Latest news with #ShinjiHirai
Asahi Shimbun
03-07-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Quake rumor in Hong Kong forces canceling of Japan flights
Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai, left, holds an online meeting with Hiroki Ito, right side on screen, general manager of Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Airlines' Japan office, at the Tottori prefectural government's office in Tottori on July 2. (Yoshihiro Tomita) TOTTORI—An unfounded rumor of an impending major earthquake in Japan has forced international flights between Yonago Kitaro Airport in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, and Hong Kong to be suspended at the end of August. The rumor that 'a major disaster will occur in Japan in July' has been spreading on social media and by other means in Hong Kong. As a result, the number of passengers on the route has plummeted since May. A representative of Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Airlines, the operator of the flights, said the rumor triggered the decision to ground the service. Hiroki Ito, general manager of the airline's Japan office, met online with Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai on July 2 and reported the decision to suspend operations. 'The trend of voluntary restraint on travel from Hong Kong to Japan has become more pronounced since the latter half of May and we are now below the break-even point,' Ito said. 'We will suspend operations for the time being and hope to resume when the situation improves.' Hirai said, 'I hope that we can continue to keep the pipeline open for discussions and communication in the future.' Regular flights between Yonago and Hong Kong had been suspended since February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheduled route had just resumed after an interval of nearly five years when Greater Bay Airlines began service in October 2024. Currently, three flights per week are in operation. The seat utilization rate had been hovering around 60 percent every month, but in May this year, the rate was 43.3 percent, a sharp drop from 58.7 percent in April. The prefectural government believed that this was due to the spread of a rumor triggered by a Japanese manga in Hong Kong. According to Greater Bay Airlines, seat utilization in June is also expected to be around 40 percent. In May, the airline reduced the number of scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Sendai and Hong Kong and Tokushima.
LeMonde
01-07-2025
- LeMonde
In Japan, a manga artist has predicted a disaster in early July, causing a drop in tourism
Letter from Tokyo Brace yourselves, tourists! A major disaster is set to strike Japan on July 5. On that day, according to a vision by mangaka Ryo Tatsuki, "the ocean floor between Japan and the Philippines will crack. Huge waves will rise in all directions. Tsunamis will devastate the Pacific Rim countries. A tsunami three times higher than that of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 will strike the Southwest of the country." Revealed in one of her works, this vision has, since the beginning of the year, fueled real panic outside of Japan and has even led thousands of Taiwanese, Chinese and South Korean tourists to cancel their summer trips. The department of Tottori (Southwest Japan) reported in May a nearly 50% drop in bookings from Hong Kong. "Interest in coming to Japan is waning. The impact of the rumor is undeniable," admitted Governor Shinji Hirai.
Japan Times
23-06-2025
- Health
- Japan Times
Tottori Wagyu and other delights offered at Hotel New Otani Tokyo
A special event featuring the rich sweetness and umami of juicy Tottori Wagyu-brand beef in a variety of dishes has kicked off once again at the Hotel New Otani Tokyo. Held annually since 2018, this promotion consistently highlights the charm of Tottori's viands through innovative ideas and cooking methods. During the event, which runs until July 31, six restaurants will offer unique menus featuring various cuts of Tottori Wagyu beef alongside other foods from Tottori. While the teppanyaki restaurant Sekishin-tei features Tottori Wagyu filet and sirloin steaks in its lunch and dinner courses, the Japanese restaurant Kato's Dining & Bar offers Tottori Wagyu stamina gozen, consisting of a bowl of rice topped with thinly sliced and sauteed Tottori Wagyu, and chilled udon noodles topped with Tottori Wagyu and refreshing seasonings. At the cafe and lounge Satsuki, a Rossini style Tottori Wagyu and foie gras burger Rossini style, fried yakisoba noodles with Tottori Wagyu, and mild Tottori Wagyu curry with beef cutlet can be enjoyed from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The bloodline of Tottori Wagyu can be traced back to Ketaka, a sire produced in Tottori in the 1960s that was the origin of many of Japan's current wagyu brands. In a recent interview with The Japan Times, Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai spoke about the characteristics of the beef, saying, 'Tottori Wagyu beef is produced with a focus on the high oleic acid content in the fat.' Oleic acid is the main component of olive oil and is characterized by its light taste and smooth texture. In addition, Hirai said, Tottori has been conducting research on glycogen, a substance believed to influence the flavor of red meat. 