-
Itoshima Walking / Hiking Maps
Itoshima City recently published a walking map and series of mountain hiking maps. All are free of charge and available online as PDFs. The walking map contains 13 routes, along with tips for walking. There are four separate hiking maps, covering four different routes: 1. Northwest Itoshima Route: Kaya-san (Mt.), Tateishi-yama (Mt.), Hi-yama (Mt.) 2. [...]
Read More Apr. 26, 2013, 18:48
-
WIN! Tickets to See Springsteen in London
Here’s your chance to be flown from Japan to London to see big name bands like Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Kasabian at Hard Rock Cafe’s massive music festival “Hard Rock Calling 2013”. Celebrating its sixth anniversary, the festival is happening on June 29th and 30th at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Enter Hard Rock Cafe’s lottery to win the grand prize: including entry to the festival, round trip flights from Narita to London and hotel accommodation for two people. Deadline to enter is May 15. Application and more information:
Read More 18:48
-
Ichiran to Build New Plant in Itoshima
Fukuoka-based ramen chain Ichiran signed an agreement with Itoshima City to build a build a food processing factory there. The company plans to break ground in August and bring the new facility online by next February. The new plant would boost ramen production sixfold to 70,000 bowls per day, thus supporting the chain’s expansion. Once the new plant is open, Ichiran will close two existing plants in Higashi-ku. The company plans to build a two-story factory with a floor area of 5,000 m2 on the 93,000 m2 site at an estimated cost of ¥2.12 billion. Part of the factory will be open to public tours, and Ichiran is also considering a putting a 24-hour ramen shop on site. Ichiran operates 42 ramen shops in Japan and one in New York and is scheduled to open a new shop in Hong Kong this summer. The company’s expansion plan calls for 100 shops and ¥30 billion in sales by 2023. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 26
Read More 18:39
-
Fukuoka and Itoshima Announce New Citizens’ Marathon
The cities of Fukuoka and Itoshima announced plans to hold a full marathon for citizens called the Fukuoka Marathon, and the initial reactions from runners and local businesses are positive. The marathon, which is slated for next fall, will start in downtown Fukuoka and end in Itoshima. An organizing committee will be established in October, and it will decide on the course and race date before year’s end. The goal is to attract at least 10,000 participants and make the marathon a regular event. Amid a recent health boom, several municipalities have started organizing full marathons for their citizens. Fukuoka was considering letting local residents sign up for the Fukuoka International Marathon held last December, but chose not to due to the cost of added security measures. Chairman of the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce, Norio Sueyoshi, expressed his support for the new event by saying, “Efforts to promote sports and the local economy can revitalize the region. I hope this becomes a major event like Dontaku and Yamakasa.” Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 26
Read More 18:36
-
Bayside Place Back in the Black
Bayside Place Hakata, the commercial complex in Hakata-ku, made its first profit since being relaunched by Kyudenko Group three years ago. By focusing on shops and seasonal events that families can enjoy, Bayside Place managed to bring visitor numbers up to 2.1 million in 2012. After posting a loss of about ¥10 million in 2011, Bayside Place expects to be in the black to the tune of ¥10 million in 2012. The complex was opened in 1991 as a third sector project involving Fukuoka City and other investors. Initially, the boardwalk was popular with young people, but visitor numbers fell after Canal City opened in 1996. The third sector arrangement went under in 2005, and Kyudenko purchased the building in 2006.
Read More 18:33
-
Squid Fishers Feel Side-Effects of Abenomics
The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (JF) announced that about 4,000 squid fishing boats will suspend operations on Apr. 26 and 27 due to rising fuel costs brought on by the weak yen caused by the government’s “Abenomics” stimulus package. JF plans to visit the Fisheries Agency on Apr. 26 to demand subsidies for fuel. This is the first temporary suspension of fishing operations since the spike in crude oil prices in 2008. According to JF, an estimated 555 squid fishers in Nagasaki and 200 in Saga will join in the suspension, and they have asked 111 squid fishers in Fukuoka who are not members of the Federation to participate as well. The squid fishing season starts in Kyushu in the spring and moves northward as the squid migrate. Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 24
Read More Apr. 25, 2013, 17:24
-
Interview with Fukuoka Gov. Ogawa
Nishinippon Shimbun interviewed Governor Ogawa as he entered the third year of his tenure. The following is a summary of his responses.
Read More 12:56
-
Taro Aso Suggests Paying Healthy Seniors
At a gathering held in Tokyo on Apr. 24, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Taro Aso, the straight-talking politician from Fukuoka, expressed his displeasure with irresponsible people racking up medical bills: “We have to foot the bill for these people who eat whatever they want and drink whatever they want, then get diabetes and have to go to the hospital. It’s not fair. It really makes me mad.” He added, “I’m not talking about people who are born frail.” To keep medical costs down, he proposed giving ¥100,000 to senior citizens who do not go to the hospital or incur any medical expenses for one year. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 25
Read More 12:49
-
Free Ferry Rides for Kids
The Japan Passenger Boat Association announced it will offer free rides to kids on Children’s Day (5/5) on 86 ferries and tour boats throughout Japan. Participating ships include the Gunkanjima Cruise Ship in Nagasaki. Amid steadily falling ferry ridership, the Association wants more people to experience a trip on a passenger ship and hopes children will “enjoy the ocean and lakes of Japan”. This is the first initiative of its kind. For more information, visit http://www.jships.or.jp/children Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 23
Read More Apr. 23, 2013, 18:41
-
JR to Begin Construction on New Oita Station
JR Kyushu announced that it would break ground on a new Oita Station Building slated to open in the spring of 2015 on Apr. 30. After some design revisions, the new building will clock in at 21 stories (instead of 23) and cost approximately ¥20 billion. The first four floors will be allocated to specialty shops, including clothiers, general merchandise shops and eateries. A 190-room hotel will occupy floors 8 ~ 18, and the top three floors will feature a hot springs complex. The space will include enough parking for about 860 cars. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on May 8. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 23
Read More 18:36
