Meg Murphy – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. Sun, 15 Apr 2018 13:00:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/en_rocket_1024.png?w=32 Meg Murphy – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com 32 32 176746664 Long-awaited Moomin theme park in Japan finally announces its planned grand opening https://soranews24.com/2018/04/15/long-awaited-moomin-theme-park-in-japan-finally-announces-its-planned-grand-opening/ https://soranews24.com/2018/04/15/long-awaited-moomin-theme-park-in-japan-finally-announces-its-planned-grand-opening/#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2018 13:00:21 +0000 http://soranews24.com/?p=410796 
The much-anticipated park will resemble the original park in Finland and allow guests to explore the world of the beloved characters.
If you’ve been in Japan for any length of time, you’ve probably become familiar with the Moomins — white, hippo-like creatures from a series of illustrated books and comics by Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson.
The books have remained best-sellers in Finland, Sweden, and other European countries throughout the decades, but the simple, sweet characters have become well-known and loved in Japan as well, which is why announcements of the Moomin Valley Park have made left fans in excited anticipation.
▼ An artist’s rendition of the entrance to the park.
The Moomin Valley Park will open in March 2019 in the city of Hanno in Saitama Prefecture. There is already a Moomin-themed park in the same city, called Tove Jansson Akebono Children’s Forest Park, but the new park will be located around Lake Miyazawa, about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of the already existing park.
From the details released, the Moomin Valley Park will feature a lot more structures and buildings that appear in the books, and will more closely resemble the original Moomin World theme park, which opened in Finland in 1993.
▼ One of the main attractions will be the Moomin’s five-story house,
which visitors can go in and explore from basement to attic.
▼ There will also be a three-story facility, with a shop, Moomin-themed restaurant,
exhibit of Tove Jansson’s works, and an interactive exhibit.
▼ Park visitors can also visit Ocean Orchestra,
the ship from the Moomin story books.
▼ The bathing house and light tower, which fans of the
books would be familiar with, will be part of the park as well.
Metsä Village, an extension of the park which will offer a “Scandinavian lifestyle experience” to visitors, will open prior to the Moomin Valley Park in November of this year.
Initial plans for the park were announced in 2013, so fans have been waiting a long time to see the park become a reality. But, by around this time next year, it seems like we’ll finally get to explore the world of the Moomins for ourselves!
Source: Moomin Valley Park press release, Moomin official site
Insert images: Moomin Valley Park press release
Top image: Moomin official site
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/04/15/long-awaited-moomin-theme-park-in-japan-finally-announces-its-planned-grand-opening/feed/ 0 410796 top Diamond Route Japan series shows off all the beautiful reasons to travel outside of Tokyo【Videos】 https://soranews24.com/2018/04/08/diamond-route-japan-series-shows-off-all-the-beautiful-reasons-to-travel-outside-of-tokyo%e3%80%90videos%e3%80%91/ https://soranews24.com/2018/04/08/diamond-route-japan-series-shows-off-all-the-beautiful-reasons-to-travel-outside-of-tokyo%e3%80%90videos%e3%80%91/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2018 23:30:38 +0000 http://soranews24.com/?p=410110 
This promotional video series will leave you with chills, planning your next trip to Japan
Diamond Route Japan is a tourism project that aims to introduce Tokyo’s northern neighbors: Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Tochigi Prefectures. The latest video installments in the series are nothing short of spectacular, with each of the five videos showing off the region’s history, culture, nature and more racking up between 3.5 million and 5.6 million views.
The videos simply show the stunning imagery captured by the creators, accented with fitting music that will leave you with goosebumps as you watch. Drone footage takes you over blue seas and green mountains, followed by serene shots of tranquil natural hot springs, and action-packed thrill rides over river rapids and through winding mountain roads.
But why listen to us blab about it? Check them out for yourself!
▼ Their digest video brings together all featured
themes in one epic, must-watch package.
▼ The Nature video takes you for a walk through gorgeous green rice
fields and flower gardens with a foreign flower artist, who narrates his story.
▼ Onsen, or local hot springs,
are the highlight of their video themed “Healthy“.
▼ “Outdoor” takes you along with thrill-seekers as they bike,
raft, and drift through the region’s scenic mountains
▼ Their video highlighting the region’s History focuses on
the “real samurai spirit”, and all the sword fighting that comes with it!
After watching them all, we’re already thinking about planning our own trip along the Diamond Route. While we’re in Tochigi Prefecture, we’ll be sure to check out their magical wisteria festival that goes on at this time of year. Where will you be going?
Source: YouTube/Diamond Route Japan, Diamond Route Japan
Top image: YouTube/Diamond Route Japan
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/04/08/diamond-route-japan-series-shows-off-all-the-beautiful-reasons-to-travel-outside-of-tokyo%e3%80%90videos%e3%80%91/feed/ 0 410110 無題 Taiwanese man set off by brush of woman’s hair, throws boiling soup on her face【Video】 https://soranews24.com/2018/04/01/taiwanese-man-set-off-by-brush-of-womans-hair-throws-boiling-soup-on-her-face%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/ https://soranews24.com/2018/04/01/taiwanese-man-set-off-by-brush-of-womans-hair-throws-boiling-soup-on-her-face%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2018 05:00:23 +0000 http://soranews24.com/?p=409462 Victim pays the price for the man’s “fit of rage“.
Living in crowded cities means you’ll regularly be making contact with those around you, whether you’re simply brushing past each other on a busy sidewalk or are crushed up against each other on a packed train.
Most people take this sort of physical contact in stride, as it’s just a part of living life in close quarters with those around you. But one man from Taiwan recently lost his temper when the hair of a fellow diner brushed up against him.
The 57-year-old man, reported with his surname Huang, was at a hot pot restaurant in the Taiwanese city of Chiayi, when a female diner sitting next to him, 33-year-old Chen, turned around to check her order. In doing so, her long hair accidentally brushed against Huang’s arm, as can be seen in the video below.
Huang started yelling at Chen, accusing her of being unhygienic, and Chen retorted that he didn’t need to be yelling so loudly. A few seconds later, Huang can be seen picking up the bowl of soup in front of him and throwing the contents in Chen’s face.
Other diners rushed in to calm the man, and restaurant staff tended to Chen, running cold water on her face and providing her with ice cubes until an ambulance arrived. The hot soup resulted in first- and second-degree burns on her face and neck.
