Metrics details Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 the number of influenza viruses circulating globally fell to historically low numbers Although influenza A and B/Victoria lineage viruses returned to normal patterns by 2022 B/Yamagata-lineage viruses have not been identified since 2020 The implications of the apparent extinction of this lineage of viruses on vaccine composition and the risk of their re-introduction into the human population are discussed Y (B/Yam) or V (B/Vic) at the top of the graph indicates which B-lineage was recommended by the WHO for inclusion in the Southern Hemisphere trivalent vaccine for that year Influenza vaccine manufacturers are now in the process of working with regulators to have trivalent influenza vaccines approved (or re-approved) for use in the upcoming influenza seasons The US will be one of the first countries to switch from using quadrivalent vaccines to using only trivalent influenza vaccines for all vaccine platforms (live attenuated recombinant protein) for their 2024–5 influenza season Astra Zeneca’s live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) will revert to a trivalent vaccine in many countries in 2024–25 will still have a quadrivalent LAIV for their 2024–25 season Other countries/regions will introduce trivalent inactivated or recombinant vaccines over a longer period No change is required in some countries/regions such as countries in South America that had retained trivalent influenza vaccines throughout this period What are the potential challenges with this approach The addition of multiple strains from the same type/subtype or significantly increasing the amount of one or more viral antigens would require clinical trials and regulatory approval clinical studies could focus on serological outcomes rather than vaccine efficacy as was the case when the second B component was added to the trivalent vaccine over a decade ago an individual lab-acquired infection is unlikely to result in a major outbreak leading to global re-introduction of B/Yam When levels of immunity to B/Yam eventually wane sufficiently in the general population they will also benefit from cross-lineage protection and even in a worst-case scenario involving the re-emergence of B/Yam viruses the virus is likely to spread relatively slowly and manufacturers could then re-introduce B/Yam into their influenza vaccines Although it is likely that the level of cross-protection offered by B/Vic infections/vaccines may wane in coming years continued global surveillance for outbreaks of B/Yam infections will be of greater value in assessing the risk of re-introduction of these viruses than periodic immune assays in selected populations Influenza B viruses unlike influenza A viruses cannot cause pandemics and so are less of a global threat even if an old lineage might re-appear or a new B-lineage might emerge the apparent extinction of B/Yam is a positive outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic possibly leading to fewer influenza B infections and allowing an opportunity for more flexibility in the way we approach influenza vaccine manufacture while there is only a low risk that B/Yam viruses could be re-introduced to the global population the impact of such an event is likely to be relatively minor and manageable scientists and laboratories should minimise the use and exposure of staff to samples and isolates containing B/Yam viruses and prepare for removal of stored viruses from general access to help mitigate any chance of re-emergence of B/Yam viruses A reassessment or review by an international panel should be convened in about 10 years to re-examine the handling and storage of B/Yam virus stocks in laboratories How the absence of B/Yam affects the epidemiology and evolution of human influenza viruses in the longer term remains to be seen it is unlikely to herald the future disappearance of B/Vic viruses or one of the two influenza A viruses that currently infect mankind Whether a divergent influenza B virus emerges in the future repeating the 1970’s influenza B virus split is unknown but should be the focus of continued careful surveillance Caini, S. et al. Probable extinction of influenza B/Yamagata and its public health implications: a systematic literature review and assessment of global surveillance databases. Lancet Microbe. S2666; https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(24)00066-1 (2024) The evolutionary dynamics of human influenza B virus Reappearance and global spread of variants of influenza B/Victoria/2/87 lineage viruses in the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons The rationale for quadrivalent influenza vaccines The coming era of quadrivalent human influenza vaccines: who will benefit Human seasonal influenza under COVID-19 and the potential consequences of influenza lineage elimination The potential benefits of delaying seasonal influenza vaccine selections for the Northern Hemisphere: a retrospective modeling study in the United States Efficacy of high-dose versus standard-dose influenza vaccine in older adults Variable influenza vaccine effectiveness by subtype: a systematic review and meta-analysis of test-negative design studies Cross-reactive antibodies induced by a monovalent influenza B virus vaccine Influenza B/Victoria antigen induces strong recall of B/Yamagata but lower B/Victoria response in children primed with two doses of Beta/Yamagata Cross-lineage protection by human antibodies binding the influenza B hemagglutinin Download references The Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza holds shares in a vaccine producing company has no financial or non-financial competing interests Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-024-01010-y Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science 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 Copyright THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. Courtesy the artist and Anton Kern Gallery where the Brazilian avant-garde was born in the 1922 Week of Modern Art Modernismo was charged with irony and dark humor; the poet Oswald de Andrade founded a magazine he called the Anthropophagy Manifesto to define the relationship between Brazilian and European culture would cannibalistically eat European culture Oswald’s then-wife Tarsila do Amaral (1886–1973) who gave the movement its icon by painting Abaporú (1928) “man who eats people” in the language of the Tupi-Guarani people The irreverence of that movement achieves a new life in Yuli Yamagata; if the modernistas appeared at Brazil’s centenary in 1922 Yamagata comes along one century later to express the Brazil of her times: cosmopolitan This is Yamagata’s third show with Anton Kern and she has filled two floors of the gallery with floor sculptures Frooty Looping Serial Death (all works 2024) If the modernistas of the twenties defined themselves through an act—deglutition—Yamagata defines herself through interrelated processes: eating Courtesy the artists and Anton Kern Gallery But where his urinal stands in pristine glory Yamagata’s fountain is surrounded by bones a fork—an astonishing image of artistic creation as self-consumption (it is reminiscent of the performance of Keith Boadwee’s paint enemas; Ghosts Don’t Wear Watches overlaps with a show of his new work also on display at Anton Kern) This is a meditation on the work of art as remnant as the artifact that materializes after the creative process has spent its energy The idea of the work of art as leftover reappears in another floor piece Yamagata has constructed a motorcycle smash-up the rear wheel of her fabric machine held aloft by a chain hanging from the ceiling The action is over and only the wreck remains The wall piece that gives the show its name is a soft sculpture made of elastane (spandex or Lycra) Yamagata confirms this in Bullet in the Forehead The eyes of this elastane “victim” frame the composition while at the center a flash of blood red to mark where the bullet entered but Yamagata remains faithful to her theme: all creation entails a death Even the overtly funny pieces here have their dark sides looks like a domestic accident until we see that sauce as spilled blood drying on the floor after some atrocity takes photorealism up a notch: as we look at a photograph of a tomato slice closely we realize just how horrifying it really is how it suddenly possesses teeth that might bite us reminding us that with each bite we move closer to the last bite The seven-minute video on the gallery’s second floor a children’s cereal punned into an old-fashioned homophobic insult “fruity,” mixed in with the idea of periodic death—that is the death embodied in the finished work of art The action entails a consideration of Betto the snail an outcast because the spirals on his shell invert the direction found on “normal” snail shells Betto achieves a kind of fruition in parenthood even if his story is mixed in with digressions on consumption Yamagata has successfully invoked the tradition of Grand-Guignol the horror show charged with Kafkaesque black humor Alfred Mac Adam is Professor of Latin American literature at Barnard College-Columbia University. He is a translator, most recently of Juan Villoro’s Horizontal Vertigo (2021), about Mexico City. Home Assembly Michelle is a Newsweek editor based in the New York metro area Her focus is reporting on celebrity and entertainment news She has in-depth knowledge of pop music and fandom Michelle joined Newsweek in 2024 after editorial positions at Us Weekly She is a cum laude graduate of Drew University You can get in touch with Michelle by emailing mmcgahan@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata values travel to such a deep extent that it is the energy of each place — all of it finds its way into the songs," Yamagata In that spirit, Yamagata, whose music often explores themes of healing, connection, and authenticity, has partnered with travel tech company TESSAN for its reinvention — a transformation from mere travel gadgets to emotional storytelling TESSAN's new campaign, titled, "What's Your Next Journey?" invites travelers to explore not just new destinations The campaign's visual storytelling — which takes a documentary-style approach — features Yamagata's own personal reflections coupled with TESSAN's travel products TESSAN seeks to emphasize how travel is not only about the destinations — but also about the personal transformations that happen along the way "Journey means a balance of a dream of where you're going and