At the Cycle-Race Track.” It is 55 centimeters tall and 46 centimeters wide The museum stopped exhibiting the painting at the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art and it is investigating whether the painting is genuine or not an art movement launched in France by Pablo Picasso and others in the early 20th century “At the Cycle-Race Track” is considered one of Metzinger’s outstanding works from early in his career and it is believed that the piece was painted from 1911 to 1912 The Tokushima museum purchased the painting for ¥67.2 million via mediation by an Osaka gallery in 1999 The museum has exhibited the painting about 40 times It has also lent the painting to other art museums nationwide including the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo the museum obtained information from a person in the art world saying that there is an article on the internet claiming the painting is a fake Then museum officials found an article noting that the painting was produced by Wolfgang Beltracchi It is said that he raked in billions of yen by forging paintings of famous painters’ works Although officials at the museum said that the online article was written more than 10 years ago and the validity of the content is unclear they asked the seller and art-related organizations that make catalogs of Metzinger’s works to provide information as part of its investigation into the issue The painting was being displayed in a Cubism exhibition at the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art from March 20 but the Tokushima museum pulled the painting on June 17 Although the museum had planned to show the painting as a notable artwork in an exhibition from its collection that was scheduled to start on July 27 “We will collect information broadly and want to confirm whether it is fake or not as soon as possible,” a museum official said Kochi announced on July 12 that it is investigating whether an oil painting in its collection is a fake The work in question is “Girl with Swan” by German painter Heinrich Campendonk The museum said it purchased the painting from a gallery in Nagoya in 1996 The Tokushima Modern Art Museum confirmed that a work in its collection was on an online list of artworks forged by Beltracchi and since “Girl with Swan” was also on the list “Girl with Swan” is believed to have been painted in 1919 The Kochi museum has lent the painting to other art museums nationwide and exhibited it in its exhibition to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its opening Museum officials believe it is highly possible the painting is a fake It will conduct a probe into the gallery from which it bought the painting and analyze materials used in the paints The museum said it will announce the result around autumn this year Festival-goers in the western Japan prefecture of Tokushima are enjoying a springtime version of the major summer dance event Tokushima city stages the dance around this time every year Special seating has been set up at Aibahama Park Groups of skilled dancers performed to music played on Japanese flutes and stringed instruments Spectators clapped their hands to the music A local man in his 50s said he enjoyed the performance with his 2-year-old daughter He said the weather was good and he felt nice A dancer in her 40s said she had fun performing to applause from many people She said she hopes visitors will enjoy the different styles of dance unique to each group TOKUSHIMA — More and more broccoli is coming out of Tokushima Prefecture That’s the fifth largest volume for a prefecture and seven times more than in 1989 By Hiroki Kitano / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Broccoli is set to be listed in fiscal 2026 as one of the Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Ministry’s “designated vegetables,” or those vegetables consumed in mass quantities and important for daily life local producers are working to expand production and create new products and 157,100 tons of the vegetable were shipped nationwide in 2022 While other major vegetables have seen their harvest sizes fall or stay level over the past 30 years the agriculture ministry indicated it would add broccoli to its list of 14 designated vegetables which includes cabbages and daikon radishes Broccoli will be the first addition in 50 years The ministry provides substantial subsidies to producers of designated vegetables if there is a price slump and helps to ensure a stable supply “[Broccoli’s] growing popularity is due to various factors and its ease of consumption,” the ministry said The shipment volume and cultivation area for broccoli in Tokushima Prefecture have risen every year since 1989 only 1,513 tons were shipped and there were 185 hectares under cultivation while there are now 974 hectares set aside for broccoli Local producers have been racking their brains for ways to make the most of the demand tailwind now a part of the prefecture’s cooperative has been taking advantage of the ease with which broccoli can be grown compared to other leafy vegetables and the ease with which beginners can grow it and producers of the vegetable doubled from 155 in 2008 to 320 in 2018 with shipment volume rising by around 300% Broccoli has become the highest selling product in the area and the area has seen some of the prefecture’s strongest sales growth a 32-year-old former employee of a welfare facility started farming in 2021 and is now growing six kinds of vegetables He is also trying his hand at broccoli and shipped 1.2 tons of it for the first time this year “It was easy to cultivate because there was little damage by pests I want to improve my skills further and boost productivity,” Ishihara said a branch of the cooperative created a 3-meter-tall statue of the broccoli with a 3D printer It then installed the statue in front of its building we are working with the Itano district and surrounding areas,” a representative for the branch said “We hope to create a [favorable] environment and work more on promotion.” Nikky Farm in Tokushima City has expanded broccoli plantings to cover 35 hectares It ships broccoli mainly to the Kansai region “I feel that Tokushima is famous for broccoli in Kansai because we hold the top market share there,” said company President Mitsutoshi Niki which are often thrown out during processing The snack is set to go on sale at Kansai supermarkets in July “I think the stalks are too delicious to waste,” said Niki “I hope to come up with a lot of different ways to bring them to market.” National Report TOKUSHIMA—David Moreton has for years served as a messenger of the cultural appeal of a Buddhist pilgrimage of 88 temples across the island of Shikoku Moreton has researched the tradition for 26 years partly as an associate professor at Tokushima University and guided foreign visitors along the route The 56-year-old has long been engaged in the translation of “Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide,” known as a must-have English-language guidebook obtained Japanese citizenship and took on the Japanese name Joji 12 years ago One means “always” and the other “cherish.” The 1,400-kilometer route connects sacred sites associated with Kukai (774-835) the monk who founded the Shingon sect of Buddhism and is known posthumously as Kobo Daishi Moreton said he was particularly attracted by the custom known as “osettai” (hospitality) of residents providing pilgrims with food and beverages as well as giving them a ride when needed A similar custom exists along the Camino de Santiago a pilgrimage route to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain “The osettai of the Shikoku pilgrimage is based on faith in Kobo Daishi and residents equate pilgrims to the grand master of Buddhist teaching,” he said Moreton always tries to explain the weight of the pilgrimage’s history to foreign visitors and sometimes shows historical materials he has gathered over the years of research The collection includes a white robe worn by Alfred Bohner (1894-1958) one of the first non-Japanese who embarked on the pilgrimage and made its attractions known in Europe who served as a professor at what is now Ehime University “Two on a Pilgrimage: The 88 Holy Places of Shikoku,” in his native language in 1931 Moreton became acquainted with Bohner’s eldest daughter through a Swiss couple he met in Tokushima while they were on the pilgrimage When she passed away at the age of 93 in 2016 relatives entrusted him with Bohner’s personal effects in the hope that he would hand down the forerunner’s story a box to store votive tablets and a string of beads were among the items The white robe is covered by red seals its owner received at the temples he visited along the way “This is probably one of the oldest historical materials that bear testimony to the history of foreign pilgrims.” Some relatives of Bohner and Moreton had less pleasant associations with Japan Bohner’s elder brother was captured by Japanese during World War I and placed in the Bando prisoner-of-war camp in Naruto Moreton’s grandfather was taken as a POW by Japan and mobilized for