Huang told police he had acted in a fit of rage, and expressed regret for his actions, but it’s likely that he will be paying greatly for his temper, as Chen is rightfully filing a lawsuit against him. We hope that she will be successful and be able to move on with her life without any permanent damage.
Just another reminder that if you don’t like going to jail, then you shouldn’t throw soup in people’s faces or road-rage attack them with katana.
Source: YouTube/The AIO Entertainment, Mail Online
Featured Image: Youtube/The AIO Entertainment
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/04/01/taiwanese-man-set-off-by-brush-of-womans-hair-throws-boiling-soup-on-her-face%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/feed/ 0 409462 無題 Pups pose for photos, make it perfectly clear which of their parents they prefer https://soranews24.com/2018/03/25/pups-pose-for-photos-make-it-perfectly-clear-which-of-their-parents-they-prefer/ https://soranews24.com/2018/03/25/pups-pose-for-photos-make-it-perfectly-clear-which-of-their-parents-they-prefer/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:30:43 +0000 http://soranews24.com/?p=408576 
Maybe dogs aren’t man’s best friend after all?
Most people won’t admit it, but even if they have a great relationship with both parents, they still secretly have a favorite of the two. As kids, some may get labelled as a “daddy’s girl” or a “mama’s boy”, but generally will still show affection to both mom and dad.
Dogs, on the other hand, tend to be a bit more black-and-white with their feelings — either they like you or they don’t. In the case of these two Bichon Frise from Japan, it’s quite clear who their favorite person in the family is.
▼ “The difference between their expressions when being
held by mom versus when being held by dad is hilarious.”
While out with their people-parents for a walk under the cherry blossoms, they first got a picture with mum, and were all smiles while being held.
When it came time to pose with dad, however…
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a scowl on a dog’s face before.
Poor dad! Even though he does his best to take care of them too….
Still, the Internet fell in love with displeased doggos when their photos were shared on Twitter (username has been left out upon request), giving them over 100,000 retweets and 300,000 likes. One commentor also offered a different take on the situation:
“This made me laugh! But I also had a thought — maybe their smiles are actually directed at the one holding the camera instead (which would be dad, right)?“
So could be that it’s actually dear old Dad they prefer, instead of Mom? Tell us what you think! It’s certainly not the first hilarious canine rejection of their owner that we’ve seen.
Source, images: Twitter
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/03/25/pups-pose-for-photos-make-it-perfectly-clear-which-of-their-parents-they-prefer/feed/ 0 408576 2 R2-D2 Japanese name stamp holder comes to you from a galaxy far, far away…. https://soranews24.com/2018/02/22/r2-d2-japanese-name-stamp-holder-comes-to-you-from-a-galaxy-far-far-away/ https://soranews24.com/2018/02/22/r2-d2-japanese-name-stamp-holder-comes-to-you-from-a-galaxy-far-far-away/#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2018 05:00:02 +0000 http://soranews24.com/?p=405369 
When it comes to guarding your all-important name stamp, he may be your only hope.
If you plan on living in Japan for an extended period of time, one of the things you’ll need to get your life started here is a special seal with your name on it, called a hanko, which is used to “sign” important documents, like your lease agreement when renting an apartment or the forms needed to open a bank account. For more everyday tasks, such as when signing for a package, a nēmu-in, or rubber name stamp, is often used. When they’re not in use, they are usually stored in small cases or pouches, which can be found for cheap at 100 yen stores.
Or, you could let the universe’s most trusty droid protect your name stamp for you, with this clever R2-D2 name-stamp stand!
▼ Secure the stamp in R2’s head, and the stamp will be stored within when his head is replaced.
When you’re ready to use, just push R2’s chest button to pop off his top!
Instead of keeping your name stamp in a drawer or your bag, where you’ll likely have to dig and search for it whenever you need it, you can entrust it to R2-D2, who will keep it for you on a desk or table where you can easily find it. Fans of the original Star Wars trilogy will also appreciate the fun freebie that comes with the stamp stand – a Princess Leia stamp-cap holder, so you can recreate the scene from the movie when R2 shows Leia’s message to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The R2-D2 name stamp holder can be fitted with stamps that are between 17 and 19 millimeters in diameter, and the stand itself is approximately 77.5 wide by 121 millimeters tall (about 3 by 4.75 inches). If you need to add this brave little droid to your collection of Star Wars memorabilia, you can purchase him through the Hankos online shop for 2,800 yen (US$26.07) plus tax and shipping, though you will need to use a forwarding service if you want it shipped outside of Japan. R2 is sure to bring some balance to the force, next to your Darth Vader snack dispenser.
Source, images: Rakuten via MdN Design Interactive
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/02/22/r2-d2-japanese-name-stamp-holder-comes-to-you-from-a-galaxy-far-far-away/feed/ 0 405369 1 Sailor Moon and My Melody team up again, this time for a super sweet themed cafe https://soranews24.com/2018/02/08/sailor-moon-and-my-melody-team-up-again-this-time-for-a-super-sweet-themed-cafe/ https://soranews24.com/2018/02/08/sailor-moon-and-my-melody-team-up-again-this-time-for-a-super-sweet-themed-cafe/#comments Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:00:20 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=403951 
They’ll be fighting your hunger by moonlight, and winning love all day with these adorable menu items!
In continuing with the Sanrio-sweet combination of My Melody and Sailor Moon collaboration goodies, the pairing will now be featured in a themed cafe – called the Sailor Moon x My Melody Candy Parlor – that we simply can’t wait for! Here’s a look at the fun lineup of food, drinks, and desserts that would be too cute to eat, if they didn’t look even more delicious:
Sweet and savory “doughnut” burgers (1,490 yen/US$13.62)
This dish features My Melody and Sailor Moon with two doughnut-style burgers – one savory, with avocado, and one sweet, with berries. A mashed potato “cupcake” comes alongside with a salad.
Sandwiches with pink-and-blue Vichyssoise soup (1,490 yen)
My Melody and Sailor Mercury play on these colorful sandwiches, served with a salad and an eye-catching pink-and-blue Vichyssoise soup.
Cheese risotto with framboise powder (1,290 yen)
The cheese risotto is fiery red, just like Sailor Mars! Sprinkle some bright red raspberry powder over this dish for an extra pop of color and flavor.
