2021 Tokyo Olympics – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. Tue, 17 Aug 2021 02:00:59 +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 2021 Tokyo Olympics – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com 32 32 176746664 Georgian Paralympic judo athlete arrested for attacking a security guard in a Tokyo hotel https://soranews24.com/2021/08/17/georgian-paralympic-judo-athlete-arrested-for-attacking-a-security-guard-in-a-tokyo-hotel/ https://soranews24.com/2021/08/17/georgian-paralympic-judo-athlete-arrested-for-attacking-a-security-guard-in-a-tokyo-hotel/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2021 02:00:53 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=553030 
The Olympic Organizing Committee is considering what kind of punishment he’ll receive, on top of any legal repercussions.
Though the Olympics are best known as an opportunity for the best athletes in the world to prove their skills in their respective sports, it’s often also a chance for them to socialize with people from all over the world–and in some cases get up to mischief.
Though the severe restrictions on movement kept most of the participants out of trouble this time around, it unfortunately didn’t stop one Georgian athlete from allegedly attacking a security guard during a quarantine drinking party with his fellow Georgian athletes.
Reports indicate that Paralympic Judo athlete Zviad Gogotchuri (34) attacked the 63-year-old security guard on the evening of August 12, seemingly without warning in the hallways of the Ota Ward hotel in which he was quarantining. Apparently, the guard was on his way to give Gogotchuri and his fellow athletes a warning for being too loud when Gogotchuri suddenly attacked him.
He allegedly tried to hit the guard with a flying kick, then, when he missed, tackled the guard to the ground and proceeded to strangle him. The guard, who suffered a broken rib, told investigators, “The male athlete emerged from his room and started to come at me without saying a word.”
Gogotchuri, who had been drinking at the time of the incident, has since been arrested and charged with assault, and according to investigators, he has admitted to his crime, saying, “I can make no excuses.” The particulars of the incident are still under investigation at this time, and the International Paralympic Committee is working closely with authorities to determine how to proceed.
Meanwhile, the Olympic Organizing Committee is currently determining a suitable punishment for Gogotchuri, who won Gold at the Paralympics in Rio in 2016. The Tokyo Paralympic Judo games are scheduled to occur from 27-29 August, but the committee hasn’t announced whether his actions will disqualify him from competing.
Though the Olympics never comes without a little bit of controversy–and this one was especially rife with it–we do think it’s fair to say that, in spite of a few unfortunate circumstances such as this one, the Tokyo Olympics is generally being deemed a success. In fact, a recent survey even found that a majority of Japanese citizens were happy to have hosted it, so perhaps the 2020 Tokyo Olympics won’t go down in infamy merely as the “pandemic games” after all.
Sources: Mainichi Shimbun via Hachima Kiko, TV Asahi News, NHK
Top image: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/08/17/georgian-paralympic-judo-athlete-arrested-for-attacking-a-security-guard-in-a-tokyo-hotel/feed/ 0 553030 police Japanese convenience store ice cream wins gold for reporter at the Tokyo Olympics https://soranews24.com/2021/08/08/japanese-convenience-store-ice-cream-wins-gold-for-reporter-at-the-tokyo-olympics/ https://soranews24.com/2021/08/08/japanese-convenience-store-ice-cream-wins-gold-for-reporter-at-the-tokyo-olympics/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:00:06 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=551676 
“Best convenience store ice cream” unites people of all nationalities.
As the 2020 Olympics draws to a close in Tokyo, some of the most surprising highlights and memories have turned out to be the off-duty activities of the overseas athletes and reporters covering the Games.
Now, Matthew Mohan (@MatthewMohanCNA), a senior journalist for Singapore-based English news channel Channel News Asia, is making news for a discovery he made outside of reporting on the Games, and it involves Japanese convenience store ice cream.
▼ As soon as Mohan shared this tweet about his ice cream find online, Twitter lit up with delight.
https://twitter.com/MatthewMohanCNA/status/1421999159771467776
Like many journalists covering the Olympics, Mohan has been relying on the humble convenience store, or “konbini” as they’re commonly known in Japanese, for snacks and meals after long days of reporting. And on one particular night, Mohan found what he says is “the best convenience store ice cream“, and as the image shows, that award goes to… Morinaga’s Choco Monaka Jumbo.
The Choco Monaka Jumbo, which first debuted on the market in 1972 as the “Choco Monaka”, often ranks as Japan’s top-selling ice cream bar in marketing surveys, with one reportedly sold every 0.17 seconds.
Image ©SoraNews24
What makes the ice cream so good is its “golden ratio” of ice cream, chocolate, and crisp monaka wafer made from mochi (rice cake made with glutionus rice). This so-called golden ratio, carefully formulated by the company, aims to emulate the perfect balance found in traditional Japanese monaka sweets, which usually consist of adzuki red bean paste sandwiched between two thin crisp wafers.
▼ A traditional monaka sweet.
The Choco Monaka Jumbo is like a fusion ice cream that combines the best of Japanese and Western sweets together for a cool treat with a great flavour and satisfying texture. And given its popularity in Japan, people around the nation were pleased to find it appealed to foreign tastes as well.
“It was just a matter of time before the world found out about this!”
“The Choco Monaka Jumbo is truly delicious!”
“Another state secret leaked!”
“The reason why I got fat… It’s delicious… I understand.”
“It’s great that overseas reporters are enjoying convenience store food. I totally get it — convenience stores are fun and Japanese snacks are delicious.”
Japanese snacks like the Choco Monaka Jumbo really are delicious, and the fun of convenience store shopping in Japan is one that people from all sorts of backgrounds can relate to.
Like the Olympics, it looks like Japanese convenience stores have been breaking down barriers and uniting people of all nationalities during the Games — just ask this Canadian reporter, who became an overnight celebrity for his love of convenience store foods!
Source: Morinaga, Twitter/@MatthewMohanCNA via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Twitter/@MatthewMohanCNA
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/08/08/japanese-convenience-store-ice-cream-wins-gold-for-reporter-at-the-tokyo-olympics/feed/ 0 551676 Tokyo Olympics Best Japanese ice cream convenience store snack food 2020 reporter Twitter news photos ranking A look inside the Tokyo Media Centre for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games https://soranews24.com/2021/08/04/a-look-inside-the-governments-media-centre-for-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-and-paralympic-games/ https://soranews24.com/2021/08/04/a-look-inside-the-governments-media-centre-for-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-and-paralympic-games/#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2021 13:00:15 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=551018 
Visitors at the eerily quiet venue can receive a free media kit, filled with some surprising goods.
While official Olympics reporters from overseas media organisations are paying through the nose for food at Tokyo Big Sight’s Main Press Centre set up by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has also set up its own media centre for press coverage in downtown Yurakucho.
Located in Yurakucho’s “Tokyo Sports Square“, the media centre is only open to reporters via advance online reservations, so our Japanese-language reporter Mr Sato decided to pay them a visit, entering his personal credentials on the official site.
▼ Three days later, he was issued with an approval email, which he showed to staff when he arrived at the venue.
After registering at the reception desk at the entrance, Mr Sato underwent a baggage check and received his admission card for the day.
Being a government-run facility, security is tight here, with security guards at the door and only pre-approved reporters allowed on the premises. Once inside, Mr Sato was surprised to see a large room with tables and chairs lined up, creating easy-to-use workspaces that included electrical power sockets, hand sanitisers, clear partitions and socially distanced seating.
It was 11:00 am on a weekday, but hardly anyone was here. Mr Sato counted about 10 people in the building, including himself, and there were far more staff and guards on the premises than actual reporters.
Up on the third floor it was equally lonely, with staff working at booths sponsored by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) to promote regional areas. Workshops on culture and traditional crafts from all over the country were being held here, as a way to connect overseas journalists with Japanese culture from areas outside Tokyo.
Unfortunately, there were no international reporters to be seen when Mr Sato visited, and he couldn’t help but feel a little down about JNTO’s efforts to promote rural regions being unnoticed by the world’s media.
His spirits lifted a little when he spotted a self-service drink corner, as staff had told him reporters weren’t allowed to bring any food with them on site. The instant tea and coffees here would help to fill that empty spot in his stomach until lunchtime, although he was a little surprised that they hadn’t thought to set up a vending machine here instead.
One of the things that most intrigued Mr Sato during his visit was the media kit being distributed to visitors. Once he’d received his bag of goods, he wondered what might be inside, given that the media centre was set up for the Olympics.
▼ Could this sack be filled with special Olympics merchandise?
He emptied the contents out onto one of the tables and found: a clear “Tokyo Tokyo” file, three leaflets about Tokyo, one brochure showcasing regions around Tokyo, and a booklet detailing the reconstruction of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, with a QR code that takes you to a site showing the current state of the disaster-struck regions in VR.
▼ All but one of the brochures were written in English, which came as a bit of a surprise to Mr Sato, who wasn’t able to fully understand them.
Also included in the pack was a vinyl furoshiki cloth and a chequered tenugui cloth promoting something called the “Tokyo Tokyo Festival”.
