Today's print edition Home Delivery Before I even got in the taxi in front of Yaizu Station googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); “At this time of day, I can guess a customer is either having lunch at Chakaiseki Onjaku or Chisou Nishi Kenichi,” she says as we pull away from the taxi rank In recent years, Yaizu, a fishing port on the western shore of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture, has quietly become a gourmet hotspot. Indeed, The Japan Times Destinations Restaurant team was here in 2022, when we featured the refined seafood fare of Chakaiseki Onjaku Suruga Bay has long been famous for its seafood it’s Japan’s deepest bay with waters enriched by volcanic minerals from the Fuji and Oi rivers These nutrients feed the abundant plankton that attract over 1,000 species of fish and make Suruga a prized fishing ground Much of Yaizu’s current appeal as a dining destination can be attributed to one local fish shop in particular: Sasue Maeda its fifth-generation owner and a legend among chefs for his exceptional fish selection and handling practices But Maeda doesn’t just sell fish — he has actually changed how local fishermen and chefs work guiding the former toward better techniques and handpicking which fish to present to chefs based on their cooking styles several local chefs — dubbed “Team Sasue” online — gather at Maeda’s store to receive the best of the day’s catch deciding who gets what fish with a friendly game of rock-paper-scissors who moved from Hiroshima to Yaizu to be closer to Sasue Maeda When a chef relocates to be within walking distance of his favorite fishmonger Nishi is modest when discussing why he became a chef I’d always loved eating and had the vague idea that working with food might be nice,” says Nishi Nishi began working in local eateries where he learned to cook the food he loved an unpretentious French restaurant in the Akasaka neighborhood where he first learned to make a classic fish pie — a version of which is now Nishi’s specialty he went to Paris for a year where he trained at L’Office a restaurant started by young chefs who wanted to create something casual This was part of the “bistronomy” trend of the time and clearly influenced the relaxed atmosphere Nishi brings to his own place Nishi first met Maeda in 2013 while working in Hiroshima He had just returned from France and wanted to learn more about the handling of fish Feeling that Japanese cuisine was more meticulous with seafood than French cuisine he found a job at the high-end kaiseki (haute Japanese cuisine) restaurant Chisou Sottakuito under chef Hisamasa Hirano Nishi went out on his own and opened Chisou 2924 in Hiroshima but the budding chef felt that it wasn’t until the third year after opening that he could do justice to Maeda’s fish — one of which made a particular impression on Nishi the mochiuma-gatsuo (a type of bonito prepared by Maeda) was shockingly exceptional — unlike any fish I’d ever tasted,” says Nishi “But when I visited Yaizu for the first time and had a meal at Simples (run by chef Yasuhiko Inoue) I was surprised how different the bonito tasted The bonito sent to Hiroshima takes about a day and a half to arrive whereas the one at Simples was caught in the afternoon and served that same evening it sparked my desire to work with fish of the same freshness.” and my lunch begins with a simple soup of grilled summer corn drizzled with smoked pumpkinseed oil fried in a French-style batter but cooked in refined taihaku sesame oil the flesh retains its moisture without dripping unlike any ebodai you’ll have tasted before.” Nishi gives more detail on why Maeda’s fish are in such demand “(The fishermen Maeda works with) use fixed-net fishing where hundreds of kilos of fish are usually pulled up at once the fishermen go to the nets before pulling them up and use a small net called a tamo to hand-pick the most vigorous swimmers for Maeda “These fish are then placed in a tank on the boat Maeda is waiting with large tanks of seawater matched to the sea’s temperature and salinity This is why the quality of the fish from the same fixed-net catch can be completely different.” The raw aji (horse mackerel) that Nishi serves next is further proof of that quality Marinated in sanshō pepper oil and soy sauce topped with finely chopped red onions and dressed in a French-style vinaigrette the portion is cut thicker than carpaccio (or sashimi) normally would be “We want guests to enjoy cutting it themselves — to highlight the texture and in turn the umami of the fish,” says Nishi but with a knife and fork you experience something new The bounce-back in the texture is remarkable.” It had none of the fishy smell I normally associate with aji I don’t believe I would have picked it as aji “When we opened the fish’s belly at morning prep we found sakura shrimp inside,” explains Nishi which makes the fish really nutritious and incredibly delicious.” typical Japanese aromas fill Nishi’s kitchen The unmistakable scent of warayaki (straw grilling) lingers as he cooks squid and suma-gatsuo (mackerel tuna) which is served both raw as sashimi and grilled the contrasting textures highlighting the natural flavor of the fish Nishi follows this with the most amazingly soft and flaky kinmedai (splendid alfonsino) I have ever tasted Perched atop cucumber “noodles” in an umami-rich broth the kinmedai’s bright orange skin gleams against tender and moist white meat “Kinmedai are deep-sea fish, and not many survive the ascent (when caught),” he says. “But the ones that do are prepared with shinkeijime (a killing technique that stops the nervous system immediately after the fish is caught) Nishi works in front of his guests at the eight-seat counter Watching him make his famous fish pie is a treat as he deftly wraps discs of thin dough around portions of fish bundled inside leaves of hakusai (napa cabbage) with onion and shiso (perilla) He then quickly bakes the pies at a high temperature steamed inside the cabbage without leaking into the pastry The individual pies are served with a sauce made from a seafood broth and slicing into the crispy pastry to discover what’s inside is a delight an eel-like fish that is in season and thrives in Suruga Bay the main meal wraps up with a rice dish in the form of a bouillabaisse risotto before two simple desserts arrive The bouillabaisse is made with offcuts of all the fish that appeared in today's meal This is Nishi’s nod to the Provencal fish soup from Marseille that he felt would suit Yaizu’s similar history as a fishing port — an elegant way to end an eye-opening experience With fish at this level of freshness and flavor I almost wonder if I can ever enjoy fish outside Yaizu again 4-8-9 Nishiogawa, Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture 425-0036; instagram.com/chisou_nishikenichi; omakase (chef's choice) course from ¥16,500 Destination Restaurants is an annual list of the best restaurants in Japan selected by Japanese experts with international diners in mind 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 Visiting Yaizu gives further insights into Patrick Lafcadio Hearn’s (life) stories Patrick Lafcadio Hearn Yaizu in Shizuoka Prefecture every summer after a first stay there in 1897 and spent his last summers there He occupied the floor of a fishmonger Otokichi-san's house during his stay Yaizu is associated with Hearn’s four sketches – (焼津にてAT YAIDZU; 乙吉のだるまOTOKICHI'S DARUMA;  漂流 DRIFTING; and 海辺 BESIDE THE SEA) On his way to research visits in Hamamatsu Dr Kodate visited the memorial museum which was opened in 2007 in the seaside town of Yaizum Find more information on the website: (opens in a new window)https://www.city.yaizu.lg.jp/museum/yakumo/index.html Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Shizuoka Prefecture--Allegations of systemic corruption in the fishing industry have rocked this port city which boasts the country’s top haul of bonito Locals in the central Japan city say they feel betrayed because the suspects were engaged in dodgy dealings of bonito A worker at a fishermen’s cooperative and former executives of a marine food processing company were among those indicted on charges of