“Candy” salad (1,290 yen)
Who knew salads could be so cute? Sailor Jupiter and My Melody sit atop a healthy green salad dressed up like a little wrapped candy, and is garnished with tiny “roses” made of ham.
Sailor Venus surprise-inside cake (1,490 yen)
Sailor Venus’ bright yellow cake is not only sweet – it holds a special surprise inside! The raspberry sauce accent is made to resemble Sailor V’s “Love Chain Encircle” attack.
Pink pudding a la mode (1,390 yen)
My Melody and Sailor Mini Moon are sitting pretty in pink! Pink pudding and pink ice cream are dressed up with colorful sprinkles and fruit garnishes.
Candy Parlor parfait (1,290 yen)
My Melody and Luna adorn this Candy Parlor-original pastel-colored parfait, made with layers of ice cream and whipped topping.
Colorful ice cream cake (1,190 yen)
This mountain of ice cream includes a color for each of the six Scouts, with accents of heart and candy-shaped chocolate pieces.
Melon soda float (990 yen)
Bright green and super sweet, this soda float made with melon soda comes with an original Sailor Moon and My Melody collaboration key chain.
Ice latte with colorful meringues (990 yen)
Six colorful meringues, one for each of the Scouts, join Luna and My Melody in topping this creamy iced latte.
Strawberry soda (790 yen)
Sweet, cool, refreshing strawberry soda comes in a glass bottle featuring a cute Candy Parlor-original illustration.
Character art hot latte (690 yen)
Latte art doesn’t get much more adorable than this. The character you get is chosen at random, but they’re all so cute, there’s no reason to be disappointed no matter which one you get!
Our readers living or travelling outside of Tokyo will be happy to know that the cafe will be open in four locations throughout Japan, the first of which will be opening in Osaka from February 17, followed by the Sapporo and Nagoya locations from April 6, and finally the Ikebukuro location in Tokyo from April 20, so hopefully there will be one open near you!
Restaurant information
心斎橋161/Shinsaibashi 161
Address: 大阪市中央区心斎橋筋1-6-1 2F
Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashisuji 1-6-1 2F
Open: February 17 – April 15; 11:00 a.m. – 9:00p.m. (Last day until 6:00 p.m.)
札幌パルコ/Sapporo PARCO
Address: 北海道札幌市中央区南1-3-3 4F
Hokkaido, Sapporo-shi, Chuo-ku Minami 1-3-3 4F
Open: April 6 – May 14; 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
池袋パルコ本館/Ikebukuro PARCO Honkan
Address: 東京都豊島区南池袋1-28-2 7F
Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Minami Ikebukuro 1-28-2 7F
Open: April 20 – May 21; 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
名古屋パルコ西館/Nagoya PARCO Nishikan
Address: 愛知県名古屋市中区栄3-29-1 8F
Aichi-ken, Nagoya-shi, Naka-ku Sakae 3-29-1 8F
Open: April 6 – May 21; 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Website
Source: The Guest, PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON 25th Anniversary Project
Images: The Guest
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/02/08/sailor-moon-and-my-melody-team-up-again-this-time-for-a-super-sweet-themed-cafe/feed/ 0 403951 ms_f_sand Nintendo announces its next mobile app release: Mario Kart Tour! https://soranews24.com/2018/02/02/nintendo-announces-its-next-mobile-app-release-mario-kart-tour/ https://soranews24.com/2018/02/02/nintendo-announces-its-next-mobile-app-release-mario-kart-tour/#comments Fri, 02 Feb 2018 13:00:32 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=403149 The beloved kart racing game will soon be playable even without a Nintendo console.
Throughout the years, Nintendo has traditionally kept its focus on video games that require use of its home consoles. Only in the past couple of years has the company began to turn more attention to the mobile gaming industry, licensing various Pokémon titles and developing a few of its own, including Miitomo and Mario Run.
Nintendo looks to be moving forward in expanding the line-up of games available for smartphones, as they just announced what the next major title will be:
スマートフォン向けアプリ『マリオカート ツアー』を開発中です。来期中（2019年3月まで）の配信開始を予定しています。 pic.twitter.com/Z5EYKh8N2L
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) February 1, 2018
That’s right, the best-selling racing game series will soon be made available to smartphone-users as a mobile application, with Mario Kart Tour. However, very little has been revealed about the game as of yet, other than the fact that it is currently in development, and has a projected release date of early 2019.
The announcement was posted on the official Nintendo Twitter account in Japanese, as well as on Nintendo of America’s official Twitter. The tweet, with its lack of concrete information, has generated quite a stir among Nintendo fans, whose reactions in the comments range from that of unabated excitement to pure skepticism and disinterest. With so little to go off of, things could really go either way with this one, but it looks like we have a long wait ahead of us before we can try it out for ourselves.
What are your thoughts and expectations for the game? Are you excited or not at all? Let us know what you think!
Source, featured image: Twitter/@Nintendo, Twitter/@NintendoAmerica
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/02/02/nintendo-announces-its-next-mobile-app-release-mario-kart-tour/feed/ 0 403149 無題 Meet and eat nostalgic Sanrio characters from the 80s at limited-time cafe in Tokyo https://soranews24.com/2018/01/28/meet-and-eat-nostalgic-sanrio-characters-from-the-80s-at-limited-time-cafe-in-tokyo/ https://soranews24.com/2018/01/28/meet-and-eat-nostalgic-sanrio-characters-from-the-80s-at-limited-time-cafe-in-tokyo/#comments Sun, 28 Jan 2018 05:00:58 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=402493 
Tuxedo Sam, Cheery Chums, and other beloved characters from decades past are here to fill your belly.
Hello Kitty may still reign supreme in the world of Sanrio, but throughout the decades other characters have won special places in fans’ hearts as well. Though they may no longer be in the spotlight, overshadowed by newer characters like lazy egg Gudetama, they have not been forgotten.
But now fans of popular Sanrio characters from the 80s can rejoice, as they will be featured at the new Sanrio Characters Lovely Cafe, opening for a limited time in Tokyo from January 31.
The cafe will be on the eighth floor of the Seibu department store just outside of Ikebukuro Station until April 17, and features a number of adorable dishes starring nostalgic characters like Tuxedo Sam, Hangyodon, Cheery Chums, and more.
The Tuxedo Sam cream stew (1,090 yen, US$10) is mixed with beets to give it its slight pink color. A serving of colored rice becomes Tuxedo Sam himself, poking his head out of the stew, complete with a little round sailor cap, and a bow tie made from two triangles of red pepper.
