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<title>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : HEADLINES</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rss/category/headlines</link>
<description>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : HEADLINES</description>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Copyright 2026 Konnichiwa Today News &#45; All Rights Reserved.</dc:rights>

<item>
<title>Gov&amp;apos;t to dissolve Cool Japan Fund after heavy losses of $340 million</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-to-dissolve-cool-japan-fund-after-heavy-losses-of-340-million</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-to-dissolve-cool-japan-fund-after-heavy-losses-of-340-million</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- The Japanese government has decided to dissolve Cool Japan Fund Inc., a public-private investment fund saddled with massive cumulative losses ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:42:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Govt, dissolve, Cool, Japan, Fund, after, heavy, losses, 340, million</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- The Japanese government has decided to dissolve Cool Japan Fund Inc., a public-private investment fund saddled with massive cumulative losses]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>7&#45;year&#45;old boy left behind on Mount Fuji by his dad</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/7-year-old-boy-left-behind-on-mount-fuji-by-his-dad</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/7-year-old-boy-left-behind-on-mount-fuji-by-his-dad</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “This summer, I hiked Mount Fuji with my dad!” sounds like a pretty cool opening for a kid’s how-I-spent-my-summer-vacation essay. The composition gets less heartwarming, though, if it… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:39:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>7-year-old, boy, left, behind, Mount, Fuji, his, dad</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“This summer, I hiked Mount Fuji with my dad!” sounds like a pretty cool opening for a kid’s how-I-spent-my-summer-vacation essay. The composition gets less heartwarming, though, if it…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Yamashita shoots 62 to take 1st&#45;round lead in Edmonton in the CPKC Women&amp;apos;s Open</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yamashita-shoots-62-to-take-1st-round-lead-in-edmonton-in-the-cpkc-womens-open</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yamashita-shoots-62-to-take-1st-round-lead-in-edmonton-in-the-cpkc-womens-open</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Miyu Yamashita shot an 8-under 62 on Thursday for a one-stroke lead over fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka in the CPKC Wom ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:34:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yamashita, shoots, take, 1st-round, lead, Edmonton, the, CPKC, Womens, Open</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Miyu Yamashita shot an 8-under 62 on Thursday for a one-stroke lead over fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka in the CPKC Wom]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Camera footage captures floodwaters swamping Chiba Pref. streets, stranding vehicles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/camera-footage-captures-floodwaters-swamping-chiba-pref-streets-stranding-vehicles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/camera-footage-captures-floodwaters-swamping-chiba-pref-streets-stranding-vehicles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ ICHIHARA, Chiba -- Security camera footage recorded scenes of floodwaters engulfing residential streets in this east Japan city during torrential rain ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:10:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Camera, footage, captures, floodwaters, swamping, Chiba, Pref., streets, stranding, vehicles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[ICHIHARA, Chiba -- Security camera footage recorded scenes of floodwaters engulfing residential streets in this east Japan city during torrential rain]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>4 workers dead after being hit by express train at station in Tochigi Prefecture</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/4-workers-dead-after-being-hit-by-express-train-at-station-in-tochigi-prefecture</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/4-workers-dead-after-being-hit-by-express-train-at-station-in-tochigi-prefecture</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Four workers died Thursday after being hit by an express train at a station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, police said.
The four men, in their 50s… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:07:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>workers, dead, after, being, hit, express, train, station, Tochigi, Prefecture</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Four workers died Thursday after being hit by an express train at a station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, police said.
The four men, in their 50s…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Russia conducts missile test off Japan&#45;claimed islands amid deepening row</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/russia-conducts-missile-test-off-japan-claimed-islands-amid-deepening-row</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/russia-conducts-missile-test-off-japan-claimed-islands-amid-deepening-row</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Russia&#039;s Pacific Fleet said Thursday it has conducted a missile test off a group of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands amid an intensifying row over the disputed territory following President… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Russia, conducts, missile, test, off, Japan-claimed, islands, amid, deepening, row</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Russia's Pacific Fleet said Thursday it has conducted a missile test off a group of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands amid an intensifying row over the disputed territory following President…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Girl with a Pearl Earring&amp;apos; in Japan, perhaps for the last time</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/girl-with-a-pearl-earring-in-japan-perhaps-for-the-last-time-66059</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/girl-with-a-pearl-earring-in-japan-perhaps-for-the-last-time-66059</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ &quot;Girl with a Pearl Earring&quot; will go on show in Osaka this week, on a rare trip abroad for the 17th-century Johannes Vermeer masterpiece and potentially its last… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Girl, with, Pearl, Earring, Japan, perhaps, for, the, last, time</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA["Girl with a Pearl Earring" will go on show in Osaka this week, on a rare trip abroad for the 17th-century Johannes Vermeer masterpiece and potentially its last…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan to launch probe for Mars moons in October: space agency</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-probe-for-mars-moons-in-october-space-agency</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-probe-for-mars-moons-in-october-space-agency</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s ambitious mission to collect and bring back samples from one of Mars&#039;s moons will lift off on October 20, the space agency announced Thursday.
The unmanned Martian… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, launch, probe, for, Mars, moons, October:, space, agency</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's ambitious mission to collect and bring back samples from one of Mars's moons will lift off on October 20, the space agency announced Thursday.
The unmanned Martian…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>High school teacher fired for putting urine in student&amp;apos;s water bottle</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/high-school-teacher-fired-for-putting-urine-in-students-water-bottle</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/high-school-teacher-fired-for-putting-urine-in-students-water-bottle</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Gunma Prefectural Board of Education on Wednesday fired a male high school teacher in his 20s after he put urine into a student&#039;s water bottle.
According to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>High, school, teacher, fired, for, putting, urine, students, water, bottle</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Gunma Prefectural Board of Education on Wednesday fired a male high school teacher in his 20s after he put urine into a student's water bottle.
According to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK with their children</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/prince-harry-and-meghan-are-returning-to-the-uk-with-their-children</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/prince-harry-and-meghan-are-returning-to-the-uk-with-their-children</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LONDON (AP) -- Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have decided to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay starting this fall, but they won&#039;t ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Prince, Harry, and, Meghan, are, returning, the, with, their, children</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LONDON (AP) -- Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have decided to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay starting this fall, but they won't]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan protests Russia missile drills notification near Northern Territories</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-protests-russia-missile-drills-notification-near-northern-territories</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-protests-russia-missile-drills-notification-near-northern-territories</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan lodged a protest with Russia shortly after Moscow recently notified Tokyo that it would conduct a missile exercise near a Russi ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, protests, Russia, missile, drills, notification, near, Northern, Territories</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan lodged a protest with Russia shortly after Moscow recently notified Tokyo that it would conduct a missile exercise near a Russi]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan, Oman agree to deepen clean energy cooperation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-oman-agree-to-deepen-clean-energy-cooperation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-oman-agree-to-deepen-clean-energy-cooperation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ MUSCAT (Kyodo) -- Japan and Oman agreed Thursday to deepen cooperation in clean energy, including the development of hydrogen and ammonia, during talk ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Oman, agree, deepen, clean, energy, cooperation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[MUSCAT (Kyodo) -- Japan and Oman agreed Thursday to deepen cooperation in clean energy, including the development of hydrogen and ammonia, during talk]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Baseball: Okamoto hits 26th home run as Blue Jays overpower Rays 5&#45;1</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-okamoto-hits-26th-home-run-as-blue-jays-overpower-rays-5-1</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-okamoto-hits-26th-home-run-as-blue-jays-overpower-rays-5-1</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Kyodo) -- Kazuma Okamoto helped power the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays with his 26th home run of ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Okamoto, hits, 26th, home, run, Blue, Jays, overpower, Rays, 5-1</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Kyodo) -- Kazuma Okamoto helped power the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays with his 26th home run of]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China urges S. Korea to seek friendly ties, blames US for Korean tensions</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/china-urges-s-korea-to-seek-friendly-ties-blames-us-for-korean-tensions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/china-urges-s-korea-to-seek-friendly-ties-blames-us-for-korean-tensions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SEOUL (Kyodo) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope during a visit to South Korea on Thursday that Seoul will firmly pursue a friendly po ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China, urges, Korea, seek, friendly, ties, blames, for, Korean, tensions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SEOUL (Kyodo) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope during a visit to South Korea on Thursday that Seoul will firmly pursue a friendly po]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Netherlands throws support behind ICC after US sanctions chief Akane</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/netherlands-throws-support-behind-icc-after-us-sanctions-chief-akane</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/netherlands-throws-support-behind-icc-after-us-sanctions-chief-akane</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BRUSSELS (Kyodo) -- Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has said the Netherlands &quot;stands firmly&quot; behind the International Criminal Court headquartere ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Netherlands, throws, support, behind, ICC, after, sanctions, chief, Akane</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BRUSSELS (Kyodo) -- Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has said the Netherlands "stands firmly" behind the International Criminal Court headquartere]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan to launch probe on world&amp;apos;s 1st Martian moon sample mission</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-probe-on-worlds-1st-martian-moon-sample-mission</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-probe-on-worlds-1st-martian-moon-sample-mission</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said Thursday it plans to launch a space probe later this year on a world-first mission to col ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, launch, probe, worlds, 1st, Martian, moon, sample, mission</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said Thursday it plans to launch a space probe later this year on a world-first mission to col]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>About 40% of teachers in Japan face full ban on personal phones at school: survey</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/about-40-of-teachers-in-japan-face-full-ban-on-personal-phones-at-school-survey</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/about-40-of-teachers-in-japan-face-full-ban-on-personal-phones-at-school-survey</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Amid a series of incidents in Japan involving teachers accused of secretly filming students, about 40% of teachers are completely prohibited ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>About, 40, teachers, Japan, face, full, ban, personal, phones, school:, survey</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Amid a series of incidents in Japan involving teachers accused of secretly filming students, about 40% of teachers are completely prohibited]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Editorial: Will Tokyo merely watch as US targets ICC chief with sanctions?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-will-tokyo-merely-watch-as-us-targets-icc-chief-with-sanctions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-will-tokyo-merely-watch-as-us-targets-icc-chief-with-sanctions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The United States has imposed sanctions on Tomoko Akane, the Japanese president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which hears cases involving ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Will, Tokyo, merely, watch, targets, ICC, chief, with, sanctions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The United States has imposed sanctions on Tomoko Akane, the Japanese president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which hears cases involving]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Shoebill&#45;inspired mascot promotes safety in Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-shoebill-inspired-mascot-promotes-safety-in-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-shoebill-inspired-mascot-promotes-safety-in-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The shoebill, known as &quot;the bird that hardly moves,&quot; is a popular attraction at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo&#039;s Taito Ward. Ueno Police Station has ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:02:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Shoebill-inspired, mascot, promotes, safety, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The shoebill, known as "the bird that hardly moves," is a popular attraction at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo's Taito Ward. Ueno Police Station has]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Week after Chiba Pref. floods, death toll stands at 13; over 2,800 homes damaged</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/week-after-chiba-pref-floods-death-toll-stands-at-13-over-2800-homes-damaged</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/week-after-chiba-pref-floods-death-toll-stands-at-13-over-2800-homes-damaged</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHIBA -- A week after record rainfall caused extensive flooding across Chiba Prefecture in eastern Japan, the death toll stands at 13 people including ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:27 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Week, after, Chiba, Pref., floods, death, toll, stands, 13, over, 2, 800, homes, damaged</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHIBA -- A week after record rainfall caused extensive flooding across Chiba Prefecture in eastern Japan, the death toll stands at 13 people including]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>ICC slams US decision to sanction the court&amp;apos;s president and a senior prosecution lawyer</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/icc-slams-us-decision-to-sanction-the-courts-president-and-a-senior-prosecution-lawyer</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/icc-slams-us-decision-to-sanction-the-courts-president-and-a-senior-prosecution-lawyer</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The International Criminal Court on Wednesday slammed the latest U.S. sanctions targeting senior ICC staff, including it ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:27 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>ICC, slams, decision, sanction, the, courts, president, and, senior, prosecution, lawyer</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The International Criminal Court on Wednesday slammed the latest U.S. sanctions targeting senior ICC staff, including it]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Quake&#45;hit Kumamoto Pref. cheers local Ariake High after inspiring Koshien baseball run</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/quake-hit-kumamoto-pref-cheers-local-ariake-high-after-inspiring-koshien-baseball-run</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/quake-hit-kumamoto-pref-cheers-local-ariake-high-after-inspiring-koshien-baseball-run</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ ARAO, Kumamoto -- Baseball players and coaches of Ariake High School, Kumamoto Prefecture&#039;s representative at the 108th National High School Baseball ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:26 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Quake-hit, Kumamoto, Pref., cheers, local, Ariake, High, after, inspiring, Koshien, baseball, run</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[ARAO, Kumamoto -- Baseball players and coaches of Ariake High School, Kumamoto Prefecture's representative at the 108th National High School Baseball]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Champagne growers race to preserve quality in record&#45;early harvest</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/champagne-growers-race-to-preserve-quality-in-record-early-harvest</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/champagne-growers-race-to-preserve-quality-in-record-early-harvest</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HAUTVILLERS, France (AP) -- Champagne producers are racing to pick their grapes as the region&#039;s earliest harvest on record gets underway, after extrem ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:26 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Champagne, growers, race, preserve, quality, record-early, harvest</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HAUTVILLERS, France (AP) -- Champagne producers are racing to pick their grapes as the region's earliest harvest on record gets underway, after extrem]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Shrine maidens in west Japan city sun&#45;dry pickled plums for New Year&amp;apos;s good luck</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shrine-maidens-in-west-japan-city-sun-dry-pickled-plums-for-new-years-good-luck</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shrine-maidens-in-west-japan-city-sun-dry-pickled-plums-for-new-years-good-luck</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HOFU, Yamaguchi -- Plums harvested on the grounds of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in this western Japan city are being dried in the sun as part of the annual ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:26 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shrine, maidens, west, Japan, city, sun-dry, pickled, plums, for, New, Years, good, luck</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HOFU, Yamaguchi -- Plums harvested on the grounds of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in this western Japan city are being dried in the sun as part of the annual]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>4 workers at station hit by express train, unresponsive north of Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/4-workers-at-station-hit-by-express-train-unresponsive-north-of-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/4-workers-at-station-hit-by-express-train-unresponsive-north-of-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ UTSUNOMIYA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Four workers died on Thursday after being hit by an express train at a station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, pol ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:26 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>workers, station, hit, express, train, unresponsive, north, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[UTSUNOMIYA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Four workers died on Thursday after being hit by an express train at a station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, pol]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Editorial: Senior gov&amp;apos;t officials&amp;apos; Yasukuni visits lack insight, damage foreign relations</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-senior-govt-officials-yasukuni-visits-lack-insight-damage-foreign-relations</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-senior-govt-officials-yasukuni-visits-lack-insight-damage-foreign-relations</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and three other Cabinet ministers visited Yasukuni Jinja shrine in Tokyo on Aug. 15. This is believed to be ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:25 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Senior, govt, officials, Yasukuni, visits, lack, insight, damage, foreign, relations</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and three other Cabinet ministers visited Yasukuni Jinja shrine in Tokyo on Aug. 15. This is believed to be]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian Games: Hiroshima hosts flame&#45;lighting event for torch relay</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-games-hiroshima-hosts-flame-lighting-event-for-torch-relay</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-games-hiroshima-hosts-flame-lighting-event-for-torch-relay</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- A flame-lighting ceremony for the torch relay of the upcoming Asian Games was staged in Hiroshima on Thursday, following a simila ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:25 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, Games:, Hiroshima, hosts, flame-lighting, event, for, torch, relay</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- A flame-lighting ceremony for the torch relay of the upcoming Asian Games was staged in Hiroshima on Thursday, following a simila]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Malaysian plane bound for Kuala Lumpur aborts takeoff at Narita airport</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/malaysian-plane-bound-for-kuala-lumpur-aborts-takeoff-at-narita-airport</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/malaysian-plane-bound-for-kuala-lumpur-aborts-takeoff-at-narita-airport</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- A Malaysia Airlines plane bound for Kuala Lumpur aborted takeoff Thursday morning at Narita airport near Tokyo due to a proble ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:25 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Malaysian, plane, bound, for, Kuala, Lumpur, aborts, takeoff, Narita, airport</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- A Malaysia Airlines plane bound for Kuala Lumpur aborted takeoff Thursday morning at Narita airport near Tokyo due to a proble]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Russian missile barrage across Ukraine&amp;apos;s capital kills at least 12 and wounds 33</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/russian-missile-barrage-across-ukraines-capital-kills-at-least-12-and-wounds-33</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/russian-missile-barrage-across-ukraines-capital-kills-at-least-12-and-wounds-33</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- A Russian missile barrage overnight Thursday killed at least 12 people in Kyiv as explosions echoed across Ukraine&#039;s capital thr ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:05:24 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Russian, missile, barrage, across, Ukraines, capital, kills, least, and, wounds</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- A Russian missile barrage overnight Thursday killed at least 12 people in Kyiv as explosions echoed across Ukraine's capital thr]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s most graying village looks to Peru sister city for lifeline</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-most-graying-village-looks-to-peru-sister-city-for-lifeline</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-most-graying-village-looks-to-peru-sister-city-for-lifeline</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s most graying municipality has turned to its Peruvian sister city in search of a way to reverse its population decline and address the labor shortage that together… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, most, graying, village, looks, Peru, sister, city, for, lifeline</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's most graying municipality has turned to its Peruvian sister city in search of a way to reverse its population decline and address the labor shortage that together…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Foreign visitors to Japan hit 3.44 mil in July; S Koreans top list</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-visitors-to-japan-hit-344-mil-in-july-s-koreans-top-list</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-visitors-to-japan-hit-344-mil-in-july-s-koreans-top-list</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The number of foreign visitors to Japan in July inched up 0.1 percent from a year earlier to 3.44 million, a record for the month, government estimates showed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:02:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Foreign, visitors, Japan, hit, 3.44, mil, July, Koreans, top, list</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The number of foreign visitors to Japan in July inched up 0.1 percent from a year earlier to 3.44 million, a record for the month, government estimates showed…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Gov&amp;apos;t drafts Kumamoto quake aid package, plans travel discounts</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-drafts-kumamoto-quake-aid-package-plans-travel-discounts</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-drafts-kumamoto-quake-aid-package-plans-travel-discounts</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese government will compile an aid package for quake-hit southwestern Japan by the end of August, providing travel discounts for tourists visiting the affected areas along with… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:02:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Govt, drafts, Kumamoto, quake, aid, package, plans, travel, discounts</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese government will compile an aid package for quake-hit southwestern Japan by the end of August, providing travel discounts for tourists visiting the affected areas along with…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Heavy rain that battered Chiba leaves 13 dead</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/heavy-rain-that-battered-chiba-leaves-13-dead</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/heavy-rain-that-battered-chiba-leaves-13-dead</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The death toll from the torrential rain that struck Chiba Prefecture last week has risen to 13 from 11, the prefectural government said Tuesday.
Efforts continued in the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Heavy, rain, that, battered, Chiba, leaves, dead</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The death toll from the torrential rain that struck Chiba Prefecture last week has risen to 13 from 11, the prefectural government said Tuesday.
Efforts continued in the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s farmers go nocturnal as deadly heat intensifies</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-farmers-go-nocturnal-as-deadly-heat-intensifies</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-farmers-go-nocturnal-as-deadly-heat-intensifies</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Long after sunset, Motoaki Iijima&#039;s illuminated greenhouse north of Tokyo glows like a lantern as the flower farmer harvests pink and orange gerberas, avoiding a daytime sun fierce… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:38:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, farmers, nocturnal, deadly, heat, intensifies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Long after sunset, Motoaki Iijima's illuminated greenhouse north of Tokyo glows like a lantern as the flower farmer harvests pink and orange gerberas, avoiding a daytime sun fierce…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Children from Japan, China and S. Korea to jointly make &amp;apos;moon&amp;apos;&#45;themed picture books</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/children-from-japan-china-and-s-korea-to-jointly-make-moon-themed-picture-books</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/children-from-japan-china-and-s-korea-to-jointly-make-moon-themed-picture-books</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SEOUL (Mainichi) -- An exchange program for about 100 elementary school students from Japan, China and South Korea opened at a hotel in Seoul on Aug. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:33:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Children, from, Japan, China, and, Korea, jointly, make, moon-themed, picture, books</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SEOUL (Mainichi) -- An exchange program for about 100 elementary school students from Japan, China and South Korea opened at a hotel in Seoul on Aug.]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan urges AI firms to disclose training data to combat IP infringement</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-urges-ai-firms-to-disclose-training-data-to-combat-ip-infringement</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-urges-ai-firms-to-disclose-training-data-to-combat-ip-infringement</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese government on Tuesday released draft rules for generative artificial intelligence operators on the use of intellectual property, aiming t ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:33:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, urges, firms, disclose, training, data, combat, infringement</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese government on Tuesday released draft rules for generative artificial intelligence operators on the use of intellectual property, aiming t]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan fighter jet blocks Okinawa airport runway after landing gear breaks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-fighter-jet-blocks-okinawa-airport-runway-after-landing-gear-breaks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-fighter-jet-blocks-okinawa-airport-runway-after-landing-gear-breaks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A runway was closed for hours at Naha Airport in the southern island prefecture of Okinawa on Tuesday after a Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jet became immobilized following… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:06:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, fighter, jet, blocks, Okinawa, airport, runway, after, landing, gear, breaks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A runway was closed for hours at Naha Airport in the southern island prefecture of Okinawa on Tuesday after a Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jet became immobilized following…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Death toll from Chiba rain disaster rises to 13; over 2,300 homes flooded</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-chiba-rain-disaster-rises-to-13-over-2300-homes-flooded</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-chiba-rain-disaster-rises-to-13-over-2300-homes-flooded</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The death toll from the torrential rain that struck Chiba Prefecture last week has risen to 13 from 11, the prefectural government said Tuesday.
Efforts continued in the… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:06:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Death, toll, from, Chiba, rain, disaster, rises, 13, over, 2, 300, homes, flooded</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The death toll from the torrential rain that struck Chiba Prefecture last week has risen to 13 from 11, the prefectural government said Tuesday.
Efforts continued in the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Imperial Japanese Army conducted experiments on its own troops: researcher</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/imperial-japanese-army-conducted-experiments-on-its-own-troops-researcher</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/imperial-japanese-army-conducted-experiments-on-its-own-troops-researcher</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Imperial Japanese Army conducted experiments on its own soldiers during the Second Sino-Japanese War, exposing troops hospitalized for mental illnesses and deemed unfit for combat to malaria-carrying… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:06:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Imperial, Japanese, Army, conducted, experiments, its, own, troops:, researcher</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Imperial Japanese Army conducted experiments on its own soldiers during the Second Sino-Japanese War, exposing troops hospitalized for mental illnesses and deemed unfit for combat to malaria-carrying…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s Ghibli film composer Joe Hisaishi recognized for 3 Guinness records</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ghibli-film-composer-joe-hisaishi-recognized-for-3-guinness-records</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ghibli-film-composer-joe-hisaishi-recognized-for-3-guinness-records</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Joe Hisaishi, a Japanese composer and conductor known globally for his scores for Studio Ghibli animated films, has been recognize ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, Ghibli, film, composer, Joe, Hisaishi, recognized, for, Guinness, records</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Joe Hisaishi, a Japanese composer and conductor known globally for his scores for Studio Ghibli animated films, has been recognize]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>43% say no need to change Japan&amp;apos;s non&#45;nuclear principles, 27% support review: Mainichi poll</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/43-say-no-need-to-change-japans-non-nuclear-principles-27-support-review-mainichi-poll</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/43-say-no-need-to-change-japans-non-nuclear-principles-27-support-review-mainichi-poll</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Some 43% of respondents to a Mainichi Shimbun opinion poll conducted in July said they saw no need to review Japan&#039;s three non-nuclear princi ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>43, say, need, change, Japans, non-nuclear, principles, 27, support, review:, Mainichi, poll</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Some 43% of respondents to a Mainichi Shimbun opinion poll conducted in July said they saw no need to review Japan's three non-nuclear princi]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Baseball: Ohtani homers in Denver, hits 30 home runs for 6th straight year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ohtani-homers-in-denver-hits-30-home-runs-for-6th-straight-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ohtani-homers-in-denver-hits-30-home-runs-for-6th-straight-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ DENVER (Kyodo) -- Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani notched 30 home runs for the sixth straight season with a long bomb in Tuesday&#039;s ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Ohtani, homers, Denver, hits, home, runs, for, 6th, straight, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[DENVER (Kyodo) -- Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani notched 30 home runs for the sixth straight season with a long bomb in Tuesday's]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>South Korea, US to shorten annual military exercise</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/south-korea-us-to-shorten-annual-military-exercise</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/south-korea-us-to-shorten-annual-military-exercise</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SEOUL (Kyodo) -- South Korea and the United States will shorten their annual joint military exercise, the South Korean military said Wednesday after U ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>South, Korea, shorten, annual, military, exercise</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SEOUL (Kyodo) -- South Korea and the United States will shorten their annual joint military exercise, the South Korean military said Wednesday after U]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>N. Korea media criticizes ongoing US&#45;S. Korea drills after Trump comments</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korea-media-criticizes-ongoing-us-s-korea-drills-after-trump-comments</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korea-media-criticizes-ongoing-us-s-korea-drills-after-trump-comments</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BEIJING (Kyodo) -- North Korea criticized the ongoing U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise on Wednesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/19/20260819p2g00m0in017000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Korea, media, criticizes, ongoing, US-S., Korea, drills, after, Trump, comments</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BEIJING (Kyodo) -- North Korea criticized the ongoing U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise on Wednesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese actor Keiko Kishi dies at 93</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-actor-keiko-kishi-dies-at-93</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-actor-keiko-kishi-dies-at-93</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese actor Keiko Kishi, who won acclaim at home and abroad for starring in films beginning in the 1950s before expanding her care ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/19/20260819p2g00m0et029000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, actor, Keiko, Kishi, dies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese actor Keiko Kishi, who won acclaim at home and abroad for starring in films beginning in the 1950s before expanding her care]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Giant, foul&#45;smelling &amp;apos;corpse flower&amp;apos; blooms at southwest Japan garden</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/giant-foul-smelling-corpse-flower-blooms-at-southwest-japan-garden</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/giant-foul-smelling-corpse-flower-blooms-at-southwest-japan-garden</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ MIYAZAKI -- A titan arum, considered one of the world&#039;s largest flowers, has bloomed at a botanical garden in this southwest Japan city, marking the g ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Giant, foul-smelling, corpse, flower, blooms, southwest, Japan, garden</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[MIYAZAKI -- A titan arum, considered one of the world's largest flowers, has bloomed at a botanical garden in this southwest Japan city, marking the g]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan and OAS award Haiti $3M to help troubled country prepare for long&#45;awaited elections</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-and-oas-award-haiti-3m-to-help-troubled-country-prepare-for-long-awaited-elections</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-and-oas-award-haiti-3m-to-help-troubled-country-prepare-for-long-awaited-elections</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Japan and the Organization of American States signed a deal Tuesday to award Haiti a $3 million grant to help it registe ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, and, OAS, award, Haiti, 3M, help, troubled, country, prepare, for, long-awaited, elections</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Japan and the Organization of American States signed a deal Tuesday to award Haiti a $3 million grant to help it registe]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: Deadly rains in east Japan highlight need to rethink flood preparedness</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-deadly-rains-in-east-japan-highlight-need-to-rethink-flood-preparedness</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-deadly-rains-in-east-japan-highlight-need-to-rethink-flood-preparedness</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan has been confronted with the terror of torrential rain that causes damage in a short period of time.A linear precipitation band formed in Chiba ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/19/20260819p2a00m0op010000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Deadly, rains, east, Japan, highlight, need, rethink, flood, preparedness</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan has been confronted with the terror of torrential rain that causes damage in a short period of time.A linear precipitation band formed in Chiba]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Perseid meteor shower lights up August sky</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-perseid-meteor-shower-lights-up-august-sky</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-perseid-meteor-shower-lights-up-august-sky</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Perseid meteor shower, which can be seen in August, reached its peak. In the city of Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture, there were periods of clear weathe ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/18/20260818p2a00m0na017000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Perseid, meteor, shower, lights, August, sky</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Perseid meteor shower, which can be seen in August, reached its peak. In the city of Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture, there were periods of clear weathe]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan local officials urge disaster victims not to toss out damaged pieces of local heritage</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-local-officials-urge-disaster-victims-not-to-toss-out-damaged-pieces-of-local-heritage</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-local-officials-urge-disaster-victims-not-to-toss-out-damaged-pieces-of-local-heritage</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO -- &quot;Don&#039;t throw away damaged historical materials!&quot;Kumamoto Prefecture&#039;s cultural affairs division urged residents on July 29, the day after ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:45:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, local, officials, urge, disaster, victims, not, toss, out, damaged, pieces, local, heritage</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO -- "Don't throw away damaged historical materials!"Kumamoto Prefecture's cultural affairs division urged residents on July 29, the day after]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo giving out free furoshiki to help tourists carry their garbage home</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-giving-out-free-furoshiki-to-help-tourists-carry-their-garbage-home</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-giving-out-free-furoshiki-to-help-tourists-carry-their-garbage-home</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As we’ve covered before, public trash cans are a fairly rare sight throughout Japan. They were largely removed from public spaces following the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:42:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, giving, out, free, furoshiki, help, tourists, carry, their, garbage, home</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As we’ve covered before, public trash cans are a fairly rare sight throughout Japan. They were largely removed from public spaces following the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>South Korea hopes for talks between US and North Korea after Trump downsizes military drills</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/south-korea-hopes-for-talks-between-us-and-north-korea-after-trump-downsizes-military-drills</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/south-korea-hopes-for-talks-between-us-and-north-korea-after-trump-downsizes-military-drills</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea on Monday expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea to ease animosities on t ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/18/20260818p2g00m0in011000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:37:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>South, Korea, hopes, for, talks, between, and, North, Korea, after, Trump, downsizes, military, drills</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea on Monday expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea to ease animosities on t]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks fall on stalled US&#45;Iran peace talks, rising bond yields</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-fall-on-stalled-us-iran-peace-talks-rising-bond-yields</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-fall-on-stalled-us-iran-peace-talks-rising-bond-yields</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks fell Tuesday, with the Nikkei stock index plunging over 2 percent, as stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations to end the war and ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/01/20260701p2g00m0bu041000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:29:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, fall, stalled, US-Iran, peace, talks, rising, bond, yields</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks fell Tuesday, with the Nikkei stock index plunging over 2 percent, as stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations to end the war and]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Thousands in Indonesia await aid after quake kills 68, overshadowing Independence Day</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/thousands-in-indonesia-await-aid-after-quake-kills-68-overshadowing-independence-day</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/thousands-in-indonesia-await-aid-after-quake-kills-68-overshadowing-independence-day</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ REO, Indonesia (AP) -- Thousands of people waited for aid on the Indonesian island of Flores on Monday as the country marked its 81st Independence Day ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/18/20260818p2g00m0in009000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Thousands, Indonesia, await, aid, after, quake, kills, 68, overshadowing, Independence, Day</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[REO, Indonesia (AP) -- Thousands of people waited for aid on the Indonesian island of Flores on Monday as the country marked its 81st Independence Day]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>News in Easy English: Sapporo couple fight Japan&amp;apos;s law on family names</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-sapporo-couple-fight-japans-law-on-family-names</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-sapporo-couple-fight-japans-law-on-family-names</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SAPPORO -- A lawsuit in Japan about family names after marriage is now at an important time. A couple in Sapporo sued the state. They say parts of the ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/13/20260813p2a00m0na003000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>News, Easy, English:, Sapporo, couple, fight, Japans, law, family, names</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SAPPORO -- A lawsuit in Japan about family names after marriage is now at an important time. A couple in Sapporo sued the state. They say parts of the]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Trump says North Korean leader has responded to his request for talks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-north-korean-leader-has-responded-to-his-request-for-talks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-north-korean-leader-has-responded-to-his-request-for-talks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his request to talk.Trump&#039;s statem ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, says, North, Korean, leader, has, responded, his, request, for, talks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his request to talk.Trump's statem]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: Heed the Lockheed bribery scandal&amp;apos;s lesson and end money politics in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-heed-the-lockheed-bribery-scandals-lesson-and-end-money-politics-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-heed-the-lockheed-bribery-scandals-lesson-and-end-money-politics-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It has been 50 years since former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka was indicted in the Lockheed scandal on charges of accepting bribes in respons ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/18/20260818p2a00m0op014000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Heed, the, Lockheed, bribery, scandals, lesson, and, end, money, politics, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It has been 50 years since former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka was indicted in the Lockheed scandal on charges of accepting bribes in respons]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan PM Takaichi has 1st hospital checkup in 6 months over hand injury</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichi-has-1st-hospital-checkup-in-6-months-over-hand-injury</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichi-has-1st-hospital-checkup-in-6-months-over-hand-injury</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi underwent a medical checkup at a hospital in Tokyo on Monday lasting more than six hours, her first in ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Takaichi, has, 1st, hospital, checkup, months, over, hand, injury</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi underwent a medical checkup at a hospital in Tokyo on Monday lasting more than six hours, her first in]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What rule is Japan imposing on foreign kids for free HS tuition?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-rule-is-japan-imposing-on-foreign-kids-for-free-hs-tuition</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-rule-is-japan-imposing-on-foreign-kids-for-free-hs-tuition</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 18 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What new requirement ha ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/05/20260805p2a00m0et022000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, rule, Japan, imposing, foreign, kids, for, free, tuition</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 18 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What new requirement ha]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks fall in morning on stalling US&#45;Iran talks, inflation fears</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-fall-in-morning-on-stalling-us-iran-talks-inflation-fears</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-fall-in-morning-on-stalling-us-iran-talks-inflation-fears</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks fell Tuesday morning, as stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war and inflation concerns p ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/01/20260701p2g00m0bu039000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, fall, morning, stalling, US-Iran, talks, inflation, fears</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks fell Tuesday morning, as stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war and inflation concerns p]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ohtani&amp;apos;s 2 homers ignite a Dodgers breakout at Coors Field as Snell shines in 11&#45;5 win over Rockies</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ohtanis-2-homers-ignite-a-dodgers-breakout-at-coors-field-as-snell-shines-in-11-5-win-over-rockies</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ohtanis-2-homers-ignite-a-dodgers-breakout-at-coors-field-as-snell-shines-in-11-5-win-over-rockies</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ DENVER (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani homered twice to help spark a slumping Dodgers offense, Blake Snell struck out five over six innings, and Los Angeles bea ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/18/20260818p2g00m0sp020000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ohtanis, homers, ignite, Dodgers, breakout, Coors, Field, Snell, shines, 11-5, win, over, Rockies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[DENVER (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani homered twice to help spark a slumping Dodgers offense, Blake Snell struck out five over six innings, and Los Angeles bea]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Marathon US&#45;Israel meeting produces optimism but no firm commitment to American plan for Gaza</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/marathon-us-israel-meeting-produces-optimism-but-no-firm-commitment-to-american-plan-for-gaza</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/marathon-us-israel-meeting-produces-optimism-but-no-firm-commitment-to-american-plan-for-gaza</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ JERUSALEM (AP) -- A marathon meeting Monday between U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the fate of the G ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/18/20260818p2g00m0in013000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Marathon, US-Israel, meeting, produces, optimism, but, firm, commitment, American, plan, for, Gaza</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[JERUSALEM (AP) -- A marathon meeting Monday between U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the fate of the G]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Asian Games: Flame&#45;lighting ceremony held in Tokyo ahead of torch relay</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-games-flame-lighting-ceremony-held-in-tokyo-ahead-of-torch-relay</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/asian-games-flame-lighting-ceremony-held-in-tokyo-ahead-of-torch-relay</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A flame-lighting ceremony for the upcoming Asian Games torch relay was held in Tokyo on Tuesday, around a month before the opening of ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/18/20260818p2g00m0sp018000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Asian, Games:, Flame-lighting, ceremony, held, Tokyo, ahead, torch, relay</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A flame-lighting ceremony for the upcoming Asian Games torch relay was held in Tokyo on Tuesday, around a month before the opening of]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Municipalities in Chiba remove abandoned cars after rain disaster</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/municipalities-in-chiba-remove-abandoned-cars-after-rain-disaster</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/municipalities-in-chiba-remove-abandoned-cars-after-rain-disaster</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Municipalities in Chiba Prefecture hit by torrential rain last week continued to remove cars that had been abandoned after bec ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/17/20260817p2g00m0na015000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:33:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Municipalities, Chiba, remove, abandoned, cars, after, rain, disaster</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Municipalities in Chiba Prefecture hit by torrential rain last week continued to remove cars that had been abandoned after bec]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Nikkei extends win streak to 5 days on tech gains, but weak GDP weighs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-extends-win-streak-to-5-days-on-tech-gains-but-weak-gdp-weighs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-extends-win-streak-to-5-days-on-tech-gains-but-weak-gdp-weighs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended mixed Monday, as the buying of some heavyweight technology issues helped the Nikkei stock index to extend its winn ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:17:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nikkei, extends, win, streak, days, tech, gains, but, weak, GDP, weighs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended mixed Monday, as the buying of some heavyweight technology issues helped the Nikkei stock index to extend its winn]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Drivers tossing urine bottles at highway stops leave cleaners fuming</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/drivers-tossing-urine-bottles-at-highway-stops-leave-cleaners-fuming</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/drivers-tossing-urine-bottles-at-highway-stops-leave-cleaners-fuming</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Urine-filled plastic bottles are being illegally dumped at highway parking and service areas across Japan, creating foul odors and raising safety concerns.