stealing tons of a bonito catch Some industry sources said such illegal practices have a long tradition in Yaizu nets carrying frozen bonito are moved by crane from fishing boats onto conveyor belts at Yaizu Port the fish are placed on different pallets before being shipped to a marketplace During this work process earlier this year some of the bonito were illegally rerouted Shizuoka prefectural police arrested seven individuals on suspicion of theft: three workers with the Yaizu fishermen’s cooperative including one who quit the job; two former executives with Yaizu-based marine food processing company Kaneshin JKS; and two workers with a shipping agent a 60-year-old former president of Kaneshin JKS a 40-year-old worker with the fishermen’s cooperative The remaining two suspects were released without indictment The five are accused of conspiring to steal 4.4 tons of frozen bonito at the cooperative’s Gaiko (outer port) fish market on Feb according to the indictment and other sources Frozen bonito are customarily measured and auctioned off by the fishermen’s cooperative after being carried into a marketplace The fish are then moved to warehouses outside the cooperative’s grounds with the names of the winning bidders and other information shown clearly on each pallet The two shipping agency workers are believed to have bypassed the measurement process and taken the stolen frozen bonito to a warehouse a section chief in charge of the Gaiko fish market Investigators said the stolen fish were likely processed into cat food and other products and then sold Yoshida and others received around 100,000 yen as a reward from Yoshiyuki Okuyama a 47-year-old former managing director with Kaneshin JKS who has been indicted in the case ‘HAUL ENDS UP SMALLER WHEN LANDED AT YAIZU’ Yaizu Port accounts for 47 percent of Japan’s total haul of bonito about triple the figure for runner-up Makurazaki Port in Kagoshima Prefecture and is also located conveniently for distribution An expressway interchange is only about 10 minutes away and deep-freeze warehouses and processing plants abound near the city’s fishing port “Yaizu became the seat of more and more facilities of the sort because physical distribution is less costly here than at other ports which helps keep unit prices low,” said an official with the fisheries promotion division of the city government Yaizu’s dried bonito is presented every year to the imperial household and restaurants in the city hold a fair of bonito dishes in spring and autumn “The damage done to our reputation is so hard to bear,” said a shopkeeper in the Yaizu Sakana Center (“sakana” is Japanese for fish) where many stores dealing in marine products are located One indignant fisherman said: “It takes us days to go out to sea I just can’t forgive what those people did.” He voiced particular anger over the suspected involvement of the fishermen’s cooperative workers A worker in the marine food processing industry also said dismissively “The fishermen’s cooperative has lost its credibility.” suggested the theft was not an isolated incident “There was rumor for some time that your haul ends up smaller when you have it landed at Yaizu,” the official said A senior official with the fishermen’s cooperative went further “There were other illegal and more extensive practices than the act that led to the indictments,” the senior official said several other marine product companies have consulted prefectural police about possible thefts the fishermen’s cooperative has dispatched security guards and started checking the freight on trucks An inhouse investigative panel that includes a lawyer will interview all 120 or so cooperative workers and compile a report by the end of November at the earliest The Yaizu fishermen’s cooperative has concluded a separate investigation into the long-standing practice of cooperative auctioneers giving free bonito to brokers without the permission of shipowners Bonito can lose their freshness if they take longer to freeze if brokers complained about the freshness of the fish unmeasured bonito from the next haul as compensation without informing the shipowners That practice started a very long time ago The document called the compensatory practice “inappropriate,” although it said the top echelons of the cooperative were not aware of it The cooperative apologized to the shipowners and said it was willing to pay settlement money 19 because some shipowners are calling for a reinvestigation “What happened shouldn’t have been allowed although we were not aware of it as an organization,” a cooperative representative said (This article was written by Takuya Yamazaki Fishermen: Water decision ruins 10 years of rebuilding efforts Oil fences set up on Izu isles to block waves of volcanic pumice EDITORIAL: Saury catch quota should be slashed further to restore depleted stocks Talks start to protect Indian Ocean’s depleting tuna EDITORIAL: Local residents should play lead role in disaster reconstruction 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 Shares of Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) gained more than 2% to 1,720 yen by close today after the company announced that construction of new manufacturing lines for aseptic drug products utilizing new modalities and technologies has commenced at Yaizu Technology Center of Astellas Pharma Tech Work on the commercial production line for antibody drugs has started today and the construction of the manufacturing line for clinical trial materials is scheduled to begin in July 2021 The total cost of construction is around 18 billion yen ($173.4 million) Astellas will expand manufacturing capabilities for aseptic drug products to reinforce stable production for global supply and to accelerate the development and commercialization of new drugs by the new lines The Yaizu Technology Center currently mainly manufactures solid preparations of both commercial drug products and clinical trial materials The new aseptic drug product manufacturing lines will be newly installed for commercial antibody drugs and clinical trial materials in the existing buildings TwitterLinkedin Copyright © The Pharma Letter 2025   |   Headless Content Management with Blaze By Ken Marantz JAPAN (October 16) -- As Risako KINJO stood on the top of the medal podium It was not for the victory in her return to the mat after 14 months but for that other part of her life that had kept her to stay away so willingly She had caught sight of her mother in the stands across the gym holding Kinjo's 5-month-old daughter in her arms and waving the infant's hand in her direction "There have been so many people supporting me and that's what allowed me to take the mat today," she said she is still known by her maiden name KAWAI under which she won a second straight Olympic title by capturing the women's 57kg gold at the Tokyo Games in August 2021 Much had changed in her life since that triumph at Makuhari Messe arena her name notwithstanding through the marriage to former wrestler Kiryu KINJO But as the three-time world champion showed on Sunday her desire and talent for the sport have not altered in the slightest A post shared by 川井梨紗子 risako kawai kinjo (@risako_kawai) Kinjo returned to competition by cruising to the 59kg senior title at the Japan Women's Open, winning three matches without surrendering a point in Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, about 200 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. "There's a feeling of relief, but also I wish I had a few more matches," said the 27-year-old Kinjo, who capped her golden run with a 9-0 victory in the final over national collegiate silver medalist Miyu NAKANISHI. "It felt like the three matches were over before I knew it." Kinjo said she had butterflies in her stomach at the start, but actually welcomed that feeling as in reminded her of old times. "I was really nervous before my first match," she said. "After that there wasn't much time between matches. But it's like there was something nostalgic about the nervousness. After it was over, looking back I thought, 'That was fun.'" Risako KINJO gets 2 with a counter-lift in the 59kg final against Miyu NAKANISHI (photo by Japan Wrestling Federation) Kinjo, who had a bye into the quarterfinals, opened with a victory by fall in 51 seconds over Mizuki NAKAHORI. Kinjo did not have to attack, as she spun behind off a Nakahori shot, executed a pair of gut wrenches, then used a leg lock and reverse half-nelson for the fall. In her semifinal match against Himeka HASEGAWA, Kinjo maintained her defensive wall and scored two go-behind takedowns, then scored another with a snap down. From there, a pair of gut wrenches ended the match 10-0 at 1:23. In the final against a defensive-minded Nakanishi, Kinjo took a 3-0 lead into the second period from an activity point and a back-door takedown off a single--off her first shot of the day. But in the second period, Kinjo effectively moved Nakanishi around to set up a low sweeping single, then a shrug-and-go-behind. She added a counter-lift for 2 to make it 9-0. Kinjo's coach Ryo KANEHAMA was impressed with the performance, given the uncertainty going into the tournament. "That she first of all could get so mentally prepared was really big," he said. "She also showed speed. What we were most fearful of was going the full six minutes, but she was able to keep moving like that. Looking at how she started in the morning, she looked in really good shape." For Kinjo, the most unfamiliar moment came when her married name was used in the pre-match announcement for the first time. "When I saw 'Kinjo' on the scoreboard, I was like, 'Oh, right,'" she said. "This is the first tournament that I entered as Kinjo, and I feel honored to have it on the certificate that I received." The couple announced they had tied the knot on Aug. 27, 2021, and Kinjo gave birth to a baby girl in May this year. She said she started working out again at the end of June, and practiced on the mat the following month. As can be imagined, it was not easy. "At first, I couldn't even do calistenics on the mat, or a high bridge," she said. "Parts of my body were really stiff. My legs couldn't react to where my eyes were looking. I thought, this is how much it changes after being away 10 months. It was like watching someone else." Kinjo eventually got back to speed, realizing that the additional burden of raising a child meant changing her approach to training from quantity to quality. "I have a child and she is the No. 1 priority," Kinjo said. "The amount of practice has been reduced. Before, my time was all mine; now more time is spent on the child. I don't know how much less I'm doing, but to me, it's of a better quality." Living with her husband in Fukui Prefecture in western Japan, where he is coach at Tsuruga Kehi High School, presents a challenge for Kawai. She takes advantage of every opportunity for a practice spot--sometimes it's with the high schoolers, other times she might head to Tokyo or Aichi Prefecture to train with younger sister Yukako, the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist at 62kg. Everywhere she goes, she is fortunate to have someone to help out with the baby. In Fukui, Tsuruga has a kids club and sometimes the mother of one of the team members will look after the child. In Tokyo, she knows she can always leave her with her mother, Hatsue, a national team member during her career who almost unfailingly attends all of her daughters' matches. That support system has allowed Kinjo to join the ever-growing number of Japanese female athletes who are continuing careers after childbirth, which only a few decades ago would have been unheard of. Most noticeable was Ryoko TANI, who won a fourth Olympic medal in judo after giving birth. Risako KINJO, center, smiles on the medal podium. (photo by Japan Wrestling Federation) Kinjo became the latest high-profile wrestler to use the Japan Women's Open as the first stepping stone in a return to the sport. It is actually a second-tier tournament with age groups that for senior wrestlers, is a last-chance event to qualify for the All-Japan Championships in December. Kinjo's only previous appearance was in the junior high school division in 2008. Previously, 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA appeared at the 2017 tournament as her first competition after undergoing foot surgery, and the legendary Kaori ICHO competed in 2018, having taken two years off after Rio 2016 in a bid for a fifth Olympic gold that would eventually be thwarted by Kinjo. The question now is, what will Kinjo do from here? The All-Japan in December marks the start of the qualifying process for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which is squarely on Kinjo's radar. It is possible for her to enter at 59kg and later drop down to the Olympic weight of 57kg, or she can go down to the latter now. "It's a secret," she said mischievously. Of course, whether she does it in December or later, Kinjo will almost surely eventually clash heads with rising star Tsugumi SAKURAI, who won the 57kg world title in Kinjo's absence. Kinjo takes an esoteric stance when it comes to the emergence of the 21-year-old Sakurai, who also won the 55kg world title in 2021. "I think it is a good thing for Japan that young wrestlers are being cultivated," Kinjo said. "I don't mean that it would be good for me to lose to them. But for the ones coming up after me, the future is bright. While I keep battling on, the young ones get stronger. They are all rivals, but I think that their getting stronger is a good situation." Yukako KAWAI talks to the media after withdrawing just before her opening match. (photo by Japan Wrestling Federation)Younger sister defaults after injury during warm-up Meanwhile, younger sister Yukako KAWAI was also entered in the tournament, but defaulted her opening match at 62kg after hurting her back while warming up. "It's not such a serious injury, but we thought it was better to be cautious and not risk making it worse," Kawai said. Unlike Risako, Kawai has already faced a domestic usurper to her throne, and lost it. In her first tournament after winning the Tokyo Olympic gold, she returned at the All-Japan Invitational Championships last June, but lost in the final to another rising star, Nonoka OZAKI. Ozaki went on to win the senior world title in Belgrade last month, establishing herself as the one to beat in the race to Paris 2024. "I've been working to fix the mistakes I make in the June match, and this Women's Open was supposed to be a test of how far I have come," Kawai said. "I think I'm rounding into shape." Kawai said she finds motivation in Ozaki's world title run. "I thought she would win the championship," she said. "By winning the title, I think it shows that our domestic matches are the highest level matches in the world. That's motivating me." Another top wrestler who made the trip to Yaizu was world silver medalist Ami ISHII, who won the 68kg title by beating Kokona TAKADA by fall at the first-period buzzer. "The reason I entered this tournament, to put it plainly, was to check my technique," she said. "Also, my pre-match preparation has not been good and I wanted to work on that." In December, Ishii can expect to see a great deal of shifting into the Olympic weight class, with her most notable competition likely to be current 65kg world champion Miwa MORIKAWA. "If I do what I need to do, the confidence will come," Ishii said. "We'll see how much I can progress in the next two months. If I do everything I need to, it will be like insurance, and winning won't be out of the question." United World Wrestling 2025 - All rights reserved SHIZUOKA (Jiji Press) — Japanese fishermen who died after being exposed to radiation from a U.S. hydrogen bomb test in the Pacific were remembered in Shizuoka Prefecture on the 70th anniversary of the incident Friday. In the city of Yaizu, flowers were laid at the tomb of Aikichi Kuboyama, former chief radio operator of the Fukuryu Maru No. 5, who died six months after the explosion at the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 1954. He was among the 23 crew members of the tuna fishing boat exposed to radiation. 