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☆ Japan aging: Women’s participation in ‘naked festival’ a sign of how aging is forcing changes to male-centric traditions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Himari Semans | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Tokyo/Hong Kong CNN —With a history spanning more than 1,200 years, “hadaka matsuri,” or the naked festival, is Japanese masculinity on full display. Some women in Japan still battle deep-rooted cultural expectations that require them to take the role of “shufu,” or housewife, experts say. But in the naked festival, women have recently found hope. Men strip naked — except for a delicate piece of crotch-covering white loincloth — to take part in the naked festival at Konomiya Shrine on February 22, 2024. Women — donning happi, a traditional festive coat — are responsible for carrying a bamboo offering during the naked festival at Konomiya Shrine on February 22, 2024.

Persons: —, Saudi Arabia —, “, Christopher Gallagher, ”, we’ve, ” Haruhiko, Atsuko Tamakoshi, Chris Gallagher, Enyukai, Ayaka Suzuki, Mitsuko Tottori, Yoko Kamikawa, Fumio, Kaori Katada, Hiyori Kon, Sumo, won’t Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Economic, Japan, Reuters, Mikiko, Hosei University, pre, CNN, ”, Ministry of Health, ” Eto, Organization for Economic Cooperation, Development, Japan Airlines, Netflix, Little Locations: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Japan, jostle, Germany, Britain, United States, India, Saudi Arabia, Konomiya Shrine, Konomiya

☆ Foreign-Born Residents File Suit in Japan Over Alleged Racial Profiling
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Chris GallagherTOKYO - Three foreign-born residents of Japan filed a lawsuit on Monday against the national and local governments over alleged illegal questioning by police based on racial profiling. It also comes amid a renewed debate over what it means to be and look Japanese, after a Ukrainian-born, naturalised Japanese citizen was crowned Miss Japan last week. The plaintiffs say they have suffered distress from repeated police questioning based on their appearance and ethnicity, which they say is a violation of the constitution. They and their legal team arrived at Tokyo District Court around midday and spoke to media outside before heading in to file their case. "I never knew what social withdrawal was until recently," he said, declining to provide his surname for fear of harassment.

Persons: Chris Gallagher TOKYO, Matthew, Syed Zain, Maurice, Chris Gallagher, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Miss Japan, Court, Tokyo Metropolitan, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Aichi, Aichi Prefectural Government, National Police Agency, Ministry, Justice Locations: Japan, Ukrainian, Tokyo, Aichi, Aichi Prefectural, Pakistan, American

[1/5] Taiko Nakamura samples whisky barreled in the year he founded at his distillery in Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan October 25, 2023. The explosion of craft whisky in Japan follows a boom and bust in the industry. Last week, Sotheby's offered what it claimed was the most valuable collection of Japanese whisky at auction, headlined by a 52-year old bottle that sold for 300,000 pounds ($373,830). Suntory, Japan's biggest and best-known whisky maker, recently invested 10 billion yen ($67 million) to upgrade its distilleries, including its Yamazaki site. "I believe we need to put all our effort into making Japanese whisky that lives up to the quality of the Japanese whiskies made by our predecessors," he said.

Persons: Rocky Swift, Suntory's, Taiko Nakamura, Long, whiskies, Sotheby's, Shinji Fukuyo, Casey Wahl, Kamui, Shizuoka's Nakamura, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Suntory, trailblazer, Nikka, Asahi Group, Japan's, Japanese distillers, Diageo, IJW Whiskey, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Yamazaki, Scotland, Hong Kong, Japanese, Komasa Kanosuke, Kentucky, Hokkaido, American, Rishiri