construction of a railway between Thailand and Burma Moreton became manager of the Tourism Strategies Office and Planning Department of Air Travel Tokushima Inc. “I wanted to share more attractions of the Shikoku pilgrimage and Tokushima with non-Japanese,” said Moreton who lives in the capital of Tokushima Prefecture Moreton is determined to carry on Bohner’s journey Fear for Shikoku pilgrimage rises as retirees work instead of walk Shikoku pilgrims face higher stamp fees from April 1 Buddhists turn to robotic suit for help on religious pilgrimage Shikoku ranked 6th best region in world to visit by Lonely Planet ‘Drive Shikoku’ lives up to its name as ultimate travel guide a 26-year-old Mongolian who has fallen for the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture has always preferred rural areas over city centers she was considered a perfect fit for the central government’s “local vitalization cooperator” program relocate to rural areas and engage in community vitalization work on commission from the hosting local government But foreign workers like Ariungerel are becoming more in demand for the program due to the influx of tourists and non-Japanese residents in rural regions Ariungerel’s main job is working at an intensive care home for elderly people in the Kirikiri district of this northeastern town recently asked one of the residents at the care home “I initially had a hard time because I didn’t understand the dialect here,” Ari said ‘enryo’ (which can mean ‘restraint’ or ‘refraining from doing something’) is a likable word that has no parallel in other countries.” Ari came to Japan in September 2018 under the “specified skilled worker” visa system She obtained a certified care worker license while working at a nursing home in the prefectural capital of Saitama She changed jobs and joined the care home in Otsuchi in spring 2023 through the introduction of a friend of a relative “I did so because I like the countryside better than a city,” Ari said as Otsuchi’s local vitalization cooperator serves as a life coordinator for non-Japanese workers in the town She and a fellow cooperator from Mongolia accompany foreign nationals to hospitals or the town hall Ari has helped three people who came to Otsuchi from Myanmar in autumn for nursing care work She has danced a local folk dance at a summer festival here and has also joined community gatherings Ari said she wishes to remain in Otsuchi even after her term as local vitalization cooperator ends I hope to be teaching what I have learned myself to others who come to live in Japan,” she said chief director of the Tsutsumi Fukushikai social welfare corporation was the one who proposed to the Otsuchi town government that it appoint Ari and others as local vitalization cooperators “Businesses in the welfare industry are scrambling for non-Japanese workers,” Haga “Things are particularly tough in depopulated areas More foreigners will settle down here only if we create an environment that makes it easier for them to live here We aspire to be a model for what a nursing home should be like in an aging About 150 local vitalization cooperators across Japan were non-Japanese in fiscal 2022 Their duties are typically related to tourism and disseminating information must be a resident of an urban area who is moving to a rural area Those who have served as assistant language teachers in Japan qualify to be local vitalization cooperators even if they are moving from one rural area to another a Canadian in her 30s who lives in Tokushima Prefecture Johnson came to Japan in summer 2017 and served as an assistant English teacher at elementary and junior high schools in Sanagochi She said she was surprised by the landscapes of the village located in a mountainous area on the main island of Shikoku “I didn’t even know Shikoku’s presence until I came here to start my job,” Johnson said which is quite different from the sharp feel of the Rocky Mountains.” Johnson has been an employee of the Tokushima prefectural government since 2021 Her activities are based in the western part of the prefecture Johnson has been posting her photos and videos typically taken at tourist spots in the region They include mountainous areas with a view of the Yoshinogawa river Her posts are targeted at inbound visitors and are accompanied by English-language commentaries “I like the natural settings here,” she said “I also like interacting with regional communities here.” Johnson has guided inspection tours for overseas travel agencies and other parties including at a government-designated roadside rest area for an audience of both residents and tourists Tokushima is the only prefecture with a local vitalization cooperator program open exclusively to foreign residents The prefecture has hired new cooperators under the program every year since fiscal 2021 The internal affairs ministry hopes to sharply increase the number of cooperators across Japan It took account of Tokushima Prefecture’s measures when it introduced a system in fiscal 2024 to support efforts for recruiting foreign local vitalization cooperators which was prolonged as an exception because of the novel coronavirus pandemic that she wishes to remain in Tokushima Prefecture after that deadline because her period of stay in Japan has been extended Johnson watched “Sailor Moon,” the popular anime series in the original Japanese when she was very young and she studied Japanese at a university in Canada She can communicate smoothly with local residents Johnson said she believes foreign cooperators will find it difficult to interact with regional communities if they are not proficient in Japanese (This article was written by Masakazu Higashino and Masataka Yamaura.) Gorgeous rural convenience store a draw for tourists Town more than doubles birthrate by helping out young families Rebuilt areas underoccupied; community ties still shattered Inn topped by grounded boat in tsunami-hit city to be torn down TOKUSHIMA — Someiyoshino cherry blossoms in Tokushima have begun to bloom the Tokushima Regional Meteorological Observatory announced on Wednesday The blossoms are expected to reach full bloom in about a week an official at the observatory confirmed that five flowers had bloomed on a specimen tree in the observatory grounds the maximum temperature in Tokushima City rose to 24 degrees some of the approximately 310 cherry trees have started to bloom and visitors were looking up at the trees and taking photos A 28-year-old office worker from Anan City who came to see the cherry blossoms with his colleagues smiled and said so I’m looking forward to the full bloom.” TOKUSHIMA — The Tokushima Modern Art Museum has confirmed that its oil painting “At the Cycle-Race Track” is a forgery by Wolfgang Beltracchi By Kota Arakawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer The museum originally believed the painting to be by French artist Jean Metzinger (1883-1956) and purchased it for ¥67.2 million from a now-closed Osaka gallery in 1999 based on a faulty certificate of authenticity and information provided by the German police the museum has now definitively identified the work as a forgery the museum said Tuesday it is considering seeking a full refund of the ¥67.2 million from the painting’s seller The investigation into the painting’s authenticity began in June after the museum received information suggesting that Beltracchi was the likely artist it contacted the artist’s copyright management organization in France the group responded that the certificate of authenticity was invalid Beltracchi himself admitted to The Yomiuri Shimbun that he painted the artwork An investigator in charge of investigating Beltracchi in 2010 and 2011 at the Berlin Police was also contacted via email from August The museum learned that the oil painting’s original owner was a German art dealer convicted of being Beltracchi’s accomplice the person who initially produced the certificate of authenticity confirmed the painting was inauthentic the museum has concluded the painting is a forgery It intends to have the painting undergo scientific analysis “I sincerely apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused to the residents of the prefecture and all those who admired the painting,” said museum director Yoko Tojo at a press conference Museum official Toshio Takeuchi said the museum plans to put the painting on display “We want to give the residents of the prefecture an opportunity to view the work Kochi announced on March 14 that “Girl with Swan” is now believed to be another forgery by Beltracchi TOKUSHIMA—Dancers in colorful “yukata” summer kimono or “happi” coats took to the streets here at the Awa Odori festival with precautions against a megaquake in the background where maps showing evacuation routes were on display 8 issued its first-ever advisory for a potential megaquake along the Nankai Trough in the Pacific Ocean after a magnitude-7.0 temblor struck off the southern part of the Kyushu island consisting of representatives from economic organizations decided to go ahead with the annual festival Aug 11-15 as scheduled