Japanese local news

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Kyushu Shinkansen Full Line Opening 15th Anniversary Project: "Tsubame's Great Adventure"
JR Kyushu Official Channel


Fifteen years since the emotional commercial that even the company president was moved to tears by—
the day the Kyushu Shinkansen "leaves the tracks."
After overcoming two major earthquakes, a big project to "soar freely" is now underway.
(Originally aired on March 12, 2026)

On March 12, 2011, the Kyushu Shinkansen was supposed to make a शानदार full-line opening. However, due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck the day before, it began its service quietly. The inspiring commercial that symbolized bringing Kyushu together was aired for only three days, becoming a "phantom commercial."

Fifteen years later, a major project is in progress in which the Kyushu Shinkansen "leaves the tracks" and "spreads its wings freely." We went behind the scenes to report on it.

Kyushu Shinkansen Full Line Opening "Congratulations! Kyushu" — the Opening Commercial from 15 Years Ago
JR Kyushu Official Channel

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Corporate Tug-of-War Tournament Held in Tokyo's Marunouchi Business District: A Fierce Battle for Company Pride
May 29, 2026 – Lifestyle & Trends

A corporate tug-of-war tournament was held in the Marunouchi business district, where office workers from nearby companies competed against one another. The enthusiastic cheers echoing through the office area attracted the attention of many passersby.

The event was organized for employees working in the surrounding area and took place during their lunch breaks. This year, 80 teams participated in the competition.

In the championship match, a restaurant management company faced off against a real estate investment firm. The contest became a fierce battle, with both companies putting their pride on the line.

In the end, the restaurant management company emerged victorious.

The tournament was originally launched to promote health and encourage interaction among workers. The 2026 event marked its 10th anniversary, and the competition remained lively and exciting until the very end.



4K60【大熱狂！丸の内綱引き決勝戦】丸の内仲通り 2026 東京 Japan

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

[Hakata Gion Yamakasa] "Boarai" Purification Ceremony Held for Carrying Poles of the Famous "Running Decorative Float"

June 1, 2026, 12:26 PM

Ahead of the start of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 1, a traditional purification ceremony known as "Boarai" (Pole Washing) was held on the morning of June 1. During the ritual, the carrying poles used for the festival floats were washed and purified.

About 20 members of the Kamikawabata-dori group, the festival's Eighth Yamakasa team, gathered at the Hama-miya shrine of Kushida Shrine in Fukuoka City's Hakata Ward.

Using seawater drawn from Hakata Bay, the participants carefully washed six carrying poles, each measuring 7.2 meters in length and weighing 80 kilograms. These poles support the group's massive decorative float.

Kamikawabata-dori is famous for its "Running Decorative Float" (Hashiru Kazari Yamakasa). Every year, the team carries a spectacular decorative float standing more than 10 meters tall into the sacred track area of Kushida Shrine.

Shinichiro Akimaru, General Affairs Officer of Kamikawabata-dori, said:

"This year as well, we hope to dedicate a Yamakasa that is safe and secure, brilliantly ornate, and full of heroic spirit."

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival will officially begin on July 1 with the public unveiling of the decorative floats throughout the city.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

What is Hakata Gion Yamakasa?


Hakata Gion Yamakasa (hah-kah-tah ghee-on yah-mah-kah-sah)
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is one of Japan's most famous traditional festivals, held every July in the Hakata district of Fukuoka. The festival is dedicated to Kushida Shrine and has a history of more than 780 years.

According to tradition, the festival began in 1241 when a Buddhist priest carried holy water through the town to pray for an end to an epidemic. Over time, this religious ritual evolved into the spectacular festival seen today.

The Main Attraction
The highlight of the festival is the Yamakasa, large decorated floats carried through the streets by teams of men.
Participants dressed in traditional festival clothing carry floats weighing around one ton while running through the streets at high speed, shouting:

"Oisa! Oisa!"
The most exciting event is the Oiyama race on the morning of July 15, when teams compete over a course of approximately five kilometers.