▼ Rounding off the haul were postcards, stickers, a tin badge, a pen, a notepad, and a mini water bottle.
It wasn’t a bad swag, and all the Tokyo branding on the goods made our reporter realise that this was a venue set up by the Tokyo government to promote the city and the regions outside of it to visiting media delegations.
The only problem was, there wasn’t any international media to be found at the site.
That’s likely because they’re all reporting back to their home countries over at the Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre, which have been set up to handle the demands of the international media. Still, for what it’s worth, the Tokyo Media Centre, which is said to function as a media coverage base and information provider, will be open throughout the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a number of events on the calendar, including talks and presentations in English.
Here’s hoping there’ll be visitors there to attend the events in future, and enjoy the free goodie bag, because every visitor to Japan ought to go home with their own cute furoshiki!
Information
Tokyo Sports Square (Tokyo Media Centre) / 東京スポーツスクエア（東京メディアセンター）
Address: Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Marunouchi 3-8-3
東京都千代田区丸の内3-8-3
Open 8 a.m.-8p.m. (21 July-9 August, 23 August-5 September)
Website
Photos: ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/08/04/a-look-inside-the-governments-media-centre-for-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-and-paralympic-games/feed/ 0 551018 Tokyo Olympics media centre pack sports square coverage photos 1 Engrish sign at the Tokyo Olympics turns out to be hilariously accurate https://soranews24.com/2021/08/04/engrish-sign-at-the-tokyo-olympics-turns-out-to-be-hilariously-accurate/ https://soranews24.com/2021/08/04/engrish-sign-at-the-tokyo-olympics-turns-out-to-be-hilariously-accurate/#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2021 15:00:28 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=550979 
One of those times when an English mistake ends up expressing everyone’s true feelings.
In Japan, everyday appliances like rice cookers and coffee dispensers don’t usually come with English instructions, which can make them difficult for first-timers to use.
Now, with the Olympics in town, organisers are hoping to make things easier for visitors by providing signs in English to help, but sometimes the word choice can create a nuance that’s slightly out of place, making for an Engrish message that’s decipherable…and adorably amusing at the same time.
Washington Post reporter Michelle Ye Hee Lee (@myhlee) came across one such example of Engrish at the free coffee station at the Tokyo Olympics press centre recently. The coffee dispenser has several signs pasted on it in English, but the one at the top right, which aims to let users know that the coffee service is limited, ends up reading like a dramatic statement about life instead.
The sign, which reads, “When coffee is all gone. It’s over“, is a sentiment that all coffee drinkers can relate to, and it hits especially deep when you’re a reporter working long shifts and late nights on a global event like the Olympics.
▼ “This is such a dramatic sign at the free coffee station in the press filing center. Also not inaccurate”
This is such a dramatic sign at the free coffee station in the press filing center. Also not inaccurate pic.twitter.com/HQ4dHx8SAU
— Michelle Ye Hee Lee (@myhlee) July 25, 2021
What makes the sign so amusing is its ability to make sense on two different levels, despite not being an entirely accurate translation, and people around the world chimed in to agree with the statement.
“No coffee no life.”
“It’s definitely true.”
“Never were truer words spoken.”
“For those who think coffee is life, it hurts.”
“It’s true. When the coffee is all gone, my day is over.”
If coffee is the fuel helping to drive the reporters at the Olympics, here’s hoping they were able to get their caffeine hit before the free service reached its dramatic ending. If not, there’s always good coffee to be found at Japan’s 7-Eleven convenience stores, which shot one Canadian reporter to stardom during the Olympics!
Source: Twitter/@myhlee
Featured image: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/08/04/engrish-sign-at-the-tokyo-olympics-turns-out-to-be-hilariously-accurate/feed/ 0 550979 Tokyo Olympics media centre reporters journalist Japanese coffee Engrish language study funny photo top Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Slam Dunk, and more anime themes play at Tokyo Olympics【Videos】 https://soranews24.com/2021/08/01/demon-slayer-attack-on-titan-slam-dunk-and-more-anime-themes-play-at-tokyo-olympics%e3%80%90videos%e3%80%91/ https://soranews24.com/2021/08/01/demon-slayer-attack-on-titan-slam-dunk-and-more-anime-themes-play-at-tokyo-olympics%e3%80%90videos%e3%80%91/#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2021 13:00:51 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=551128 
Showing off a part of Japan’s music culture.
We were excited during the opening ceremony for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when we heard some of our favorite tunes from classic video games being played as athletes marched out.
And now it seems as though whoever is in charge of the background music is keeping things going strong, by having anime themes playing for certain events!
▼ Here’s the opening to Attack on Titan, “Guren no Yumiya,” which is pretty appropriate seeing as it translates to “Crimson Bow and Arrow.”
「紅蓮の弓矢」 (Guren no Yumiya)が流れたｗｗｗｗ#Olympics #オリンピック #tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/LJkyGnOHkK
— アイリス(•ｪ• )@NMLJ 7/6・7 (@xiaobear) July 26, 2021
▼ The original for anyone who’s somehow managed to never hear it.
▼ The opening for Demon Slayer, “Gurenge” by LiSA, during more of the archery portion.
Interestingly, it translates to “Crimson Flower,” keeping the same color as the last one.
LiSAさんの「紅蓮華」だ！！
表銅メダルおめでとうございます！#オリンピック #Tokyo2020 #アーチェリー @LiSA_OLiVE pic.twitter.com/Z1IyKBveU2— アイリス(•ｪ• )@NMLJ 7/6・7 (@xiaobear) July 26, 2021
▼ And here’s the opening for comparison.
▼ Probably the most sports-appropriate one so far, the opening to the basketball anime Slam Dunk playing during the women’s basketball event.
#Tokyo2020#OlympicGames#Olympics#Basketball#バスケットボール
They played Slam Dunk opening!!
君が好きだと叫びたい
Thank you so much Japan for this amazing Olympic Games with great music!!! pic.twitter.com/UfuatUciWO—
歌姫・ローラン
生きてるなら燃えてやれッ
▼ Ahh, that nostalgic 90s anime opening goodness!
▼ And “Hikari Are,” the opening for the volleyball anime Haikyuu!! which was also appropriately played during the men’s volleyball event.
https://twitter.com/konegi19/status/1420367297714159623
▼ The original opening. Be wary of getting significantly pumped up while watching.
▼ There were also some more obscure ones, like the “Ultrasaurus Awakens Theme” from Zoids Chaotic Century here during a post-medal ceremony interview.
https://twitter.com/NANOTORA/status/1418904591102582792
▼ Hear it starting around 1:05 here.
▼ Even Kugutsu Uta Ura Mite Chiru” from Ghost in the Shell 2 during women’s judo.
https://twitter.com/Vanykiba/status/1419333906965401606
▼ Listen to the original around 0:54 here.
Here’s how Japanese netizens reacted to seeing some of their favorite themes during the Olympics:
*“*Ghost in the Shell during judo? What the…?!”
“Hearing Zoids during the Olympics blurred reality for me.”
“I’m not sure what to think about hearing anime during the Olympics.”
“I mean what were they supposed to play? J-pop?”
“Most people don’t even know where the songs are from, so I think it’s fine.”
“These are songs that people grew up hearing, so they’re going to use them in lots of different places when they can.”
We have to say, we agree that using the songs is a fun way to express and share Japanese culture, and for those in the know, it’s a lot of fun.
The only danger is that now we have an expectation of more anime music, so we’d better get some good soundtracks for the rest of the events to come. I mean, swimming is almost over and as far as we know, there still haven’t been any Free! references.
Or maybe we can just get some epic anime background music for all of the reporters from countries all around the world when they finally figured out how to open convenience store rice balls.
Source: My Game News Flash
Top image: Pexels (Edited by SoraNews24)
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/08/01/demon-slayer-attack-on-titan-slam-dunk-and-more-anime-themes-play-at-tokyo-olympics%e3%80%90videos%e3%80%91/feed/ 0 551128 anime olympics top Olympic athlete’s journey from onigiri newbie to onigiri expert wins hearts at the Tokyo Games https://soranews24.com/2021/07/31/olympic-athletes-journey-from-onigiri-newbie-to-onigiri-expert-wins-hearts-at-the-tokyo-games/ https://soranews24.com/2021/07/31/olympic-athletes-journey-from-onigiri-newbie-to-onigiri-expert-wins-hearts-at-the-tokyo-games/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2021 15:00:48 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=550912 
Unwrapping a convenience store rice ball turns out to be one of the biggest challenges at the Olympics.
If you’ve ever had an onigiri rice ball from a convenience store in Japan, you’ll know how incredibly tasty they are. The rice is soft, the filling juicy, and the whole thing is wrapped up in a layer of seaweed that’s delightfully crispy, making it feel as if it was just freshly handmade.
Ensuring the seaweed stays crisp until you open the rice ball requires some special packaging, though, and working out how to open the unique package without tearing the seaweed to shreds can be a bit tricky for a first-timer.