☆ Japan startup develops 'Gundam'-like robot with $3 mln price tag
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( 杉山聡 Chris Gallagher | Chris Gallagher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] CEO Ryo Yoshida poses for a photograph with ARCHAX, a giant human-piloted robot developed by his start-up Tsubame Industries Co., in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan September 27, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato Acquire Licensing RightsYOKOHAMA, Japan, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Tokyo-based start-up Tsubame Industries has developed a 4.5-metre-tall (14.8-feet), four-wheeled robot that looks like "Mobile Suit Gundam" from the wildly popular Japanese animation series, and it can be yours for $3 million. The 3.5-ton robot, which will be unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show later this month, has two modes: the upright 'robot mode' and a 'vehicle mode' in which it can travel up to 10 km (6 miles) per hour. "Japan is very good at animation, games, robots and automobiles so I thought it would be great if I could create a product that compressed all these elements into one," said Ryo Yoshida, the 25-year-old chief executive of Tsubame Industries. Yoshida plans to build and sell five of the machines for the well-heeled robot fan, but hopes the robot could one day be used for disaster relief or in the space industry.

Persons: Ryo Yoshida, Issei Kato, Yoshida, Satoshi Sugiyama, Chris Gallagher, Miyu Ito, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: Tsubame Industries, REUTERS, Rights, Japan Mobility, Thomson Locations: Yokohama, Tokyo, Japan, Rights YOKOHAMA

[1/5] Kazuyuki Tanioka, the owner of Japanese cuisine Toya restaurant, prepares a sashimi dish, during an interview with Reuters, in Beijing, China July 25, 2023. China is the biggest importer of Japanese seafood. Shortly after the 2011 tsunami and earthquake damaged the Fukushima plant, it banned the import of food and agricultural products from five Japanese prefectures. The latest import restrictions were imposed this month after the United Nation's nuclear watchdog approved Japan's plans to discharge the treated water. "Our main focus is to source seafood within China or sourcing from other foreign suppliers," Tanioka said.

Persons: Tanioka, Tingshu Wang, It's, Toya, Kenji Kobayashi, Fukuoka, Duan, restaurateurs, Martin Quin Pollard, Chris Gallagher, Tom Bateman, Mariko Katsumura, Xiaoyu Yin, Justin Fung, Miral Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, United, Aomori, Aomori Chuosuisan Co, Japan, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Toya, Beijing, China, Tingshu Wang BEIJING, Kumamoto, Japan, Aomori Chuosuisan, Hong Kong, Tokyo

☆ Medicare is barred from paying for weight-loss drugs like Wegovy. Lawmakers just took the first step to change that.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Medicare is barred under a 2003 law from paying for weight-loss medications like Wegovy. Lawmakers on Thursday reintroduced a bill that would expand Medicare coverage to the drugs. A major roadblock has long stood in the way of older Americans getting treatments for obesity: Medicare. But US lawmakers on Thursday took steps to broaden access to weight-loss treatment for seniors. Medicare coverage might prod other health insurers to pay for weight-loss medications, as private health plans tend to follow Medicare's lead.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Tom Carper, Carper, Republican Sen, Bill Cassidy, Raul Ruiz, Brad Wenstrup, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, Wegovy, Eli Lilly, clamor, Chris Gallagher Organizations: Medicare, Democratic, Republican, California Democrat, Lawmakers, Nordisk's Wegovy, Vanderbilt University, Novo Nordisk, Wall Street Journal, Obesity, Coalition Locations: California, Ohio

☆ Smart girls don’t marry? Japan rushes to erase stigma for women in science
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Mariko Katsumura | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Yuna Kato works with male students at her college club to produce a light human-powered aircraft at the school, at Tokyo University in Tokyo, Japan June 30, 2023, in this screen grab from video. Kato has made it this far, but many aspiring female engineers choose a different path due to the social stigma, creating a massive headache for Japan. That is despite Japanese girls scoring second-highest in the world in maths and third in science, according to the OECD. School officials felt women were more likely to quit working after having children and would waste their education. NO DIVERSITY, NO INNOVATIONMore schools and companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T) and Toyota (7203.T) are offering scholarships to female STEM students to attract talent.

