Daily Japan Headlines: Thursday, Aug 18, 2011
Petside: Cat YouTube Sensation Maru to Release Book
As of June 2011, Maru’s videos had been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube. In September 2009, Maru’s channel was the ninth most subscribed YouTube channel for the entire nation of Japan. Clearly, Maru is Japan’s most famous (and perhaps loved) cat.
With the new book, Maru will more than likely offer reader more than the recommended dose of cute that he already provides via his videos.
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Washington Post: Japan’s Prime Minister Kan, soon to step down, pushes nuclear phaseout
Last week, Kan gave the clearest indication yet that he will resign, pending the expected passage in parliament this month of two bills — a development he had set as a condition. Once he leaves, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan will elect its new president. That president becomes the next prime minister — Japan’s seventh in five years.
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Philippine Star: Japan cites lessons from nuke accident
In a report to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Japanese government said the burden arising from such a midterm to long-term initiative also has a major impact on industrial activities, including the farming and livestock sectors.
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Telegraph: Wedding ring sales soar in Japan’s disaster zone
Departments stores in Sendai, the main commercial hub of the tsunami and earthquake-hit northeast region of Japan, have reported significant increases in sales of wedding and engagement rings.
Sales of such rings at Sendai Mitsukoshi, one department store in the city, doubled between April and July this year compared to the same period last year.
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Wall Street Journal: Japan to Fund Polio Effort in Pakistan
Japan’s overseas development agency will fund polio-vaccination campaigns in Pakistan, one of the most difficult fronts against the disease as global health organizations risk missing their goal of stopping polio globally the end of 2012.
The loan, of ¥4.9 billion ($65 million), will be made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency to Pakistan’s government. If Pakistan achieves certain goals with the money, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will repay the loan to Japan, according to officials briefed on the plan.
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Washington Times: Japanese tourists flock to ‘miracle’ Matsushima
Japanese tourists are flocking to Matsushima, a fabled destination that escaped the wrath of the March 11 tsunami.
Widely considered one of Japan’s “three great views,” the seaside resort town of Matsushima in Miyagi province, with pine trees studding 260 islands in a majestic bay, has long been known for its esoteric powers.
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Channel News Asia: Crowds flock to Karuizawa to escape Japan’s summer heat
Mr Yoshitomo Ogihara, chairman of the Karuizawa Tourist Association, said: “There’s the nuclear power plant issue. People are avoiding the sea and coming to the mountains. Also, energy conservation is a big issue. But Karuizawa is not under TEPCO.
“It’s very cool in the summer. It’s dry and the climate is cool…that’s why people are visiting,” added Mr Ogihara.
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Reuters: Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota Cars to Provide Home Back-Up Power
One untapped distributed energy source that could provide up to two days of electricity for the average Japanese household and that requires relatively little investment is just sitting in 10,000 driveways and garages across Japan.
More than 6,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles and more than 4,000 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs have been sold in Japan and the batteries in these electric cars could be used to provide back-up power for households – as long as that electricity is converted from the direct current (DC) used in the car battery to alternating current (AC) used in households.
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Autoblog: Cadillac, Lexus, Toyota tie for lead in customer satisfaction index
The American Customer Satisfaction Index has released the results of its annual investigation into the automotive industry, and the biggest winners hail from Japan. Although Cadillac is tied with Lexus and Toyota atop the standings with an overall score of 87, just one short year ago the top few automakers – with Buick and Lincoln at the tippy top – hailed from the United States.
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ESPN: World Sevens Series embraces Japan
The International Rugby Board have announced that the Prince Chichibu Stadium in Tokyo will host the seventh event of the 2011-12 season – a week after the renowned tournament in Hong Kong. The expansion is another major boost for Asian Rugby with Japan also preparing to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
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ESPN: Ryo Ishikawa gets temporary status
A star in his homeland where he has won nine times, including a professional event as an amateur at age 15, Ishikawa recently tied for fourth at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He earned $473,136 and added to previous earnings that gave him more than the 150th finisher on the 2010 money list.
That meant Ishikawa could take up the temporary member status. If he is able to earn more than the 125th finisher on this year’s money list, Ishikawa would be fully exempt on the PGA Tour in 2012.
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