after taking safety precautions “I hope we will have a happy Awa Odori festival in fine weather and without an earthquake,” Tokushima Mayor Akiyoshi Endo said at the opening ceremony on Aug Dancers performed at an indoor facility on the opening day organizers came under fire for holding the event despite a request from Endo’s predecessor to suspend it due to an approaching typhoon the organizing committee said it will call off the festival if requested by the city government for reasons such as forecasts for bad weather The city government decided not to request a suspension on Aug It has checked designated evacuation routes from festival venues and taken other safety measures New organizer seeks to get Awa Odori festival back in step Festivals that planned to return now face tough calls as cases rise More than 800 participants in Awa Odori report getting COVID-19 addictive: Awa Odori dance is Tokushima’s greatest export (Otsuka) has established a new production line for block-type Calorie Mate within its Second Tokushima Factory to meet increasing demand The new line commenced operations on June 24 Calorie Mate has been offered as a balanced nutritional food that conveniently provides the five essential nutrients the body needs It was created to suit various needs and scenarios adapting to changes in times and society along the way Calorie Mate has experienced strong sales because it addresses nutritional needs amidst a growing sense of health consciousness we have renovated the Second Tokushima Factory to strengthen our production system and establish a new production line for block-type Calorie Mate the production capacity of this product will be approximately 1.5 times that of the existing total output of both the Second Tokushima Factory and Tokushima Wajiki Factory combined The newly established production line incorporates new MES*1 and IoT*2 technologies to enhance manufacturing and quality control while adopting environmentally conscious equipment to promote energy conservation and reduce CO2 emissions we have introduced robotic devices to assist in transporting heavy materials to ensure all genders can work comfortably and to reduce the physical burden on our employees As a sustainable factory that is kind to the environment and its employees we are committed to improving productivity and employee engagement We aim to establish a solid foundation that can adapt to changes in the business environment while continuing to contribute to maintaining and improving people's health located in the Imagire Industrial Park in Tokushima City was established in 1980 as a facility for synthesizing active pharmaceutical ingredients for in-house developed pharmaceuticals it began manufacturing nutritional products and pharmaceutical formulations It is the only factory within Otsuka Pharmaceutical that produces three types of products: active pharmaceutical ingredients is a "balanced nutritional food" that conveniently provides the five major nutrients - protein it is popular with people of all ages and used in various situations such as when regular meals are not an option ✔ Contains the essential nutrients for the body: protein and 5 types of minerals*4 in a well-balanced manner ✔ Each serving (4 bars) contains about half of the daily required amount of vitamins*5 ✔ It has a long shelf life and is convenient to carry A local council in Tokushima set a record when it raised the prefecture's hourly pay from the current 896 yen ($6.18) to 980 yen in this fiscal year’s minimum wage revision What seems like small change could greatly benefit workers all prefectures have finalized their rates Japan’s national weighted average minimum wage for fiscal 2024 increased by a record 51 yen Amid rising prices and competition for talent due to labor shortages 27 of 47 prefectures exceeded the wage increase guideline set by the central government This annual figure is determined via the labor ministry’s central council dividing prefectures into three ranks based on their economic circumstances and providing a corresponding amount to increase the minimum wage by Local councils in each prefecture then adjust the minimum wage accordingly Tokyo has the highest hourly pay of this year's revisions at 1,163 yen while Akita Prefecture is at the bottom of the list at 951 yen The gap between the top and the bottom of the list has narrowed slightly from 220 yen to 212 yen The guidelines for fiscal 2024 suggested a uniform increase of 50 yen which would have brought the national average to 1,054 yen many prefectures chose to increase pay by more than the proposed 50-yen raise and bumped the final average to 1,055 yen The number of prefectures with a minimum wage exceeding 1,000 yen has increased to 16 Tokushima Prefecture had the second-lowest minimum wage in the country “It was necessary to set a minimum wage appropriate for Tokushima Prefecture’s position when compared with other prefectures based on various economic indicators.” “Tokushima Prefecture is ranked above the middle compared to all other prefectures.” The local council took the current national median minimum wage of 930 yen and decided to add the labor ministry's suggested 50 yen to that amount when revising the hourly rate 9 yen was the most any prefecture had added to a guideline Tokushima Prefecture smashed this by adding 34 yen and boosting its national rank to 27th the prefecture's minimum wage increased by nearly 10 percent Aichi and Osaka stuck to the 50-yen guideline when adjusting their pay rates (This article was written by Junichi Miyagawa and Takashi Narazaki.) Council sets record-high increase for minimum wage Minimum wage to likely rise by 5% to 1,054 yen EDITORIAL: Latest proposed increase in the minimum wage far from enough Minimum wage to hit 961 yen under largest hike yet offered More than 30,000 dolls are on display in the town of Katsuura They were sent from across the nation by people who no longer display them at home because their children have grown up About 5,000 of the dolls sit on a huge stepped pyramid towering eight meters high The Big Hina Festival has now been running for 37 years For more videos like this 23 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Montedio Yamagata vs Tokushima Vortis on Sun Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Montedio Yamagata 7 win(s) Haven't kept a clean sheet in 6 matches Have scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Haven't scored in their last 2 matches Who won between Montedio Yamagata and Tokushima Vortis on Sun 23 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT?Montedio Yamagata vs Tokushima Vortis on Sun 23 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT ended in a 0–0 tie.InsightsHave scored 10 goals in their last 5 matches Montedio Yamagata is playing home against Tokushima Vortis on Sun 15 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}V-Varen Nagasaki won 1–0 over Tokushima Vortis on Sat The current head to head record for the teams are V-Varen Nagasaki 5 win(s) Who won between V-Varen Nagasaki and Tokushima Vortis on Sat 15 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT?V-Varen Nagasaki won 1–0 over Tokushima Vortis on Sat 15 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches V-Varen Nagasaki is playing home against Tokushima Vortis on Sat TOKUSHIMA—Insects are no longer on the menu here after an edible cricket supplier ceased operations and declared bankruptcy The announcement of Gryllus Inc.’s insolvency was made by the Tokushima arm of Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd and Teikoku Databank Ltd.’s Tokushima branch on Nov The startup from Tokushima University specialized in the production and processing of crickets for human consumption Gryllus decided to file for bankruptcy with the Tokushima District Court amid financial struggles after criticism spread—mostly online—over pushing crickets as food in Japan 7 with liabilities totaling 153 million yen ($1 million) According to Tokyo Shoko Research and other sources Gryllus was founded in 2019 to mass-produce edible crickets at a former elementary school building in Mima The idea of eating insects was then drawing considerable attention as a way to alleviate food shortages throughout the world Gryllus pitched a cricket-based “senbei” cracker to Muji grocery chain’s outlets in 2020 Working with a major convenience store operator Gryllus also released a corn snack with cricket powder in 2022 Gryllus joined hands with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corp (NTT East) and embarked on trials to develop an effective method of raising crickets for food The test closed toward the end of that year Gryllus was struggling to make a series of capital investments Despite achieving record-high sales of 38 million yen the corporation logged a loss of 339.2 million yen for the fiscal year that ended in May 2023 The company never broke its streak of annual deficits since its establishment four years prior Gryllus came under fire on social media following news reports on its distribution of school lunches containing cricket powder at a high