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. Just before his death, Kuboyama, then 40, said he hoped he would be the last victim of atomic and hydrogen bombs. Before laying flowers, about 900 people walked about 2 kilometers from JR Yaizu Station to the temple where Kuboyama’s tomb stands, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and for peace. “Hopefully this tomb visit will be an opportunity for many people to get to know the incident,” said Keiko Kawamura, a sister-in-law of Matashichi Oishi, a former crew member of the boat who died at age 87 in 2021. “I hope that Japan will lead efforts to create a world without nuclear weapons for the future of young people,” said Kawamura, 76. In the city of Shizuoka, a rally to mark the incident took place Friday under the auspices of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, or Gensuikyo, and other organizations. In the rally, there was a session on a remark by a former Fukuryu Maru No. 5 crew member saying: “We on board brushed our teeth and washed our bodies all with seawater. We suffered internal radiation exposure every day.” Many of the former crew members of the Fukuryu Maru No. 5 have died because of illnesses including cancer. Only two are still alive. It is believed that many other Japanese fishing boats were also exposed to radiation from U.S. hydrogen bomb tests in the Pacific. Setsuko Shimomoto, 73, of Kochi Prefecture, lost her father who was a crew member of one such ship. For the rally, she sent a video message from the Marshall Islands, where she was visiting. In the message, she said she felt anger when she interacted with local residents who had been forced to evacuate due to the experiments. Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The organizer of a spring sumo tour on Thursday said the sport's governing body requested girls be excluded from taking part in an event in which school-aged children joined wrestlers on the ring. An official of the Japan Sumo Association in charge of the tour held in Shizuoka, central Japan, called the organizer on April 4 and asked that girls be barred from taking part in last Sunday's event, according to the organizer. Earlier this month, the sumo body drew widespread criticism and worldwide attention after a referee demanded female medics leave a sumo ring while they were providing emergency treatment to a local mayor who had collapsed and suffered a stroke. In sumo, the ring, or dohyo as it is known, is regarded as sacred and women are forbidden from entering. The official did not give any reason for the decision, despite girls having participated in events alongside the "Fujisan Shizuoka" tour since 2013. Approximately five girls who are members of sumo clubs in the cities of Shizuoka and Yaizu were planning on participating in this year's event. According to the JSA, it decided last month to only allow male children to take part during a review of the tour plan. "The decision was made in consideration of the safety (of the girls), as we have received opinions from parents and organizers claiming they have been frequently injured," a sumo association official said. Tomohiro Nakajima, 43, who is involved with the Yaizu sumo club, said it was regrettable that the girls have been banned since children of both genders have been training alongside each other at the club for some time. To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox, subscribe here. 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. If you wish to change your message, press 'Cancel' to go back and edit. Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible. Fish Master Naoki Maeda is considered a living legend in Japan where he has left people all over the country salivating from his spectacular fish-fileting techniques.Now Restaurant company Kouen Group in concert with Foodies Trading 956 has joined hands with Japan-based Sasue Maeda fish restaurant to import the finest and freshest fish filleted by Master Maeda directly from Japan The Secret Behind “Umami” Taste During the demonstration at Terrior Ekamai Maeda displayed how he preserves freshness and maximises umami (“deliciousness”) of the fish he serves He applies three Japanese fish-filleting techniques – Ikejime and Dassujime – just after the fish have been caught a traditional tool that looks like a small sickle to sever the flesh between a fish gill and pectoral fin involves inserting a spike quickly and directly into the spinal cord which is usually located beneath the dorsal fin and near the caudal fin to prevent further muscle movement and cease all motion before raising the fish up to allow its blood to flow out The aim of both Ikejime and Shinkejime is to ensure blood is drained from the fish as blood is a source of bacteria that can spoil fish After filleting the fish, Maeda sprinkles Himalayan salt over a wooden board puts the fillets on it and sprinkles them with salt again which uses salt to remove bacteria and absorb water from the fish to bring out its original taste.  his customers – whether they are in Japan or Thailand – receive the tastiest and highest-quality fish available “I am very excited that Thais can now eat first-rate fish without flying to Japan,” said Ittichai Maeda is one of the most famous fish masters in Japan His restaurant, Sasue Maeda, sells fish to both domestic and overseas restaurants, including some with Michelin stars as well as others listed in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Sasue Maeda uses fish from Suruga bay. It is the deepest bay in Japan and brims with natural nutrition and food that enhances the quality of fish. The imported fish will be available for all Thais at Kouen Group’s restaurants, including Ono Sushi and Kouen premium buffet, next year. “I am confident that Kouen Group can bring the best-quality fish from Master Maeda to all famous restaurants across Thailand as we will begin official distribution next year,” added Ittichai. Heavy rains cause flooding in Bangkok and surrounding areas U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City project to sign on June 18 US puts sanctions on Myanmar warlord and militia linked to cyber scams 10 mild quakes recorded in Myanmar, northern and northeastern Thailand on Tuesday BMA clears THB 37 billion Green Line debt; Remaining amount pending legal decisions Yaizu (Japan): Fish Town food market in Yaizu City of Japan has caught the attention of both locals and tourists with its black coloured "squid ink" ice cream the market is usually packed with customers The place has especially seen an increase in the number of residents and tourists after the unique ice cream was introduced While Japan is presently experiencing winter season the chilly climate is not stopping customers from coming to thisice cream shop one of the visitors stated that the spicy squid ink and wasabi taste would make a person's mouth go black Explaining the concept behind the unique ice cream Kazunori Ooishi of Soft Ice Cream Shop said "Soft ice cream is usually white in colour and comes in vanilla flavour This ice cream is black in colour and represents the image of a fish town." "This is why we came up with a combination of the blackness of squid ink and vanilla flavour It was not easy to come up with this tasty flavour" the shop also features soft ice cream in classic flavours including Vanilla For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App. I am a Salafi, and I am not a terrorist EVM Hacking: Poll panel asks Delhi police to lodge FIR against Syed Shuja Vox Populi Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun Bookcases inevitably run out of shelf space over time book owners deal with the situation by selling or giving away surplus volumes or simply letting them pile up on the floor had a different idea: Why not start a library Then he imagined it would be interesting to involve fellow bookworms to share the concept of an “apartment-type” library which everyone agreed would be fun to pursue The result was the birth of a membership library called “Minna no Toshokan Sankaku” in a shopping street in front of a train station in Yaizu Its name implies that this is a library for everyone Every member is referred to as an “owner.” I felt as if I had wandered into someone’s study with multiple bookcases Each bookcase remains the property of its member/owner