On a sunny day in June,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:06:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Drivers, tossing, urine, bottles, highway, stops, leave, cleaners, fuming</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Urine-filled plastic bottles are being illegally dumped at highway parking and service areas across Japan, creating foul odors and raising safety concerns.
On a sunny day in June,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan aims for the moons of Mars</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-aims-for-the-moons-of-mars</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-aims-for-the-moons-of-mars</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese scientists are readying a mission to Mars&#039; moons to retrieve samples that may unlock the origins of the solar system and life on Earth, although a rival… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:06:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, aims, for, the, moons, Mars</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese scientists are readying a mission to Mars' moons to retrieve samples that may unlock the origins of the solar system and life on Earth, although a rival…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Heavy rain that battered Chiba left 10 dead: report</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/heavy-rain-that-battered-chiba-left-10-dead-report</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/heavy-rain-that-battered-chiba-left-10-dead-report</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Heavy rain that battered eastern Japan has left 10 people dead, public broadcaster NHK said Sunday, after an &quot;unprecedented&quot; deluge that flooded over a thousand homes and snarled… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:06:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Heavy, rain, that, battered, Chiba, left, dead:, report</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Heavy rain that battered eastern Japan has left 10 people dead, public broadcaster NHK said Sunday, after an "unprecedented" deluge that flooded over a thousand homes and snarled…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks mixed as gains locked in, tech shares advance</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-as-gains-locked-in-tech-shares-advance</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-as-gains-locked-in-tech-shares-advance</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks were mixed Monday morning as gains were locked in after recent rapid rises, while some heavyweight technology issues sup ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, mixed, gains, locked, in, tech, shares, advance</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks were mixed Monday morning as gains were locked in after recent rapid rises, while some heavyweight technology issues sup]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-orders-pentagon-to-scale-back-joint-exercises-with-south-korea</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-orders-pentagon-to-scale-back-joint-exercises-with-south-korea</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he had ordered the Pentagon to sharply reduce joint military drills with South Korea, citin ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, orders, Pentagon, scale, back, joint, exercises, with, South, Korea</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he had ordered the Pentagon to sharply reduce joint military drills with South Korea, citin]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Register listing 7,756 Great Tokyo Air Raid victims found at Sumida Ward office</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/register-listing-7756-great-tokyo-air-raid-victims-found-at-sumida-ward-office</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/register-listing-7756-great-tokyo-air-raid-victims-found-at-sumida-ward-office</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A register recording the names of victims of the March 1945 Great Tokyo Air Raid has been discovered at the Sumida Ward government office in ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Register, listing, 7, 756, Great, Tokyo, Air, Raid, victims, found, Sumida, Ward, office</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A register recording the names of victims of the March 1945 Great Tokyo Air Raid has been discovered at the Sumida Ward government office in]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: On the 81st anniversary of the end of WWII, resist the folly of power</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-on-the-81st-anniversary-of-the-end-of-wwii-resist-the-folly-of-power</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-on-the-81st-anniversary-of-the-end-of-wwii-resist-the-folly-of-power</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As great powers bring catastrophe upon the world, the anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 15 has again come and gone.&quot;Write my name on my l ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, the, 81st, anniversary, the, end, WWII, resist, the, folly, power</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As great powers bring catastrophe upon the world, the anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 15 has again come and gone."Write my name on my l]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Murakami hits go&#45;ahead homer as White Sox sweep Tigers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-murakami-hits-go-ahead-homer-as-white-sox-sweep-tigers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-murakami-hits-go-ahead-homer-as-white-sox-sweep-tigers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ DETROIT (Kyodo) -- Munetaka Murakami blasted a go-ahead two-run homer as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5 to complete a three-game sw ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Murakami, hits, go-ahead, homer, White, Sox, sweep, Tigers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[DETROIT (Kyodo) -- Munetaka Murakami blasted a go-ahead two-run homer as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5 to complete a three-game sw]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Squishy toys boom worldwide despite chemical and bursting risks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/squishy-toys-boom-worldwide-despite-chemical-and-bursting-risks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/squishy-toys-boom-worldwide-despite-chemical-and-bursting-risks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BANGKOK (Mainichi) -- Soft, springy, squishy to the touch -- and somehow soothing. &quot;Squishies,&quot; toys prized for their distinctive sensation when squee ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Squishy, toys, boom, worldwide, despite, chemical, and, bursting, risks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BANGKOK (Mainichi) -- Soft, springy, squishy to the touch -- and somehow soothing. "Squishies," toys prized for their distinctive sensation when squee]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan economy up 1.1% in April&#45;June on subsidies, private consumption weak</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-economy-up-11-in-april-june-on-subsidies-private-consumption-weak</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-economy-up-11-in-april-june-on-subsidies-private-consumption-weak</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s economy grew an annualized real 1.1 percent in the April-June period for a third straight quarterly expansion, helped by gove ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, economy, 1.1, April-June, subsidies, private, consumption, weak</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's economy grew an annualized real 1.1 percent in the April-June period for a third straight quarterly expansion, helped by gove]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Thousands in Indonesia await aid after quake kills 54, overshadowing Independence Day</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/thousands-in-indonesia-await-aid-after-quake-kills-54-overshadowing-independence-day</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/thousands-in-indonesia-await-aid-after-quake-kills-54-overshadowing-independence-day</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ REO, Indonesia (AP) -- Thousands of people were still waiting for aid on the Indonesian island of Flores as the country celebrated its 81st Independen ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Thousands, Indonesia, await, aid, after, quake, kills, 54, overshadowing, Independence, Day</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[REO, Indonesia (AP) -- Thousands of people were still waiting for aid on the Indonesian island of Flores as the country celebrated its 81st Independen]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Osaka police arrest man accused of supplying drugs to youths, find over 5,000 pills at home</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/osaka-police-arrest-man-accused-of-supplying-drugs-to-youths-find-over-5000-pills-at-home</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/osaka-police-arrest-man-accused-of-supplying-drugs-to-youths-find-over-5000-pills-at-home</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ OSAKA -- A man suspected of illicitly dealing prescription drugs to young people in a corner of Osaka&#039;s Minami district known as a hangout for youths ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Osaka, police, arrest, man, accused, supplying, drugs, youths, find, over, 5, 000, pills, home</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[OSAKA -- A man suspected of illicitly dealing prescription drugs to young people in a corner of Osaka's Minami district known as a hangout for youths]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Asuka&#45;Fujiwara Shijin Liner express train begins service</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-asuka-fujiwara-shijin-liner-express-train-begins-service</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-asuka-fujiwara-shijin-liner-express-train-begins-service</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Asuka-Fujiwara Shijin Liner, inspired by the &quot;Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara&quot; in Nara Prefecture, which were recently registered as a Worl ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Asuka-Fujiwara, Shijin, Liner, express, train, begins, service</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Asuka-Fujiwara Shijin Liner, inspired by the "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" in Nara Prefecture, which were recently registered as a Worl]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Taiwan welcomes new high&#45;speed train from Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/taiwan-welcomes-new-high-speed-train-from-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/taiwan-welcomes-new-high-speed-train-from-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (Kyodo) -- Taiwan&#039;s high-speed rail operator on Saturday welcomed its first new-generation N700ST train from Japan, marking the late ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Taiwan, welcomes, new, high-speed, train, from, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (Kyodo) -- Taiwan's high-speed rail operator on Saturday welcomed its first new-generation N700ST train from Japan, marking the late]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>26 more bodies are recovered in Zimbabwe&amp;apos;s ferry disaster, bringing death toll to 72</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/26-more-bodies-are-recovered-in-zimbabwes-ferry-disaster-bringing-death-toll-to-72</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/26-more-bodies-are-recovered-in-zimbabwes-ferry-disaster-bringing-death-toll-to-72</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- Eighteen children were among more than 70 people killed when an overloaded ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe this wee ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>more, bodies, are, recovered, Zimbabwes, ferry, disaster, bringing, death, toll</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- Eighteen children were among more than 70 people killed when an overloaded ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe this wee]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan ruling party executive Kobayashi visits war&#45;linked Yasukuni shrine</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ruling-party-executive-kobayashi-visits-war-linked-yasukuni-shrine</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ruling-party-executive-kobayashi-visits-war-linked-yasukuni-shrine</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Takayuki Kobayashi, a senior executive of Japan&#039;s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, visited the war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Sunday, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, ruling, party, executive, Kobayashi, visits, war-linked, Yasukuni, shrine</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Takayuki Kobayashi, a senior executive of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, visited the war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Sunday,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Gymnastics: Japan&amp;apos;s rhythmic group secures 1st 2028 Olympic berth</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/gymnastics-japans-rhythmic-group-secures-1st-2028-olympic-berth</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/gymnastics-japans-rhythmic-group-secures-1st-2028-olympic-berth</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ FRANKFURT (Kyodo) -- Japan finished second in the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around at the World Championships on Saturday to secure the country&#039;s ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Gymnastics:, Japans, rhythmic, group, secures, 1st, 2028, Olympic, berth</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[FRANKFURT (Kyodo) -- Japan finished second in the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around at the World Championships on Saturday to secure the country's]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>What Japan&amp;apos;s &amp;apos;little nurses&amp;apos; left behind in Palau&amp;apos;s jungle 81 years ago (Pt. 2)</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-japans-little-nurses-left-behind-in-palaus-jungle-81-years-ago-pt-2</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-japans-little-nurses-left-behind-in-palaus-jungle-81-years-ago-pt-2</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAHA -- During the Pacific War, students from Palau Girls&#039; High School cared for wounded soldiers at the Japanese military&#039;s 123rd logistics hospital ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/13/20260813p2a00m0na031000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, Japans, little, nurses, left, behind, Palaus, jungle, years, ago, Pt.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAHA -- During the Pacific War, students from Palau Girls' High School cared for wounded soldiers at the Japanese military's 123rd logistics hospital]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How to prepare for rising costs of Japan&amp;apos;s private junior high school track</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-prepare-for-rising-costs-of-japans-private-junior-high-school-track</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-prepare-for-rising-costs-of-japans-private-junior-high-school-track</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Parents preparing for junior high school entrance exams in Japan are often surprised by the cost of cram school fees, teaching materials and ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, prepare, for, rising, costs, Japans, private, junior, high, school, track</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Parents preparing for junior high school entrance exams in Japan are often surprised by the cost of cram school fees, teaching materials and]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Rescuers dig through rubble and landslides after Indonesia quake kills 47</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rescuers-dig-through-rubble-and-landslides-after-indonesia-quake-kills-47</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/rescuers-dig-through-rubble-and-landslides-after-indonesia-quake-kills-47</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) -- Searchers dug through collapsed buildings and landslide debris Sunday in eastern Indonesia as they searched for bodies ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Rescuers, dig, through, rubble, and, landslides, after, Indonesia, quake, kills</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) -- Searchers dug through collapsed buildings and landslide debris Sunday in eastern Indonesia as they searched for bodies]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan makers roll out new UV protection products for men amid severe heat</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-makers-roll-out-new-uv-protection-products-for-men-amid-severe-heat</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-makers-roll-out-new-uv-protection-products-for-men-amid-severe-heat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese consumer goods makers have rolled out a new wave of UV protection products targeting men this year as scorching heat persist ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, makers, roll, out, new, protection, products, for, men, amid, severe, heat</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese consumer goods makers have rolled out a new wave of UV protection products targeting men this year as scorching heat persist]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Holidaymakers rush home on final day of Japan&amp;apos;s &amp;apos;Bon&amp;apos; holidays</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/holidaymakers-rush-home-on-final-day-of-japans-bon-holidays</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/holidaymakers-rush-home-on-final-day-of-japans-bon-holidays</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- People returning from domestic and international trips crowded major train stations and airports on Sunday, the final day of Japan&#039;s ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/16/20260816p2g00m0na017000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Holidaymakers, rush, home, final, day, Japans, Bon, holidays</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- People returning from domestic and international trips crowded major train stations and airports on Sunday, the final day of Japan's]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Pickleball boom arrives in Japan amid push to add sport to 2032 Olympics</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/pickleball-boom-arrives-in-japan-amid-push-to-add-sport-to-2032-olympics</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/pickleball-boom-arrives-in-japan-amid-push-to-add-sport-to-2032-olympics</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Pickleball has recently been finding a home among Japanese players, growing over sevenfold domestically in the past year, with Tokyo ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/16/20260816p2g00m0sp015000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Pickleball, boom, arrives, Japan, amid, push, add, sport, 2032, Olympics</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Pickleball has recently been finding a home among Japanese players, growing over sevenfold domestically in the past year, with Tokyo]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Heavy rain that battered Chiba left 9 dead: report</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/heavy-rain-that-battered-chiba-left-9-dead-report</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/heavy-rain-that-battered-chiba-left-9-dead-report</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Heavy rain that battered eastern Japan has left nine people dead, public broadcaster NHK said Sunday, after an &quot;unprecedented&quot; deluge that flooded over a thousand homes and snarled… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:02:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Heavy, rain, that, battered, Chiba, left, dead:, report</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Heavy rain that battered eastern Japan has left nine people dead, public broadcaster NHK said Sunday, after an "unprecedented" deluge that flooded over a thousand homes and snarled…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan summer tourism season sees shift from China&#45;driven demand</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-summer-tourism-season-sees-shift-from-china-driven-demand</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-summer-tourism-season-sees-shift-from-china-driven-demand</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is expecting its heavy dependence on Chinese tourists to lessen this summer travel season, counting on visitors from other Asian countries and European travelers to make up… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/96/fb/f152c74e78d0441d074f53665f1779fd6070/20260726kw___0007300010-ph-----n-ci0004/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, summer, tourism, season, sees, shift, from, China-driven, demand</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is expecting its heavy dependence on Chinese tourists to lessen this summer travel season, counting on visitors from other Asian countries and European travelers to make up…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>12&#45;year&#45;old British girl who went missing in Tokyo on Aug 13 found safe</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/12-year-old-british-girl-who-went-missing-in-tokyo-on-aug-13-found-safe</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/12-year-old-british-girl-who-went-missing-in-tokyo-on-aug-13-found-safe</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A 12-year-old British girl who had been missing in Tokyo since April was found safe on Saturday night, police said Sunday.
Carmelita Lakdesha Paul, a junior high school… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:02:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>12-year-old, British, girl, who, went, missing, Tokyo, Aug, found, safe</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A 12-year-old British girl who had been missing in Tokyo since April was found safe on Saturday night, police said Sunday.
Carmelita Lakdesha Paul, a junior high school…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bluefin tuna quota expansion talks to resume next week</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bluefin-tuna-quota-expansion-talks-to-resume-next-week</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bluefin-tuna-quota-expansion-talks-to-resume-next-week</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ International talks on the sustainable management of Pacific bluefin tuna will resume online Tuesday, Japan&#039;s Fisheries Agency said Friday, after negotiations last month ended without an agreement due… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:06:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bluefin, tuna, quota, expansion, talks, resume, next, week</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[International talks on the sustainable management of Pacific bluefin tuna will resume online Tuesday, Japan's Fisheries Agency said Friday, after negotiations last month ended without an agreement due…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Volcanic alert level raised for Mount Aso in Kumamoto</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/volcanic-alert-level-raised-for-mount-aso-in-kumamoto</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/volcanic-alert-level-raised-for-mount-aso-in-kumamoto</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s weather agency on Friday raised the volcanic alert level for Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture to 3 on a scale of 5, calling for entry restrictions to… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Volcanic, alert, level, raised, for, Mount, Aso, Kumamoto</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's weather agency on Friday raised the volcanic alert level for Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture to 3 on a scale of 5, calling for entry restrictions to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan marks 81st anniversary of WWII end, without &amp;apos;remorse&amp;apos; in PM&amp;apos;s address</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-marks-81st-anniversary-of-wwii-end-without-remorse-in-pms-address</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-marks-81st-anniversary-of-wwii-end-without-remorse-in-pms-address</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan on Saturday marked the 81st anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging peace while not mentioning the nation&#039;s &quot;remorse&quot; in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, marks, 81st, anniversary, WWII, end, without, remorse, PMs, address</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan on Saturday marked the 81st anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging peace while not mentioning the nation's "remorse" in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Police ask public&amp;apos;s help in finding 12&#45;year&#45;old UK girl missing in Japan since Aug 12</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/police-ask-publics-help-in-finding-12-year-old-uk-girl-missing-in-japan-since-aug-12</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/police-ask-publics-help-in-finding-12-year-old-uk-girl-missing-in-japan-since-aug-12</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Carmelita Lakdesha Paul, a 12-year-old junior high school student from the UK, arrived in Japan for sightseeing with her parents and older brother on July 21. She has… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/bf/ae/af7a1820cc7794727949c28c2dda725e8c74/screenshot-2026-08-15-at-10-41-54/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:06:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Police, ask, publics, help, finding, 12-year-old, girl, missing, Japan, since, Aug</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Carmelita Lakdesha Paul, a 12-year-old junior high school student from the UK, arrived in Japan for sightseeing with her parents and older brother on July 21. She has…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Families face hurdles disposing of parents&amp;apos; homes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/families-face-hurdles-disposing-of-parents-homes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/families-face-hurdles-disposing-of-parents-homes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As more Japanese families grapple with what to do with homes left vacant after parents die or move into care facilities, interest is growing in jikka-jimai -- the… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/74/fe/b7ce6cabacb526c9258010093ddafe637919/20260805kw___0050300010-ph-----n-ci0004/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:06:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Families, face, hurdles, disposing, parents, homes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As more Japanese families grapple with what to do with homes left vacant after parents die or move into care facilities, interest is growing in jikka-jimai -- the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hope reborn in Colombia as signs of life emerge under earthquake debris</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hope-reborn-in-colombia-as-signs-of-life-emerge-under-earthquake-debris</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hope-reborn-in-colombia-as-signs-of-life-emerge-under-earthquake-debris</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CALI, Colombia (AP) -- Rescuers reported apparent signs of life under the rubble in two of the Colombian cities hit hardest by a massive earthquake, r ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/15/20260815p2g00m0in006000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hope, reborn, Colombia, signs, life, emerge, under, earthquake, debris</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CALI, Colombia (AP) -- Rescuers reported apparent signs of life under the rubble in two of the Colombian cities hit hardest by a massive earthquake, r]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What are they doing at that shrine in Kyoto Prefecture?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-are-they-doing-at-that-shrine-in-kyoto-prefecture</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-are-they-doing-at-that-shrine-in-kyoto-prefecture</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 15 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What is the central pur ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/05/20260805p2a00m0et022000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, are, they, doing, that, shrine, Kyoto, Prefecture</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 15 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What is the central pur]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Drivers tossing urine bottles at Japan highway stops leave cleaners fuming</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/drivers-tossing-urine-bottles-at-japan-highway-stops-leave-cleaners-fuming</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/drivers-tossing-urine-bottles-at-japan-highway-stops-leave-cleaners-fuming</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Urine-filled plastic bottles are being illegally dumped at highway parking and service areas across Japan, creating foul odors and r ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/15/20260815p2g00m0na008000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Drivers, tossing, urine, bottles, Japan, highway, stops, leave, cleaners, fuming</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Urine-filled plastic bottles are being illegally dumped at highway parking and service areas across Japan, creating foul odors and r]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan marks 81st anniv. of WWII end, without &amp;apos;remorse&amp;apos; in PM&amp;apos;s address</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-marks-81st-anniv-of-wwii-end-without-remorse-in-pms-address</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-marks-81st-anniv-of-wwii-end-without-remorse-in-pms-address</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Saturday marked the 81st anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging peace whi ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/15/20260815p2g00m0na018000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, marks, 81st, anniv., WWII, end, without, remorse, PMs, address</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Saturday marked the 81st anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging peace whi]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese migrants to Palau &amp;apos;paradise&amp;apos; faced 4 turbulent years during war (Pt. 1)</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-migrants-to-palau-paradise-faced-4-turbulent-years-during-war-pt-1</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-migrants-to-palau-paradise-faced-4-turbulent-years-during-war-pt-1</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAHA -- Palau, a small island country covering 488 square kilometers -- roughly the size of the island of Yakushima in southwestern Japan&#039;s Kagoshima ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/13/20260813p2a00m0na024000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, migrants, Palau, paradise, faced, turbulent, years, during, war, Pt.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAHA -- Palau, a small island country covering 488 square kilometers -- roughly the size of the island of Yakushima in southwestern Japan's Kagoshima]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Isabella Bird&amp;apos;s &amp;apos;Unbeaten Tracks in Japan&amp;apos;: An idyllic &amp;apos;samurai house&amp;apos; in Nikko (Pt. 8)</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/isabella-birds-unbeaten-tracks-in-japan-an-idyllic-samurai-house-in-nikko-pt-8</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/isabella-birds-unbeaten-tracks-in-japan-an-idyllic-samurai-house-in-nikko-pt-8</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Upon reaching Nikko on June 13, 1878, Isabella Bird and her party passed through the settlement of Hatsuishi and arrived at the celebrated Shinkyo Bri ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/06/20260806p2a00m0na008000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Isabella, Birds, Unbeaten, Tracks, Japan:, idyllic, samurai, house, Nikko, Pt.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Upon reaching Nikko on June 13, 1878, Isabella Bird and her party passed through the settlement of Hatsuishi and arrived at the celebrated Shinkyo Bri]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan PM sends offering to Yasukuni shrine, 4 ministers visit on war anniv.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-sends-offering-to-yasukuni-shrine-4-ministers-visit-on-war-anniv</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-sends-offering-to-yasukuni-shrine-4-ministers-visit-on-war-anniv</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday sent a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, while the co ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, sends, offering, Yasukuni, shrine, ministers, visit, war, anniv.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday sent a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, while the co]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan city pleased with impact of 2&#45;hour guideline on screen use</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-city-pleased-with-impact-of-2-hour-guideline-on-screen-use</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-city-pleased-with-impact-of-2-hour-guideline-on-screen-use</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- A central Japan city that drew attention for urging residents to limit smartphone and game console use to two hours a day has found ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/15/20260815p2g00m0na010000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, city, pleased, with, impact, 2-hour, guideline, screen, use</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- A central Japan city that drew attention for urging residents to limit smartphone and game console use to two hours a day has found]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>European countries battle multiple wildfires as record heat grips the continent</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/european-countries-battle-multiple-wildfires-as-record-heat-grips-the-continent</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/european-countries-battle-multiple-wildfires-as-record-heat-grips-the-continent</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ PARIS (AP) -- Firefighters across Europe struggled against multiple fires Friday as a new wave of record-breaking heat baked a swath of the continent, ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/15/20260815p2g00m0in012000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>European, countries, battle, multiple, wildfires, record, heat, grips, the, continent</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[PARIS (AP) -- Firefighters across Europe struggled against multiple fires Friday as a new wave of record-breaking heat baked a swath of the continent,]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>With US&#45;Iran talks stalled, diplomatic efforts expand to unlikely European players</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/with-us-iran-talks-stalled-diplomatic-efforts-expand-to-unlikely-european-players</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/with-us-iran-talks-stalled-diplomatic-efforts-expand-to-unlikely-european-players</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- Faced with an increasingly bellicose Iran as talks to end the war have stalled, the Trump administration appears to be reaching out ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/15/20260815p2g00m0in014000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>With, US-Iran, talks, stalled, diplomatic, efforts, expand, unlikely, European, players</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- Faced with an increasingly bellicose Iran as talks to end the war have stalled, the Trump administration appears to be reaching out]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>North Korea threatens to exercise self&#45;defense as it slams US&#45;South Korea military drills</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/north-korea-threatens-to-exercise-self-defense-as-it-slams-us-south-korea-military-drills</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/north-korea-threatens-to-exercise-self-defense-as-it-slams-us-south-korea-military-drills</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea on Friday threatened to exercise its right to self-defense in a statement that slammed the upcoming U.S.-South ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/14/20260814p2g00m0in016000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:37:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>North, Korea, threatens, exercise, self-defense, slams, US-South, Korea, military, drills</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea on Friday threatened to exercise its right to self-defense in a statement that slammed the upcoming U.S.-South]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>A look at the history and beliefs behind Japan’s controversial shrine to the war dead</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-look-at-the-history-and-beliefs-behind-japans-controversial-shrine-to-the-war-dead</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-look-at-the-history-and-beliefs-behind-japans-controversial-shrine-to-the-war-dead</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Emperor Meiji first visited the site that would become one of Japan’s most controversial shrines in 1874. He vowed that the names of those who died for their… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:10:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>look, the, history, and, beliefs, behind, Japan’s, controversial, shrine, the, war, dead</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Emperor Meiji first visited the site that would become one of Japan’s most controversial shrines in 1874. He vowed that the names of those who died for their…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Crown Prince Akishino says he has &amp;apos;mixed feelings&amp;apos; about male&#45;only imperial succession law</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/crown-prince-akishino-says-he-has-mixed-feelings-about-male-only-imperial-succession-law</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/crown-prince-akishino-says-he-has-mixed-feelings-about-male-only-imperial-succession-law</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, on Thursday said he has “mixed feelings” about the government&#039;s revision to the Imperial House Law that insists only… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:10:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Crown, Prince, Akishino, says, has, mixed, feelings, about, male-only, imperial, succession, law</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, on Thursday said he has “mixed feelings” about the government's revision to the Imperial House Law that insists only…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Rescuers call for silence around earthquake rubble as window for survival narrows in Colombia</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rescuers-call-for-silence-around-earthquake-rubble-as-window-for-survival-narrows-in-colombia</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/rescuers-call-for-silence-around-earthquake-rubble-as-window-for-survival-narrows-in-colombia</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CALI, Colombia (AP) -- With arms raised and fists clenched, rescuers in Colombia called for silence Thursday as they listened for signs of life in the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Rescuers, call, for, silence, around, earthquake, rubble, window, for, survival, narrows, Colombia</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CALI, Colombia (AP) -- With arms raised and fists clenched, rescuers in Colombia called for silence Thursday as they listened for signs of life in the]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: Putin&amp;apos;s visit to the Northern Territories further strains Japan ties</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-putins-visit-to-the-northern-territories-further-strains-japan-ties</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-putins-visit-to-the-northern-territories-further-strains-japan-ties</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Northern Territories -- a group of four islands off the Hokkaido coast controlled by Moscow but claim ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/14/20260814p2g00m0na020000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Putins, visit, the, Northern, Territories, further, strains, Japan, ties</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Northern Territories -- a group of four islands off the Hokkaido coast controlled by Moscow but claim]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Yoroku: Revival of Japan&amp;apos;s romantic night trains needs to stay on track</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yoroku-revival-of-japans-romantic-night-trains-needs-to-stay-on-track</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yoroku-revival-of-japans-romantic-night-trains-needs-to-stay-on-track</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Night trains were once a familiar part of everyday life in Japan. They carried not only people traveling on business or for sightseeing, but also thos ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yoroku:, Revival, Japans, romantic, night, trains, needs, stay, track</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Night trains were once a familiar part of everyday life in Japan. They carried not only people traveling on business or for sightseeing, but also thos]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>UK firefighters out in force to tackle fires on hottest day of the year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/uk-firefighters-out-in-force-to-tackle-fires-on-hottest-day-of-the-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/uk-firefighters-out-in-force-to-tackle-fires-on-hottest-day-of-the-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LONDON (AP) -- Firefighters were tackling multiple fires in central England on Thursday after the U.K. recorded its hottest day of the year as an inte ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>firefighters, out, force, tackle, fires, hottest, day, the, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LONDON (AP) -- Firefighters were tackling multiple fires in central England on Thursday after the U.K. recorded its hottest day of the year as an inte]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Flooding in Chiba Pref. near Tokyo leaves 6 dead, paralyzes transportation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/flooding-in-chiba-pref-near-tokyo-leaves-6-dead-paralyzes-transportation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/flooding-in-chiba-pref-near-tokyo-leaves-6-dead-paralyzes-transportation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Six people died as heavy rain pounded eastern Japan on Thursday and early Friday, with the weather agency issuing the highest downpou ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Flooding, Chiba, Pref., near, Tokyo, leaves, dead, paralyzes, transportation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Six people died as heavy rain pounded eastern Japan on Thursday and early Friday, with the weather agency issuing the highest downpou]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Mainichi reporter stranded 7 hours on flooded roads after torrential rain hit Chiba Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mainichi-reporter-stranded-7-hours-on-flooded-roads-after-torrential-rain-hit-chiba-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mainichi-reporter-stranded-7-hours-on-flooded-roads-after-torrential-rain-hit-chiba-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHIBA -- This 27-year-old Mainichi Shimbun reporter spent seven hours stranded on flooded roads after torrential rain hit Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 13. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Mainichi, reporter, stranded, hours, flooded, roads, after, torrential, rain, hit, Chiba, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHIBA -- This 27-year-old Mainichi Shimbun reporter spent seven hours stranded on flooded roads after torrential rain hit Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 13.]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Sasaki throws 6 innings of 2&#45;run ball in Dodgers&amp;apos; loss to Brewers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-sasaki-throws-6-innings-of-2-run-ball-in-dodgers-loss-to-brewers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-sasaki-throws-6-innings-of-2-run-ball-in-dodgers-loss-to-brewers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LOA ANGELS (Kyodo) -- Roki Sasaki pitched six innings of two-run ball as the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Thursday.Sasaki ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Sasaki, throws, innings, 2-run, ball, Dodgers, loss, Brewers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LOA ANGELS (Kyodo) -- Roki Sasaki pitched six innings of two-run ball as the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Thursday.Sasaki]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>High airfares, scams weigh on Cambodia&amp;apos;s Angkor tourism</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/high-airfares-scams-weigh-on-cambodias-angkor-tourism</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/high-airfares-scams-weigh-on-cambodias-angkor-tourism</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SIEM REAP, Cambodia  (Kyodo) -- Foreign visitors to Cambodia&#039;s northwestern Siem Reap province, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor temple ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>High, airfares, scams, weigh, Cambodias, Angkor, tourism</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SIEM REAP, Cambodia  (Kyodo) -- Foreign visitors to Cambodia's northwestern Siem Reap province, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor temple]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Toy cars welcome ancestors&amp;apos; spirits in Yamagata Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-toy-cars-welcome-ancestors-spirits-in-yamagata-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-toy-cars-welcome-ancestors-spirits-in-yamagata-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In part of the town of Yuza in Yamagata Prefecture, a local custom is getting underway as residents hang toy cars under the eaves of their houses to w ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Toy, cars, welcome, ancestors, spirits, Yamagata, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In part of the town of Yuza in Yamagata Prefecture, a local custom is getting underway as residents hang toy cars under the eaves of their houses to w]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Torrential rain in Japan&amp;apos;s Chiba Pref. prompts warnings over cars trapped on flooded roads</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/torrential-rain-in-japans-chiba-pref-prompts-warnings-over-cars-trapped-on-flooded-roads</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/torrential-rain-in-japans-chiba-pref-prompts-warnings-over-cars-trapped-on-flooded-roads</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ During the record rainfall across Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 13 to 14, many vehicles were submerged as roads flooded. Fatalities were also reported amon ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Torrential, rain, Japans, Chiba, Pref., prompts, warnings, over, cars, trapped, flooded, roads</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[During the record rainfall across Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 13 to 14, many vehicles were submerged as roads flooded. Fatalities were also reported amon]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>25% of Japan museums mull disposing of war materials amid lack of space</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/25-of-japan-museums-mull-disposing-of-war-materials-amid-lack-of-space</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/25-of-japan-museums-mull-disposing-of-war-materials-amid-lack-of-space</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A quarter of 62 museums and facilities in Japan storing materials related to the two world wars said they need to consider disposing of some items due to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>25, Japan, museums, mull, disposing, war, materials, amid, lack, space</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A quarter of 62 museums and facilities in Japan storing materials related to the two world wars said they need to consider disposing of some items due to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Flooding in Chiba Prefecture leaves 6 dead, paralyzes transportation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/flooding-in-chiba-prefecture-leaves-6-dead-paralyzes-transportation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/flooding-in-chiba-prefecture-leaves-6-dead-paralyzes-transportation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Six people died as heavy rain pounded eastern Japan on Thursday and early Friday, with the weather agency issuing the highest downpour warning of Level 5 in more… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:02:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Flooding, Chiba, Prefecture, leaves, dead, paralyzes, transportation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Six people died as heavy rain pounded eastern Japan on Thursday and early Friday, with the weather agency issuing the highest downpour warning of Level 5 in more…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Topix index ends at record high after US CPI release</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/topix-index-ends-at-record-high-after-us-cpi-release</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/topix-index-ends-at-record-high-after-us-cpi-release</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks climbed Thursday, with the Topix ending at an all-time high, led by shares related to artificial intelligence and semico ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:41:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Topix, index, ends, record, high, after, CPI, release</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks climbed Thursday, with the Topix ending at an all-time high, led by shares related to artificial intelligence and semico]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving the Trump administration</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-is-leaving-the-trump-administration</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-is-leaving-the-trump-administration</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the role, will leave the Trump administration at the end ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:33:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>White, House, press, secretary, Karoline, Leavitt, leaving, the, Trump, administration</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the role, will leave the Trump administration at the end]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Two pet pythons escape from apartment in Kawasaki</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/two-pet-pythons-escape-from-apartment-in-kawasaki</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/two-pet-pythons-escape-from-apartment-in-kawasaki</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Two pythons kept as pets in an apartment in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, have escaped, police said Thursday.
