The Florida Department of State manages our state's elections historical and cultural resources and our libraries Secretary of State Cord Byrd announces the opening of an exciting exhibit celebrating 29 years of the Florida-Wakayama Sister State Agreement The exhibit is on view in the 22nd Floor Capitol Art Gallery beginning October 16 “As we commemorate the 29th anniversary of the Florida-Wakayama Sister State agreement the relationship between our two nations continues to flourish,” said Secretary Byrd which highlights talented artists from Japan and Florida We look forward to showcasing the hospitality and cultural exchanges which lie at the heart of the agreement between Florida and Wakayama The State of Florida and Wakayama Prefecture signed an agreement for a Sister-State relationship on October 4 with the commitment to strengthen friendship and understanding The cultural exchanges between Wakayama and the State of Florida remain one of the most significant parts of the Sister State Agreement of 1995 Renowned artists from Wakayama have visited Florida to teach and demonstrate their craft and Florida artists have been able to greatly benefit from these masters and also to travel to Japan for instruction in artists’ studios This is a precious and valuable relationship Division of Arts and Culture is honored to be a part of this long history Building on the goodwill established by the Florida-Wakayama Cultural Association and the Florida Division of Arts and Culture Hakuzan Kubo agreed to send a collection of rarely exhibited Noh Masks to Florida To further encourage variety in the exhibition private collectors and three Divisions of the Florida Department of State have loaned pieces to create this exhibit honoring the 29th Anniversary of the Florida-Wakayama Sister State Agreement The Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request do not send electronic mail to this entity contact this office by phone or in writing Copyright © 2025 State of Florida ENEOS has been studying the feasibility of such a facility since 2022 who have been jointly assessing the feasibility on the commercialization of SAF manufacturing and refining technologies and the expertise in feedstock procurement while MC has expertise in the procurement of feedstock in Japan and around the world By combining each companies' respective strengths ENEOS and MC will accelerate the study with the aim of developing large-scale production of SAF in Japan is expected to produce approximately 300,000 tons (400,000 KL) of SAF per year from FY2028 onwards together with bio-naphtha and bio-diesel fuel fractions as byproducts Its feedstock will include used cooking oil ENEOS and MC place a high priority on addressing climate change issues and both companies are actively promoting initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions with the aim of helping to achieve a decarbonized the companies will move forward with their study on SAF 2025) ENEOS Selected for the “Support Project for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production and Supply Chain Development” https://www.eneos.co.jp/english/newsrelease/2024/pdf/20250221_02.pdf 2022) Joint Feasibility Study on the Commercialization ofSustainable Aviation Fuel https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/news/release/2022/0000048990.html Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Wakayama Prefecture is a wonderful spot to take your first bath in a Japanese onsen There’s nothing quite like bathing in the blissfully warm, mineral-rich waters of an onsen on a trip to Japan both locals and visitors have flocked to these ancient hot springs to rejuvenate mind And one place in particular stands out for experiencing Japan's most famous contribution to holistic healing. Wakayama Prefecture, to the south of Osaka it's the perfect place to try out one of the country’s best-loved pastimes Here's how to get the best from the onsen experience in Wakayama Prefecture Thanks to high levels of volcanic activity in Japan the country has natural hot springs in their thousands scattered in diverse locations all over the country people have been lured to onsen towns by the health benefits of bathing in the warm which are infused with natural minerals.  from simple natural pools (be careful of the temperatures at these locations as the waters can be scalding hot) to stylish indoor bathhouses at hotels Outdoor rotenburo baths offer an invigoratingly authentic experience hot springs are celebrated for their healing properties as well as acting as an important setting for social interaction Visiting an onsen is a delightful way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture though be aware that most onsens require bathers to be naked so you'll need to leave your inhibitions at the door Thanks to the sheer range of bathing options and the many locations where naturally hot mineral waters bubble to the surface, Wakayama has earned a reputation as one of the best onsen destinations in Japan Hot spring bathing has a long history here – the historic Yunomine Onsen was founded nearly 1800 years ago earning it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List With an abundance of hot spring retreats and spa resorts this is the place to sample experiences such as a two-person bath on an island and a gigantic river bath that can accommodate up to 1000 bathers Travelers can even soak their feet in a volcanically warmed foot bath while they dine Shirahama: As well as having incredible beaches, the coastal town of Shirahama boasts some of Japan’s oldest and best-known onsens, including the open-air Shirasuna Onsen, located on the boardwalk in the middle of the town, and Sakino-yu an onsen on a rocky outcrop with ocean views To mix relaxation with regional dining, Ashiyu Alley in Shirahama’s trendy Ginza Alley dining district has thermal foot baths, allowing customers to soak their tootsies as they tuck into delicious local offerings. See the city website for more information on Shirahama's onsens Katsuura: Nearby on the coast, the small seaside village of Katsuura is known for rotenburo that look out onto blue coves and islands Most are associated with small hotels and ryokan inns the UNESCO-listed onsen at Yunomine was created by Yakushi Nyorai While we can’t verify that’s 100% accurate it's certainly true that the onsen has rejuvenating qualities for the mind and body Located in the middle of the Yunomine hot springs, the Tsubo-yu onsen is set inside a small wooden shack built on an island in the river It can be used privately (holding up to two people) for 30 minutes at a time on a first-come-first-served basis and the admission fee also covers entry to the Yunomine Public Bathhouse Check out the natural hot well where visitors boil eggs and other snacks More onsens: Other highlights in the Wakayama region include Ryūjin Onsen, a historic hot spring village on the upper reaches of the Hidaka River in the mountainous heart of the Kii Peninsula, and Watarase an expansive complex in a forested valley that has rich sodium-chloride pools of varying temperatures Bathing in an onsen is a truly unforgettable experience and while there are a few rules of etiquette to remember it's worth taking some time to research local customs and traditions so you'll feel more at ease and have a more relaxing and enjoyable time The first thing to note is the requirement for nudity though many bathhouses have separate pools for men and women Make sure you take a shower before entering an onsen; there are dedicated washing facilities and you'll see patrons sitting on a stool and showering with soap and water using a wooden bucket and these can be used for modesty before getting in the water but should not be used in the pool; some people place them on their heads while they bathe Full-sized towels are left in the changing rooms Long hair should be tied up to keep it out of the water and eating and drinking in the water is considered impolite Drink plenty of water before and after bathing as the hot temperatures can cause light-headedness It also pays to be aware of Japan’s complex relationship with tattoos tattooing became associated with criminality during the Edo period tattoos are perceived as being associated with crime and many onsens do not permit entry to people with visible tattoos.  However, some places are tattoo-friendly and advertise themselves as such. To avoid disappointment, contact onsens ahead to ask about their tattoo policy. If you have a small tattoo, convenience stores such as Don Quijote sell "tattoo seals" – skin-colored plasters that can cover up smaller pieces of body art there’s nothing left to do but relax and enjoy the therapeutic hot waters Produced by Lonely Planet for Visit Wakayama. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality. Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report a day after his secretary found him unconscious at his residence Kishimoto attended the opening event of the Kansai Pavilion at the Osaka Kansai Expo on April 13 and returned to his official residence in Wakayama city his aide discovered the governor unconscious at his home After receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a hospital Kishimoto was born in Wakayama city and graduated from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law He served as director of the national treasury division at the former Ministry of Finance before running in the 2009 Lower House election As a candidate of the Democratic Party of Japan representing the Wakayama No Kishimoto gained his first Diet seat in the election which also saw the DPJ take power from the Liberal Democratic Party Kishimoto served as parliamentary vice minister of economy trade and industry in the DPJ administration He later became acting secretary-general of the Democratic Party for the People following the dissolution of the DPJ After winning five consecutive terms in the Lower House he resigned from the Diet in 2022 and won the Wakayama gubernatorial election that same year the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the DPP The Public Offices Election Law stipulates that in the event of a vacancy in the office of a prefectural governor the deputy must notify the election administration commission within five days and an election must be held within 50 days of receiving the notification Nippon Ishin’s election gains strike fear into heart of LDP Campaigns for by-elections start with LDP aiming to keep 3 seats hit by economic ‘reality,’ re-elect pro-base mayor Suzuki elected Shizuoka chief; talks expected over maglev line 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 Today's print edition Home Delivery All four giant pandas at a zoo in Adventure World in Wakayama Prefecture will be transferred to China around the end of June If the four pandas go to China under the terms of a loan agreement and no new additions join the zoo Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo would be the only remaining giant pandas housed in Japan.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Adventure World is home to 24-year-old female Rauhin and her three daughters — 8-year-old Yuihin Rauhin became the first giant panda born at the facility back in September 2000 With a contract between the facility and the Chinese side ending in August this year the two sides decided that the four pandas will go to China in June Adventure World did not say whether the Chinese side would newly send over giant pandas to the zoo experts from China said that it would be better for aging Rauhin to go to China to live in a dedicated facility with medical care Rauhin's daughters will be sent to China to find a mate for future breeding opportunities The four pandas will live at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the inland province of Sichuan All giant pandas living in Japan are loaned by China for breeding research purposes Noting that the facility marked the 30th anniversary of its Japan-China Joint Research on Giant Panda Breeding program in September last year "We'll continue discussions with the Chinese side as we strongly hope for a continuation of the project." In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division All four giant pandas on loan to a western Japan zoo will return to China around late June ahead of the expiration of their lease agreement The 24-year-old Rauhin and her children -- Yuihin 4 -- will leave Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama for their new home at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's Sichuan Province The Wakayama park began a breeding cooperation program with the Chinese panda research base in 1994 and was home to Eimei he fathered 10 cubs with Rauhin and another six with a different female giant panda Eimei was returned to China in 2023 and died earlier this year The departure of the four pandas would mean only two giant pandas will be left in Japan The two pandas are currently based at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens The Ueno zoo received its first pandas in 1972 from China to commemorate the normalization of bilateral ties Giant panda Eimei dies in China after repatriation from Japan Penguins charm visitors with winter strolls at Hokkaido zoo 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 When asked about the importance of spirituality in Japan many Japanese people might struggle to explain exactly what it means the country's spirituality has been like a sponge The Japanese Shinto religion is expressed to have “eight million gods” or an abundance of gods too diverse to count Japanese spirituality is a melding of myriad cultures in a uniquely Japanese way You'll find this to be most evident in the breathtaking array of symbols and rituals at many of the country's shrines and temples Perhaps even more fascinating than the origins of Japanese spirituality are the values it entails: an appreciation for nature These values create the perfect opportunity for a soulful retreat that soothes the body and mind Tokyo and Wakayama appear to be at opposite ends of the modern and traditional spectrum Tokyo is the epitome of the modern industrial world with its soaring skyscrapers and clockwork-like public transportation system located on the western side of the Kii Peninsula and home to the venerable Koyasan is the guardian of a treasured part of Japan's spiritual past and you'll find rich spiritual heritage transcending time in both these unique areas of Japan The enjoyment of nature is a central element of Japanese spirituality and with miles of pristine coastline and acres of sparsely inhabited forests Even Tokyoites need not leave the city to find a retreat in nature PreviousGlamping is taken to new levels of "glam" at Shinzenjin Mura with unique tiny timber houses and intimate fire pits.Shizenjin Mura is surrounded by greenery and the rivers of Akigawa Valley Next12Shizenjin Mura is located in the mountains about 90 minutes from central Tokyo but a world away from its busyness in cabins or in unique tiny houses built from locally sourced timber designed to blend into the natural environment You can participate in simple activities that are easy on the surroundings and promote a spirit of self-awareness: trout fishing in the stream hiking through the quiet forest or self-contemplation in the sauna An Eland offers an immersion in nature by the sea: luxurious "glamping" in dome-shaped tents on an uninhabited island with panoramic views of Tanabe Bay The turquoise-kissed sea is so close you'll feel the spray of surf on your face and taste the salt on your lips The rhythmic sound of the waves might lead you into a state of relaxation perhaps best enjoyed unwinding in a private jacuzzi with views of the sea The kindness and generosity embodied in Japan's trademark service are more than obligations; they are a way to show respect for others and lift one's spirit in the process This is omotenashi — the legendary Japanese hospitality centred around paying close attention to the desires of one's guests PreviousMorning kendo practice is offered to visitors at Hoshinoya Tokyo Photo credit: Hoshino ResortsThe Hoshinoya Tokyo ryokan is known for unobtrusive Photo credit: Hoshino ResortsA local mother handpicks fresh vegetables at Akizuno Garten and prepares a home cooked meal offering a true taste of Wakayama's tradition a traditional-style ryokan updated for the 21st century staff characteristically provide a thorough so guests can focus on their self-awareness and rejuvenation Whether your interests lie in Japanese traditional arts and culture or physical activities the Hoshinoya Tokyo staff are at your service arranging wellness experiences such as tea ceremony lessons incense appreciation workshops or morning kendo practice on the rooftop A different style of hospitality is delivered in Wakayama's Akizuno Garten a unique accommodation repurposed from a charming former schoolhouse Local mothers prepare home cooked meals for you explain the history of their rural community and they might even share a family recipe or two You can foster relationships with locals through activities such as light agricultural work or by exploring the area on foot or bicycle Akizuno Garten presents a rare opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the life of a rural Japanese community by exchanging ideas and building lasting friendships Bathing has been an integral part of Japanese culture for centuries but its roots are in the Shinto belief of cleansing one's spirit and body Only in the 19th century did bathing in natural hot springs (onsen) become a recreational activity PreviousThe origins of onsen in Japan lie in the spiritual act of cleansing the spirit and body.Find onsen experiences in Tokyo and Wakayama nestled amid awe-inspiring views Next12Shirahama Onsen is one of Japan's three oldest onsen areas and the traditional aspect of onsen is strong here incorporating rejuvenating mineral baths with the natural beauty of the Wakayama coastline Saki-no-Yu is an ancient onsen bathing site open to the public where visitors can relax in an open-air rotenburo bath so close to the ocean that it might feel like you're bathing in it a different style of bathing is experiencing a revival in Tokyo While public bathhouse use has declined for decades in the city Koganeyu is a bathhouse that has adapted to help ensure the survival of bathhouse culture it has been transformed into a place for both personal rejuvenation and fostering community While some may find peace by being close to nature or through a relaxing bath others might feel more at home with hands-on experiences that promote mindfulness Master kintsugi artisan Showzi Tsukamoto teaches how to find beauty in imperfection One intriguing Tokyo option is participating in a Kintsugi workshop led by Showzi Tsukamoto an internationally acclaimed master artisan in this craft Kintsugi is the traditional art of repairing broken ceramics using 24k gold lacquer There is something therapeutic in taking a damaged object and slowly carefully restoring it to usefulness by mending it with precious metal – a spiritual lesson in resilience and the beauty to be found in imperfections you can take your work home as a reminder of this spiritual philosophy the vegetarian cuisine eaten