remodeled from a vacant restaurant that used to serve “oden” hot pot dishes But I realized that would result in filling the space only with books I don’t need anymore,” said Dohi each owner pays 2,000 yen ($17.54) a month and lends their recommended books for free One perk of being an owner is the privilege of tending the store But I believe their real reward lies in getting to know people through their books Borrowers write their reviews on slips of paper and leave them in the books when returning them The encounters between lenders and borrowers lead to lively conversations over books “There is person-to-person communication here whereas silence is expected at public libraries,” noted Mikito Suzuki The library has attracted growing attention and moves to establish similar endeavors It’s a place where you can have fun just thinking what books you would bring there 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 VOX POPULI: Judge a book by its cover by removing the dust jacket AUTHORS ALIVE!: Murakami spins best of Stan Getz while he talks about jazz great EDITORIAL: Teen science projects have potential to stun even the experts AUTHORS ALIVE!: Kawakami’s novels show new sides through bilingual recitals Library devoted to Japan novelist Murakami to open in Tokyo library ship in Hiroshima gets Heritage status Ask a Japanese person which part of Japan they most associate with writer Lafcadio Hearn and they are likely to instantly respond: Matsue Hearn is the man who introduced Japan to the West in the Meiji Period (1868-1912) through books such as "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan." During his 14 years in the country he became a Japanese citizen and even took a Japanese name Matsue is where he lived during his first 15 months in Japan where he wrote some of his most vivid impressions of the country and where he met his Japanese wife Yet Matsue was not the place that Hearn loved most in Japan That honor lies with a less well-known destination: Yaizu in Shizuoka Prefecture Other European writers in Japan — such as Basil Hall Chamberlain — took their vacations at ritzy hotels in hot-spring resort towns such as the historic Fujiya in Hakone Hearn hauled his family no less than six times to what was then a simple Why?googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Matsue built the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum in the writer's honor but Yaizu hosts Japan's other museum devoted to the writer's life Through a series of fascinating displays and exhibits the Yaizu Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum traces Hearn's love of the seaside town he wrote extensively about this temporary home Hearn's writings about Yaizu (which he always spelled "Yaidzu") are collected in the book "Lafcadio Hearn at Yaidzu," which combine his original writings in English and the Japanese translations SHIZUOKA--Theft of bonito have been a common practice among some workers at a fish market in Yaizu according to testimony at a district court here on July 6 a former worker with the fishermen’s cooperative admitted that stealing fish was a longstanding practice at the organization “Thefts have been going on since I joined the cooperative 22 years ago,” he said Yoshida was one of five defendants questioned in court on July 6 Prosecutors indicted the five in November 2021 for conspiring to steal 4.4 tons of frozen bonito at the Yaizu cooperative’s fish market in the city on Feb and the game fish is the pride and joy of the port city Frozen bonito are customarily measured and auctioned off there by the cooperative after being shipped to the market from fishing boats Officials believe two shipping agency workers among the indicted five stole the popular fish by bypassing the measuring process and then moving the frozen bonito to a warehouse when Yoshida became the head of a unit in the sales area at the market in April 2018 a 61-year-old former president of a marine food processing company Yoshida interpreted this remark as meaning “I will be paid a small amount of money for this it’s hard to refuse Shindo’s request,” and took part in the theft “It’s OK because your boss did it (the theft) The cooperative received an anonymous letter in 2020 warning that fish theft was occurring at the fish market being summoned to a meeting room at the organization’s office “I couldn’t be honest and confess (the truth),” he told the court He also revealed to the court that he felt the cooperative wanted to cover up the theft when his boss at the time said to him “I believe this (the theft accused in the letter) is not occurring?” He confessed to the court that even before he became a unit chief in the sales area he suspected that bonito were being stolen “Workers at the market’s sales area were spending their money lavishly and driving flashy cars,” he said He said he knew the thefts were wrong but continued to do so anyway Bonito-loving Yaizu port city infuriated over fish theft scandal VOX POPULI: Library in an apartment setting an idea catching on fast Shop’s fish-trivia ‘nori’ sheets a popular seller in Tohoku region 11-meter dead whale buried in Osaka to retrieve bones in 2 years Competition among salmon farms intensifies in north Japan VOX POPULI: Praying for the return of clams and clammers in southern Kyushu (JR Tokai) canceled all Tokaido Shinkansen services between Tokyo and Nagoya on Aug 30 due to the heavy rain and strong wind caused by Typhoon No For the stretch between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka with approximately two trains per hour in each direction All seats on these trains are unreserved except for those in a few first-class cars Faster Nozomi and Hikari trains will not be in service all services between Mishima and Nagoya have been canceled For the sections between Tokyo and Mishima only Kodama trains will be operated on a reduced service JR Tokai has also warned that there may be further planned suspensions or service disruptions until Sept Although no suspensions are currently scheduled for Sept there is a chance of lengthy service disruptions (JR West) has canceled all Sanyo Shinkansen services between Hiroshima and Hakata on Aug The number of trains operating between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima is significantly reduced and direct connection to the Tokaido Shinkansen has been canceled Services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata will operate with reduced frequency on Aug Direct connections to the Tokaido Shinkansen will be canceled (JR Kyushu) has canceled all services of the Kyushu Shinkansen on Aug The company has announced that the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen will resume services in the afternoon with reduced frequency There have been widespread disruptions for other train networks as well has canceled all of its Romancecar express trains on Aug had canceled 296 domestic flights to and from airports in the Kyushu Chugoku and Kansai regions and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport In response to train cancellations of the Tokaido Shinkansen the airline will fly 10 additional flights to and from Haneda grounded a total of 385 domestic and international flights to and from airports in Kyushu Kansai and other regions scheduled for Aug has announced that the Chuo Expressway has been closed in both directions between the Hachioji Interchange and Hachioji Junction The inbound lane of the Chuo Expressway between Hachioji Junction and Uenohara Interchange is also closed a total of 11 expressway sections were closed Closed sections include the Tomei Expressway between the Shizuoka Interchange and Yaizu Interchange and the Shin-Tomei Expressway between the Shin-Shizuoka Interchange and Fujieda-Okabe Interchange it is anticipated that an additional seven expressway sections will be closed on Aug These sections include the Tomei Expressway between the Yaizu Interchange and Yoshida Interchange and the Shin-Tomei Expressway between the Shin-Fuji Interchange and Shin-Shimizu Junction 10 makes landfall in Kyushu on a northeast path train runs canceled as Japan braces for Typhoon No air services scaled back in Kanto region during