According to police, a 19-year-old man called 110 at around… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:30:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Two, pet, pythons, escape, from, apartment, Kawasaki</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two pythons kept as pets in an apartment in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, have escaped, police said Thursday.
According to police, a 19-year-old man called 110 at around…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Yasukuni Shrine announces cosplay, outdated military attire ban</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yasukuni-shrine-announces-cosplay-outdated-military-attire-ban</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yasukuni-shrine-announces-cosplay-outdated-military-attire-ban</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ One of Tokyo’s most prominent Shinto shrines, Yasukuni Shrine, has updated its visitor policies and now expressly bans cosplaying on its premises.
According to a statement posted to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:22:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yasukuni, Shrine, announces, cosplay, outdated, military, attire, ban</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[One of Tokyo’s most prominent Shinto shrines, Yasukuni Shrine, has updated its visitor policies and now expressly bans cosplaying on its premises.
According to a statement posted to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Two pythons kept in apartment get loose in Kawasaki City</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/two-pythons-kept-in-apartment-get-loose-in-kawasaki-city</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/two-pythons-kept-in-apartment-get-loose-in-kawasaki-city</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Two pythons kept as pets in an apartment in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, have escaped, police said Thursday.
According to police, a 19-year-old man called 110 at around… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/4d/83/2cbba9fc042724f946360b581817565a4bad/ferme_des_reptiles_-_bothrochilus_albertisii_03/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:22:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Two, pythons, kept, apartment, get, loose, Kawasaki, City</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two pythons kept as pets in an apartment in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, have escaped, police said Thursday.
According to police, a 19-year-old man called 110 at around…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Stray cats almost became classified as invasive species in Japan but change to law overturned</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/stray-cats-almost-became-classified-as-invasive-species-in-japan-but-change-to-law-overturned</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/stray-cats-almost-became-classified-as-invasive-species-in-japan-but-change-to-law-overturned</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Given Japan’s love for all things feline in the modern day, it’s easy to forget that the domestic cat isn’t actually native to the island nation. They were… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:06:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Stray, cats, almost, became, classified, invasive, species, Japan, but, change, law, overturned</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Given Japan’s love for all things feline in the modern day, it’s easy to forget that the domestic cat isn’t actually native to the island nation. They were…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese flag desecration law goes into effect</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-flag-desecration-law-goes-into-effect</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-flag-desecration-law-goes-into-effect</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A law introducing punishments for desecrating Japan&#039;s national flag went into effect Thursday, fulfilling a longtime legislative aim of conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that has prompted concerns… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:06:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, flag, desecration, law, goes, into, effect</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A law introducing punishments for desecrating Japan's national flag went into effect Thursday, fulfilling a longtime legislative aim of conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that has prompted concerns…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan tuna town deepens Taiwan ties with sea goddess, eyes tourism boost</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-tuna-town-deepens-taiwan-ties-with-sea-goddess-eyes-tourism-boost</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-tuna-town-deepens-taiwan-ties-with-sea-goddess-eyes-tourism-boost</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ AOMORI, Japan (Kyodo) -- The fishing town of Oma in northeastern Japan, famous for its branded tuna, has been deepening its ties with a Taiwanese temp ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, tuna, town, deepens, Taiwan, ties, with, sea, goddess, eyes, tourism, boost</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[AOMORI, Japan (Kyodo) -- The fishing town of Oma in northeastern Japan, famous for its branded tuna, has been deepening its ties with a Taiwanese temp]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Prosecutor&amp;apos;s classified files shed light on high&#45;profile Lockheed scandal</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/prosecutors-classified-files-shed-light-on-high-profile-lockheed-scandal</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/prosecutors-classified-files-shed-light-on-high-profile-lockheed-scandal</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Documents left by the late chief prosecutor in the high-profile Lockheed bribery scandal 50 years ago revealed Thursday statements ma ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Prosecutors, classified, files, shed, light, high-profile, Lockheed, scandal</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Documents left by the late chief prosecutor in the high-profile Lockheed bribery scandal 50 years ago revealed Thursday statements ma]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks rise on tech gains after US CPI release</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rise-on-tech-gains-after-us-cpi-release</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rise-on-tech-gains-after-us-cpi-release</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks climbed Thursday morning, led by artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related shares, as the release of the U.S. c ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, rise, tech, gains, after, CPI, release</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks climbed Thursday morning, led by artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related shares, as the release of the U.S. c]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>2 Tokyo teens arrested on suspicion of shooting fireworks at police from stolen moped</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-tokyo-teens-arrested-on-suspicion-of-shooting-fireworks-at-police-from-stolen-moped</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-tokyo-teens-arrested-on-suspicion-of-shooting-fireworks-at-police-from-stolen-moped</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Two teenage boys were recently arrested on suspicion of firing fireworks horizontally toward two police boxes including one that was newly re ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, teens, arrested, suspicion, shooting, fireworks, police, from, stolen, moped</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Two teenage boys were recently arrested on suspicion of firing fireworks horizontally toward two police boxes including one that was newly re]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>France eyes &amp;apos;Dragon Ball&amp;apos; theme park near Paris with Saudi funding</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/france-eyes-dragon-ball-theme-park-near-paris-with-saudi-funding</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/france-eyes-dragon-ball-theme-park-near-paris-with-saudi-funding</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BRUSSELS (Mainichi) -- Plans are taking shape to build a theme park based on Japan&#039;s globally popular anime series &quot;Dragon Ball&quot; in the suburbs of Par ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>France, eyes, Dragon, Ball, theme, park, near, Paris, with, Saudi, funding</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BRUSSELS (Mainichi) -- Plans are taking shape to build a theme park based on Japan's globally popular anime series "Dragon Ball" in the suburbs of Par]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Kumamoto Castle reopens after safety checks following M7.1 quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kumamoto-castle-reopens-after-safety-checks-following-m71-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kumamoto-castle-reopens-after-safety-checks-following-m71-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- Kumamoto Castle reopened to visitors Thursday, just over two weeks after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Jap ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kumamoto, Castle, reopens, after, safety, checks, following, M7.1, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- Kumamoto Castle reopened to visitors Thursday, just over two weeks after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Jap]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan wholesale prices up 7.2% in July amid Middle East tensions, AI demand</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-wholesale-prices-up-72-in-july-amid-middle-east-tensions-ai-demand</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-wholesale-prices-up-72-in-july-amid-middle-east-tensions-ai-demand</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s wholesale prices in July rose 7.2 percent from a year earlier, the Bank of Japan said Thursday, led by increases in electric ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, wholesale, prices, 7.2, July, amid, Middle, East, tensions, demand</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's wholesale prices in July rose 7.2 percent from a year earlier, the Bank of Japan said Thursday, led by increases in electric]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>War&#45;linked Yasukuni shrine bans cosplay, military attire on premises</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/war-linked-yasukuni-shrine-bans-cosplay-military-attire-on-premises</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/war-linked-yasukuni-shrine-bans-cosplay-military-attire-on-premises</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo has announced on its official website that it will ban cosplay and the wearing of military-re ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>War-linked, Yasukuni, shrine, bans, cosplay, military, attire, premises</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo has announced on its official website that it will ban cosplay and the wearing of military-re]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Putin visits Russian&#45;controlled Etorofu Island claimed by Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/putin-visits-russian-controlled-etorofu-island-claimed-by-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/putin-visits-russian-controlled-etorofu-island-claimed-by-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu Island on Thursday, the country&#039;s Tass news agency reported, in his first trip in of ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Putin, visits, Russian-controlled, Etorofu, Island, claimed, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu Island on Thursday, the country's Tass news agency reported, in his first trip in of]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>US strikes targeting Houthis killed 153 civilians in Yemen last year, Pentagon review says</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-strikes-targeting-houthis-killed-153-civilians-in-yemen-last-year-pentagon-review-says</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-strikes-targeting-houthis-killed-153-civilians-in-yemen-last-year-pentagon-review-says</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Washington (AP) -- U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen last year killed more than 150 civilians, according to a Pentagon r ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>strikes, targeting, Houthis, killed, 153, civilians, Yemen, last, year, Pentagon, review, says</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Washington (AP) -- U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen last year killed more than 150 civilians, according to a Pentagon r]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks end higher on strong chip shares despite US CPI caution</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-end-higher-on-strong-chip-shares-despite-us-cpi-caution</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-end-higher-on-strong-chip-shares-despite-us-cpi-caution</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Wednesday as semiconductor-related shares attracted buying, overcoming earlier caution ahead of the release ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:37:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, end, higher, strong, chip, shares, despite, CPI, caution</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Wednesday as semiconductor-related shares attracted buying, overcoming earlier caution ahead of the release]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Yoroku: English missionary Walter Weston helped open Japan&amp;apos;s mountains to the world</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yoroku-english-missionary-walter-weston-helped-open-japans-mountains-to-the-world</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yoroku-english-missionary-walter-weston-helped-open-japans-mountains-to-the-world</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ British missionary Walter Weston (1861-1940) helped introduce the Japanese Alps to the West and spur the spread of modern mountaineering in Japan, a m ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:29:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yoroku:, English, missionary, Walter, Weston, helped, open, Japans, mountains, the, world</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[British missionary Walter Weston (1861-1940) helped introduce the Japanese Alps to the West and spur the spread of modern mountaineering in Japan, a m]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Aeon says staff were allowed to reenter quake&#45;hit mall despite ban before blast</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/aeon-says-staff-were-allowed-to-reenter-quake-hit-mall-despite-ban-before-blast</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/aeon-says-staff-were-allowed-to-reenter-quake-hit-mall-despite-ban-before-blast</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Major Japanese retailer Aeon Co said Tuesday that employees were allowed to reenter a quake-hit shopping mall in Kumamoto Prefecture despite a company rule barring evacuees from doing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:10:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Aeon, says, staff, were, allowed, reenter, quake-hit, mall, despite, ban, before, blast</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Major Japanese retailer Aeon Co said Tuesday that employees were allowed to reenter a quake-hit shopping mall in Kumamoto Prefecture despite a company rule barring evacuees from doing…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Ultrarare Nintendo Mario game cartridges discovered in Wisconsin</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ultrarare-nintendo-mario-game-cartridges-discovered-in-wisconsin</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ultrarare-nintendo-mario-game-cartridges-discovered-in-wisconsin</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ (AP) -- A few years ago, a pop culture store owner in Wisconsin mentioned to Jason Ganos, a well-known Nintendo game collector, that he had a box of S ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ultrarare, Nintendo, Mario, game, cartridges, discovered, Wisconsin</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[(AP) -- A few years ago, a pop culture store owner in Wisconsin mentioned to Jason Ganos, a well-known Nintendo game collector, that he had a box of S]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Deer ravage sunflowers in Fukushima Pref. highland, forcing cancellation of festival</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/deer-ravage-sunflowers-in-fukushima-pref-highland-forcing-cancellation-of-festival</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/deer-ravage-sunflowers-in-fukushima-pref-highland-forcing-cancellation-of-festival</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KORIYAMA, Fukushima -- A festival in this northeastern Japan city popular for its sweeping views of sunflowers and wind turbines has been canceled, af ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Deer, ravage, sunflowers, Fukushima, Pref., highland, forcing, cancellation, festival</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KORIYAMA, Fukushima -- A festival in this northeastern Japan city popular for its sweeping views of sunflowers and wind turbines has been canceled, af]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Nikkei index directionless in morning as eyes on US CPI data</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-index-directionless-in-morning-as-eyes-on-us-cpi-data</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-index-directionless-in-morning-as-eyes-on-us-cpi-data</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index was directionless Wednesday morning as investors refrained from buying actively ahead of the release of the U. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nikkei, index, directionless, morning, eyes, CPI, data</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index was directionless Wednesday morning as investors refrained from buying actively ahead of the release of the U.]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>N. Korean ballistic missile believed to have fallen outside Japan&amp;apos;s EEZ</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korean-ballistic-missile-believed-to-have-fallen-outside-japans-eez</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korean-ballistic-missile-believed-to-have-fallen-outside-japans-eez</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- North Korea fired a ballistic missile eastward Wednesday morning that is believed to have fallen outside Japan&#039;s exclusive economic z ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Korean, ballistic, missile, believed, have, fallen, outside, Japans, EEZ</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- North Korea fired a ballistic missile eastward Wednesday morning that is believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic z]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Typhoon weakens to tropical depression after landfall in eastern Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-weakens-to-tropical-depression-after-landfall-in-eastern-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-weakens-to-tropical-depression-after-landfall-in-eastern-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) --  Typhoon Chan-hom lost strength and was downgraded to a tropical depression Wednesday over the Sea of Japan after making landfall the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Typhoon, weakens, tropical, depression, after, landfall, eastern, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) --  Typhoon Chan-hom lost strength and was downgraded to a tropical depression Wednesday over the Sea of Japan after making landfall the]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Sugano wins 12th as Rockies rally past Diamondbacks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-sugano-wins-12th-as-rockies-rally-past-diamondbacks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-sugano-wins-12th-as-rockies-rally-past-diamondbacks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Tomoyuki Sugano earned his 12th win of the season after allowing two runs over six innings as the Colorado Rockies rallied past ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Sugano, wins, 12th, Rockies, rally, past, Diamondbacks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Tomoyuki Sugano earned his 12th win of the season after allowing two runs over six innings as the Colorado Rockies rallied past]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>What to know about the Perseid meteor shower in mid&#45;August</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-to-know-about-the-perseid-meteor-shower-in-mid-august</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-to-know-about-the-perseid-meteor-shower-in-mid-august</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about meteors that can be observed during summer vacation in Japan.Question: While ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, know, about, the, Perseid, meteor, shower, mid-August</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about meteors that can be observed during summer vacation in Japan.Question: While]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Suspected AI&#45;altered image based on Mainichi photo of Kumamoto quake spreads online</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/suspected-ai-altered-image-based-on-mainichi-photo-of-kumamoto-quake-spreads-online</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/suspected-ai-altered-image-based-on-mainichi-photo-of-kumamoto-quake-spreads-online</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A fake image apparently created using generative artificial intelligence (AI) from a Mainichi Shimbun Digital photograph showing damage from ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Suspected, AI-altered, image, based, Mainichi, photo, Kumamoto, quake, spreads, online</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A fake image apparently created using generative artificial intelligence (AI) from a Mainichi Shimbun Digital photograph showing damage from]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Chinese automaker Chery buys Nissan plant in Africa as EV production shifts to new markets</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-automaker-chery-buys-nissan-plant-in-africa-as-ev-production-shifts-to-new-markets</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-automaker-chery-buys-nissan-plant-in-africa-as-ev-production-shifts-to-new-markets</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Chinese automakers are increasingly shifting from exporting vehicles to building them in Africa, betting that rapid urbanizatio ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/12/20260812p2g00m0bu022000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinese, automaker, Chery, buys, Nissan, plant, Africa, production, shifts, new, markets</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Chinese automakers are increasingly shifting from exporting vehicles to building them in Africa, betting that rapid urbanizatio]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Rice paddy rugby event held in Nara Prefecture</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-rice-paddy-rugby-event-held-in-nara-prefecture</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-rice-paddy-rugby-event-held-in-nara-prefecture</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ &quot;Tambo Rugby in Yamato Sakurai,&quot; a rugby event played in a rice paddy, was held in the city of Sakurai in Nara Prefecture. About 120 people in 12 team ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/12/20260812p2a00m0na003000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Rice, paddy, rugby, event, held, Nara, Prefecture</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA["Tambo Rugby in Yamato Sakurai," a rugby event played in a rice paddy, was held in the city of Sakurai in Nara Prefecture. About 120 people in 12 team]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Intensity of bear complaints strains over 40% of Japan municipalities</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/intensity-of-bear-complaints-strains-over-40-of-japan-municipalities</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/intensity-of-bear-complaints-strains-over-40-of-japan-municipalities</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ More than 40 percent of local governments responding to a surge in bear encounters in Japan have received abusive complaints or gruelingly long phone calls, according to a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:02:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Intensity, bear, complaints, strains, over, 40, Japan, municipalities</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[More than 40 percent of local governments responding to a surge in bear encounters in Japan have received abusive complaints or gruelingly long phone calls, according to a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Police ask Kumamoto residents to not get too drunk during earthquake relief efforts</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/police-ask-kumamoto-residents-to-not-get-too-drunk-during-earthquake-relief-efforts</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/police-ask-kumamoto-residents-to-not-get-too-drunk-during-earthquake-relief-efforts</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Of course, there’s never a good time to experience a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, but late July and early August is a particularly bad season for it. The addition… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:02:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Police, ask, Kumamoto, residents, not, get, too, drunk, during, earthquake, relief, efforts</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Of course, there’s never a good time to experience a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, but late July and early August is a particularly bad season for it. The addition…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Cancellation of 3&#45;city simultaneous fireworks in Japan causes confusion</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/cancellation-of-3-city-simultaneous-fireworks-in-japan-causes-confusion</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/cancellation-of-3-city-simultaneous-fireworks-in-japan-causes-confusion</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The abrupt cancellation of what was touted as a simultaneous fireworks festival in three cities facing Lake Biwa in western Japan has left both advance ticket purchasers and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Cancellation, 3-city, simultaneous, fireworks, Japan, causes, confusion</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The abrupt cancellation of what was touted as a simultaneous fireworks festival in three cities facing Lake Biwa in western Japan has left both advance ticket purchasers and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Typhoon weakens to tropical depression after making landfall in Ibaraki</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-weakens-to-tropical-depression-after-making-landfall-in-ibaraki</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-weakens-to-tropical-depression-after-making-landfall-in-ibaraki</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Typhoon No. 15 lost strength and was downgraded to a tropical depression Wednesday over the Sea of Japan after making landfall the previous night in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Typhoon, weakens, tropical, depression, after, making, landfall, Ibaraki</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Typhoon No. 15 lost strength and was downgraded to a tropical depression Wednesday over the Sea of Japan after making landfall the previous night in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>U.S. forces airlift drinking water to quake&#45;hit Kumamoto</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-forces-airlift-drinking-water-to-quake-hit-kumamoto</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-forces-airlift-drinking-water-to-quake-hit-kumamoto</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said Monday that U.S. Forces Japan had airlifted drinking water to quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture the previous day, with its ambassador saying the country… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:06:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>U.S., forces, airlift, drinking, water, quake-hit, Kumamoto</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said Monday that U.S. Forces Japan had airlifted drinking water to quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture the previous day, with its ambassador saying the country…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Pearl Harbor attack witness, atomic bomb survivor reunite in Nagasaki</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/pearl-harbor-attack-witness-atomic-bomb-survivor-reunite-in-nagasaki</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/pearl-harbor-attack-witness-atomic-bomb-survivor-reunite-in-nagasaki</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A living witness to Japan&#039;s 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and a survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki reunited in the southwestern Japanese city… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:06:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Pearl, Harbor, attack, witness, atomic, bomb, survivor, reunite, Nagasaki</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A living witness to Japan's 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and a survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki reunited in the southwestern Japanese city…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan successfully launches H3 rocket carrying positioning satellite</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-successfully-launches-h3-rocket-carrying-positioning-satellite</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-successfully-launches-h3-rocket-carrying-positioning-satellite</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TANEGASHIMA, Japan (Kyodo) -- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Tuesday successfully launched an H3 rocket and put a positioning satellite int ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, successfully, launches, rocket, carrying, positioning, satellite</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TANEGASHIMA, Japan (Kyodo) -- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Tuesday successfully launched an H3 rocket and put a positioning satellite int]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan PM calls for free, safe passage of Hormuz in phone talks with Oman</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-calls-for-free-safe-passage-of-hormuz-in-phone-talks-with-oman</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-calls-for-free-safe-passage-of-hormuz-in-phone-talks-with-oman</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for the resumption of free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in phone talks ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, calls, for, free, safe, passage, Hormuz, phone, talks, with, Oman</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for the resumption of free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in phone talks]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Yosakoi Festival starts in Kochi with 18,000 dancers participating</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yosakoi-festival-starts-in-kochi-with-18000-dancers-participating</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yosakoi-festival-starts-in-kochi-with-18000-dancers-participating</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KOCHI (Kyodo) -- The Yosakoi Festival started Monday in the western Japanese city of Kochi, drawing about 18,000 dancers in 197 teams from inside and ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yosakoi, Festival, starts, Kochi, with, 18, 000, dancers, participating</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KOCHI (Kyodo) -- The Yosakoi Festival started Monday in the western Japanese city of Kochi, drawing about 18,000 dancers in 197 teams from inside and]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Climber traffic falls 30% in Japan&amp;apos;s bear&#45;hit Hokkaido, Tohoku</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/climber-traffic-falls-30-in-japans-bear-hit-hokkaido-tohoku</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/climber-traffic-falls-30-in-japans-bear-hit-hokkaido-tohoku</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Climber traffic fell more than 30 percent in northern Japan&#039;s Hokkaido and Tohoku regions between April and June compared with the sa ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Climber, traffic, falls, 30, Japans, bear-hit, Hokkaido, Tohoku</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Climber traffic fell more than 30 percent in northern Japan's Hokkaido and Tohoku regions between April and June compared with the sa]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s Bonbon Drop sticker craze spurring sellouts, fakes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-bonbon-drop-sticker-craze-spurring-sellouts-fakes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-bonbon-drop-sticker-craze-spurring-sellouts-fakes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Sticker trading that was popular among children decades ago is making a comeback in Japan, but this time with a new range leading the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, Bonbon, Drop, sticker, craze, spurring, sellouts, fakes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Sticker trading that was popular among children decades ago is making a comeback in Japan, but this time with a new range leading the]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What bracing activity is drawing people to Shipporyuji Temple?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-bracing-activity-is-drawing-people-to-shipporyuji-temple</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-bracing-activity-is-drawing-people-to-shipporyuji-temple</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 11 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What experience at Ship ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, bracing, activity, drawing, people, Shipporyuji, Temple</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 11 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What experience at Ship]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hundreds more flights are canceled as Tropical Storm Dolphin causes flooding in eastern China</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hundreds-more-flights-are-canceled-as-tropical-storm-dolphin-causes-flooding-in-eastern-china</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hundreds-more-flights-are-canceled-as-tropical-storm-dolphin-causes-flooding-in-eastern-china</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BEIJING (AP) -- Shanghai airports canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as Tropical Storm Dolphin dumped heavy rain in eastern China, causing floodin ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hundreds, more, flights, are, canceled, Tropical, Storm, Dolphin, causes, flooding, eastern, China</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BEIJING (AP) -- Shanghai airports canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as Tropical Storm Dolphin dumped heavy rain in eastern China, causing floodin]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Smartphone addiction&amp;apos;: Japanese teen logs 11 hours, 26 minutes a day amid school struggles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/smartphone-addiction-japanese-teen-logs-11-hours-26-minutes-a-day-amid-school-struggles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/smartphone-addiction-japanese-teen-logs-11-hours-26-minutes-a-day-amid-school-struggles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA -- The growing amount of time children spend online has become a social problem. Shiori (a pseudonym), a 14-year-old third-year junior high sch ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Smartphone, addiction:, Japanese, teen, logs, hours, minutes, day, amid, school, struggles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA -- The growing amount of time children spend online has become a social problem. Shiori (a pseudonym), a 14-year-old third-year junior high sch]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Typhoon may make landfall in eastern Japan Kanto region Tues. afternoon</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-may-make-landfall-in-eastern-japan-kanto-region-tues-afternoon</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-may-make-landfall-in-eastern-japan-kanto-region-tues-afternoon</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The weather agency said Tuesday that a typhoon may make landfall in east Japan&#039;s Kanto region including Tokyo this afternoon, warning ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:01:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Typhoon, may, make, landfall, eastern, Japan, Kanto, region, Tues., afternoon</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The weather agency said Tuesday that a typhoon may make landfall in east Japan's Kanto region including Tokyo this afternoon, warning]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Where is beloved mascot Myaku&#45;Myaku now after Osaka Expo?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/where-is-beloved-mascot-myaku-myaku-now-after-osaka-expo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/where-is-beloved-mascot-myaku-myaku-now-after-osaka-expo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about Myaku-Myaku, the beloved official mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, includi ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:53:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Where, beloved, mascot, Myaku-Myaku, now, after, Osaka, Expo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about Myaku-Myaku, the beloved official mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, includi]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Typhoon No. 15 set to hit Honshu</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-no-15-set-to-hit-honshu</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-no-15-set-to-hit-honshu</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Typhoon No. 15, following an unusual path, is expected to hit Japan&#039;s main island of Honshu on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast on Monday.
Residents in the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:42:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Typhoon, No., set, hit, Honshu</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Typhoon No. 15, following an unusual path, is expected to hit Japan's main island of Honshu on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast on Monday.
Residents in the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Myanmar rebuffs ASEAN&amp;apos;s call to free Aung San Suu Kyi and questions the need for an envoy</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/myanmar-rebuffs-aseans-call-to-free-aung-san-suu-kyi-and-questions-the-need-for-an-envoy</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/myanmar-rebuffs-aseans-call-to-free-aung-san-suu-kyi-and-questions-the-need-for-an-envoy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BANGKOK (AP) -- Myanmar&#039;s military-backed government has rejected the Association of Southeast Asian Nations&#039; renewed call for the unconditional relea ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:37:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Myanmar, rebuffs, ASEANs, call, free, Aung, San, Suu, Kyi, and, questions, the, need, for, envoy</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BANGKOK (AP) -- Myanmar's military-backed government has rejected the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' renewed call for the unconditional relea]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Student who escaped mall explosion after Kumamoto quake urges youths to pursue peace</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/student-who-escaped-mall-explosion-after-kumamoto-quake-urges-youths-to-pursue-peace</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/student-who-escaped-mall-explosion-after-kumamoto-quake-urges-youths-to-pursue-peace</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGASAKI -- A 15-year-old high school student from Kumamoto Prefecture who survived the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake while inside a shopping mall that ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:13:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Student, who, escaped, mall, explosion, after, Kumamoto, quake, urges, youths, pursue, peace</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGASAKI -- A 15-year-old high school student from Kumamoto Prefecture who survived the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake while inside a shopping mall that]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>20,000 &amp;apos;Pink Sigh&amp;apos; petunias leave visitors in awe at Mother Farm near Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/20000-pink-sigh-petunias-leave-visitors-in-awe-at-mother-farm-near-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/20000-pink-sigh-petunias-leave-visitors-in-awe-at-mother-farm-near-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ FUTTSU, Chiba -- A petunia cultivar called &quot;Momoiro Toiki,&quot; or &quot;Pink Sigh,&quot; is now in full bloom at Mother Farm, a tourist ranch in this eastern Japan ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>20, 000, Pink, Sigh, petunias, leave, visitors, awe, Mother, Farm, near, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[FUTTSU, Chiba -- A petunia cultivar called "Momoiro Toiki," or "Pink Sigh," is now in full bloom at Mother Farm, a tourist ranch in this eastern Japan]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s current account surplus grows 22.5% in 1st half</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-current-account-surplus-grows-225-in-1st-half</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-current-account-surplus-grows-225-in-1st-half</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s current account surplus in the first half of 2026 rose 22.5 percent from a year earlier to 17.43 trillion yen ($110 billion) ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, current, account, surplus, grows, 22.5, 1st, half</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's current account surplus in the first half of 2026 rose 22.5 percent from a year earlier to 17.43 trillion yen ($110 billion)]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks rise, Nikkei up 2%, on weak US nonfarm payrolls, tech gains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rise-nikkei-up-2-on-weak-us-nonfarm-payrolls-tech-gains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rise-nikkei-up-2-on-weak-us-nonfarm-payrolls-tech-gains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Monday, with the Nikkei stock index rising over 2 percent, as the release of weaker-than-expected U.S. nonfarm payr ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, rise, Nikkei, 2, weak, nonfarm, payrolls, tech, gains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Monday, with the Nikkei stock index rising over 2 percent, as the release of weaker-than-expected U.S. nonfarm payr]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Shanghai cancels at least 1,300 flights as Typhoon Dolphin hits China&amp;apos;s eastern coast</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shanghai-cancels-at-least-1300-flights-as-typhoon-dolphin-hits-chinas-eastern-coast</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shanghai-cancels-at-least-1300-flights-as-typhoon-dolphin-hits-chinas-eastern-coast</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BEIJING (AP) -- Typhoon Dolphin hit China&#039;s eastern coast on Sunday evening after forcing over 300,000 people to preemptively relocate and Shanghai&#039;s ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/10/20260810p2g00m0in014000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shanghai, cancels, least, 1, 300, flights, Typhoon, Dolphin, hits, Chinas, eastern, coast</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BEIJING (AP) -- Typhoon Dolphin hit China's eastern coast on Sunday evening after forcing over 300,000 people to preemptively relocate and Shanghai's]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-region</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-region</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BERLIN (AP) -- The heat waves roiling Western Europe this summer toppled an average temperature record for the June-July period set in 2022, according ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/10/20260810p2g00m0in016000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Western, Europe, sets, new, temperature, record, heat, waves, pummel, the, region</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BERLIN (AP) -- The heat waves roiling Western Europe this summer toppled an average temperature record for the June-July period set in 2022, according]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>BOJ policymaker urged faster rate hikes on inflation risks in July meeting</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-policymaker-urged-faster-rate-hikes-on-inflation-risks-in-july-meeting</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-policymaker-urged-faster-rate-hikes-on-inflation-risks-in-july-meeting</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Bank of Japan policymaker called for the central bank to consider speeding up the pace of interest rate hikes given upside risks to ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>BOJ, policymaker, urged, faster, rate, hikes, inflation, risks, July, meeting</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Bank of Japan policymaker called for the central bank to consider speeding up the pace of interest rate hikes given upside risks to]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Ghibli Park in central Japan to add facility featuring &amp;apos;Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ghibli-park-in-central-japan-to-add-facility-featuring-nausicaa-of-the-valley-of-the-wind</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ghibli-park-in-central-japan-to-add-facility-featuring-nausicaa-of-the-valley-of-the-wind</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA -- A new facility themed on Studio Ghibli&#039;s popular work &quot;Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind&quot; will be built at Ghibli Park, the Aichi Prefectur ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/10/20260810p2a00m0et009000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ghibli, Park, central, Japan, add, facility, featuring, Nausicaa, the, Valley, the, Wind</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA -- A new facility themed on Studio Ghibli's popular work "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" will be built at Ghibli Park, the Aichi Prefectur]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Editorial: Tokyo&amp;apos;s soaring cremation fees underscore need for action as Japan ages</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-tokyos-soaring-cremation-fees-underscore-need-for-action-as-japan-ages</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-tokyos-soaring-cremation-fees-underscore-need-for-action-as-japan-ages</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As aging of Japan&#039;s population advances, the number of people dying will continue to increase for the next decade or so. We need to think about how pe ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/10/20260810p2a00m0na013000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Tokyos, soaring, cremation, fees, underscore, need, for, action, Japan, ages</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As aging of Japan's population advances, the number of people dying will continue to increase for the next decade or so. We need to think about how pe]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>A&#45;bomb victims&amp;apos; group calls for world free of nukes on its 70th anniversary</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-bomb-victims-group-calls-for-world-free-of-nukes-on-its-70th-anniversary</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-bomb-victims-group-calls-for-world-free-of-nukes-on-its-70th-anniversary</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGASAKI (Kyodo) -- Nihon Hidankyo, Japan&#039;s leading group of atomic bomb survivors, renewed its pledge Monday to continue its efforts toward realizing ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>A-bomb, victims, group, calls, for, world, free, nukes, its, 70th, anniversary</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGASAKI (Kyodo) -- Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors, renewed its pledge Monday to continue its efforts toward realizing]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Capsule toys help protect forest in Nikko National Park</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-capsule-toys-help-protect-forest-in-nikko-national-park</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-capsule-toys-help-protect-forest-in-nikko-national-park</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A capsule toy machine that helps protect the forest has been installed at the Nasukogen Visitor Center in the town of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. For 1, ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/10/20260810p2a00m0li001000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Capsule, toys, help, protect, forest, Nikko, National, Park</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A capsule toy machine that helps protect the forest has been installed at the Nasukogen Visitor Center in the town of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. For 1,]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Landslide in Nagano left nearly 400 people temporarily stranded</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/landslide-in-nagano-left-nearly-400-people-temporarily-stranded</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/landslide-in-nagano-left-nearly-400-people-temporarily-stranded</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Local police in the central Japan prefecture of Nagano said Sunday that a temporary bridge had been set up to allow the 390 or so people temporarily stranded… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:02:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Landslide, Nagano, left, nearly, 400, people, temporarily, stranded</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Local police in the central Japan prefecture of Nagano said Sunday that a temporary bridge had been set up to allow the 390 or so people temporarily stranded…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan eyes enhancing Japanese language support for foreign children</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-eyes-enhancing-japanese-language-support-for-foreign-children</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-eyes-enhancing-japanese-language-support-for-foreign-children</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese government is expected to enhance support for beginner Japanese-language programs for children newly arrived from overseas, as the need for such education grows with the increasing… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, eyes, enhancing, Japanese, language, support, for, foreign, children</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese government is expected to enhance support for beginner Japanese-language programs for children newly arrived from overseas, as the need for such education grows with the increasing…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Reactor at Fukui nuclear plant shuts down after generator alarm</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/reactor-at-fukui-nuclear-plant-shuts-down-after-generator-alarm</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/reactor-at-fukui-nuclear-plant-shuts-down-after-generator-alarm</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ One of the reactors at the Oi nuclear complex in central Japan shut itself down after an alarm went off indicating a problem with a power generator, its… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:22:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Reactor, Fukui, nuclear, plant, shuts, down, after, generator, alarm</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[One of the reactors at the Oi nuclear complex in central Japan shut itself down after an alarm went off indicating a problem with a power generator, its…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Landslide in Nagano leaves nearly 400 people stranded</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/landslide-in-nagano-leaves-nearly-400-people-stranded</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/landslide-in-nagano-leaves-nearly-400-people-stranded</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A landslide that occurred Saturday night in Nagano Prefecture of Nagano has left around 390 people stranded, local police said.
No injuries related to the landslide, which cut… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:22:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Landslide, Nagano, leaves, nearly, 400, people, stranded</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A landslide that occurred Saturday night in Nagano Prefecture of Nagano has left around 390 people stranded, local police said.