by Shingo monks.Buddhist sutras involve the calligraphy of Japanese kanji characters Next12With the spiritual centre of Koyasan at its heart Wakayama features many spiritual experiences related to its Shingon Buddhist roots With more than 50 temples offering accommodations a shukubo overnight stay at a temple is among the best opportunities for a fully immersive spiritual experience at Koyasan Start your day with a clear mind by waking with the rising sun and observing the temple's morning prayers or joining the meditation the vegetarian cuisine eaten by monks for dinner and breakfast Copying Buddhist sutras at Kongobu-ji Temple is another simple way to experience the peaceful existence of Koyasan monks tracing the elegant forms of Japanese kanji characters in black sumi ink as you learn the tenets of Buddhism PreviousKoyasan presents itself in fantastical ways lit by hundreds of glowing lanterns.Night tours of Okunoin are led by monks Next12One of the most memorable ways for you to experience Koyasan's tranquility presents itself is in the beauty of complete darkness with a night tour of Okunoin: a sanctuary with thousands of memorial stones and the mausoleum of Kukai Intricate lanterns create an otherworldly atmosphere in the peaceful forest for those seeking inner peace or the thrill of a night walk in the forest you might catch a glimpse of the nocturnal creatures inhabiting the forest Kumano Kodo offers limited-time events typically kept private Even if you've already been to Koyasan there are many great reasons to make another visit this year 2024 is the 20th anniversary of Kumano Kodo's recognition as a Unesco World Heritage site part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” classification There are many limited-time events and opportunities to celebrate along the Kumano Kodo route These include the sale of commemorative goshuin (temple stamps) displays of seldom-seen temple treasures and the opening of private buildings not usually accessible to the public Exploring Japan's spiritual side is an opportunity to see this unique country from a perspective that few others do Travel conveniently between the dynamic atmosphere of Tokyo to the dignified beauty of Wakayama using a multitude of connections by train with a flight time of just an hour and 15 minutes Customise the perfect itinerary to give both your body and soul the recharge you deserve culture and heritage through stories from people who bring the city to life A new calico cat carries on a paw-sitive tradition at Kishi Station Wakayama Electric Railway’s beloved tradition of feline stationmasters has a new face: Gotama She officially joined the team as the Fukuchigawa Line stationmaster on January 7 Her appointment ceremony at Kishi Station drew crowds of fans eager to catch a glimpse of the latest addition to the railway’s feline legacy Accompanied by Wakayama Electric Railway’s president Mitsunobu Kojima Gotama made her debut during a formal appointment ceremony where she was symbolically assigned her new role Known for her distinctive bent “kagi tail” — considered a sign of good fortune in Japanese culture — Gotama greeted fans with her calm and friendly demeanor Her first official duty was to distribute fukusen lucky coins Gotama is set to work part-time alongside her predecessors, Nitama and Yontama, who currently share stationmaster duties. She will greet passengers at Kishi Station on Wednesdays and Thursdays and at Idakiso Station on Mondays and Fridays. If you’re keen on paying this new feline stationmaster a visit, you can check her full shift schedule on the Wakayama Electric Railway website The tradition of cat stationmasters began with Tama Tama’s charm not only captivated locals but also drew international attention transforming the struggling railway into a tourist attraction and revitalizing the local economy along the Kishigawa Line Tama’s popularity also inspired the launch of her own themed train line featuring whimsical cat-inspired designs she was enshrined at Tama Shrine near Kishi Station Nitama (Tama II) and later Yontama (Tama IV) carrying forward the mission of bringing joy to passengers and prosperity to the region Visitors to Wakayama can ride the Tama Train on the Kishigawa Line, which runs between Wakayama city and Kishi Station. You can also head to the cat-themed Tama Train Museum, which is inside a train car. Check the schedules here to plan your visit Nitama and Yontama during their shifts at Kishi and Idakiso stations a 21-year-old German student who went missing in Japan in October Police confirmed Worm’s identity after recovering the body earlier in the week While the cause of death remains undetermined authorities are investigating both accidental and criminal possibilities Worm arrived in Japan on September 21 and moved from Tokyo to Wakayama Prefecture on September 30 His last contact with his mother was on the morning of October 10 a friend of Worm’s father contacted Japanese authorities urging them to investigate as he had failed to return home as expected for the start of his academic term Wakayama Police made a public appeal on October 21 sharing Worm’s photograph and requesting information from the public a local man reported spotting a human body drifting face-up off the coast near Isonoura Local maritime authorities retrieved the body which was subsequently identified as Worm’s through forensic examination Officials estimate that Worm likely died in early October based on an autopsy performed on November 2 Although significant decomposition hindered the determination of a precise cause of death police are investigating the incident thoroughly Further details emerged as police traced Worm’s last known activities through his belongings Surveillance footage from October 11 showed him arriving alone at Nankai Wakayamashi Station where he stored his luggage in a coin-operated locker Police later recovered his suitcase from this locker on October 30 adding to the mystery surrounding his disappearance Authorities also found Worm’s passport and several other belongings near a public restroom His cell phone was found on a bridge along the Kino River The circumstances of Worm’s death remain unclear with police continuing to investigate all potential leads Wakayama Prefecture—Fans of the four remaining giant pandas at Adventure World here and local businesses are bracing for their return to China at the end of June Officials of the theme park which includes a zoo explained that the lease agreement for the hugely popular attractions is expiring only two giant pandas will remain in Japan Adventure World joined a Japan-China giant panda conservation joint project in 1994 three came from China and the other 17 were born at Adventure World a 24-year-old female panda named Rauhin and her daughters the conservation project period will end in August and the four pandas will be returned to China at the end of June to avoid the extreme summer heat in Japan The park will talk to China about leasing other pandas in the future “We hope to build on our 30 years of experience and knowledge,” Koji Imazu the lease agreement of the two pandas being raised in Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens will expire on Feb Upon learning that all four would be returned to China many people in the town expressed hope that pandas would return to the zoo where there are excellent facilities and staff,” Imazu said and praised Rauhin for mothering many cubs at Adventure World who will return to China with their mother “We hope that they will also be part of the breeding program.” Adventure World is hoping to lease other pandas and is in negotiations with China Pandas are one of the big draws of the town Shirahama Station is even sometimes called ‘Panda Station.’ We really need pandas even if it’s just one,” said the owner of a souvenir shop that sells panda stuffed animals in front of Shirahama Station The Chinese government used to give pandas at crucial moments of diplomacy the country gifted two giant pandas named Kang Kang and Lan Lan to Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens to commemorate the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries China has focused more on the conservation of the species and began leasing pandas to zoos in foreign countries for breeding research rather than giving them outright Japan must return them to China when the leases expire there are two giant pandas in Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens a male named Xiao Xiao and a female named Lei Lei so the Tokyo metropolitan government will seek another pair from China including the possibility of leasing other pandas after returning the two,” said a Tokyo metropolitan official Kobe municipal Oji Zoo also had raised giant pandas The city also expressed its intention of requesting other pandas (This article was written by Shinichi Katsube Adventure World says sayonara to 3 giant pandas bound for China Kobe's only panda returning home to China after 20 years Xiang Xiang will leave Japan for China on Feb Beloved giant panda Xiang Xiang to return to China Feb Adventure World celebrates giant panda Eimei’s 30th birthday died of septic shock at a hospital in the city of Wakayama on Tuesday morning According to the prefectural government, Kishimoto received treatment at the hospital after he was found collapsed in his bedroom at around 10:15 a.m Monday by officials who went to his official residence in the city to check on him as they could not reach him.