The fish boy Hangyodon makes his appearance in the dish “carbonara Hangyo-udon” (1,190 yen), made with udon noodles in a creamy mentaiko fish roe carbonara sauce.
This unique omurice (rice omelet) dish features cute white bunny Chum of the Cheery Chums group, with two little carrot and broccoli garnishes (1,290 yen).
This pancake dish (1,090 yen) is made in the image of Goropikadon, three cavemen brothers from the land of thunder. The pancakes are topped with airy cotton candy to represent their hair, and a sugar cone for the horn.
The “fresh punch jelly in cream soda” (890 yen) is a fruity and refreshing dessert drink, perfect to end your meal with.
If you prefer something chocolatey to end your meal with, there’s the “marshmallow melty chocolate milk” (790 yen) topped with a cute image of the five little kitten siblings, Nya, Nyi, Nyu, Nye, and Nyon.
Diners will get a special limited-edition postcard with each menu item purchased. The post cards are only available while supplies last, so you won’t want to wait!
Gudetama’s cafe just ended, so if you missed your opportunity, now’s your chance to get in on the Sanrio sweets!
Restaurant information
Sanrio Characters Lovely Cafe/サンリオ キャラクターズ ラブリーカフェ
Address: Tokyo-to Toshima-ku Minami-Ikebukuro 1-28-1 Seibu Ikebukuro Honten 8F Gourmet Stadium II
東京都豊島区南池袋1-28-1 西武池袋本店8F グルメスタジアムII
Open: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (open from 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays)
Website
Source, images: @Press
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/01/28/meet-and-eat-nostalgic-sanrio-characters-from-the-80s-at-limited-time-cafe-in-tokyo/feed/ 0 402493 1 Woman delivers baby on passenger train just outside of Tokyo https://soranews24.com/2018/01/22/woman-delivers-baby-on-passenger-train-just-outside-of-tokyo/ https://soranews24.com/2018/01/22/woman-delivers-baby-on-passenger-train-just-outside-of-tokyo/#comments Mon, 22 Jan 2018 05:00:09 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=401798 
In the time it took the train to go from one station to the next, a new life had joined the world!
In what sounds like a dramatic scenario straight out of a film, at around 1:40 p.m. on Friday, January 19, a 25-year-old woman gave birth on a passenger train heading northwards out of the Tokyo area. The incident occurred on a JR rapid train on the Jōban Line, en route from Shinagawa Station to Tsuchiura Station in Ibaraki Prefecture. According to the rail company, JR East, someone giving birth on the train is something they’ve “never heard of happening before.”
JR East explained that, when the train had stopped at Kashiwa Station, a passenger on the platform pushed the emergency button, alerting staff. A station attendant came running and found the woman and her baby lying on the ground near the priority seats, the baby still with her umbilical cord attached. Mother and baby were then taken to a nearby hospital. Both are reported to be doing well.
A passenger on the train, former nurse Tsuzumi Mogami, relayed what happened inside the passenger car. She was sitting next to the 25-year-old woman, when her demeanor suddenly changed just as the train departed from Matsudo Station. Her face became red as she squeezed the handrail, and when Mogami asked if she was alright, the woman replied, “I’m starting to have labor pains.”
Mogami, who has five children herself, happened to be on her way home from visiting one of her kids in the hospital and had a bath towel with her. In the eight minutes between Matsudo Station and the following stop – Kashiwa Station – the woman’s water broke, so Mogami spread the towel on the floor and had the woman sit down. Not even five minutes later, the baby’s head had breached, and then “the rest of the body just popped out,” Mogami explained.
An OBGYN nurse in her 40s, who was also interviewed, shared her surprise at the story. “It depends on whether or not it’s the woman’s first birth, but generally, it takes at least an hour from the time the mother starts feeling labor pains until she gives birth. In extremely rare cases we have mothers who don’t make it to the hospital in time give birth inside the ambulance.”
Keio Jidosha, a taxi company in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, offers a special taxi service for pregnant women. In 2016, of the 1,367 women who went into labor and used the service to get to a hospital, only one ended up giving birth in the taxi.
It was certainly a lucky coincidence for Mogami to be in the same passenger car as the 25-year-old mother, and a great relief that both mother and baby made it through the ordeal safely.
Source: Asahi Shimbun (1, 2)
Featured image: Pakutaso
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/01/22/woman-delivers-baby-on-passenger-train-just-outside-of-tokyo/feed/ 0 401798 lil_babby Japan’s first kaiten-sweets shop brings the fun of conveyor-belt sushi to Valentine’s chocolate https://soranews24.com/2018/01/14/japans-first-kaiten-sweets-shop-brings-the-fun-of-conveyor-belt-sushi-to-valentines-chocolate/ https://soranews24.com/2018/01/14/japans-first-kaiten-sweets-shop-brings-the-fun-of-conveyor-belt-sushi-to-valentines-chocolate/#comments Sun, 14 Jan 2018 13:00:50 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=400815 
Get your chocolate fix on with a twist for a limited time at SWEETY LOFT in Ginza.
Starting Monday, January 15 Japan will roll out with its first conveyor-belt sweets shop SWEETY LOFT to be set up in the Ginza-area LOFT department store. This new take on selling chocolate and other tasty treats takes inspiration from kaiten-zushi, or sushi-go-round restaurants that are oh so popular in Japan and the world over.
A 15-meter (almost 50-feet) long conveyor belt will carry around a selection of the best limited-time and original sweets, chosen especially for the Ginza LOFT store. In addition to the unique shopping experience, the chefs and pastry shops who created the original sweets will hold demonstration sales and tasting events on the weekends.
Some of the chocolates and sweets that will be available include cacao caramel from PATH for 864 yen (US$7.76), fondant cacao from PACHAMAMA for 3,024 yen, macadamia nut chocolate from Sincere for 1,296 yen, a variety of chocolate bars from Minimal-Bean to Bar Chocolate starting from 1,080 yen, and much more!
The special items to be available during their Saturday-only demonstration sale and tastings (from 1 to 4 p.m.) are Lille-style Amazon cacao waffles for 380 yen, hot Amazon cacao for 400 yen, and Amazon cacao tea, also for 400 yen.