school in Tokushima Prefecture Critics flooded Gryllus with complaints even though those lunches were exclusively served to those who chose them Students unwilling to dine on bug-infused food A succession of future plans to market cricket-based products nationwide were then dropped Gryllus is said to have been left with a large amount of inventory during that time and the company shut down its Mima production facility at the end of last year as part of its efforts It also cut down its 50-person workforce in phases Although it developed a new business plan and applied to the central government for a subsidy forcing Gryllus to give up on any efforts to continue business Snacks featuring crickets for sale at convenience store in Japan Zipair becomes first Japanese air carrier to put crickets on menu 480 bugs per bottle: Aichi miso maker creates cricket soy sauce Insect farming is booming amid demand for more sustainable food Brewery gets the jump with craft beer made from crickets cricket curry on menu as bugs make a comeback in Japan is asking for a refund after confirming that what it believed to be a century-old modern art masterpiece in its collection is a forgery prefectural officials announced that “Girl with Swan,” long attributed to German expressionist Heinrich Campendonk (1889-1957) has been confirmed to have been painted by a master forger The prefecture will seek a refund from the art dealer in Nagoya that sold the painting to the museum in 1996 for 18 million yen ($121,000) The announcement follows an expert investigation into the oil painting which was prompted by a source alerting the museum in June to concerns about the artwork's authenticity Officials said the painting was likely forged by German artist Wolfgang Beltracchi known for his mastery in counterfeiting works of famous artists who served time in prison for his art deceptions has confirmed to The Asahi Shimbun that he painted the picture that was sold to the Kochi museum owned by a museum in neighboring Tokushima Prefecture Tokushima officials have launched their own investigation into the artwork In finding “Girl with Swan” to be a forgery Kochi officials cited a titanium white pigment likely used in the artwork Officials said the painting has a label on its back showing its provenance which is also believed to have been fabricated by Beltracchi the painting and its image appear on the German police list of artworks forged by Beltracchi officials pledged steps to prevent a recurrence including more thorough research on artworks prior to purchase some still appreciate the painting’s value as an artwork In light of the public notoriety generated by recent reports officials are considering re-exhibiting the painting accompanied by notes on its history and context Sparrow drawn by Tokugawa shogun to be shown next fall a poetic earthwork landscape nestled among the foothills of japan’s nasu mountains ‘but they were always something to do with producing things sometimes an engineer–anything that involved creating or producing.’ instead of a huge box that sits on the site junya ishigami‘s winning competition entry for the culture and arts hall in tokushima is characterized by a series of terraces in connection with the tokushima central park which is located adjacent to the site and houses the ruins of tokushima castle the form of the terraces resembles petals dancing in the air this composition is also reminiscent of the procession of awa odori which takes place in tokushima prefecture every august the japanese architecture studio has come up with a proposal that aims to open the hall to the city and its people making it a place where they can spend a lot of time relax and enjoy their day and the performances on view since the entire facility is made up of a collection of terraces neither the large halls nor the small halls or other functions have a clear outline.‘public buildings in the future need to be able to flexibly change their roles and usage in the event of various events that may strike suddenly,’ notes ishigami in the project’s description a terrace that floats in the air can also be used as an evacuation plaza under the current conditions of widespread infection outdoor / semi-outdoor terraces and well-ventilated indoors are key we aim to be able to adapt to various situations.’ the terraces of the tokushima culture and arts hall seen from above in contrast to typical concert hall designs where the space is formed by uniform seats that are packed in a box and look in one direction all at once the interior of this main hall is made up of petal-like platforms that attribute a unique personality to it these can serve different purposes when a performance is not taking place each foyer can be made into an independent space the facility’s small hall is planned as open to the city and to the site’s landscape with a transparent glass wall that softly wraps the space the audience seats here are constructed based on the style of the ancient amphitheater the project also includes a series of other functions a semi-underground multipurpose studio and various foyers and gardens large entrance square: light shines through the gaps between the many slabs ‘while product designers can easily experiment on a 1:1 scale architects work on a much abstract level and imaginary scale,’ the japanese architect says when asked about his perception of scale and transparency during our interview ‘as an architect with scale models I expand or reduce the actual scale and can be much more flexible than a product designer making new borders in architecture can sometimes mean “transparent” but also very thick that is when the surrounding creates its own space that was usually stays invisible is also an interesting perception of space that is what I tried to do in the ‘chateau la coste’ installation at the venice biennale 2010 or another distortion in perception was shown in kortrijk in the ‘picnic’ installation at interieur 2010 serially produced products form a society… get alive a more comfortable environment is needed.’ see more images of ishigami’s culture and arts hall in tokushima below and stay tuned for news regarding his 2021 ‘best designer’ award ceremony of THE DESIGN PRIZE open terraces immerse people in a lightweight atmosphere that prioritizes transparency and connection with nature water stage: a shallow basin that can be used as a water stage for performances and events (the water can be removed if necessary) cafe foyer: a place to sell drinks and light meals where visitors can relax on the terrace tables and sofas multiple terraces of different shapes form a large hall by gathering together as if petals were dancing the various seat positions create a sense of intimacy with the performers on the stage architect: junya.ishigami+associates THE DESIGN PRIZE is an annual award program that celebrates excellence on a global scale. initiated in 2017 and curated by designboom, with patronage by the city of milan, THE DESIGN PRIZE recognizes both the extraordinary achievements and little sparks of beauty and delight that have emerged over the past 12 months. happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression. Eastar Jet (CEO Cho Joong-seok) announced on the 25th that it will hold an ultra-special promotion to commemorate the sole launch of the Incheon-Tokushima route. The promotion will be held through the website and mobile app from 10 a.m. on the 25th. Tickets for Incheon-Tokushima routes will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at a total of 49,900 won each way, including airport transfer tax and fuel surcharges. A 15-kg checked baggage is also provided free of charge. The boarding period is from December 26, the first day of service, to March 29 next year. Eastar Jet's Incheon-Tokushima route will operate three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) from December 26. The flight departs from Incheon International Airport at 10:40 a.m. and arrives at Tokushima Airport at 12:15 local time, and the flight departs from the region at 13:05 and arrives at Incheon International Airport at 14:50. To promote Tokushima, a city unfamiliar to Koreans, Eastar Jet created and opened a page called "Complete Conquest of Tokushima." You can conveniently check information such as recommended travel courses by theme and schedule, major tourist destinations, popular restaurants, shopping, transportation, and accommodation. "Complete Conquest of Tokushima" can be accessed through the Eastar Jet website. ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool, NAVER papago. YOSHINOGAWA, Tokushima — With the popularity of obstacle course races spreading due to the Japanese TV program “Sasuke,” the first official obstacle racecourse in Japan was built in Yoshinogawa, Tokushima Prefecture. Obstacle race is a competition in which contestants race against the clock while overcoming various obstacles. To use this site, 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, and analyzing our website traffic. 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. