Japan and Extra

Even faithful statued dogs apparently need to be protected from the Coronavirus, as a number of Japanese citizens have been caught putting facemasks on the iconic Hachiko Statue located at Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan. ICDYK, Hachiko was the faithful Akita doggo who waited for his master at the same Shibuya train station every day for nine years. He’s since become a worldwide … [Read more...] about People are putting facemasks on Japan’s Hachiko statue

A Japanese live streamer who died last year on Mt. Fuji while streaming his climb has won the 2020 Darwin Awards. Tetsu “Tedzu” Shiohara, 47, lacked the “proper gear, climbing experience, and a booster pack of common sense” when he made the fatal climb on Oct. 28, 2019, according to the Darwin Awards via SoraNews24. Tedzu became the first Japanese person to ever win the … [Read more...] about Japanese Man Who Died Live Streaming Fall From Mt. Fuji Wins a Darwin Award

On June 12, Tokyo Metro conducted its first test run of using an unmanned robot to disinfect commonly used surfaces in Tsukishima station, located in the Chuo Ward of Tokyo. The robot, named Patoro (from the first two syllables of the Japanese word for “patrol”, パトロール or patorōru, and the “ro” from “robot”) was created by Japanese robotics company, ZMP Inc. The company … [Read more...] about Tokyo Metro tests its first unmanned security and cleaning robot at Tsukishima Station

A few days ago I was cycling down the River Arakawa when I came to Ojima Komatsugawa park. Being on a spur of land that juts out into the river, it’s surrounded by water on three sides. At the top of the hill in the middle of the park, I came across this startlingly beautiful sculpture. A plaque informs passersby that it was created to commemorate the lost continent of Mu, … [Read more...] about Mu: a clue to a legendary lost kingdom in Ojima Komatsugawa park

A proof by Japanese mathematician Shinichi Mochizuki of an over 30-year-old problem in number theory has obtained validation, Kyoto University said Friday following controversy over his theory often labeled as too novel and complicated to understand. The Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences of the university accepted for publication his 600-page proof of the abc … [Read more...] about Japanese mathematician gets validation for number theory solution

A thin sheet of copper fiber that can speed up the process of inactivating virus particles, potentially stopping them from causing infections, has been developed by a university-based startup in collaboration with a local textile manufacturer here. The Gunma University-based venture Gunma University Development & Innovation (GUDi), in the Gunma prefectural city of Kiryu, … [Read more...] about East Japan venture develops copper fiber sheet that hastens virus particle inactivation

To take the scenic area in Tokyo to the level of excess awesomeness, Under plans for Shibuya’s redevelopment, various construction projects are taking place around the train station, including the Shibuya Sky Building. The tourist and youth heavy area is known for the iconic Shibuya Scramble (the crossing shown on literally any documentary about Japan) and the statue of … [Read more...] about Sky Building in Shibuya Will Give 230m High Rooftop View of Tokyo’s Famous Crossing

This August, Microsoft Japan took on an experiment, called the “Work-Life Choice Challenge Summer 2019” in which they trialed the 4-day work week for their entire workforce. Around 2300 employees were given five Fridays off with no reduction in salary and no days taken off of their annual leave. Naturally, the experiment proved to be a huge success with the increased … [Read more...] about Microsoft Japan Made a 4 Day Workweek Experiment, Noticed 40% Increased in Productivity

A 9-year-old boy in the Kansai region set a record by becoming the youngest student to pass a university-level mathematics test, the test organizer said Tuesday. Shogo Ando, a fourth grader in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, passed Suken’s top-level 1st Kyu test, held in October by the Mathematics Certification Institute of Japan. Ando beat the previous record, set by Hiroto … [Read more...] about 9 Years Japanese Boy Becomes Youngest To Pass University Level Maths Exam

Have you ever been on a hiking trip and stopped only to appreciate the sounds of nature? The wind's sound, birds chirping, and rain dripping through leaves all combine to make an impressive wild orchestra. In 2012, Morihiro Harano and his group worked together with carpenter Mitsuo Tsuda, and sound engineer Kenjiro Matsuo, in order to create a giant xylophone elevated … [Read more...] about World’s Most incredible Sound Garden Becomes Reality in Japan

OK kids, did you remember to finish your homework, brush your teeth, and smash every pot in the village? As a parent, it’s your duty to make sure you teach your kids the right way to do things. The right way to talk. The right way to eat. And, of course, the right way to enjoy role-playing video games. OK, so maybe that last one is something that many parents negligently … [Read more...] about Japan’s Gamer Mom Wants Kid to Unlock the Achievement of Beating a Game Without Internet Guidelines