Latest news with #Nara
Japan Times
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Japan Times
Fujitsu and Nagoya University develop AI-based tech to spread ride-hailing
Japanese electronics giant Fujitsu said Thursday that it and Nagoya University have jointly developed an artificial intelligence-based simulation technology aimed at promoting ride-hailing services. The two sides aim to offer the new technology to local governments struggling to secure means of transportation for elderly residents and business operators facing a shortage of drivers. They plan to put the technology into practical use in fiscal 2026. Among factors hindering the spread of emerging mobility services, including ride-hailing and demand-responsive ride-sharing taxis, are psychological hurdles such as people's unfamiliarity with how to use them. Fujitsu and Nagoya University will in digital space analyze problems based on resident surveys and find effective methods to increase utilization rate, leveraging an AI technology that predicts human behavior. A trial conducted in the town of Kawanishi in Nara Prefecture regarding demand-responsive ride-sharing taxi service revealed that many residents are unaware of the service itself or its usefulness. After identifying the most effective public relations and taxi deployment strategies through AI simulations within the constraints of budget and the number of vehicles available, demand for the service among virtual residents jumped 20%. "It is necessary to provide the optimal transportation means for each region," Takayuki Morikawa, professor at the university in city of Nagoya, said. Fujitsu plans to apply the technology to a wide range of fields, including health care and community development.
Tokyo Weekender
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Nuisance YouTuber Hezumaryu Elected in Nara City Council Election
Former nuisance YouTuber Masahiro Harada, more commonly known as Hezumaryu, was elected for the first time in the Nara City Council election on Sunday. A total of 55 candidates ran in the election, with the 39 seats up for grabs. Harada finished third overall, with 8,320 votes. The 34-year-old received his official election certificate at a ceremony at Nara City Hall on Monday. List of Contents: 'Get Out of Nara' Campaigning as Hezumaryu Related Posts 'Get Out of Nara' Known for his prank videos and for shouting a t strangers , Harada said it was he who was yelled at while campaigning, with people telling him to 'get out of Nara.' This, though , didn 't dissuade him from running in the election. Instead of giving speeches on the streets, he decided to campaign on social networking sites and by going around in a campaign car. Speaking on the day he received his certificate, Harada promised he would do his best not to make mistakes. 'I'm getting a lot of attention from the media, and my influence has grown to an astonishing extent,' he said . 'Since I've received so much support, I want to do my best , so I don't disappoint people's expectations.' He added, 'I won't go back to being a nuisance. I won't ignite firestorms.' Campaigning as Hezumaryu Harada's campaign mainly focused on deer at Nara Park and how they should be protected. He also called for the installation of security cameras and trash cans in the park. His high-profile status as Hezumaryu on social media helped get his message across to large numbers. 'In the age of social media, name recognition is what matters,' said XCom Global founder Seiji Nishimura following Harada's triumph. Harada is infamous for his YouTube pranks, some of which led to him being arrested. He was taken in for questioning on multiple occasions in 2020 for various misdemeanors, such as attempting to return a T-shirt to a store in Osaka by falsely claiming it was a knock-off brand and laying a futon in the middle of the Shibuya Scramble intersection. He also recently gained attention for loudly shouting at foreign tourists in Nara Park. Related Posts LDP-Led Coalition Lose Upper House Majority, Ishiba Vows To Continue as Prime Minister Sanseito Explained: The Alarming Rise of Japan's Far-Right Movement A Record 42 Women Win Seats in Upper House Election
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Ishiba's last stand? Japan's LDP in turmoil as Sanseito surge erodes PM's grip on power
With his grasp on power slipping, Japan 's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office despite a stinging electoral rebuke that plunged his ruling coalition into fresh turmoil. The humiliating setback, confirmed late on Sunday , has fuelled doubts about Ishiba's leadership as rivals within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) circle and stoked anxiety in the world's fourth-largest economy , already reeling from rising prices, mounting security threats and the disruptive effects of US President Donald Trump 's aggressive tariff regime. In a sombre appearance on public broadcaster NHK two hours after polls closed on Sunday, Ishiba 'solemnly' conceded the 'harsh result'. 'It is a difficult situation that must be taken very humbly and seriously,' he said. Pressed on he intended to continue as Japan's leader, he replied: 'That's right'. But Ishiba's leadership of the party and the country appears increasingly precarious. Signs of discontent have flared within the LDP since the vote, with former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi openly signalling her readiness to challenge the prime minister. Addressing supporters in Nara prefecture on Friday, Takaichi declared the party was 'under scrutiny' and warned it might require drastic change to resurrect its fortunes. Sanae Takaichi speaks before an LDP run-off election in September last year. The ex-economic security minister has been positioning herself as a possible successor to Ishiba. Photo: AP 'I have made up my mind in my own way,' Jiji Press quoted her as saying. 'I will once again firmly reset the party's backbone. I promise to fight for that.'