Persons: Yuna Kato, Chris Gallagher TOKYO, Kato, Li, It's, Minoru Taniura, Kyoko Ida, ichi, we've, Mariko Katsumura, Mayu Sakoda, Rocky Swift, Chang, Ran Kim, Sonali Paul Organizations: Tokyo University, REUTERS, OECD, Reuters, Kato's Tokyo Institute of Technology, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Mazda's

☆ Tokyo residents find comfort in fluffy, street-strolling alpacas
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Chris Gallagher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Alpaca Fureai Land's Shinya Ide and Shion Ito walk alpacas Akane and Satsuki in the early morning in Tokyo, Japan June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-HoonTOKYO, June 22 (Reuters) - The quiet of early morning streets in one downtown Tokyo neighbourhood is broken by joggers, parents with children in strollers - and a pair of alpacas, out for their daily constitutional walk. Manager Shinya Ide (no relation) says the secret to the 5-year-old alpacas' appeal is that looking at them is comforting, and petting them even more soothing. "Alpacas are naturally very nervous and timid animals, so when people approach them, they may spit or run away, making them difficult animals to interact with," he added. "But these two are trained and have naturally laid-back personalities, so they are accustomed to people now and interact well."

Persons: Land's Shinya Ide, Shion Ito, Akane, Satsuki, Kim Kyung, Hoon TOKYO, joggers, Nana Ide, Shinya Ide, Chris Gallagher, Elaine Lies, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, strollers, South America

☆ Medicare is prohibited from covering weight-loss drugs — Ozempic could change that
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Lydia Ramsey Pflanzer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Medicare is prohibited from covering new weight-loss medications. Medicare, the federal program that covers healthcare for people 65 and older, is prohibited by law from covering any weight-loss medications. That includes looking at programs that test out Medicare coverage and proposed limits to coverage, The Journal reports. The future of the $100 billion weight-loss drugs marketExpanding Medicare coverage to new weight-loss medications could drastically change how Americans access the drugs. Meanwhile, other Americans will continue to go to Canada, Mexico, and unregulated online pharmacies to get the weight-loss medications for cheap.

☆ People Can't Get Ozempic, New Weight-Loss Drugs Because of Broken Healthcare System
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Wegovy is just one of a wave of revolutionary weight-loss drugs, which also includes the buzzy Ozempic, that represents a watershed moment for obesity treatment. Demand for weight-loss drugs is surgingDoctors and healthcare professionals searched for a healthy, safe, and effective weight-loss solution for years before the drugs, known collectively as GLP-1 agonists, exploded on the scene. If there is one key that could unlock access to expensive weight-loss drugs for Americans, it's Medicare. Expanding coverage for Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs for just a small segment of the population could cost Medicare up to $26.8 billion a year. Patients lose outYears from now, patients may have an easier time getting their hands on weight-loss drugs.

[1/5] People hold up special edition newspapers, reporting Japan's victory at the World Baseball Classic final, as others queue to try to get them, in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2023. REUTERS/Kato IsseiTOKYO, March 22 (Reuters) - With cherry blossoms reaching full bloom in Tokyo, Japanese sports fans erupted in jubilation on Wednesday after their countrymen defeated Team USA to win the World Baseball Classic (WBC). "Nihon yusho," or "Japan victory," was the No. Japan pitchers set a WBC record for strikeouts throughout the series, according to Fox Sports. With sublime serendipity, Japan's victory comes as Tokyo cherry blossoms reached their zenith, bathing the city's parks and streets in pink and white.

☆ Mask-free Monday comes to Japan as government eases COVID guidelines
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Rocky Swift | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Commuters make their way on the first day of the Japanese government's relaxation of official guidance on masks as it emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan March 13, 2023. "Mask-wearing was part of our culture even before COVID-19," said Hitoshi Oshitani, a Tohoku University professor who was an architect of Japan's COVID response. "I think many people will be wearing masks even after the rules are relaxed." "As of today, mask wearing is at the discretion of each individual," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters on Monday. Health experts in Japan have pointed to widespread mask use along with an embrace of hygiene and social distancing for the country's relatively lower death toll from COVID.