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The governor visited the 2025 World Expo in the city of Osaka on Sunday was first elected to the Lower House in 2009 after serving as head of a Finance Ministry division he took such key posts as parliamentary vice minister of economy He resigned as a Lower House member during his fifth term to run in the 2022 Wakayama gubernatorial election He won the election with endorsements from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party as well as the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People and was serving his first term as governor until his death The public offices election law stipulates that in the event of the death of a governor a gubernatorial election shall be held within 50 days of the notification of the death to the prefectural election commission Izumi Miyazaki will perform the governor's duties for the time being The body of a German university student was found off the coast of Wakayama Prefecture was discovered last Friday around 1.5 kilometers from Takurazaki Lighthouse He went missing after his last interaction with his mother on social media on Oct The Wakayama police launched an open investigation on Oct 21 after his father's friend living in Japan reported the disappearance around a week before who only purchased a one-way air ticket to Japan had stayed at a business hotel in the city of Wakayama from Sept 21 and was in Tokyo before going to Wakayama He was last seen on security footage at Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s Wakayamashi Station on Oct and an autopsy found no distinctive wounds The police concluded he died in the first half of October were found in a public toilet at the riverbed of Kinokawa River near Wakayamashi Station that leads to the sea where he was found His suitcase was found in a locker in JR West's Wakayama Station he is believed to be a student at Leibniz University Hannover in Germany Japanese police seek info on French woman who vanished in 2018 French man says sister missing in Japan since 2018 a victim of crime Kin of missing French woman renews call for Japan to do more Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons Wakayama Prefecture Governor Shuhei Kishimoto died in Wakayama City on Tuesday morning Kishimoto was found collapsed at the governor's official residence by his secretary at around 10:15 a.m on Monday morning and taken to a hospital where he was placed in an intensive care unit Kishimoto had returned to his residence Sunday night after participating in the opening ceremony of the Kansai Pavilion at the Osaka Expo who served five terms in the House of Representatives Join the leading Asian tourist attraction to assist our diverse range of customers @BC--looks like the votes are all against you Why not keep your smiley emojis and veiled nonsense to yourself not barfed here on the same day we learned of the passing of a good independent politician Wakayama governor dies after collapsing at residence Kishimoto collapsed at home on Monday morning 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 said Sunday it has postponed a planned rocket launch from a commercial spaceport in the western prefecture of Wakayama for a second straight day due to strong winds Space One said it is now arranging to carry out the launch on Wednesday morning The startup aims to become the first Japanese firm to put a satellite into orbit A successful launch is expected to boost the space industry in Japan which lags behind other major economies in the field established in 2018 by private entities seeking to commercialize space delivery services by lowering costs and offering regular rocket flights is seeking to launch the 18-meter-long solid-fuel Kairos No but we have no choice but to look forward to the next attempt." Japan startup Space One postpones rocket launch due to wind Japan's 1st satellite launch attempt by private firm fails A Japanese court sentenced a man to 10 years in prison on Wednesday for the attempted murder in 2023 of then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in a pipe bomb attack at an election event In the trial at the Wakayama District Court prosecutors sought 15 years in prison for Ryuji Kimura for attempting to kill Kishida and others when he hurled a homemade explosive device at the premier as he approached a crowd for a stump speech in the western Japan city of Wakayama in April 2023 The explosion caused minor injuries to a police officer and a member of the public The attack came less than a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead at an outdoor election campaign event 15-year term sought for man over pipe bomb attack on ex-PM Kishida Man denies intent to kill ex-PM Kishida in explosives attack FOCUS: Security in spotlight at Hiroshima G-7 after attacks on Kishida, Abe The body of a 21-year-old German university student who went missing on Oct 11 while on holiday in Wakayama Prefecture has been found off the coast of Wakayama City the Japan Coast Guard received a report at 2:50 p.m on Nov 1 of a "person floating face-up" about 1.5 kilometers offshore from Wakayama City DNA testing revealed that it was that of Claudio Worm he was wearing jeans but no clothes on the upper half of his body and no shoes adding there were no visible signs of injury on the body Police said an autopsy could not determine the cause of death due to the severity of the damage to the body Worm arrived in Japan on Sept 21 for a vacation He first spent time in Tokyo and had been staying in Wakayama City since Sept 30 security camera footage showed him walking alone near Nankai Wakayama City Station Worm’s passport and mobile phone were found in a multi-purpose toilet in the city His suitcase was found in a coin locker at JR Wakayama Station on Oct 30 Worm entered Japan for tourism in September and toured Tokyo before entering Wakayama Prefecture but the last time he was heard from was on Oct 10 when he exchanged messages with his mother on social media Hope the authorities get to the bottom of this hope it’s swiftly resolved for the family’s sake Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast The few details reported seem to indicate it will be very difficult to clarify his death but at least the family will have a small degree of peace of mind knowing his remains could be recovered it is not unusual for police in Japan to withhold information about a case the nature of his messages with his mother I do hope the police can determine Mr Worm's final movements and circumstances of his passing I hope the police can determine if it was an accident or foul play The fact his wallet and passport were found in a toilet in the city the amount of damage to his body from 3 weeks in the water might make it hard to identify a cause of death after which someone found his stuff and later abandoned them in the toilet Suicide is the most unlikely of all possibilities seeing that the guy was talking to his family earlier in the day and saying he was having a great time In my opinion this has all the signs of foul play people quickly deliver it to lost and found the luggage in the locker and then appearing so far out from the coast.. We have not been told the subject of his conversations This young man's friends and relatives are possibly reading this - and you are going around with close to zero information making baseless speculation falseflagsteve: "Hope the authorities get to the bottom of this" Doesn't sound like they are making a terrible amount of effort since they can't even reveal cause of death (or are not putting in a real effort to do that.. Kipling: "It could also point to a possible suicide." You come all the way for a visit to Japan just to jump off a cliff or whatever in Wakayama and leave no note in the final messages to your family surely they can tell us if there was money in his wallet and/or other stuff missing if missing Apparently his last confirmed location was a bar in the town I assume the police is talking to the bar owner to find out if something happened there Outside of your morbid curiosity to know the details of his life what difference does it make to you what he wrote to his mother you can be sure the police would have shared the information His German friends and family who have been posting on X say his last conversions were positive and he was looking forward to flying home Presumably he paid his bill at the bar before leaving WAKAYAMA (Jiji Press) – Shuhei Kishimoto died of septic shock at a hospital in Wakayama on Tuesday morning According to the Wakayama prefectural government Kishimoto received treatment at the hospital after he was found collapsed in his bedroom at around 10:15 a.m Monday by officials who went to his official residence in the city as they could not reach him 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 Kishimoto visited the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka on Sunday he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2009 after serving as head of a Finance Ministry division He resigned as a lower house member during his fifth term to run in a Wakayama gubernatorial election in 2022 He won the election with recommendations from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Three wire ropes hanging carp streamers over the Nade River in Kinokawa City Wakayama Prefecture have been cut in an act of property damage reporting that the wires of the carp streamers were hanging down About 60 carp streamers were hanging from three wire ropes that were set up across the river The installation of carp streamers is an annual event that has been held by local volunteers since 1998 Carp streamers are seen all over Japan in the lead-up to Children's Day on May 5 I always enjoy the koinobori over the local river in my town (It's kinda famous in my prefecture.) Why TH would somebody destroy such a display in their town it may just be a person who is somehow connected to the display Maybe a disgruntled member of the city government or neighborhood committee Maybe the parent of a child whose koi streamer was rejected Maybe someone from the area who hates the crowds who come to view it I would be interested in what the deal was The destruction happened in the open and likely took some time hopefully this means the culprit will be identified and made responsible soon has been taken to hospital after collapsing at his official residence sources familiar with the matter said Monday He is unconscious and in critical condition and is being treated in an intensive care unit the sources said.