typhoon rail traffic halted after Noto earthquakes Asia & World World of the crew members of a Japanese fishing boat inundated by radioactive fallout from a U.S hydrogen bomb test in the 1950s are now deceased so others have taken up the baton to inform the world about what happened It is a sad tale in the history of nuclear testing that is often overshadowed by other events The 23 crew members of the Daigo Fukuryu Maru (Lucky Dragon No were operating in Pacific waters near Bikini Atoll on March 1 when the United States tested a thermonuclear hydrogen device that was 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945 It is said his dying wish was to be the last person to die from a hydrogen bomb A memorial service was held March 1 at a cemetery in Yaizu where Kuboyama is buried another crew member who spent many years talking about his experience and the ill effects it had on his health until he died in 2021 at 87 “I have resolved to pass on what I know within the limits of what I can do,” Kawamura said Another person who has also spoken to college students is Ikuo Sugimura the chairman of a company in Yaizu who was in junior high school when the fishing boat was exposed to radiation so Sugimura frequently visited Kuboyama’s wife to help her respond to letters that poured in from around the nation He and friends from another junior high school began a petition drive to gather signatures calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons Sugimura has joined other company executives as outside lecturers in a program organized by Shizuoka University Sugimura has spoken about the Bikini Atoll incident Sugimura saw the good and bad of what those closely involved went through Some in the community expressed jealousy at the sympathy money the fishing boat crew members received because of their experience Sugimura remembers Suzu going to work at a factory to support her children Sugimura has passed on those experiences to the college students he speaks to “I have a mission as someone who lived through that time in Yaizu,” Sugimura said Others are trying to deal with the declining number of visitors to the Daigo Fukuryu Maru Exhibition Hall in Tokyo’s Koto Ward the wooden fishing boat ended up being abandoned as junk A letter to the editor of The Asahi Shimbun the following year made note of the fate of the fishing boat which led to a campaign to house the vessel in an appropriate facility The number of visitors to the exhibition hall peaked at about 300,000 in fiscal 1992 the museum began streaming on Instagram a virtual journey of the Daigo Fukuryu Maru that retraces its path day by day 70 years ago Another item explains the background to what happened at Bikini Atoll a fourth-year student at Tokyo Gakugei University “We thought about how to pass on to the next generation information as those directly involved gradually leave this world,” Yanagawa said “Even if young people may not be interested in the atomic bomb or nuclear weapons we felt there might be a chance they would show interest in Instagram.” March 1 is a national holiday to remember its own victims of the hydrogen bomb a senator representing an area covering Bikini Atoll touched upon the victims both in her republic and abroad and said “We join collective solidarity to forcibly state the Marshall Islands has no museum to convey what happened 70 years ago But the College of the Marshall Islands held a mini nuclear museum day on Feb 29 where students displayed panels about the history of the hydrogen bomb tests for 67 times and the damage it caused whose grandmother was exposed to the radiation is president of the Nuclear Club at the college She said about the mini nuclear museum day “I felt really moved knowing that we’re not alone in fighting on nuclear justice.” But educators on the islands worry that many young Marshall Islanders remain ignorant about what took place in 1954 Many do not know how many hydrogen bomb tests were conducted or what damage resulted director of the Nuclear Institute in College of Marshall Islands from 2019 a new curriculum was introduced for those between fifth grade and the third year in senior high school regarding the testing education and public awareness director at the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission Schools are piloting the curriculum with our help.” Ralpho herself never realized what her mother went through until she went to university in the United States to study That is where she read a book given to her by someone who interviewed her mother about her memories of being exposed to radiation on her eighth birthday and her subsequent health problems so she now visits schools in the Marshall Islands to explain what her mother went through “That can help students learn deeper,” she said Kunihiro Hayashi and Asako Hanafusa in Majuro.) Documentary explores history of radiation through victims VOX POPULI: Radiation lingers even 70 years after H-bomb test over Bikini Atoll the head of a canine rescue association called Wansfree in Yaizu takes in and cares for dogs that even genuine animal lovers find impossible to deal with such canines are incapable of trusting humans Saito’s life-changing turning point came about a dozen years ago The company he had started fell into serious financial difficulties and he just didn’t want to keep on living anymore As he was getting ready to leave home and end his life his pet dog parked itself at the front door and refused to budge This was a large animal weighing 70 kilograms It then dawned on him that the dog must have understood everything and was trying to stop him Having his life thus spared made him resolve to start living in service of others And he chose to take on an activity that was little known in Japan back then—rescue dogs who bite people The ones that were brought to him were on heavy chain leashes with eyes that appeared devoid of all emotion but that didn’t really lessen the pain of every dog bite nor the risk of getting his fingers bitten off he unleashed his charges to give them freedom of movement and he tried to let them know that they were loved which once held the steering wheel of a Ferrari when his company was flourishing are now always swollen red-black from internal bleeding I’m so fortunate to be able to realize that.” There are about 40 dogs living with him in Yaizu now The gentle sun of the Suruga region beams on those who have survived harrowing ordeals 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 tokyo-based architecture firm mA-style architects extends a typical rural japanese residence to create a separate home for a young couple ‘koya no sumika’ is designed for the clients to have their own space for sleeping and spending quiet time main hosting space and children’s bedrooms remain shared with the main house the construction is a single enfilade with a V-beam roof truss that adds height to the single story plan the structure is composed of sandwiched plywood on 62 mm panels layeres with a thin roof on top the high peaked roof allows abundant light and air to enter the dwelling study areas and other programs are built into the plan with a variety of finishes that add a rhythm of contrast through the open space the two parts of the complex are connected by a corridor on the west side this distance allows the couple to contemplate the role of the two parts of the home and mentally prepare to switch between them.  (left): a garden provides distance between the family home and the couple’s extension(right): a corridor at the west side of the existing house connects the two buildingsimages © kai nakamura simple living spaces are finished in white — a clean palette for the young couple’s creativityimage © kai nakamura the extension is designed as a single open plan spaceimage © kai nakamura main living spaces for hosting occupy the original residenceimage © kai nakamura view from the loftimage © kai nakamura (left): the facade during the day(right): at night the space is legible from outsideimage © kai nakamura architecture : atsushi kawamoto + mayumi kawamotophotography : kai nakamuralocation : yaizu –city shizuoka japandate of completion : june 2013principal use : residencestructure : built of woodsite area : 778.38m2total floor area : 82.55m2 (65.99m2/1f 16.56m2/2f)structural engineer : daisuke hasegawamaterial information :exterior finish : resin mortarfloor : trowel concrete japanese cedar flooringwall : plasterboard t=12.5 acrylic emulsion paintceiling : plasterboard t=9.5 acrylic emulsion paint AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Yaizu City in Shizuoka Prefecture is home to the Oigawa Fishing Port where shirasu (baby sardines) and sakura shrimp where bonito and tuna are mainly landed; and Ogawa Port where coastal horse mackerel and mackerel are landed which collectively boast some of the largest catches in Japan a fish shop located a two-minute drive from the Yaizu Fish Port is constantly crowded with local customers from the moment the store opens The store has a wide selection of products and inexpensive prices is “the best fishmonger in Japan” and has earned the trust of top chefs.His customers include Naruse (Shizuoka City) a famous tempura restaurant that attracts gourmets from all over Japan and many other famous restaurants in Japan and abroad.My mother carried me on her back and gave me fish fillets whenever I was hungry my mother would give me fish fillets on her back Perhaps it was because of this that I learned the true taste of fish the most delicious fish I ever tasted was the octopus sashimi I had in kindergarten I want to sell only what I think tastes good,” says Maeda Maeda-san spends all day long processing fish and shipping them domestically and internationally The fishmonger’s job is not only to buy fish and then sell them We look at weather maps to predict where and what kind of fish will be caught and we figure out how the fishermen caught the fish and the best way to handle and preserve them the stress on the fish can vary depending on the way the reel is wound How to deliver the fish to the restaurant or to the customer’s table without stressing the fish I think it is my job to think about that,” says Maeda I also calculate what happens after the fish arrives at the restaurant “How and when will the fish be prepared and served I try to assess the condition of the store’s refrigerators and the skill of the chefs I don’t just want to sell fish; I want to provide delicious fish by looking at the other side,” says Maeda.Mr Maeda is called “the best in Japan” because of his superb technique After sprinkling a little salt on the fillets on the cutting board This process removes the smell of the fish and allows us to enjoy the fresh taste and how much moisture to retain are all things I have to judge with my five senses my senses become dull and it takes me three days to get them back That’s why I can’t take a day off so I can’t give 100 points every day People in Yaizu who have such a fish shop in their neighborhood make me very envious Japanese version but actually draws attention from around the world 48-year-old owner Maeda Naoki prepares fish for a flood of Michelin-star chefs He uses his own technique to dehydrate fish to the perfect level of moisture and can judge the condition of fish organs through his experience and sense of smell even then only dozing while sitting upright in order to take calls from fishermen whenever they come This is the story of a man who refused to give up Books from all eras provide us with knowledge inspiring emotional reactions that bring color to our lives bookstores and shelves are vanishing from our streets and homes Modern creators are bringing new ideas to bookshops and libraries to a store that provides in-depth background to a single volume and even a library that revolves around the local landscape Discover the myriad new designs that shape spaces around books Explore the many facets of our relationship with books I'm guessing the answer is 'the internet' for a lot of folks this led to libraries and bookstores setting up some interesting new projects Books provide us with knowledge and entertainment All you need to do is pick one up and turn the pages spaces that offer physical books are coming back into the spotlight This one is built into its local landscape Let's explore what spaces shaped around books can offer us Yaizu in Shizuoka prefecture is one of Japan's top fishing ports I'm at the railway station shopping arcade For $14 a month you can have your own shelf locals can put whatever books they like on their shelf along with any related merchandise and messages and can borrow up to five books a month for no further cost The so-called ownership system began with just a dozen or so boxes The pleasure of designing one's own shelf proved very popular Some are popular enough that there's a waiting list This shelf displays a miniature papercraft house A place to relax for both shelf owners and borrowers He set up a non-profit group while at university As he worked to build spaces for junior and senior high-school students Many regional cities in Japan are seeing their core industries fade away In competition with suburban shopping malls Yaizu's station shopping arcade lies mostly quiet A private library was one way to help reinvigorate the community and built the interior and shelves with the help of other locals Dohi has come up with a system that gives everyone involved a central role Building a comfortable space is also a way to connect people And drawing people into the library brings new energy to the whole arcade A private library in which everyone can participate Dohi's ideas are connecting people with books A quiet street in Tokyo's Ginza neighborhood It's home to an extremely unusual bookstore That's right - the store has just one book on display He had this unusual idea during his time running a regular bookstore This cookbook was sold alongside baked treats that it featured - an expression of the greater world the book contains tote bags with prints from its pages lined the walls Much like a tea master preparing a bowl of tea.. ...and arranging the perfect hanging scroll and floral decoration for his guests visitors soak up the pleasure of a single volume instead of a cup of matcha Today's selection is a picture book titled "Oil Beetle," by Tateno Hiroshi A newly born oil beetle sets off on a dangerous journey to save its species The delicate artwork captures the insect's growth Author Tateno is visiting the store to greet customers One young man gazes at the book's art on the walls These works showcase the delicate brushwork that adds a gleam to the body and segmented antennas An intimate experience between author and reader that digs deep into a single book from multiple perspectives When he didn't share a language with a customer I'm excited to see which book Morioka will showcase next I'm here to visit an unusual new community-driven library Architects Takano Yohei and Morita Sachiko designed this library They work as a team and specialize in public architecture "Kofun" tombs are mounded burial sites for important historical figures Matsubara has a long history of public libraries with regular events Takano and Morita wanted to ensure their library would be embraced by residents The west-facing seats with a view over the pond are already an iconic part of the library The shelves are carefully positioned at radiating angles The building required walls that were 60 centimeters thick These walls also help protect the books from any humidity from the pond There are reading seats scattered around the library so visitors can find their favorite spot The spaces encourage readers to relax with their books The children's area is located on the third floor so kids can chat and make noise as they read A wide array of new ways to discover books I find it wonderful how each of these spaces nurtures a community spirit The first short story Thersa Matsuura ever wrote in Japan Paper Doors," introduces the fantastical nonhuman characters of Japanese folklore from the pillow-swapping trickster to the ghostly children who frolic through human dreams Inspiration for the story materialized from the traditional ramshackle wood and paper dwelling that was Matsuura's first home in Yaizu Matsuura learned about Japan's otherworldly beings from her elderly neighbors and they populate her stories with whimsical reality.