the ability to be in the present moment and enjoy it," she explains Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that is factual and fair We value your input and encourage you to rate this article Newsletters in your inbox See all Snow continued to sweep across northern and western parts of Japan along its Sea of Japan coast Friday draping iconic spots in Kyoto and elsewhere in white hues while also causing widespread disruption The country's weather agency has urged residents to be vigilant against avalanches and powerful winds Shinkansen bullet train services in parts of the country were also suspended or running at reduced speed  Here is a selection of Kyodo News photos from Yamagata to Kyoto prefectures offering a glimpse of the conditions brought by the wintry weather Copyright © 2025 Kyodo NewsAll rights reserved.No reproduction republication or redistribution without written permission Japan braces for heavy snow with traffic disruption warning 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 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading charging solution brand TESSAN has launched a captivating documentary on YouTube featuring the talented singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata sharing her creative experiences and personal journey This documentary is a significant part of the collaborative initiative "What's Your Next Journey," where Rachael and TESSAN encourage people to discover and engage with the world around them The video offers an intimate glimpse into Rachael's world, exploring the profound connection between her travels and music. Watch it at: YOUTUBE-LINK Journey and Music Creation: Infusing Cultures into Melody Rachael's journey is a testament to the power of travel as a source of inspiration and connection Her experiences across the globe have enriched her life and infused her music with the vibrant colors and unique flavors of different cultures travel is about more than just visiting new places; it is about forming meaningful connections with others She believes that the essence of a journey lies in balancing the pursuit of dreams with the ability to savor the present moment "Journey means a balance of a dream of where you're going and the ability to be in the present moment and to enjoy it because that really is what your life is about It's about that journey of experience of meeting new people Connection: Unmasking Authenticity Through Music The documentary delves into the significance of connection in both music and life "Connection to me is about authentic relation with those around you taking off the mask and realizing that we are in this together and in every way and picking up on all of the subtleties of what we don't always say and to really feel like we can be honest with one another." Music serves as a powerful conduit for deep connections allowing individuals to release emotions and experience a profound sense of unity "I think the real connection that I love about music is another permission slip to just deep dive You can be alone listening to music and feel this incredible release Because it translates that emotion that's stuck in there Rachael is set to embark on a new journey in 2025 with the release of a new album This project represents the culmination of a creative process that involves writing releasing the album to the world," Rachael shares I think that's how you find the best journey is some spark lights within you and tells you where to go next The collaboration between Rachael Yamagata and TESSAN offers a fresh perspective for those passionate about travel and music they inspire people to explore the globe with renewed enthusiasm creating more opportunities for resonance and exchange This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration in fostering connections and igniting the spirit of adventure is committed to enriching experiences both at home and during travel Supported by a robust R&D and production team TESSAN develops innovative socket products for users across the globe TESSAN empowers their journeys from home to every destination promoting environmentally conscious electricity usage CONTACT: Derien Lin, +86-0756-2550031, [email protected] In an era where technology accelerates the pace of life TESSAN believes that technology can—and should—play a role in healing the planet rather than .. a leading brand in home and travel charging solutions has long been dedicated to integrating sustainable practices into its products and.. Computer & Electronics Household Products Household, Consumer & Cosmetics Retail Do not sell or share my personal information: Yamagata, the capital city of Yamagata Prefecture, was the top spender on ramen in 2024 among Japan’s prefectural capitals and designated cities for the third year running with an average outlay of ¥22,389 per household with two or more members was first for the second consecutive year for gyōza spending The results come from a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications survey on household spending The figures for ramen are based on spending on eating out Yamagata’s ramen spending soared by ¥4,796 year on year After holding first place for eight years from 2013 but has since bounced back into the top position known for its “black ramen,” which uses dark soy sauce and black pepper to create a pitch-black soup rose from fifth to fourth in 2024 at ¥13,775 The figures for gyōza are based on uncooked and cooked dumplings bought for home consumption at supermarkets and other stores; it does not include eating out or frozen products Miyazaki (Miyazaki Prefecture) came in second with ¥3,517 and Utsunomiya (Tochigi Prefecture) was third with ¥2,801 as the order of the top three remained unchanged Hamamatsu gyōza with beansprouts (Courtesy Hamamatsu Tourism & City Promotion Division) Hamamatsu gyōza are typically arranged in a circle and steam-fried and then served with bean sprouts in the center Banner photo: Ramen served at Ōnuma Shokudō in Yamagata Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information when a public employee broke the news to local ramen shop owners gathered in a conference room at city hall Yamagata’s residents had feasted their way to a third consecutive victory in a nationwide ranking of annual ramen consumption at restaurants—the announcement was met with cheers according to the 2024 budget family survey released by the internal affairs ministry on Jan The ranking spanned prefectural capitals and government ordinance cities The city also came second in household expense for soba and udon at 12,795 yen up from last year’s fifth place with 9,125 yen The jump in rankings means Yamagata is several bowls closer to embodying its self-proclaimed title “Ramen-ken Soba-okoku” (Ramen prefecture Soba kingdom) a term the prefecture trademarked last year Calculations for the ranking were based on the sum households with two or more members spent on eating out Money spent on eating ramen at restaurants increased by nearly 5,000 yen from last year and reached an all-time high since record-keeping began in 2000 This shows Yamagata’s even wider lead of 6,097 yen than last year’s 2,369 yen between itself and runner-up Niigata at 16,292 yen Ongoing strategizing and teamwork between the city government and its ramen joints are partly behind Yamagata’s three-year win streak It was after the city surrendered its top spot to Niigata in 2021 that local business owners decided to act Yamagata-shi’ wo tsukuru kyogikai” (“Council to create ‘Yamagata the ramen capital of Japan’) and the city regained the top spot the following year the government also cooperated by trademarking the nickname “yama-ra,” a portmanteau fusing the city and dish and launched a website of its restaurants with the option to search by type of ramen owner of Mentatsu and chairman of the council “This must be the result of shared efforts by the ramen shops We hope to spread ‘yama-ra’ in and outside the city as well as overseas.” Mayor Takahiro Sato acknowledged the city’s leap to second place for soba and udon consumption as well the majority of people are buying udon (while Yamagata prefers soba)," he said it feels like we do rank first for amount of soba eaten and hold two titles." the line for Ramen Megumi in Sakuradahigashi in Yamagata continued growing ahead of the eatery's 11 a.m a 45-year-old public employee who came from Sendai with his family enjoyed the shop’s popular “miso wonton ‘tanmen’ noodles.” I think it is amazing that the city keeps winning the top spot,” he said who owns Ramen Megumi and is vice chairman of the ramen promotion council credits the dual efforts of public and private forces “I feel that the number of tourists from overseas and outside the prefecture has increased considerably,” Sagae said Yamagata city crowned king of ramen eating for 2nd year running Kagawa gets the nod; it really is Japan’s ‘Udon Prefecture’ Tohoku surges in popularity in Chinese New Year holiday 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 This year’s flu shot will be missing a strain of influenza it’s protected against for more than a decade That’s because there have been no confirmed flu cases caused by the Influenza B/Yamagata lineage since spring 2020 And the Food and Drug Administration decided this year that the strain now poses little to no threat to human health Scientists have concluded that widespread physical distancing and masking practiced during the early days of COVID-19 appear to have pushed B/Yamagata into oblivion This surprised many who study influenza, as it would be the first documented instance of a virus going extinct due to changes in human behavior, said Dr. Rebecca Wurtz an infectious disease physician and epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health “It is such an interesting and unique story,” Wurtz said One reason COVID mitigation efforts were so effective at eliminating B/Yamagata is there was already a fair amount of immunity in the population against this strain of flu, which was also circulating at a lower level, said Dr. Kawsar Talaat an infectious disease physician at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health SARS-CoV-2 was a brand new virus that no one had encountered before; therefore masking and isolation only slowed its transmission The absence of B/Yamagata won’t change the experience of getting this year’s flu shot, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends to everyone over 6 months old And unvaccinated people are no less likely to get the flu as B/Victoria