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); the governor was found collapsed at around 10:15 a.m on Monday by officials who went to his residence because they could not reach him Kishimoto visited the 2025 World Exposition in the city of Osaka on Sunday His official duties scheduled for Monday afternoon have been canceled previously served as head of a Finance Ministry division He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2009 serving five terms in 13 years and taking such key posts as parliamentary vice minister of economy He was elected governor for the first time in 2022 with recommendations from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party A Japanese court on Thursday acquitted a 28-year-old woman of murdering her wealthy elderly husband who called himself the "Don Juan" of the western Japan area where he lived ruling it could not discount that he may have mistakenly taken a lethal dose of illegal stimulant drugs Saki Sudo was charged with causing 77-year-old Kosuke Nozaki to ingest a lethal amount of a stimulant on May 24 saying she did not kill her former husband Presiding Judge Keiko Fukushima of the Wakayama District Court said that as it was the first time Nozaki had used the stimulant "it cannot be stated that there is no possibility he ingested a lethal amount by mistake." With no direct evidence to tie Sudo to the alleged crime the trial was fought over whether a criminal incident had taken place and if she was acting with criminal intent who received a monthly allowance of 1 million yen ($6,600) married Nozaki for his money and to inherit his fortune They alleged her online searches included "perfect crime" and "stimulant drugs lethal amount," and she obtained drugs from a dealer Sudo was the only person with Nozaki at the time he ingested the drugs arguing that it was unlikely that he killed himself given that he had planned a memorial service for his beloved pet dog and scheduled a doctor's appointment in the days after his death the Wakayama District Public Prosecutors Office said in a statement that it will examine the ruling and respond after consulting with higher prosecutors The ruling said that neither the possibility she would inherit Nozaki's fortune nor the web searches were sufficient to presume intention to kill or that she was planning a murder Sudo said she was asked by Nozaki to buy the drugs for him Her defense claimed it was possible Nozaki ingested the drugs himself "If there is only suspicious evidence and there are doubts about concluding that someone is the culprit they should be considered not guilty," her counsel said As the president of a liquor sales company and real estate business in Wakayama Prefecture Nozaki is said to have had a personal worth of around 1.3 billion yen Nozaki gained notoriety for publishing an autobiography titled "Don Juan of Kishu: The Man Who Gave 3 Billion Yen to 4,000 Beautiful Women" in 2016 likening himself to the mythical Spanish playboy Kishu is a historical name for the region in the prefecture where he lived Sudo is already serving a finalized sentence of three years and six months for defrauding a man of 29.8 million yen Widow pleads not guilty to murder of Japanese "Don Juan" Claudio Worm, a German tourist who was reported missing last month was found dead along the coast in Wakayama Prefecture Wakayama Prefectural Police said Wednesday The 21-year-old's body was discovered floating face-up and clothed only in jeans off the Takurazaki coast after an individual alerted the Wakayama Coast Guard at around 2:50 p.m DNA testing confirmed that it was Worm.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); He is presumed to have died sometime in early October but due to the state of the body's decay an autopsy could not be conducted to determine the cause of death 21 and made his way to Wakayama Prefecture after traveling in Tokyo He last communicated with his mother on Oct Worm stayed at a private lodging in Wakayama City from Sept A person believed to be Worm was captured on a security camera around Wakayamashi station on the Nankai line at around 8:30 p.m A passport believed to be Worm’s was found in a toilet near Kinokawa river while his cellphone was found on a bridge nearby a friend of Worm’s father consulted the police saying Worm had not returned from Japan despite the school term starting soon the police released Worm's photo and appealed to the public for information “We don't have any strong information indicating foul play taking into account the possibility of involvement in a crime or an accident,” a Wakayama police officer told The Japan Times Breathe in centuries of history at the sacred sites around Nachi Falls — a breathtaking waterfall that’s long been an object of worship one of their number had perished on the river leaving the rest to continue in her memory The pilgrims heard Nachi Falls before they saw it This may sound like a Game of Thrones scene A network of ancient pilgrimage routes crisscrossing the Kii Peninsula the Kumano Kodo has been used for over 1,000 years by individuals seeking salvation healing and enlightenment among the region’s primeval forests These revered routes are deeply connected to ancient Shinto and Buddhist beliefs that regard the area as profoundly and inherently sacred — the immemorial dwelling place of the gods — and the pilgrimage traditionally ends at one or more of the Kumano Sanzan the three grand shrines of the Kumano region standing alongside the majestic Nachi Falls The Kumano Kodo is split into seven routes with the Nakahechi route — the main route — passing by Nachi Falls; these paths can still be walked today and six of them are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site The portion of this holy trail that includes the falls can be found in Yoshino-Kumano National Park in Wakayama and though the journey is undeniably tough Nachi Falls is a domineering watery slash of 133 meters down rockface its spray sprinkling glitters of light through the air or climb around the paths at the back to get a little closer Nachi Falls has been the subject of worship since ancient times and is part of one of the grandest shrine complexes in the country you can find the illustrious Kumano Nachi Taisha one of the oldest and most picturesque temples in Japan The area around Nachi Falls isn’t just remarkable for its beauty and spiritual significance; it’s also one of the few places in Japan where a Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine coexist side by side Shinto and Buddhism were closely intertwined in a syncretic religion known as shinbutsu shugo the government issued a decree demanding that the two religions separate many Buddhist elements were removed from shrines across the country and temples that had once been peacefully nestled alongside their shrine neighbors were repurposed the complex at Nachi escaped the brunt of this This is pretty lucky for both institutions — they can both claim breathtaking views of the surrounding area and close proximity to the most majestic waterfall in the land The temple of Seiganto-ji is famous for its spellbinding three-storied pagoda Overlooking the waterfall some meters away the pagoda cuts a striking silhouette against the thundering white waters its brilliant red figure flashing out against the vast landscape Seiganto-ji loosely translates to “Temple of Crossing the Blue Shore,” its blue-gray roofs in synergy with the waterfall behind creating an unforgettable scene of human-made beauty in harmony with stunning natural scenery The temple itself is actually the oldest structure in the region filled with many important cultural properties The shrine and its grounds are lorded over by Yatagarasu a mystical three-legged crow and guiding deity in Shinto mythology Its final resting form is as a stone in the private quarters of the shrine The shrine is also home to an 850-year-old camphor tree 8.5-meter-wide landmark with deep spiritual significance meaning that visitors can climb into the tree’s womb It’s an experience akin to a sacred tree (re)birth — feel what it’s like to be inside a tree Feel the mystic splash of Nachi Falls as it soothes then head away to the shrine and temple above to marvel at the falls from a different vantage point Despite the centuries that separate us from the pilgrims who once walked these paths we can understand why they felt that Nachi was a fitting end to their toils A 25-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday over the attempted murder of then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the city of Wakayama in 2023 The Wakayama District Court handed down the sentence to Ryuji Kimura for throwing an explosive — apparently a homemade pipe bomb — at Kishida on April 15 at the Saikazaki fishing port while he was making a campaign stop for a parliamentary by-election The explosion injured two people in the crowd.