▼PACHAMAMA fondant cacao on the left,
Lille-style cacao waffle on the right
SWEETY LOFT will only be around until February 25, so why not stop by to get your friends or that special someone (like yourself!) a delicious and unique chocolate treat for Valentine’s Day?
Store information
SWEETY LOFT at Ginza LOFT 4th floor Home Solutions Kitchen Studio
Address: Tokyo-to Chuo-ku Ginza 2-4-6 Ginza Velvia-kan
東京都中央区銀座2-4-6 銀座ベルビア館
Open: January 15 – February 25, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Website
Source, images: PRTIMES
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/01/14/japans-first-kaiten-sweets-shop-brings-the-fun-of-conveyor-belt-sushi-to-valentines-chocolate/feed/ 0 400815 d18324-260-178648-0 Traditional Japanese New Year’s display is replaced with an adorably furry substitue【Video】 https://soranews24.com/2018/01/12/traditional-japanese-new-years-display-is-replaced-with-an-adorably-furry-substitue%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/ https://soranews24.com/2018/01/12/traditional-japanese-new-years-display-is-replaced-with-an-adorably-furry-substitue%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/#comments Fri, 12 Jan 2018 01:00:17 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=400687 
While the traditional kagami-mochi display is made of pounded rice, this one is made entirely of fluff.
The restful, year-end holiday in Japan has ended, and work and school are back in full swing. But that doesn’t mean we’ve already forgotten those lazy days of last week, spent eating delicious osechi-inspired cakes and praying for good luck in the coming year at our local shrine or temple. And while our kagami-mochi displays have already been consumed, we have found one that can be enjoyed year-round.
Meet Kagami-mochi cat:
At the video’s start, all we can see is a large, white mound in a plastic basket, not at all unlike the stacks of pounded mochi rice cakes traditionally displayed in Japanese homes around the new year. However, instead of special rice, this unusually fluffy mochi-mound is actually made of cat – one who goes by the name of Mimi. The Mimi-mochi is soon topped with a small mikan, completing the well-known look.
▼ A kagami-mochi display of the non-cat variety
Image: Pakutaso
There is no visible movement from Mimi, almost as if she has been completely absorbed in her role as New Year’s decoration. A sibling then comes over to investigate the unusually large kagami-mochi sitting upon the table. It isn’t until said sibling makes a racket after going off-screen that Mimi is startled back into her true fluffy form.
It would be nice if next year all kagami-mochi could instead be kitty-mochi, but as we’ve seen before, not all cats take as well to the role as Mimi.
Source: YouTube/かご猫 Ｂｌｏｇ via Neko No Kimochi
Featured image: YouTube/かご猫 Ｂｌｏｇ
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/01/12/traditional-japanese-new-years-display-is-replaced-with-an-adorably-furry-substitue%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/feed/ 0 400687 Screen Shot 2018-01-12 at 10.09.28 Japanese American tells of how she was teased in school, and the touching way her mom stepped up https://soranews24.com/2018/01/06/japanese-american-tells-of-how-she-was-teased-in-school-and-the-touching-way-her-mom-stepped-up/ https://soranews24.com/2018/01/06/japanese-american-tells-of-how-she-was-teased-in-school-and-the-touching-way-her-mom-stepped-up/#comments Fri, 05 Jan 2018 17:30:17 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=399894 
Young Melodee didn’t want to take Japanese-style lunches to school after being teased by classmates, but her mother had the perfect solution.
Growing up can be rough for anyone, but it is especially so if there is something “different” about you that makes you an easy target for bullies. Whether you wore glasses, were more heavyset than your peers, or were anything else that made you stand out, more likely than not you were teased for it at some point or another.
For Melodee Morita, a Japanese American woman who grew up in Los Angeles, it was her cultural background that brought her some unwanted attention from classmates.
Melodee, who now lives in New York City working as a bilingual TV reporter & director, MC, interpreter, and professional ballet dancer, also creates YouTube videos on health, beauty, fashion, and culture, but recently shared a more personal story of a tough experience she faced when she was in kindergarten.
▼ She starts with the story in Japanese, and from 9:25 onward tells the same story in English.
She starts out by explaining her personal background – how she was raised in the United States, never once having lived in Japan. While her parents never forced her to learn Japanese, they were very proactive in sharing Japanese culture with her and her brother. One of the things Melodee’s mother did was make a traditional bento-style boxed lunch every day for her to take to school.
Most kids, in true American fashion, had simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as their lunch staple. At first, Melodee was not fazed by it and happily enjoyed her mother’s bentos, until one day when her mother packed her a lunch which contained norimaki.
▼ Norimaki is a type of rolled sushi with fillings that is wrapped on the outside with nori seaweed.
While sushi has spread in popularity the world over, it wasn’t always so well-known. Melodee’s classmates, who had probably never even heard of sushi before, came over and saw the norimaki she was about to eat, and proceeded to make such comments as, “Ew, that’s so gross! You’re eating black paper?”
As anyone would feel in that situation, Melodee was not only hurt by their remarks, but was embarrassed of the Japanese foods she used to enjoy. She went home in tears and told her mother she didn’t want to take Japanese bento to school anymore.
Instead of arguing with her or simply giving in, her mother stepped up and made enough norimaki for all of the kids in the class to try if they wanted to. Her teacher at the time was also very supportive, encouraging the students to be open to other cultures. Some of her classmates tried the norimaki, and Melodee was so pleased to hear them say that it was delicious.
In introducing the class to norimaki, Melodee’s mother was able to dispel the “weirdness” that comes with unfamiliar things, and in turn piqued the kids’ curiosity about Japanese food. After that, Melodee explains she was never teased about her lunches again, and that she holds the experience as one of the most important lessons she has learned in her life.
As they say, “Mother knows best,” and that couldn’t be more true for Melodee’s fantastic mom!
Source, images: YouTube/Melodee Morita
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/01/06/japanese-american-tells-of-how-she-was-teased-in-school-and-the-touching-way-her-mom-stepped-up/feed/ 0 399894 4 What’s the best way to ring in the new year in Tokyo? Try the countdown event at Shibuya crossing https://soranews24.com/2017/12/28/whats-the-best-way-to-ring-in-the-new-year-in-tokyo-try-the-countdown-event-at-shibuya-crossing/ https://soranews24.com/2017/12/28/whats-the-best-way-to-ring-in-the-new-year-in-tokyo-try-the-countdown-event-at-shibuya-crossing/#comments Thu, 28 Dec 2017 03:00:38 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=399246 After its first successful year, the “YOU MAKE SHIBUYA COUNTDOWN” event is back for an even bigger celebration this year!