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Elderly storytellers gave the U.S.-born Matsuura a love for Asia from her early days as a university exchange student I started studying the internal martial arts from China one-month program on a small southern island in China near Xiamen "There was this mountain in the middle of the island and I would get up before dawn and hike to the Kannon Temple to do tai chi they taught me the chants and let me wear the robes A Mongolian team training for the Tokyo Paralympics has been stranded in Yaizu with no prospect of returning home because of the coronavirus pandemic.The athletes have received encouragement from locals and the team now refers to Yaizu as its “second hometown.” They have been training at a stadium in the city since Feb the team was set to compete in an international championship scheduled for March 11 in the United Arab Emirates Then the competition was canceled because of the pandemic flights to Mongolia were canceled and the country’s chartered flights were full the athletes have been training at a hotel in the city where they are staying One thing that helps is talking to their families via video conferencing Yaizu locals have also been a source of support After seeing news reports about the group’s challenges nearby residents have offered tokens of friend­ship to encourage them and we now like Yaizu so much because it’s warm and you can see Mount Fuji,” said Garmaabazar “We want to say that we’ve found our second home country.” chair of the city’s international friendship association: “We consider them part of the community We hope they’ll enjoy the sea and make a lot of memories here.” document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a75f6865753dfeac4e6f619e3644a86a");document.getElementById("a31dd1c797").setAttribute("id","comment"); The Future of AI and Buddhist Teachings (Dr 60th Anniversary of Normalization of Japan-South Korea Diplomatic Relations: Pre.. Copyright © 2015- Foreign Press Center Japan Here's a novel treat: a senbei rice cracker made of giant isopods The snacks are now on sale at a range of outlets in Japan and are quickly gaining popularity they live at a depth of 600 meters.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); They have become popular on the Internet and in aquariums for what some people consider to be their creepy-cute appearance Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division. The March 11th, 2011 disaster prompted the Japanese government to revise the estimated scale of tsunami that could hit coastal regions. But an expert says the revised figures may still be too modest. Tokoha University Professor Ikuo Abe, an expert on tsunami and disaster prevention, visited a temple in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture known to possess some puzzling historical records on tsunami. The documents indicate that in the 15th century, the area was hit by tsunami that reached 11 meters above sea level. That's much higher than the maximum 5-meter tsunami that Shizuoka Prefecture has projected in studies conducted after the March 11th disaster. Abe says he believes the 15th-century tsunami was not the result of a normal earthquake. He says a massive localized tsunami most likely occurred, possibly due to a landslide on the seabed that was caused by the quake. A mass collapse of soil in this kind of landslide can cause seawater to swell and produce a tsunami. Signs of a submarine landslide are visible 5 kilometers east of Yaizu City, Shizuoka prefecture. It was caused by a quake in Suruga Bay 9 years ago. The city recorded a tsunami that was higher than any thought to be possible based on the scale of the temblor. The Chishima trench off Hokkaido is another site where a mega quake could strike in the near future. Abe found that a massive submarine landslide there could produce tsunami of around 15 meters in Miyako City in Iwate Prefecture and Hachi-nohe in Aomori Prefecture. He warns that even higher waves are possible if the landslide coincides with regular quake-induced tsunami. Abe says parts of the Sea of Japan are also vulnerable to submarine landslides. This includes areas off Ishikawa and Tottori Prefectures, and Kyoto Prefecture's Tango Peninsula. He says authorities need to look at measures to prevent the kind of devastation inflicted on northeastern Japan -- a disaster that people simply didn't anticipate. Abe says residents could be advised to evacuate to areas higher than the shelters that are now being considered. He says it's essential that people reconsider what they need to do to survive a tsunami. ABC News News HomeJapanese tuna fleet eyes HobartShare Japanese tuna fleet eyes HobartTopic:Fishing and Aquaculture Industry Japan's tuna fleet used Hobart to refuel and restock for decades and hope to do so again. Link copiedShareShare articleA Japanese city is investigating whether its Southern Ocean tuna fleet can return to Hobart, years after a federal ban was lifted. For decades the Japanese tuna fleet docked in Hobart to refuel and restock while fishing international waters. But in the late 1990s overfishing prompted a ban on Japan's tuna fleet in all Australian ports. Those federal restrictions have since been lifted. Hobart's sister city, Yaizu, is now testing the waters to see if its ships are allowed to return to Hobart. Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas said on a recent visit to Yaizu, he was asked to approach the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "We had tears in the eyes of some of the people in Yaizu when we said we'd at least enquire for them," Alderman Thomas said. "We've done nothing more than enquire at this point. "We're not talking about fishing in Tasmanian waters or transhipping catch here, or processing their catch here. "We're talking about their boats coming here for supplies and reprovisioning which is exactly what a port city ought to provide." On Monday night, the council has voted to support its sister city's push to bring its tuna fleet back to Tasmania. Alderman Thomas says the council has agreed to inform the city that there are no legal barriers to the fleet berthing and restocking in Australian ports. "In the event they said yes we do want to come to Hobart, it required us to ask what kind of fishing they did, what type of species they were hauling out of the sea, what quota, what number." "So only the first part has been approved which is simply to provide the legal position to the Yaizu authorities." "Not only would it increase the economy, but it has a cultural and community benefit as well," he said. Brian Jeffries from the Southern Bluefin Tuna Association said he was concerned it could reduce fish stocks inside Australian waters. "This may lead of course to requests to fish inside the zone in areas that are not currently being fished," he said. Some Greens aldermen on the Hobart City Council are also worried about the potential impact on fish stocks. Tasmania's Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne said any proposal for Hobart port berths would be considered on their merits. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Yaizu: Fish Town food market in Yaizu City of Japan has caught the attention of both locals and tourists with its black coloured ‘squid ink’ ice cream the chilly climate is not stopping customers from coming to this ice cream shop one of the visitors stated that the spicy squid ink and wasabi taste would make a person’s mouth go black Kazunori Ooishi of Soft Ice cream Shop said “Soft ice cream is usually white in colour and comes in vanilla flavour This ice cream is black in colour and represents the image of a fish town This is why we came up with a combination of the blackness of squid ink and vanilla flavour It was not easy to come up with this tasty flavour” the shop also features soft ice cream in classic flavours including vanilla [source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link] A strong magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea near the coast of Shizuoka,  Japan The quake had a moderate depth of 249 km (155 mi) and was felt widely in the area.