'Our research has revealed that glycogen seems to be more abundant in female cattle,' said Hirai. Furthermore, each livestock farmer has been making improvements in areas such as feed types and methods, as well as stress-free rearing styles, in order to continue producing tender, flavorful wagyu beef. Shinsuke Nakajima, the executive chef at Hotel New Otani, praised Tottori Wagyu beef, saying that from a chef's perspective, its texture and sweetness are exceptional. He also highlighted the variety and quality of other ingredients from Tottori, mentioning that he created a dessert for the event using Tottori watermelon, known for its exceptional freshness, for this fair. 'This is truly my dream-come-true dessert. We use the Tomari Bijin variety, which has an early harvest in June, and switch to the Daiei variety in July, so I highly recommend trying both,' he said. Tomari Bijin is characterized by fine-textured flesh and a delicate sweetness that leaves a refreshing aftertaste. Daiei, with a history of more than 100 years, boasts a crunchy texture and rich sweetness. The sliced fruit is marinated in watermelon syrup with a hint of basil leaves. Hirai also praised the dessert, saying, 'The gentle, refreshing sweetness of watermelon is naturally expressed, and combined with the fluffy texture of shaved ice it has a delicacy unlike anything I've ever tasted before.' A luxury shaved ice dessert with premium watermelon from Tottori. | Haruo Motohashi Another feature of this year's promotion is that sake from Tottori is also being highlighted. Restaurant manager and Executive Chef Sommelier Nobuhide Tani said: 'Sake can bring out the flavor and sweetness of the ingredients of the dishes it is paired with. It is not strong like red wine, yet it has its own delicate sweetness that goes well with the food.' Tani also pointed out that a large portion of Tottori's sake production is junmaishu, which is made solely from rice and water, without added brewing alcohol. 'Junmaishu, in particular, has a subtle sweetness that allows the flavor of the rice to emerge.' Three kinds of sake from Tottori are offered during the event. Chiyomusubi Junmai Daiginjo Goriki 50 can be enjoyed at the Japanese restaurant Senbazuru and the Rib Room steak house; Chiyomusubi Daiginjo Fukurotori at the teppanyaki restaurants Sekishin-tei, Seisen-tei and Momiji-tei; and Benten Musume Junmai Ginjo Tamasakae at Kato's Dining & Bar and the noodle restaurant Mendokoro Nakajima. Hirai said: 'While producers of diverse products of Tottori dedicate significant efforts to their cultivation, they are often faced with challenging climatic conditions. For instance, the temperature remained low in April this year, which is the peak breeding season, making watermelon cultivation difficult. Similarly, Japanese shallots, a specialty product of Tottori, faced challenges last winter due to heavy snowfall in the Tottori Sand Dunes, their primary production area.' He emphasized, however, that despite these hurdles, the producers' efforts and techniques have enabled them to supply the market with products of their usual high quality, or even better. Hirai expressed his gratitude for the ongoing collaboration with Hotel New Otani, which enables Tottori's products to be enjoyed by a wider audience, saying, 'I am sure that the producers feel a sense of fulfillment when the fruits of their hard work are enjoyed and appreciated by many.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
11-06-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Manga ‘Predicts' Disaster in Japan, Deterring Hong Kong Travelers; Governors Decry ‘Baseless Rumors'
The Yomiuri Shimbun A Greater Bay Airlines jet from Hong Kong arrives at Yonago Airport in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on May 29 TOTTORI — Rumors circulating in Hong Kong that 'a massive earthquake will strike Japan in July' have prompted many travelers to postpone visits, leading several Japanese airports to see cuts in flights from the city. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) stresses that the rumor lacks any scientific basis and says there are no signs of an impending disaster during the period in question. Only a scattering of passengers emerged from the international arrivals lobby at Yonago Airport in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, late May, after disembarking a flight from Hong Kong. 