For many people in Japan, the new year is usually rung in quietly, while spending time at home with family, watching the Kohaku singing competition on TV, or eating toshikoshi soba noodles and other tasty traditional treats.
Still, there are those who like to get out there and celebrate with a bit more pomp and circumstance, and if that happens to be more your style, then Tokyo is the place to be this December 31, for the second year of the big Shibuya crossing countdown event!
The event, sponsored by Coca Cola, drew 67,000 people to Japan’s busiest intersection last New Year’s Eve for the first year of the event, and the festivities are back again for 2017-2018. A countdown video will be broadcast on the large digital billboards surrounding the crossing, and special photo booths will be set up in the area for event-goers to take commemorative photos.
▼ Like last year, the streets will be closed off to traffic, allowing pedestrians to fill the intersection.
This year, an event stage will be set up in front of the famous Shibuya 109 department store, where the final countdown will be lead. On the day of the event, original Coca Cola hats, glow bracelets, and other Coke goods will be handed out for free in the Shibuya 109 area.
Extending the celebration beyond the midnight countdown, those with the Coke ON app on their phone will have the chance to earn one of 100,000 free drink tickets during the campaign period, from 6 a.m. January 1 through 5 p.m. January 5. The drink ticket can then be exchanged for one bottle of any Coke product, redeemable at “Smartphone vending machines” located across Japan, until midnight, January 19.
Last year’s event was a huge success, and it seems like they’re working to make this year’s even better, so if you’re looking for something to do in Tokyo on New Year’s Eve, Shibuya crossing is the place to be!
Source: PRTIMES
Featured image: YouTube/harv info
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/12/28/whats-the-best-way-to-ring-in-the-new-year-in-tokyo-try-the-countdown-event-at-shibuya-crossing/feed/ 0 399246 無題 Bullet train makes departure, mistakenly leaves 200 passengers behind on platform https://soranews24.com/2017/12/18/bullet-train-makes-departure-mistakenly-leaves-200-passengers-behind-on-platform/ https://soranews24.com/2017/12/18/bullet-train-makes-departure-mistakenly-leaves-200-passengers-behind-on-platform/#comments Mon, 18 Dec 2017 03:00:25 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=398466 
Japan may have one of the most efficient rail systems in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely free from mishap.
The trains in Japan are often praised for their punctuality, and while they are extremely reliable overall, that doesn’t mean service is always free from delays or mishaps. Technical difficulties and accidents happen, and trains are still run by humans after all, and we’re all prone to making mistakes on occasion.
Some mistakes, like departing 20 seconds before schedule, have negligible repercussions (though it still warranted an apology). But departing with a completely empty train while nearly 200 passengers are left behind on the platform? Such a gaffe has much more immediate consequences for all involved.
The situation in question happened on December 13, after a Tokyo-bound bullet train departing from Nagoya Station pulled up to the platform. At approximately 8:30 a.m., the train made its departure, leaving 200-or-so confused passengers behind.
Luckily, station personnel soon noticed the mistake and hit the emergency button on the platform, causing the already-departed bullet train to make an emergency stop. The issue was quickly rectified, the train backing up 20 meters (approximately 22 yards) to the platform to let the passengers aboard before departing again.
According to Japan Railways, the blunder happened when the driver checked and saw the doors of the train were closed, and assumed the passengers had already boarded. In reality, however, the conductor had yet to open the doors to let passengers on.
Officials are looking into the situation to find what exactly caused the mix-up, so they can avoid similar issues in the future.
Source: Huffington Post Japan, Ganko Oyaji
Featured image: Pakutaso
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/12/18/bullet-train-makes-departure-mistakenly-leaves-200-passengers-behind-on-platform/feed/ 0 398466 NSsyupattu8s42d_TP_V Japanese Twitter-user shares video captured of “the world’s longest cat”, Internet is impressed https://soranews24.com/2017/12/07/japanese-twitter-user-shares-video-captured-of-the-worlds-longest-cat-internet-is-impressed/ https://soranews24.com/2017/12/07/japanese-twitter-user-shares-video-captured-of-the-worlds-longest-cat-internet-is-impressed/#comments Wed, 06 Dec 2017 15:00:28 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=397071 Cat‘s got our tongue, and has us all tricked!
Cats and humans have coexisted peacefully for millennia, yet much about our furry feline companions remains a mystery. Like, what are they really made of? How can they be so weird, and yet so stinkin’ adorable at the same time?
These questions may go forever unanswered, as it’s likely that cats’ only purpose on earth is to play mind games with us. Take Twitter-user @aims2koz’s cats, for example, with their perfectly-timed movements that created a hilarious optical illusion, which @aims2koz caught on video.
胴体ながっ pic.twitter.com/ikFniqRbRw
— すみパン (@aims2koz) November 25, 2017
@aims2koz has three cats: a black cat named Kohaku, and two tuxedo cats named Komugi and Pan. In the video, we can see the shorter-tailed Komugi start to creep around behind the television, just as brother Pan starts to come out from the other side. The result is one looooong-looking cat that has the Internet doing double-takes. The video spread quickly since it was posted on November 25, being retweeted over 54,000 times and liked over 94,000. Some are skeptical of the video’s validity, but most are enjoying the laughs they got from it, with comments like:
“He went through a growth-spurt.”
“I remember seeing something like this on Tom and Jerry.”
“That timing is too perfect lol.”
“Cats are made of liquid.”
That last statement may very well be true, since, just like liquid, cats do not mix well with TVs. We can only hope @aims2koz’s TV made it through the making of that video unharmed!
Source, featured image: Twitter/@aims2koz
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/12/07/japanese-twitter-user-shares-video-captured-of-the-worlds-longest-cat-internet-is-impressed/feed/ 0 397071 無題 Overambitious diners set restaurant ablaze trying to grill all-you-can-eat yakiniku https://soranews24.com/2017/11/30/overambitious-diners-set-restaurant-ablaze-trying-to-grill-all-you-can-eat-yakiniku/ https://soranews24.com/2017/11/30/overambitious-diners-set-restaurant-ablaze-trying-to-grill-all-you-can-eat-yakiniku/#comments Thu, 30 Nov 2017 03:00:42 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=396669 There’s a reason why greed is considered a “deadly” sin.