Decorative and Racing Floats
There are two main types of Yamakasa:
Kazariyama (Decorative Floats)
Huge, elaborate floats often more than 10 meters tall, decorated with historical figures, samurai , legends, and popular characters.
Kakiyama (Carrying Floats)
Smaller floats designed to be carried and raced through the city.
One unique exception is the famous Kamikawabata-dori float, known as the "Running Decorative Float," which combines the size and beauty of a decorative float with the excitement of movement.

A Festival of Tradition and Community
The festival is not only a religious event but also a symbol of local pride and community spirit. Neighborhood teams spend months preparing for the event, and many residents consider it the most important annual tradition in Hakata.

In 2016, Hakata Gion Yamakasa was included in the UNESCO-recognized group of Japanese Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals, highlighting its cultural significance and long history.

For many people in Fukuoka, there is a saying:
"Summer begins when Yamakasa ends."

The festival remains one of Japan's most energetic and beloved cultural celebrations.

Women and Hakata Gion Yamakasa
The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival has traditionally maintained a practice known as:
Nyonin Kinsei (nyoh-neen keen-say)
which literally means "women prohibited" or "exclusion of women."
Under this tradition, only men are allowed to serve as float carriers (kakite) and participate in the main races and carrying rituals of the festival.

This custom originates from the festival's long history as a religious event associated with Kushida Shrine and reflects centuries-old local traditions rather than modern sporting rules.
However, this does not mean that women are excluded from the festival entirely. Women actively participate in many aspects of the

event, including:
Supporting festival operations
Assisting with float preparation and decoration
Organizing community activities
Providing hospitality and logistical support
Participating in children's events and related cultural programs
The tradition has occasionally been debated from the perspective of gender equality. Some people advocate for change, while others argue that the festival is primarily a religious and cultural heritage event whose traditional practices should be preserved.

As a result, the current system remains largely unchanged: women play important supporting and organizational roles, while the role of carrying the Yamakasa floats is traditionally reserved for men.
This type of gender-based participation rule is not unique to Hakata Gion Yamakasa. Similar customs can be found in some traditional festivals and religious ceremonies elsewhere in Japan, although practices vary considerably from region to region.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Sakurajima's Heavy Ash Fall Continues to Affect Residents on June 8 — Long Lines at Car Washes, Parents Clean Ash from Elementary School Pool
(MBC News Now, broadcast on June 8, 2026)

At around 7:00 a.m. yesterday, an eruption occurred at the Minamidake summit crater of Sakurajima. The eruption continued for about an hour, sending a large amount of volcanic ash toward downtown Kagoshima.

At the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory in Higashi-Korimoto Town, officials recorded 35 grams of volcanic ash per square meter during the 24-hour period beginning at 9:00 a.m. yesterday. This marks the first time since May of last year that ash accumulation has exceeded 30 grams in a 24-hour period.

Today, long lines of vehicles could still be seen at gas stations across the city as drivers waited to wash ash from their cars.

"I was really surprised yesterday morning. The ash was so bad. I've been waiting about 20 minutes already. I thought about giving up halfway through, but since I've come this far, I might as well get the car washed before going home."

Meanwhile, at an elementary school where students are preparing for a long-distance open-water swimming event, volcanic ash has created additional challenges.

Looking closely at the pool, a layer of ash can be seen settled on the bottom.

At Matsubara Elementary School, 34 students are preparing to take part in the annual Kinko Bay long-distance swim scheduled for August 4.

Large amounts of ash accumulated on the bottom of the pool used for daily practice. Today, parents volunteered to clean the pool using underwater vacuum cleaners.

"We cleaned it once yesterday as well. The ash we're removing today is what accumulated afterward. During swimming practice, the children need to keep their eyes open underwater, so this work is necessary to prevent volcanic ash from getting into their eyes."

According to the meteorological observatory, the volcanic swelling that had been observed since May 30 was largely relieved by yesterday's eruption.