News
Donation deadline extended after 'Punch' the viral monkey at Japan zoo draws 43 mil. yen
1+ hour, 11+ min ago (145+ words) June 2, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) The Ichikawa Municipal Government has extended the donation period to Dec. 31 from the original deadline of May 31. As there are numerous calls for the donation campaign to continue, the city decided to extend the period. It said…...
Glowing plankton turning night sea blue and white south of Tokyo draws crowds
22+ hour, 7+ min ago (199+ words) June 1, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) CHIGASAKI, Kanagawa -- The water along the shoreline glowed blue and white due to "sea sparkle" plankton on the Shonan coast, south of Tokyo, from late on the night of May 30 into the early hours of May 31. The…...
Japan's main island gets 1st crested ibises in wild, 1st time in 56 yrs
1+ day, 19+ hour ago (233+ words) May 31, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) KANAZAWA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Crested ibises, designated as natural treasures, were released into the wild in central Japan on Sunday, marking the first time in 56 years the country's main island has had these birds. The number of wild…...
Donations pour in for 'matchmaking' between orangutans at zoo in Japan's Ehime Pref.
6+ day, 21+ hour ago (234+ words) May 26, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) MATSUYAMA -- A crowdfunding campaign to support "matchmaking" between a male orangutan at a zoo in Ehime Prefecture and a female brought to the facility from Indonesia is faring well, topping the initial target of 10 million yen (about…...
Cat feeding habits shaped by smell: Japan univ. study
2+ week, 2+ day ago (343+ words) May 17, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) MORIOKA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Picky eating in cats may have less to do with finicky personalities and more to do with their sense of smell, according to a new study by a team at Iwate University in northeastern…...
Possible Nara Park deer in Osaka raises problem: What to do when tame deer wander into city?
3+ week, 22+ hour ago (487+ words) May 11, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) In the town of Nose, in northern Osaka Prefecture, this same deer has been nicknamed Shikayan and now lives in one corner of a campground run by the lodging facility Nose Onsen. Shikayan was captured by Osaka…...
Scientists say don't forget about plants. Climate change is endangering tens of thousands of species
3+ week, 4+ day ago (567+ words) May 8, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) Between warmer temperatures and shifts in rain and snow patterns, between 7% and 16% of the world's plant species are likely to lose at least 90% of their habitat and go essentially extinct in about 55 to 75 years, according to a…...
A tap from a dog brings peace of mind for Japan's hearing impaired
4+ week, 2+ hour ago (524+ words) May 5, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- For people with hearing impairments in Japan, help can come on four paws -- but awareness and access remain limited. Assistance dogs support people with disabilities in living independently and participating in society across the country....
News in Easy English: Young monkey Punch holds toy less, plays more with other monkeys
1+ mon, 4+ day ago (302+ words) April 28, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) ICHIKAWA, Chiba -- A young Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture became famous because he carried a stuffed toy. Now he is growing up and does not carry the toy as much. Read the full…...
Punch the monkey is growing up, leaving his plushy behind
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (269+ words) April 24, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) ICHIKAWA, Chiba -- A Japanese macaque at a zoo here that captured global attention for carrying a stuffed animal is growing up, carrying the toy less often and spending more time playing with other members of his troop....