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The Yoshinogawa racecourse features 12 obstacles, including an about 4-meter-high wall and a rope swing, placed along a 100-meter course. The sport will be officially adopted as a modern pentathlon event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In Japan, the Japan Obstacle Sports Association will oversee the sport. While the association was aiming to build a course that met international standards, the chairman of a construction company in Yoshinogawa invested in and built the course. The Yoshinogawa course was completed in April. The first competition attracted about 3,000 people, and about 20 hotels in the city were nearly fully booked. The city government wanted to support the project and provided such assistance as sending its employees to the competition as staff. The 1st Japanese Championships in Obstacle Course Racing were held in October, and about 80 people from Japan and overseas tried to clear the 12 obstacles. A city official said they hoped Yoshinogawa would produce an Olympic athlete. Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. DetailsWe want to convey to people the idea that we must take care of the precious earth You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email which has been suffering a long slump in business is moving ahead with the demolition of its old wooden station buildings and replacing them with simpler ones that look more like bus stops By Hiroki Kitano and Jo Ishibuchi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers the company has already constructed 13 such stations so far Some residents have voiced opposition to the demolition of the old station buildings which have served as local landmarks and provided travelers with a sense of being on a journey a station building from 1936 was demolished and replaced with a new aluminum structure at Chuden Station in Komatsushima The station on the Mugi Line now has a space measuring only 10.8 square meters and is equipped with just two benches and a ticket vending machine The daily number of passengers using the station was 826 on average last fiscal year and it is mostly used in the mornings and evenings by students and others commuting to school or work An 18-year-old high school girl who uses the station to get to school spoke of the inconvenience of the small station “It can’t accommodate all of us on rainy days so lots of people stand outside with umbrellas while waiting for the train,” she said JR Shikoku is facing a difficult situation Railroad transportation revenue peaked at ¥37.065 billion in fiscal 1991 and declined continuously since then The company has not been profitable since 1987 when the former Japanese National Railways was split and privatized to create it The railway has worked to streamline operations by reducing personnel costs including making 86% of stations unmanned and implementing one-person operation for about 60% of regular trains Simplifying station buildings began in fiscal 2014 Large-scale repairs to stations cost several million yen and Because station buildings have served as the “face of the community,” opposition has grown among local residents JR Shikoku was planning to simplify Awa-Kamo Station in Higashi-Miyoshi The station is known for its Western-style building that has a triangular roof When the company informed the local government of its intention in January 2022 residents launched a petition drive against the move They claimed that simplifying the station could make the entryway to the town desolate and lifeless so they submitted 850 signatures to the town government After repeated discussions with JR Shikoku the local government decided that it would be difficult to keep the station building JR Shikoku will bear the cost of dismantling it and the municipality will construct a new wooden station building of about 45 square meters the Nishi-Sakawa Station building on the Dosan Line was transferred to the Sakawa town government in Kochi Prefecture from JR Shikoku The town government spent about ¥16 million to make it earthquake-proof and renovate it The 100-year-old structure will house a facility to promote the nearby clear Niyodo River basin The station building was used on a poster promoting the JR Group’s “Seishun 18 Ticket,” a pass that allows unlimited rides on regular trains throughout Japan “We are glad to keep the station building as a symbol of the community,” a town official said a professor at the National Institute of Technology said that the simplification of the station building was unavoidable due to JR Shikoku’s financial situation if the station building loses its function as a space for people to gather and interact the area around the station may become desolate The railroad may fall into a vicious cycle in which people do not use the station any longer.” Miyazaki is calling on both the municipal government and railway companies to find ways to attract people to the station building Tokushima — Construction has begun on a cycling road on the 1.6-kilometer-long Onaruto Bridge connecting Shikoku and Awaji Island The road will offer a panoramic view of the Naruto Strait and is scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2027 A vacant space had been created on the Onaruto Bridge in anticipation of the development of the Shikoku Shinkansen which was to connect Honshu and Kyushu with Shikoku the Shinkansen idea faced profitability issues and never came to fruition so the idea of putting in a cycling road instead was floated around 2017 Like the Shimanami Kaido cycling road which connects Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures the road is expected to stimulate regional development through cycle tourism The new road will have a maximum width of four meters including both the road itself and a sidewalk Both sides of the road will be covered with a mesh fence to allow for a better view The Hyogo Prefectural government will contribute ¥3 billion and the Tokushima Prefectural government ¥2.8 billion to meet construction costs The groundbreaking ceremony for the cycling road was held in Naruto attended by the governors of Hyogo and Tokushima prefectures Although the Shikoku Shinkansen is not currently expected to be built the Tokushima prefectural government will remove the cycling road if plans change Japanese version Copyright THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. One in three people in Tokushima prefecture was over 65 years old in 2019, according to Japanese government statistics. This gives the immediate context for the research that Tokushima University scientists are conducting into various aspects of ageing. Located on Shikoku island in western Japan, Tokushima University is aggressively pursuing innovation. Under the leadership of President Sumihare Noji, the university is implementing organizational reforms to support its researchers. “We’ve been enacting various internal reforms to better position ourselves to realize our mission of helping solve some of the world’s most pressing problems,” Noji says. The university is actively building on its scientific strengths, particularly those in the fields of photonics and medicine. Tokushima University is the alma mater of Shuji Nakamura, who was jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel prize in physics for inventing the blue light-emitting diode (LED). Advancing this proud tradition, the university’s Institute of Post-LED Photonics is developing new applications of light for communications and medicine. Photoluminescence from organic molecules in solution. A group at the Institute of Post-LED Photonics is developing photofunctional organic materials based on π-conjugate systems that show photoluminescence.Credit: Associate Professor Fumitoshi Yagishita. In addition, researchers at the university’s Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences are developing treatments for intractable diseases and chronic diseases based on their collective expertise in the molecular functions of enzymes and other key proteins. Other outstanding work is being done by researchers at the Bio-Innovation Research Center, who are developing novel biomedical technologies to ensure the sustainable growth of society. One example of a successful seed is fusion research involving optical engineering and medical science, which has become one of the university’s flagship research projects. By combining advanced optical and diagnostic probe technologies, the team has recently developed a technology that can easily and rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The research cluster system also helps to foster young researchers. As a result, the university was awarded two government-funded projects this year for encouraging doctoral students to attempt ambitious and interdisciplinary projects and to grow as future innovators. As Japan is ageing faster than any other country, Tokushima University is focusing on ageing research to extend people’s healthy longevity. Three clusters are tackling different aspects of ageing. Indigo dyeing is a traditional craft in Tokushima that many older people practice. Three groups at