No injuries related to the landslide, which cut…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Landslide in central Japan leaves nearly 400 people stranded</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/landslide-in-central-japan-leaves-nearly-400-people-stranded</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/landslide-in-central-japan-leaves-nearly-400-people-stranded</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGANO (Kyodo) -- A landslide that occurred Saturday night in the central Japan prefecture of Nagano has left around 390 people stranded, local police ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/09/20260809p2g00m0na010000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:09:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Landslide, central, Japan, leaves, nearly, 400, people, stranded</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGANO (Kyodo) -- A landslide that occurred Saturday night in the central Japan prefecture of Nagano has left around 390 people stranded, local police]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Retro Japan: Symmetry and asymmetry at Tokyo&amp;apos;s Yuzo Yamamoto museum</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/retro-japan-symmetry-and-asymmetry-at-tokyos-yuzo-yamamoto-museum</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/retro-japan-symmetry-and-asymmetry-at-tokyos-yuzo-yamamoto-museum</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A short walk west of Tokyo Metropolitan Inokashira Park, a distinctive Western-style residence comes into view: the Mitaka City Yuzo Yamamoto ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/05/20260805p2a00m0et004000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Retro, Japan:, Symmetry, and, asymmetry, Tokyos, Yuzo, Yamamoto, museum</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A short walk west of Tokyo Metropolitan Inokashira Park, a distinctive Western-style residence comes into view: the Mitaka City Yuzo Yamamoto]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>A&#45;bomb victims&amp;apos; group Hidankyo renews no&#45;nukes pledge ahead of 70th anniv.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-bomb-victims-group-hidankyo-renews-no-nukes-pledge-ahead-of-70th-anniv</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-bomb-victims-group-hidankyo-renews-no-nukes-pledge-ahead-of-70th-anniv</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGASAKI (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s leading organization of atomic bomb survivors on Saturday vowed to continue its campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons, as ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/09/20260809p2g00m0na001000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>A-bomb, victims, group, Hidankyo, renews, no-nukes, pledge, ahead, 70th, anniv.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGASAKI (Kyodo) -- Japan's leading organization of atomic bomb survivors on Saturday vowed to continue its campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons, as]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Iran&amp;apos;s leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/irans-leaders-think-they-have-trump-cornered-but-their-strategy-carries-great-risks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/irans-leaders-think-they-have-trump-cornered-but-their-strategy-carries-great-risks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ (AP) -- The Strait of Hormuz is, by some accounts, named for a Zoroastrian deity destined to emerge victorious after a 9,000-year standoff with an adv ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/09/20260809p2g00m0in003000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Irans, leaders, think, they, have, Trump, cornered, but, their, strategy, carries, great, risks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[(AP) -- The Strait of Hormuz is, by some accounts, named for a Zoroastrian deity destined to emerge victorious after a 9,000-year standoff with an adv]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Full text of Nagasaki Peace Declaration on 81st anniversary of atomic bombing</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-nagasaki-peace-declaration-on-81st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-nagasaki-peace-declaration-on-81st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGASAKI -- The following is the full text of the Nagasaki Peace Declaration read on Aug. 9 by Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki at a ceremony to mark 81 ye ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Full, text, Nagasaki, Peace, Declaration, 81st, anniversary, atomic, bombing</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGASAKI -- The following is the full text of the Nagasaki Peace Declaration read on Aug. 9 by Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki at a ceremony to mark 81 ye]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Full text of Pledge for Peace from A&#45;bomb survivor on 81st anniv. of Nagasaki bombing</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-pledge-for-peace-from-a-bomb-survivor-on-81st-anniv-of-nagasaki-bombing</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-pledge-for-peace-from-a-bomb-survivor-on-81st-anniv-of-nagasaki-bombing</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The following is a translation of the Pledge for Peace delivered by atomic bomb survivor representative Chiyoko Motomura on the 81st anniversary of th ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/09/20260809p2a00m0na006000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Full, text, Pledge, for, Peace, from, A-bomb, survivor, 81st, anniv., Nagasaki, bombing</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The following is a translation of the Pledge for Peace delivered by atomic bomb survivor representative Chiyoko Motomura on the 81st anniversary of th]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Kyushu Univ. team develops pumpkin&#45;peel film as alternative to naphtha&#45;derived packaging</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kyushu-univ-team-develops-pumpkin-peel-film-as-alternative-to-naphtha-derived-packaging</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kyushu-univ-team-develops-pumpkin-peel-film-as-alternative-to-naphtha-derived-packaging</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ FUKUOKA -- A Kyushu University research team has developed a naturally derived food-packaging film made from pumpkin peels, which they have confirmed ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/06/20260806p2a00m0sc069000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kyushu, Univ., team, develops, pumpkin-peel, film, alternative, naphtha-derived, packaging</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[FUKUOKA -- A Kyushu University research team has developed a naturally derived food-packaging film made from pumpkin peels, which they have confirmed]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Man moves to birthplace of Japan&amp;apos;s &amp;apos;matagi&amp;apos; hunters to carry on tradition</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/man-moves-to-birthplace-of-japans-matagi-hunters-to-carry-on-tradition</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/man-moves-to-birthplace-of-japans-matagi-hunters-to-carry-on-tradition</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KITAAKITA, Akita -- Drawn by the traditions of Japan&#039;s &quot;matagi&quot; hunters, a 33-year-old man has moved to the mountainous region in this northern Japan ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/06/20260806p2g00m0na019000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Man, moves, birthplace, Japans, matagi, hunters, carry, tradition</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KITAAKITA, Akita -- Drawn by the traditions of Japan's "matagi" hunters, a 33-year-old man has moved to the mountainous region in this northern Japan]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nagasaki warns of risk of nuclear war on 81st A&#45;bomb anniversary</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nagasaki-warns-of-risk-of-nuclear-war-on-81st-a-bomb-anniversary</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nagasaki-warns-of-risk-of-nuclear-war-on-81st-a-bomb-anniversary</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGASAKI (Kyodo) -- Nagasaki on Sunday warned nuclear powers and nations relying on nuclear deterrence of the increased risk of a war using nuclear we ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/09/20260809p2g00m0na005000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nagasaki, warns, risk, nuclear, war, 81st, A-bomb, anniversary</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGASAKI (Kyodo) -- Nagasaki on Sunday warned nuclear powers and nations relying on nuclear deterrence of the increased risk of a war using nuclear we]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Italia rail firm FS Italiane orders Hitachi trains for London&#45;Paris service</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/italia-rail-firm-fs-italiane-orders-hitachi-trains-for-london-paris-service</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/italia-rail-firm-fs-italiane-orders-hitachi-trains-for-london-paris-service</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ ROME (Kyodo) -- FS Italiane Group said Friday its Trenitalia railway operating unit will launch high-speed rail services between Paris and London in 2 ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/09/20260809p2g00m0bu007000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Italia, rail, firm, Italiane, orders, Hitachi, trains, for, London-Paris, service</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[ROME (Kyodo) -- FS Italiane Group said Friday its Trenitalia railway operating unit will launch high-speed rail services between Paris and London in 2]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Half of firms expect Japan&amp;apos;s economy to grow amid inflation concern</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/half-of-firms-expect-japans-economy-to-grow-amid-inflation-concern</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/half-of-firms-expect-japans-economy-to-grow-amid-inflation-concern</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- About half of major Japanese companies expect the domestic economy to grow in the year ahead, down from 70 percent six months ago, re ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Half, firms, expect, Japans, economy, grow, amid, inflation, concern</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- About half of major Japanese companies expect the domestic economy to grow in the year ahead, down from 70 percent six months ago, re]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Typhoon lashes southern Okinawa</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-lashes-southern-okinawa</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-lashes-southern-okinawa</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Typhoon No. 13 lashed Japan&#039;s southern Okinawa Prefecture on Saturday, injuring five people and cutting power ‌to 14,000 buildings.
The storm was about 160 km northwest of Kume… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:10:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Typhoon, lashes, southern, Okinawa</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Typhoon No. 13 lashed Japan's southern Okinawa Prefecture on Saturday, injuring five people and cutting power ‌to 14,000 buildings.
The storm was about 160 km northwest of Kume…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>News in Easy English: Kumamoto farmer happy Filipino interns are safe after major quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-kumamoto-farmer-happy-filipino-interns-are-safe-after-major-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-kumamoto-farmer-happy-filipino-interns-are-safe-after-major-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIKAWA, Kumamoto -- Two Filipino technical interns were safe after a strong earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28. Their host farmer cried wit ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>News, Easy, English:, Kumamoto, farmer, happy, Filipino, interns, are, safe, after, major, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIKAWA, Kumamoto -- Two Filipino technical interns were safe after a strong earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28. Their host farmer cried wit]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What hit video game ended up as rice paddy art in Japan?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-hit-video-game-ended-up-as-rice-paddy-art-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-hit-video-game-ended-up-as-rice-paddy-art-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 8 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What global hit video ga ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, hit, video, game, ended, rice, paddy, art, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 8 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What global hit video ga]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan gov&amp;apos;t mulls cost&#45;sharing among private firms for oil bypassing Hormuz</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-mulls-cost-sharing-among-private-firms-for-oil-bypassing-hormuz</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-mulls-cost-sharing-among-private-firms-for-oil-bypassing-hormuz</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese industry ministry said Friday it is considering creating a system for oil wholesalers and trading firms to share the ext ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, govt, mulls, cost-sharing, among, private, firms, for, oil, bypassing, Hormuz</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese industry ministry said Friday it is considering creating a system for oil wholesalers and trading firms to share the ext]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Over 1,200 disaster relief volunteers enter quake&#45;hit Kumamoto</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/over-1200-disaster-relief-volunteers-enter-quake-hit-kumamoto</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/over-1200-disaster-relief-volunteers-enter-quake-hit-kumamoto</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- Over 1,200 disaster relief volunteers have entered quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture since municipalities started accepting the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Over, 1, 200, disaster, relief, volunteers, enter, quake-hit, Kumamoto</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- Over 1,200 disaster relief volunteers have entered quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture since municipalities started accepting the]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How Saitama&amp;apos;s early English education made it Japan&amp;apos;s top junior high school performer</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-saitamas-early-english-education-made-it-japans-top-junior-high-school-performer</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-saitamas-early-english-education-made-it-japans-top-junior-high-school-performer</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SAITAMA -- Could the secret to improving English proficiency lie in fostering an &quot;English brain&quot; from elementary school years? In a recent education m ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, Saitamas, early, English, education, made, Japans, top, junior, high, school, performer</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SAITAMA -- Could the secret to improving English proficiency lie in fostering an "English brain" from elementary school years? In a recent education m]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Japan&amp;apos;s highest&amp;apos; art project opens for climbers along Mt. Fuji&amp;apos;s Subashiri Trail</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-highest-art-project-opens-for-climbers-along-mt-fujis-subashiri-trail</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-highest-art-project-opens-for-climbers-along-mt-fujis-subashiri-trail</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ OYAMA, Shizuoka -- An art project that lets climbers view works at shrines and mountain huts along Mount Fuji&#039;s Subashiri Trail has opened in this eas ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, highest, art, project, opens, for, climbers, along, Mt., Fujis, Subashiri, Trail</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[OYAMA, Shizuoka -- An art project that lets climbers view works at shrines and mountain huts along Mount Fuji's Subashiri Trail has opened in this eas]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan lodges protest with S. Korea over marine survey near disputed islets</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-lodges-protest-with-s-korea-over-marine-survey-near-disputed-islets</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-lodges-protest-with-s-korea-over-marine-survey-near-disputed-islets</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s Foreign Ministry lodged a protest with South Korea on Friday over suspected maritime research near islets in the Sea of Japan ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, lodges, protest, with, Korea, over, marine, survey, near, disputed, islets</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Foreign Ministry lodged a protest with South Korea on Friday over suspected maritime research near islets in the Sea of Japan]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Caskets with anti&#45;China messages appear in Manila, Beijing protests</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/caskets-with-anti-china-messages-appear-in-manila-beijing-protests</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/caskets-with-anti-china-messages-appear-in-manila-beijing-protests</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ MANILA (Kyodo) -- Five caskets bearing anti-China messages turned up in Manila and elsewhere in the metropolitan region, including one near the Chines ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Caskets, with, anti-China, messages, appear, Manila, Beijing, protests</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[MANILA (Kyodo) -- Five caskets bearing anti-China messages turned up in Manila and elsewhere in the metropolitan region, including one near the Chines]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Eastern China braces for Typhoon Dolphin, shutting schools and tourist activities</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/eastern-china-braces-for-typhoon-dolphin-shutting-schools-and-tourist-activities</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/eastern-china-braces-for-typhoon-dolphin-shutting-schools-and-tourist-activities</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BEIJING (AP) -- Authorities in eastern China shut schools and tourist sites as Typhoon Dolphin made its way towards land on Saturday.The storm&#039;s maxim ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Eastern, China, braces, for, Typhoon, Dolphin, shutting, schools, and, tourist, activities</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BEIJING (AP) -- Authorities in eastern China shut schools and tourist sites as Typhoon Dolphin made its way towards land on Saturday.The storm's maxim]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan sets &amp;quot;voice rights&amp;quot; guideline to target unauthorized AI use</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sets-voice-rights-guideline-to-target-unauthorized-ai-use</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sets-voice-rights-guideline-to-target-unauthorized-ai-use</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The voices of Japanese celebrities and voice actors should be protected under expanded publicity rights as they are symbols of their ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, sets, voice, rights, guideline, target, unauthorized, use</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The voices of Japanese celebrities and voice actors should be protected under expanded publicity rights as they are symbols of their]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s food self&#45;sufficiency rate falls to record low 37% in FY2025</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-food-self-sufficiency-rate-falls-to-record-low-37-in-fy2025</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-food-self-sufficiency-rate-falls-to-record-low-37-in-fy2025</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s food self-sufficiency rate on a caloric intake basis reached a record low 37 percent in the fiscal year that ended March, marking a decline for the first… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:02:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's food self-sufficiency rate on a caloric intake basis reached a record low 37 percent in the fiscal year that ended March, marking a decline for the first…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>All 4 penguins kept at northeastern Japan zoo die of avian malaria</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/all-4-penguins-kept-at-northeastern-japan-zoo-die-of-avian-malaria</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/all-4-penguins-kept-at-northeastern-japan-zoo-die-of-avian-malaria</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ All four Humboldt penguins that were being kept at a zoo in northeastern Japan and died one after the other last month were found to have died from… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:02:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>All, penguins, kept, northeastern, Japan, zoo, die, avian, malaria</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[All four Humboldt penguins that were being kept at a zoo in northeastern Japan and died one after the other last month were found to have died from…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s Reiwa Shinsengumi political party to change name to &amp;apos;party of life&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-reiwa-shinsengumi-political-party-to-change-name-to-party-of-life</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-reiwa-shinsengumi-political-party-to-change-name-to-party-of-life</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- The small Japanese opposition party Reiwa Shinsengumi decided Aug. 6 to change its name to Inochi no To, or &quot;party of life,&quot; in an effort to ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:49:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, Reiwa, Shinsengumi, political, party, change, name, party, life</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- The small Japanese opposition party Reiwa Shinsengumi decided Aug. 6 to change its name to Inochi no To, or "party of life," in an effort to]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s food self&#45;sufficiency rate falls to record low 37% in FY 2025</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-food-self-sufficiency-rate-falls-to-record-low-37-in-fy-2025</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-food-self-sufficiency-rate-falls-to-record-low-37-in-fy-2025</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s food self-sufficiency rate on a caloric intake basis reached a record low 37 percent in the fiscal year that ended March, mar ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:41:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, food, self-sufficiency, rate, falls, record, low, 37, 2025</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's food self-sufficiency rate on a caloric intake basis reached a record low 37 percent in the fiscal year that ended March, mar]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan orders evacuations as typhoon approaches, cancels 500 flights</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-orders-evacuations-as-typhoon-approaches-cancels-500-flights</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-orders-evacuations-as-typhoon-approaches-cancels-500-flights</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Hundreds of thousands of people in southwestern Japan were ‌ordered to evacuate and more than 500 flights canceled on Friday as slow-moving Typhoon No. 13 approached ‌the region… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:38:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hundreds of thousands of people in southwestern Japan were ‌ordered to evacuate and more than 500 flights canceled on Friday as slow-moving Typhoon No. 13 approached ‌the region…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan researchers confirm 33&#45;kilometer surface rupture after Kumamoto quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-researchers-confirm-33-kilometer-surface-rupture-after-kumamoto-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-researchers-confirm-33-kilometer-surface-rupture-after-kumamoto-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A research team has confirmed ground-surface displacement stretching about 33 kilometers along a fault zone after the Kumamoto earthquake on ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:25:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, researchers, confirm, 33-kilometer, surface, rupture, after, Kumamoto, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A research team has confirmed ground-surface displacement stretching about 33 kilometers along a fault zone after the Kumamoto earthquake on]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Student kills at least 6 in a shooting at a high school in Thailand, authorities say</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/student-kills-at-least-6-in-a-shooting-at-a-high-school-in-thailand-authorities-say</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/student-kills-at-least-6-in-a-shooting-at-a-high-school-in-thailand-authorities-say</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) -- A student shot several people at a high school outside Bangkok on Friday, killing at least six people and wounding severa ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:09:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Student, kills, least, shooting, high, school, Thailand, authorities, say</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) -- A student shot several people at a high school outside Bangkok on Friday, killing at least six people and wounding severa]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-largest-online-flea-market-reminds-users-that-selling-used-school-swimsuits-is-prohibited</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-largest-online-flea-market-reminds-users-that-selling-used-school-swimsuits-is-prohibited</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Mercari is Japan’s largest online flea market, a place where individual sellers offer an extremely wide range of new and used items. It’s not just collectibles that Mercari… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:06:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[Mercari is Japan’s largest online flea market, a place where individual sellers offer an extremely wide range of new and used items. It’s not just collectibles that Mercari…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Court orders Instagram and Facebook&amp;apos;s Meta to pay $567M to address kids&amp;apos; mental health online</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/court-orders-instagram-and-facebooks-meta-to-pay-567m-to-address-kids-mental-health-online</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/court-orders-instagram-and-facebooks-meta-to-pay-567m-to-address-kids-mental-health-online</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- A New Mexico court has ordered Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- A New Mexico court has ordered Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks open lower on tech losses, Softbank earnings</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-open-lower-on-tech-losses-softbank-earnings</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-open-lower-on-tech-losses-softbank-earnings</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Friday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street and dragged down by heavyweight technology shares, while S ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, open, lower, tech, losses, Softbank, earnings</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Friday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street and dragged down by heavyweight technology shares, while S]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan spent record 6.28 tril. yen in forex intervention on April 30</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-spent-record-628-tril-yen-in-forex-intervention-on-april-30</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-spent-record-628-tril-yen-in-forex-intervention-on-april-30</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese authorities spent a single-day record of 6.28 trillion yen ($40 billion) in a dollar-selling, yen-buying intervention on Apr ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, spent, record, 6.28, tril., yen, forex, intervention, April</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese authorities spent a single-day record of 6.28 trillion yen ($40 billion) in a dollar-selling, yen-buying intervention on Apr]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japan&amp;apos;s household spending in June falls 3.3% on year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-household-spending-in-june-falls-33-on-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-household-spending-in-june-falls-33-on-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s household spending in June fell a real 3.3 percent from a year earlier, marking the seventh consecutive monthly drop, partly ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, household, spending, June, falls, 3.3, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's household spending in June fell a real 3.3 percent from a year earlier, marking the seventh consecutive monthly drop, partly]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Typhoon Dolphin heads west bringing strong winds to Okinawa, Amami&#45;Oshima area</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-dolphin-heads-west-bringing-strong-winds-to-okinawa-amami-oshima-area</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-dolphin-heads-west-bringing-strong-winds-to-okinawa-amami-oshima-area</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ FUKUOKA -- Typhoon Dolphin, a large and strong tropical storm and the 13th of the year, moved west on the morning of Aug. 7, bringing the main island ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Typhoon, Dolphin, heads, west, bringing, strong, winds, Okinawa, Amami-Oshima, area</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[FUKUOKA -- Typhoon Dolphin, a large and strong tropical storm and the 13th of the year, moved west on the morning of Aug. 7, bringing the main island]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>&amp;apos;Pray for rain&amp;apos;: Canal damage threatens Japan&amp;apos;s top tomato belt in Kumamoto Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/pray-for-rain-canal-damage-threatens-japans-top-tomato-belt-in-kumamoto-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/pray-for-rain-canal-damage-threatens-japans-top-tomato-belt-in-kumamoto-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ YATSUSHIRO, Kumamoto -- Tomato growers in this quake-struck city, Japan&#039;s top tomato-producing area, face the prospect of being unable to grow their c ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Pray, for, rain:, Canal, damage, threatens, Japans, top, tomato, belt, Kumamoto, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[YATSUSHIRO, Kumamoto -- Tomato growers in this quake-struck city, Japan's top tomato-producing area, face the prospect of being unable to grow their c]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Baseball: Yoshida hits RBI double as Red Sox win 8th straight</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-yoshida-hits-rbi-double-as-red-sox-win-8th-straight</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-yoshida-hits-rbi-double-as-red-sox-win-8th-straight</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BOSTON (Kyodo) -- Masataka Yoshida collected two hits and drove in a run as the Boston Red Sox walked off the Chicago White Sox 12-11 in 13 innings on ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Yoshida, hits, RBI, double, Red, Sox, win, 8th, straight</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BOSTON (Kyodo) -- Masataka Yoshida collected two hits and drove in a run as the Boston Red Sox walked off the Chicago White Sox 12-11 in 13 innings on]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Airport closes in Okinawa as Typhoon Dolphin hits parts of southern Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/airport-closes-in-okinawa-as-typhoon-dolphin-hits-parts-of-southern-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/airport-closes-in-okinawa-as-typhoon-dolphin-hits-parts-of-southern-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (AP) -- Typhoon Dolphin moved over Japan&#039;s southern remote islands Friday, causing a main airport on Okinawa to close and grounding all flights ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Airport, closes, Okinawa, Typhoon, Dolphin, hits, parts, southern, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (AP) -- Typhoon Dolphin moved over Japan's southern remote islands Friday, causing a main airport on Okinawa to close and grounding all flights]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: Defense Minister Koizumi&amp;apos;s remarks trample on Japan&amp;apos;s nonnuclear principles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-defense-minister-koizumis-remarks-trample-on-japans-nonnuclear-principles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-defense-minister-koizumis-remarks-trample-on-japans-nonnuclear-principles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi recently spoke on the subject of nuclear weapons, saying, &quot;Japan must debate all policy measures without taboo and a ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Defense, Minister, Koizumis, remarks, trample, Japans, nonnuclear, principles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi recently spoke on the subject of nuclear weapons, saying, "Japan must debate all policy measures without taboo and a]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: 25 cats rescued from Kumamoto shop arrive in Hiroshima</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-25-cats-rescued-from-kumamoto-shop-arrive-in-hiroshima</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-25-cats-rescued-from-kumamoto-shop-arrive-in-hiroshima</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Twenty-five cats from a cat cafe in Aeon Mall Kumamoto in the town of Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, where an explosion occurred after the Kumamoto ear ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, cats, rescued, from, Kumamoto, shop, arrive, Hiroshima</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Twenty-five cats from a cat cafe in Aeon Mall Kumamoto in the town of Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, where an explosion occurred after the Kumamoto ear]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>First female umpire takes the field at Japan&amp;apos;s summer Koshien HS baseball tourney</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/first-female-umpire-takes-the-field-at-japans-summer-koshien-hs-baseball-tourney</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/first-female-umpire-takes-the-field-at-japans-summer-koshien-hs-baseball-tourney</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo -- Maki Morita became the first female umpire to call a spring or summer Koshien high school baseball tournament game in Japan, ser ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:37:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>First, female, umpire, takes, the, field, Japans, summer, Koshien, baseball, tourney</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo -- Maki Morita became the first female umpire to call a spring or summer Koshien high school baseball tournament game in Japan, ser]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What wave is washing through Japan&amp;apos;s classrooms in AI age?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-wave-is-washing-through-japans-classrooms-in-ai-age</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-wave-is-washing-through-japans-classrooms-in-ai-age</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 6 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What growing problem are ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, wave, washing, through, Japans, classrooms, age</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 6 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What growing problem are]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Drawings of children&amp;apos;s faces greet visitors at Hiroshima picture book exhibition</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/drawings-of-childrens-faces-greet-visitors-at-hiroshima-picture-book-exhibition</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/drawings-of-childrens-faces-greet-visitors-at-hiroshima-picture-book-exhibition</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA -- More than 70 children&#039;s faces cover an entire wall at an exhibition in this western Japan city featuring original artwork and preparatory ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Drawings, childrens, faces, greet, visitors, Hiroshima, picture, book, exhibition</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA -- More than 70 children's faces cover an entire wall at an exhibition in this western Japan city featuring original artwork and preparatory]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Baseball: Ohtani homers twice in Dodgers&amp;apos; loss to Cubs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ohtani-homers-twice-in-dodgers-loss-to-cubs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ohtani-homers-twice-in-dodgers-loss-to-cubs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHICAGO (Kyodo) -- Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs for the first time this season, but the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered their sixth consecutive defeat ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Ohtani, homers, twice, Dodgers, loss, Cubs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHICAGO (Kyodo) -- Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs for the first time this season, but the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered their sixth consecutive defeat]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Editorial: 81 yrs since Hiroshima A&#45;bomb, can a world freed of nuclear weapons be realized?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-81-yrs-since-hiroshima-a-bomb-can-a-world-freed-of-nuclear-weapons-be-realized</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-81-yrs-since-hiroshima-a-bomb-can-a-world-freed-of-nuclear-weapons-be-realized</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ On the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima -- the first use of a nuclear weapon in war -- we should ask: Can a world without nuclear w ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, yrs, since, Hiroshima, A-bomb, can, world, freed, nuclear, weapons, realized</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[On the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima -- the first use of a nuclear weapon in war -- we should ask: Can a world without nuclear w]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Full text of Hiroshima governor&amp;apos;s Peace Message on 81st anniversary of atomic bombing</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-hiroshima-governors-peace-message-on-81st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-hiroshima-governors-peace-message-on-81st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA -- The following is the full text of the Peace Message read on Aug. 6 by Hiroshima Gov. Mika Yokota at a ceremony to mark 81 years since the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Full, text, Hiroshima, governors, Peace, Message, 81st, anniversary, atomic, bombing</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA -- The following is the full text of the Peace Message read on Aug. 6 by Hiroshima Gov. Mika Yokota at a ceremony to mark 81 years since the]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Full text of Hiroshima Peace Declaration on 81st anniversary of atomic bombing</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-hiroshima-peace-declaration-on-81st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/full-text-of-hiroshima-peace-declaration-on-81st-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA -- The following is the full text of the Peace Declaration read on Aug. 6 by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at a ceremony to mark 81 years si ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Full, text, Hiroshima, Peace, Declaration, 81st, anniversary, atomic, bombing</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA -- The following is the full text of the Peace Declaration read on Aug. 6 by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at a ceremony to mark 81 years si]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Hiroshima urges leaders to abolish nuclear weapons on 81st A&#45;bomb anniv.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hiroshima-urges-leaders-to-abolish-nuclear-weapons-on-81st-a-bomb-anniv</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hiroshima-urges-leaders-to-abolish-nuclear-weapons-on-81st-a-bomb-anniv</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Hiroshima on Thursday urged world leaders to abolish nuclear weapons amid rising global tensions, as the city marked the 81st ann ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hiroshima, urges, leaders, abolish, nuclear, weapons, 81st, A-bomb, anniv.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Hiroshima on Thursday urged world leaders to abolish nuclear weapons amid rising global tensions, as the city marked the 81st ann]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Yoroku: Japan should remember lessons of anti&#45;nuke &amp;apos;Shimoda Case&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yoroku-japan-should-remember-lessons-of-anti-nuke-shimoda-case</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yoroku-japan-should-remember-lessons-of-anti-nuke-shimoda-case</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The &quot;Shimoda Case&quot; is the internationally recognized name for the 1963 Tokyo District Court ruling that, for the first time in the world, declared the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yoroku:, Japan, should, remember, lessons, anti-nuke, Shimoda, Case</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The "Shimoda Case" is the internationally recognized name for the 1963 Tokyo District Court ruling that, for the first time in the world, declared the]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Takaichi avoids clearly pledging Japan will maintain nonnuclear principles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/takaichi-avoids-clearly-pledging-japan-will-maintain-nonnuclear-principles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/takaichi-avoids-clearly-pledging-japan-will-maintain-nonnuclear-principles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday failed to explicitly pledge that Japan will maintain its nonnuclear principles, simply ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Takaichi, avoids, clearly, pledging, Japan, will, maintain, nonnuclear, principles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday failed to explicitly pledge that Japan will maintain its nonnuclear principles, simply]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Woman arrested for canceling over 2,000 orders on manga publisher&amp;apos;s site in Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/woman-arrested-for-canceling-over-2000-orders-on-manga-publishers-site-in-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/woman-arrested-for-canceling-over-2000-orders-on-manga-publishers-site-in-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A woman has been arrested on suspicion of obstruction of business after placing and canceling orders &quot;over 2,000 times&quot; on major mang ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Woman, arrested, for, canceling, over, 2, 000, orders, manga, publishers, site, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A woman has been arrested on suspicion of obstruction of business after placing and canceling orders "over 2,000 times" on major mang]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Claims of manmade quake spread online after southwestern Japan disaster</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/claims-of-manmade-quake-spread-online-after-southwestern-japan-disaster</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/claims-of-manmade-quake-spread-online-after-southwestern-japan-disaster</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Claims that the recent magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck southwestern Japan was manmade have been spreading online, with experts dismissing the theory as unrealistic in technological, financial and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:02:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Claims, manmade, quake, spread, online, after, southwestern, Japan, disaster</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Claims that the recent magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck southwestern Japan was manmade have been spreading online, with experts dismissing the theory as unrealistic in technological, financial and…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Apparel firm requires staff to carry valuables after Kumamoto mall deaths</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/apparel-firm-requires-staff-to-carry-valuables-after-kumamoto-mall-deaths</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/apparel-firm-requires-staff-to-carry-valuables-after-kumamoto-mall-deaths</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese apparel group Onward Holdings Co said Wednesday it will require store employees nationwide to carry essential personal items at all times, after three workers died retrieving such… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Apparel, firm, requires, staff, carry, valuables, after, Kumamoto, mall, deaths</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese apparel group Onward Holdings Co said Wednesday it will require store employees nationwide to carry essential personal items at all times, after three workers died retrieving such…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Hiroshima urges leaders to abolish nuclear weapons on 81st A&#45;bomb anniversary</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hiroshima-urges-leaders-to-abolish-nuclear-weapons-on-81st-a-bomb-anniversary</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hiroshima-urges-leaders-to-abolish-nuclear-weapons-on-81st-a-bomb-anniversary</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Hiroshima on Thursday urged world leaders to abolish nuclear weapons amid rising global tensions, as the city marked the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing, lamenting their… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:02:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hiroshima, urges, leaders, abolish, nuclear, weapons, 81st, A-bomb, anniversary</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hiroshima on Thursday urged world leaders to abolish nuclear weapons amid rising global tensions, as the city marked the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing, lamenting their…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Dory Funk Jr., US professional wrestling legend, dies at 85</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dory-funk-jr-us-professional-wrestling-legend-dies-at-85-64487</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dory-funk-jr-us-professional-wrestling-legend-dies-at-85-64487</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Dory Funk Jr., an American professional wrestler who also gained popularity in Japan as one half of a tag team with his late broth ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:57:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dory, Funk, Jr., professional, wrestling, legend, dies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Dory Funk Jr., an American professional wrestler who also gained popularity in Japan as one half of a tag team with his late broth]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Late mystery author Higashino&amp;apos;s new Galileo series novel goes on sale</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/late-mystery-author-higashinos-new-galileo-series-novel-goes-on-sale</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/late-mystery-author-higashinos-new-galileo-series-novel-goes-on-sale</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A new novel in Keigo Higashino&#039;s best-selling Galileo mystery series went on sale Wednesday, less than two weeks after the hugely pop ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:57:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Late, mystery, author, Higashinos, new, Galileo, series, novel, goes, sale</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A new novel in Keigo Higashino's best-selling Galileo mystery series went on sale Wednesday, less than two weeks after the hugely pop]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Dory Funk Jr., U.S. professional wrestling legend, dies at 85</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dory-funk-jr-us-professional-wrestling-legend-dies-at-85</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dory-funk-jr-us-professional-wrestling-legend-dies-at-85</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Dory Funk Jr., an American professional wrestler who also gained popularity in Japan as one half of a tag team with his late broth ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:41:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dory, Funk, Jr., U.S., professional, wrestling, legend, dies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Dory Funk Jr., an American professional wrestler who also gained popularity in Japan as one half of a tag team with his late broth]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Memorial service held in Hiroshima for Korean victims of 1945 A&#45;bomb</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/memorial-service-held-in-hiroshima-for-korean-victims-of-1945-a-bomb</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/memorial-service-held-in-hiroshima-for-korean-victims-of-1945-a-bomb</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- A memorial service for Korean victims of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima was held Wednesday in the western Japan city, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:33:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Memorial, service, held, Hiroshima, for, Korean, victims, 1945, A-bomb</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- A memorial service for Korean victims of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima was held Wednesday in the western Japan city,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan temple in quake&#45;hit area opens pool to children deprived of summer fun</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-temple-in-quake-hit-area-opens-pool-to-children-deprived-of-summer-fun</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-temple-in-quake-hit-area-opens-pool-to-children-deprived-of-summer-fun</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIKAWA, Kumamoto -- A temple in this disaster-hit town is opening its own plastic pool on its grounds to children every day, offering them a moment of ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:25:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, temple, quake-hit, area, opens, pool, children, deprived, summer, fun</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIKAWA, Kumamoto -- A temple in this disaster-hit town is opening its own plastic pool on its grounds to children every day, offering them a moment of]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s Ehime University develops filter enabling blood tests with eye drop&#45;sized samples</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ehime-university-develops-filter-enabling-blood-tests-with-eye-drop-sized-samples</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ehime-university-develops-filter-enabling-blood-tests-with-eye-drop-sized-samples</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SHIKOKUCHUO, Ehime -- A research group from Ehime University&#039;s Paper Industry Innovation Center in this western Japan city and its Graduate School of ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:25:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, Ehime, University, develops, filter, enabling, blood, tests, with, eye, drop-sized, samples</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SHIKOKUCHUO, Ehime -- A research group from Ehime University's Paper Industry Innovation Center in this western Japan city and its Graduate School of]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Children in Chiba Prefecture watch a whale being cut up</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-children-in-chiba-prefecture-watch-a-whale-being-cut-up</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-children-in-chiba-prefecture-watch-a-whale-being-cut-up</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A Baird&#039;s beaked whale has been landed at Wada fishing port in the city of Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture. Forty fifth grade students from the municipal ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:09:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Children, Chiba, Prefecture, watch, whale, being, cut</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A Baird's beaked whale has been landed at Wada fishing port in the city of Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture. Forty fifth grade students from the municipal]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan proposes tougher income, pension rules for permanent residency</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-proposes-tougher-income-pension-rules-for-permanent-residency</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-proposes-tougher-income-pension-rules-for-permanent-residency</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s immigration agency on Tuesday proposed tougher requirements for granting permanent residency to foreigners, including requiring applicants to maintain income above the average for Japanese households and a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:06:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, proposes, tougher, income, pension, rules, for, permanent, residency</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's immigration agency on Tuesday proposed tougher requirements for granting permanent residency to foreigners, including requiring applicants to maintain income above the average for Japanese households and a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Depopulating Japan gives bears room to roam, pushes policy shifts to cull</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/depopulating-japan-gives-bears-room-to-roam-pushes-policy-shifts-to-cull</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/depopulating-japan-gives-bears-room-to-roam-pushes-policy-shifts-to-cull</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As Japan&#039;s rural communities hollow out and its forests reclaim abandoned farmland, bears have moved in -- and moved closer to people. As a result, a record 238… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:06:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Depopulating, Japan, gives, bears, room, roam, pushes, policy, shifts, cull</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As Japan's rural communities hollow out and its forests reclaim abandoned farmland, bears have moved in -- and moved closer to people. As a result, a record 238…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Nikkei rises over 3% after Bessent says US&#45;Iran deal is near</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-rises-over-3-after-bessent-says-us-iran-deal-is-near</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-rises-over-3-after-bessent-says-us-iran-deal-is-near</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index jumped over 3 percent early Wednesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street after U.S. Treasury Secretary S ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nikkei, rises, over, after, Bessent, says, US-Iran, deal, near</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index jumped over 3 percent early Wednesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street after U.S. Treasury Secretary S]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan real wages in June rise for 6th straight month on summer bonuses</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-real-wages-in-june-rise-for-6th-straight-month-on-summer-bonuses</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-real-wages-in-june-rise-for-6th-straight-month-on-summer-bonuses</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s real wages in June rose 1.6 percent from a year earlier, increasing for the sixth straight month in the longest positive stre ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, real, wages, June, rise, for, 6th, straight, month, summer, bonuses</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's real wages in June rose 1.6 percent from a year earlier, increasing for the sixth straight month in the longest positive stre]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>This summer isn&amp;apos;t breaking heat records &#45;&#45; yet. Wait until El Nino kicks in, scientists say</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/this-summer-isnt-breaking-heat-records-yet-wait-until-el-nino-kicks-in-scientists-say</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/this-summer-isnt-breaking-heat-records-yet-wait-until-el-nino-kicks-in-scientists-say</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ (AP) -- Wildfires are burning in North America and Europe. Deadly heat waves have parked over cities and the world&#039;s oceans are the hottest ever recor ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>This, summer, isnt, breaking, heat, records, yet., Wait, until, Nino, kicks, in, scientists, say</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[(AP) -- Wildfires are burning in North America and Europe. Deadly heat waves have parked over cities and the world's oceans are the hottest ever recor]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Man dies in rare fatal police shooting in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/man-dies-in-rare-fatal-police-shooting-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/man-dies-in-rare-fatal-police-shooting-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ OSAKA (Kyodo) -- A man who was reportedly covered in blood and wielding a kitchen knife died after being shot by police in Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Man, dies, rare, fatal, police, shooting, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[OSAKA (Kyodo) -- A man who was reportedly covered in blood and wielding a kitchen knife died after being shot by police in Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>University of Tokyo suspends professor over &amp;apos;Tiananmen code&amp;apos; embedded in website</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/university-of-tokyo-suspends-professor-over-tiananmen-code-embedded-in-website</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/university-of-tokyo-suspends-professor-over-tiananmen-code-embedded-in-website</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- The University of Tokyo announced on Aug. 4 that it had taken disciplinary action against a professor in their 60s for embedding &quot;Tiananmen c ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>University, Tokyo, suspends, professor, over, Tiananmen, code, embedded, website</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- The University of Tokyo announced on Aug. 4 that it had taken disciplinary action against a professor in their 60s for embedding "Tiananmen c]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Trump administration will close 5 smaller US consulates in Africa, Asia and the Western Hemisphere</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-administration-will-close-5-smaller-us-consulates-in-africa-asia-and-the-western-hemisphere</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-administration-will-close-5-smaller-us-consulates-in-africa-asia-and-the-western-hemisphere</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump&#039;s administration has informed Congress that it intends to close five smaller U.S. embassies, consulates and ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, administration, will, close, smaller, consulates, Africa, Asia, and, the, Western, Hemisphere</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's administration has informed Congress that it intends to close five smaller U.S. embassies, consulates and]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>SpaceX posts loss in first report as a public company but less than expected</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/spacex-posts-loss-in-first-report-as-a-public-company-but-less-than-expected</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/spacex-posts-loss-in-first-report-as-a-public-company-but-less-than-expected</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (AP) -- SpaceX reported a smaller loss than Wall Street expected along with a surge in revenue in its first quarterly report as a public comp ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>SpaceX, posts, loss, first, report, public, company, but, less, than, expected</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (AP) -- SpaceX reported a smaller loss than Wall Street expected along with a surge in revenue in its first quarterly report as a public comp]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>US joined Japan&amp;apos;s currency intervention for stability of Asia: Bessent</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-joined-japans-currency-intervention-for-stability-of-asia-bessent</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-joined-japans-currency-intervention-for-stability-of-asia-bessent</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States sees the substantial undervaluation of the Japanese yen as a serious risk to economic stability in Asia, Treas ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>joined, Japans, currency, intervention, for, stability, Asia:, Bessent</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States sees the substantial undervaluation of the Japanese yen as a serious risk to economic stability in Asia, Treas]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>N. Korea condemns Japan&amp;apos;s recent test&#45;firing of Tomahawk cruise missile</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korea-condemns-japans-recent-test-firing-of-tomahawk-cruise-missile</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korea-condemns-japans-recent-test-firing-of-tomahawk-cruise-missile</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BEIJING (Kyodo) -- The powerful younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has condemned Japan&#039;s recent test-firing of a Tomahawk cruise missil ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Korea, condemns, Japans, recent, test-firing, Tomahawk, cruise, missile</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BEIJING (Kyodo) -- The powerful younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has condemned Japan's recent test-firing of a Tomahawk cruise missil]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Editorial: Japan needs basic economic policy review, not reliance on US, to stop yen&amp;apos;s slide</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japan-needs-basic-economic-policy-review-not-reliance-on-us-to-stop-yens-slide</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japan-needs-basic-economic-policy-review-not-reliance-on-us-to-stop-yens-slide</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The responsibility for securing confidence in the yen as a currency rests with the Japanese government. Relying on the United States will not overcome ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:01:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Japan, needs, basic, economic, policy, review, not, reliance, US, stop, yens, slide</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The responsibility for securing confidence in the yen as a currency rests with the Japanese government. Relying on the United States will not overcome]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan says combat drones key to adapting to new warfare as tension rises in region</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-says-combat-drones-key-to-adapting-to-new-warfare-as-tension-rises-in-region</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-says-combat-drones-key-to-adapting-to-new-warfare-as-tension-rises-in-region</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan needs to adapt to the new methods of warfare like drones and artificial intelligence used in Ukraine and the Middle East and strengthen its defense industry, the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:42:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, says, combat, drones, key, adapting, new, warfare, tension, rises, region</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan needs to adapt to the new methods of warfare like drones and artificial intelligence used in Ukraine and the Middle East and strengthen its defense industry, the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan, Mexico agree to boost energy cooperation amid Middle East tensions</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-mexico-agree-to-boost-energy-cooperation-amid-middle-east-tensions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-mexico-agree-to-boost-energy-cooperation-amid-middle-east-tensions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan and Mexico agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector during talks between their foreign ministers in Mexico City on ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:37:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Mexico, agree, boost, energy, cooperation, amid, Middle, East, tensions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan and Mexico agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector during talks between their foreign ministers in Mexico City on]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Minecraft&#45;themed rice paddy art reaches peak viewing in Japan&amp;apos;s Gyoda</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/minecraft-themed-rice-paddy-art-reaches-peak-viewing-in-japans-gyoda</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/minecraft-themed-rice-paddy-art-reaches-peak-viewing-in-japans-gyoda</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ GYODA, Saitama -- Rice paddy art at Ancient Lotus Park in this city&#039;s Kobari area has reached its peak viewing period, with this year&#039;s theme based on ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Minecraft-themed, rice, paddy, art, reaches, peak, viewing, Japans, Gyoda</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[GYODA, Saitama -- Rice paddy art at Ancient Lotus Park in this city's Kobari area has reached its peak viewing period, with this year's theme based on]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>ANA flight makes evasive maneuver before landing at Tokyo&amp;apos;s Haneda airport</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ana-flight-makes-evasive-maneuver-before-landing-at-tokyos-haneda-airport</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ana-flight-makes-evasive-maneuver-before-landing-at-tokyos-haneda-airport</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- An All Nippon Airways flight from Shanghai made an evasive maneuver while approaching Haneda airport around 6 a.m. Tuesday, the compa ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>ANA, flight, makes, evasive, maneuver, before, landing, Tokyos, Haneda, airport</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- An All Nippon Airways flight from Shanghai made an evasive maneuver while approaching Haneda airport around 6 a.m. Tuesday, the compa]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>8,000 remain evacuated 1 week on from Kumamoto quake as heat persists</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/8000-remain-evacuated-1-week-on-from-kumamoto-quake-as-heat-persists</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/8000-remain-evacuated-1-week-on-from-kumamoto-quake-as-heat-persists</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- A week on from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, over 8,000 people remain i ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>8, 000, remain, evacuated, week, from, Kumamoto, quake, heat, persists</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- A week on from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, over 8,000 people remain i]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly star as the Cubs beat the slumping Dodgers 10&#45;5</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/seiya-suzuki-and-carson-kelly-star-as-the-cubs-beat-the-slumping-dodgers-10-5</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/seiya-suzuki-and-carson-kelly-star-as-the-cubs-beat-the-slumping-dodgers-10-5</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHICAGO (AP) -- Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly and Kevin Alcantara each hit a two-run homer, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Los Angeles Dodgers their fou ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/04/20260804p2g00m0sp019000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Seiya, Suzuki, and, Carson, Kelly, star, the, Cubs, beat, the, slumping, Dodgers, 10-5</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHICAGO (AP) -- Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly and Kevin Alcantara each hit a two-run homer, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Los Angeles Dodgers their fou]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Editorial: 1 week after Kumamoto quake, effective systems to save lives crucial</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-1-week-after-kumamoto-quake-effective-systems-to-save-lives-crucial</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-1-week-after-kumamoto-quake-effective-systems-to-save-lives-crucial</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ One week has passed since a powerful earthquake registering up to 7 on the 7-point Japanese seismic intensity scale struck Kumamoto Prefecture in sout ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, week, after, Kumamoto, quake, effective, systems, save, lives, crucial</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[One week has passed since a powerful earthquake registering up to 7 on the 7-point Japanese seismic intensity scale struck Kumamoto Prefecture in sout]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>US to close consulate in Nagoya, 4 other foreign missions</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-to-close-consulate-in-nagoya-4-other-foreign-missions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-to-close-consulate-in-nagoya-4-other-foreign-missions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The U.S. State Department has notified Congress of plans to close five overseas diplomatic missions in five countries, including ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/04/20260804p2g00m0na033000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>close, consulate, Nagoya, other, foreign, missions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The U.S. State Department has notified Congress of plans to close five overseas diplomatic missions in five countries, including]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan defense report calls for stronger industrial base, arms exports</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-defense-report-calls-for-stronger-industrial-base-arms-exports</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-defense-report-calls-for-stronger-industrial-base-arms-exports</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s Defense Ministry said in its annual report released Tuesday that the country must strengthen its defense industry, expand arm ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, defense, report, calls, for, stronger, industrial, base, arms, exports</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Defense Ministry said in its annual report released Tuesday that the country must strengthen its defense industry, expand arm]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Typhoon moves west but not expected to hit quake&#45;struck southwestern Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-moves-west-but-not-expected-to-hit-quake-struck-southwestern-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/typhoon-moves-west-but-not-expected-to-hit-quake-struck-southwestern-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese weather agency said on Tuesday that a large, powerful typhoon was moving westward from a Pacific island, warning of high ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Typhoon, moves, west, but, not, expected, hit, quake-struck, southwestern, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese weather agency said on Tuesday that a large, powerful typhoon was moving westward from a Pacific island, warning of high]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Study finds unknown fault set off powerful Kumamoto quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/study-finds-unknown-fault-set-off-powerful-kumamoto-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/study-finds-unknown-fault-set-off-powerful-kumamoto-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 began with a rupture on a previously unknown small fault, according t ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Study, finds, unknown, fault, set, off, powerful, Kumamoto, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 began with a rupture on a previously unknown small fault, according t]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Toyota April&#45;June net profit rises 75.6% to 1.48 tril. yen</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-april-june-net-profit-rises-756-to-148-tril-yen</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-april-june-net-profit-rises-756-to-148-tril-yen</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOYOTA (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it posted a net profit of 1.48 trillion yen ($9.4 billion) in the three months through June, up 75.6 ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, April-June, net, profit, rises, 75.6, 1.48, tril., yen</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOYOTA (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it posted a net profit of 1.48 trillion yen ($9.4 billion) in the three months through June, up 75.6]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Airlines set new checked baggage deadline for 30 minutes before departure at Haneda</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/airlines-set-new-checked-baggage-deadline-for-30-minutes-before-departure-at-haneda</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/airlines-set-new-checked-baggage-deadline-for-30-minutes-before-departure-at-haneda</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Airlines have announced plans to move up the deadline for checking in baggage at Tokyo’s Haneda airport to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Starting next month,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Airlines, set, new, checked, baggage, deadline, for, minutes, before, departure, Haneda</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Airlines have announced plans to move up the deadline for checking in baggage at Tokyo’s Haneda airport to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Starting next month,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>3 lions at western Tokyo zoo die of suspected heat&#45;related causes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/3-lions-at-western-tokyo-zoo-die-of-suspected-heat-related-causes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/3-lions-at-western-tokyo-zoo-die-of-suspected-heat-related-causes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Three lions at a zoo in Tokyo have died since late July of suspected heat-related causes amid sweltering summer temperatures, the metropolitan government said Monday.
The three lions… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:02:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>lions, western, Tokyo, zoo, die, suspected, heat-related, causes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Three lions at a zoo in Tokyo have died since late July of suspected heat-related causes amid sweltering summer temperatures, the metropolitan government said Monday.
The three lions…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>2 women who died in Aeon mall blast were told to return inside by employer</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-women-who-died-in-aeon-mall-blast-were-told-to-return-inside-by-employer</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-women-who-died-in-aeon-mall-blast-were-told-to-return-inside-by-employer</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Two women who died in an explosion at an Aeon shopping mall following a powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture last week were instructed by their employer to return… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:38:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>women, who, died, Aeon, mall, blast, were, told, return, inside, employer</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two women who died in an explosion at an Aeon shopping mall following a powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture last week were instructed by their employer to return…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Evacuation drill with &amp;apos;rescue chute&amp;apos; held at Tokyo school</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-evacuation-drill-with-rescue-chute-held-at-tokyo-school</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-evacuation-drill-with-rescue-chute-held-at-tokyo-school</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A disaster evacuation drill using a &quot;rescue chute&quot; was held at Mejiro Elementary School in Tokyo&#039;s Toshima Ward on July 27. A rescue chute is a device ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/03/20260803p2a00m0na004000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:09:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Evacuation, drill, with, rescue, chute, held, Tokyo, school</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A disaster evacuation drill using a "rescue chute" was held at Mejiro Elementary School in Tokyo's Toshima Ward on July 27. A rescue chute is a device]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan snack maker turns to shark meat to promote sustainable fisheries</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-snack-maker-turns-to-shark-meat-to-promote-sustainable-fisheries</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-snack-maker-turns-to-shark-meat-to-promote-sustainable-fisheries</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A company in west Japan released a new product on July 27 made with shark meat, aiming to promote the appeal of the fish as food through snac ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/03/20260803p2a00m0li021000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:09:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, snack, maker, turns, shark, meat, promote, sustainable, fisheries</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A company in west Japan released a new product on July 27 made with shark meat, aiming to promote the appeal of the fish as food through snac]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Trump says Japan wanted U.S. currency intervention to support yen</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-japan-wanted-us-currency-intervention-to-support-yen</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-japan-wanted-us-currency-intervention-to-support-yen</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States recently intervened in the currency market to support the weakening yen at Japan&#039;s request, President Donald T ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/03/20260803p2g00m0bu011000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, says, Japan, wanted, U.S., currency, intervention, support, yen</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States recently intervened in the currency market to support the weakening yen at Japan's request, President Donald T]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan PM visits quake&#45;hit Kumamoto Prefecture to assess situation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-visits-quake-hit-kumamoto-prefecture-to-assess-situation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-visits-quake-hit-kumamoto-prefecture-to-assess-situation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Monday following a powerful earthquake that str ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, visits, quake-hit, Kumamoto, Prefecture, assess, situation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Monday following a powerful earthquake that str]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Dollar falls sharply vs. yen amid warnings of further intervention</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dollar-falls-sharply-vs-yen-amid-warnings-of-further-intervention</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dollar-falls-sharply-vs-yen-amid-warnings-of-further-intervention</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. dollar briefly plunged to the lower 155 yen range from the upper 157 yen level on Monday morning after Japan and the United ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/01/20260701p2g00m0bu039000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dollar, falls, sharply, vs., yen, amid, warnings, further, intervention</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. dollar briefly plunged to the lower 155 yen range from the upper 157 yen level on Monday morning after Japan and the United]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>JAL net profit in April&#45;June drops 80.2% as fuel costs soar</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/jal-net-profit-in-april-june-drops-802-as-fuel-costs-soar</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/jal-net-profit-in-april-june-drops-802-as-fuel-costs-soar</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan Airlines Co. said Monday its net profit for the three months through June dived 80.2 percent from a year earlier to 5.35 billio ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>JAL, net, profit, April-June, drops, 80.2, fuel, costs, soar</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan Airlines Co. said Monday its net profit for the three months through June dived 80.2 percent from a year earlier to 5.35 billio]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Editorial: Preventing quake&#45;related deaths vital amid extreme heat in Kumamoto Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-preventing-quake-related-deaths-vital-amid-extreme-heat-in-kumamoto-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-preventing-quake-related-deaths-vital-amid-extreme-heat-in-kumamoto-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In the wake of a recent earthquake that hit southwestern Japan&#039;s Kumamoto Prefecture, lifelines remain cut off and extreme heat has added to the hards ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/03/20260803p2a00m0op011000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Preventing, quake-related, deaths, vital, amid, extreme, heat, Kumamoto, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In the wake of a recent earthquake that hit southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, lifelines remain cut off and extreme heat has added to the hards]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Firm that told staff to secure cash after Kumamoto quake apologizes over mall blast deaths</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/firm-that-told-staff-to-secure-cash-after-kumamoto-quake-apologizes-over-mall-blast-deaths</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/firm-that-told-staff-to-secure-cash-after-kumamoto-quake-apologizes-over-mall-blast-deaths</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO -- A company in this southwestern Japan city apologized after disclosing two employees died in an explosion at a mall following the July 28 K ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Firm, that, told, staff, secure, cash, after, Kumamoto, quake, apologizes, over, mall, blast, deaths</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO -- A company in this southwestern Japan city apologized after disclosing two employees died in an explosion at a mall following the July 28 K]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Finance chief mum on whether Japan intervened in currency market Mon.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/finance-chief-mum-on-whether-japan-intervened-in-currency-market-mon</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/finance-chief-mum-on-whether-japan-intervened-in-currency-market-mon</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama declined to comment on whether currency market intervention was conducted on Monday morning, hours ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/08/03/20260803p2g00m0bu020000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Finance, chief, mum, whether, Japan, intervened, currency, market, Mon.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama declined to comment on whether currency market intervention was conducted on Monday morning, hours]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan, US make 1st joint forex intervention in 15 yrs, further moves eyed</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-us-make-1st-joint-forex-intervention-in-15-yrs-further-moves-eyed</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-us-make-1st-joint-forex-intervention-in-15-yrs-further-moves-eyed</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan and the United States said they conducted coordinated yen buying Friday in their first joint market intervention in 15 years to ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, make, 1st, joint, forex, intervention, yrs, further, moves, eyed</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan and the United States said they conducted coordinated yen buying Friday in their first joint market intervention in 15 years to]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>5 Vietnamese workers help rescue elderly woman after powerful quake in Kumamoto Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/5-vietnamese-workers-help-rescue-elderly-woman-after-powerful-quake-in-kumamoto-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/5-vietnamese-workers-help-rescue-elderly-woman-after-powerful-quake-in-kumamoto-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ YATSUSHIRO, Kumamoto -- Five young Vietnamese nationals helped rescue an elderly woman from a collapsed house in this southwest Japan city after the a ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Vietnamese, workers, help, rescue, elderly, woman, after, powerful, quake, Kumamoto, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[YATSUSHIRO, Kumamoto -- Five young Vietnamese nationals helped rescue an elderly woman from a collapsed house in this southwest Japan city after the a]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Chronology of major developments involving the yen</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chronology-of-major-developments-involving-the-yen</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chronology-of-major-developments-involving-the-yen</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The following is a chronology of recent developments involving the yen.Sept. 22, 2022 - Japanese government under Prime Minister Fumi ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:01:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chronology, major, developments, involving, the, yen</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The following is a chronology of recent developments involving the yen.Sept. 22, 2022 - Japanese government under Prime Minister Fumi]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Damn hot&amp;apos;: Last summer for Japan cosplay extravaganza</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/damn-hot-last-summer-for-japan-cosplay-extravaganza</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/damn-hot-last-summer-for-japan-cosplay-extravaganza</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shawn, like her sister Whitney dressed as a character from &quot;Demon Slayer&quot;, has two words to describe the weather as she waits to watch the grand parade at… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:42:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Damn, hot:, Last, summer, for, Japan, cosplay, extravaganza</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shawn, like her sister Whitney dressed as a character from "Demon Slayer", has two words to describe the weather as she waits to watch the grand parade at…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Woman dies of apparent heatstroke while taking shelter in car in quake&#45;hit area</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/woman-dies-of-apparent-heatstroke-while-taking-shelter-in-car-in-quake-hit-area</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/woman-dies-of-apparent-heatstroke-while-taking-shelter-in-car-in-quake-hit-area</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ An elderly woman who developed heatstroke while taking shelter in a car is the latest fatality from a powerful earthquake that struck Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto last… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:42:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Woman, dies, apparent, heatstroke, while, taking, shelter, car, quake-hit, area</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[An elderly woman who developed heatstroke while taking shelter in a car is the latest fatality from a powerful earthquake that struck Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto last…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s Shirahama seeks to move beyond pandas after surprise return to China</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-shirahama-seeks-to-move-beyond-pandas-after-surprise-return-to-china</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-shirahama-seeks-to-move-beyond-pandas-after-surprise-return-to-china</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SHIRAHAMA, Wakayama -- This western Japan town is trying to polish its long-established tourism assets such as hot springs and beaches after all the g ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, Shirahama, seeks, move, beyond, pandas, after, surprise, return, China</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SHIRAHAMA, Wakayama -- This western Japan town is trying to polish its long-established tourism assets such as hot springs and beaches after all the g]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Retro Japan: Hokkaido sluice gate a witness to flood control on Kushiro River</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/retro-japan-hokkaido-sluice-gate-a-witness-to-flood-control-on-kushiro-river</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/retro-japan-hokkaido-sluice-gate-a-witness-to-flood-control-on-kushiro-river</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUSHIRO, Hokkaido -- Standing quietly on the edge of Kushiro Marsh in eastern Hokkaido, the former Iwabokki Sluice Gate in the town of Kushiro embodie ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Retro, Japan:, Hokkaido, sluice, gate, witness, flood, control, Kushiro, River</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUSHIRO, Hokkaido -- Standing quietly on the edge of Kushiro Marsh in eastern Hokkaido, the former Iwabokki Sluice Gate in the town of Kushiro embodie]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Basketball: Clippers&amp;apos; Hachimura intent on Japan return after standoff</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/basketball-clippers-hachimura-intent-on-japan-return-after-standoff</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/basketball-clippers-hachimura-intent-on-japan-return-after-standoff</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Rui Hachimura expressed his desire to return to play for Japan on Saturday after distancing himself from the national team over conce ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Basketball:, Clippers, Hachimura, intent, Japan, return, after, standoff</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Rui Hachimura expressed his desire to return to play for Japan on Saturday after distancing himself from the national team over conce]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Vietnamese intern killed in Kumamoto quake had yet to meet newborn son</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/vietnamese-intern-killed-in-kumamoto-quake-had-yet-to-meet-newborn-son</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/vietnamese-intern-killed-in-kumamoto-quake-had-yet-to-meet-newborn-son</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- Tran Van Son, a Vietnamese technical intern working at a factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, had recently become a father befor ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Vietnamese, intern, killed, Kumamoto, quake, had, yet, meet, newborn, son</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- Tran Van Son, a Vietnamese technical intern working at a factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, had recently become a father befor]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan team develops &amp;apos;eco&#45;fireworks&amp;apos; with water&#45;soluble shells to cut debris</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-team-develops-eco-fireworks-with-water-soluble-shells-to-cut-debris</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-team-develops-eco-fireworks-with-water-soluble-shells-to-cut-debris</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ OTSU, Japan (Kyodo) -- A Japanese fireworks manufacturer and a university professor have jointly developed more environmentally friendly fireworks wit ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, team, develops, eco-fireworks, with, water-soluble, shells, cut, debris</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[OTSU, Japan (Kyodo) -- A Japanese fireworks manufacturer and a university professor have jointly developed more environmentally friendly fireworks wit]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Saudi crown prince urges Trump not to escalate Iran war as US leader weighs new strikes: AP source</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/saudi-crown-prince-urges-trump-not-to-escalate-iran-war-as-us-leader-weighs-new-strikes-ap-source</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/saudi-crown-prince-urges-trump-not-to-escalate-iran-war-as-us-leader-weighs-new-strikes-ap-source</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom&#039;s de facto leader, in a phone call with President Donald Trump on Saturday rais ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Saudi, crown, prince, urges, Trump, not, escalate, Iran, war, leader, weighs, new, strikes:, source</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, in a phone call with President Donald Trump on Saturday rais]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan museum shares Yamanashi Pref. history, culture with &amp;apos;Laid&#45;Back Camp&amp;apos; exhibit</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-museum-shares-yamanashi-pref-history-culture-with-laid-back-camp-exhibit</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-museum-shares-yamanashi-pref-history-culture-with-laid-back-camp-exhibit</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ FUEFUKI, Yamanashi -- A special exhibition introducing the appeal of Yamanashi Prefecture through the popular manga and anime series &quot;Laid-Back Camp,&quot; ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, museum, shares, Yamanashi, Pref., history, culture, with, Laid-Back, Camp, exhibit</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[FUEFUKI, Yamanashi -- A special exhibition introducing the appeal of Yamanashi Prefecture through the popular manga and anime series "Laid-Back Camp,"]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Filipino housekeeping services win fans in Japan&amp;apos;s growing market</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/filipino-housekeeping-services-win-fans-in-japans-growing-market</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/filipino-housekeeping-services-win-fans-in-japans-growing-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TSUKUBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Housekeeping services employing Filipino staff have gained in popularity amid growing demand in Japan for such domestic supp ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Filipino, housekeeping, services, win, fans, Japans, growing, market</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TSUKUBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Housekeeping services employing Filipino staff have gained in popularity amid growing demand in Japan for such domestic supp]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Yamamoto pitches 3&#45;run solid ball in Dodgers&amp;apos; loss to Red Sox</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-yamamoto-pitches-3-run-solid-ball-in-dodgers-loss-to-red-sox</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-yamamoto-pitches-3-run-solid-ball-in-dodgers-loss-to-red-sox</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a solid three-run ball over eight innings, but was charged with the loss as the Los Angeles Dodgers fe ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Yamamoto, pitches, 3-run, solid, ball, Dodgers, loss, Red, Sox</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a solid three-run ball over eight innings, but was charged with the loss as the Los Angeles Dodgers fe]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Trump says he will order halt to Iran strikes after parameters reached for deal to end war</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-he-will-order-halt-to-iran-strikes-after-parameters-reached-for-deal-to-end-war</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-he-will-order-halt-to-iran-strikes-after-parameters-reached-for-deal-to-end-war</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he will order American forces to hold off on new strikes against Iran, claiming Mideast allies had ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:05:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, says, will, order, halt, Iran, strikes, after, parameters, reached, for, deal, end, war</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he will order American forces to hold off on new strikes against Iran, claiming Mideast allies had]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan ends rescue operation at mall that collapsed after strong quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ends-rescue-operation-at-mall-that-collapsed-after-strong-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ends-rescue-operation-at-mall-that-collapsed-after-strong-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Authorities ended a massive dayslong search-and-rescue operation Saturday at a collapsed shopping mall in southwest Japan following a powerful earthquake that killed 34 people earlier this week.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:02:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, ends, rescue, operation, mall, that, collapsed, after, strong, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Authorities ended a massive dayslong search-and-rescue operation Saturday at a collapsed shopping mall in southwest Japan following a powerful earthquake that killed 34 people earlier this week.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-tourists-in-japan-eat-far-more-rice-than-previously-thought-according-to-new-data</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-tourists-in-japan-eat-far-more-rice-than-previously-thought-according-to-new-data</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ On 27 July, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) released its fiscal 2025 data on rice consumption by foreign visitors to Japan, and the results revealed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:02:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Foreign, tourists, Japan, eat, far, more, rice, than, previously, thought, according, new, data</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[On 27 July, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) released its fiscal 2025 data on rice consumption by foreign visitors to Japan, and the results revealed…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>2 injured in apartment explosion in Chiba</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-injured-in-apartment-explosion-in-chiba</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-injured-in-apartment-explosion-in-chiba</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Two men were injured Saturday in an explosion at an apartment building in Chiba Prefecture with one suffering burns over his entire body, according to the local fire… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:02:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>injured, apartment, explosion, Chiba</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two men were injured Saturday in an explosion at an apartment building in Chiba Prefecture with one suffering burns over his entire body, according to the local fire…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s paternity leave rate tops 50% for 1st time in fiscal 2025</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-paternity-leave-rate-tops-50-for-1st-time-in-fiscal-2025</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-paternity-leave-rate-tops-50-for-1st-time-in-fiscal-2025</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The rate of men in Japan taking child care leave topped 50 percent for the first time in fiscal 2025, apparently boosted by government efforts to encourage fathers… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:51:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, paternity, leave, rate, tops, 50, for, 1st, time, fiscal, 2025</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The rate of men in Japan taking child care leave topped 50 percent for the first time in fiscal 2025, apparently boosted by government efforts to encourage fathers…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Trump says anti&#45;weaponization fund in IRS settlement is &amp;apos;dead&amp;apos; even as he defends it</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-anti-weaponization-fund-in-irs-settlement-is-dead-even-as-he-defends-it</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/trump-says-anti-weaponization-fund-in-irs-settlement-is-dead-even-as-he-defends-it</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Friday that his $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund is &quot;dead&quot; while also continuing to defend it, furt ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Trump, says, anti-weaponization, fund, IRS, settlement, dead, even, defends</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Friday that his $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund is "dead" while also continuing to defend it, furt]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: People are using what to find romance instead of dating apps?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-people-are-using-what-to-find-romance-instead-of-dating-apps</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-people-are-using-what-to-find-romance-instead-of-dating-apps</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 1 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What are some people in ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, People, are, using, what, find, romance, instead, dating, apps</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Aug. 1 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What are some people in]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Cooling toilets, shorter working hours introduced amid Japan heat</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/cooling-toilets-shorter-working-hours-introduced-amid-japan-heat</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/cooling-toilets-shorter-working-hours-introduced-amid-japan-heat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese companies have been implementing measures to protect workers amid the extreme summer heat, such as introducing prefabricated ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Cooling, toilets, shorter, working, hours, introduced, amid, Japan, heat</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese companies have been implementing measures to protect workers amid the extreme summer heat, such as introducing prefabricated]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Grandchild&amp;apos;s helmet gift saves woman&amp;apos;s life after bicycle crash in Japan&amp;apos;s Kumamoto</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/grandchilds-helmet-gift-saves-womans-life-after-bicycle-crash-in-japans-kumamoto</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/grandchilds-helmet-gift-saves-womans-life-after-bicycle-crash-in-japans-kumamoto</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO -- A woman in her 60s was temporarily knocked unconscious after colliding with another cyclist while riding in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Grandchilds, helmet, gift, saves, womans, life, after, bicycle, crash, Japans, Kumamoto</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO -- A woman in her 60s was temporarily knocked unconscious after colliding with another cyclist while riding in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Yen surges to lower 157 versus dollar, Japan authorities step in</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-to-lower-157-versus-dollar-japan-authorities-step-in</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yen-surges-to-lower-157-versus-dollar-japan-authorities-step-in</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- The Japanese yen briefly surged to the lower 157 level against the U.S. dollar in New York on Friday, with Japanese government sou ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yen, surges, lower, 157, versus, dollar, Japan, authorities, step</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- The Japanese yen briefly surged to the lower 157 level against the U.S. dollar in New York on Friday, with Japanese government sou]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan ruling party lawmakers form group to promote trading card industry</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ruling-party-lawmakers-form-group-to-promote-trading-card-industry</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ruling-party-lawmakers-form-group-to-promote-trading-card-industry</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Lawmakers from Japan&#039;s ruling Liberal Democratic Party have launched a group aimed at promoting the rapidly growing trading card indu ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, ruling, party, lawmakers, form, group, promote, trading, card, industry</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Lawmakers from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have launched a group aimed at promoting the rapidly growing trading card indu]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Isabella Bird&amp;apos;s &amp;apos;Unbeaten Tracks in Japan&amp;apos;: Peering eyes and Tochigi&amp;apos;s rural beauty (Pt. 7)</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/isabella-birds-unbeaten-tracks-in-japan-peering-eyes-and-tochigis-rural-beauty-pt-7</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/isabella-birds-unbeaten-tracks-in-japan-peering-eyes-and-tochigis-rural-beauty-pt-7</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Rich rice paddies and wheat fields: the Kanto PlainOn June 11, 1878, Isabella Bird and her party set out from Kasukabe (located in present-day Saitama ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Isabella, Birds, Unbeaten, Tracks, Japan:, Peering, eyes, and, Tochigis, rural, beauty, Pt.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Rich rice paddies and wheat fields: the Kanto PlainOn June 11, 1878, Isabella Bird and her party set out from Kasukabe (located in present-day Saitama]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>In Photos: Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome then and now</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/in-photos-hiroshima-atomic-bomb-dome-then-and-now</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/in-photos-hiroshima-atomic-bomb-dome-then-and-now</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Photos:, Hiroshima, Atomic, Bomb, Dome, then, and, now</media:keywords>
<content:encoded></content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Hamas says it will disarm if Israel halts strikes and withdraws from Gaza, but obstacles remain</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hamas-says-it-will-disarm-if-israel-halts-strikes-and-withdraws-from-gaza-but-obstacles-remain</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hamas-says-it-will-disarm-if-israel-halts-strikes-and-withdraws-from-gaza-but-obstacles-remain</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CAIRO (AP) -- Hamas said Friday that it will begin disarming as part of a deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump that also requires Israel to e ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hamas, says, will, disarm, Israel, halts, strikes, and, withdraws, from, Gaza, but, obstacles, remain</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CAIRO (AP) -- Hamas said Friday that it will begin disarming as part of a deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump that also requires Israel to e]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>From military industry hub to peace symbol: Hiroshima A&#45;bomb Dome&amp;apos;s century of change</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-military-industry-hub-to-peace-symbol-hiroshima-a-bomb-domes-century-of-change</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-military-industry-hub-to-peace-symbol-hiroshima-a-bomb-domes-century-of-change</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIROSHIMA -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Atomic Bomb Dome&#039;s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996. Thirty years earlie ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:11:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, military, industry, hub, peace, symbol:, Hiroshima, A-bomb, Domes, century, change</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIROSHIMA -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Atomic Bomb Dome's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996. Thirty years earlie]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Sniffer dogs search mall wrecked after Japan quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sniffer-dogs-search-mall-wrecked-after-japan-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sniffer-dogs-search-mall-wrecked-after-japan-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sniffer dogs in Japan helped rescuers Friday make a final sweep of a shopping mall wrecked by an explosion after a big earthquake, as the death toll from… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:01:31 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sniffer, dogs, search, mall, wrecked, after, Japan, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sniffer dogs in Japan helped rescuers Friday make a final sweep of a shopping mall wrecked by an explosion after a big earthquake, as the death toll from…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Items helping bike riders clear tougher violations prove popular</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/items-helping-bike-riders-clear-tougher-violations-prove-popular</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/items-helping-bike-riders-clear-tougher-violations-prove-popular</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Following the April launch of tougher penalties for cycling violations, such as holding a smartphone or umbrella and using it while riding, businesses have marketed various goods to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:01:28 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Items, helping, bike, riders, clear, tougher, violations, prove, popular</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Following the April launch of tougher penalties for cycling violations, such as holding a smartphone or umbrella and using it while riding, businesses have marketed various goods to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Death toll from southwestern Japan quake climbs to 34 as rescuers again search damaged mall</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-southwestern-japan-quake-climbs-to-34-as-rescuers-again-search-damaged-mall</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-southwestern-japan-quake-climbs-to-34-as-rescuers-again-search-damaged-mall</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The death toll from a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan rose to 34, the Kumamoto prefectural government said Friday, as rescuers raced in last-ditch efforts to find survivors… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:20:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Death, toll, from, southwestern, Japan, quake, climbs, rescuers, again, search, damaged, mall</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The death toll from a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan rose to 34, the Kumamoto prefectural government said Friday, as rescuers raced in last-ditch efforts to find survivors…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Local, foreign evacuees support each other in quake&#45;hit Kumamoto town</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/local-foreign-evacuees-support-each-other-in-quake-hit-kumamoto-town</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/local-foreign-evacuees-support-each-other-in-quake-hit-kumamoto-town</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The recent powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture has left residents reeling from the impact, with local people and fore ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Local, foreign, evacuees, support, each, other, quake-hit, Kumamoto, town</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The recent powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture has left residents reeling from the impact, with local people and fore]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan launches National Intelligence Bureau amid counterespionage push</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-launches-national-intelligence-bureau-amid-counterespionage-push</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-launches-national-intelligence-bureau-amid-counterespionage-push</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan launched its new National Intelligence Bureau on Friday as part of efforts by the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi t ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, launches, National, Intelligence, Bureau, amid, counterespionage, push</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan launched its new National Intelligence Bureau on Friday as part of efforts by the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi t]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Dodgers rest Shohei Ohtani amid lingering left knee soreness</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dodgers-rest-shohei-ohtani-amid-lingering-left-knee-soreness</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dodgers-rest-shohei-ohtani-amid-lingering-left-knee-soreness</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani wasn&#039;t in the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night because of lingering soreness in his left knee th ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dodgers, rest, Shohei, Ohtani, amid, lingering, left, knee, soreness</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani wasn't in the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night because of lingering soreness in his left knee th]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Narita Airport private jet terminal reopens after expansion, adds domestic flight services</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/narita-airport-private-jet-terminal-reopens-after-expansion-adds-domestic-flight-services</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/narita-airport-private-jet-terminal-reopens-after-expansion-adds-domestic-flight-services</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NARITA, Chiba -- Narita International Airport&#039;s dedicated business jet terminal, known as Premier Gate, will reopen on Aug. 1 following a major renova ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Narita, Airport, private, jet, terminal, reopens, after, expansion, adds, domestic, flight, services</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NARITA, Chiba -- Narita International Airport's dedicated business jet terminal, known as Premier Gate, will reopen on Aug. 1 following a major renova]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan conducts currency intervention to stem yen&amp;apos;s fall vs. dollar: source</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-conducts-currency-intervention-to-stem-yens-fall-vs-dollar-source</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-conducts-currency-intervention-to-stem-yens-fall-vs-dollar-source</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese authorities intervened in the foreign exchange market on Thursday to buy the yen and sell the U.S. dollar, a government sour ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, conducts, currency, intervention, stem, yens, fall, vs., dollar:, source</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese authorities intervened in the foreign exchange market on Thursday to buy the yen and sell the U.S. dollar, a government sour]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan National Intelligence Council has 1st meet in counterespionage push</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-national-intelligence-council-has-1st-meet-in-counterespionage-push</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-national-intelligence-council-has-1st-meet-in-counterespionage-push</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan held the first meeting of its new National Intelligence Council chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the government said F ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, National, Intelligence, Council, has, 1st, meet, counterespionage, push</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan held the first meeting of its new National Intelligence Council chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the government said F]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>BOJ keeps key interest rate unchanged, lifts economic outlook for FY 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-keeps-key-interest-rate-unchanged-lifts-economic-outlook-for-fy-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/boj-keeps-key-interest-rate-unchanged-lifts-economic-outlook-for-fy-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Bank of Japan on Friday kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at around 1.0 percent after raising it to a 31-year-high last ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>BOJ, keeps, key, interest, rate, unchanged, lifts, economic, outlook, for, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Bank of Japan on Friday kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at around 1.0 percent after raising it to a 31-year-high last]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Disaster&#45;hit supermarket offers supplies from tent in Kumamoto Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/disaster-hit-supermarket-offers-supplies-from-tent-in-kumamoto-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/disaster-hit-supermarket-offers-supplies-from-tent-in-kumamoto-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HIKAWA, Kumamoto -- Two days after a major earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, local supermarkets are battling challenging conditions to ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Disaster-hit, supermarket, offers, supplies, from, tent, Kumamoto, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HIKAWA, Kumamoto -- Two days after a major earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, local supermarkets are battling challenging conditions to]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Students take on social challenges through inquiry&#45;based learning in southwest Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/students-take-on-social-challenges-through-inquiry-based-learning-in-southwest-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/students-take-on-social-challenges-through-inquiry-based-learning-in-southwest-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KITAKYUSHU -- A general incorporated association in this southwestern Japan city is stepping up its efforts to promote inquiry-based education for hig ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Students, take, social, challenges, through, inquiry-based, learning, southwest, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KITAKYUSHU -- A general incorporated association in this southwestern Japan city is stepping up its efforts to promote inquiry-based education for hig]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Water&#45;sprinkling event held in Tokyo to beat the heat</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-water-sprinkling-event-held-in-tokyo-to-beat-the-heat</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-water-sprinkling-event-held-in-tokyo-to-beat-the-heat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ July 23 marked &quot;Taisho,&quot; the day considered the hottest of the year on the traditional Japanese calendar. Sprinkling water on the ground to help reduc ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Water-sprinkling, event, held, Tokyo, beat, the, heat</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[July 23 marked "Taisho," the day considered the hottest of the year on the traditional Japanese calendar. Sprinkling water on the ground to help reduc]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>UPDATE: Japan quake survivors battle thirst, heat as death toll rises to 25</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/update-japan-quake-survivors-battle-thirst-heat-as-death-toll-rises-to-25</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/update-japan-quake-survivors-battle-thirst-heat-as-death-toll-rises-to-25</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ -- UPDATED: Thursday, 9:30 p.m. --
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but there was… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>UPDATE:, Japan, quake, survivors, battle, thirst, heat, death, toll, rises</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[-- UPDATED: Thursday, 9:30 p.m. --
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but there was…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Death toll from M7.1 Kumamoto earthquake tops 30, services still disrupted</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-m71-kumamoto-earthquake-tops-30-services-still-disrupted</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-m71-kumamoto-earthquake-tops-30-services-still-disrupted</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The death toll from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto exceeded 30 on Thursday, as thousands of evacuees endured disruptions to essential… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Death, toll, from, M7.1, Kumamoto, earthquake, tops, 30, services, still, disrupted</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The death toll from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto exceeded 30 on Thursday, as thousands of evacuees endured disruptions to essential…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan destroyer conducts 1st test&#45;firing of Tomahawk cruise missiles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-destroyer-conducts-1st-test-firing-of-tomahawk-cruise-missiles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-destroyer-conducts-1st-test-firing-of-tomahawk-cruise-missiles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s Self-Defense Forces conducted their first test-firing of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Aegis-equipped destroyer Chokai, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.