☆ Japan whaling firm pins hopes on vending machines to revive sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Chris Gallagher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] A customer buys whale meat on the opening day of the shop by a Japanese whale-hunting company with vending machines, in Yokohama, Japan, January 24, 2023. REUTERS/Androniki ChristodoulouYOKOHAMA, Jan 24 (Reuters) - A Japanese whaling firm unveiled vending machines offering whale sashimi, whale steak and whale bacon in Yokohama on Tuesday in hopes of reviving sales of a food long in decline and shunned by many supermarkets. At its peak in 1962, annual whale meat consumption was 233,000 tonnes. Conservationists say moves to promote whale meat are desperate attempts to revive interest in a struggling business. Whale meat advocates point to its high protein content and low carbon footprint compared with other meats.

"We had such a hard time, and I would rather have more Chinese people come than the government restricting their entry so I can do business." "Tour bus operators who have had their vehicles idly parked for over three years are now gearing up for (bus) inspections," said Thai Tour Bus Association President Wasuchet Sophonsatien. Thailand, Japan, the United States, South Korea, Australia, Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan were the most-searched destinations. Yue Hua Entertainment Korea, which manages Tempest, did not respond to a request for comment. "The pandemic outbreak on the mainland is still vigorous and needs time to recover, while domestic consumption remains weak on the mainland."

☆ U.S. deeply concerned about Whelan, American jailed in Russia -White House
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Doina Chiacu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The United States is "deeply concerned" about detained American Paul Whelan in Russia, and has not been able to get information from Moscow on his whereabouts or condition, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday. U.S. diplomats in Moscow were working to get details on what was going on with Whelan, Kirby said. "But yes, we are deeply concerned about the lack of information and the lack of contact from Paul," he added. It's highly unusual," David Whelan said. When transferred to the prison's hospital in the past, his brother had always mentioned the move in his phone calls, David Whelan said.

He is the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, which U.S. officials have described as an anti-government group. According to the indictment, Rhodes began encouraging his Oath Keepers followers in November 2020 to "oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power." Caldwell has denied he was a member of the Oath Keepers, but prosecutors have said he has strong ties to the group. KENNETH HARRELSONHarrelson, 41, of Titusville, Florida, helped Meggs organize the Florida Oath Keepers and was part of the militia group that stormed into the Capitol building, according to the indictment. JESSICA WATKINSWatkins, 40, of Woodstock, Ohio, led the Ohio team of Oath Keepers at the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the indictment.

☆ Top U.S. House Republican McCarthy plans special committee on China
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We will put a stop to this and no longer allow the administration to sit back and let China do what they are doing to America." McCarthy also said he would keep his promise to oust a number of Democrats from key House committees, including Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the intelligence committee. He said he would also remove Representative Eric Swalwell from the intelligence committee and Representative Ilhan Omar from the foreign affairs committee. China's Embassy in Washington acknowledged the existence of volunteer-run sites in the United States, but said they were not "police stations." Reporting by Chris Gallagher and Leah Douglas; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ McCarthy says he will form select committee on China if elected speaker
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - U.S. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said on Sunday he would form a select committee on China if he is elected speaker of the House of Representatives. "China is the No.1 country when it comes to intellectual property theft. We will put a stop to this and no longer allow the administration to sit back and let China do what they are doing to America," he told Fox News in an interview. Reporting by Chris Gallagher and Leah Douglas; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Arizona attorney general wants report on voting machine problems
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Arizona Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich's office has demanded that Maricopa County officials provide a report on the voting machine problems that caused some delays in the battleground state during this month's midterm elections. A letter dated Saturday by Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Wright calls for county officials to report by Nov. 28 on the specific problems related to the printers at each location as well on how poll workers were trained. Blake Masters lost to Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, and Kari Lake lost the governor's race to Democrat Katie Hobbs. Lake has yet to concede and continues to make unsubstantiated claims about election improprieties on her Twitter feed. Reporting by Chris Gallagher in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden offers Poland full U.S. support in blast investigation
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden offered his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda full U.S. support with the country's probe into a blast that killed two people near the border with Ukraine, the White House said. "President Biden offered full U.S support for and assistance with Poland’s investigation," the White House said after the pair spoke. NATO allies are investigating unconfirmed reports the explosion was caused by stray Russian missiles. Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington and Costas Pitas in Los Angeles; Editing by Chris GallagherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. targets supply of Iranian drones to Russia in new sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Daphne Psaledakis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The United States is seeking to increase pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, which has reduced cities to rubble and killed or wounded thousands. Russia has procured drones from Iran that have been used to attack cities and power infrastructure in Ukraine. Iranian military entities and industries are already under heavy U.S. sanctions over Tehran's nuclear development program. Iran has acknowledged that it had supplied Moscow with drones but said they were sent before the war in Ukraine. Treasury also targeted Abbas Djuma and Tigran Khristoforovich Srabionov, accusing the two of being involved in the Wagner group's acquisition of Iranian drones to support combat operations in Ukraine.