Tokushima University are tackling the issue of ageing with a view to extending the healthy longevity of people. Yoshihiro Uto, a medicinal chemist at the Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, has developed nanotechnologies that aim to aid the regeneration and activation of ageing skin cells. He is collaborating with venture company Saint Clair, which has its headquarters in Tokyo and is headed by CEO Kaori Kunikata, to research and develop highly functional cosmetics based on scientific evidence. To meet such growing demands, Tokushima University became Japan’s first national university in 2016 to run a crowdfunding scheme to support both university projects and local and municipal projects that contribute to society. No other university has independently launched similar initiatives. As of September 2021, the crowdfunding scheme has raised 125 million yen for 93 projects, including 70 million yen for the university’s 39 projects. For example, one project, which received more than 9 million yen, will help disseminate an innovative surgical method to treat scoliosis under local anesthesia by using a very thin, next-generation endoscope. In 2018, Tokushima University established the Industry–University R&D Startup Leading Institute (INDUSTAL) to swiftly commercialize research outcomes. INDUSTAL provides strong support to researchers so that they can focus on their research. This support includes negotiating with companies wanting to collaborate with them, helping them register their intellectual property, and providing funding to establish startups. “INDUSTAL has transformed the way the university collaborates with industry,” says Yoshida. “In the past, collaborations used to be one-time, small-scale projects such as joint research between individual researchers and companies, but many projects have now evolved into ongoing inter-organizational collaborations with a view to realizing social implementation.” INDUSTAL actively promotes entrepreneurship, and students have launched three start-ups. The university has established about 30 start-ups, which include ones that are developing gene-editing technologies, producing edible crickets as a next-generation protein source, and conducting measurement-based research using advanced laser and plasma technologies. In 2020, Tokushima University received 140 million yen (roughly US$1.23 million) in patent revenues – a record for the university. While much progress has been made, Tokushima University is committed to pursuing further reforms, Noji says. “We will keep striving to foster global leaders through collaborations and researcher exchanges and address key solutions to ensure global sustainable development.” rural region in Western Tokushima where thatched hamlets and patches of farmland cling to the mountainsides Where is Iya Valley?Iya Valley is located in western Tokushima in northeast Shikoku which is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands hung between the big-hitters of Hiroshima and Kobe crossing the Seto Inland Sea by suspension bridges the region remains less visited by international tourists Iya — which translates to ‘ancestor valley’ — is Shikoku’s dark heart: a tree-mantled mountainous time capsule carved up by monumental valleys and rushing It’s roughly divided into two regions: Nishi-Iya a more accessible region along the great Yoshino River one of the deepest and most secluded parts of Japan Iya Valley is a throwback to an old-world Japan a region which hasn’t quite caught up with the rest of the country the first roads into Iya only appeared in the early to mid-20th century self-sufficient populace was left to develop alone The result is an anomalous culture of hilltop towns Iya’s impregnable landscape also made it a hideout for political exiles who built the region’s best-known attraction: its three remaining vine bridges that crisscross above the Iya River Iya abounds with spectacular scenery of steep unfathomably blue-green rivers and veils of verdant forest that shift with the seasons One of its strangest attractions is Nagoro where one villager has tackled the dwindling population by replacing people with life-size dolls Iya Valley offers hikes along dramatic cliffside trails canyoning through glassy pools and some of Japan’s best white-water rapids at Koboke Gorge despite them being renewed every three years and now secretly bolstered by cables As relatively few tourists make it to Iya Valley it’s ideal for off-the-beaten-track travel and those hoping to experience an entirely different side of Japan plus its rice-free food culture thanks to its inhospitable agriculture Iya Valley is famed for its unique vine bridges (called kazurabashi) that hang over the Iya River Each is made from several tons of wisteria vines that are gathered from the surrounding mountains Each is made from several tons of wisteria vines that are gathered from the surrounding mountains.photograph by Western TokushimaWhat are some of its main draws?The Hinoji bend at Oboke and Koboke gorges is one of the valley’s most photogenic spots A horseshoe of emerald water parts the towering which you can enjoy from a lookout above or on a boat tour below Iya Valley's rivers also offer incredible class three and four rapids with stony chutes and roiling waters broken briefly by more serene sections you’ll find authentic crafts and architecture you can still see preserved samurai houses and spot the increasingly elaborate udatsu in Wakimachi and Sadamitsu these roofed walls became a status symbol for Iya Valley’s tobacco and indigo traders a Buddhist temple complex featuring 1,300-year-old temples you can see hillside village life and stay in one of the traditional thatched kominka buildings The unique cuisine of Iya Valley is another highlight with soba (buckwheat) replacing traditional rice Tuck into hot stews of soba noodles and soba rice with each season offering a different aspect and activity Spring and autumn are the best times to see the changing landscape cherry trees paint the river valleys pink with sakura while autumn foliage lights up in scarlet and saffron Summer brings long days for hiking Oku-Iya’s interior clear skies for stargazing and the best weather for tackling river rapids Winter is the hardest season to travel through the valley making its narrow snaking roads harder to navigate winter is great for exploring traditional towns like Sadamitsu cosying up with a hot sake from one of the local breweries where you can bathe in hot spring waters and watch snow fall across the mountains Subscribe to our newsletter and follow National Geographic Traveller (UK) on social media: Japanese version (Otsuka) Tokushima Itano Factory has been awarded the 2022 Minister of Economy Trade and Industry Award for Excellent Greening The Tokushima Itano Factory is the fourth Otsuka facility* to receive the Award which recognizes factories that proactively promote greening and make significant improvements to the environment in and around their sites Manufacturing pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical business products such as SOYJOY the Tokushima Itano Factory aims to be an eco-friendly based on the concept of harmonious coexistence with the natural environment Maximizing the local topography and natural forest the factory site features an expansive grassy area and plantings of pin-oaks A biotope pond fed by factory cooling water is home to diverse aquatic creatures a rare freshwater species that is protected and propagated The Award for Excellent Greening recognizes these and other initiatives to actively promote greening in and around the factory site Otsuka will continue to implement proactive initiatives for greening and biodiversity as part of efforts to coexist with nature promote greening and preserve and enhance the environment The Tokushima Itano Factory manufactures high-quality pharmaceuticals that are distributed on a global scale as well as SOYJOY and other nutraceutical business products the factory has been engaged in environmental protection and improvement initiatives people-friendly plant that is open to the local community Located in the Asan Industrial Park on the slopes of the Asan mountains approximately 69% of the factory site is dedicated to green spaces planting and cultivation of trees contributes to creating a site with ample greenery that harmonizes with the local environment The biotope within the factory site is home to a variety of creatures As an extension of ongoing efforts to promote biodiversity the factory participates in a Tokushima Prefecture project to protect and propagate a rare freshwater species of cyprinid fish the Tokushima Itano Factory has cosponsored an annual walking event Asutamura Land and Tokushima Sports Village with the theme of "Thinking about the Environment and Health." Employees also participate in the Itano-cho "adopt" program working with local residents to improve the environment by weeding and gathering trash in the vicinity of the factory 2000　ISO14001（Environmental management）certification 2010　ISO22000（Food safety management）certification 2011　