The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on November 27, at a yakiniku barbecue restaurant in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. According to prefectural police, the fire started when the flames leaping up from the large amount of meat grilling at a customer’s table spread to the oil-covered air vent above.
If you’re unfamiliar with how yakiniku-type restaurants work, often there is a grill at the center of each table, and customers can order meats and other sides of their choosing and grill it up themselves. This particular restaurant had an all-you-can-eat option as well, which is what the customers in question had ordered, before things took a turn for the worse. “We were grilling a large amount of meat, when the flames went up and the air duct caught on fire. We tried grilling a bunch at once so we could finish it all within the all-you-can-eat time limit,” one of the diners explained.
Fat drippings from even a small amount of meat can cause a fair amount of flames, as you can see in the video below, so you can imagine that a large pile would elicit a rather sizable fire. Couple that with a grease-covered air duct just above the grill, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
The fire raged for four hours before it was fully extinguished, but not before it burnt through the whole two-story establishment, and part of the real estate office in the connecting building. While there were several customers and employees in the restaurant when the fire started, thankfully no one was injured.
31-year-old Kazuaki Sawada, a diner at the restaurant who witnessed the fire, told reporters: “There were a number of businessmen-looking customers sitting at the table, and the flames went straight up and it caught fire. We just couldn’t put it out, and it got bigger and bigger.”
While they didn’t purposely set the restaurant on fire in a hangry rage, they tried to take advantage of an all-you-can-eat deal and in the end sent an establishment up in smoke. Perhaps we could learn from their example and not be greedy with our food.
Source: Sankei West via Hachima Kikou
Featured image: YouTube/ TVnaokichi
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/11/30/overambitious-diners-set-restaurant-ablaze-trying-to-grill-all-you-can-eat-yakiniku/feed/ 0 396669 無題 Starbucks Japan announces its second round of festive holiday drinks, coming soon https://soranews24.com/2017/11/17/starbucks-japan-announces-its-second-round-of-festive-holiday-drinks-coming-soon/ https://soranews24.com/2017/11/17/starbucks-japan-announces-its-second-round-of-festive-holiday-drinks-coming-soon/#comments Fri, 17 Nov 2017 01:00:44 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=395371 ‘Tis that time of year, for red and green Christmassy cheer!
It seems that every time we turn around, Starbucks Japan has come out with something new to entice us back for more. Even if you’re not a huge coffee-drinker, things like their summery watermelon tea or the Mystery Frappucino ensure sweet tooths of all sorts get satisfied. With December fast approaching, the coffee chain has already released two cheerful holiday-inspired flavors at the beginning of the month, but has just announced two new contenders that will be joining the menu: Candy Pistachio and Christmas Raspberry Mocha.
The Candy Pistachio brings a splash of green to the red-and-white options already available, rounding out the holiday drink menu with the main colors that come to mind when we think “Christmas”. And, surprisingly, this time the green isn’t matcha! Instead, the green comes from roasted pistachios, which give this new beverage a light, nutty flavor. The drink is then topped with a sweet swirl of whipped cream and sprinkled with candy-coated pistachios and festively-colored raspberry cookie crumbs. You can get the Candy Pistachio made hot or iced, ranging from 430 to 550 yen (US$3.80 to $4.87) for a Short to Venti size, or as a Frappuccino for 570 yen.
Joining the Raspberry White Mocha and Frappuccino drinks is the Raspberry Mocha, also available as a hot or iced beverage, or as a Frappuccino. Like its counterparts, the Raspberry Mocha incorporates the sweet tartness of raspberries in this drink, but this time pairs it with the bitter richness of dark chocolate for a taste combination that could never go wrong. The Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino is also blended with chocolate powder and chocolate chips, and both are topped with a mountain of chocolate whipped cream and dusted with raspberry powder. A hot or iced Raspberry Mocha will range in price from 440 to 560 yen, and the Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino will be available for 580 yen.
Starbucks will also be selling a number of additional goods in-store for the holiday season, including Teavana’s Joyful Medley blended teas, in a tin of twelve tea bags for 1,350 yen, and a variety of cute seasonal mugs and tumblers ranging in price from 1,700 to 3,900 yen.
The drinks and seasonal goods go on sale from November 22 until Christmas Day, so be sure to warm up (or chill out!) with one of these tasty drinks before they’re gone.
Source, images: Starbucks Japan
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/11/17/starbucks-japan-announces-its-second-round-of-festive-holiday-drinks-coming-soon/feed/ 0 395371 1 Japanese school teacher in hot water for knocking student’s face against chalkboard, other abuse https://soranews24.com/2017/11/12/japanese-school-teacher-in-hot-water-for-knocking-students-face-against-chalkboard-other-abuse/ https://soranews24.com/2017/11/12/japanese-school-teacher-in-hot-water-for-knocking-students-face-against-chalkboard-other-abuse/#comments Sun, 12 Nov 2017 05:00:29 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=394601 
The teacher had been allowed to teach again despite previous incidents.
It’s shocking enough when news gets around of students harassing or abusing their teachers, but it’s perhaps more shocking when the teachers, who are supposed to be role models and the responsible adult in the situation, harass and abuse their students.
This was the case for students at Iwanishi Elementary School in Toyohashi City, Aichi. At lease five second-year students were subjected to corporal punishment by their homeroom teacher, a male in his 40s whose name has been withheld.
The most recent incident happened on October 6 when, dissatisfied with how a female student corrected an answer during a math lesson, the teacher grabbed her head and knocked her face repeatedly against the chalkboard while telling her to “look closely” at what was written on the board. The incident wasn’t brought to light until October 30, when the student’s parents contacted the school. The girl has not attended school since.
Investigations by the city’s board of education show that in July and October of this year, the teacher had used physical punishment against four other students in the same class, in the form of smacking them over the head with rulers and pinching their cheeks. The teacher remarked: “Even after explaining things to them over and over they didn’t understand, so I got irritated.”
▼ We suspect the cheek-pinching wasn’t
in the same loving way Grandma used to do it.
It has also been revealed that two years prior, the teacher pushed a student, causing him to fall and break his wrist. He had ordered the fifth-year student out into the hallway for not staying on task during class, pushing him out of the classroom and causing the student to fall and sustain injury. The school explained the situation to the parents, the teacher apologized, and it was reported to the board of education as an accident.