It’s a rite of passage every convenience store onigiri eater has to go through to get to that perfect rice ball, though, making it an experience even old dab-hands can relate to. So when Canadian two-time Olympic speedskater and current reporter for national broadcaster CBC Anastasia Bucsis (@anastasure) recently shared her first encounter with the rice ball and its confusing packaging, onigiri lovers around the world fell in love with her plight.
▼ Bucsis’ first attempt at opening a convenience store rice ball.
https://twitter.com/anastasure/status/1419892654561656832
As the above video shows, Bucsis’ first attempt at opening a tuna mayonnaise rice ball from 7-Eleven didn’t go so smoothly. Although she did follow the instructions to pull the first tab down and then tab two and three on the sides after that, the first tab needs to be pulled further, so that it rips through the back of the package as well. That way, the sides of the package will come away more cleanly, leaving the seaweed intact.
Following her plea for help on Twitter — the Japanese message in her tweet translates to “please help” — Bucsis was inundated with helpful tips and hints on how to unwrap the rice balls. And being the intrepid reporter she is, Bucsis reported back a couple of days later to let everyone know her progress.
▼ Bucsis’ new onigiri level: expert
https://twitter.com/anastasure/status/1420567352488304642
Bucsis is now unwrapping rice balls with the ease of someone who’s been here forever, and she acknowledged the help of her newfound friends in Japan with a message in Japanese that reads: “Thank you to the wonderful people in Japan. You helped me out.”
At the end of the video, Bucsis can be heard saying “Oishii!” (“It’s delicious!“) and “Nihon daisuki” (“I love Japan“), and Japan responded by returning the love in spades, with comments like:
“Thank you to you too!”
“Awesome! My mom still can’t open it even though she was born and raised in Japan.”
“Thank you for sharing this video. I’m glad that you like Japanese onigiri. I hope you enjoy Japan!”
“I’ve never thought seeing somebody eating onigiri makes me happy. Enjoy your OISHI time during your stay!”
“Your video really touched my heart!! Congratulations. Please enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan.”
“Thank you for taking the time to write that tweet in Japanese!! So glad and thankful.”
The common love for onigiri shared by Bucsis and the people of Japan has created a touching bond that looks set to continue well past the Tokyo Games. And Bucsis is continuing to add Japanese messages to her social media posts for her new friends online, with this latest update showing where she’s at today, on Day 7 of the Olympics.
▼ The Japanese here reads: “I ate a rice ball before the broadcast. Thanks again to the wonderful people in Japan.”
Day 7 of #Tokyo2020
放送前におにぎりを食べました。日本の素晴らしい人々に改めて感謝します。
#RBCSpotlight pic.twitter.com/UIXea5HhfZ
— Anastasia Bucsis (@anastasure) July 30, 2021
We always thought rice balls were the food of champions, and now we have proof that they really are. They’re certainly more filling than the lunch pack sandwiches that recently surprised reporters at the Olympics, and as her colleague Devin Heroux will attest to, they’re just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to award-worthy convenience store goods!
Source: Twitter/@anastasure via Net Lab
Featured image: Twitter/@anastasure
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/07/31/olympic-athletes-journey-from-onigiri-newbie-to-onigiri-expert-wins-hearts-at-the-tokyo-games/feed/ 0 550912 Tokyo Olympics onigiri rice ball Anastasia Bucsis reporter athlete convenience store Japanese food Tokyo Olympic Village tour, with gold medalist Tom Daley 【Video】 https://soranews24.com/2021/07/29/tokyo-olympic-village-tour-with-gold-medalist-tom-daley-%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/ https://soranews24.com/2021/07/29/tokyo-olympic-village-tour-with-gold-medalist-tom-daley-%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2021 10:02:53 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=550602 
An inside look at the apartments, stores, dining hall, transport, and laundry room shared by the Olympic athletes.
Behind every gold medal at the Olympics is a years-long story of dedication and determination, and British diver Tom Daley is no exception. The 27-year-old has represented Great Britain at a total of four Olympic Games, making his debut as a 14-year-old at Beijing’s 2008 Olympics, before going on to win bronze in the individual 10-metre platform at the London Olympics in 2012 and bronze again in the synchronised platform at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Rio.
Now at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Daley’s career hit a new high when he took home gold with teammate Matty Lee in the men’s synchronised 10-metre platform final on day three of the Games.
▼ The pair became gold medal winners on 26 July.
As people back in the U.K. celebrated the diving win, Daley’s popularity grew worldwide, and it didn’t take long for people to discover he’s also a well-known vlogger who’s been uploading videos to his YouTube channel for the past ten years.
With close to a million subscribers as of this writing, one of Daley’s most popular videos, simply called “Olympic Village Tour!“, was also one of his most recent, racking up 2.4 million views from viewers keen to find out what it’s like to stay at the Olympic Village in Tokyo.
Daley does an excellent job of taking the viewer through the village and introducing them to a day in the life of an athlete at the Tokyo Olympic Games, even including all the coronavirus-related restrictions and rules they have to follow.
Take a look at the video below:
Daley starts the video inside the four-bedroom apartment he’s staying in, showing us the room he shares with Lee overlooking Tokyo Bay, before debunking the myth that the cardboard beds the athletes have been given are “anti-sex” beds, instead confirming that they’re designed to be eco-friendly.
▼ The cardboard beds can easily withstand Daley and Lee’s jumping on them.
The rooms also contain cardboard wardrobes and Tokyo-Olympics-branded duvets that the athletes can take home with them. There’s also a Sony PlayStation in the apartment, which fellow diver Noah Williams can be seen playing in the other room.
Each athlete has a pass that they have to wear at all times, which includes a special Coca-Cola tag that allows them to purchase drinks from the vending machines, and Daley tells us that mask-wearing is compulsory when walking around the village.
That’s when he takes us out into the village itself, showing us the large scale of the Team GB building, which sits next to the Team USA building, and pointing out the self-driving electric buses that run around the complex.
Over in the huge two-storey dining hall, there are a plethora of food options available, ranging from noodles through to pizza, pasta and Halal, and diners sit with plastic dividers separating them.
The food hall is open 24 hours a day, and outside there are automatic water stations set up around the village so you can fill your water bottles up with Tokyo water. Over in the “International Zone”, there’s a “mini village environment” which consists of a lantern-lined street of stores, including a general shop, a hair salon, a gift store selling official Olympics merchandise, ATMs, a phone repair store, and even a post office, so none of the athletes have to leave the compound.
Back in the apartment, Daley shows us his souvenir purchases: a shirt with an image of Olympic mascot Miraitowa on it and a Someity Paralympics mascot plushie for his son Robbie, and a set of postage stamps that depict him as a geisha and Lee as a samurai warrior.
Then it’s down to some more serious stuff, with Daley showing us the daily spit test each athlete must submit as part of the Games’ coronavirus countermeasures. Only athletes who test positive are informed of their results, and everyone has a contact tracing app on their phones so if they sit near someone in the dining hall who tests positive they get a notification and then have to isolate.
As the video wraps up, Daley shows us the laundry area, which is located in the underground basement that connects all the buildings, and points out the bus stops and buses that take athletes to their competition venues. The main street is lined with flags from every country participating in the Games, and each team displays their flag outside their apartments so you can get a clear idea of where each team is located.
Daley’s fascinating insider tour of the Olympics Village has won praise from people around the world, who have been pleasantly surprised by the pandemic protocols in place and the massive effort by everyone involved to create a safe environment for the athletes.
▼ And following his gold medal win, Daley charmed the world by knitting a special pouch to keep his medal in.
Here’s hoping the safe environment continues throughout the Games, so that visiting athletes and journalists covering the event can continue to enjoy the joys of Japan through rice balls, sweet sandwiches, and convenience stores!
Source, images: YouTube/Tom Daley
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/07/29/tokyo-olympic-village-tour-with-gold-medalist-tom-daley-%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91/feed/ 0 550602 Tokyo Olympic Village tour video 2020 gold medalist Tom Daley Team GB great Britain diving sport YouTube photos top Japanese sandwiches give foreign reporters culture shock at Tokyo Olympics https://soranews24.com/2021/07/28/japanese-sandwiches-give-foreign-reporters-culture-shock-at-tokyo-olympics/ https://soranews24.com/2021/07/28/japanese-sandwiches-give-foreign-reporters-culture-shock-at-tokyo-olympics/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:00:52 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=550467 
The humble lunch pack becomes the talk of the press room.
While traditional Japanese foods like sushi and tempura are well-known around the world, once you get here, you’ll find there’s a wide range of western foods to tantalise your taste buds as well.
A lot of them are a liiiitle different to what you’d find in Western countries, though, with one example being sandwiches, which are sometimes filled with fruit and cream, and other times, packed in bags with their crusts cut off, in what’s known as “lunch packs“.
Visiting media from overseas covering the Tokyo Olympics recently received an introduction to the Japanese lunch pack, after they were offered for free to journalists at the press centre.
▼ This reporter lists the two varieties available: strawberry jam and margarine, and peanut cream.