FSSC22000（Food safety system）certification 2004　Chairperson's Award of the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center 2010　Director-General's Award of the Shikoku Bureau of Economy 2010　Inclusion in "Corporate Greening Linked to Conservation of Biodiversity: Best 100" list 2015　Minister of Environment Prize of Ministry of the Environment of Japan's Good Life Awards Reduction of waste and promotion of recycling Labour and Welfare Prize of 3R Promotion Merit Awards 2011　Environment Minister's Commendation for Contributors to the Development of a Recycling-oriented Society 2007　Factory Commendation for Excellence of Electricity Utilization 2011　Excellent Energy Management Factory commendation from Shikoku Bureau of Economy To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Otsuka group of companies a new training facility was opened on the Tokushima Itano Factory site in 2022 The facility consists of an exhibition wing introducing various aspects of Otsuka culture and a training wing The facility will serve as a training center for employees who will create the future of the Otsuka group of companies Based on the corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide,' Otsuka Pharmaceutical continues to contribute to the health and well being of people around the world Ningyo Joruri, a traditional form of Japanese puppet theater has been around for hundreds of years. Along with kabuki, it was a major form of popular theater entertainment during the Edo Period and multiple on stage puppeteers for each puppet Entrance to the Awa Jurobe Yashiki Puppet Theater & Museum Ningyo means "doll," and joruri is a kind of chanted storytelling accompanied by shamisen. When the two were brought together in early 17th century Osaka Bunraku grew in popularity largely due to the influence of the famous playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon sometimes referred to as the "Shakespeare of Japan." Known mostly for his kabuki plays, many were actually written for puppets and later adapted for kabuki Displays in the puppet museum in TokushimaOne of the large puppets on display at Awa Jurobe Yashiki Bunraku was more popular in Osaka in the west of Japan (Kansai) than in Edo (Tokyo) and the east (Kanto) which is why the National Bunraku Theater is in Osaka One of the best places to see puppet theater nowadays is in Tokushima on Shikoku where the puppet shows were particularly popular in the countryside The puppets were also bigger here than in other parts of the country A scene from a performance of Awa Puppet Theater The Awa Jurobe Yashiki in Tokushima city offers a convenient and inexpensive way of seeing some traditional Japanese puppet theater The theater is in the grounds of a traditional house and garden that belonged to a rich indigo merchant by the name of Bando Jurobe Before watching the performance it is worth having a look at the garden There is also a museum with displays of puppets and related materials especially on the puppet heads which can be remarkably complex Most of the exhibits have information in English You can also watch a video about Awa Ningyo Joruri The performance itself is of several scenes from the tragedy  Keisei Awa-no-Naruto and the main character is Bando Jurobe himself For performances on weekends and holidays the chanter who supplies voices for all the characters and the shamisen player sit in a separate space to the right of the stage After the performance the puppeteers come down from the stage with the puppets for photo-ops with the audience and chatting Tokushima 771-0114Tel: 0886 65 2202Open 9.30 am to 5 pm Closed over the New Year.Entry is 410 yen for adults 300 yen for high school and university students The theater is 25 minutes from Tokushima Station stand 7 The Tourist Information office near the station has a timetable or if you want to see more about Awa puppetry then the Awa Doll Museum in downtown Tokushima is a must see Not at all well known and not included in most tourist information is this quite large exhibition of puppets and related materials and is completely free to enter a large culture center and auditorium along the river west of and about 600 meters from Tokushima Station A small entrance on the main street leads to elevators up to the fifth floor There are several large galleries with many dolls Also on display are other materials including a replica of the backstage area of a rural puppet theater filled with costumes and paraphernalia One room has large photos of puppets photographed in a multitude of surroundings There is probably as much on display in this museum than at the Awa Jurobe Yashiki but there is no English information and no staff Tokushima 770-0835Tel: 0886 22 8121Open 9.30 am to 5 pm For those with more than a passing interest in Japanese puppetry might want to visit the Tenguhisa Museum This was the home and studio of one of the artists who made the puppet heads in the early 20th century Traditionally the puppeteers themselves made the costumes and the main body of the puppet but making the intricate heads was the job of specialized artisans This was the work of Tengu Hisashi who was the third generation in his family You can watch a DVD of a TV program made about him and the volunteer staff can explain more but it is quite interesting just to see the workshop left as it was when in use Tokushima-shiTokushima 779-3121Tel: 0886 643 2231Open Thursday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 4 pm The museum is a short walk from JR Ko Station on the Tokushima Line. Tenguhisa Museum is not far from Kannonji and Idoji, the 16th and 17th temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage One of the rooms at the Awa Wooden Doll Museum in Tokushima Japan In a Week Group Tours in Japan Discover Japan Group Tours in Japan The Tokaido Road Group Tours in Japan Urban and Rural Japan Group Tours in Japan Naruto Whirlpools The Naruto Whirlpools in Naruto Strait between Awaji and Shikoku are considered some of the greatest whirlpools in the world Nagoro, the doll village The village of Kamikatsu Nightlife in Japan: Going out, seeing and drinking Temples and shrines in Japan Markets in Japan Onsen, Hot Springs and Public Baths Family Travel Parks and Gardens Outdoor Activities Museums and Galleries View more Sign up and be the first to hear our news and special offers Volume 3 - 2016 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2016.00021 This article is part of the Research TopicAre Rodent Models Fit for Investigation of Human Obesity and Related Diseases?View all 17 articles Understanding the neural systems underlying the controls of energy balance has been greatly advanced by identifying the deficits and underlying mechanisms in rodent obesity models The current review focuses on the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat obesity model significant progress has been made in identifying the causes and consequences of obesity in this model Fundamental is a deficit in the cholecystokinin (CCK)-1 receptor gene resulting in the absence of CCK-1 receptors in both the gastrointestinal track and the brain OLETF rats have a deficit in their ability to limit the size of meals and in contrast to CCK-1 receptor knockout mice do not compensate for this increase in the size of their spontaneous meals Prior to becoming obese and in response to pair feeding OLETF rats have increased expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the compact region of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) and this overexpression contributes to their overall hyperphagia Study of the OLETF rats has revealed important differences in the organization of the DMH in rats and mice and elucidated previously unappreciated roles for DMH NPY in energy balance and glucose homeostasis Characterization of overall pancreatic function in OLETF rats demonstrated the absence of a pancreatic amylase response to administration of the brain gut peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) (2). Further studies revealed that OLETF rats had a >6 kbp deletion in the gene for the CCK-1 receptor that spanned the first and second exons and resulted in the absence of expression of a functional CCK-1 receptor (3) the OLETF rat is a CCK-1 receptor knockout model There are important species-specific differences in the expression patterns of CCK-1 and CCK-2 receptors including the expression of CCK-2 and not CCK-1 receptors in human pancreas the expression of CCK-1 receptors in vagal afferent neurons and in specific brain sites appears to be similar in rat and man (not in the mouse as will be discussed later) The satiety actions of CCK depend on the interactions with CCK-1 receptors. Sulfated CCK-8 or sulfated longer forms (i.e., CCK-33, CCK-58) inhibit food intake in a dose-related fashion, while unsulfated CCK or shorter CCK fragments do not (4, 19). Furthermore, specific CCK-1 antagonist administration increases food intake while CCK-2 antagonists do not (7) This pharmacological specificity has been demonstrated across multiple species Figure 1. Meal patterns in LETO and OLETF rats (20) The