The test, conducted in the Pacific… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, destroyer, conducts, 1st, test-firing, Tomahawk, cruise, missiles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's Self-Defense Forces conducted their first test-firing of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Aegis-equipped destroyer Chokai, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.
The test, conducted in the Pacific…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Twenty&#45;five cats escape Japan mall damaged by quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/twenty-five-cats-escape-japan-mall-damaged-by-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/twenty-five-cats-escape-japan-mall-damaged-by-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Twenty-five cats stuck inside a shopping mall in Japan gutted in an explosion after a major earthquake have been rescued, the operator said Thursday, triggering huge relief on… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Twenty-five, cats, escape, Japan, mall, damaged, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Twenty-five cats stuck inside a shopping mall in Japan gutted in an explosion after a major earthquake have been rescued, the operator said Thursday, triggering huge relief on…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Fire breaks out at World Heritage site in central Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fire-breaks-out-at-world-heritage-site-in-central-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fire-breaks-out-at-world-heritage-site-in-central-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A traditional Japanese-style building in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, caught fire Thursday, but the blaze was brought under control about… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fire, breaks, out, World, Heritage, site, central, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A traditional Japanese-style building in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, caught fire Thursday, but the blaze was brought under control about…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks mixed amid robust chip earnings, Mideast concerns</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-amid-robust-chip-earnings-mideast-concerns</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-amid-robust-chip-earnings-mideast-concerns</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended mixed Thursday, as robust earnings reports lifted artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related shares while ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:35:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, mixed, amid, robust, chip, earnings, Mideast, concerns</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended mixed Thursday, as robust earnings reports lifted artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related shares while]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>K&#45;pop powerhouse BTS say they will not submit music for 2027 Grammys</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/k-pop-powerhouse-bts-say-they-will-not-submit-music-for-2027-grammys</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/k-pop-powerhouse-bts-say-they-will-not-submit-music-for-2027-grammys</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (AP) -- K-pop powerhouse BTS said they will not submit their music for consideration at the forthcoming 2027 Grammy Awards.All seven BTS memb ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:35:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>K-pop, powerhouse, BTS, say, they, will, not, submit, music, for, 2027, Grammys</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (AP) -- K-pop powerhouse BTS said they will not submit their music for consideration at the forthcoming 2027 Grammy Awards.All seven BTS memb]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Death toll from M7.1 Kumamoto earthquake rises to 30</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-m71-kumamoto-earthquake-rises-to-30</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/death-toll-from-m71-kumamoto-earthquake-rises-to-30</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan earlier this week has reached ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:35:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Death, toll, from, M7.1, Kumamoto, earthquake, rises</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan earlier this week has reached]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan quake survivors battle thirst, heat as toll rises</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-survivors-battle-thirst-heat-as-toll-rises</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-survivors-battle-thirst-heat-as-toll-rises</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but town official Akio Matsushita is most worried about… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:16:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, quake, survivors, battle, thirst, heat, toll, rises</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but town official Akio Matsushita is most worried about…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: All&#45;out rescue and relief efforts needed after latest Kumamoto quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-all-out-rescue-and-relief-efforts-needed-after-latest-kumamoto-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-all-out-rescue-and-relief-efforts-needed-after-latest-kumamoto-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Kumamoto Prefecture has once again been struck by a major earthquake. Authorities must devote every effort to saving lives and assessing the damage, w ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:11:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, All-out, rescue, and, relief, efforts, needed, after, latest, Kumamoto, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Kumamoto Prefecture has once again been struck by a major earthquake. Authorities must devote every effort to saving lives and assessing the damage, w]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What school rule in Japan could be illegal harassment?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-school-rule-in-japan-could-be-illegal-harassment</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-school-rule-in-japan-could-be-illegal-harassment</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 30 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What type of overly str ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, school, rule, Japan, could, illegal, harassment</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 30 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What type of overly str]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks mixed as robust earnings ease Mideast concerns</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-as-robust-earnings-ease-mideast-concerns</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-as-robust-earnings-ease-mideast-concerns</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks were mixed Thursday morning, as gains in artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related shares following robust earn ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, mixed, robust, earnings, ease, Mideast, concerns</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks were mixed Thursday morning, as gains in artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related shares following robust earn]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>25 felines rescued from Japan mall cat cafe after Kumamoto earthquake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/25-felines-rescued-from-japan-mall-cat-cafe-after-kumamoto-earthquake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/25-felines-rescued-from-japan-mall-cat-cafe-after-kumamoto-earthquake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ FUKUOKA -- The operator of a cat cafe in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, announced on July 29 that 25 cats had been safely rescued from a mall following ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>felines, rescued, from, Japan, mall, cat, cafe, after, Kumamoto, earthquake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[FUKUOKA -- The operator of a cat cafe in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, announced on July 29 that 25 cats had been safely rescued from a mall following]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Kumamoto quake death toll rises, search efforts continue</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kumamoto-quake-death-toll-rises-search-efforts-continue</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kumamoto-quake-death-toll-rises-search-efforts-continue</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan earlier this week has reached ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kumamoto, quake, death, toll, rises, search, efforts, continue</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO, Japan (Kyodo) -- The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan earlier this week has reached]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan PM Takaichi eyes cutting consumption tax on food to 1% from April</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichi-eyes-cutting-consumption-tax-on-food-to-1-from-april</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichi-eyes-cutting-consumption-tax-on-food-to-1-from-april</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday expressed her intention to seek a cut in the consumption tax rate on food and beve ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Takaichi, eyes, cutting, consumption, tax, food, from, April</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday expressed her intention to seek a cut in the consumption tax rate on food and beve]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>S. Korea&amp;apos;s biggest AI users are also driving reading boom</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/s-koreas-biggest-ai-users-are-also-driving-reading-boom</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/s-koreas-biggest-ai-users-are-also-driving-reading-boom</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SEOUL (Kyodo) -- South Koreans in their 20s and 30s, the country&#039;s most avid users of artificial intelligence, are also driving a reading renaissance ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Koreas, biggest, users, are, also, driving, reading, boom</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SEOUL (Kyodo) -- South Koreans in their 20s and 30s, the country's most avid users of artificial intelligence, are also driving a reading renaissance]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Dashcam captures moment of explosion at Aeon Mall after Kumamoto quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dashcam-captures-moment-of-explosion-at-aeon-mall-after-kumamoto-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dashcam-captures-moment-of-explosion-at-aeon-mall-after-kumamoto-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO -- Dashboard camera footage has captured the moment an explosion occurred at a mall following a major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture on Ju ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dashcam, captures, moment, explosion, Aeon, Mall, after, Kumamoto, quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO -- Dashboard camera footage has captured the moment an explosion occurred at a mall following a major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture on Ju]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Gov&amp;apos;t cuts Japan&amp;apos;s FY 2026 GDP growth outlook to 0.9% on higher oil prices</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-cuts-japans-fy-2026-gdp-growth-outlook-to-09-on-higher-oil-prices</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/govt-cuts-japans-fy-2026-gdp-growth-outlook-to-09-on-higher-oil-prices</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government on Thursday cut its economic growth outlook to 0.9 percent for the current fiscal year, which began in April, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Govt, cuts, Japans, 2026, GDP, growth, outlook, 0.9, higher, oil, prices</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government on Thursday cut its economic growth outlook to 0.9 percent for the current fiscal year, which began in April,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Shohei Ohtani expected to pitch again this season, but Dodgers in no rush</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shohei-ohtani-expected-to-pitch-again-this-season-but-dodgers-in-no-rush</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shohei-ohtani-expected-to-pitch-again-this-season-but-dodgers-in-no-rush</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to pitch again this season, but they&#039;re not rushing the two-way superstar back to the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shohei, Ohtani, expected, pitch, again, this, season, but, Dodgers, rush</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to pitch again this season, but they're not rushing the two-way superstar back to the]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Takaichi&amp;apos;s tax cut gambit likely to spur inflation, not consumption</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/takaichis-tax-cut-gambit-likely-to-spur-inflation-not-consumption</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/takaichis-tax-cut-gambit-likely-to-spur-inflation-not-consumption</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi&#039;s decision to go ahead with a much-debated consumption tax cut is expected to do little to help consume ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Takaichis, tax, cut, gambit, likely, spur, inflation, not, consumption</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decision to go ahead with a much-debated consumption tax cut is expected to do little to help consume]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>14 confirmed dead after Tues. quake in southwestern Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/14-confirmed-dead-after-tues-quake-in-southwestern-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/14-confirmed-dead-after-tues-quake-in-southwestern-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Kumamoto Prefecture said Wednesday that 14 people have been confirmed dead after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southwestern prefecture, with nearly 8,800 people staying in evacuation centers… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:00:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>confirmed, dead, after, Tues., quake, southwestern, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Kumamoto Prefecture said Wednesday that 14 people have been confirmed dead after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southwestern prefecture, with nearly 8,800 people staying in evacuation centers…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>After the quake came the blast: Inside Japan&amp;apos;s shopping mall disaster</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/after-the-quake-came-the-blast-inside-japans-shopping-mall-disaster</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/after-the-quake-came-the-blast-inside-japans-shopping-mall-disaster</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Workers in a mall in southern Japan described being thrown to the floor or enveloped in a disorienting cloud of dust by a massive 7.1-magnitude quake that rattled… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:00:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>After, the, quake, came, the, blast:, Inside, Japans, shopping, mall, disaster</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Workers in a mall in southern Japan described being thrown to the floor or enveloped in a disorienting cloud of dust by a massive 7.1-magnitude quake that rattled…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Population of Japanese nationals dips below 120 mil. for 1st time in 42 years</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/population-of-japanese-nationals-dips-below-120-mil-for-1st-time-in-42-years</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/population-of-japanese-nationals-dips-below-120-mil-for-1st-time-in-42-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The number of Japanese nationals fell below 120 million for the first time in 42 years to 119,736,483 at the start of this year, the government said Wednesday,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Population, Japanese, nationals, dips, below, 120, mil., for, 1st, time, years</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The number of Japanese nationals fell below 120 million for the first time in 42 years to 119,736,483 at the start of this year, the government said Wednesday,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>&amp;apos;It&amp;apos;s exhausting&amp;apos;: southwest Japan deals with second big quake in 10 years</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/its-exhausting-southwest-japan-deals-with-second-big-quake-in-10-years</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/its-exhausting-southwest-japan-deals-with-second-big-quake-in-10-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sachi Nishiyama spent two years in temporary housing after twin quakes devastated southwestern Japan in 2016. This week, after another deadly jolt, she slept in her car which… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Its, exhausting:, southwest, Japan, deals, with, second, big, quake, years</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sachi Nishiyama spent two years in temporary housing after twin quakes devastated southwestern Japan in 2016. This week, after another deadly jolt, she slept in her car which…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>In Photos: Aftermath of the magnitude 7.1 quake in Kumamoto Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/in-photos-aftermath-of-the-magnitude-71-quake-in-kumamoto-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/in-photos-aftermath-of-the-magnitude-71-quake-in-kumamoto-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:47:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Photos:, Aftermath, the, magnitude, 7.1, quake, Kumamoto, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded></content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>ANA&amp;apos;s net profit down 15.4% drop in April&#45;June despite strong travel demand</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/anas-net-profit-down-154-drop-in-april-june-despite-strong-travel-demand</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/anas-net-profit-down-154-drop-in-april-june-despite-strong-travel-demand</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- ANA Holdings Inc. said Wednesday its net profit in the April-June period dropped 15.4 percent from a year ago to 19.41 billion yen ($ ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:47:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>ANAs, net, profit, down, 15.4, drop, April-June, despite, strong, travel, demand</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- ANA Holdings Inc. said Wednesday its net profit in the April-June period dropped 15.4 percent from a year ago to 19.41 billion yen ($]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Photos show a rare look inside Tibet, 75 years after what China calls a &amp;apos;peaceful liberation&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/photos-show-a-rare-look-inside-tibet-75-years-after-what-china-calls-a-peaceful-liberation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/photos-show-a-rare-look-inside-tibet-75-years-after-what-china-calls-a-peaceful-liberation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LHASA, Tibet (AP) -- This year marks the 75th anniversary of what China calls the &quot;peaceful liberation&quot; of Tibet in 1951, which critics describe as an ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:39:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Photos, show, rare, look, inside, Tibet, years, after, what, China, calls, peaceful, liberation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LHASA, Tibet (AP) -- This year marks the 75th anniversary of what China calls the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet in 1951, which critics describe as an]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan quake toll rises to 13 as rescuers haul people from collapsed mall</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-toll-rises-to-13-as-rescuers-haul-people-from-collapsed-mall</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-toll-rises-to-13-as-rescuers-haul-people-from-collapsed-mall</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Rescuers were frantically searching on Wednesday for survivors of a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that shook southern ‌Japan, killing at least 13 people, knocking out power to thousands of homes… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:12:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, quake, toll, rises, rescuers, haul, people, from, collapsed, mall</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Rescuers were frantically searching on Wednesday for survivors of a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that shook southern ‌Japan, killing at least 13 people, knocking out power to thousands of homes…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Family of French woman missing for 8 years renew appeal for information</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/family-of-french-woman-missing-for-8-years-renew-appeal-for-information</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/family-of-french-woman-missing-for-8-years-renew-appeal-for-information</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The family of a 36-year-old French woman who went missing in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, eight years ago, on Tuesday appealed to the public for information on the case.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:12:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Family, French, woman, missing, for, years, renew, appeal, for, information</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The family of a 36-year-old French woman who went missing in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, eight years ago, on Tuesday appealed to the public for information on the case.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Shinkansen bullet trains remain halted after M7.1 quake hits Kumamoto</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shinkansen-bullet-trains-remain-halted-after-m71-quake-hits-kumamoto</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shinkansen-bullet-trains-remain-halted-after-m71-quake-hits-kumamoto</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Services on the Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train line will remain halted Wednesday, its operator said, a day after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck the southwestern… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:12:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shinkansen, bullet, trains, remain, halted, after, M7.1, quake, hits, Kumamoto</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Services on the Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train line will remain halted Wednesday, its operator said, a day after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck the southwestern…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan coral protectors race to save reefs from heat &amp;apos;bomb&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-coral-protectors-race-to-save-reefs-from-heat-bomb</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-coral-protectors-race-to-save-reefs-from-heat-bomb</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ From &quot;heatwave simulators&quot; to ecological bootcamps, scientists and conservationists are trying ways to revive and reinforce the famous coral reefs off Japan&#039;s Okinawa, decimated by climate-driven bleaching two… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:12:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, coral, protectors, race, save, reefs, from, heat, bomb</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From "heatwave simulators" to ecological bootcamps, scientists and conservationists are trying ways to revive and reinforce the famous coral reefs off Japan's Okinawa, decimated by climate-driven bleaching two…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Zelenskyy has a &amp;apos;good meeting&amp;apos; with Trump at the White House as he seeks more cooperation with US</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/zelenskyy-has-a-good-meeting-with-trump-at-the-white-house-as-he-seeks-more-cooperation-with-us</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/zelenskyy-has-a-good-meeting-with-trump-at-the-white-house-as-he-seeks-more-cooperation-with-us</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Tuesday ahead of Sen. Lindsey Graham&#039;s funeral, with the two ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Zelenskyy, has, good, meeting, with, Trump, the, White, House, seeks, more, cooperation, with</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Tuesday ahead of Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral, with the two]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The deaths of 15 elephants in Kenya&amp;apos;s Amboseli National Park spark investigation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-deaths-of-15-elephants-in-kenyas-amboseli-national-park-spark-investigation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-deaths-of-15-elephants-in-kenyas-amboseli-national-park-spark-investigation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- The deaths of 15 elephants over the past month in Kenya &#039;s Amboseli National Park have sparked an investigation, wildlife autho ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, deaths, elephants, Kenyas, Amboseli, National, Park, spark, investigation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- The deaths of 15 elephants over the past month in Kenya 's Amboseli National Park have sparked an investigation, wildlife autho]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks mixed on bargain hunting, AI concerns trim gains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-on-bargain-hunting-ai-concerns-trim-gains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-mixed-on-bargain-hunting-ai-concerns-trim-gains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks were mixed Wednesday morning, as bargain hunting after the previous day&#039;s plunge was offset by lingering global worries ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, mixed, bargain, hunting, concerns, trim, gains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks were mixed Wednesday morning, as bargain hunting after the previous day's plunge was offset by lingering global worries]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: White Sox slugger Murakami expresses concern for Kumamoto</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-white-sox-slugger-murakami-expresses-concern-for-kumamoto</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-white-sox-slugger-murakami-expresses-concern-for-kumamoto</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHICAGO (Kyodo) -- Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami posted a message of concern for people in his home prefecture of Kumamoto in southweste ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, White, Sox, slugger, Murakami, expresses, concern, for, Kumamoto</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHICAGO (Kyodo) -- Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami posted a message of concern for people in his home prefecture of Kumamoto in southweste]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>2 unresponsive, 2 seriously injured, 7 missing at paper plant after Kumamoto Pref. quake</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-unresponsive-2-seriously-injured-7-missing-at-paper-plant-after-kumamoto-pref-quake</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-unresponsive-2-seriously-injured-7-missing-at-paper-plant-after-kumamoto-pref-quake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUMAMOTO -- Two people were unresponsive, two others were seriously injured and seven remained missing at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant after a ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>unresponsive, seriously, injured, missing, paper, plant, after, Kumamoto, Pref., quake</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUMAMOTO -- Two people were unresponsive, two others were seriously injured and seven remained missing at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant after a]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The US says it thwarted an Iranian missile attack that ended a brief pause in fighting</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-us-says-it-thwarted-an-iranian-missile-attack-that-ended-a-brief-pause-in-fighting</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-us-says-it-thwarted-an-iranian-missile-attack-that-ended-a-brief-pause-in-fighting</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. military said it knocked down an Iranian ballistic missile attack against American forces in the Middle East on Tuesday, s ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, says, thwarted, Iranian, missile, attack, that, ended, brief, pause, fighting</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. military said it knocked down an Iranian ballistic missile attack against American forces in the Middle East on Tuesday, s]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>M7.1 quake rocks southwestern Japan, dozens feared injured</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/m71-quake-rocks-southwestern-japan-dozens-feared-injured</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/m71-quake-rocks-southwestern-japan-dozens-feared-injured</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) --  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday the government had confirmed that 13 people died after a magnitude 7.1 earthqu ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>M7.1, quake, rocks, southwestern, Japan, dozens, feared, injured</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) --  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday the government had confirmed that 13 people died after a magnitude 7.1 earthqu]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Ohtani hits 10th leadoff homer for Dodgers in loss to Mariners</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ohtani-hits-10th-leadoff-homer-for-dodgers-in-loss-to-mariners</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ohtani-hits-10th-leadoff-homer-for-dodgers-in-loss-to-mariners</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Two-way star Shohei Ohtani blasted his 10th leadoff home run of the season and finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the Los Ang ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Ohtani, hits, 10th, leadoff, homer, for, Dodgers, loss, Mariners</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Two-way star Shohei Ohtani blasted his 10th leadoff home run of the season and finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the Los Ang]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Quake in southwestern Japan&amp;apos;s Kumamoto Pref. reported overseas after surge in tourism</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/quake-in-southwestern-japans-kumamoto-pref-reported-overseas-after-surge-in-tourism</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/quake-in-southwestern-japans-kumamoto-pref-reported-overseas-after-surge-in-tourism</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A magnitude 7.1 quake that struck southwestern Japan&#039;s Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 was reported in breaking news alerts by overseas media outlets, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Quake, southwestern, Japans, Kumamoto, Pref., reported, overseas, after, surge, tourism</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A magnitude 7.1 quake that struck southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 was reported in breaking news alerts by overseas media outlets,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: JR West introduces new design for Kodama bullet trains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-jr-west-introduces-new-design-for-kodama-bullet-trains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-jr-west-introduces-new-design-for-kodama-bullet-trains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) announced on July 22 that it will introduce a new design for its Kodama bullet trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line. T ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, West, introduces, new, design, for, Kodama, bullet, trains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) announced on July 22 that it will introduce a new design for its Kodama bullet trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line. T]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan quake injures at least 50, disrupts power and travel</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-injures-at-least-50-disrupts-power-and-travel</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-quake-injures-at-least-50-disrupts-power-and-travel</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A major earthquake rocked Japan&#039;s southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, knocking out power to thousands of homes, rupturing roads and injuring at least 50 people.
Speaking to reporters… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, quake, injures, least, 50, disrupts, power, and, travel</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A major earthquake rocked Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, knocking out power to thousands of homes, rupturing roads and injuring at least 50 people.
Speaking to reporters…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>2 dead at quake&#45;hit Kumamoto Pref. shopping mall after blast</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-dead-at-quake-hit-kumamoto-pref-shopping-mall-after-blast</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-dead-at-quake-hit-kumamoto-pref-shopping-mall-after-blast</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Two women were confirmed dead and one woman was found unresponsive, local authorities said Wednesday, hours after an explosion rocked a shopping mall on Japan&#039;s southwestern main island… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>dead, quake-hit, Kumamoto, Pref., shopping, mall, after, blast</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two women were confirmed dead and one woman was found unresponsive, local authorities said Wednesday, hours after an explosion rocked a shopping mall on Japan's southwestern main island…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Major quake hits southern Japan, workers missing after mall blast</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/major-quake-hits-southern-japan-workers-missing-after-mall-blast</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/major-quake-hits-southern-japan-workers-missing-after-mall-blast</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan&#039;s southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, knocking out power to thousands of homes, rupturing roads and leaving some trapped and others presumed dead inside… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:04:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Major, quake, hits, southern, Japan, workers, missing, after, mall, blast</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, knocking out power to thousands of homes, rupturing roads and leaving some trapped and others presumed dead inside…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Rescuers search for survivors after powerful quake kills 13</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rescuers-search-for-survivors-after-powerful-quake-kills-13</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/rescuers-search-for-survivors-after-powerful-quake-kills-13</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A major earthquake that severely damaged a shopping mall and a factory in Japan killed at least 13 people, officials said Wednesday, as rescuers desperately tried to reach… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Rescuers, search, for, survivors, after, powerful, quake, kills</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A major earthquake that severely damaged a shopping mall and a factory in Japan killed at least 13 people, officials said Wednesday, as rescuers desperately tried to reach…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Strong quake hits Japan, at max 7 on its intensity scale</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/strong-quake-hits-japan-at-max-7-on-its-intensity-scale</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/strong-quake-hits-japan-at-max-7-on-its-intensity-scale</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ (Kyodo) --  Strong quake hits Japan, at max 7 on its intensity scale. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:43:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Strong, quake, hits, Japan, max, its, intensity, scale</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[(Kyodo) --  Strong quake hits Japan, at max 7 on its intensity scale.]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Former Dragons pitcher, TV personality Bando dies at 86</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-former-dragons-pitcher-tv-personality-bando-dies-at-86</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-former-dragons-pitcher-tv-personality-bando-dies-at-86</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Eiji Bando, a former pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons who later became widely known as a TV personality, has died of chronic heart fa ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:35:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Former, Dragons, pitcher, personality, Bando, dies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Eiji Bando, a former pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons who later became widely known as a TV personality, has died of chronic heart fa]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Grumpy&amp;apos; Pallas kittens on display at Japan zoo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/grumpy-pallas-kittens-on-display-at-japan-zoo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/grumpy-pallas-kittens-on-display-at-japan-zoo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Five young Pallas&#039;s cats, dubbed the world&#039;s grumpiest feline for their sullen facial expressions, went on display at a zoo in Japan on July 23.
Kobe Animal Kingdom… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:24:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Grumpy, Pallas, kittens, display, Japan, zoo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Five young Pallas's cats, dubbed the world's grumpiest feline for their sullen facial expressions, went on display at a zoo in Japan on July 23.