and two influenza A lineages are still circulating widely and making people sick Talaat said the disappearance of B/Yamagata doesn’t appear to have lessened the overall burden of flu noting that the level of illness that can be attributed to any strain varies from year to year The CDC estimates that between 12,000 and 51,000 people die every year from influenza the manufacturing process is simplified now that the vaccine is trivalent — designed to protect against three flu viruses — instead of quadrivalent That change allows more doses to be produced the costs of continuing to include protection against B/Yamagata in the flu shot outweigh its benefits "If you include a strain for which you don't think anybody's going to get infected into a vaccine there are some potential risks and no potential benefits," she said "Even though the risks might be infinitesimal Scientists and public health experts have discussed for the past couple years whether to pull B/Yamagata from the flu vaccine or wait for a possible reemergence, said Kevin R. McCarthy an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Vaccine Research But McCarthy agrees that continuing to vaccinate people against B/Yamagata does not benefit public health there is a slight chance of B/Yamagata accidentally infecting the workers who manufacture the flu vaccine are inactivated before being put into the shots: You cannot get influenza from the flu shot But worker exposure to live B/Yamagata might occur before it's rendered harmless That hypothetically could lead to a reintroduction of a virus that populations have waning immunity to because B/Yamagata is no longer making people sick McCarthy said it doesn’t make sense to produce thousands of gallons of a likely extinct virus It is possible that B/Yamagata continues to exist in pockets of the world that have less comprehensive flu surveillance scientists aren’t worried that it is hiding in animals because humans are the only host population for B lineage flu viruses Scientists determined that B/Yamagata disappeared in a relatively short period of time That required collaboration and data sharing from people all over the world has more tenuous diplomatic relationships with “I think the fact that we can do that shows that we can get some things right,” he said Sarah Boden is an independent health and science journalist based in Pittsburgh Become an NPR sponsor Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons Yamagata–based travel specialist The Hidden Japan has launched a new collection of multi-day tours showcasing local crafts and hands-on experiences unique to Niigata and Yamagata prefectures Yamagata and are designed primarily for travelers seeking intellectually stimulating particularly tourists from Western countries Experiences cater to a wide range of interests Tokyo is well linked to Yamagata and Niigata prefectures by bullet train making northeastern Japan an ideal off-the-beaten-path region for travelers seeking less crowded destinations Niigata Prefecture is best known for its sake Yamagata Prefecture is famous for the yamabushi of Dewa Sanzan and the snow monsters and ski slopes of Mount Zao With their new fully-guided tours linking these prefectures travel specialist The Hidden Japan hopes to shine the spotlight on the lesser-known cities of Tsubame and Sanjo in Niigata Located along the northwestern coast of Honshu these cities share a long history based on trade and exchange with connected yet distinct cultures and traditions visiting both regions allows for a deeper experience of the culture each tour a journey with its own distinct and compelling narrative The tours have been designed primarily for travelers who seek authentic intellectually stimulating cultural experiences on their travels Yamashina notes that the tours can be experienced as is but individual elements of the tours can also be combined using a mix-and-match approach for bespoke tours Niigata and Yamagata are home to some of Japan’s most skilled craftspeople and artisans with Tsubame-Sanjo in particular widely recognised as a center for craftsmanship Proximity to the Sea of Japan as well as the rich soils of the Shonai Plain have nurtured rich culinary traditions while the Dewa Sanzan mountains have for centuries attracted those making spiritual pilgrimages With Tsubame-Sanjo being less than two hours from Tokyo Station by bullet train the tours are an excellent and convenient add-on to itineraries beginning in Tokyo Beyond the Sushi Bar: The Foundations and Future of Japanese Cuisine  four-night tour with a strong emphasis on gastronomy and make your very own dashi (fish stock) blend Catch and prepare your own fish with a local fisherman Delicious meals and hospitality in Japanese-style hot spring inns The Artisans of Uetsu: Encounters with Silk, Steel, and More three-night tour with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship in the Uetsu region see the construction of kitchen knives and hammered copperware Immerse yourself in samurai silk traditions Shop for top-quality crafts and sew your own ornaments Delicious meals and accommodation in Japanese-style hot spring inns Soul of Uetsu: Spirituality and Cuisine Shaped by Nature three-night tour introducing the Uetsu region’s culture with an element of physical activity through walking and cycling tours Slurp se-abura (back fat) and Sakata ramen sample seasonal delicacies at a fish market Hike up Mount Haguro with a yamabushi priest savor the spiritual shojin ryori cuisine of the mountains please visit the respective tour pages at The Hidden Japan’s website Thanks to factors such as an increasing consumer awareness of overtourism and a growing interest in sustainable travel the Tohoku region has received more attention as a travel destination in recent years the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) revealed that the number of international visitors to Japan in 2024 reached record heights of 36.9 million 15.6% more visitors than the previous record of 31.9 million in 2019 Furthermore, research by the JTB Foundation and Development Bank of Japan suggests that up to 30% of foreign visitors have personally experienced the effects of overtourism; and moreover that 70% of respondents surveyed take sustainability into consideration when choosing travel destinations In a region with very few tour companies catering to English-speaking visitors their commitment to hiring locals and building strong relationships with artisans and small businesses has made The Hidden Japan one of the leading tour operators in Yamagata and the Tohoku region Both Yamagata and Niigata have a wealth of culture and traditions still little-known to travelers Established in 2018, The Hidden Japan is an inbound tourism company aiming to offer travelers deep Japan experiences alongside local masters with a focus on culinary Saori Yamashina & Derek Yamashita (available for interview) Sakata Head Office: 2-26-20 Shinbashi Sakata City Yamagata Branch Office: 1-A Q1 Yamagata Creative City Center Email: info@thehiddenjapan.com Join the leading Asian tourist attraction to assist our diverse range of customers I visited Tsubame Sanjo before with my wife years ago before covid They have some of the best knives and kitchenware we have ever seen and all for rock bottom prices too The craftsmen there were really friendly and we did a copper hammering tour with a French woman who lives there Also not sure why the Yamabushi comment above is getting thumbed down We went to Haguro too and stayed at one of the lodges there Thank you for visiting Rick and its great to hear you also found this wonderful region of Japan Haguro where guests can be guided up the mountain and visit the shrines here with a Yamabushi and local guide 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 we present our projects and business activities in each country and region to show how they contribute to local communities and the world as a whole View More Corporate Communications Staff Explores the World She currently works with the Infrastructure Business Unit and Human Resources General Affairs & Legal Group at the Media Relations Team of the Corporate Communications Department. Taken on the rooftop of the 50 meter-high boiler building this profile picture shows the author in low spirits due to the excessive height (which she is not fond of) and the fact that the supplied hard hat was too small (which was later found to be size-adjustable) Yamagata Prefecture was completed and commenced commercial operation in August 2018 this is the third large-scale biomass power plant constructed on behalf of Summit Energy Corporation among the largest of its kind in the Tohoku region in terms of output capacity is located at Sakata Rinkai Industrial Park facing Sakata North Port I attended the plant tour held for members of the press in late August we arrived at Sakata Rinkai Industrial Park after a 30-minute drive along the Sea of Japan coast this industrial park is a rarity in the country in that it has three different types of renewable-energy power plants—wind Sakata Biomass Power Plant was a short distance away from the entrance to the industrial park and was far larger than it appeared from a distance The grounds are roughly the same size as that of Tokyo Dome stadium and include a building for receiving biomass fuel Sakata Biomass Power Plant annually uses 160,000 tonnes of domestic wood chips and 100,000 tonnes of imported wood pellets as the main fuel The plant receives large and numerous truckloads of domestic wood chips which are tipped into receptacles and conveyed to a wood chip tank with a capacity of about 1,050 tonnes Unloaded wood pellets are temporarily stored in a 12,500 m2 warehouse at the wharf from where they are trucked daily to a 650 tonnes -capacity pellet tank the president and CEO of Summit Sakata Power the use of domestic wood chips is what makes Sakata Biomass Power Plant special The 160,000 tonnes of domestic wood chips used at the plant is comprised of un-merchantable wood and other logging residue mainly from Yamagata Prefecture Mr.Takase added that the plant is unrivalled in the country in the amount of domestic wood chips it uses and that he hoped to contribute to the revitalization of local forestry and to the mitigation of global warming by actively using locally-produced wood chips The plant tour offered participants the chance to see wood chips being unloaded Deliveries of wood chips arrive at a pace of four trucks per hour (roughly 30 trucks a day on average) Truck