Press room food: choice of strawberry jam and margarine, or peanut cream sandwiches. Culture shock. pic.twitter.com/9tnDhwOBVD
— Philip Crowther (@PhCrowther) July 26, 2021
The lunch packs were initially described as a “culture shock” by a number of journalists, but like many surprising foods in Japan, once people tried the sandwiches they turned out to be a hit, with the Peanut Cream Sandwich in particular earning its fair share of fans.
Breakfast of champions
Quite tasty. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/QIWFNj2bLk
— Frank Gunn (@frankgunnphoto) July 25, 2021
10/10 would recommend pic.twitter.com/o0b93lhclO
— Brian Cassella (@briancassella) July 24, 2021
Lunch packs come in a huge variety of flavours, covering some rather out-there fillings like ramen and Baskin Robbins ice cream, but it appears that Olympics organisers chose to go with two of their most familiar fillings for visiting foreigners, who were likely trying them for the first time.
▼ Combine these two varieties together and you’ve got yourself a third option: peanut butter and jelly!
Tonight’s dinner choice. Peanut butter or jelly. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/VJXNobalGe
— Ina Fried (@inafried) July 25, 2021
The lunch packs on offer at the press centre are definitely on the sweet side, and according to this Japanese reporter, all the free food options were sweet.
https://twitter.com/VPA3wjPylsU2Hj5/status/1419161810976997376
Unlike sandwiches overseas, which usually come with the crust included, and might contain more wholesome salad-like fillings on wholemeal or multigrain bread, sandwiches in Japan are usually made with soft white milk bread and are often light on ingredients, making them more like a snack than a filling meal.
That doesn’t mean the media has to go hungry while reporting on the Olympics, though, as the lunch packs were one of the free food options on offer, with more substantial meals like bento lunch boxes and ramen on sale at the press centre.
I had strawberry and margarine tonight
(To be fair. Those were the free options. They had bento boxes and instant ramen for sale) https://t.co/ItZ78ROHWt
— Ina Fried (@inafried) July 26, 2021
As it turns out, this wasn’t the first time for lunch packs to take centre stage at a big sporting event. Back in 2019, they became something of a “cult classic” amongst international media covering the Rugby World Cup, hosted in Japan that year.
▼ Peanut Butter ‘Cream’ might be as divisive as Marmite, but it won everyone over in the end.
Not sure how or why, but these are quickly becoming a cult classic in the media lounges @rugbyworldcup. Peanut Butter ‘cream’ sandwich. Yep. I know...marmite. pic.twitter.com/ExLgSdVUHI
— Rob Vickerman (@robvickerman) October 2, 2019
Given the positive response they received from foreign journalists at the Rugby World Cup, it’s no wonder the lunch packs made a triumphant return for the Olympics this year. And once word got out that foreign reporters had developed a soft spot for the lunch packs at the Olympics, people in Japan were delighted by the news.
“Japanese bread is fluffy and delicious – so glad foreigners like it!”
“Local media has been highlighting all the bad aspects of the Olympics so it’s nice to finally read some good news!”
“These are perfect for photographers and reporters because they’re light and easy to carry for a snack when you’re hungry and don’t have a lot of time.”
“A German friend of mine said they loved the peanut cream too!”
“Lunch packs and convenience stores do more to help Japanese diplomacy than politicians!”
The common love for lunch packs and convenience stores shared by both Japanese and foreigners really has created a bond between locals and visitors from around the world. Like this story of the Canadian journalist who fell in love with a 7-Eleven, these touching tales of connection across cultures are really turning out to be the surprise hit of the Olympics!
Source: Hachima Kikou
Featured image: Twitter/@frankgunnphoto
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/07/28/japanese-sandwiches-give-foreign-reporters-culture-shock-at-tokyo-olympics/feed/ 0 550467 Tokyo Olympics Canada reporter lunch pack Japanese food culture shock sandwich Twitter photos Canadian reporter’s love for 7-Eleven steals the show at Tokyo Olympics https://soranews24.com/2021/07/26/canadian-reporters-love-for-7-eleven-steals-the-show-at-tokyo-olympics/ https://soranews24.com/2021/07/26/canadian-reporters-love-for-7-eleven-steals-the-show-at-tokyo-olympics/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:30:11 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=550273 
Feel-good story about a Japanese convenience store becomes one of the most unexpected surprises at the Olympics.
If you’ve ever visited Japan, you’ll know just how wonderful its convenience stores are. Unlike a lot of convenience stores overseas, the ones in Japan are warm, clean and inviting, with door chimes to welcome you and a wide array of pre-made meals that are such good quality they’ve earned the praise of famous foodies and international celebrities.
So when Canadian journalist Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) arrived in Tokyo to cover the Olympics for public broadcaster CBC he was pleased to discover a 7-Eleven just outside his hotel.
Leaving hotel room to see what I can find.
This hotel is quite the place… there’s a 7-Eleven inside of it. Which might be a great spot for coffee.
Updates to come. #Tokyo2020
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
As soon as the reporter laid eyes on the 7-Eleven a week ago, he had a hunch he’d be spending a lot of money and time here, and he was right, because once he’d spied the iced coffees, and figured out how to use the coffee machine, a cup of convenience store joe became his daily go-to.
7-Eleven at the hotel.
Have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time and money here. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/Lj3D2jXeHA
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
Iced coffee heaven at the 7-Eleven #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/auf5WS4j7M
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
Very friendly local helping me with my first coffee at #Tokyo2020 inside the 7-Eleven.
Won’t come in a cereal bowl. Machine-made. Review coming.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
7-Eleven latte for the win.
Really good. This is good. Caffeine! #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/smIl4vL29z
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
With so many people wishing they could experience the joys of a Japanese convenience store right now, Heroux’s 41,000 Twitter followers enjoyed living vicariously through him, giving his daily 7-Eleven updates hundreds of likes online.
The golden sunlit gates of 7-11 for morning coffee. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/HEmKWoTZuN
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 19, 2021
Also got an iced coffee. Easier to chug. And it’s a chugging coffee kinda morning. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/RlqezwEVwi
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 19, 2021
Then came the snack, dinner and dessert updates, which had everyone yearning for convenience store food…
Went back to 711 for the Wonda Morning Shot and Super Protein Bar.
Feeling like this might be a morning ritual throughout #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/sNYlb6aDZp
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 19, 2021
Tonight’s dinner!
7-11 special. Apparently the Egg Salad Sandwiches are exquisite.
And mayonnaise flavoured potato snacks because why the hell not? #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/ANnKADHOe4
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 19, 2021
7-11 DESSERT FOR THE WIN!
Chocolate, almond crush, Pocky. Biscuit sticks covered in chocolate.
Took this photo and am now devouring. Don’t buy them. You can’t eat just a few. They’re absolutely perfect. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/ee7WrkusV8
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 20, 2021
…and it didn’t take long for Heroux’s 7-Eleven updates to become even more popular than his Olympic updates.
Live coverage of my live coverage of the Canadian Olympic Committee opening press conference. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/c2Aj2uvVoQ
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 22, 2021
Then, on 24 July, Heroux’s popularity suddenly exploded, reaching well beyond his followers to the rest of Japan when one Japanese Twitter user picked up on this series of tweets, uploaded after the opening ceremony, and translated them into Japanese.
What are the chances 7-11 is open at 2am?
I’m really craving those edamame chips and an egg salad sandwich. #Tokyo2020
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 23, 2021
I’m still on a bus.
To get back to the International broadcast centre.
To get on another bus. To get to the hotel. To hopefully enter 711. #Tokyo2020
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 23, 2021
At 2am in Tokyo.
Just got off the bus.
Walking to 7-11. Those golden gates better be open. #Tokyo2020
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 23, 2021
7-11. What would I do without you.
After 18 hours of Olympic coverage, 2:10am in Tokyo, the door still opens. The shelves restocked.
What a place. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/LPhJbVBrEn
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 23, 2021
Heroux’s delight at being able to eat a substantial meal at 2:00 a.m., after covering the Olympics opening ceremony at the stadium for 18 hours, enamoured people all around Japan. The translated tweets (seen below) quickly went viral, amassing over 34,000 likes and more than 18,000 retweets.
カナダの記者さん、開会式が終わった後のツイートが、
「2時になっても7-11開いてるかなあ。枝豆チップスと卵サンド食べたい」
「バスに乗ってるけど7-11行きたい」
「バスを降りた。7-11に歩いてる」
「7-11。あなたなしでは何もできない」
どれだけ7-11好きなんだ。 pic.twitter.com/9chz5jZX27— 風のハルキゲニア (@hkazano) July 23, 2021
People across Japan embraced the tale of the convenience store lover with open arms, leaving comments like:
“I can relate to this feeling!”
“7-Eleven stores are incredibly different overseas, so I totally get this reporter’s reaction!”
“I’m so happy to hear about this!”
“These tweets are like poetry.”
“This makes me proud to be Japanese!”
“7-Eleven is truly God-like. Thank you for appreciating the convenience store!”
Heroux has since picked up a whole swathe of new followers from Japan who, like his followers from the rest of the world, are now eagerly awaiting more 7-Eleven updates.