Kobe Animal Kingdom…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan mulls GPS tracking of stalkers to prevent further harm</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-mulls-gps-tracking-of-stalkers-to-prevent-further-harm</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-mulls-gps-tracking-of-stalkers-to-prevent-further-harm</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Tuesday compiled emergency countermeasures aimed to prevent further harm and protect victims from stalkers that would includ ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, mulls, GPS, tracking, stalkers, prevent, further, harm</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Tuesday compiled emergency countermeasures aimed to prevent further harm and protect victims from stalkers that would includ]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What &amp;apos;seed&amp;apos; is linked to Alzheimer&amp;apos;s disease?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-seed-is-linked-to-alzheimers-disease</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-seed-is-linked-to-alzheimers-disease</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 28 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What substance did the ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, seed, linked, Alzheimers, disease</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 28 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What substance did the]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>JAPAN BIZ: Items helping bike riders clear tougher violations prove popular</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-biz-items-helping-bike-riders-clear-tougher-violations-prove-popular</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-biz-items-helping-bike-riders-clear-tougher-violations-prove-popular</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Following the April launch of tougher penalties for cycling violations, such as holding a smartphone or umbrella and using it while r ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>JAPAN, BIZ:, Items, helping, bike, riders, clear, tougher, violations, prove, popular</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Following the April launch of tougher penalties for cycling violations, such as holding a smartphone or umbrella and using it while r]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tennis: Nishikori digs deep to beat China&amp;apos;s Shang in DC Open 1st round</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tennis-nishikori-digs-deep-to-beat-chinas-shang-in-dc-open-1st-round</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tennis-nishikori-digs-deep-to-beat-chinas-shang-in-dc-open-1st-round</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Former champion Kei Nishikori came from a set down against China&#039;s Shang Juncheng in the DC Open first round Monday to earn his ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tennis:, Nishikori, digs, deep, beat, Chinas, Shang, Open, 1st, round</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Former champion Kei Nishikori came from a set down against China's Shang Juncheng in the DC Open first round Monday to earn his]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Hitachi speeds cyber threat testing with Anthropic AI</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hitachi-speeds-cyber-threat-testing-with-anthropic-ai</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hitachi-speeds-cyber-threat-testing-with-anthropic-ai</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Hitachi Ltd. said Tuesday it has used U.S. startup Anthropic&#039;s Claude Mythos Preview artificial intelligence model to assess cyber th ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hitachi, speeds, cyber, threat, testing, with, Anthropic</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Hitachi Ltd. said Tuesday it has used U.S. startup Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview artificial intelligence model to assess cyber th]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese mystery writer Keigo Higashino leaves an immeasurable legacy</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-mystery-writer-keigo-higashino-leaves-an-immeasurable-legacy</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-mystery-writer-keigo-higashino-leaves-an-immeasurable-legacy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Keigo Higashino, the Japanese mystery writer who produced numerous bestsellers, has died. During a career that spanned roughly 40 years, he p ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, mystery, writer, Keigo, Higashino, leaves, immeasurable, legacy</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Keigo Higashino, the Japanese mystery writer who produced numerous bestsellers, has died. During a career that spanned roughly 40 years, he p]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan ruling party intelligence panel seeks laws against foreign interference</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ruling-party-intelligence-panel-seeks-laws-against-foreign-interference</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-ruling-party-intelligence-panel-seeks-laws-against-foreign-interference</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) intelligence panel called for creating a law to punish improper interference in Japan&#039;s politics and ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, ruling, party, intelligence, panel, seeks, laws, against, foreign, interference</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) intelligence panel called for creating a law to punish improper interference in Japan's politics and]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Kyoto school searched over fatal boat accident during Okinawa field trip</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kyoto-school-searched-over-fatal-boat-accident-during-okinawa-field-trip</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kyoto-school-searched-over-fatal-boat-accident-during-okinawa-field-trip</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAHA, Japan (Kyodo) -- The Japan Coast Guard has searched a private high school in Kyoto Prefecture on suspicion of professional negligence resulting ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kyoto, school, searched, over, fatal, boat, accident, during, Okinawa, field, trip</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAHA, Japan (Kyodo) -- The Japan Coast Guard has searched a private high school in Kyoto Prefecture on suspicion of professional negligence resulting]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: Japan PM Takaichi bears grave responsibility for Diet turmoil over smear videos</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japan-pm-takaichi-bears-grave-responsibility-for-diet-turmoil-over-smear-videos</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japan-pm-takaichi-bears-grave-responsibility-for-diet-turmoil-over-smear-videos</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi&#039;s answers to Diet questions over a smear video scandal allegedly involving her taxpayer-funded secretary have only drawn ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Japan, Takaichi, bears, grave, responsibility, for, Diet, turmoil, over, smear, videos</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's answers to Diet questions over a smear video scandal allegedly involving her taxpayer-funded secretary have only drawn]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Hokkaido Univ. apologizes over past research on indigenous Ainu remains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hokkaido-univ-apologizes-over-past-research-on-indigenous-ainu-remains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hokkaido-univ-apologizes-over-past-research-on-indigenous-ainu-remains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SAPPORO -- Hokkaido University issued a presidential statement on July 27 apologizing for past research on the indigenous Ainu people, including the i ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hokkaido, Univ., apologizes, over, past, research, indigenous, Ainu, remains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SAPPORO -- Hokkaido University issued a presidential statement on July 27 apologizing for past research on the indigenous Ainu people, including the i]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Foreign bank mulls loans to Japanese firms to construct gas plant in US</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-bank-mulls-loans-to-japanese-firms-to-construct-gas-plant-in-us</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-bank-mulls-loans-to-japanese-firms-to-construct-gas-plant-in-us</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A foreign bank is considering loans to Japanese companies for the construction of a natural gas plant in the United States, a project ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:39:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Foreign, bank, mulls, loans, Japanese, firms, construct, gas, plant</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A foreign bank is considering loans to Japanese companies for the construction of a natural gas plant in the United States, a project]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Sumo: Aonishiki resets sights on yokozuna after memorable Nagoya win</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sumo-aonishiki-resets-sights-on-yokozuna-after-memorable-nagoya-win</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sumo-aonishiki-resets-sights-on-yokozuna-after-memorable-nagoya-win</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Ukrainian star Aonishiki once again set his sights Monday on reaching the highest rank of yokozuna after lifting his third Emperor&#039;s ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:31:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sumo:, Aonishiki, resets, sights, yokozuna, after, memorable, Nagoya, win</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Ukrainian star Aonishiki once again set his sights Monday on reaching the highest rank of yokozuna after lifting his third Emperor's]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Wildfires in France drive 250,000 people from their homes and creep toward wine city of Bordeaux</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/wildfires-in-france-drive-250000-people-from-their-homes-and-creep-toward-wine-city-of-bordeaux</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/wildfires-in-france-drive-250000-people-from-their-homes-and-creep-toward-wine-city-of-bordeaux</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LEGE-CAP FERRET, France (AP) -- A raging wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight Sunday, bringing the total forc ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Wildfires, France, drive, 250, 000, people, from, their, homes, and, creep, toward, wine, city, Bordeaux</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LEGE-CAP FERRET, France (AP) -- A raging wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight Sunday, bringing the total forc]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>4 dead after house fire in southwestern Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/4-dead-after-house-fire-in-southwestern-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/4-dead-after-house-fire-in-southwestern-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SAGA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Four people including two children died in a fire that broke out in a house in southwestern Japan early Monday morning, local p ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>dead, after, house, fire, southwestern, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SAGA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Four people including two children died in a fire that broke out in a house in southwestern Japan early Monday morning, local p]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>For some, so&#45;called &amp;apos;Skynet Day&amp;apos; came too close to sci&#45;fi after a rogue agent hacked into a startup</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/for-some-so-called-skynet-day-came-too-close-to-sci-fi-after-a-rogue-agent-hacked-into-a-startup</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/for-some-so-called-skynet-day-came-too-close-to-sci-fi-after-a-rogue-agent-hacked-into-a-startup</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ (AP) -- To be fair, James Cameron did warn us.Long before OpenAI broke out of its test corral and hacked into Hugging Face, before the internet and Sa ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>For, some, so-called, Skynet, Day, came, too, close, sci-fi, after, rogue, agent, hacked, into, startup</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[(AP) -- To be fair, James Cameron did warn us.Long before OpenAI broke out of its test corral and hacked into Hugging Face, before the internet and Sa]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tennis: Nishikori cites injuries for decision to retire at end of season</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tennis-nishikori-cites-injuries-for-decision-to-retire-at-end-of-season</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tennis-nishikori-cites-injuries-for-decision-to-retire-at-end-of-season</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori revealed Sunday that his declining motivation due to mounting injuries lay behind his d ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tennis:, Nishikori, cites, injuries, for, decision, retire, end, season</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Japan's former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori revealed Sunday that his declining motivation due to mounting injuries lay behind his d]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>A heavily armed border still divides North and South Korea 70 years after the armistice</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-heavily-armed-border-still-divides-north-and-south-korea-70-years-after-the-armistice</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-heavily-armed-border-still-divides-north-and-south-korea-70-years-after-the-armistice</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North and South Korea remain separated by one of the world&#039;s most heavily armed borders. It&#039;s a lasting reminder that the 1 ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>heavily, armed, border, still, divides, North, and, South, Korea, years, after, the, armistice</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North and South Korea remain separated by one of the world's most heavily armed borders. It's a lasting reminder that the 1]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Crowds flock to long&#45;established eel restaurant in Narita on midsummer Day of the Ox</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/crowds-flock-to-long-established-eel-restaurant-in-narita-on-midsummer-day-of-the-ox</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/crowds-flock-to-long-established-eel-restaurant-in-narita-on-midsummer-day-of-the-ox</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NARITA, Chiba -- The Omotesando approach to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, bustled with customers from early in the morning o ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/27/20260727p2a00m0na002000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Crowds, flock, long-established, eel, restaurant, Narita, midsummer, Day, the</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NARITA, Chiba -- The Omotesando approach to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, bustled with customers from early in the morning o]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>2 dead in Ukraine from Russian attacks, 4 more in Russian&#45;held area hit by Ukrainian drones</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-dead-in-ukraine-from-russian-attacks-4-more-in-russian-held-area-hit-by-ukrainian-drones</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-dead-in-ukraine-from-russian-attacks-4-more-in-russian-held-area-hit-by-ukrainian-drones</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- Russian ballistic missiles struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Sunday, setting off fires and wounding at least three c ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>dead, Ukraine, from, Russian, attacks, more, Russian-held, area, hit, Ukrainian, drones</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- Russian ballistic missiles struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Sunday, setting off fires and wounding at least three c]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Mythical seascape draws summer crowds to Fukuoka Pref.&amp;apos;s iconic &amp;apos;wedded rocks&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mythical-seascape-draws-summer-crowds-to-fukuoka-prefs-iconic-wedded-rocks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mythical-seascape-draws-summer-crowds-to-fukuoka-prefs-iconic-wedded-rocks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ ITOSHIMA, Fukuoka -- Visitors are flocking to Futamigaura beach in this southwestern Japan city, as the summer season reaches its peak, drawn by the a ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Mythical, seascape, draws, summer, crowds, Fukuoka, Pref.s, iconic, wedded, rocks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[ITOSHIMA, Fukuoka -- Visitors are flocking to Futamigaura beach in this southwestern Japan city, as the summer season reaches its peak, drawn by the a]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Gunmachan train ran on Watarase Keikoku Railway</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-gunmachan-train-ran-on-watarase-keikoku-railway</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-gunmachan-train-ran-on-watarase-keikoku-railway</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The &quot;Trolley Watarase Gunmachan train&quot; ran on the Watarase Keikoku Railway in the city of Midori, Gunma Prefecture, on July 19. The prefecture&#039;s masco ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:07:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Gunmachan, train, ran, Watarase, Keikoku, Railway</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The "Trolley Watarase Gunmachan train" ran on the Watarase Keikoku Railway in the city of Midori, Gunma Prefecture, on July 19. The prefecture's masco]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese descendants drive rise in roots tourism</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-descendants-drive-rise-in-roots-tourism</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-descendants-drive-rise-in-roots-tourism</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Holding the passenger record documenting his 97-year-old father&#039;s voyage from Japan to Brazil nearly a century ago, Sergio Kohatsu uncovered details of a journey that had long remained… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, descendants, drive, rise, roots, tourism</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Holding the passenger record documenting his 97-year-old father's voyage from Japan to Brazil nearly a century ago, Sergio Kohatsu uncovered details of a journey that had long remained…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>UNESCO adds Japan&amp;apos;s Asuka&#45;Fujiwara sites to World Heritage list</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/unesco-adds-japans-asuka-fujiwara-sites-to-world-heritage-list</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/unesco-adds-japans-asuka-fujiwara-sites-to-world-heritage-list</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ UNESCO decided Sunday to add a group of ancient sites in Nara Prefecture that show the formation of Japan&#039;s centralized state to the World Heritage list, marking the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:24:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>UNESCO, adds, Japans, Asuka-Fujiwara, sites, World, Heritage, list</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[UNESCO decided Sunday to add a group of ancient sites in Nara Prefecture that show the formation of Japan's centralized state to the World Heritage list, marking the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Mitsubishi Motors teams up with startup to mass produce humanoid robots</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mitsubishi-motors-teams-up-with-startup-to-mass-produce-humanoid-robots</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mitsubishi-motors-teams-up-with-startup-to-mass-produce-humanoid-robots</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has teamed up with a startup originating from the University of Tokyo to develop and mass produce humanoid ro ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Mitsubishi, Motors, teams, with, startup, mass, produce, humanoid, robots</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has teamed up with a startup originating from the University of Tokyo to develop and mass produce humanoid ro]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan PM Takaichi&amp;apos;s &amp;apos;0 to 3 hours sleep&amp;apos; post spurs workstyle debate</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichis-0-to-3-hours-sleep-post-spurs-workstyle-debate</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichis-0-to-3-hours-sleep-post-spurs-workstyle-debate</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A recent social media post by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lamenting her chronic sleep deprivation and demanding workload has drawn ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Takaichis, hours, sleep, post, spurs, workstyle, debate</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A recent social media post by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lamenting her chronic sleep deprivation and demanding workload has drawn]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Van slams into crowd at Berlin Pride festival, killing 1 and injuring 16, as police identify suspect</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/van-slams-into-crowd-at-berlin-pride-festival-killing-1-and-injuring-16-as-police-identify-suspect</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/van-slams-into-crowd-at-berlin-pride-festival-killing-1-and-injuring-16-as-police-identify-suspect</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BERLIN (AP) -- A van slammed into people gathered for Berlin&#039;s famed Pride festival on Saturday night, killing one person, injuring at least 16 others ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Van, slams, into, crowd, Berlin, Pride, festival, killing, and, injuring, 16, police, identify, suspect</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BERLIN (AP) -- A van slammed into people gathered for Berlin's famed Pride festival on Saturday night, killing one person, injuring at least 16 others]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Ex&#45;major league baseball player Iguchi tapped as next Samurai Japan manager</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ex-major-league-baseball-player-iguchi-tapped-as-next-samurai-japan-manager</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-ex-major-league-baseball-player-iguchi-tapped-as-next-samurai-japan-manager</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tadahito Iguchi, who previously managed the Lotte Marines, has been tapped as the next skipper of Japan&#039;s national baseball team, Nip ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Ex-major, league, baseball, player, Iguchi, tapped, next, Samurai, Japan, manager</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tadahito Iguchi, who previously managed the Lotte Marines, has been tapped as the next skipper of Japan's national baseball team, Nip]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan team achieves world&amp;apos;s first captive breeding of slender shrew</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-team-achieves-worlds-first-captive-breeding-of-slender-shrew</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-team-achieves-worlds-first-captive-breeding-of-slender-shrew</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SAPPORO -- A Japan-based research team has successfully bred the slender shrew in captivity, marking the first such achievement in the world, the team ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, team, achieves, worlds, first, captive, breeding, slender, shrew</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SAPPORO -- A Japan-based research team has successfully bred the slender shrew in captivity, marking the first such achievement in the world, the team]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Toyota&amp;apos;s new president calls for front line &amp;apos;kaizen&amp;apos; improvements to boost profitability</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyotas-new-president-calls-for-front-line-kaizen-improvements-to-boost-profitability</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyotas-new-president-calls-for-front-line-kaizen-improvements-to-boost-profitability</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CHINO, Nagano -- Toyota Motor Corp. President Kenta Kon said the company will strengthen profitability by sending more employees from its headquarters ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyotas, new, president, calls, for, front, line, kaizen, improvements, boost, profitability</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CHINO, Nagano -- Toyota Motor Corp. President Kenta Kon said the company will strengthen profitability by sending more employees from its headquarters]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Yamamoto earns 100th win of NPB, MLB career as Dodgers beat Mets</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-yamamoto-earns-100th-win-of-npb-mlb-career-as-dodgers-beat-mets</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-yamamoto-earns-100th-win-of-npb-mlb-career-as-dodgers-beat-mets</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed six innings of one-run ball and earned the 100th win of his combined Japanese and U.S. professional base ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Yamamoto, earns, 100th, win, NPB, MLB, career, Dodgers, beat, Mets</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed six innings of one-run ball and earned the 100th win of his combined Japanese and U.S. professional base]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Iran&#45;backed Houthis fire missiles at Saudi Arabia in response to airstrikes in Yemen</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/iran-backed-houthis-fire-missiles-at-saudi-arabia-in-response-to-airstrikes-in-yemen</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/iran-backed-houthis-fire-missiles-at-saudi-arabia-in-response-to-airstrikes-in-yemen</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CAIRO (AP) -- Yemen&#039;s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Saturday that they fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia in response to Saudi airstrikes on t ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Iran-backed, Houthis, fire, missiles, Saudi, Arabia, response, airstrikes, Yemen</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CAIRO (AP) -- Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Saturday that they fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia in response to Saudi airstrikes on t]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan, Britain, Italy eye Japanese factory to build fighter jet</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-britain-italy-eye-japanese-factory-to-build-fighter-jet</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-britain-italy-eye-japanese-factory-to-build-fighter-jet</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LONDON (Kyodo) -- A Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. factory is expected to be the Japan center for the development and assembly of the next-generatio ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Britain, Italy, eye, Japanese, factory, build, fighter, jet</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LONDON (Kyodo) -- A Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. factory is expected to be the Japan center for the development and assembly of the next-generatio]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>France and Spain battle wildfires as more than 250,000 people are forced to flee homes</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/france-and-spain-battle-wildfires-as-more-than-250000-people-are-forced-to-flee-homes</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/france-and-spain-battle-wildfires-as-more-than-250000-people-are-forced-to-flee-homes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LEGE-CAP FERRET, France (AP) -- France sent a hulking military cargo plane to dump tons of flame retardants as it battled raging wildfires on Saturday ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>France, and, Spain, battle, wildfires, more, than, 250, 000, people, are, forced, flee, homes</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LEGE-CAP FERRET, France (AP) -- France sent a hulking military cargo plane to dump tons of flame retardants as it battled raging wildfires on Saturday]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Nagasaki museum tells untold story about Korean atomic bomb victims</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nagasaki-museum-tells-untold-story-about-korean-atomic-bomb-victims</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nagasaki-museum-tells-untold-story-about-korean-atomic-bomb-victims</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Although the deaths of foreign victims in the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945 have long been documented, a museum in the southwestern Japanese city has been… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nagasaki, museum, tells, untold, story, about, Korean, atomic, bomb, victims</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Although the deaths of foreign victims in the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945 have long been documented, a museum in the southwestern Japanese city has been…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan finds multiple rare earth elements in deep&#45;water mining in Pacific</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-finds-multiple-rare-earth-elements-in-deep-water-mining-in-pacific</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-finds-multiple-rare-earth-elements-in-deep-water-mining-in-pacific</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A Japanese project to secure critical minerals from deep waters off Minamitori Island in the Pacific has identified multiple types of medium and heavy rare earth elements that… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:12:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, finds, multiple, rare, earth, elements, deep-water, mining, Pacific</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A Japanese project to secure critical minerals from deep waters off Minamitori Island in the Pacific has identified multiple types of medium and heavy rare earth elements that…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Sumo: Aonishiki beats fellow front runner Kirishima, takes sole lead</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sumo-aonishiki-beats-fellow-front-runner-kirishima-takes-sole-lead</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sumo-aonishiki-beats-fellow-front-runner-kirishima-takes-sole-lead</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki moved into the outright lead Friday at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after an outstanding victory ov ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sumo:, Aonishiki, beats, fellow, front, runner, Kirishima, takes, sole, lead</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki moved into the outright lead Friday at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after an outstanding victory ov]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan sizzles with 4th straight day of temps over 40 C</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sizzles-with-4th-straight-day-of-temps-over-40-c</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sizzles-with-4th-straight-day-of-temps-over-40-c</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Temperatures soared in central Japan&#039;s Tokai region and the Kinki and Shikoku areas of western Japan on July 24, with the mercury topping 40 ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, sizzles, with, 4th, straight, day, temps, over</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Temperatures soared in central Japan's Tokai region and the Kinki and Shikoku areas of western Japan on July 24, with the mercury topping 40]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Haiku in English: July 25, 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/haiku-in-english-july-25-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/haiku-in-english-july-25-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ -- KEEP OFF --the wildflowerswilling to risk it--Helen Buckingham (Somerset, UK)Selected by Dhugal J. Lindsay ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Haiku, English:, July, 25, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[-- KEEP OFF --the wildflowerswilling to risk it--Helen Buckingham (Somerset, UK)Selected by Dhugal J. Lindsay]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&#45;U.S. research team discovers substance seen as &amp;apos;seed&amp;apos; behind Alzheimer&amp;apos;s disease</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-us-research-team-discovers-substance-seen-as-seed-behind-alzheimers-disease</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-us-research-team-discovers-substance-seen-as-seed-behind-alzheimers-disease</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The team, including researchers from Japan&#039;s National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, focused on the protein amyloid beta, or A-beta. In the brain ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan-U.S., research, team, discovers, substance, seen, seed, behind, Alzheimers, disease</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The team, including researchers from Japan's National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, focused on the protein amyloid beta, or A-beta. In the brain]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Living in Japan &#45;&#45; an exchange student&amp;apos;s view: New lenses for a new country (Pt. 18)</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/living-in-japan-an-exchange-students-view-new-lenses-for-a-new-country-pt-18</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/living-in-japan-an-exchange-students-view-new-lenses-for-a-new-country-pt-18</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan first caught my interest during high school. At that time, as I was discovering and shaping my identity as a teenager, I became engrossed in ani ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Living, Japan, exchange, students, view:, New, lenses, for, new, country, Pt., 18</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan first caught my interest during high school. At that time, as I was discovering and shaping my identity as a teenager, I became engrossed in ani]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>News in Easy English: Mental illness leads to more teachers leaving work in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-mental-illness-leads-to-more-teachers-leaving-work-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-mental-illness-leads-to-more-teachers-leaving-work-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A record 1,319 teachers at public elementary, junior high and high schools in Japan left their jobs because of mental illness in fiscal 2024. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>News, Easy, English:, Mental, illness, leads, more, teachers, leaving, work, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A record 1,319 teachers at public elementary, junior high and high schools in Japan left their jobs because of mental illness in fiscal 2024.]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What has become the norm for Sanae Takaichi since she became PM?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-has-become-the-norm-for-sanae-takaichi-since-she-became-pm</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-has-become-the-norm-for-sanae-takaichi-since-she-became-pm</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 25 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What did Japanese Prime ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, has, become, the, norm, for, Sanae, Takaichi, since, she, became, PM</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 25 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What did Japanese Prime]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Sweet&#45;toothed bear breaks into home 6 times in 7 days in Japan&amp;apos;s Iwate Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sweet-toothed-bear-breaks-into-home-6-times-in-7-days-in-japans-iwate-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sweet-toothed-bear-breaks-into-home-6-times-in-7-days-in-japans-iwate-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SHIZUKUISHI, Iwate -- This northeastern Japan town has seen a string of cases where a bear suddenly entered homes and devoured sweets, pickles and oth ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sweet-toothed, bear, breaks, into, home, times, days, Japans, Iwate, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SHIZUKUISHI, Iwate -- This northeastern Japan town has seen a string of cases where a bear suddenly entered homes and devoured sweets, pickles and oth]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>More schools in Japan sharing pools as facilities age, enrollment falls</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/more-schools-in-japan-sharing-pools-as-facilities-age-enrollment-falls</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/more-schools-in-japan-sharing-pools-as-facilities-age-enrollment-falls</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ UBE, Yamaguchi -- As school pools age across Japan, some public elementary and junior high schools are opting to share pools with nearby schools or tu ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>More, schools, Japan, sharing, pools, facilities, age, enrollment, falls</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[UBE, Yamaguchi -- As school pools age across Japan, some public elementary and junior high schools are opting to share pools with nearby schools or tu]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japanese women lead world in life expectancy for 41st straight year; men 7th</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-women-lead-world-in-life-expectancy-for-41st-straight-year-men-7th</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-women-lead-world-in-life-expectancy-for-41st-straight-year-men-7th</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The average life expectancy for Japanese women and men in 2025 increased compared with the previous year as the mortality rate for some forms of cancer and heart… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:04:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, women, lead, world, life, expectancy, for, 41st, straight, year, men, 7th</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The average life expectancy for Japanese women and men in 2025 increased compared with the previous year as the mortality rate for some forms of cancer and heart…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Baby monkey Punch to celebrate first birthday</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baby-monkey-punch-to-celebrate-first-birthday</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baby-monkey-punch-to-celebrate-first-birthday</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Punch, a plush-clutching Japanese baby monkey that has become a global online sensation, will celebrate his first birthday on Sunday as his zoo is flooded with fan letters… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:04:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baby, monkey, Punch, celebrate, first, birthday</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Punch, a plush-clutching Japanese baby monkey that has become a global online sensation, will celebrate his first birthday on Sunday as his zoo is flooded with fan letters…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Young Japanese artists turn school blackboards into a hit medium for creativity</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/young-japanese-artists-turn-school-blackboards-into-a-hit-medium-for-creativity</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/young-japanese-artists-turn-school-blackboards-into-a-hit-medium-for-creativity</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The humble blackboard is serving as the canvas, and colorful chalk the paint, for young Japanese artists.
“Kokuban Art Koshien &quot; is an annual national chalk art championship… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Young, Japanese, artists, turn, school, blackboards, into, hit, medium, for, creativity</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The humble blackboard is serving as the canvas, and colorful chalk the paint, for young Japanese artists.
“Kokuban Art Koshien " is an annual national chalk art championship…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japan gov&amp;apos;t to impose tougher requirements for permanent residency</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-to-impose-tougher-requirements-for-permanent-residency</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-govt-to-impose-tougher-requirements-for-permanent-residency</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The government plans to raise the bar for granting permanent residency to foreigners by requiring incomes higher than the average for Japanese households and a certain level of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, govt, impose, tougher, requirements, for, permanent, residency</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The government plans to raise the bar for granting permanent residency to foreigners by requiring incomes higher than the average for Japanese households and a certain level of…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Western Japan&amp;apos;s Koshien University to halt student recruitment as enrollment plunges</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/western-japans-koshien-university-to-halt-student-recruitment-as-enrollment-plunges</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/western-japans-koshien-university-to-halt-student-recruitment-as-enrollment-plunges</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TAKARAZUKA, Hyogo -- An educational institution here announced on July 23 that it will stop recruiting students into its university beginning next aca ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:59:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Western, Japans, Koshien, University, halt, student, recruitment, enrollment, plunges</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TAKARAZUKA, Hyogo -- An educational institution here announced on July 23 that it will stop recruiting students into its university beginning next aca]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Indonesia&amp;apos;s free meal program faces cuts after scandals, food poisoning</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/indonesias-free-meal-program-faces-cuts-after-scandals-food-poisoning</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/indonesias-free-meal-program-faces-cuts-after-scandals-food-poisoning</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ JAKARTA (Kyodo) -- Indonesia is being forced to scale back President Prabowo Subianto&#039;s flagship free school meal program as budget pressures mount am ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:35:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Indonesias, free, meal, program, faces, cuts, after, scandals, food, poisoning</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[JAKARTA (Kyodo) -- Indonesia is being forced to scale back President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free school meal program as budget pressures mount am]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japan rethinks defense strategy as Ukraine drone war redefines deterrence</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-rethinks-defense-strategy-as-ukraine-drone-war-redefines-deterrence</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-rethinks-defense-strategy-as-ukraine-drone-war-redefines-deterrence</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Russia-Ukraine war has transformed drones into defining weapons of modern warfare, prompting Japan to rethink defense procurement and production amid security challenges from regional powers such as… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:24:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, rethinks, defense, strategy, Ukraine, drone, war, redefines, deterrence</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Russia-Ukraine war has transformed drones into defining weapons of modern warfare, prompting Japan to rethink defense procurement and production amid security challenges from regional powers such as…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japan to launch expert panel on foreign worker intake, draft &amp;apos;population strategy&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-expert-panel-on-foreign-worker-intake-draft-population-strategy</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-expert-panel-on-foreign-worker-intake-draft-population-strategy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- The Japanese government will set up an expert panel as early as this month to review regulations on accepting foreign nationals into the coun ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:19:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, launch, expert, panel, foreign, worker, intake, draft, population, strategy</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- The Japanese government will set up an expert panel as early as this month to review regulations on accepting foreign nationals into the coun]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Nikkei down almost 3% on AI investment concerns, Middle East crisis</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-down-almost-3-on-ai-investment-concerns-middle-east-crisis</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-down-almost-3-on-ai-investment-concerns-middle-east-crisis</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index plunged Friday, briefly falling over 3 percent, after concerns over massive investments in artificial intellig ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:19:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nikkei, down, almost, investment, concerns, Middle, East, crisis</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index plunged Friday, briefly falling over 3 percent, after concerns over massive investments in artificial intellig]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>US new tariff imposition over forced&#45;labor bans &amp;quot;regrettable&amp;quot;: Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-new-tariff-imposition-over-forced-labor-bans-regrettable-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-new-tariff-imposition-over-forced-labor-bans-regrettable-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government said Friday it was &quot;regrettable&quot; that the United States has decided to impose new tariffs on 60 trading partn ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>new, tariff, imposition, over, forced-labor, bans, regrettable:, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government said Friday it was "regrettable" that the United States has decided to impose new tariffs on 60 trading partn]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>US to impose new tariffs of up to 12.5% on 60 trading partners on Friday</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-to-impose-new-tariffs-of-up-to-125-on-60-trading-partners-on-friday</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-to-impose-new-tariffs-of-up-to-125-on-60-trading-partners-on-friday</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States on Friday imposed new tariffs of either 10 percent or 12.5 percent on goods from its top 60 trading partners, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>impose, new, tariffs, 12.5, trading, partners, Friday</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States on Friday imposed new tariffs of either 10 percent or 12.5 percent on goods from its top 60 trading partners,]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>&amp;apos;Like being in a sauna&amp;apos;: Hamamatsu area hits Japan&amp;apos;s yearly high of 41.1 C</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/like-being-in-a-sauna-hamamatsu-area-hits-japans-yearly-high-of-411-c</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/like-being-in-a-sauna-hamamatsu-area-hits-japans-yearly-high-of-411-c</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ HAMAMATSU -- A district in this central Japan city recorded Japan&#039;s highest temperature of the year on July 23, reaching a scorching 41.1 degrees Cels ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Like, being, sauna:, Hamamatsu, area, hits, Japans, yearly, high, 41.1</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[HAMAMATSU -- A district in this central Japan city recorded Japan's highest temperature of the year on July 23, reaching a scorching 41.1 degrees Cels]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japan to take &amp;apos;decisive&amp;apos; action when needed vs. yen fall: finance chief</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-take-decisive-action-when-needed-vs-yen-fall-finance-chief</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-take-decisive-action-when-needed-vs-yen-fall-finance-chief</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will take &quot;decisive action resolutely&quot; when needed, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said Friday as the yen ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, take, decisive, action, when, needed, vs., yen, fall:, finance, chief</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will take "decisive action resolutely" when needed, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said Friday as the yen]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japan, Solomon Islands affirm ties as new PM rebalances after China pivot</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-solomon-islands-affirm-ties-as-new-pm-rebalances-after-china-pivot</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-solomon-islands-affirm-ties-as-new-pm-rebalances-after-china-pivot</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Solomon Islands counterpart Matthew Wale on Thursday affirmed their traditional ties i ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Solomon, Islands, affirm, ties, new, rebalances, after, China, pivot</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Solomon Islands counterpart Matthew Wale on Thursday affirmed their traditional ties i]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Kyoto man arrested for allegedly exposing neighbors to loud guitar, radio noise for 7 yrs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kyoto-man-arrested-for-allegedly-exposing-neighbors-to-loud-guitar-radio-noise-for-7-yrs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kyoto-man-arrested-for-allegedly-exposing-neighbors-to-loud-guitar-radio-noise-for-7-yrs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KYOTO -- A 61-year-old resident of Kyoto&#039;s Nishikyo Ward was arrested on July 23 on suspicion of inflicting injury after allegedly exposing neighbors ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kyoto, man, arrested, for, allegedly, exposing, neighbors, loud, guitar, radio, noise, for, yrs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KYOTO -- A 61-year-old resident of Kyoto's Nishikyo Ward was arrested on July 23 on suspicion of inflicting injury after allegedly exposing neighbors]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japan to launch new intelligence bureau on July 31 in counter spy push</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-new-intelligence-bureau-on-july-31-in-counter-spy-push</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-launch-new-intelligence-bureau-on-july-31-in-counter-spy-push</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s Cabinet on Friday approved the launch of a new National Intelligence Bureau on July 31 and the appointment of its director, a ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, launch, new, intelligence, bureau, July, counter, spy, push</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Cabinet on Friday approved the launch of a new National Intelligence Bureau on July 31 and the appointment of its director, a]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Editorial: Japan&amp;apos;s revised retrial law fails victims of wrongful convictions</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japans-revised-retrial-law-fails-victims-of-wrongful-convictions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japans-revised-retrial-law-fails-victims-of-wrongful-convictions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s revised Code of Criminal Procedure has been enacted. This is the first review of the retrial system since the post-World War II code was estab ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Japans, revised, retrial, law, fails, victims, wrongful, convictions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's revised Code of Criminal Procedure has been enacted. This is the first review of the retrial system since the post-World War II code was estab]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Marlins introduce Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/marlins-introduce-japanese-slugger-rintaro-sasaki</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/marlins-introduce-japanese-slugger-rintaro-sasaki</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ MIAMI (AP) -- Rintaro Sasaki was ready to turn his long-awaited dream into a reality.The Japanese slugger had a choice to make. He could return to Sta ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Marlins, introduce, Japanese, slugger, Rintaro, Sasaki</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[MIAMI (AP) -- Rintaro Sasaki was ready to turn his long-awaited dream into a reality.The Japanese slugger had a choice to make. He could return to Sta]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: &amp;apos;Obanazawa watermelon&amp;apos; shipping starts in Yamagata Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-obanazawa-watermelon-shipping-starts-in-yamagata-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-obanazawa-watermelon-shipping-starts-in-yamagata-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shipments of &quot;Obanazawa watermelons&quot; that are grown in areas including the city of Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, have begun. The large, brightly col ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/24/20260724p2a00m0li002000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Obanazawa, watermelon, shipping, starts, Yamagata, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shipments of "Obanazawa watermelons" that are grown in areas including the city of Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, have begun. The large, brightly col]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hundreds hospitalised in Japan heatwave &amp;apos;disaster&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hundreds-hospitalised-in-japan-heatwave-disaster</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hundreds-hospitalised-in-japan-heatwave-disaster</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ More than 450 people received hospital treatment for heat-related issues in a single day in Tokyo -- the highest number since records began 16 years ago, emergency services… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hundreds, hospitalised, Japan, heatwave, disaster</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[More than 450 people received hospital treatment for heat-related issues in a single day in Tokyo -- the highest number since records began 16 years ago, emergency services…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks advance as strong AI demand helps lift tech shares</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-advance-as-strong-ai-demand-helps-lift-tech-shares</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-advance-as-strong-ai-demand-helps-lift-tech-shares</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks climbed Thursday, aided by the buying of technology shares following signs of continued strong demand for artificial int ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:47:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, advance, strong, demand, helps, lift, tech, shares</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks climbed Thursday, aided by the buying of technology shares following signs of continued strong demand for artificial int]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Foreign hiker on Mount Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-hiker-on-mount-fuji-loses-consciousness-and-dies-becoming-climbing-seasons-second-fatality</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/foreign-hiker-on-mount-fuji-loses-consciousness-and-dies-becoming-climbing-seasons-second-fatality</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Fujinomiya Trail, one of the most popular routes to the top of Mount Fuji, opened for this year’s climbing season on July 10. Just one week later,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:12:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Foreign, hiker, Mount, Fuji, loses, consciousness, and, dies, becoming, climbing, season’s, second, fatality</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Fujinomiya Trail, one of the most popular routes to the top of Mount Fuji, opened for this year’s climbing season on July 10. Just one week later,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>News in Easy English: &amp;apos;Monster Wolf&amp;apos; starts work at Kushiro Airport in Hokkaido</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-monster-wolf-starts-work-at-kushiro-airport-in-hokkaido</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/news-in-easy-english-monster-wolf-starts-work-at-kushiro-airport-in-hokkaido</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KUSHIRO, Hokkaido -- A self-driving machine like a wolf is now at Kushiro Airport. Its name is &quot;Monster Wolf.&quot; It is there to stop wild animals from g ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/17/20260717p2a00m0na016000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>News, Easy, English:, Monster, Wolf, starts, work, Kushiro, Airport, Hokkaido</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KUSHIRO, Hokkaido -- A self-driving machine like a wolf is now at Kushiro Airport. Its name is "Monster Wolf." It is there to stop wild animals from g]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The Mainichi News Quiz: What is up with the extreme heat in Japan?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-is-up-with-the-extreme-heat-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-is-up-with-the-extreme-heat-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 23 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What milestone did Japa ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Mainichi, News, Quiz:, What, with, the, extreme, heat, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for July 23 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What milestone did Japa]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Seven&#45;Eleven Japan warns franchisees of rampant unauthorized merch resales</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/seven-eleven-japan-warns-franchisees-of-rampant-unauthorized-merch-resales</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/seven-eleven-japan-warns-franchisees-of-rampant-unauthorized-merch-resales</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan&#039;s largest convenience store operator Seven-Eleven Japan Co. has issued a warning to its franchisees nationwide that unauthorize ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Seven-Eleven, Japan, warns, franchisees, rampant, unauthorized, merch, resales</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's largest convenience store operator Seven-Eleven Japan Co. has issued a warning to its franchisees nationwide that unauthorize]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks rise in morning as strong AI demand boosts tech shares</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rise-in-morning-as-strong-ai-demand-boosts-tech-shares</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rise-in-morning-as-strong-ai-demand-boosts-tech-shares</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Thursday morning as technology shares gained after signs of continued strong demand for artificial intelligence inf ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, rise, morning, strong, demand, boosts, tech, shares</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Thursday morning as technology shares gained after signs of continued strong demand for artificial intelligence inf]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Record 1,319 public school teachers leave jobs due to mental illness in FY2024</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/record-1319-public-school-teachers-leave-jobs-due-to-mental-illness-in-fy2024</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/record-1319-public-school-teachers-leave-jobs-due-to-mental-illness-in-fy2024</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- A record high of 1,319 teachers at public elementary, junior high and high schools in Japan left their jobs due to mental illness in fiscal 2 ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Record, 1, 319, public, school, teachers, leave, jobs, due, mental, illness, FY2024</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- A record high of 1,319 teachers at public elementary, junior high and high schools in Japan left their jobs due to mental illness in fiscal 2]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan completes first successful recovery program for 2 rare Amami&#45;Oshima bird species</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-completes-first-successful-recovery-program-for-2-rare-amami-oshima-bird-species</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-completes-first-successful-recovery-program-for-2-rare-amami-oshima-bird-species</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Japan&#039;s Ministry of the Environment has announced the successful completion of a protection and propagation program for two rare bird species ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, completes, first, successful, recovery, program, for, rare, Amami-Oshima, bird, species</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Japan's Ministry of the Environment has announced the successful completion of a protection and propagation program for two rare bird species]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Crowdfunding operator fails to pay tens of millions of yen raised for projects in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/crowdfunding-operator-fails-to-pay-tens-of-millions-of-yen-raised-for-projects-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/crowdfunding-operator-fails-to-pay-tens-of-millions-of-yen-raised-for-projects-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Crowdfunding operator Ubugoe Inc. has failed to pay funds raised for a series of projects in Japan, including support sought by railways and game prod ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Crowdfunding, operator, fails, pay, tens, millions, yen, raised, for, projects, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Crowdfunding operator Ubugoe Inc. has failed to pay funds raised for a series of projects in Japan, including support sought by railways and game prod]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan economy may surpass 73&#45;month postwar growth record in July</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-economy-may-surpass-73-month-postwar-growth-record-in-july</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-economy-may-surpass-73-month-postwar-growth-record-in-july</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government is likely to maintain its view that the economy is recovering moderately in its monthly assessment for July, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, economy, may, surpass, 73-month, postwar, growth, record, July</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government is likely to maintain its view that the economy is recovering moderately in its monthly assessment for July,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan to send students to Russia for first time in 7 years</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-send-students-to-russia-for-first-time-in-7-years</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-to-send-students-to-russia-for-first-time-in-7-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ MOSCOW (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will resume sending university students to Russia under a short-term study program from August after a seven ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, send, students, Russia, for, first, time, years</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[MOSCOW (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will resume sending university students to Russia under a short-term study program from August after a seven]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo used condo prices fall in June for 1st time in 26 months</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-used-condo-prices-fall-in-june-for-1st-time-in-26-months</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-used-condo-prices-fall-in-june-for-1st-time-in-26-months</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The average asking price for a used condominium in Tokyo fell 0.8 percent from May to 127.41 million yen ($781,000) in June, marking ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, used, condo, prices, fall, June, for, 1st, time, months</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The average asking price for a used condominium in Tokyo fell 0.8 percent from May to 127.41 million yen ($781,000) in June, marking]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan sizzles in first &amp;apos;brutally hot&amp;apos; days of the year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sizzles-in-first-brutally-hot-days-of-the-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-sizzles-in-first-brutally-hot-days-of-the-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday, ‌with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some cities in what ‌the government has newly… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:04:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, sizzles, first, brutally, hot, days, the, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday, ‌with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some cities in what ‌the government has newly…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Small eruption occurs at Mount Tokachi in Hokkaido, alert level unchanged</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/small-eruption-occurs-at-mount-tokachi-in-hokkaido-alert-level-unchanged</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/small-eruption-occurs-at-mount-tokachi-in-hokkaido-alert-level-unchanged</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A small eruption occurred at Mount Tokachi in Hokkaido on Wednesday and authorities urged caution against large volcanic rocks falling within 1.5 kilometers of the crater.
