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☆ A 33-year-old man turned a Japanese farmhouse into a mountainside Airbnb retreat for $25,000 — here's how he did it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewSingaporean Xian Jie Lee, 33, moved to Japan in 2012 to study political science. Xian Jie LeeShu told Lee that he could rent a farmhouse in a village called Ryujinmura. "I removed the tatami (traditional straw floor covering) in the inner room and fell through the floor," Lee said. Xian Jie LeeWhile renovating the guesthouse, Lee turned his own home into a café three days a week to earn extra income. Xian Jie LeeLee has also been able to participate in unique experiences himself.

Persons: —, Jie Lee, Lee, Shu, Wayakama, Xian Jie Lee Shu, who'd, shoji, Lance Yeo, Xian Jie Lee, he'd, Xian Jie Lee Lee Organizations: Service, Business, YouTube Locations: Japan, Kyoto, Wakayama, Singapore

☆ Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2024 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —After losing the number one spot to Bangkok in 2023, Tokyo has reclaimed its crown as the city with the top eatery in the region at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, which were announced in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday evening. The list – part of the global “World’s 50 Best” brand – is compiled by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is made up of more than 300 food critics, writers, chefs and restaurateurs, all selected for their knowledge of Asia’s restaurant scene. Though Singapore didn’t have any restaurants in the top five, nine of its venues made the top 50 list – more than any other city. Courtesy The World's 50 BestThe “Asia’s Best Female Chef” award went to Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, owner of Bangkok restaurant Potong, which came in at 17 on this year’s list. Mineko Kato of restaurant Faro in Tokyo won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award and Kevin Lu of Logy, in Taipei, was voted Asia’s Best Sommelier.

Persons: Daniel Calvert, Calvert, “, ”, Sézanne, I’ve, we’d, Gaggan, Seroja, Gaggan Anand, Thitid “, Sühring, Le Du –, Ton, Bangkok –, Odette, Pichaya, Pam ’ Soontornyanakij, Ton’s Nusara, Mineko Kato, Kevin Lu, Logy, Sung Anh, Mosu, Danny Yip, Hong, Le, Fu, Hui, Samrub, Villa, Ling Long, Ando, Les Amis, Baan, Goh, Anan, Tam’s Organizations: CNN, Marunouchi, Restaurants Academy, Hospitality, Toyo, Meta, Studio, Bund Locations: Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, South Korea, Japan, France’s Champagne, Maronouchi, Asia, ”, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thai, ” Singapore, Faro, Taipei, Nusara, Suhring, Osaka, Odette, Sorn, Le Du, Potong, Shanghai, Logy, Masque, Mumbai, Manila, Delhi, Seroja, Taichung, Taiwan, Mume, Wakayama, Lolla, Avartana, Chennai, India, Fukuoka, Jakarta, Kyoto, Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Macao

☆ Japan's Space One Kairos rocket explodes on inaugural flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Smoke rises after Japan's Space One's small, solid-fueled Kairos rocket exploded shortly after its inaugural launch at Space One's launching pad on the tip of Kii peninsula in Kushimoto town, Wakayama prefecture, Japan on March 13, 2024. Japan's Space One's small, solid-fueled Kairos rocket exploded shortly after launch on its inaugural trip on Wednesday as the firm tried to become the first Japanese company to put a satellite in orbit. Space One said the flight was "interrupted" after the launch and was investigating the situation. Space One has said the launch is highly automated and requires roughly a dozen staff at the ground control center. Space One had planned the launch for Saturday but postponed it after a ship entered the nearby restricted sea area.

Persons: Kairos Locations: Kushimoto, Wakayama prefecture, Japan, Kii

☆ Space One Rocket Explodes Seconds After Launch in Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Yan Zhuang | More About Yan Zhuang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The first rocket launched by the Japanese start-up Space One exploded seconds after takeoff on Wednesday, denting its ambition to become the country’s first private company to put a satellite into orbit. The Kairos solid-fuel rocket launched just after 11 a.m. local time and burst into flames less than ten seconds later, livestreams of the launch showed. The explosion left behind a large plume of smoke and set off a fire in a nearby forest that firefighters were battling to extinguish. The 60-foot-long rocket weighs 23 tons and was launched from Space Port Kii in Wakayama Prefecture on Japan’s main island, according to the company’s website. Space One did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday afternoon.