▼ Heroux continues to deliver the news everyone is waiting for.
Dinner has been served.
Chicken, Mayonnaise Onigiri
Fried noodles, bonito and sauce
Edamame chips because I love them
And Pocari Sweat because I’m dehydrated.The Olympic 7/11 diet of champions. pic.twitter.com/joqqEVJKIN
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 24, 2021
The feel-good story of an overseas reporter’s 7-Eleven updates has become one of the most unexpected surprises at the Olympics, and even Heroux himself is surprised by his newfound fame.
I certainly did not think my Olympic coverage from Tokyo would include hundreds, maybe thousands now, waiting on my reports from 7/11.
But these are strange days. And it’s fun to feel part of the community when we can’t be part of the community. #Tokyo2020
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 24, 2021
After all the disappointing scandals and price-gouging news tied to the Tokyo Olympics, it’s nice to finally find a wholesome, heartwarming story related to the Games. For more updates on the reporter’s convenience store visits, be sure to give Heroux a follow because there’s a lot to discover at 7-Eleven, including surprisingly tasty ramen and a machine where you can print postcards and photos from your phone!
Source: Twitter/@Devin_Heroux via Hachima Kikou
Featured image: Twitter/@Devin_Heroux
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/07/26/canadian-reporters-love-for-7-eleven-steals-the-show-at-tokyo-olympics/feed/ 0 550273 Tokyo Olympics Canada hotel 7 eleven Japanese convenience store food journalist media press village photos 8 Tokyo Olympics to allow spectators, provided they “cheer quietly” https://soranews24.com/2021/06/20/tokyo-olympics-to-allow-spectators-provided-they-cheer-quietly/ https://soranews24.com/2021/06/20/tokyo-olympics-to-allow-spectators-provided-they-cheer-quietly/#comments Sat, 19 Jun 2021 16:00:17 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=546372 
Expect a very muted crowd at the Olympics this year.
The Tokyo Olympics are set to commence in just over a month, but it’s still in a bit of a disarray, with organisers struggling to organise such a huge event in the midst of a global pandemic. With the coronavirus really throwing a spanner in the works, there have been calls to cancel the Games completely, with even volunteers dropping out.
There have already been measures put in place to safeguard against COVID-19, such as restricting spectators to Japanese residents only, but further measures were announced at a press conference that took place on June 17.
Prime Minister Suga announced that up to 10,000 spectators would be allowed at the Olympic events. The exact number will be decided in another meeting between the national government, the government in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the Japanese Olympic Organising Committee.
Suga further elaborated on other safety measures, adding: “All spectators must wear a mask, and cheering loudly will be prohibited.”
▼ So this guy failed twice.
A similar rule was used for the torch relays throughout Japan, with spectators asked to clap rather than cheer for the torch runners. While a shame for the athletes competing, who are likely spurred on by the cheers of the crowd, the no loud noises move is not an unusual one in Japan. After all, this isn’t the first time such a rule has been implemented.
Suga also stressed the importance of spectators immediately returning home once the event they were watching had finished in order to stop any potential COVID-19 outbreaks.
At present, the Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to commence on July 23, but it’s safe to say this will be an Olympics like no other. Although if the opening ceremony is anything like the leaked plans from 2020 suggest it might be, organisers might have a hard time stopping people from letting out an involuntary cheer or two.
Source: Kyodo News
Images: Pakutaso (1, 2)
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/06/20/tokyo-olympics-to-allow-spectators-provided-they-cheer-quietly/feed/ 0 546372 kuchikomi1111_TP_V Japan’s PM says plenty of nurses available to work Olympics since “many are taking time off now” https://soranews24.com/2021/05/01/prime-minister-suga-says-they-can-get-500-nurses-at-olympics-since-many-are-taking-time-off-now/ https://soranews24.com/2021/05/01/prime-minister-suga-says-they-can-get-500-nurses-at-olympics-since-many-are-taking-time-off-now/#comments Sat, 01 May 2021 13:00:57 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=541181 
Not the best time to be moving much-needed healthcare workers.
The controversial 2021 Olympics seems to be happening this summer in Japan, despite the majority of Japanese people thinking they should be cancelled or postponed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to carry out the Olympics as safely as possible, several measures have already been taken, such as not allowing spectators from outside the country, and recently, the organizers requesting 500 nurses to be on site at the Games.
That request has garnered much anger online, due to it being as seen taking necessary health workers from other locations and putting them to work at an event that shouldn’t even be happening.
However, on April 30 Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reassured people that they would be able to fulfill the 500 requested nurses because: “I’ve heard many are taking time off now. So it should be possible.”
Of course this is a terrible take for many reasons. If nurses are taking time off from work, then there’s a reason for that, either because they’re overworked and need that time off, or because their working conditions are dangerous.
Also, if things are so bad that nurses are taking time off, then perhaps that’s yet another reason to not hold the Olympics in the first place. It’d be like if littering got so bad that garbage men had to take time off… and then that was seen as a good thing because look at all the garbage men with free time to clean up!
▼ Former Prime Minister Yuikio Hatoyama was critical of Suga’s response. (Translation below)
菅首相、あなたは五輪への看護師500人派遣について、休んでる人が沢山いるので可能と述べたのですか？今、国民はコロナで死ぬか不景気で死ぬか、ギリギリで生活しているのですよ。大阪等では看護師さんに来て欲しいと要請しているのですよ。ワクチンの大規模接種会場には看護師さん要らないのですか。
— 鳩山友紀夫（由紀夫）Yukio Hatoyama (@hatoyamayukio) April 30, 2021
“Prime Minister Suga, you said that it will be possible to dispatch 500 nurses to the Olympics because many are taking time off? Right now, citizens are dying from COVID and dying from the economic slump, barely getting by. Osaka and other places want nurses to come to them. Do we not need nurses at large-scale vaccination centers?”
Japanese netizens voiced similar thoughts online:
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing with Hatoyama for once.”
“They’re taking time off for a reason. Don’t make them work.”
“Why is someone who has never worked as a nurse saying this is possible?”
“Olympics First.”
“This is not what we want.”
“Even if some are taking time off, things are only going to get worse after Golden Week.”
“Nurses who are going back to work should only be going back to their actual work.”
We’ll have to see how this all pans out, but with other helpers leaving the Olympics due to sexist remarks just a few months ago, it’s hard to imagine nurses — especially ones currently forced into the position of taking time off — wanting to participate.
Source: JIJI.COM via My Game News Flash
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Wikipedia/内閣官房内閣広報室
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/05/01/prime-minister-suga-says-they-can-get-500-nurses-at-olympics-since-many-are-taking-time-off-now/feed/ 0 541181 saya0I9A4209072170656 Tokyo Olympics will not allow spectators from overseas https://soranews24.com/2021/03/22/tokyo-olympics-will-not-allow-spectators-from-overseas/ https://soranews24.com/2021/03/22/tokyo-olympics-will-not-allow-spectators-from-overseas/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2021 04:20:43 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=536932 
Long-suspected precautionary measure is latest sad development for troubled event.
The Olympics are held up as the world’s greatest showcase of athletic prowess, but right now the Tokyo Olympics are limping towards their opening date of July 23, and enthusiasm for the event has now been dealt its latest blow with the announcement that spectators from overseas will not be admitted to the Olympic competition venues and opening/closing ceremonies.
The decision, jointly reached by the Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee, IOC, Tokyo metropolitan government, and Japanese national government, is one that many suspected had been coming for some time. With Japan’s coronavirus infection rate lower than many other countries,’ and vaccinations having only recently begun in Japan, the possibility of inbound tourists triggering infection clusters has been a frequent point of discussion in conversations about what sort of health precautions need to be taken for staging an Olympics during the pandemic, and Organizing Committee president Seiko Hashimoto explained the priorities with:
“It is truly unfortunate [that spectator from overseas will not be admitted], but this is a resolution that was reached in order to hold the Games in a way that is safe and secure for the competing athletes and the people of Japan.”
To clarify, by “people of Japan” Hashimoto is referring to residents of Japan, not necessarily Japanese citizens or people of Japanese ethnicity, as foreign residents of the country are not barred from attending Tokyo Olympic events.
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike also expressed her sorrow while calling the decision “unavoidable.” “As the host city, this was an opportunity for people from around the world to directly experience and enjoy the attractions and culture of Tokyo alongside our local population, and it is very unfortunate that it has come to this.”
The no-overseas-spectators ban also affects the Tokyo Paralympics, which are slated to open on August 24, one month after the Olympics. However, the bans themselves may end up being redundant, as Japan is still closed to international tourist travel, and may not reopen by the time the Games are scheduled to begin. In announcing the admission ban officials cited not only infection concerns, but also an inability to guarantee easy entry into/departure from Japan for tourists.
Trying to find some sort of silver lining, Koike said “I think people from all over the world interacting with each other via the Internet may become a new aspect of the Olympics and Paralympics” and expressed her hope that through watching the completions remotely there can still be a sense of shared experience and emotional connection among fans. Still, the opportunity for fans from other countries to interact directly with the everyday people of Tokyo being lost is a sad, if necessary, development.