drivers accurately park their trucks on a “truck dumper” inside the building for receiving and storing wood chips as the truck dumper is only slightly wider than the vehicle itself staff were removing small amounts of wood chips from the truck containers which they stored on shelves inside the machine operating room I learned that these actions were for measuring the moisture content of the wood chips Moisture control is very important for stable power generation because high moisture levels can compromise combustion efficiency as the floor underneath the truck started to rise the slanting truck discharged wood chips from the back of its open container into a hopper I was amazed by the sight because I had been expecting the task to be completed by a huge scoop or shovel The hydraulic truck dumper is capable of a tilt of up to 50 degrees and seeing it up-close was very impressive the wooden chips in the truck are thrown in without being left behind Each type of fuel goes into a 45 m-high circulating fluidized bed boiler where high-temperature biomass and silica sand(*1) are mixed with jets of combustion air introduced from the bottom of the boiler and allowed to vigorously flow and circulate This causes the silica sand to act as a heat medium which keeps the temperature inside the boiler stable Steam generated by the circulating fluidized bed boiler is converted into rotational energy by turning the turbine blades and the generator connected to the turbine turns and generates power I was surprised by the loud roar of the rotating turbine blades After doing its job of turning the turbine the steam is converted back into water in a condenser to be fed again into the boiler Mr.Takase says his goal is for the power plant to remain in stable operation mode for 20 years he thinks it is important for the power plant to be a pleasant comfortable workplace where his staff members want to continue to come and work the central control room had a café space for staff to refresh in and elsewhere there were facilities such as stylishly-designed and pristine changing rooms and restrooms Observing the motivated and happy-looking staff members I could see that the power plant is a worker-friendly workplace *1 biomass and silica sand: Quartz sand composed mainly of silicon dioxide (SiO2) The catchy and cute-sounding “Oishii Shonai Airport” (Delicious Shonai Airport) is actually the official nickname of Shonai Airport “Oishii” means favorable and excellent things that are not limited to food and the “oishii” in the nickname refers to Shonai’s people and food as well as natural and cultural attractions Topping the list of unforgettable tastes from my trip to Sakata is kogashi soy sauce ramen a dish recommended by Summit Sakata Power’s president The pleasantly springy noodles are served in a broth that is not too heavy or salty Though slightly different from the lighter soy-sauce-based ramen Sakata is perhaps better known for I recommend anyone visiting this city to also try the kogashi soy sauce ramen Japanese version Today's print edition Home Delivery Mieko Yoshimura won a fifth four-year term as governor of Yamagata Prefecture in an election Sunday became the first woman in Japan to be elected prefectural governor for five or more consecutive terms according to the National Governors' Association.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); an 84-year-old independent and her sole rival in the gubernatorial race Yoshimura drew broad-based support from voters as she was backed by prefectural chapters of the Liberal Democratic Party the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan the Democratic Party for the People and the Japanese Communist Party a 64-year-old independent supported by the JCP 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. 12 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Montedio Yamagata won 1–0 over Iwaki FC on Sat Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Iwaki FC 1 win(s) Have scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Haven't scored in their last 2 matches Who won between Iwaki FC and Montedio Yamagata on Sat 12 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT?Montedio Yamagata won 1–0 over Iwaki FC on Sat 12 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Iwaki FC is playing home against Montedio Yamagata on Sat Suspended 15 meters above the ground from a launch point just below the 482-meter summit of Mount Jyubuichi in Yamagata Prefecture I am standing huddled in a basket beneath the bright geometric patterns of a hot air balloon rice fields and the last vestiges of autumn foliage blanket the Earth below Even on an overcast and chilly morning such as this With little melded metal and glass jutting out into the sky I’ll admit this is not the scenery I’ve come to associate with Japan Despite having lived in Ibaraki Prefecture for six years before moving to Tokyo the more it begins to feel like the center of the world (don’t tell any New Yorkers that).googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Please log in and check your service registration status.To cancel your subscription 1) === '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";");else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} YAMAGATA — Cherry blossoms have come into full bloom in Yamagata the Yamagata Meteorological Office announced Monday It was four days earlier than usual and four days later than last year please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent the office’s staff confirmed 80% of the flowers blooming on the Someiyoshino benchmark tree in the office’s premise The office announced this year’s bloom on Wednesday Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading charging solution brand TESSAN has announced an exciting collaboration with American singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata launching a global initiative titled "What's Your Next Journey?" This campaign aims to uncover the stories behind travelers and encourage everyone to explore the unknown during their journeys expressed the brand's enthusiasm for this collaboration saying that Rachael Yamagata's music was a perfect match for the campaign's message "In our quest to find a partner to capture this concept providing a powerful healing force while rich in narrative and emotional depth Her creations perfectly align with what TESSAN seeks to express through this initiative." known for her soulful voice and emotive lyrics began her music career with the funk band Bumpus before embarking on a solo journey Her discography includes several albums and EPs such as "Happenstance" and "Elephants…Teeth Sinking into Heart," which explore themes of love Rachael delved into her profound reflections on music and travel revealing how she interprets the meaning of life through her music Discussing the concept of "connection," which TESSAN champions Rachael described music as a bridge for deep connection taking off the mask and realizing that we are in this together and in every way and picking up on all of the subtleties of what we don't always say," she shared Rachael's travels mostly stem from her passion for connecting with others Her experiences around the world inspire her creativity infusing her music with the colors and flavors of different places This passion drives her to embark on new journeys continually Rachael Yamagata refers to "packing" as an art form that takes years to master noting that one of the biggest challenges of travel is knowing what to bring Among her travel essentials is TESSAN's World Travel Adapter which she praises for its versatility and convenience "It's got everything I need as an international traveler in one," she said TESSAN embraces the idea that "The journey begins at home" and is committed to "connecting people to their journeys." Over the years TESSAN has transformed from merely keeping devices charged to becoming a trusted travel companion for many empowering them to stay connected and embrace new experiences TESSAN explores the profound meanings of journeys and life sharing inspiring stories of transformative travel These narratives embody TESSAN's core values of exploration encouraging people to pursue their dreams and embark on self-discovery ★ Poor ★ ★ Promising ★★★ Good ★★★★ Very good ★★★★★ Exceptional Vietnam Investment Review under the Ministry of Finance Advertisement  | Contact us YAMAGATA — The bitterly cold winter has come to an end heavy snowfall is no longer a concern and cherry blossoms have reached their peak in Yamagata Prefecture most notably in the Murayama and Shonai regions Although rainy weather has somewhat disrupted the peak blooming days Wednesday saw local families and tourists flock to Kajo Park in Yamagata where about 1,500 cherry trees of 13 varieties blossomed They took pictures and enjoyed the arrival of spring A 90-year-old man from the city took in the view of the blossoms in the park as he ate tama-konnyaku ball-shaped konjac with friends “I’m glad I could come here at just the right time with [cherry trees in] full blossom,” Sato said cheerfully Looking at cherry blossoms while eating dango rice dumplings and tama-konnyaku is the best part.” Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at Hiyoriyama Park in Sakata Cherry trees at full blossom are seen around the statue of warlord Mogami Yoshiaki astride a horse in Kajo Park in Yamagata on Tuesday People walk under illuminated cherry blossoms by Mamigasaki River in Yamagata on Monday Visitors take pictures of themselves against the background of cherry blossoms in Kajo Park in Yamagata on Wednesday YAMAGATA—Yamagata University researchers announced on Sept 24 that they have uncovered 303 new geoglyphs in the Nazca Lines they have apparently deciphered their meanings depicting human sacrifices and serving as places for rituals The findings mark the culmination of a six-month field survey by the university which researches these massive figures in the Peruvian desert 430 pieces of geoglyphs drawn about 2,000 years ago have been found 318 were discovered by Yamagata University which began investigating the subject in 2004 the university had identified the geoglyphs from satellite images and other sources Through a new joint research project with IBM Research using AI 303 geoglyphs were newly identified between September 2022 and February 2023 the number of known geoglyphs has nearly doubled The geoglyphs fall into two types: “surface” and “line” types The 303 newly discovered geoglyphs are of the surface type in which stones have been removed to make figures They are located along pathways and depict people a professor of cultural anthropology at Yamagata University “The human heads depict human sacrifices (to the gods) People at that time learned the roles of human sacrifice and livestock by looking at them while walking.” The giant “line” types include the famed Nazca hummingbird geoglyphs They are located at the starting and ending points of pilgrimage routes Sakai said it is likely that they formerly served as ritual spaces in the shapes of animals People learned about the roles of people and animals by looking at pictures and used them as a place for rituals,” he said More photos of the newly found geoglyphs can be seen in the following Japanese article: 「ナスカの地上絵」に役割別に2タイプ存在　地上絵303点も新発見 (This article was written by Tatsuro Sakata and Koichi Anzai.) Japanese researchers find 168 additional Nazca geoglyphs Researchers use AI-based deep learning to find Nasca geoglyphs Researchers use latest technology to reproduce ancient woman An ordinance that encourages residents to break out in a happy laugh everyday passed the prefectural assembly here although some members were not amused which was sponsored by the Liberal Democratic Party calls on prefectural residents to “try to promote physical and psychological health through laughter It also asks business operators to “develop a workplace environment filled with laughter.” The ordinance was approved by a majority vote on July 5 It was based on a study by Yamagata University’s Faculty of Medicine that found people who laugh frequently have a lower risk of an early death The assembly designated the eighth of each month as “the day for prefectural residents to promote health through laughter.” The LDP holds a majority of seats in the prefectural assembly a group of assembly members of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and others as well as Japanese Communist Party assembly members found nothing to laugh about and voted against the ordinance “The human rights of those who have difficulties laughing due to illness or other reasons must not be undermined,” Satoru Ishiguro of Kensei Club told the plenary session on July 5 “To laugh or not to laugh is one of the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution regarding freedom of thought and creed as well as an inner freedom,” Toru Seki of the JCP said Kaori Ito of the LDP said: “The ordinance does not force people to laugh It also emphasizes the respect for an individual’s personal decision.” The ordinance is believed to be the first of its kind adopted at a prefectural assembly according to the secretariat of the Yamagata prefectural assembly 8 as the “day of laughter” for its residents while Osaka Prefecture has implemented programs to promote health through laughter Mie assembly bans members clicking ‘likes’ of offensive posts Mie assembly members face ban on ‘liking’ offensive posts Shinjuku mayor blasts party’s plan to punish virus spreaders Ibaraki adopts ordinance to register child-sex offenders Musashino’s foreign vote plan squeaks through assembly panel which has been suspended between Fukushima and Shinjo stations since its first departure on Saturday will maintain the suspension all day Sunday East Japan Railway Co.’s Yamagata branch announced shortly before 11 a.m The company had initially announced that trains would be suspended from the first departure on the day until around noon it later said that all trains on both the inbound and outbound lines will be canceled for the entire day The impact of the area’s heavy snow is ongoing in collaboration with the Swan Hill Yamagata Club is excited to be welcoming visitors from our sister city The delegation will arrive in Swan Hill on Saturday The sister city relationship between Swan Hill and Yamagata officially started in 1980 "We have so much to celebrate because of our strong connections with Yamagata we aim to strengthen these bonds and ensure that our longstanding friendship continues to flourish." A full itinerary has been planned to highlight the agricultural diversity and natural beauty of the Swan Hill region "The group will experience firsthand the region’s bountiful irrigation innovative farming practices and vast open spaces,” Mr Barber said The organisers have planned various activities to ensure that the group experiences traditional Mallee hospitality These activities include a spit roast dinner at Pental Island The 40 year friendship will be officially commemorated at a plaque unveiling event to be held on Sunday “We will unveil a plaque in the Yamagata Garden This garden has been built on the banks of the Murray River and demonstrates the strong connection between our two cities,” Mr Barber added Swan Hill Rural City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet Report an issue Join the conversation and provide feedback on a range of Council projects Visit Let's Talk National Report Yamagata Prefecture--A species of coral previously not found this far north in Japanese waters has been found to be thriving lies about 20 meters off the coast of the Kamo district of Tsuruoka in Yamagata Prefecture The northern limit of the reef-building coral habitat was previously believed to be just off Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture The newly found coral lies about 80 kilometers north of Sado The reef-building coral has a hard shell and creates coral reef landforms Its existence was first spotted by a staff member of local diving store Urban Sports in April 2023 who posted photos on social media a professor at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Science learned of the development last month and surveyed the seafloor at the site He confirmed that the coral was distributed in nine locations noted that kikumeishimodoki is known for thriving in a murky environment where the water temperature is low it was believed that kikumeishimodoki could survive in low average monthly water temperatures of up to 10 degrees But the average monthly temperature of the waters where the coral was recently found drops to about 8 degrees Yamano estimated it has been growing for several years Yamano said the fact the coral was able to grow at even lower-than-expected water temperatures “could be due to global warming.” He also said changes in ocean currents could be responsible or simply that kikumeishimodoki is a species that can live at even lower water temperatures than previously considered “The distribution map of reef-building coral will probably change to the north more than before.” Yamano said he plans to present his findings in a research paper in December “It is so sweet to think that the coral quietly and slowly migrated northward and settled in the cold sea.” Scientist proves his mettle with skeletal frame to grow coral Australia fights UN downgrade of Great Barrier Reef health Coral reef off Okinawa island revived after starfish removed Southern fish survive winter off Izu amid warmer waters Caves on island off Henoko hold limestone ‘jewel box’ of structures Southern corals taking root in warming waters of Tokyo Bay Extreme rainfall and flooding in Yamagata Prefecture have likely caused significant damage the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on July 25 The agency issued a special warning urging residents to take emergency measures One person was reported buried after a landslide in Yuzawa city of neighboring Akita Prefecture Yamagata Prefecture suffered rainfall of an intensity rarely seen It was the agency’s first special warning this year The areas most likely to be affected were Sakata city and Yusa town near the border with Akita Prefecture It urged people in these areas to evacuate to sturdy buildings and to stay on the buildings’ upper floors People should also get away from rivers and cliffs the JMA said people should stay indoors but go upstairs The JMA said linear rain bands have formed in the Shonai and Mogami areas of Yamagata Prefecture There is a sharp increase in the risk of landslides and deadly flooding Yuza town in Yamagata Prefecture declared an emergency for 12,286 people in 4,890 households throughout the town at 1 p.m Sakata city in the prefecture did so at 2:05 p.m for 4,880 people in 1,888 households in the Yawata district Yamagata Prefecture was not the only prefecture affected Akita Prefecture received record-breaking rainfall between the evening of July 24 and July 25 a landslide occurred at a construction site in Yuzawa city in the prefecture the bank of a river collapsed on the evening of July 24 and a firefighter was slightly injured which runs through Yurihonjo city in the prefecture The city issued an emergency alert for 231 people in 86 households in the area The Koyoshigawa river in the city also overflowed at 2:40 p.m The JMA said the rainfall expected in the Tohoku region during the 24-hour period ending at noon on Jan Heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the Tohoku region for the next week or so and the agency is calling for extreme caution to avoid not only flooding but also landslide damage (This article was written by Ryo Oyama and Yasuhiro Kumabe.) Emergency alert for 9,000 people as record rain inundates Akita 20 missing in Atami in rain-triggered landslide 2 missing amid heavy rainfall causing flooding in 5 prefectures Japanese version Manga & Anime YAMAGATA--An artist’s conception of the new Yamagata Citizens’ Hall has generated a buzz online because it looks like an elaborate treehouse from a futuristic anime movie The drawing was released on June 7 by a group of 17 companies headed by Ichimura Koumuten Ltd that won preferential negotiating rights to rebuild and relocate the facility The current Yamagata Citizens’ Hall in the Kasumicho district is now 50 years old and has fallen behind the times The Yamagata city government announced plans in 2020 to move the event hall to a site in the Nanukamachi district where the Yamagata Prefectural Hall used to be located The relocated hall is scheduled to open in 2029 the new building is designed in the image of a single large tree The drawing shows the envisioned hall covered in wooden materials Box-shaped spaces and plants on the rooftop represent branches and leaves The screening committee praised the “clear architectural concept found in the symbolic outside appearance,” along with features to encourage people to explore the central urban zone It will contribute to the “realization of a townscape that motivates citizens to walk about,” the committee said “The design was determined