Locations: Space Port, Wakayama Prefecture

☆ I've been moving back and forth between Japan and the US for years. The quality of life in Japan is much better.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Jen Glantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Emery Bowles quit his job in the US and moved to Japan to teach English in 2008. Bowles found life in Japan safe and beautiful, despite language barriers and cultural differences. He and his wife plan to keep moving between Japan and the US to expose their son to both cultures. My wife was wary at first about leaving Japan, but the job paid better than teaching, so she got on board. While I love both places, the quality of life is better in Japan.

Persons: Emery Bowles, Bowles, —, that’s, I’ve Organizations: Service, Google Locations: Japan, Asia, Europe, Wakayama, Osaka, America, Georgia, Iwakuni, Tokyo

☆ Japanese American prisoner art depicts life in WWII detention camps
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Emiko Jozuka | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Courtesy Japanese American National MuseumThe detention of Japanese Americans, most of whom were US citizens, was enacted by Franklin Roosevelt via executive order following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Courtesy Japanese American National MuseumThe artworks, some of which are now showing at the Museum of Modern Art in Wakayama, Japan, also serve to preserve disappearing first-hand memories of the camps. Courtesy Japanese American National MuseumYang added that the collection’s diversity reflects the varied experiences of detainees — perspectives that were overlooked by US officials at the time. The detention of Japanese Americans, Emanuel said, was a “shameful” chapter in American history. Courtesy Japanese American National MuseumSome juggled their art with more pressing responsibilities — like Hibi, who single-handedly raised her two children after her husband’s death by working in a garment factory, all while painting and attending art classes.

Persons: ”, Rahm Emanuel —, Kango Takamura, Franklin Roosevelt, Robert T, Fujioka, “, Alice Yang, Yang, Hisako Hibi, Hibi, ” Yang, Miné, ’, …, Jerome, Fred Korematsu, Henry Sugimoto's, Jerome Camp, Emiko Jozuka, Henry Sugimoto, Douglas MacArthur, Emperor Hirohito, Japan’s, Rahm Emanuel, Emanuel, Tokio, Ann Burroughs, Sugimoto, Sugimoto’s, Henry Fukuhara Organizations: Japan CNN, National Museum, American National Museum, CNN, National, Museum of Modern, University of California, Jerome War, National Museum JANM Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, California's Owens, Wakayama, University of California Santa Cruz, California, Utah, Arkansas, Fresno, America

Tokyo, Japan CNN —Evacuation warnings have been issued to more than 237,000 people across 11 prefectures in Japan as Typhoon Lan hit the west of the country on Tuesday, according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. At least 26 people have been injured in five prefectures across western Japan, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, citing police and fire officials. In two towns in Tottori and Okayama prefectures, rainfall over a few hours on Tuesday exceeded the average for the entire month of August. A swollen river as Typhoon Lan makes landfall in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture on Tuesday. Typhoon Lan follows Typhoon Khanun, which lashed southwestern Japan with wind and rain earlier this month.

Persons: Typhoon Lan, Lan, Takumi Harada, Koji Ito, Khanun Organizations: Japan CNN, Disaster Management Agency, NHK, Japan Meteorological Agency, Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Tourism, CNN, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airlines, ANA Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Shionomisaki, Japan’s Wakayama, Tottori, Okayama, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Kansai, Chubu, Nagoya

☆ Typhoon Lan Knocks Out Power for Thousands in Western Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Hikari Hida | More About Hikari Hida | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Typhoon Lan pummeled western Japan on Tuesday, prompting local officials to issue evacuation warnings, knocking out power to thousands of homes, canceling hundreds of flights and disrupting summer traditions like a nationwide baseball tournament. Moving in from the Pacific Ocean, the tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 67 miles per hour, with gusts of 89 m.p.h. All commercial flights out of Kansai airport had been suspended for the day, with more than 800 canceled nationwide. Train and bus services in the region had also been suspended. Tornado warnings were issued for central Shizuoka Prefecture just before noon by the Japan Meteorological Agency, which warned of thunderstorms, wind gusts, and hail.