Source: NHK News Web
Top image: Wikipedia/Arne Müseler
Insert image: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/03/22/tokyo-olympics-will-not-allow-spectators-from-overseas/feed/ 0 536932 FS 1 Tokyo Olympics Official Shop branch closes down four months before Games may or may not start https://soranews24.com/2021/03/21/tokyo-olympics-official-shop-branch-closes-down-four-months-before-games-may-or-may-not-start/ https://soranews24.com/2021/03/21/tokyo-olympics-official-shop-branch-closes-down-four-months-before-games-may-or-may-not-start/#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2021 05:00:39 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=536643 
The latest sad development for the troubled event.
It’d be a massive understatement to say that the runup to the Tokyo Olympics has been less than smooth. First came the coronavirus-caused postponement of the Games, which were originally supposed to open in July of 2020. Then the president of the Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee resigned last month, followed by the resignation of its chief creative director this week.
And now comes the bowing out of another Olympic partner before the first event even takes place, with the closing of the Tokyo, Fuchu branch of the official Tokyo Olympics merchandise shop. Shoppers in the west Tokyo neighborhood still have a few days left to visit the store, which has recently put up a printed notice, in Japanese and English, saying
“Dear customers
We regret to inform you that our shop will be closing on March 21st. Thank you very much for your support since the opening of the shop.”
It’s not a shocking decision, since it’s hard to imagine demand for Olympics merch being lower than it is now. It’s hard to feel a sense of excited anticipation in the air when there’s a chance that public respiration is going to give you a deadly disease, and even if Tokyo goes through with its current plan to open the Olympics on their target date of July 23, there’s the question of whether or not overseas athletes will come to compete, and if spectators will be allowed to watch in-person.
On the bright side, all is not lost for those who want to buy Tokyo Olympic memorabilia, since the Tokyo Olympics Official Shop does still have multiple branches open in Tokyo (there’s a list here), many in more centralized locations than Fuchu. It’s also possible that the Fuchu store’s closure is partially influenced by spring being the start of the fiscal year for many Japanese businesses, meaning they may have needed to make a choice between shutting down the store now or extending their lease until well after the Games are scheduled to finish and demand for their wares has completely disappeared. Still, it’s sad to think that the Fuchu branch couldn’t go the distance until the event that’s the entire reason its existence even started.
Source: Tokyo Olympics Official Shop, Twitter/@kokusairengo via Hachima Kiko
Top image ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/03/21/tokyo-olympics-official-shop-branch-closes-down-four-months-before-games-may-or-may-not-start/feed/ 0 536643 OS 1 Prefectural governor wants 2021 Olympics and torch relay cancelled, Tokyo not pleased https://soranews24.com/2021/02/21/prefectural-governor-wants-2021-olympics-and-torch-relay-cancelled-tokyo-not-pleased/ https://soranews24.com/2021/02/21/prefectural-governor-wants-2021-olympics-and-torch-relay-cancelled-tokyo-not-pleased/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2021 05:00:17 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=533768 
Fellow politicians call for Shimane governor to be reprimanded for his comments.
The Tokyo Olympics have endured a lot of controversy over the last few weeks, but despite everything that’s been happening, there’s been no update on the status of the actual games themselves.
At present, the Games are still scheduled to begin on July 23, but with the global pandemic still in full swing, will they actually go ahead as planned? Will they be cancelled? Will they be postponed yet again? At the moment, all we can do is speculate.
One thing we may not need to speculate on, however, is the future of the torch relay. The relay is planned to tour all of Japan’s 47 prefectures over 121 days, finishing in Tokyo in time for the start of the Games. But recently the relay has been the subject of discussion, with popular comedian Atsushi Tamura withdrawing as a relay runner, and now Shimane Prefecture governor Tatsuya Maruyama planning on withdrawing any torch relay events from his prefecture.
Maruyama commented that he believed the Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled if the coronavirus situation doesn’t improve. He added that he would have no choice but to cancel the torch relay events, scheduled to happen in Shimane Prefecture in May.
Upon hearing these statements, Liberal Democratic Party member and Shimane representative Wataru Takeshita commented:
“I’m confused by these comments. If this was coming from a prefecture with a lot of infected citizens, maybe I could understand. But Shimane is far from where most infections are happening. Other prefectures shouldn’t follow Shimane’s example. Now is the time to be getting everyone excited for the Olympics. The governor should be summoned and reprimanded for his remarks.”
▼ Shimane Prefecture currently has 287 cases of corona, compared to Tokyo’s 108,000.
Just as Japanese citizens are divided about whether or not the Olympics should go ahead or not, Takeshita’s comments also garnered mixed opinions on the web.
“It’s the governor’s job to keep his citizens safe from coronavirus. It doesn’t matter about comparing corona rates, or if we should be ‘getting everyone pumped’ about the Olympics.”
“Why don’t we just skip Shimane, if they’re being so uncooperative?”
“Instead of reprimanding the governor, why don’t they try discussing it? What an old-fashioned way of thinking.”
A decision will need to be reached soon, as the torch relay is due to start on March 25 in Fukushima Prefecture. And while we wait for the final verdict to be made, we can always snack on an edible version of the Olympic Torch in Tokyo!
Source: NHK News via Jin
Top images: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/02/21/prefectural-governor-wants-2021-olympics-and-torch-relay-cancelled-tokyo-not-pleased/feed/ 0 533768 yotakaGJ0918_TP_V (1) Japanese Internet reacts in dismay to official Olympics Twitter quietly changing its header https://soranews24.com/2021/02/11/japanese-internet-reacts-in-dismay-to-official-olympics-twitter-quietly-changing-its-header/ https://soranews24.com/2021/02/11/japanese-internet-reacts-in-dismay-to-official-olympics-twitter-quietly-changing-its-header/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2021 04:21:11 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=531930 
Netizens claim that whoever runs the account is making a call on the fate of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The official Twitter account of the Olympics is one of the most sterile, cheery spaces in the online sports world. It skates through discourse, does a long jump over drama, and instead dives straight into feel-good content intended to generate excitement for the event itself and the athletes who take part.
Take this cheery factoid they posted late last year, for instance:
Did you know sport climbing will be making its Olympic debut at @Tokyo2020?
It will feature three disciplines in a combined event. Who's looking forward to it?#StrongerTogether #SportClimbing @IFSClimbing pic.twitter.com/VMICfNS38Y
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) November 17, 2020
By the time this tweet about the brand new sports to be unveiled at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics went live, it was already clear that said Olympics would not be taking place in 2020. In fact, it still felt rather uncertain if the games would take place at all, despite a brand new 2021 date reflected by the official Twitter account’s header.
▼ This image is taken from a Wayback Machine snapshot on February 3, 2021, 8:14 am.
Sadly, it seems the official Olympic Twitter has run out of patience. On February 3, the header was replaced with the current image, advertising the rapidly-approaching arrival of the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022.
▼ Another snapshot from the Wayback Machine, this one from February 3, 2021, 11:57 pm.
Well, they would have had to update it at some point considering that the Beijing Winter Olympics are, in fact, a year away. However, the fact that the header was changed amid the latest of a series of Tokyo Olympics PR mishaps didn’t go unnoticed.
▼ “Changing the official Olympics Twitter header to honor the Beijing Olympics, at a time like this — it’s way too significant, don’t you think?”
https://twitter.com/dra_veer_naho/status/1359119434783232001
Many of the replies and quote-retweets clearly agreed that this isn’t a good sign for the Tokyo Olympics.
“Cancellation confirmed.”
“People abroad are barely even talking about the Tokyo Olympics anymore.”
“The Olympics themselves are strongly suggesting something at this point…”
“Whoa, they seriously did change it.”
It seems that there’ll need to be some very drastic measures taken to boost the Tokyo Olympic 2020 fervor at this point, as even vaccine rollouts and their team of elite hackers haven’t drawn any attention away from the official Tokyo Olympics chairman’s misogynistic comments.
Source: Twitter/@Olympics via Itai News
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: Wayback Machine (1, 2)
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/02/11/japanese-internet-reacts-in-dismay-to-official-olympics-twitter-quietly-changing-its-header/feed/ 0 531930 cancanIMGL1583_TP_V Disagreeing with chairman Mori, comedian Atsushi Tamura withdraws from the Olympic Torch Relay https://soranews24.com/2021/02/05/disagreeing-with-chairman-mori-comedian-atsushi-tamura-withdraws-from-the-olympic-torch-relay/ https://soranews24.com/2021/02/05/disagreeing-with-chairman-mori-comedian-atsushi-tamura-withdraws-from-the-olympic-torch-relay/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:00:20 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=531361 
The celebrity shared his reasoning in a YouTube video uploaded to London Boot’s channel.
Though it may seem far away for those of us who aren’t involved, July 23, the postponed date for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is fast approaching, and the time for deciding whether or not the Olympics are to be held as planned, postponed again, or cancelled entirely is drawing near much too quickly.