6 days ago
- General
Renkon: A Unique Japanese Vegetable with an Auspicious New Year Role
Lotus plants grow wild mainly in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern hemisphere and are thought to have been cultivated in Japan since the Nara period (710–94). The pedestal for Buddha statues is in the form of a lotus flower and this connection with Buddhist culture meant that lotus flowers were used in ancient times for ornamental and ceremonial purposes. From the Meiji period (1868-1912) onward, when varieties that were easier to cultivate began being imported from China, focus shifted to growing edible types. Ibaraki Prefecture accounts for 50% of total production, followed by 10% each in Saga and Tokushima. The lotus plant itself is known in Japanese as hasu , while the edible part is called renkon (lotus root). Although it is described as a 'root' in both Japanese and English, it is technically an enlarged subterranean stem. As lotus plants grow in swamps and other types of wetlands, it makes it difficult for them to receive oxygen through the roots, so they absorb it through their large leaves and channel it down. The characteristic holes of renkon act as air channels to send oxygen to the roots. (© Pixta) Harvesting renkon . (© Pixta) Renkon is an essential ingredient in Japanese New Year cuisine, osechi ryōri , including nishime (simmered vegetables) and su-renkon (pickled lotus root). It is associated with good luck as the holes are believed to symbolize 'being able to see the way ahead' and 'good prospects for the future.' As the plant produces many seeds, it is also thought to represent fertility and blessings for lots of children. At supermarkets, renkon is usually sold in manageable pieces that can be easily used up, but it is harvested with several sections joined together, which are commonly called the 'parent,' 'child,' and 'grandchild.' The relatively larger 'parent' section has thick fibers and is very sticky, so it is perfect for use in dishes where it is simmered or grated. The central 'child' section can be simmered, deep-fried, or stir-fried, making it more versatile. The section closest to the root tip is the 'grandchild' and as it is still growing, it has finer fibers and a light, crispy texture. Dishes like kinpira , salad, and sunomono (pickled vegetables) are the best way to enjoy this part of the renkon . (© Pixta) Producer and agricultural organization websites often state that renkon always has 10 holes or that there is a central hole with nine holes around it. But on buying renkon and cutting it open, one finds that there are many small holes and not always 10. (© Pixta) (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Influencer Nara Smith slammed for 'negligence' for 'dangerous' act while pregnant
Influencer Nara Smith has shocked fans after revealing she was drinking raw milk - a 'dangerous' choice for pregnant women. A leading nutritionist warns of the potential harms of drinking unpasteurised dairy Nara Smith has caused controversy over her TikTok videos - and now she's been slammed for drinking a dangerous drink while pregnant. The influencer shared a video of herself drinking unpasteurised milk, just one month after announcing her fourth pregnancy. Anyone who follows Nara Smith online will instantly recognise her romanticised videos - but her alluring appeal goes much deeper for fans. Her videos are enchanting thanks to her soothing voice, gentle cooking tips and seemingly picture-perfect family. But her lifestyle has been marred by controversy over the years, including her latest video. The 23-year-old lives in Los Angeles with her husband, model Lucky Blue Smith, and she proudly adopts a stay-at-home-mum role, with a slower way of life. She spends her days cooking and caring for her children while also looking after their home, and in a recent video shared her baking some homemade cinnamon roll cookies - and washing it down with a glass of raw cows milk. "Once the cookies were done, we set them on a cooling rack to cool before drizzling them with [some] icing," Nara said in a voiceover. "Even though I'm not a fan of cookies, these hit the spot with some cold raw milk." Raw cows milk can be particularly dangerous to drink, especially for pregnant women, as it can contain dangerous bacteria. The majority of the milk we drink in the UK is heat-treated to kill off harmful bacteria. The pasteurisation process involves heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time as it kills organisms responsible for diseases such as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria and more. Raw milk isn't – it goes from the animal to the bottle without any treatment. The Food Standards Agency advise that raw or unpasteurised drinking milk and cream "may contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning." They say that people with a weaker immune system are "particularly vulnerable to food poisoning and should not consume it." Nara has come under fire from fans who branded her as "negligent" for drinking it, due to the harm it could cause her unborn baby. "Raw milk? While PREGNANT?" one commenter wrote. "I mean it's bad in general, but girl…" For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Another penned: "Nurse here... do NOT use unpasteurised, raw milk! Dangerous to you, baby and kids!!" And a third echoed: "Raw milk while pregnant is crazy. Why is pasteurization a problem?" Ruth Tongue, a nutritionist and wellbeing founder at Elevate Your Health spoke to The Mirror about the dangers of drinking raw milk and said: "It's essential that pregnant women avoid raw milk and products made from raw milk (certain cheeses) as they may contain listeria bacteria. This can cause an infection called listeriosis and can lead to still birth or miscarriage. "It can also contain other dangerous bacteria such as salmonella, e-coli and campylobacter." She added how there is no "solid scientific evidence" that raw milk has any nutritional advantages and "pasteurisation does not reduce the nutrient quality of milk." Ruth further explained how people are choosing to drink raw milk because they've "been told that it has more nutrients, [that it] may reduce intolerances (particularly lactose intolerance) allergies and may contain fewer hormones." However, she said none of this has been substantiated. When it comes to unpasteurised dairy products, the expert said there are certain cheeses that should be avoided too. These include soft cheeses such as certain types of feta, as well as any mould-ripened soft cheeses like brie, camembert and soft goat's cheese that have a white mouldy rind, and any blue-veined cheeses (like stilton, Gorgonzola, Roquefort). The Mirror reached out to Nara Smith for comment, but at time of publication received no response.