Persons: Lan Organizations: Japan Meteorological Agency Locations: Japan, Shionomisaki, Wakayama Prefecture, Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Kansai, Shizuoka Prefecture

☆ Central Japan braces for Typhoon Lan arrival with air, rail cancellations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Heavy rain during Typhoon Lan as it passes over Chichijima Island in Ogasawara, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan August 11, 2023 in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Instagram@Ghost_Ryohei/via REUTERS/File photoTOKYO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Japan braced for Typhoon Lan to make landfall, with airlines and railways cancelling services in central areas of the country's main island, where it is expected to strike on Tuesday. Japan Airlines (9201.T) and ANA Holdings (9202.T) cancelled many flights in the path of the storm. West Japan Railway (9021.T) announced the suspensions of Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train routes between Nagoya and Osaka all day on Tuesday, as well as the Sanyo Shinkansen between Osaka and Okayama. Typhoon Lan threatens to disrupt one of Japan's busiest travel seasons during the Obon summer holiday, when many people take vacations and return to their hometowns.

Persons: Lan, Khanun, Typhoon Lan, Rocky Swift, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Japan Meteorological Agency, JMA, Japan Airlines, ANA Holdings, West Japan Railway, Sanyo, Universal Studios Japan, Thomson Locations: Chichijima, Ogasawara , Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, TOKYO, Wakayama prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Okayama, South Korea, China, Russian, Typhoon

☆ Typhoon Lan makes landfall in western Japan, threatens damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Approaching from the Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Lan made landfall at the southern tip of Wakayama prefecture, some 400 km (250 miles) southwest of Tokyo. The typhoon, which followed closely on the heels of Typhoon Khanun during Japan's peak Obon holiday season, lashed wide swathes of central and western Japan with heavy rains and powerful winds. Anticipating the dangerous levels of winds and rains a day earlier, high-speed train operators had also planned suspensions of services affecting the area. Typhoon Lan had sustained winds of 150 kph (93 mph) and was moving northwest across the western part of the main island of Honshu as of 0000 GMT. It was forecast to reach the Sea of Japan by early Wednesday and continue north along the sea, according to Japan's weather agency.

Persons: Typhoon Lan, Khanun, Chang, Kim, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Toyota Motor Corp, NHK, Toyota Motor, Thomson Locations: Japan, Wakayama prefecture, Tokyo, Mie, Osaka, Tokai, Typhoon, Honshu

☆ Panasonic to boost battery output at Tesla's Nevada Gigafactory by 10%
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The comments followed a Nikkei Asia report on Monday that said unit Panasonic Energy would install a 15th production line at Gigafactory Nevada. Panasonic Energy announced the plan to increase the Nevada factory's production capacity by 10% by March 2026 at a business strategy meeting last week, a Panasonic Group spokesperson said, declining to comment further. Panasonic said last month it planned to build at least two new factories for the production of Tesla 4680 battery cells in North America by 2030. At the time, Panasonic had not disclosed where in North America it would add the production capacity. Tesla recently told Panasonic it would "buy as much as (Panasonic) can make", according to an executive at the Japanese manufacturer, the Nikkei report said.

Persons: Tesla, Musk, Samrhitha, Daniel Leussink, Pooja Desai, Jamie Freed Organizations: Panasonic Holdings, Tesla, Nikkei, Panasonic Energy, Panasonic, Thomson Locations: Nevada, Nikkei Asia, Gigafactory Nevada, North America, Wakayama, Japan, Bengaluru, Tokyo

☆ Panasonic to boost battery output at Tesla's Nevada Gigafactory - Nikkei
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The company's unit, Panasonic Energy, will install a 15th production line at Gigafactory Nevada, the report said. The report comes after Panasonic said last month it plans to build at least two new factories for the production of Tesla 4680 battery cells in North America by 2030. At the time, Panasonic had not disclosed where in North America it would add the production capacity. Tesla recently told Panasonic it would "buy as much as can make", according to an executive at the Japanese manufacturer, the report added. Panasonic is running a pilot 4680 production line at its Wakayama factory in Japan, while Tesla is already producing the 4680 battery cells, which Musk has touted as being key to making cheaper and compelling electric cars.

