News in Easy English: Osaka station opens special spaces to help people calm down
These spaces help people who feel very sensitive to things like bright lights, loud noises, or too many people. They can feel safe inside and relax quietly.
Each space at Yumeshima Station has two booths. Each booth has a grey sofa and is about 1.8 meters high, 1.5 meters wide, and 1.5 meters deep. The booths are near the ticket gates on each side.
Jiei Kato, 19, is a company president in Tokyo. He also has sensory sensitivity. He visited these spaces and said good things and bad things about them. He was glad the booths were quiet, black-colored outside, and in a place with few people. But he said they had some problems, too. For example, the booths had no roof and felt too bright. It was also easy to see people in the next booth. People felt worried because there was no clear sign showing if the booth was being used or not.
Kato said, "People who have sensory sensitivities often want privacy. They feel safe if other people cannot see them going in or coming out."
Osaka Metro said these special spaces are still new and that they can make them better in the future. They plan to change things after receiving ideas from users like Kato. They have already added a light outside each space to show when a booth is busy.
Kato's ideas helped create calm-down spaces in other places at the Expo event, too. Those new spaces have adjustable lights and less noise.
While there are some problems, Kato said these calm-down spaces are very helpful. He said even if people never use them, knowing these spaces exist can help people feel safer and go to more places.
(Japanese original by Natsumi Hara, Tokyo Bureau)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
2 hours ago
Majority of Japanese High Schoolers Are Nattō Fans
A survey in Japan found that nattō was popular with high school students, as 65.5% of boys and 59.9% of girls said that they liked the fermented soybean food. The May survey, targeting 1,690 female and 1,326 male high school students, was conducted by the Youth Time Japan project—a national network of clubs and committees centered on high school broadcasting clubs and student councils. According to the survey, boys eat nattō more frequently than girls, with 40.9% having it at least once a week, as compared to 33.9% among girls. When asked what seasoning they like to add to nattō (aside from the tare sauce and mustard it is typically packed with), soy sauce was the top choice among girls and boys, at around 45% for each. Boys and girls also had the same favorite topping for nattō : negi onions. (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
Yomiuri Shimbun
11 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Red Bell Pepper, Walnut Dip Brings Rich Aroma, Flavor to the Table; Middle East Appetizer Made Easy with Food Processor
Aki Komatsu, an expert of Arab cuisine, recently shared a recipe for a red bell pepper and walnut dip called muhammara, which is popular in countries such as Syria and Lebanon. Thanks to the red bell pepper's refreshing bitterness, the dip is perfect for summer. 'It's a dish that is enjoyed like a salad in restaurants. But since it is also made at home, the ingredients are readily available,' Komatsu said. Thanks to the aroma of the red bell pepper, you will feel like there is no problem of overeating. The richness of the walnuts also adds depth, so the dip will definitely bring joy to the dining table. Aleppo peppers, which are a moderately spicy variety of chili pepper, are usually used in the original recipe. However, Komatsu uses a combination of red bell peppers and red chili peppers instead. To enhance the aroma, the red bell pepper should be broiled on a grill until the surface blisters and turns black. Peel off the skin for a smoother texture, which can be done easily by hand once the pepper cools. It then needs to be briefly rinsed with water, but be careful not to puncture the flesh as this will result in a loss of flavor. The Yomiuri ShimbunBroil the red bell pepper on a Yomiuri ShimbunPeel the skin off the red bell of the ingredients Komatsu uses are common in the Middle East, but may need to be purchased online. Among them are pomegranate molasses, made by boiling down pomegranate juice, and tahini, a dip made from white sesame seeds. Pomegranate molasses has a refreshing sweetness and acidity. It is often used in stews. You can substitute it with boiled-down balsamic vinegar. If using Japanese white sesame paste instead of tahini, make sure it has not been made using deeply roasted sesame seeds. Making the dip is made simple with a food processor, as all the ingredients can be simply blended together. When doing so, gradually add olive oil while blending to achieve a smooth texture. Add paprika powder or tomato paste for a more vivid color. To serve, spread the dip evenly on a flat plate. It pairs well with bread or vegetables. Red bell pepper and walnut dip Ingredients: 1 large red bell pepper (about 220 grams) 35 grams walnuts + extra for garnish 2 cloves garlic 2 red chili peppers 35 grams panko breadcrumbs 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses (or boiled-down balsamic vinegar) 1 1/2 tbsp tahini (or white sesame paste) 1/2 tsp cumin powder 1 1/2 tsp paprika powderDirections:1. Broil the bell pepper on a grill until the surface blisters and turns black. 2. Leave to cool until it can be handled by hand, then peel off the skin and gently rinse the flesh. 3. Remove the stem and seeds from the red bell pepper, then tear into bite-sized pieces by hand. 4. Deseed the red chili peppers. 5. Add the walnuts to a food processor and process until finely ground.6. Add all remaining ingredients and a pinch of salt, and blend. 7. Gradually add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil while blending until smooth. Place in a storage container and chill in the refrigerator. 8. Serve on a plate, garnish with walnuts and top with olive oil and mint as desired.
Nikkei Asia
15 hours ago
- Nikkei Asia
MacArthur's legacy weighs heavily on Japan -- 80 years on
U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur signs Japanese surrender documents on Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. © AP ANDREW SHARP TOKYO -- Time has stood still on the sixth floor of the Dai-Ichi Life building across the moat from Tokyo's Imperial Palace. Behind heavy wooden doors lies an office, preserved since 1945, that houses the desk of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the supreme commander of the allied powers that occupied Japan for seven years after its surrender in World War II. On a visit ahead of the 80th anniversary of the war's end on Aug. 15, the preserved room, which is not usually open to the public, appears like a snapshot of history, providing an insight into the powerful character of the general who played an outsized role in rebuilding a country from the ruins of war. His austere desk lacks drawers, and those facing him in the afternoons would have been met with bright sunshine pouring into their eyes.