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The incident occurred less than a year after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot in July 2022 during an election campaign for an Upper House election OSAKA—Almost five years after two corpses washed ashore on a lonely beach a self-proclaimed fortuneteller and her acolyte have been arrested on suspicion of convincing the two men to kill themselves—by walking into the sea together The Osaka prefectural police announced on March 11 the arrest of Yoshie Hamada who calls herself “the creator,” and a 59-year-old Tokyo woman They are being held in connection with the deaths of two men Their bodies were found along the shoreline in Hirogawa bound at the wrist to one another by a microphone cord around 2008 the men discovered Hamada’s website which advertised mystical consultations about personal problems After the men became acquainted with Hamada Osaka police believe she gained significant influence over them and convinced them to commit suicide by drowning Investigative sources said Hamada told the two men to kill themselves to cleanse all evil from the people they knew An autopsy concluded that the two men died of drowning The Wakayama prefectural police that handled the case found no evidence of foul play and determined the deaths were suicides the case took a turn in May 2024 when an Osaka man consulted local police He claimed to have been extorted by Hamada after she read his fortune He also told police that Hamada was involved in the deaths of two men in Wakayama Osaka police launched an investigation after consulting the Wakayama police about the two deaths in 2020 Osaka police arrested Hamada and three others on suspicion of extorting the Osaka man Hamada was indicted on March 11 on the extortion charge due to suspicions that she threatened the Osaka man into giving her his entire life savings—about 80 million yen ($540,000) Hamada told police that she and the Tokyo woman had gone to the Hirogawa shore with the two drowned men—planning that all four of them would die in the sea together The Tokyo woman told police that she had obeyed Hamada’s instructions and took the two men to the shore Osaka police believe Hamada had convinced all three to obey her without question Investigative sources said the man in his 60s who died in Wakayama was a devout believer in Hamada’s fortunetelling and had given her not only his salary but the gains from the sale of real estate he had inherited from his parents Hamada is also suspected of conspiring with a 47-year-old Osaka woman to fake that man’s suicide note and submit it to the Wakayama police to cover up her role in the two deaths Hamada and her accomplice have been arrested on suspicion of falsifying personal documents in the course of the extortion investigation Hamada told Osaka police that she faked the suicide note to “disguise her actions” regarding the two dead men in Wakayama The Wakayama prefectural police told The Asahi Shimbun that its investigation following the deaths of the two men was conducted appropriately (This article was written by Satoshi Tazoe and Tomoki Miyasaka.) 2 young men say they touched DJ Soda but meant no harm Ex-child actor now suspected of murdering Tokyo couple Abducted woman rescued; suspect tied to other home invasions Fan says she groped and kissed DJ Soda at Osaka event Man arrested on suspicion of murder for life insurance money WAKAYAMA—Wakayama prefectural police announced on Nov 5 that a body found off the coast of the Kada district in Wakayama has been identified as missing 21-year-old German student Claudio Worm The cause of death remains unknown after a forensic autopsy due to decomposition The prefectural police are investigating both the possibility of a criminal case and an accident a man called the Wakayama Coast Guard Office and reported “Someone is drifting face up off the coast of Isonoura,” at around 2:50 p.m The Coast Guard office conducted a forensic autopsy on Nov 2 and concluded the estimated date of death was early October 21 for sightseeing and arrived in Wakayama Prefecture on Sept his father contacted the Wakayama prefectural police through his friend who lives in Japan Prefectural police released a photo of Worm and asked for information from the public on Oct Worm’s suitcase was found in a coin locker at JR Wakayama Station on Oct Police confirmed that he came to the station alone on Oct 10 based on footage from security cameras around the station His passport was found in a bathroom located at a riverbed near Wakayamashi Station His phone was discovered on a bridge over the Kinokawa river Sources: Widow contacted drug dealer before husband’s death Widow accused of using drugs to murder ‘Don Juan of Kishu’ Report: Police falsified records about man who died in detention Teen arrested on suspicion of hitting girl prior to a deadly arson Yokohama High School defeated Chiben Gakuen Wakayama High School 11-4 to rise to the top among the nation’s high school baseball teams on Sunday It is the first win in 19 years for the school in the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya Yokohama scored six runs in the sixth inning to pull away from Chiben Wakayama DAN DA DAN is set to be one of the most exciting premieres of the fall season The story follows high schoolers Momo Ayase a boy who is extremely into aliens and whom Momo nicknames Okarun the two begin to argue about whether aliens exist or ghosts exist and challenge each other to venture out into places where either aliens or ghosts are claimed to visit The result is the both of them encountering paranormal activity that neither of them would have ever expected to find launching them into a journey to challenge and contend with paranormal forces We had the opportunity to watch episode 1 during Anime Expo and found it to be an incredible premiere doing everything a first episode is meant to do and instantly capturing the attention of the audience we also got to interview two of the people that made such a spectacular premiere possible in the first place: Fuga Yamashiro This came in different forms for each of our two guests; a director has to think about the form and presentation of the genres as they exist on screen while a voice actor needs to think about how they weave responses and engagement with those genres into the voice they present for a character I asked both how they incorporate different genres related to the occult into their roles Wakayama-san explained her perspective on how Momo encounters these shifting and varied genres.Wakayama-san: As Momo whether it was aliens or ghosts didn’t really matter It was just something that was threatening to her “I just have to defeat them.” Now that I look back at it she was remembering her grandma a little bit more she’s not clearly understanding what exactly is attacking her I think she tends to lean on Okarun to interpret what is attacking her she really comes up with a strategy on how to defeat them quickly I wanted to dive into one of the most visually spectacular aspects of DAN DA DAN Science SARU did a fantastic job bringing these often flashy and always solid action scenes to life The animation style is distinct with a lot of very quick movements I wanted to ask Director Yamashiro-san about the direction during action scenes and scenes with a lot of movement as well as what he was focused on during those.Yamashiro-san: I wanted to create something that the readers would probably want to see — what they saw in the manga — and try to recreate that and keep the dynamic panels as interesting as possible What manga’s strength is that it can show huge panels and then have smaller panels on the next page you can’t do that; it has to be in a certain frame within the restrictions of an animation frame how to make those distinct changes from panel to panel into an animation But I also wanted to naturally connect the panels because I think the manga omits some things since there’s no movement in manga So then we tried to fill in the blanks between the manga panels to make it so the viewers could watch it more smoothly we do try to recreate the manga as much as possible So we wanted to make sure we showcased every single important scene in the best way possible And that goes both for action scenes and even everyday the biggest impact is when they have a widespread It’s really like a “boom!” But when you look at a manga what leads up to the spread is smaller panels So then I really thought about how I would recreate that in animation I think it was really the tempo of the scenes that lead to the big thing and then that big reveal that would recreate the moment someone would read the big spread in a manga The good thing about anime is that you can control the timing and how much time a scene would have and how many cuts there would be I really tried to adjust that to make sure the reveal at the end would be impactful We’d like to thank both Fuga Yamashiro and Shion Wakayama for taking the time to speak with us during Anime Expo Dan Da Dan is set to premiere with a 3-episode theatrical release (titled Dan Da Dan: First Encounter) in North American theaters on September 13th ahead of the series’ official debut in October conventions such as Anime NYC will be hosting screenings of the first episode ahead of even the theatrical release.© Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA/DANDADAN Production Committee A Tale of the Secret Saint is officially getting a TV anime adaptation with Shion Wakayama leading the voice cast Details regarding the studio or staff were not revealed.The main voice cast for the anime includes: The illustrator of the light novel shared a special illustration for the announcement A Tale of the Secret Saint is getting an anime adaptation This is all thanks to the readers who have continued to support the series I’m looking forward to seeing Fia and the others move and talk on screen I’m thrilled to share this wonderful news with everyone!Chibi (Original Illustrator)Congratulations on the anime adaptation I’ve always thought that this bright and fun story would suit the anime medium perfectly It’s an honor to be involved in such a fantastic work It has been a joy working on this manga adaptation and I’m thrilled to see this wonderful story brought to life as an anime I can’t stop imagining how different scenes will move and sound I will continue to put my all into the manga adaptation!Shiina (Spin-Off Manga Artist)Congratulations on the anime adaptation Fans have been eagerly waiting for this news I’m excited to see how the world of A Tale of the Secret Saint is portrayed in animation with all the unique expressions the medium allows Fia stands out because of her unusual traits I’ll do my best to portray the lovely and lively Fia as naturally as possible!Shinnosuke Tokudome (Zabiria’s Voice Actor)Zabiria is a very high-ranking figure but he shows a different side when interacting with Fia Fia’s cheerful and ever-changing emotions are one of the series’ biggest charms and I can’t wait to see how they’re brought to life in the anime I’ll give my all in playing Savis!Nobunaga Shimazaki (Cyril Sutherland’s Voice Actor)Fia as the ‘Reincarnated Great Saintess,’ naturally pulls people into her orbit Cyril is one of those caught up in her energy military helicopters made an emergency landing here due to a mechanical problem before departing several hours later A resident reported to police and firefighters around 8:50 a.m on July 28 that helicopters landed along the Kinokawa river Two large helicopters and a smaller one were found on a dry riverbed which is located near the city government office according to the municipal fire department A crew member told a firefighter that one aircraft experienced trouble but no one was injured adding that the helicopters could take off in about 30 minutes The firefighter communicated with the crew member through an online translation program There was a report that a warning light was on inside an aircraft The helicopters left the site by around 11 a.m Police temporarily closed a road along the riverbed to traffic “We heard a loud helicopter noise and wondered what was going on,” a police official said German police search for a lion suspected to be on the loose on the edge of Berlin Symbolic search for 6 missing in Hokkaido boat tragedy last year Korea launches search for rescue workers missing in floods after boats capsize 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 Wakayama Prefectural Police said on Monday that a 21-year-old German university student who was visiting Wakayama City Police are appealing to the public for any information on Claudio Worm believing he may have been involved in an accident or crime security camera footage showed him walking alone near Nankai Wakayama City Station in Higashikuramae-cho Anyone with any information about Worm is asked to call the Wakayama Prefectural Police Personal Safety Division (073-423-0110) or Wakayama Nishi Police Station (073-424-0110) I read about this on FB (Japan Expat Network) Japan doesn’t have a good track record of finding foreigners who go missing But unfortunately the passport and phone suggests foul play if you are the criminal victimizing Claudio Worm where would you hide the person body in Wakayama within 3-5 km from the last place of his known presence Please be sensitive with your comments: foreign media outlets are fairly few and far between in Japan and there is a high chance his family and friends may be reading this article Pretty sure the thoughts and prayers of all the foreign community are with him and his family proactively there is little we can do other than share this type of article on our social medias etc Most people here have emphasis and cannot consider the possible impact their comments have If indeed a crime occurred it suggests multiple attackers passport and mobile phone were found in a multi-purpose toilet  walking alone near Nankai Wakayama City Station Was the multipurpose toilet near the station I also read about him and that he disappeared but his passport and mobile phone were found in a multi-purpose toilet Since 11th October nothing else is known about him There is a large river (Kinokawa) not far from the other side of the railway station and also sport facilities and a park with a multi-purpose toilet are there and a bridge over the river for pedestrians only I doubt however he will go there at 8:30 PM I am sure police did a search in this wide park area along the river already I have no idea what could have happened to him Hope for a safe return for this German citizen indeed but with personal belongings found in a public toilet Who would want to abduct a German tourist and why is a vibrant and historic event held annually on July 14th at the Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine in Wakayama Prefecture This Shinto ritual involves participants carrying twelve massive flaming torches down a steep path to the sacred Nachi Waterfall symbolizing the purification of the route taken by the shrine’s deities representing one of the shrine’s twelve deities is an impressive 50 kilograms and burns intensely lighting up the night in a spectacular display of devotion and tradition known for its dramatic and spiritual atmosphere draws numerous spectators who come to witness this unique blend of fire and faith amidst the lush natural scenery of Nachi Mountain It serves as a profound reminder of Japan’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring connection between the natural and spiritual worlds An overview of the day’s proceedings can be seen here (Japanese) board the Kumno Kotsu Bus and alight at ‘Jinja/Otera Chushajo’ Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan WAKAYAMA — Someiyoshino cherry blossoms have begun blooming in Wakayama according to the Wakayama Local Meteorological Office announced Wednesday The blossoms are expected to reach full bloom in about a week to nine days Meteorological Office staff announced that five to six or more flowers had bloomed on the specimen tree in the grounds of Kimiidera temple in Wakayama confirming the official start of the flowering season the subsequent warm spell since March 20 is believed to have kept the blooming season relatively on schedule A 65-year-old Japanese man and his 61-year-old wife expressed their joy at seeing Japanese cherry blossoms for the first time in about 40 years during a temporary return to Japan WAKAYAMA—A rare event to explore the underwater world of Wakayama Castle’s moat took place here on Oct 5 as volunteers and city officials lowered the water level allowed for a closer examination of the moat’s inhabitants and the castle’s underwater structures The project involved draining approximately 9,400 square meters of the moat With the water depth reduced by about 1 meter from the usual 1.5 to 2 meters 120 volunteers collected more than 100 carp and 20 mullet crucian carp and invasive species such as bluegill and red-eared sliders “Carrying the meter-long fish was quite a challenge,” said Yuki Tamaki with small shrimp jumping up as I walked,” Tamaki said a curator at the Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History was particularly excited to discover Japanese pond turtle a native species that has become increasingly rare in recent years “It’s likely that these turtles have been breeding and living in the moat for generations,” Kaji explained “I was also surprised to find fewer invasive species than expected and the abundance of small creatures suggests that the food chain isn’t severely disrupted We hope to maintain the moat as a habitat for a diverse range of aquatic life.” The drained moat also revealed a significant historical discovery: a large quantity of roof tiles believed to date to the Edo Period (1603-1867) likely from turrets and earthen walls that once stood atop the stone walls had apparently fallen into the moat over time while Edo Period tiles have been found at the site before the ones discovered this time are particularly well-preserved due to having been submerged in water the city’s castle management team conducted an investigation of the stone walls involving both ground visual inspections and 3-D photogrammetry using drones The data gathered will be essential for assessing the feasibility of a planned reconstruction project of turrets on the stone walls the team also identified several carved markings on the stone walls Although the exact purpose of these markings remains unclear two identical carvings of a circle with a skewer were discovered on the cornerstones of different sections of the wall “This was an excellent opportunity to examine the stone walls up close,” said Ryosuke Oyama “We discovered differences in the construction methods between the upper and lower layers which could provide clues about the construction period and any subsequent modifications,” he said Hideyoshi castle ruins in Kyoto called ‘discovery’ of this century Ruins found of Hideyoshi’s ‘fabled castle’ leveled by quake Stone wall found at site of Akechi Mitsuhide’s ‘phantom’ castle Technology helping rebuild fallen Kumamoto Castle walls Powerful quake raises nightmare specter of 2011 disaster Genshin Impact announced on the 5.3 official livestream that Shion Wakayama