in the hope of bringing in people and creating a lively atmosphere,” an Ichimura Koumuten official said The exterior appearance was developed by Akihisa Hirata an architecture professor at Kyoto University The architect has also worked on Art Museum & Library The drawing sparked many admiring comments on social media such as “stylish,” “dreamy” and “looking like something out of a Ghibli movie.” But others voiced concerns about whether the design would fit into the surrounding environment Yamagata city will cover the costs of the new hall but the private sector is expected to be responsible for constructing operating and maintaining the renovated facility coupled with costs for management and maintenance through 2044 are estimated at 17.14 billion yen ($107.2 million) Two groups of companies submitted bids for the city project The municipality is expected to sign a contract with the Ichimura Koumuten-led consortium in September after the city assembly gives its approval Yamagata city noted the proposed design is subject to change when the building’s specifications are worked out “The extremely novel design must be faced with a range of opinions,” Yamagata Mayor Takahiro Sato said “We will be brushing it up while listening to citizens’ views The new citizens’ center is expected to feature a 1,200-seat hall alongside a smaller venue for 300 to 400 people The facility will also contain a film library that will preserve and exhibit titles featured in the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival New mega entertainment complex opens in Kabukicho Yamagata art festival to go online amid pandemic Pipe organ in Japan to be given new lease on life at Hanoi church Director Shinkai gives speech at cinema-free Funeral of Seoul mayor held amid allegations of sexual abuse Hyogo pipe organ finds new home at Vietnam cathedral The Tohoku region has become an increasingly popular destination among tourists from countries and regions that observed the Chinese New Year holiday from late January to early February including “monsters,” and seasonal experiences have gained growing international interest focusing on travelers from nine countries and regions that observe the Chinese New Year Four of the top five prefectures were in the Tohoku region in the operator’s list of “travel experiences rising in popularity.” Top-ranked Yamagata Prefecture saw a 1.94-fold increase in bookings compared with the previous year followed by Miyagi Prefecture with a 1.84-fold increase Fukushima and Aomori prefectures rounded out the top five among the Chinese New Year tourists Many visitors explored Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures together on an increasingly popular bus tour Favorite spots on the tour in Yamagata Prefecture include Zao’s famous “juhyo” (frost-covered trees) snow-covered streets of Ginzan Onsen in Obanazawa tourists are flocking to see foxes playing in the snow at Zao Fox Village in Shiroishi Bookings for these bus tours reached 2.18 times last year’s numbers “Images combining traditional Japanese scenery covered in snow have spread widely on international social media,” a KKday representative said which was a small post station in the Edo Period (1603-1867) as well as Oirase Gorge and Mount Hakkodasan in Aomori Prefecture have also seen strong demand Sendai Airport now receives direct flights from Taiwan making travel more convenient for visitors from around Asia Tokyo took the top spot on the list of “popular travel experiences,” followed by Osaka Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture a Taiwanese who works for a Japanese company and lives in Tokyo spent four nights in Yamagata Prefecture with his family His parents in their 60s and his sister and brother in their 30s traveled from Taipei to visit him in Japan for the Chinese New Year holiday The family had previously traveled to Tokyo and Kyushu together delicious food and cultural experiences―Yamagata Prefecture has it all,” Justin said he spent a week there through an academic exchange program with Yamagata University The sight of Zao’s snow monsters stayed with him and he had long dreamed of showing them to his family The family stayed at a hotel near JR Yamagata Station and used trains and other public transportation to get around The ropeway to see Zao’s snow monsters had a three-hour wait they warmed up in a hot spring and enjoyed a night cruise “Seeing the ever-changing snow monsters and feeling their energy and mystical beauty was like a dream for our family,” Justin said The family also visited Ginzan Onsen and took a boat ride down the Mogamigawa river The family’s journey got off to a rocky start on their first day when a flight delay forced them to arrive in Yamagata Prefecture late at night While having a late dinner at a ramen shop near Yamagata Station two locals struck up a conversation with the family and paid for their meals They even invited the family to a sushi restaurant “Enjoy all that Yamagata Prefecture has to offer,” one of them said they welcomed us with such warmth and kindness,” Justin said “Their generosity and heartfelt sincerity truly moved me.” Justin said they experienced breathtaking nature delicious food and encounters with warm-hearted people “There are priceless memories that money could never buy,” he said (This article was written by Noriyuki Kaneta and Masahiro Takahashi.) Climate change quietly slaying Japan’s ‘juhyo’ ice monsters 139 subsidized plans approved to lure wealthy tourists to Japan Zao’s ‘snow monsters’ loom over stunning winter landscape At least 102 hurt in ‘aftershock’ of 2011 Tohoku quake disaster winter sports fans from around the world flock to Japan for the country’s renowned powder snow have made Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakuba in Nagano their winter homes these well-known ski resorts — Nagano’s Nozawa Onsen is another — have become more foreign than Japanese as the towns adopted a more international vibe to cater to the influx of tourists.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); One overlooked ski resort in Yamagata Prefecture balancing its long history as an onsen town and sightseeing destination with some of the longest ski runs and best powder snow in Japan has long been known for the photogenic “snow monsters” that inhabit its mountains in winter otherworldly shapes form when freezing winds from the Sea of Japan coat fir trees with layers of ice and snow the number of tourists visiting Zao simply to take a snap of this unique landscape has surged But what many of these day-trippers overlook is the area’s excellent skiing opportunities and the charm of its traditional onsen hospitality The hot springs in Zao were discovered 1,900 years ago the waters became famous for their therapeutic benefits thanks to their high sulfur content and natural acidity Zao Onsen is home to around 80 ryokan and hotels many of which offer a classic onsen experience with meals served in-room and private indoor or outdoor baths Several public onsen are also available in town including three unmanned bathhouses — two of which are on Takayu-dori street near the bus terminal This pleasant shōtengai (shopping street) has faced hard times in recent years with many elderly shop owners closing their businesses — a trend hastened by the lack of customers during the pandemic the street has been revitalized as a new generation of shopkeepers move in bringing fresh ideas while carefully preserving its quaint Japanese charm you will find the newly established Manju Yunoka Cafe which serves coffee and local specialties such as manjū (hot spring buns) and skewers of tama konnyaku (balls of konjac jelly simmered in soy sauce) In the evening the cafe transforms into a tachinomi (standing bar) for those looking for some apres-ski refreshments a new venture by a chef from Tokyo that serves Japanese-style lunch sets (teishoku) with plans for fine dining at night in the near future which is heated in winter to ensure it remains clear of snow which sells a variety of onsen-themed souvenirs from around Japan where you can participate in traditional onsen activities such as table tennis or pick up a soda to drink while soothing your feet in the mineral-rich footbath across the road At the top of Takayu-dori are stairs leading to Sukawa Onsen Shrine which are particularly beautiful in winter as steam from the hot springs adds a soft misty atmosphere to the snow-covered scene — and gives a slightly eggy It is this traditional onsen-town feel that sets Zao apart from other ski resorts in Japan but the skiing and snowboarding here are also exceptional With 32 lifts scattered across 14 slopes and 12 courses — including one that stretches 10 kilometers — Zao is one of the largest ski resorts in Japan catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels ride the Sanrokusen and Sanchusen ropeways to the top of the mountain or book a Nightcruiser snow tractor ride to view the illuminated trees at night queues for the ropeway can stretch up to two hours so purchasing a priority ticket online is highly recommended you can either ride the lift back down or ski along the resort’s longest course which takes you up close to the snow monsters the less crowded Chuo Ropeway is a great option and the Sora Mado 1387 Cafe offers breathtaking views of Diamond Valley along with croissants that are simply enormous Another advantage Zao has over more remote ski resorts is its accessibility After taking a shinkansen to Yamagata Station This means staying at a hotel in the center of the city is a convenient option for travelers a day trip to the village of Yamadera is highly recommended or just 16 minutes on the Senzan Line from Yamagata Station Yamadera (meaning “mountain temple”) is home to the historic Risshaku-ji Buddhist temple complex and the temple buildings perched atop the cliffs appear to float among the frosted trees At the entrance to the temple grounds sits the impressive Konpon Chudo Hall the oldest cedarwood building in Japan and a designated Important Cultural Property the hall houses several Buddha statues over 1,000 years old and 600 volumes of Edo Period sutras explains that the temple is also home to the Eternal Flame brought from Kyoto’s Enryaku-ji Temple 1,100 years ago The grounds of Risshaku-ji once contained over 100 temple buildings including Okunoin Temple at the top of the 1,015 steps that wind their way up the mountain It is said that as visitors ascend they are steadily released from their earthly desires and it was along this path that