Persons: Tesla, Musk, Samrhitha, Pooja Desai Organizations: Japan's Panasonic Holdings Corp, Tesla Inc, Nikkei, Panasonic Energy, Panasonic, Tesla, Thomson Locations: Nevada, Gigafactory Nevada, North America, Wakayama, Japan, Bengaluru

☆ Japan slammed by torrential rain as tropical storm nears
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, June 2 (Reuters) - Parts of Japan were slammed by torrential rain on Friday as Tropical Storm Mawar neared, with authorities advising more than a million people to evacuate, many flights and other transport cancelled and power outages in thousands of homes. Mawar, which wreaked havoc on Guam earlier this week, has weakened to a tropical storm from its earlier super typhoon status. Shinkansen bullet train service was halted from Tokyo to Osaka, western Japan, as well as some other parts of the nation, NHK public broadcaster reported. Similar weather patterns have caused flooding and landslides in the past, most notably in the summer of 2018, when more than 200 people were killed in western Japan. Though heavy summer rains are not uncommon in Japan, June is unusually early for a typhoon-type storm to near the islands.

Persons: Mawar, Hirokazu Matsuno, Elaine Lies, Mayu Sakoda, Kaori Kaneko, Shri Navaratnam, Lincoln, Frances Kerry Organizations: Disaster Management Agency, Transport Ministry, NHK, Toyota, JMA, Japan Meteorological Agency, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Okinawa, Guam, Honshu, Wakayama prefecture, Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi prefecture, Shizuoka prefecture, Shikoku

☆ Panasonic plans multiple new battery factories in North America by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, May 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Panasonic Holdings Corp (6752.T) aims to ramp up production of battery cells used in electric vehicles by building at least two new factories in North America, it said on Thursday. Panasonic plans to build at least two new factories for 4680 battery production in North America by 2030, a spokesperson confirmed to Reuters. Panasonic has yet to decide where in North America it will add the production capacity, said the company's Group Chief Executive Officer Yuki Kusumi. Panasonic and trading house Marubeni Corp (8002.T) will build out a delivery network in Japan that will use small electric vans, the Nikkei newspaper said later on Thursday. Panasonic will also set up two other new sites to deepen its battery know-how in Japan over the next two years.

☆ Panasonic plans two or more new battery factories in North America by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, May 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Panasonic Holdings Corp (6752.T) aims to ramp up its production capacity for 4680 battery cells by 2030 by building two or more new factories in North America, it said on Thursday, as it seeks to supply the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. Panasonic plans to build at least two new factories for 4680 battery production in North America, a spokesperson confirmed to Reuters. Panasonic has yet to decide where in North America it will add the production capacity, said the company's Group Chief Executive Officer Yuki Kusumi. Panasonic is running a pilot 4680 production line at its Wakayama factory in Japan, while Tesla is already producing the 4680 battery cells, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk has touted as being key to making cheaper and compelling electric cars. Panasonic will also set up two other new sites to deepen its battery know-how in Japan over the next two years.

☆ Want to buy a cheap house in rural Japan? This millennial farmer offers his advice
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Life on a farm is "very, very busy," says Lee Xian Jie, who harvests his own rice and tea. said Lee Xian Jie, who restored three buildings in Ryujin-mura, a village in Japan's Wakayama prefecture. On the same property is a 100-year-old building, which Lee Xian Jie converted into a guesthouse. Lee Xian JieAnother $37,000 was spent to turn the main house into a living space for himself and a functional cafe. While it will only open in June, Lee Xian Jie said he's already been getting some bookings.

SAN FRANCISCO/TOKYO, May 10 (Reuters) - Panasonic (6752.T) said on Wednesday that it will delay the commercial production of its 4680 battery cells championed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and begin operations during the April to September period in 2024, later than previously scheduled, as the company aims to improve their performance. Tesla's Japanese supplier, Panasonic, previously planned to start volume production for Tesla between April 2023 to March 2024. Panasonic is running a pilot 4680 production line at its Wakayama factory in Japan, while Tesla (TSLA.O) is already producing the 4680 battery cells, which Musk has touted as being key to making cheaper and compelling electric cars. But the carmaker struggled to meet its targets for production and performance of the cells. Tesla executive Drew Baglino said at a recent conference call that the company plans to steadily ramp production of 4680 battery cells ahead of Cybertruck production next year.