While the the head of the organizing committee in Japan, Yoshiro Mori, has said that the Olympics will be held on schedule regardless of the state of the pandemic, not everyone agrees. Atsushi Tamura, for one, a Japanese comedian and a member of the comedy duo London Boots Ichi-go Ni-go, sincerely believes the games should be postponed. In fact, he believes it so strongly that he decided it was best to withdraw from running in the Olympic Torch Relay.
今日だよ
笑ってこらえて2時間スペシャル
所さんの番組ぜんぶ好き^_^
特にダーツの旅…こんな企画やりたい！所ジョージさん
所アツシって名乗って良いって話
覚えてるかなぁw pic.twitter.com/H9USGIcZZ8— 田村淳 (@atsushiTSK) January 27, 2021
Tamura was nominated to be one of the many celebrities who would run a part of the Olympic Torch Relay, which was originally planned to run through all 47 prefectures of Japan so that its path would include many of Japan’s best tourist sites. The lengthy route would also give 100 percent of the population of Japan the ability to travel to a section of the relay within an hour from anywhere in the country, with the hope that everyone would come out to cheer on the official beginnings of the Olympic Games.
Obviously, since the virus spreads easily among large crowds, having hundreds of people crowd up together on the sidewalks to watch a runner go by isn’t exactly desirable, so the organizing committee, headed by Mori, has been discussing how to make it safer. One of the ideas that came up was to change the paths of the celebrity runners, who would probably draw more of crowd, to more rural areas, such as on roads that run through farmlands and rice paddies, where people are less likely to gather.
But Tamura, who was selected to run through the Inuyama Castle area of Inuyama City in Aichi Prefecture, has disagreed with this and many of the committee’s other ideas on the Olympics, and thus has officially withdrawn from the relay. In a video posted to London Boots’ official YouTube channel on the 3, he explained exactly why he decided not to bear the torch.
Wearing a formal-looking kimono and sitting on the floor in seiza style on his knees, Tamura explains that the reason behind his withdrawal wasn’t simply because he doesn’t think the games should happen on schedule; rather, he said that his decision to withdraw was a direct result of the organizing committee’s stances on the matter, specifically those of chairman Mori’s. “If you’re wondering why I came to this decision, it’s because I saw from interviews and reading articles that the Japan Olympic Committee’s Chairman Mori said that the Olympics will happen no matter the state of the pandemic, which I find impossible to understand.”
(Note that Tamura falsely says that Mori is the chairman of the Japan Olympic Committee, when in fact he is the chair of the organizing committee, which is noted as a correction in the description of the video.)
Tamura also disagrees with the idea that the celebrity runners should run through rural areas. “I don’t know if this was a joke or what, since Mr. Mori has always had a habit of saying things he shouldn’t, but I really cannot agree with his way of putting people down.” He went on to say that having celebrities run through farmlands is rude to the farmers, and besides, if they don’t want people to gather, celebrities shouldn’t be running in the first place.
“I gave it a lot of thought,” he said. “But if there’s no good reason to have people gather on the roadsides, then I felt that, as a celebrity, I should step down from running, and since I didn’t want to cause anyone any trouble, I decided to withdraw from the torch relay, although I am very grateful that the people of Inuyama City chose to nominate me to be their runner.”
He also addresses the inevitable complainer who would say that he didn’t have to make a video out of it, that he could have just kept it private. He says that he decided to make a video because he wanted to express his own personal reasons for the withdrawal, without having them skewed in some way by someone else reporting it. “That’s what I think is the best thing about YouTube,” he said.
He finishes off the video by saying it is his sincere hope the Olympics will happen in Tokyo someday, but he believes ending the pandemic as soon as possible is more important, for the sake of healthcare and frontline workers and citizens who are at their limits.
Japanese comments on the video were overall positive, with many agreeing with Tamura’s opinions:
“I live in Inuyama, but I understand that a lot has happened and that this is the way things are, so it can’t be helped. The fact that you came on here with such a sincere attitude and even brought up Inuyama City by name left a deep impression on me.”
“No matter how you look at it, doing it this year would be impossible. I completely agree with you.”
“I honestly thought, ‘Is that it?’ But I actually do agree with your choice. Thanks for making such a courageous decision!”
“I’m glad that we live in a world where celebrities can use YouTube to share their unedited opinions about things.”
The Olympic Torch Relay already technically began in Greece last year with the lighting of the Olympic Torch, but after it arrived in Japan, the Olympics and Relay were postponed, so the torch has been on display in various locations while it waits to be relayed to its final destination in the New National Stadium in Tokyo. The postponed relay is scheduled to begin on March 21, assuming the Olympics aren’t cancelled or postponed again, but with one major celebrity dropping out, many more might, too, so at this point, who knows what’s going to happen?
Source: Kyodo, YouTube/ロンブーチャンネル via Otacom, Daily, Tokyo2020.org
Images: YouTube/ロンブーチャンネル
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/02/05/disagreeing-with-chairman-mori-comedian-atsushi-tamura-withdraws-from-the-olympic-torch-relay/feed/ 0 531361 tamura1 Tokyo Olympic Committee trains 220 “hackers” to protect games https://soranews24.com/2021/01/06/tokyo-olympic-committee-trains-220-hackers-to-protect-games/ https://soranews24.com/2021/01/06/tokyo-olympic-committee-trains-220-hackers-to-protect-games/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2021 15:00:17 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=528030 
The real global competition might be going on behind the scenes.
As the world lumbers through a pandemic-ridden New Year where people have to weigh the risks of going to see a movie, Tokyo appears confident that its postponed 2020 Summer Games will still go ahead this July.
In fact, as an example of just how ready they are, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee revealed on 4 January that it had trained 220 white-hat hackers – which they awkwardly refer to simply as “white hackers” – to ensure cyber-security during the international sporting event.
▼ “Hi! I’m Chase, the white hacker you ordered.”
Fears of a cyber-attack during the games are warranted as the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang were heavily disrupted by a network breach and its official website was shut down. The 2012 Olympics in London also reportedly dealt with a “cyber-onslaught” according to a security consultant.
Japan’s own ability to withstand such attacks was called into question two years ago when the Minister in charger of the games admitted to having never touched a computer in his life. However, with him having stepped down from the position and this new team of eleven-score hackers revealed, things might be okay after all.
There is also the fear that this elite team was trained by a government that only a few months ago announced it would phase out the use of fax machines and wooden stamps. The good news here is that each member was plucked from existing IT companies with existing expertise and employment.
This is an important detail with the still-realistic possibility that the games get scrapped and we suddenly have over 200 disgruntled and unemployed white hackers on our hands.
▼ “Fire us, will you? I along with my friends Hunter, Bradley, and Caitlin have now hijacked your tax records. Tell me, how do you like those apples?”
Normally, any news of the Olympics causes unanimous groans from Japanese netizens, but this time they were actually impressed that something right had been done.
“I’m surprised. They did something properly.”
“I’d join just to get the training experience.”
“I think this Olympics is going to be a small affair anyway. Does anyone care enough to attack it?”
“We should just convert everything to paper and stamps. It’s the ultimate in cyber-security.”
“It’s slow, but I feel like we are moving in the right direction. I hope more awareness of IT is raised in this country.”
“The training is probably reminding them all how to use Internet Explorer.”
With very little known about these “hackers” or their training, it’s hard to say how effective they’ll be. But if the games are broadcast without any noticeable glitches or disruptions, you’ll know who to thank in the end.
This leaves the one lingering problem that can’t be solved with encryption or vaccines: the lethal heat that comes every summer. Since they still seem dead bent on holding it in July, hopefully they’re taking the extra time to come up with some better cooling ideas than funny hats and everyone turning their air conditioners on at the same time.
Source: Kyodo, Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso 1, 2
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/01/06/tokyo-olympic-committee-trains-220-hackers-to-protect-games/feed/ 0 528030 Should the 2020 (now 2021) Tokyo Olympics be cancelled? Japanese citizens are divided https://soranews24.com/2020/12/18/should-the-2020-now-2021-tokyo-olympics-be-cancelled-japanese-citizens-are-divided/ https://soranews24.com/2020/12/18/should-the-2020-now-2021-tokyo-olympics-be-cancelled-japanese-citizens-are-divided/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:00:33 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=526130 
What should be done about the Tokyo Olympics?
Though several vaccines for the coronavirus have been approved and are already being distributed in some countries, we still have a long way to go until everyone will have access to it. Experts say it could be months before the vaccines are widely available, and that infection rates won’t lower until the end of 2021. So what does that mean for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were rescheduled for July of next year?
Japanese public broadcaster NHK decided to ask Japanese citizens what they think. They randomly selected 2,164 adults over 18 from across the country to participate in a phone survey, which was conducted between December 11 and 14 and asked whether the Olympics should be cancelled, postponed, or held as scheduled. Only 58 percent provided answers, but the responses from those 1,249 people were pretty evenly divided.