the poet Matsuo Basho composed one of his best-known haiku: Shizukesa ya / iwa ni shimiiru / semi no koe (Such stillness / the cicadas’ cries / sink into the rocks) There is a memorial stone at the spot where Basho stopped to write the haiku The icy steps can be treacherous in winter but the one-hour climb is worth it for the stunning panorama at the top which is like stepping into an ink painting of snow-capped temples and the wintry landscape of the valley beyond In the town below there are plenty of places to rest after the hike a restaurant and souvenir shop across the river a cute hand-drawn map by “The Lovely Shop Ladies of Yamadera” can be picked up and is full of local insight into the town Make sure to try the chikara (power) tama konnyaku at Endo a restaurant known for its unique Basho-yaki dango (sweet dumplings) a famous confectionery store selling morokoshi sweets handmade from adzuki bean powder and sugar which are then shaped using wooden molds with the word “Yamadera” on them And Fumotoya on the main shōtengai serves the best cherry soft-serve ice cream — a must-try as Yamagata is known for its sakuranbo cherries From relaxing in Zao’s onsens after an enjoyable day of skiing to the tranquility of the mountain hike at Yamadera visitors are encouraged to slow down and take it all in For those ready to trade Japan’s busy ski resorts for something more authentic Yamagata offers a different kind of winter escape A Japanese hot spring town popular for its photogenic snowy scenes began limiting entry to day-trippers on Monday in a trial to tackle overtourism during winter a remote town in northern Yamagata Prefecture draws around 330,000 visitors each year.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Many share photos online of its old-fashioned buildings blanketed in snow and illuminated by lamplight that create a nostalgic atmosphere Record-breaking rainfall in the northern Tohoku region has left one person dead at least three people missing and thousands displaced JR East shinkansen services between the cities of Yamagata and Shinjo remain suspended due to the heavy rain while the Akita Shinkansen is running normally.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Rain began hammering the northern region of Japan on Tuesday mainly in the northern Shonai and Mogami regions of Yamagata Prefecture Precipitation in the town of Mamurogawa reached approximately 430 millimeters by Friday morning with around 300 mm recorded in the city of Sakata YAMAGATA — The cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Kajo Park in Yamagata the municipal government of the city announced on Tuesday an employee of the municipal government saw flowers blossoming on the park’s specimen cherry tree The blooming began on the same day as in an average year Visitors will be able to enjoy viewing the cherry trees in full blossom until around April 17 “It’s such a pleasure to walk in the park” when the cherry trees are blooming The cherry blossoms will be lit up nightly starting later this week including tea parties and dance shows on a boat in the park’s moat are scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday YAMAGATA—High temperatures have devastated cherry crops in Yamagata Prefecture this season leading to the second-smallest harvest of the local specialty since the start of the Heisei Era (1989-2019) The yield this season is expected to drop below the 9,000-ton mark for the first time in 30 years Prefectural government officials reported the state of this season’s cherry production and sales at an Aug 29 meeting of a council that promotes the brand value of Yamagata cherries The council is associated with farmers’ groups fruit dealers and the prefectural government The officials said the estimated yield of 8,700 tons this season was down 33 percent year on year and 35 percent smaller than the average annual harvest The annual yield has fallen below 10,000 tons only once over the past decade--9,160 tons in 2021 And the last time it failed to reach 9,000 tons was in 1994 Sales of cherries by the Yamagata prefectural chapter of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations were down 53 percent in volume and 38 percent in value year on year the sales volume plummeted by 56 percent for Sato-Nishiki and by 66 percent for Beni-Shuho year on year a crop investigation committee estimated this season’s cherry yield at 12,100 tons slightly smaller than the average annual crop temperatures in the prefecture exceeded 30 degrees on many days and the available workforce could not collect all the ripe cherries during the period Representatives of fruit dealers told the Aug 29 meeting that they have been forced to decline many requests for shipments of Yamagata cherries to destinations outside the prefecture They worry that buyers may start looking elsewhere for cherries from next year The meeting also heard complaints about the way that crop information is released Yamagata fury over latest theft of premium cherry brand A single cherry from Aomori fetches 40,000 yen at auction Invasive cherry threatens luxury ‘azuki’ beans for sweets in Kyoto Clam scam delivers economic blow to Kumamoto Record rainfall in Yamagata and Akita prefectures has caused at least one death along with a missing police officer found showing no signs of life and numerous flooded houses from overflowing rivers One other police officer remains unaccounted for along with another person missing in a landslide Yamagata Prefecture marked the highest 24-hour precipitation total in recorded history at six locations including 389.0 millimeters in Shinjo city and 384.0 mm in Mamurogawa town the Japan Meteorological Agency downgraded a special heavy rainfall warning issued to seven municipalities in Yamagata Prefecture to a heavy rainfall warning at 5:50 a.m the danger of flooding and landslides remains high and the JMA urges the public to maintain vigilance Operation of the Yamagata Shinkansen and some sections of local lines has been suspended throughout July 26 Parts of expressways and national roads have also been closed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a policy meeting on the morning of July 26 “Flooding of the Mogamigawa river and other major damage have occurred mainly in the Tohoku region and some people are unaccounted for.” Kishida said the central government “will continue to gather information and take all possible measures.” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a news conference that as of 7 a.m. reports had been received of three people unaccounted for and one person slightly injured The body of one of the three people missing was later found and another person reported missing Hayashi also said at least 17 houses were flooded above floor level and 27 house flooded below floor level Hayashi said the Self-Defense Forces have been dispatched to the affected areas and were conducting lifesaving and rescue activities with local police and fire departments “We will work closely with the affected local governments and do our utmost to ascertain damage information and implement emergency disaster response measures,” Hayashi said one of two police officers who were engaged in rescue operations and went missing has been found in a state of cardiac arrest were in a patrol car near the Nittagawa river responding to a call that a car had been washed away at around 11:20 p.m one of the officers made an emergency call to report that their patrol car had been swept away firefighters found four vehicles in the flooded rice paddies nearby including a police car that had overturned Each of the other three vehicles had one male driver but all three men were rescued early on July 26 The search for the other missing police officer is continuing There was a report of another person missing in a landslide in the prefecture The rain also flooded a care facility in the city A staff member said that everyone at the facility was evacuated to the second floor and was safe “The continuous rain raised the water level to the point where the parking lot was waist-deep in water,” the staffer recalled so we evacuated the residents to the second floor We all spent the night huddled together and anxious.” flooding residential areas along the river and leaving the residents cut off A 70-year-old man failed to escape and was rescued on the morning of July 26 submerging the area around our house to a depth of 30 centimeters,” he recalled A 68-year-old man said water began to back up from the drainage channel leading to the Kyodengawa river on the evening of July 25 and the water flooded homes and farmland from midnight to morning The water reached a depth of about 1 meter in some places “I have never experienced water rising this high,” the man said Damage from the heavy rain have been reported across Akita Prefecture as well searchers found the body of a 86-year-old man who went missing after visiting his relative on his bicycle Police and fire officials began searching from the morning of July 26 suspecting that he had been swept away by the swollen Omonogawa river They found the man's bicycle on the embankment road of the river and his helmet was found floating in the water near the sluice gate 1st confirmed death in record torrential rainfall in Akita Death toll from heavy rains in Kyushu region continues to rise Search continues for 3 missing in Kyushu storms; 5 deaths confirmed Heavy ion therapy is a type of cancer radiation treatment that uses beams of carbon ions to directly target and destroy cancer cells The treatment is in growing demand as it is more effective than traditional radiation therapies and comes with a lower risk of side effects The East Japan Heavy Ion Center at Yamagata University is the only facility in northern Japan offering the therapy the facility’s director of carbon-ion radiotherapy states the effectiveness in laymen’s terms “Heavy ion rays are roughly three times as biologically effective as standard X-rays,” he explains “making them a promising option for nonsurgical treatment and control of cancer.” Offering prostate cancer as an example he says that five years after irradiation the rate of non-recurrence and control of cancer in patients is 90% the control rate for heavy ion therapy is in the range of eighty to ninety percent.” Satō Hiraku The mechanism by which heavy-ion rays destroy cancer cells is the same as with X-rays or protons which are accelerated to 70% the speed of light are more effective at severing both strands of DNA The technology has garnered attention as a new