☆ Beyond Kyoto: Japan recommends 11 lesser-known spots to visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Rob Goss | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Japan wants travelers to go beyond the country's iconic tourist sites — and consider spending their yen in lesser-known locations. CNBC Travel takes a look at what each of the 11 spots has to offer travelers — whether or not they're wealthy. Koichi Kamoshida | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesIse-shima is arguably the "model destination" most ready to welcome the JTA's wealthy targets. Kagoshima, Aso and UnzenThe island of Kyushu in western Japan feature everything from active volcanoes to glimpses of samurai culture. Okinawa and AmamiIn 2021, Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of Okinawa's main island, and Iriomote Island were given joint UNESCO Natural World Heritage status for their biodiversity and endemic wildlife.

The incident exposes vulnerabilities in Japan's security system and a failure to institute changes following the killing of former prime minister Shinzo Abe during an election campaign last year, four experts interviewed by Reuters said. Fukuda said for such big, international events, authorities are able to provide solid security by mobilising a huge police presence. The government has instructed authorities to strengthen security measures and to ensure safety precautions at gatherings of VIPs, he added. read moreIn Saturday's attack, the suspect was about 10 metres from Kishida, according to media reports. He said it showed that a review of security plans by the National Police Agency could only go so far.

☆ Japan Prime Minister Kishida Evacuated After Sound of Bang; No One Reported Hurt
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Peter Landers | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Wakayama prefecture on Saturday. TOKYO—Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was rushed away from a campaign stop on Saturday after the sound of a bang nearby, and a suspect at the scene was arrested, according to footage aired on public broadcaster NHK. NHK said no one was injured in the incident at around 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

☆ Japan PM Kishida evacuated unhurt after explosion at speech- media
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory credit Kyodo via REUTERSTOKYO, April 15 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unhurt after a suspect threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb at an outdoor speech in western Japan on Saturday, domestic media reported. A loud explosion was heard, but the premier took cover and was unharmed while police subdued a man at the scene, public broadcaster NHK said. Kishida had just started to deliver the speech after touring the harbour when Saturday's incident occurred, NHK said. Kishida was to continue his Saturday afternoon campaign schedule after the incident, the LDP confirmed via its Twitter account. The man appeared to be in his 20s or 30s, media said.

☆ Japanese PM unhurt after blast during campaign event
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated from the port in Wakayama after a blast was heard, but he was unharmed in the incident, local media reported on April 15. TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unharmed Saturday after someone threw an explosive device at a campaign event in a western port city, officials said. Police wrestled a suspect to the ground as screaming bystanders scrambled to get away and smoke filled the air. In Abe's assassination, the former prime minister was shot with a homemade gun during a campaign speech. Abe's alleged assassin told investigators that he killed Abe, one of Japan's most influential and divisive politicians, because of the former prime minister's apparent links to a religious group that he hated.

☆ Japan’s Prime Minister Safely Evacuated After Blast
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Mike Ives | Hikari Hida | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan was safely evacuated on Saturday after an explosion was heard just before he was scheduled to give a speech, the country’s national broadcaster said. The episode took place late Saturday morning in the western Japanese city of Wakayama, the broadcaster, NHK, reported.

☆ Asia's 'best restaurants' list is out — and it's no surprise which country made the list 17 times
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

William Drew, director of content for Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, said Japan's strong performance is "no surprise." The top 50 restaurants in AsiaThis year commemorates the 10th anniversary of the "Asia's 50 Best Restaurants" list. Asia's top 50 restaurantsThe list of "Asia's 50 Best Restaurants" for 2023 are: 1. Ten restaurants that ranked among Asia's best 50 restaurants last year fell into the 51-100 ranking this year. Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023Labyrinth also rose 29 spots to No.11, winning the "Highest Climber" award.

☆ Exclusive: Tesla taps Asian partners to address 4680 battery concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Details about Tesla's Cybertruck battery strategy, including use of 4680 cells and consideration of other options, have not been reported. The Tesla-designed 4680 cell - so named for its external dimensions (46mm diameter, 80mm length) - is crucial to future production plans. Last year, LG said it planned to open a new 4680 production line at its Ochang plant in Korea in the second half of 2023. Tesla also has been installing first-generation 4680 cells with "wet" cathodes in so-called structural packs in Texas-built Model Ys. Tesla plans to use a cathode with more than 90% nickel in the next generation of 4680 cells, two sources said.

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