'I wanted to visit Japan before the rumor comes true,' a female passenger said. The rumor has its roots in the 1999 Japanese manga 'Watashi ga Mita Mirai' (The future I saw). In small writing on the front cover among other messages is one saying, 'A major catastrophe will occur in March 2011.' Attention was therefore drawn to the manga after the Great East Japan Earthquake struck that very month. In the manga's complete edition, a passage says, 'The real catastrophe will come in July 2025.' Prominent Hong Kong feng shui masters have highlighted this line, and since early this year it has spread rapidly across social media and video-sharing sites. The Japanese government in January raised the 30-year probability of a Nankai Trough mega-quake from '70%-80%' to 'around 80%.' A new damage-projection report released in March may also have fueled the anxiety. Greater Bay Airlines, a Hong Kong low-cost carrier operating five routes to Japan (Narita, Kansai, Sendai, Tokushima and Yonago), reduced its Sendai service in May from four round trips per week to two and cut Tokushima flights from three to two. At an April 23 press conference, Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai called the situation grave 'because baseless social-media rumors are hurting tourism.' Tokushima Prefecture's tourism promotion office has been receiving reports from Hong Kong travel agencies of a wave of cancellations over safety concerns. Tottori Prefecture disclosed on May 27 that it is negotiating with Greater Bay Airlines in light of the schedule cuts. The airline explained that 'reservations are stagnating due to the rumors.' 'People are losing the motivation to travel to Japan,' said Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai. 'The impact is unavoidable.' The JMA states it is impossible to predict the exact time and location of an earthquake. At a May 21 briefing, JMA director general Ryoichi Nomura urged the public 'not to be swayed by disaster information that specifies a date. We strongly advise against acting irrationally out of fear.' Through the publisher, manga author Ryo Tatsuki commented, 'The attention shows heightened disaster preparedness, which I take positively.' 'Prophecies about earthquake timing have no scientific basis. If a quake happens in July, it would be pure coincidence,' said Naoya Sekiya, a professor at the University of Tokyo who is involved in disaster information research. 'Believing rumors is unwise, but it is crucial to prepare on the assumption that an earthquake can strike anywhere at any time.'
The Mainichi
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
What made matchmaking events in Japan's least populated prefecture a 'great success'?
TOKYO -- Many local governments in Japan are abandoning matchmaking events intended to combat declining birth rates and revitalize regions, citing lackluster results and a struggle to attract young participants. But Tottori Prefecture, the least populated prefecture in the country, is gaining attention for its unique approach that has turned such events into a "great success." Exploring the changing landscape of marriage-seeking in the Reiwa era starting from 2019, the Mainichi Shimbun examined the success of the Tottori model, which is based on an understanding of the psychology and behavior of young people in regional areas. What, exactly, is capturing their hearts? 'Human scavenger hunt' on Tottori Sand Dunes In May 2024, 50 men and 50 women gathered on the Tottori Sand Dunes, among the largest in Japan, for a matchmaking event co-hosted by the Tottori Prefectural Government and Omicale Inc., a matchmaking app operator based in Tokyo. The event featured a "human scavenger hunt" involving all 100 participants. Challenges included finding someone who has started a NISA (a tax-free small investment account), someone who turns off all lights before sleeping, and someone who has traveled to 10 or more countries. With themes shedding light on the participants' values and lifestyles, participants looked for the people matching the criteria to reach the goal. Once the ice was broken, the host encouraged participants to send "likes" via the smartphone app used in the event. Likes lead to face-to-face meetings By liking someone's profile, the participants could initiate a call. "You can't start without sending a sign," the host informed them, prompting participants to begin conversations. Areas for yoga and paragliding and a booth with sweets were set up. Participants were seen actively signaling their locations to meet face-to-face. "Over here! I'm by the yoga area on the dunes," called out one enthusiastic participant. Pref. gov't aims to boost marriages for higher birth rates With a population of just under 530,000, Tottori Prefecture is the least populated prefecture in Japan. In 2023, only 3,263 births were recorded, down 30% from a decade earlier. Nationally, the average number of children per married couple hovers around 2.0. The Tottori Prefectural Government has focused on marriage support, believing that increasing marriages will lead to more births. Gov. Shinji Hirai, in his fifth term since first being elected in 2007, established the "Entry" marriage support center in 2015, which facilitates meetings through matchmakers and by hosting events. In 2023, he declared Tottori a "new child-rearing kingdom," aiming for 500 couples annually. Kazuhiro Hasegawa, a 34-year-old section chief at the prefectural government's "child-rearing kingdom" division, noted that attracting enough women to events was a challenge. One reason