At a press conference on November 9, the city’s board of education issued an apology, though there is no word on what will happen to the teacher. While corporal punishment may have been no big deal in the past, most experts agree that it does more harm than good, and the general consensus is that it does not belong in the classroom. With this teacher’s history, it’s quite clear he’s not cut out to teach young students, and hopefully the decision will be made to not allow him back into the classroom.
Sources: Yomiuri Online, Asahi Shimbun Digital, Yahoo! Japan News
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/11/12/japanese-school-teacher-in-hot-water-for-knocking-students-face-against-chalkboard-other-abuse/feed/ 0 394601 C785_houkagonokokuban_TP_V Friending Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party will get you free Shinzo Abe stamps for Line messenger https://soranews24.com/2017/11/09/friending-japans-liberal-democratic-party-will-get-you-free-shinzo-abe-stamps-for-line-messenger/ https://soranews24.com/2017/11/09/friending-japans-liberal-democratic-party-will-get-you-free-shinzo-abe-stamps-for-line-messenger/#comments Thu, 09 Nov 2017 01:00:03 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=394256 The LDP wants YOU… to be their Line friend!
While politicians are expected to maintain a certain degree of professionalism on the job, they also need to show some level of humanity, in order to appeal to and stay connected with the citizens they represent. Even Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has put his pride aside to make an appearance as Mario at the Rio Olympic’s closing ceremony.
And now, perhaps in a bid to connect with the social media-savvy youth of today, Prime Minister Abe is also available as free, limited-time stamps for the Line messaging app.
【総裁LINEスタンプ、プレゼント中！】
自民党の公式LINEアカウントとお友だちになると、期間限定で総裁LINEスタンププレゼント
LINE友だち追加はこちらhttps://t.co/prUwwIqWJv#異議なし #lineスタンプ pic.twitter.com/FJe2wnk56f
— 自民党広報 (@jimin_koho) October 31, 2017
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) – Japan’s leading political party, which Abe is president of – announced the release of their eight-stamp series last week on their official Twitter account. The stamps are available to download for free through the app, though you first need to add the LDP (or 自民党/Jimintō) as a friend on Line. The LDP Twitter post included a link, which takes you to a QR code you can scan with Line’s QR code reader so you can add them as a friend and download your free stamps.
▼ Protip: You are not obligated to remain friends with them, however, and blocking them will not delete the stamps once you’ve downloaded them.
The stamps include little illustrations of Abe saying things like “No!” (Dame!) and “Good night” (Oyasuminasai), though unfortunately none of them feature the prime minister enjoying an ice cream cone. Netizens’ reactions to the stamps have been rather mixed:
“I downloaded these stamps, but realized I probably won’t use them with anyone but my super-close friends or my husband lol.”
“Prime Minister Abe stamps? They probably used tax money to make them, lol. Stop wasting our taxes!! lolol”
“I want them to do a series and make Aso stamps next.”
“I downloaded them right away lol.”
“Yeah, I don’t need these. haha”
Whether you’re a supporter or not, nothing beats free, right? At the very least you can use them to annoy your non-Abe-supporting friends.
Source: Twitter/@jimin_koho via Hachima Kisou
Featured image: Twitter/@jimin_koho
Insert image: SoraNews24 via Line
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/11/09/friending-japans-liberal-democratic-party-will-get-you-free-shinzo-abe-stamps-for-line-messenger/feed/ 0 394256 無題 Former AKB48 member speaks out against Osaka school that forced its student to dye her hair https://soranews24.com/2017/10/31/former-akb48-member-speaks-out-against-osaka-school-that-forced-its-student-to-dye-her-hair/ https://soranews24.com/2017/10/31/former-akb48-member-speaks-out-against-osaka-school-that-forced-its-student-to-dye-her-hair/#comments Tue, 31 Oct 2017 03:00:53 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=393488 
Sayaka Akimoto recounts similar pressures she faced herself in school.
The case of a former high school student in Osaka made headlines last week, as she is suing the prefecture for the emotional trauma she suffered due to repeated insistence from school staff that she dye her naturally brown hair black. Part of the absurdity of the case comes from the fact that the now 18-year-old girl had been forced to dye her hair black as part of the school’s no-dye policy, and that she was singled out, bullied by school staff, and ultimately told not to come back to school, all because of the natural color of her hair.
The news struck a chord with Filipino-Japanese actress and former AKB48 member Sayaka Akimoto, who spoke out about the issue on her personal Twitter account on October 28, sharing her own experience as a Japanese high school student whose natural hair color is not black:
“When I was in high school, I was also continuously accused of having dyed my hair, even though I hadn’t. It got to the point I couldn’t take it anymore so I dyed my hair black. When I did, my father said, ‘What’s with that hair color?!’ and went to my school saying, ‘My daughter has always had red hair!’
At that time I realized that rules are important, but there are many things that are more important.”
私も高校の時、髪染めてないのに染めてるとひたすら言われて悔しくて、これでもかって位黒くしてやろうと黒染めしたら、父親が「なんだその髪色は！おかしいだろ！」って言って「私の娘はもとから赤毛だ！」って高校に来た事あった。
規則は大事だけど、大事な事もっとあるはず、ってその時思ったな。— SAYAKA AKIMOTO (@akimotooo726) October 28, 2017
Commenters praised Akimoto’s father for standing up to the school as he did, and a number of others with naturally brown hair chimed in with their own experiences – some similarly negative, but also those with understanding and reasonable teachers who were allowed to keep their naturally “different” hair color. Many also voiced their concerns about the absurdity of the Osaka case and for Japan’s educational system in general. As one commenter wrote: “This isn’t just an issue with Osaka- it’s our overall education. Forcing people to dye their hair is an obvious violation of human rights.”
Opening remarks for the trial were heard just this past Friday, October 27, so it will likely be a while before we know the final verdict. Hopefully this case will lead to some changes that will protect students like the 18-year-old prosecutor. It will be interesting to see if other ridiculous school regulations, like those banning ponytails for conjuring lustful feelings and those enforcing what color underwear can be worn, will be brought to court in the future as well.
Source: Twitter/@akimotooo726 via Sanspo
Top image: Pakutaso
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/10/31/former-akb48-member-speaks-out-against-osaka-school-that-forced-its-student-to-dye-her-hair/feed/ 0 393488 JK92_hohohiji20150222103753_TP_V