Most responded that the Olympics shouldn’t happen next July, however, and only 27 percent said they should be held as scheduled. This is in contrast to October, when 40 percent of respondents to the same question said that the Olympics should still be held in July. This time around, more people, 32 percent, believed that they should be cancelled, and another 31 percent said that the games should be postponed to sometime later than July 2021.
In October, only 23 percent of people said the Games should be cancelled and 25 percent said that they should be postponed, so it may be that people are gradually becoming more and more unsure if it will be safe for the athletes to travel and gather by July. Regardless, it appears that Japanese citizens are fairly divided on what to do about the Olympics in light of the continuing pandemic. Japanese netizens weighed in on the debate, too, but their answers were similarly mixed:
“Is there any reason to force it to happen?”
“Considering the current coronavirus infection numbers, holding it would be impossible.”
“If they can clearly outline a plan to combat the spread, then I’d love for it to happen. But if it’s the same state of spread then as now, then I’d be very concerned.”
“Is there anyone who wants to hold it besides the mass media and the people who have vested interests?”
“I wonder if the people who think it should be cancelled have thought about the hard work and dreams the athletes have invested in the Olympics?”
“How effective will the vaccines be? We’d have to inoculate all of the athletes and the staff, at least.”
“I think if we’re gonna cancel it we have to be prepared to not have Olympic Games for about a decade…Basically if it’s impossible for Japan, it’d be impossible for France or any other country.”
“I was looking forward to the Olympics, but I don’t think it’s a simple problem to solve. I also don’t really want that many people coming to Japan. I think it should be postponed or cancelled.”
Just like the last comment said, the situation is not as simple as just deciding to cancel the Games or keep them. A lot of factors will contribute to the decision. Among other factors, cancelling the Olympics entirely means a loss of the tremendous funds that the government and many businesses have sunk into preparations, and it will be a huge disappointment to the athletes who have worked hard to make it. For some of them, this might be their last chance to compete, which would make the cancellation devastating.
Holding the Olympics in spite of the pandemic means that everyone who participates will risk exposure to the disease–or that only wealthy countries that have had access to the vaccines will be safe. Possibly, lack of access to the vaccines will even limit some countries’ ability to participate. In addition, measures to combat the spread of the disease will cost billions of yen, officials believe, and with ticket sales likely to be low or nonexistent, the return on investments is likely to be very low.
▼ The discussion likely has officials looking like this at their meetings.
Postponing the games might seem like the most ideal option, but that might mean that two Olympic games would in the same year, as the Winter Olympics are scheduled to be held in Beijing in February 2022. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but what does that mean for the Olympic schedule? Will the next summer Olympics be held in 2026 instead of the originally planned 2024, or will there be two Olympics in two years?
There are a lot of logistics that will go into each of the options, so it’s certainly not a decision to be made lightly. An executive of the International Olympic Committee has said that the Olympics will be held in July regardless of the status of the pandemic, but whether that’s a sentiment shared by all the Olympic officials, or even whether that’s actually able to be put into practice, is another story. Regardless, the time is probably approaching when it will be necessary to make that decision–and until then, the world will be waiting with baited breath.
Source: NHK News via Hachima Kiko, Twitter/@nhk_news
Top image: Wikipedia/17jiangz1 (edited by SoraNews24)
Insert images: Pakutaso (1, 2)
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2020/12/18/should-the-2020-now-2021-tokyo-olympics-be-cancelled-japanese-citizens-are-divided/feed/ 0 526130 maybe olympics Eating the Olympic Torch Parfait in Tokyo https://soranews24.com/2020/11/12/eating-the-olympic-torch-parfait-in-tokyo/ https://soranews24.com/2020/11/12/eating-the-olympic-torch-parfait-in-tokyo/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2020 01:00:55 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=522269 
Special dessert acts like a beacon of hope for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to go ahead next year.
There are a lot of skilled sweets specialists in Japan, and as they all attempt to grab our attention with different limited-edition offerings, we get to enjoy some of the best treats the world has to offer.
This week, everyone’s attention turned to Yatsudoki, a high-end store run by the popular Yamanashi-based Chateraise patisserie chain. After opening a Yatsudoki branch in Ginza in 2019, which has sadly now closed, the only Yatsudoki location left in Tokyo is located at Jiyugaoka, and that’s where we headed recently to try an unusual sweet that’s been causing a stir online.
Chateraise is known for using carefully sourced ingredients from reputable producers around Japan, and Yatsudoki follows suit with a variety of dishes made with only the freshest of ingredients. And while they have pastas, salads and smoothies on the menu, most of the diners here come for the desserts, which have a reputation for being not just delicious, but beautifully presented as well.
The star dessert on the menu at the moment, and the darling we’ve come to try, is a parfait called the Glorias Torch, which is priced at 1,650 yen (US$15.65).
The Glorias Torch has been created to look like the Olympic Torch, and while it would’ve been talked about as a sweet that celebrates the Olympics, had the Olympics not been postponed due to the global pandemic, looking at it gave us a twinge of sadness, thinking about what might have been.
Still, it was undeniably beautiful, and we could see the torch resemblance immediately, with bright red strawberries standing in to represent the Olympic flame.
These strawberries, sourced from farmers in Nagano Prefecture, were bursting with flavour, with a delectably tart sweetness. We ate a couple on their own and then enjoyed them together with the semi-circular Baumkuchen on which they sat, which added slightly caramelised notes and a wonderful crispness to the palate.
Beneath the flames was the body of the torch, which was a hidden treasure of delights, containing sliced strawberries, whipped cream, berry jelly, and lightly charred Baumkuchen pieces.
Digging into the parfait was like digging into a secret treasure, and the flavours here were divine — rich and sweet yet fruity and refreshing at the same time.
The Tokyo Olympics may have been postponed until next year, but we’re glad that Yatsudoki decided to keep this on the menu for us to enjoy this year. Like the Olympic Torch itself, this parfait is like a beacon of hope for better things to come in the future, and we sincerely hope it will continue to stay on the menu until the Olympics is held (fingers crossed!) next year.
Cafe Information
Yatsudoki Jiyugaoka / Yatsudoki 自由が丘店
Address: Tokyo-to, Meguro-ku, Jiyugaoka 2-12-13 J Glass Building 1F
東京都目黒区自由が丘2-12-13 Jグラスビル1F
Open: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Website
Photos © SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2020/11/12/eating-the-olympic-torch-parfait-in-tokyo/feed/ 0 522269 Tokyo Olympics 2020 torch relay parfait Japan 2021 sweets Japanese photos news top Japan to reopen to international tourists with new entry requirements https://soranews24.com/2020/10/05/japan-to-reopen-to-international-tourists-with-new-entry-requirements/ https://soranews24.com/2020/10/05/japan-to-reopen-to-international-tourists-with-new-entry-requirements/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2020 05:00:05 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=518137 
Government sets a date for opening the country’s borders to the world again.
It’s been over half a year since Japan closed its borders to international tourists as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. And while it’s dealt a particularly hard blow to the tourism industry, especially in light of the fact that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics was scheduled to bring in millions of visitors during the summer of 2020, so far it’s helped to keep cases of coronavirus relatively low and prevented the collapse of the local health system.
Now that the Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to begin on 23 July — pandemic or not, according to reports — the topic of when to start lifting the entry ban on tourists from overseas has become a pressing issue. The Japanese Government, who recently lifted the ban on non-citizen foreign residents from October, says they’ve now begun “full-scale” investigations into how and when they’ll be opening up the country to foreign tourists.
Government officials have revealed that they plan to have coronavirus countermeasures set up for international tourists by January next year. Once these safety measures are in place, the government says Japan plans to lift the ban on foreign tourists on a trial basis from April 2021, while keeping an eye on the pandemic situation in Japan and overseas.
The new safety measures aim to cover the three steps of a tourist’s “journey” from arrival through to stay and departure, with the establishment of a health management map and a dedicated “fever centre”. Foreign tourists who wish to visit Japan will be required to download the health management app, and it will be obligatory to obtain a pre-departure coronavirus-negative test certificate.
If a new arrival does test positive for the virus after entering the country, they will be required to take out private medical insurance. Those who test negative upon arrival will not be required to quarantine inside a hotel — instead, they’ll be required to report their health status through the app for 14 days after entering Japan.
The tentatively named “Fever Health Consultation Support Centre” will be set up specifically for overseas visitors as a way to take the pressure off local governments and avoid overburdening the Japanese health system. The Health Centre will likely be set up in Tokyo, the host city for the Olympics.
Government officials say the new safety measures for foreign visitors will remain in place after the Olympics as Japan attempts to take measured steps towards reviving international tourism. However, the government admits there are still many issues that need to be resolved before the ban on foreign tourists is lifted, including how to ensure the app is used correctly, the number of tourists allowed in during the Olympics, and what limits, if any, will be placed on the activities of tourists while in the country.
Source: Yahoo! News Japan via Jin
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2020/10/05/japan-to-reopen-to-international-tourists-with-new-entry-requirements/feed/ 0 518137 Japan international travel tourism ban lifted Tokyo Olympics 2020 foreign tourists Japanese news