approach to treating radiation resistant cancer Heavy ion beams can focus radiation on specific cancerous areas limiting damage to surrounding healthy cells and reducing the risk of side effects This effectiveness and efficiency allows for shorter treatment cycles than traditional approaches A single course lasts from 10 to 30 minutes sparing patients the pain associated with other types of radiation therapy The treatment control room of the East Japan Heavy Ion Center As the first country to achieve clinical application of heavy ion therapy Japan has lead the way in the use and advancement of this revolutionary cancer treatment Research of heavy ion therapy in the United States began in the 1970s but had all but halted just two decades later with the first clinical use of the technology coming in 1994 Research and development have continued unabated There are currently 15 institutes in the world offering heavy ion radiation therapy Japan now accounts for 80% of the world’s heavy ion therapy treatments The East Japan Heavy Ion Center is Japan’s newest facility for this treatment The entrance to the East Japan Heavy Ion Center That center is attached to the Yamagata University Hospital making it the only radiotherapy facility in the world connected to a general medical hospital The partnership provides the facility access to all the resources of the medical university the center’s director and professor in Yamagata University’s Department of Heavy Particle Medical Science explains that the connection expands treatment options there are some cases where we also use surgery or chemotherapy based on the type or position of the cancer,” he says “Being within a general hospital allows for smoother communication between doctors and the creation of better treatment strategies.” East Japan Heavy Ion Center director Iwai Takeo The center is equipped with a rotating gantry treatment machine Conventional equipment can only irradiate in a horizontal or vertical orientation making it necessary to adjust patient posture to focus beams on tumors a rotating gantry enables the beam emitter to rotate 360 degrees during irradiation allowing patients to remain in a more comfortable prone position during treatment The center’s rotating gantry is of a more compact and lighter design than other types it is 10 meters long and weighs in at a 200 metric tons The price of the machine matches its girth with the center having invested ¥15 billion in the equipment The center’s rotating gantry The center began offering radiation treatment for prostate cancer in 2021 with new therapies becoming available as the safety of treatments are confirmed The center now offers most cancer treatments provided for under the public health insurance system and subsidiary program for advanced medical procedures Patients pay tens to hundreds of thousands of yen in copayments for radiation treatments through the public insurance system whereas therapies not covered by the national health plan can cost more than ¥3 million Patients from overseas who receive treatment may pay in excess of ¥4 million Satō says that the center is seeing more inquiries from outside Japan “Of the some 1,500 patients treated at the center to date,” explains Satō “only three have been medical tourists But we’ve received over 60 inquiries through an overseas medical care coordinator.” He adds that the facility has been unable to accept most due to their overall condition or other factors but he feels confident that this will change “Once we have established an admittance system I think we’ll be able to offer more care to patients from outside Japan.” The center’s entrance hall The government has endorsed the center as part of its program Japan International Hospitals an initiative that recognizes medical facilities set up to admit medical tourists The center has contracted with medical coordination companies to expand admittance and Iwai is enthusiastic about collaborating with different groups to create a specialist department within the center the center received funding from the national and local governments as well as from local companies,” he says “Travel and accommodation businesses also provided funds in the hope that the center could help to expand inbound tourism to the area We would like to live up to those expectations.” A little over three hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station including over 130 hot springs and the natural scenery of Mount Zaō and the Mogami River It is also known for its gourmet delights like Yonezawa beef Efforts are underway to bolster tie ups with local sightseeing and dining resources to turn the East Japan Heavy Ion Center into a destination for medical tourism major tourism firm Yamashin Kankō took the lead in announcing tailor-made tours for overseas visitors hoping to receive treatment at the center the company prepared accommodations and air tickets and helped with obtaining visas and other organizations as well as businesses coordinated in offering these tours which combined sightseeing with medical treatment As an initiative that has the support of so many local stakeholders it seems certain to succeed in expanding the prefecture’s inbound medical tourism and inject new life into local communities (© Itō Mikako) Interview and text by Sugihara Yuka and Power News Banner photo: The rotating gantry irradiation room at the East Japan Heavy Ion Center meaning they provided protection against four subtypes of the influenza virus flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season don't contain the "Yamagata lineage" of influenza viruses because evidence suggests that type of flu no longer exists the annual flu shot has protected against four types of the influenza virus — but this year Related: At-home flu vaccine approved by FDA — what to know since the Northern and Southern hemispheres' flu seasons alternate Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox Flu shots work by priming the immune system to make antibodies that are ready to attack the selected flu strains if a vaccinated person is exposed Because no one's been spotted with a Yamagata infection since March 2020 it makes sense to drop Yamagata from future flu vaccines "There's really no reason to include the strain if you're not expecting people to actually be exposed to it and get infected," Hanover Matz a postdoctoral research associate at Washington University School of Medicine in St With Yamagata out of the equation, manufacturers might be able to make more doses of the flu vaccine, CNN reported in March they wouldn't need to cultivate as many viruses in the lab so the change could cut down on the potential risks associated with this production step many flu vaccines require scientists to grow flu viruses in eggs or cells which introduces a very tiny risk that the viruses may escape; scientists follow strict safety protocols to avoid such accidents —Source of person's recent bird flu case remains a mystery — and experts say that's concerning —Scientists find secret 'back door' flu viruses use to enter cells —4th person catches bird flu from cows, this time in Colorado dropping Yamagata won't lower the effectiveness of future flu shots because the vaccines are designed to provide protection only against the strains of the virus they contain removing Yamagata won't influence how well the vaccines work against H1N1 or the Victoria lineage Public health officials will continue to monitor for any traces of the Yamagata lineage scientists could just make the vaccine quadrivalent again This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice Flu: Facts about seasonal influenza and bird flu Brain damage reported in 13% of kids who have died of flu this season May's full 'Flower Moon' will be a micromoon Global warming increased rainfall by more than 20 percent during the devastating heavy rains that struck Yamagata and Akita prefectures in July according to the science ministry and the Japan Meteorological Agency Researchers from the JMA’s Meteorological Research Institute and Kyoto University employed an event attribution analysis technique to assess the impact of climate change on the 48 hours of rainfall leading up to 9 a.m The rainfall in Yamagata Prefecture and surrounding areas was more than a fifth heavier than without global warming according to the findings released on Sept Some areas within the prefecture recorded more than 400 millimeters of rainfall in the 48-hour period The study suggests that climate change contributed to an additional 100 mm of rainfall in certain areas which have historically experienced relatively low rainfall the risk of extreme downpours is increasing due to climate change,” said Tetsuya Takemi a professor of meteorology at Kyoto University’s Disaster Prevention Research Institute “We need to both strengthen our preparations for heavy rainfall and take urgent action to mitigate climate change,” he added were driven by an active seasonal rain front and the formation of a linear rainband causing three fatalities in Yamagata Prefecture JMA warns of heavy rainfall mainly along Sea of Japan side 1 feared dead in Yamagata and Akita flooding Chinese cities brace for floods as heat scorches inland regions Yamagata Prefecture--The body of a man believed to be the second of two police officers reported missing amid record-breaking heavy rainfall was found and confirmed dead here on July 28 Yamagata prefectural police said that firefighters who were searching for missing flood victims found the man lying face-down on the left bank of the Nittagawa river in the Motoaikai district of Shinjo city at around 10:50 a.m The man is believed to be the missing police sergeant in his 20s based on his clothing and other factors two police officers in their 20s from the Shinjo Police Station were swept away in their patrol car while responding to a rescue call on the night of July 25 was found showing no signs of life near the site and confirmed dead on July 26 Man already on parole held in May slaying of volunteer officer Police tap public in probe over headless body in love hotel Missing Ugandan Olympic athlete found in Mie Prefecture father arrested over headless body in Sapporo hotel Four die on Mount Fuji before start of climbing season Yamagata Shinkansen services have resumed by around 11 a.m Friday after they were suspended from the day’s first train due to heavy snowfall people were seen gazing at signs announcing the service suspension while others were seen dragging suitcases and lining up at the ticket counter