The volcano,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Small, eruption, occurs, Mount, Tokachi, Hokkaido, alert, level, unchanged</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A small eruption occurred at Mount Tokachi in Hokkaido on Wednesday and authorities urged caution against large volcanic rocks falling within 1.5 kilometers of the crater.
The volcano,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Dollar holds above 163 yen despite Japan intervention warning</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dollar-holds-above-163-yen-despite-japan-intervention-warning</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dollar-holds-above-163-yen-despite-japan-intervention-warning</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. dollar stayed near a fresh 39-year high in the lower 163 yen range Wednesday, as safe-haven buying driven by escalating Midd ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:51:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dollar, holds, above, 163, yen, despite, Japan, intervention, warning</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. dollar stayed near a fresh 39-year high in the lower 163 yen range Wednesday, as safe-haven buying driven by escalating Midd]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Private mission launches to extend life of out&#45;of&#45;gas communication satellites</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/private-mission-launches-to-extend-life-of-out-of-gas-communication-satellites</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/private-mission-launches-to-extend-life-of-out-of-gas-communication-satellites</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- A two-armed space robot blasted off on a private salvage operation Tuesday to slap life-extending jetpacks on old satelli ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:35:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Private, mission, launches, extend, life, out-of-gas, communication, satellites</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- A two-armed space robot blasted off on a private salvage operation Tuesday to slap life-extending jetpacks on old satelli]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Editorial: Japan PM Takaichi&amp;apos;s food tax cut is flawed, no matter how long it&amp;apos;s debated</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japan-pm-takaichis-food-tax-cut-is-flawed-no-matter-how-long-its-debated</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-japan-pm-takaichis-food-tax-cut-is-flawed-no-matter-how-long-its-debated</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ No matter how much time is spent debating it, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi&#039;s proposed consumption tax cut on food remains a policy that leav ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:11:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Japan, Takaichis, food, tax, cut, flawed, matter, how, long, its, debated</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[No matter how much time is spent debating it, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's proposed consumption tax cut on food remains a policy that leav]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Fukushima communities work to preserve disaster sites despite hurdles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fukushima-communities-work-to-preserve-disaster-sites-despite-hurdles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fukushima-communities-work-to-preserve-disaster-sites-despite-hurdles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SENDAI, Japan (Kyodo) -- Efforts to preserve buildings damaged by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and open them to the public are gaining traction ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fukushima, communities, work, preserve, disaster, sites, despite, hurdles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SENDAI, Japan (Kyodo) -- Efforts to preserve buildings damaged by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and open them to the public are gaining traction]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>UK leader Burnham gathers his Cabinet after sweeping away Starmer supporters</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/uk-leader-burnham-gathers-his-cabinet-after-sweeping-away-starmer-supporters</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/uk-leader-burnham-gathers-his-cabinet-after-sweeping-away-starmer-supporters</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ LONDON (AP) -- New U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham gathered his Cabinet for its first meeting on Tuesday and vowed to take a &quot;one-team approach&quot; desp ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>leader, Burnham, gathers, his, Cabinet, after, sweeping, away, Starmer, supporters</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[LONDON (AP) -- New U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham gathered his Cabinet for its first meeting on Tuesday and vowed to take a "one-team approach" desp]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>4 bodies found after house fire in Japan&amp;apos;s Chiba Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/4-bodies-found-after-house-fire-in-japans-chiba-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/4-bodies-found-after-house-fire-in-japans-chiba-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ YACHIMATA, Chiba -- Four bodies believed to be adults were found after a fire destroyed a home in this city east of Tokyo early on July 22, local fire ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/22/20260722p2a00m0na001000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>bodies, found, after, house, fire, Japans, Chiba, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[YACHIMATA, Chiba -- Four bodies believed to be adults were found after a fire destroyed a home in this city east of Tokyo early on July 22, local fire]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan PM Takaichi&amp;apos;s &amp;apos;0&#45;3 hours sleep&amp;apos; post draws criticism across party lines</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichis-0-3-hours-sleep-post-draws-criticism-across-party-lines</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-pm-takaichis-0-3-hours-sleep-post-draws-criticism-across-party-lines</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- Ruling and opposition party members have taken issue with a post by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about her handling of a heavy work ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Takaichis, 0-3, hours, sleep, post, draws, criticism, across, party, lines</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- Ruling and opposition party members have taken issue with a post by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about her handling of a heavy work]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>US military identifies 3rd service member believed to have been killed in Iranian attack</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/us-military-identifies-3rd-service-member-believed-to-have-been-killed-in-iranian-attack</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/us-military-identifies-3rd-service-member-believed-to-have-been-killed-in-iranian-attack</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) -- The U.S. military has confirmed that a third service member is believed to be dead in Friday&#039;s attack on a base in Jor ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>military, identifies, 3rd, service, member, believed, have, been, killed, Iranian, attack</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) -- The U.S. military has confirmed that a third service member is believed to be dead in Friday's attack on a base in Jor]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan says ready to take appropriate action if needed as yen slumps</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-says-ready-to-take-appropriate-action-if-needed-as-yen-slumps</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-says-ready-to-take-appropriate-action-if-needed-as-yen-slumps</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan said Wednesday it is ready to take appropriate action if needed after the yen dropped to a fresh 39-year low in the 163 yen ran ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, says, ready, take, appropriate, action, needed, yen, slumps</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan said Wednesday it is ready to take appropriate action if needed after the yen dropped to a fresh 39-year low in the 163 yen ran]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Dollar remains firm in lower 163 yen zone amid Middle East tensions</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dollar-remains-firm-in-lower-163-yen-zone-amid-middle-east-tensions</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dollar-remains-firm-in-lower-163-yen-zone-amid-middle-east-tensions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. dollar remained firm in the lower 163 yen range on Wednesday morning after breaching the 163 yen line overnight and marking ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dollar, remains, firm, lower, 163, yen, zone, amid, Middle, East, tensions</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. dollar remained firm in the lower 163 yen range on Wednesday morning after breaching the 163 yen line overnight and marking]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Carney says he and Trump will intensify trade negotiations after US imposes 50% tariffs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/carney-says-he-and-trump-will-intensify-trade-negotiations-after-us-imposes-50-tariffs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/carney-says-he-and-trump-will-intensify-trade-negotiations-after-us-imposes-50-tariffs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that he and Donald Trump have agreed to intensify negotiations on ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Carney, says, and, Trump, will, intensify, trade, negotiations, after, imposes, 50, tariffs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that he and Donald Trump have agreed to intensify negotiations on]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hacker group Ransomhouse claims cyberattack on Japan food giant Nichirei</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hacker-group-ransomhouse-claims-cyberattack-on-japan-food-giant-nichirei</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hacker-group-ransomhouse-claims-cyberattack-on-japan-food-giant-nichirei</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Hacker group Ransomhouse has claimed that it launched a cyberattack against Japanese frozen food maker Nichirei Corp., according to a ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hacker, group, Ransomhouse, claims, cyberattack, Japan, food, giant, Nichirei</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Hacker group Ransomhouse has claimed that it launched a cyberattack against Japanese frozen food maker Nichirei Corp., according to a]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Fuji&#45;Q amusement park to open &amp;apos;San&#45;X Paradise&amp;apos; area</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-fuji-q-amusement-park-to-open-san-x-paradise-area</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-fuji-q-amusement-park-to-open-san-x-paradise-area</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in the city of Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, will open an area on August 1 where visitors can enjoy attraction ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:03:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Fuji-Q, amusement, park, open, San-X, Paradise, area</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in the city of Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, will open an area on August 1 where visitors can enjoy attraction]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s crown prince, princess to visit Paraguay in August</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-crown-prince-princess-to-visit-paraguay-in-august</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-crown-prince-princess-to-visit-paraguay-in-august</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan&#039;s Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko will make an official visit to Paraguay in August to mark the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the South… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, crown, prince, princess, visit, Paraguay, August</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko will make an official visit to Paraguay in August to mark the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the South…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Central Japan cities hit 40 C, officially marking first &amp;quot;kokushobi&amp;quot;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/central-japan-cities-hit-40-c-officially-marking-first-kokushobi</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/central-japan-cities-hit-40-c-officially-marking-first-kokushobi</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Three cities in central Japan on Tuesday reached 40 C, officially marking the country&#039;s first &quot;kokushobi,&quot; or &quot;cruelly hot day,&quot; since the weather agency introduced the term earlier… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:00:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Central, Japan, cities, hit, officially, marking, first, kokushobi</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Three cities in central Japan on Tuesday reached 40 C, officially marking the country's first "kokushobi," or "cruelly hot day," since the weather agency introduced the term earlier…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese soldier who lost leg in Ukraine war vows to return to front line</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-soldier-who-lost-leg-in-ukraine-war-vows-to-return-to-front-line</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-soldier-who-lost-leg-in-ukraine-war-vows-to-return-to-front-line</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A Japanese volunteer soldier who lost his left leg fighting Russian forces in Ukraine says foreign recruits were often sent into dangerous combat with little information, yet after… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:00:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, soldier, who, lost, leg, Ukraine, war, vows, return, front, line</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A Japanese volunteer soldier who lost his left leg fighting Russian forces in Ukraine says foreign recruits were often sent into dangerous combat with little information, yet after…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nikkei rebounds over 3% on beaten&#45;down chip share gains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-rebounds-over-3-on-beaten-down-chip-share-gains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nikkei-rebounds-over-3-on-beaten-down-chip-share-gains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index ended up over 3 percent Tuesday following a plunge late last week, as buying was prompted by gains in semicond ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:55:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nikkei, rebounds, over, beaten-down, chip, share, gains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index ended up over 3 percent Tuesday following a plunge late last week, as buying was prompted by gains in semicond]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>N. Korea, Russia foreign ministers reaffirm cooperation in strategic talks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korea-russia-foreign-ministers-reaffirm-cooperation-in-strategic-talks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/n-korea-russia-foreign-ministers-reaffirm-cooperation-in-strategic-talks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BEIJING (Kyodo9 -- North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed bilateral cooperation in various ar ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:31:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Korea, Russia, foreign, ministers, reaffirm, cooperation, strategic, talks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[BEIJING (Kyodo9 -- North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed bilateral cooperation in various ar]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Excavation in Taiwan searches for remains of Japanese soldiers lost in WWII ship sinking</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/excavation-in-taiwan-searches-for-remains-of-japanese-soldiers-lost-in-wwii-ship-sinking</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/excavation-in-taiwan-searches-for-remains-of-japanese-soldiers-lost-in-wwii-ship-sinking</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Heads bowed, experts offered their respects on Monday ahead of an excavation aimed at recovering the remains of Japanese soldiers from World War II in southern Taiwan.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:12:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Excavation, Taiwan, searches, for, remains, Japanese, soldiers, lost, WWII, ship, sinking</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Heads bowed, experts offered their respects on Monday ahead of an excavation aimed at recovering the remains of Japanese soldiers from World War II in southern Taiwan.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>2011 tsunami disaster led prefectural police to set evacuation rules</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2011-tsunami-disaster-led-prefectural-police-to-set-evacuation-rules</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2011-tsunami-disaster-led-prefectural-police-to-set-evacuation-rules</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ AKITA (Kyodo) -- More than 30 Japanese prefectural police forces in areas vulnerable to tsunami triggered by major earthquakes have established evacua ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>2011, tsunami, disaster, led, prefectural, police, set, evacuation, rules</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[AKITA (Kyodo) -- More than 30 Japanese prefectural police forces in areas vulnerable to tsunami triggered by major earthquakes have established evacua]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of injuring Filipino sailor in disputed shoal</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/philippines-accuses-chinese-coast-guard-of-injuring-filipino-sailor-in-disputed-shoal</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/philippines-accuses-chinese-coast-guard-of-injuring-filipino-sailor-in-disputed-shoal</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- The Philippine military on Monday accused China&#039;s coast guard of allegedly injuring a Filipino sailor during an incident i ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Philippines, accuses, Chinese, coast, guard, injuring, Filipino, sailor, disputed, shoal</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- The Philippine military on Monday accused China's coast guard of allegedly injuring a Filipino sailor during an incident i]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tokyo stocks rebound, Nikkei briefly rises 2%</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rebound-nikkei-briefly-rises-2</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-stocks-rebound-nikkei-briefly-rises-2</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Tuesday morning, with the Nikkei stock index briefly climbing over 2 percent following a plunge late last week, pro ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, stocks, rebound, Nikkei, briefly, rises</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Tuesday morning, with the Nikkei stock index briefly climbing over 2 percent following a plunge late last week, pro]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s Takaichi vows to further boost ties with Britain under PM Burnham</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-takaichi-vows-to-further-boost-ties-with-britain-under-pm-burnham</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-takaichi-vows-to-further-boost-ties-with-britain-under-pm-burnham</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan will further deepen relations with Britain under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took o ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, Takaichi, vows, further, boost, ties, with, Britain, under, Burnham</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan will further deepen relations with Britain under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took o]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>White House: Trump to fly old Air Force One for about a month as Qatari&#45;gifted jet gets &amp;apos;upgrades&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/white-house-trump-to-fly-old-air-force-one-for-about-a-month-as-qatari-gifted-jet-gets-upgrades</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/white-house-trump-to-fly-old-air-force-one-for-about-a-month-as-qatari-gifted-jet-gets-upgrades</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says President Donald Trump will be returning to an older Air Force One plane for about a month as the new, Qatari- ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>White, House:, Trump, fly, old, Air, Force, One, for, about, month, Qatari-gifted, jet, gets, upgrades</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says President Donald Trump will be returning to an older Air Force One plane for about a month as the new, Qatari-]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Yukata&#45;clad station staff welcome travelers to Kinosaki Onsen in Japan&amp;apos;s Hyogo Pref.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yukata-clad-station-staff-welcome-travelers-to-kinosaki-onsen-in-japans-hyogo-pref</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yukata-clad-station-staff-welcome-travelers-to-kinosaki-onsen-in-japans-hyogo-pref</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOYOOKA, Hyogo -- Staff at JR Kinosakionsen Station, the gateway to the hot spring resort of Kinosaki Onsen in this west Japan city, began working at ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yukata-clad, station, staff, welcome, travelers, Kinosaki, Onsen, Japans, Hyogo, Pref.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOYOOKA, Hyogo -- Staff at JR Kinosakionsen Station, the gateway to the hot spring resort of Kinosaki Onsen in this west Japan city, began working at]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ex&#45;Olympic gold medalist Kyoko Iwasaki teaches water safety to children in Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ex-olympic-gold-medalist-kyoko-iwasaki-teaches-water-safety-to-children-in-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ex-olympic-gold-medalist-kyoko-iwasaki-teaches-water-safety-to-children-in-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO -- The Tokyo Fire Department recently held a water safety class featuring former Olympic gold medalist Kyoko Iwasaki to teach children how to st ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ex-Olympic, gold, medalist, Kyoko, Iwasaki, teaches, water, safety, children, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO -- The Tokyo Fire Department recently held a water safety class featuring former Olympic gold medalist Kyoko Iwasaki to teach children how to st]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Rice paddy art in Japan&amp;apos;s Aomori Pref. features local idol group</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rice-paddy-art-in-japans-aomori-pref-features-local-idol-group</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/rice-paddy-art-in-japans-aomori-pref-features-local-idol-group</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ INAKADATE, Aomori -- Elaborate works of rice paddy art created by planting differently colored varieties of the plant have reached their peak viewing ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Rice, paddy, art, Japans, Aomori, Pref., features, local, idol, group</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[INAKADATE, Aomori -- Elaborate works of rice paddy art created by planting differently colored varieties of the plant have reached their peak viewing]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan OKs economic policy blueprint focused on aggressive spending shift</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-oks-economic-policy-blueprint-focused-on-aggressive-spending-shift</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-oks-economic-policy-blueprint-focused-on-aggressive-spending-shift</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi&#039;s Cabinet approved Tuesday its first economic and fiscal policy guidelines, prioritizing aggressive fis ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, OKs, economic, policy, blueprint, focused, aggressive, spending, shift</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet approved Tuesday its first economic and fiscal policy guidelines, prioritizing aggressive fis]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Editorial: Heatstroke awareness, precautions needed as Japan faces extreme heat</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-heatstroke-awareness-precautions-needed-as-japan-faces-extreme-heat</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/editorial-heatstroke-awareness-precautions-needed-as-japan-faces-extreme-heat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Extremely hot days -- when the mercury climbs to 35 degrees Celsius or above -- are being recorded in succession across Japan. The number of people be ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/21/20260721p2a00m0na010000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:07:01 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Editorial:, Heatstroke, awareness, precautions, needed, Japan, faces, extreme, heat</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Extremely hot days -- when the mercury climbs to 35 degrees Celsius or above -- are being recorded in succession across Japan. The number of people be]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>2 die in expressway collision in Nara; wrong&#45;way driving suspected</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-die-in-expressway-collision-in-nara-wrong-way-driving-suspected</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-die-in-expressway-collision-in-nara-wrong-way-driving-suspected</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Two people died after a car and a minivan collided head-on along an expressway in Nara Prefecture  early Monday, police said.
The police suspect one of the vehicles… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:04:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>die, expressway, collision, Nara, wrong-way, driving, suspected</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two people died after a car and a minivan collided head-on along an expressway in Nara Prefecture  early Monday, police said.
The police suspect one of the vehicles…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Mercury hits 35 C in Tokyo, marking first &amp;apos;extremely hot&amp;apos; day of the year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/mercury-hits-35-c-in-tokyo-marking-first-extremely-hot-day-of-the-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/mercury-hits-35-c-in-tokyo-marking-first-extremely-hot-day-of-the-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The rainy season has likely ended in regions including Tokyo and Nagoya, the weather agency said Monday, with the Japanese capital marking the first &quot;extremely hot&quot; day of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:32:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Mercury, hits, Tokyo, marking, first, extremely, hot, day, the, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The rainy season has likely ended in regions including Tokyo and Nagoya, the weather agency said Monday, with the Japanese capital marking the first "extremely hot" day of…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>A centuries&#45;old festival in Japan brings Shinto traditions and towering floats to the streets</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-centuries-old-festival-in-japan-brings-shinto-traditions-and-towering-floats-to-the-streets</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-centuries-old-festival-in-japan-brings-shinto-traditions-and-towering-floats-to-the-streets</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There’s a special moment when Katsushi Horikawa feels closer to the gods. It comes as he rides atop one of the towering floats pulled through the streets in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:32:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>centuries-old, festival, Japan, brings, Shinto, traditions, and, towering, floats, the, streets</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There’s a special moment when Katsushi Horikawa feels closer to the gods. It comes as he rides atop one of the towering floats pulled through the streets in…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Two brothers killed in head&#45;on collision in Okayama</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/two-brothers-killed-in-head-on-collision-in-okayama</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/two-brothers-killed-in-head-on-collision-in-okayama</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Two brothers were killed when their sports car collided head-on with another car in Okayama Prefecture on Sunday.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 11:45 a.m.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:32:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Two, brothers, killed, head-on, collision, Okayama</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two brothers were killed when their sports car collided head-on with another car in Okayama Prefecture on Sunday.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 11:45 a.m.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Number of swimming beaches in Japan down 30% over 30 years</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/number-of-swimming-beaches-in-japan-down-30-over-30-years</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/number-of-swimming-beaches-in-japan-down-30-over-30-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of approved swimming beaches open during the summer in Japan has fallen by around 30 percent over the past three decades, ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/20/20260720p2g00m0na005000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Number, swimming, beaches, Japan, down, 30, over, years</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of approved swimming beaches open during the summer in Japan has fallen by around 30 percent over the past three decades,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Curator in Hokkaido succeeds in creating 3D whale skeleton from photos</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/curator-in-hokkaido-succeeds-in-creating-3d-whale-skeleton-from-photos</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/curator-in-hokkaido-succeeds-in-creating-3d-whale-skeleton-from-photos</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ OSAKA (Kyodo) -- A museum curator in Hokkaido has succeeded in reconstructing a complete whale skeleton as a three-dimensional image by integrating ph ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Curator, Hokkaido, succeeds, creating, whale, skeleton, from, photos</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[OSAKA (Kyodo) -- A museum curator in Hokkaido has succeeded in reconstructing a complete whale skeleton as a three-dimensional image by integrating ph]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan post office aids depopulated community with food sales and community watch</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-post-office-aids-depopulated-community-with-food-sales-and-community-watch</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-post-office-aids-depopulated-community-with-food-sales-and-community-watch</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KITSUKI, Oita -- A support hub for elderly residents and others has opened at a post office in the mountains area in this southwest Japan city, offeri ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, post, office, aids, depopulated, community, with, food, sales, and, community, watch</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[KITSUKI, Oita -- A support hub for elderly residents and others has opened at a post office in the mountains area in this southwest Japan city, offeri]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Restored inn praised by Lafcadio Hearn stands as symbol of historic southwest Japan port</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/restored-inn-praised-by-lafcadio-hearn-stands-as-symbol-of-historic-southwest-japan-port</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/restored-inn-praised-by-lafcadio-hearn-stands-as-symbol-of-historic-southwest-japan-port</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ UKI, Kumamoto -- A restored inn lavishly praised by Meiji-era writer Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) now stands as a symbol of a historic port in this sout ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Restored, inn, praised, Lafcadio, Hearn, stands, symbol, historic, southwest, Japan, port</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[UKI, Kumamoto -- A restored inn lavishly praised by Meiji-era writer Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) now stands as a symbol of a historic port in this sout]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>2 die in highway collision in western Japan, wrong&#45;way driving suspected</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-die-in-highway-collision-in-western-japan-wrong-way-driving-suspected</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-die-in-highway-collision-in-western-japan-wrong-way-driving-suspected</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NARA (Kyodo) -- Two people died after a car and a minivan collided head-on on an expressway in the western Japan prefecture of Nara early Monday, poli ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>die, highway, collision, western, Japan, wrong-way, driving, suspected</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NARA (Kyodo) -- Two people died after a car and a minivan collided head-on on an expressway in the western Japan prefecture of Nara early Monday, poli]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese beetle advances through northern Italy&amp;apos;s vineyards and orchards, frustrating farmers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-beetle-advances-through-northern-italys-vineyards-and-orchards-frustrating-farmers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-beetle-advances-through-northern-italys-vineyards-and-orchards-frustrating-farmers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ DONNAS, Italy (AP) -- The iridescent green beetles native to Japan have become a growing menace in Italy, swarming through orchards and vineyards and ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, beetle, advances, through, northern, Italys, vineyards, and, orchards, frustrating, farmers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[DONNAS, Italy (AP) -- The iridescent green beetles native to Japan have become a growing menace in Italy, swarming through orchards and vineyards and]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Rainy season over in Tokyo, mercury hits 35 C</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rainy-season-over-in-tokyo-mercury-hits-35-c</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/rainy-season-over-in-tokyo-mercury-hits-35-c</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The rainy season has likely ended in regions including Tokyo and Nagoya, the weather agency said Monday, with the Japanese capital ma ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Rainy, season, over, Tokyo, mercury, hits</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The rainy season has likely ended in regions including Tokyo and Nagoya, the weather agency said Monday, with the Japanese capital ma]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Baseball: Solid Yamamoto earns 1st complete&#45;game win in regular season</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-solid-yamamoto-earns-1st-complete-game-win-in-regular-season</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baseball-solid-yamamoto-earns-1st-complete-game-win-in-regular-season</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto picked up his first complete-game win in the MLB regular season Sunday, holding the New York Yankees to two run ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baseball:, Solid, Yamamoto, earns, 1st, complete-game, win, regular, season</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto picked up his first complete-game win in the MLB regular season Sunday, holding the New York Yankees to two run]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese institute opens memorial site for famed chimpanzee Ai</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-institute-opens-memorial-site-for-famed-chimpanzee-ai</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-institute-opens-memorial-site-for-famed-chimpanzee-ai</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- About six months after the death of Ai -- a female chimpanzee celebrated as a &quot;genius&quot; for her ability to understand numbers and ide ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, institute, opens, memorial, site, for, famed, chimpanzee</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- About six months after the death of Ai -- a female chimpanzee celebrated as a "genius" for her ability to understand numbers and ide]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Easy Japanese news in translation: Children&amp;apos;s wishes shine on lanterns in Yamagata</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-childrens-wishes-shine-on-lanterns-in-yamagata</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/easy-japanese-news-in-translation-childrens-wishes-shine-on-lanterns-in-yamagata</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In the city center of Yamagata, 1,100 lanterns have been put on display. Children&#039;s wishes and hopes are written on them. There are many kinds of wish ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Easy, Japanese, news, translation:, Childrens, wishes, shine, lanterns, Yamagata</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In the city center of Yamagata, 1,100 lanterns have been put on display. Children's wishes and hopes are written on them. There are many kinds of wish]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>7 injured after 20&#45;meter tree falls during soccer match in central Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/7-injured-after-20-meter-tree-falls-during-soccer-match-in-central-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/7-injured-after-20-meter-tree-falls-during-soccer-match-in-central-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Seven people were taken to a hospital after a tree fell onto a sports ground in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, during a soccer tournament for elementary school children on… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>injured, after, 20-meter, tree, falls, during, soccer, match, central, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Seven people were taken to a hospital after a tree fell onto a sports ground in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, during a soccer tournament for elementary school children on…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>2 confirmed dead after house collapses in heavy rains in Tochigi</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/2-confirmed-dead-after-house-collapses-in-heavy-rains-in-tochigi</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/2-confirmed-dead-after-house-collapses-in-heavy-rains-in-tochigi</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A man and a woman found at the scene of a collapsed house in heavy rains near Tokyo were confirmed dead, the local city said Sunday.
The two-story… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:00:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>confirmed, dead, after, house, collapses, heavy, rains, Tochigi</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A man and a woman found at the scene of a collapsed house in heavy rains near Tokyo were confirmed dead, the local city said Sunday.
The two-story…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan notifies local governments they may ban private lodgings</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-notifies-local-governments-they-may-ban-private-lodgings</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-notifies-local-governments-they-may-ban-private-lodgings</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Japanese government has notified local governments that they may effectively ban minpaku private lodgings through ordinances to protect residential areas from noise, garbage and other disturbances.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:12:03 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, notifies, local, governments, they, may, ban, private, lodgings</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Japanese government has notified local governments that they may effectively ban minpaku private lodgings through ordinances to protect residential areas from noise, garbage and other disturbances.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Man falls from apartment building, hitting and killing female pedestrian in Nagoya</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/man-falls-from-apartment-building-hitting-and-killing-female-pedestrian-in-nagoya</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/man-falls-from-apartment-building-hitting-and-killing-female-pedestrian-in-nagoya</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A man fell or jumped from an apartment building in Nagoya on Sunday morning, hitting a woman who was walking on the sidewalk below. The woman died and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:12:02 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Man, falls, from, apartment, building, hitting, and, killing, female, pedestrian, Nagoya</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A man fell or jumped from an apartment building in Nagoya on Sunday morning, hitting a woman who was walking on the sidewalk below. The woman died and…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Toyota president Kon prays for traffic safety in Nagano</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-president-kon-prays-for-traffic-safety-in-nagano</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-president-kon-prays-for-traffic-safety-in-nagano</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. President Kenta Kon prayed Saturday for traffic safety at Shoko-ji Temple in central Japan, as about 200 people, ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, president, Kon, prays, for, traffic, safety, Nagano</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. President Kenta Kon prayed Saturday for traffic safety at Shoko-ji Temple in central Japan, as about 200 people,]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Saka&amp;apos;s hat trick lifts England past Mbappe and France 6&#45;4 in wild World Cup third&#45;place game</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sakas-hat-trick-lifts-england-past-mbappe-and-france-6-4-in-wild-world-cup-third-place-game</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sakas-hat-trick-lifts-england-past-mbappe-and-france-6-4-in-wild-world-cup-third-place-game</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) -- Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England to a 6-4 win over France for third place in the World Cup, while Kylian Mba ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sakas, hat, trick, lifts, England, past, Mbappe, and, France, 6-4, wild, World, Cup, third-place, game</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) -- Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England to a 6-4 win over France for third place in the World Cup, while Kylian Mba]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Monorail opens in disaster&#45;hit area in northeastern Japan to boost tourism</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/monorail-opens-in-disaster-hit-area-in-northeastern-japan-to-boost-tourism</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/monorail-opens-in-disaster-hit-area-in-northeastern-japan-to-boost-tourism</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ SENDAI (Kyodo) -- A ceremony was held Saturday to mark the opening of a monorail in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, hit hard by the devastating 2011 ear ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Monorail, opens, disaster-hit, area, northeastern, Japan, boost, tourism</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[SENDAI (Kyodo) -- A ceremony was held Saturday to mark the opening of a monorail in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, hit hard by the devastating 2011 ear]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Rugby: Japan lose 42&#45;15 to France, drop to 1&#45;2 in Nations Championship</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rugby-japan-lose-42-15-to-france-drop-to-1-2-in-nations-championship</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/rugby-japan-lose-42-15-to-france-drop-to-1-2-in-nations-championship</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ TOKYO (Kyodo)-- Japan made a positive start but were shut out after the break in a 42-15 defeat to France in Nations Championship rugby on Saturday.Th ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2026/07/19/20260719p2g00m0sp005000p/0c10.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Rugby:, Japan, lose, 42-15, France, drop, 1-2, Nations, Championship</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[TOKYO (Kyodo)-- Japan made a positive start but were shut out after the break in a 42-15 defeat to France in Nations Championship rugby on Saturday.Th]]> </content:encoded>
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