No Violence

I have never witnessed anything like this, but apparently it happens, or there wouldn’t be these posters at train stations.

Serial Underwear Thief Caught!

Stealing underwear has been in the news since I’ve been here in Japan. Maybe it happens everywhere but isn’t in the news all the time. Or maybe there really are a lot of undergarments that go missing in Japan.

A 61 year old man was arrested by police in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture on suspicion of stealing underwear from an apartment balcony. According to TV Asahi, Kyuzo Okawara is accused of stealing five items of underwear on August 10. When police searched his home, 70 additional pieces of underwear were found.

The woman previously had underwear stolen from her balcony and requested a police stakeout. Okawara was apprehended as he was attempting to steal underwear again. He admitted to the allegation and was quoted as saying, “I saw the underwear hanging out to dry and wanted it”.  He did not know the owner of the underwear. 

(Home clothes dryers are not common in Japan and most everyone hangs their clothes to dry.)

Work In Progress Wednesday

Sneek Sampler progress

The Great Wave progress (Upper Right Quarter)

Finish picture on box of kit

Foreigner Entry Visa Fee Hiked in July

The cost for foreigners to enter Japan went up from 3000 yen to 15,000 yen. Does that sound like a big jump? The Japanese government is justifying this large increase in single entry visa fees by pointing out this is the first increase since 1978, amid inflation and the yen’s depreciation. Multiple entry visas went up from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen. 

During a press conference, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said “We do not expect the move to have an immediate impact on inbound tourism.” The hikes are expected to bring Japan’s visa issuance fees closer to the levels implemented by the Group of Seven countries. 

Monday Morning Star Count

This week, I made 32 more 26 mm hexagons (see box lid below). I have this plastic tub ready to make more, and additional fabric cut. I don’t have a project in mind, but when I think of something, I will be ready. 

This is good for when I have a little bit of time, but don’t want to concentrate on anything.

Beware of Animals

 This sign isn’t in my neighborhood, but is in walking distance.

What kind of animal do you think this sign is warning of?  

I don’t know for sure, but my guess is tanuki.

First Female Umpire in National High School Baseball Championship

On August 5th, forty-nine year old Maki Morita became the first female umpire to call a spring or summer Koshien high school baseball tournament game in Japan. She served at the second base in the opening game of the National High School Baseball Championship. The opening game of the 108th tournament was at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, Hyogo Prefecture, between Sapporo Nihon University High School of southern Hokkaido and Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School of Miyagi Prefecture. 

She was a player herself and began umpiring at age 26. She is a mother of two and works as a junior high school teacher in Saitama Prefecture. For about ten years, she suspended umpiring to raise her children. With encouragement from her colleagues, she returned to umpiring at the high school level. Five other female umpires will also be debuting at this tournament.

Please Keep the Doorway Clear

 

Penguins Die of Avian Malaria at Yagiyama Zoo

 

This is a sad story.  All four Humboldt penguins living at the Yagiyama Zoo in Sendai died last month of avian malaria, a mosquito-borne illness. The illness can progress rapidly with no symptoms to death. Iwate University was commissioned to investigate the cause of the deaths. The four died between July 9th and 19th, with no signs of illness until the day before their deaths. 

The zoo has no immediate plans to bring in new penguins. The zoo will investigate how to prevent a recurrence by redesigning the penguin enclosure to prevent the formation of puddles where mosquitos breed. 

Humboldt penguins are common in Japanese zoos because they are adapted better to warmer climates than penguins that come from Antarctica.

Work in Progress Wednesday

New Start - Angel Ornament

Sneek Sampler progress

Great Wave progress