is the small, close-knit nature of local communities. "There were concerns about the same people always showing up at events and participants being exposed through rumors like, 'I heard she went to a matchmaking event,'" Hasegawa explained. Aversion to the term 'marriage hunting' To combat declining birth rates and the population outflow accelerating in rural regions, the national government in fiscal 2023 increased the budget for its grants for the promotion of measures to counter declines in regional birth rates to 10 billion yen (some $69 million) -- roughly triple the budget for the previous fiscal year. Tottori Prefecture used this grant to enhance matchmaking support. The prefectural government formed the "Tottori Mirai Sozo Taskforce" (Tottori taskforce for future creation), recruiting employees in their 20s and 30s to reflect the opinions of young people. It also established the "Tottori Wakamono Katsuyaku-kyoku" (Tottori youth active participation bureau), enlisting residents from high school age to their 30s. One idea that emerged was the event at the sand dunes. Hasegawa was apparently surprised by the opinions of young people. "They said they disliked the term for 'konkatsu' (marriage hunting, or more literally, marriage activities). I realized that it might sound too aggressive, making participation difficult," he said. Incorporating youth opinions leads to flood of applications Based on this feedback, event name candidates were considered, and after a popular vote among staff in their 20s, "matching event" was chosen. The vast dunes were selected as the venue because it would be difficult to spot acquaintances. At the venue, too, initial contact was made via the event app before meeting in person. The app becomes unusable about a week after the event, requiring participants to exchange contact information personally if they wish to keep in touch. Recreational elements like yoga and paragliding were included to create natural encounters where like-minded participants could enjoy activities together, leading to relationships. The participation fee was set at 1,000 yen (about $7) for both men and women, thanks to subsidies from the prefectural and national governments, keeping costs low. As a result, the event, with a capacity of 100 participants (50 men and 50 women), received 160 applications. Cost and time efficiency sought Naomi Araki, 56, who serves as a matchmaking adviser for many local governments and emceed the Tottori dunes event, pointed out, "Young people in rural areas lack opportunities to meet partners, as well as money and confidence." She explained that they strongly tended to seek cost-effectiveness while focusing on performance over the available time, such as meeting many people. "Many events used to be luxurious, like buffets at stylish restaurants, but that's changed," she added. In Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, a matchmaking event at city hall with a 2,000 yen (around $14) fee apparently also exceeded capacity for both men and women, highlighting the appeal of government-hosted events' reliability. Participation fees used to be often higher for men, but equal fees for both men and women have become common amid growing gender equality awareness. Araki said that it is important to understand young people's desire not to fail, adding, "Approaching someone they're interested in is a high hurdle. Matchmaking apps lower that hurdle." 29 matches out of 100 participants The dunes event resulted in 29 matches (personal contact exchanges) among the 50 male and 50 female participants. It is not uncommon for only two or three matches to occur at such events, so Hasegawa called it a "great success." With cost-effectiveness, time performance and privacy protection -- the three elements sought by rural youth -- the event was a success. Another dunes event is scheduled for May 24. Men's slots filled within 10 days, prompting additional spots. While women's initial slots were full, extra applications are still being accepted. Why the government supports matchmaking Tottori Prefecture's budget for matchmaking support projects has increased year by year. In fiscal 2025, it has allocated 47 million yen (approx. $324,000) for its "Entry" marriage support center operations and 23 million yen (roughly $158,000) for new projects including the events on the sand dunes. While "Entry" facilitated a record high of 57 marriages in fiscal 2024, the overall number of marriages in the prefecture decreased from the previous fiscal year. Critics argue that government-sponsored matchmaking leads to "produce more" policies and that improving local employment and retaining women should take precedence in addressing declining birth rates. However, the Tottori government says that it plans to continue the events, driven by the belief that marriages would decline further without government support. Hasegawa stated, "In the post-COVID era, there's a growing momentum to actively seek partners. We as the prefectural government want to support relationships." (Japanese original by Reiko Noguchi, Digital News Group)