☆ S&P Global Ratings to pay $2.5 mln to settle U.S. regulator charges
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - S&P Global Ratings agreed to pay a $2.5 million penalty to settle U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charges that it violated rules to prevent conflicts of interest, the regulator said in a statement on Monday. S&P employees ran afoul of rules designed to prevent sales and marketing considerations from influencing credit ratings determinations during a five-day period in August 2017, the SEC said. S&P commercial employees attempted to pressure colleagues responsible for evaluating and assigning a rating to a jumbo residential mortgage-backed security transaction by an issuer in July 2017. The firm's commercial employees "became participants in the rating process during a time when they were influenced by sales and marketing considerations," the regulator said in its statement. Ratings agencies, which are registered with SEC, are required to keep all sales and marketing considerations from affecting credit ratings.

☆ U.S., EU, others affirm need to accelerate clean energy transitions -statement
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - The United States, the European Union and other governments said they were committed to taking action to address climate and energy crises and affirmed the need to accelerate global transitions to clean energy, according to a joint statement released on Friday. The governments, which also included Japan, Canada, Norway, Singapore and the United Kingdom, said they recognize "reliance on unabated fossil fuels leaves us vulnerable to market volatility and geopolitical challenges," the statement said. They reaffirmed their call to action under the Global Methane Pledge to reduce collective anthropogenic methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, the statement said. Reporting by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Katharine JacksonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Republicans are favored to win a majority in the House of Representatives in Tuesday's elections, with the Senate rated a toss-up by nonpartisan election forecasters. A crackdown on users impersonating Musk prompted Twitter to suspend comedian Kathy Griffin. Musk also moved his personal residence from California to Texas, where there is no state income tax. In April, Musk said on Twitter he believes that for the platform "to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral." Federal authorities are investigating Musk over his conduct in acquiring Twitter, the company said in a court filing last month.

☆ Oath Keepers begin defense in trial over U.S. Capitol attack
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Chris Gallagher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Defense lawyers on Thursday opened their case in the trial of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and four others over their alleged roles in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, arguing the defendants were in Washington to do security work and did not plot to stop the transfer of presidential power. The first defense witness, Watkins’ fiancé Montana Siniff, testified that Watkins had had no intention to try to stop the election certification. Prosecutors presented evidence including text and audio communications among the defendants in the run-up to Jan. 6, and called witnesses including FBI agents and former members of the Oath Keepers. Stanley Woodward, an attorney for Meggs, said in an opening statement that he would present an alternative motive for Meggs' actions. Rhodes, a Yale-educated attorney and former U.S. Army paratrooper, is expected to take the stand at some stage as the defense presents its case.

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