Nov 01 2014

Random Japan

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Shibuya celebrates Halloween costumes and huge crowds

 Michelle Lynn Dinh

While you might not see a lot of trick or treaters out in Japan, if you find yourself in Tokyo, specifically Shibuya, you’re sure to see some original and inspiring costumes. Let’s take a look at some of the best homemade and store-bought costumes spotted in Shibuya this Halloween.

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STATS

94

Number of children under the age of 13 who were victims of kidnapping in 2013, according to the National Police Agency

1,730,567

Used autos sold in Japan during the first half of fiscal 2014-a record low, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association

234

Number of train cars that Hitachi will provide to a Dutch railway company in a deal worth some ¥40 billion

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Officials at the justice ministry will no longer require municipal authorities to investigate birth registrations submitted by new mothers aged 50 and over.

An 81-year-old man and his 78-year-old wife in Itabashi-ku were hospitalized after the husband drove their car off the third story of a parking garage.

Members of an advisory panel to the education ministry have recommended that fifth-graders take English classes as part of their regular curriculum.

An 18-year-old high school student in Akita assaulted his teacher after she scolded him for being “noisy.” The boy was arrested and the teacher was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Your 3 Day Car Rental

 That Last’s For Six Weeks

Retribution For Being A Reporter

 Have Your Contract Canceled

When Wild Boars Attack

There Is No Sausage For You

JOY OF HOKKAIDO FOOD: Farmers producing a new, sweet ‘big’ soybean

November 01, 2014

  By MITSUKO NAGASAWA/ Staff Writer

HAKODATE, Hokkaido–In late September, I saw “edamame (Tamafukura)” listed on the blackboard menu at an “izakaya” pub here in southern Hokkaido.

Edamame are soybeans that are harvested when they are still immature and boiled, for such uses as a finger food to enjoy along with sake. Tamafukura is the name of a new variety of soybean.

When I pushed out the edible beans from the pod of the boiled Tamafukura soybean, they were big. When I tried them, they were soft and sweet, and I became an instant fan. At that time, I never imagined that Tamafukura were once in danger of disappearing.