is voicing the latest 4-star character Lan Yan Lan Yan is an upcoming playable anemo catalyst-user.Lan Yan will debut in the second phase featured on the limited Arlecchino and Clorinde banners she can be obtained for free during the ‘Lantern-Lit Gathering’ event where players can invite one 4-star character from Liyue The first phase will feature the limited banners of Mavuika and Citlali.Anna Devlin voices Lan Yan in English Also read:Genshin Impact Cheater Forced to Pay $1.5 Million for Copyright InfringementHu Tao Covers Zenless Zone Zero’s “Burning Desires” Metrics details Central blood pressure (BP) is more strongly associated with cardiovascular events than brachial BP Few studies have described age-related changes in central BP in the general Japanese population This study aimed to provide reference values for central BP parameters according to the age and sex using data from 2964 participants aged 40–89 years (mean age: 60 years) who had no history of overt cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease and had not received antihypertensive The central aortic pressure waveform was measured noninvasively by pulse wave analysis using the SphygmoCor XCEL operating system and augmentation pressure (AP) exhibited a curvilinear relationship with age with men having significantly higher cSBP but lower cPP and AP than women (cSBP: 132 mmHg vs and AP were determined for each 5-year age group using the LMS method Multiple regression analyses showed that age-standardized z-scores for cSBP and AP were significantly associated with hypertension this study provides age- and sex-specific percentiles of central BP parameters in middle-aged and older Japanese adults These reference values allow a more accurate interpretation of results and may be useful for diagnosis and management of hypertension in clinical practice and for risk stratification in population studies Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout The datasets used and/or analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request Reference values for arterial measurements collaboration establishing reference values for central blood pressure and its amplification in a general healthy population and according to cardiovascular risk factors American Heart Association Council on Hypertension Recommendations for improving and standardizing vascular research on arterial stiffness: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Central pressure more strongly relates to vascular disease and outcome than does brachial pressure: the strong heart study Central but not brachial blood pressure predicts cardiovascular events in an unselected geriatric population: the ICARe Dicomano Study Arterial wave reflections and incident cardiovascular events and heart failure: MESA (Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) Central blood pressure and chronic kidney disease Central blood pressure: current evidence and clinical importance Non-invasive estimation of aortic blood pressures: a close look at current devices and methods Estimation of central aortic blood pressure: a systematic meta-analysis of available techniques Estimation of central aortic pressure waveform features derived from the brachial cuff volume displacement waveform Age dependency of peripheral and central systolic blood pressures: cross-sectional and longitudinal observations in a Chinese population Overall and abdominal obesity indicators had different association with central arterial stiffness and hemodynamics independent of age and lipids in Chinese community-dwelling adults Reference values of office central blood pressure and augmentation index recorded by means of the Mobil-O-Graph PWA monitor Reference values for the arterial pulse wave in Chinese Reference values of central blood pressure and central haemodynamic parameters and their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors in a Spanish population: early vascular ageing study Distribution of central blood pressure values estimated by Omron HEM-9000AI in the Japanese general population Assessment of lung cancer risk among smokers for whom annual screening is not recommended Validation of the transfer function technique for generating central from peripheral upper limb pressure waveform Suleman R, Padwal R, Hamilton P, Senthilselvan A, Alagiakrishnan K. Association between central blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and mild cognitive impairment. Clin Hypertens. 2017;23:2 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40885-016-0058-5 Reliability of oscillometric central blood pressure and central systolic loading in individuals over 50 years: effects of posture and fasting Smoothing referee centile curves: the LMS method and penalized likelihood Central pulse pressure and aortic stiffness determine renal hemodynamics: pathophysiological implication for microalbuminuria in hypertension Different effects of vascular aging on ischemic predisposition in healthy men and women Age dependency of central and peripheral systolic blood pressures: cross-sectional and longitudinal observations in European populations Wave reflection in the systemic circulation and its implications in ventricular function Contours of pressure and flow waves in arteries Association between pulse pressure and body mass index in hypertensive and normotensive populations in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V Comparative effects of aging in men and women on the properties of the arterial tree Sex differences in sympathetic neural and limb vascular reactivity to mental stress in humans Gender differences of aortic wave reflection and influence of menopause on central blood pressure in patients with arterial hypertension Gender differences in artery wall biomechanical properties throughout life Aortic pulse wave velocity in healthy children and adolescents: reference values for the Vicorder device and modifying factors Anglo-Cardiff Collaborative Trial Investigators Central pressure: variability and impact of cardiovascular risk factors: the Anglo-Cardiff Collaborative Trial II Aortic stiffness is associated with visceral adiposity in older adults enrolled in the study of health Insulin’s acute effects on glomerular filtration rate correlate with insulin sensitivity whereas insulin’s acute effects on proximal tubular sodium reabsorption correlate with salt sensitivity in normal subjects Effect of experimental hyperinsulinemia on sympathetic nervous system activity in the rat Vascular smooth muscle cell growth and insulin regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in hypertension Increased aortic wave reflection and smaller pulse pressure amplification in smokers and passive smokers confirmed by urinary cotinine levels: the Nagahama Study Synergistic effect of smoking and blood pressure on augmentation index in men Impact of statin therapy on central aortic pressures and hemodynamics: principal results of the Conduit Artery Function Evaluation-Lipid-Lowering Arm (CAFE-LLA) Study Download references The Wakayama Health Promotion Study (The Wakayama Study) was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (JSPS KAKENHI): grant numbers (C)25350894 and by the Japan Science and Technology Agency: grant numbers JPMJCE1302 and JPMJPF2210 The authors independently designed and analyzed this study None of the aforementioned funding sources played a role in the study design Graduate School of Health and Nursing Science MA contributed to study design and manuscript revision The authors declare no competing interests This study was conducted in accordance with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its amendments or equivalent ethical standards This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Wakayama Medical University (approval no All participants signed an informed consent form after the study objectives and experimental procedures were explained Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-024-01999-8 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article A 21-year-old German university student who came to Japan in September to go sightseeing has gone missing in Wakayama Prefecture with family members saying they haven't heard from him since Oct Police said Claudio Worm entered the country on Sept Worm was last seen in Tokyo before heading to Wakayama on Sept Police are investigating whether he visited other locations before heading to Wakayama.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Worm was last seen wearing a black backpack a black long-sleeved shirt and light-colored sneakers He exchanged travel photos with his mother via social media before communications stopped a Japanese friend of Worm’s father contacted the Wakayama Prefectural Police expressing concern that Worm had not returned to Germany in time for the start of the school term prompting police to launch an investigation A missing persons report was officially filed on Oct Security camera footage showed a man believed to be Worm visiting Wakayama on Sept he was seen on a security camera near Nankai Electric Railway’s Wakayamashi Station Worm’s passport and cellphone were found in a public restroom along the Kinokawa River “Worm had reservations to stay at a non-contact-type accommodation facility meaning he could have stayed there without interacting with staff,” according to a spokesperson for the prefectural police Although there have been no witnesses who saw him staying there Wakayama police are asking people to contact their department at 073-423-0110 (Japanese only) if they have information on the case Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division.