food intake of OLETF rats is also characterized by higher preferences for high fat (23), sucrose and other sweet tastes (24) This can be demonstrated in both real feeding and sham feeding paradigms implicating taste mechanisms in the preferences Pair feeding experiments in which the daily intake of OLETF rats was limited to that of paired LETO control rats revealed that the obesity in the OLETF rats was completely attributable to their hyperphagia. Pair feeding completely normalized their rates of body weight gain (Figure 2) as well as the size of their fat mass and their glucose regulation (20) the OLETF rat is an obesity model of disordered food intake Figure 2. Pair feeding normalized body weight in growing OLETF rats (20) Why does the absence of CCK-1 receptors result in obesity in the OLETF rat These data have led to the hypothesis that the obesity in the OLETF rats results from a combination of disordered satiety signaling due to the lack of vagal afferent CCK-1 receptors and an upregulation of DMH NPY that prevents complete compensation for the increased meal size The CCK-1 receptor knockout mouse has similar deficits in the control of meal size but in the absence of altered DMH signaling appropriately compensates for chronically consuming larger meals The age-dependent aspect of the effects of exercise may depend on epigenetic effects in pathways undergoing maturation and thus increasing the possibility of lasting effects when the exposure is at a younger age The observation of altered DMH NPY signaling in the OLETF rat and how DMH knockdown rescues the obese phenotype has led to extensive studies of the roles of DMH NPY in various aspects of energy balance. As mentioned above, overexpression of DMH NPY leads to increased food intake and body weight, especially when rats are presented with a high-fat diet (30) providing a potential novel target for obesity treatment Work with the OLETF rat has not only been focused on identifying the mechanisms underlying its obesity but also served as a vehicle for uncovering multiple novel mechanisms involved in the overall controls of energy balance Both authors have approved the final version of the manuscript The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest The work reviewed in this manuscript was supported by NIH grants: DK057609 and DK104867 and a grant from the Binational Science Foundation OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rat: a new NIDDM rat strain Diabetes Res Clin Pract (1994) 24(Suppl):S317–20 Little or no expression of the cholecystokinin-A receptor gene in the pancreas of diabetic rats (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty = OLETF rats) Biochem Biophys Res Commun (1994) 199(2):482–8 An animal model of congenital defect of gene expression of cholecystokinin (CCK)-A receptor Biochem Biophys Res Commun (1995) 210(3):787–96 Cholecystokinin decreases food intake in rats J Comp Physiol Psychol (1973) 84(3):488–95 Google Scholar Cholecystokinin persistently suppresses meal size but not food intake in free-feeding rats Am J Physiol (1984) 246(5 Pt 2):R776–87 Infusion of cholecystokinin between meals into free-feeding rats fails to prolong the intermeal interval CCK receptors attenuates satiety actions of exogenous and endogenous CCK Am J Physiol (1992) 262(1 Pt 2):R46–50 CCK receptors postpones satiety in rhesus monkeys Am J Physiol (1993) 265(3 Pt 2):R620–4 Anatomical relationship between vagal afferent fibers and CCK-immunoreactive entero-endocrine cells in the rat small intestinal mucosa Acta Anat (Basel) (1996) 156(2):123–31 Afferent axons in the abdominal vagus mediate the satiety effects of cholecystokinin in rats Google Scholar Transport of cholecystokinin (CCK) binding sites in subdiaphragmatic vagal branches Integration of vagal afferent responses to duodenal loads and exogenous CCK in rats Integration of vagal afferent responses to gastric loads and cholecystokinin in rats Am J Physiol (1991) 261(1 Pt 2):R64–9 The distribution of cholecystokinin immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of the rat as determined by radioimmunoassay The origin of cholecystokinin terminals in the basal forebrain of the rat: evidence from immunofluorescence and retrograde tracing Cholecystokinin potentiates dopamine-mediated behaviors in the nucleus accumbens Psychopharmacol Bull (1985) 21(3):523–7 Google Scholar Two brain cholecystokinin receptors: implications for behavioral actions Distinct cholecystokinin receptors in brain and pancreas Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (1980) 77(11):6917–21 CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar whereas CCK-8 reduces this interval: not all forms of cholecystokinin have equal bioactivity Disordered food intake and obesity in rats lacking cholecystokinin A receptors Am J Physiol (1998) 274(3 Pt 2):R618–25 Independent ingestion and microstructure of feeding patterns in infant rats lacking CCK-1 receptors Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol (2006) 290(1):R208–18 Diurnal and nocturnal nursing behavior in the OLETF rat Dev Psychobiol (2007) 49(3):323–33 Differential body weight and feeding responses to high fat diet in rats and mice lacking cholecystokinin 1 receptors Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol (2007) 293(1):R55–63 Increased oral and decreased intestinal sensitivity to sucrose in obese prediabetic CCK-A receptor-deficient OLETF rats Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol (2005) 288(1):R292–300 Differential roles for cholecystokinin a receptors in energy balance in rats and mice Endocrinology (2004) 145(8):3873–80 The cholecystokinin-A receptor mediates inhibition of food intake yet is not essential for the maintenance of body weight J Clin Invest (1999) 103(3):383–91 A role for NPY overexpression in the dorsomedial hypothalamus in hyperphagia and obesity of OLETF rats Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol (2001) 281(1):R254–60 Characterization of the feeding inhibition and neural activation produced by dorsomedial hypothalamic cholecystokinin administration Leptin stimulates neuropeptide Y and cocaine amphetamine-regulated transcript coexpressing neuronal activity in the dorsomedial hypothalamus in diet-induced obese mice Role of dorsomedial hypothalamic neuropeptide Y in modulating food intake and energy balance Exercise training in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat a model of spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects on the B-cell mass insulin content and fibrosis in the pancreas Diabetes Res Clin Pract (1997) 35(1):11–9 Exercise training has a long-lasting effect on prevention of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty rats Running wheel activity prevents hyperphagia and obesity in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats: role of hypothalamic signaling Endocrinology (2005) 146(4):1676–85 Implication of the melanocortin-3 receptor in the regulation of food intake Eur J Pharmacol (2011) 660(1):80–7 Three weeks of postweaning exercise in DIO rats produces prolonged increases in central leptin sensitivity and signaling Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol (2009) 296(3):R537–48 The melanocortin pathway: effects of voluntary exercise on the melanocortin-4 receptor knockout mice and ACTH(1-24) ligand structure activity relationships at the melanocortin-2 receptor Knockdown of NPY expression in the dorsomedial hypothalamus promotes development of brown adipocytes and prevents diet-induced obesity Central transthyretin acts to decrease food intake and body weight Citation: Bi S and Moran TH (2016) Obesity in the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty Rat: Mechanisms and Discoveries Received: 02 May 2016; Accepted: 01 July 2016; Published: 27 July 2016 Copyright: © 2016 Bi and Moran. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Timothy H. Moran, dG1vcmFuQGpobWkuZWR1 Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish. Sign in 一般社団法人 (General Incorporated Association) Tokyo FinTech is registered as a non-profit organization in Japan, promoting the domestic ecosystem through innovation Listen Tokushima-based Awa Bank has established “Awagin Capital” with JPY 100m aiming to work to solve management issues by providing capital to their clients and demonstrating more in-depth consulting functions Awagin Capital will invest in venture funds and business succession funds the Bank and Awagin Capital will work to address the various management issues faced by their business partners they will improve the corporate value of our customers and contribute to sustainable regional development Awa Bank engages in commercial banking and provision of leasing services The Commercial Banking segment includes deposit services It also covers the consolidated subsidiaries’ business support The Leasing segment provides leasing services through its subsidiaries promoting the domestic ecosystem through innovation Japan FinTech Observer | Tontines | ex-Goldman & Barclays Tech MD | 👉 Individual articles have moved to: https://www.fintechobserver.com Help