Japan to enhance water infrastructure post road collapse.

The government is drafting a new resilience plan to repair Japan's water and sewer pipelines after a recent sinkhole incident.

The government just gathered a panel of experts to whip up a new national resilience plan, aiming to speed up those water and sewer repairs across Japan. Why? Well, a sinkhole popped up in Yashio on January 28, and it’s got folks worried because it’s linked to a busted sewer pipe. To top it off, a 74-year-old truck driver is still trapped in that 15-meter-deep hole since the road caved in.

The existing five-year plan, which wraps up in fiscal 2025 next March, has about ¥15 trillion ($97.9 billion) earmarked for infrastructure to boost disaster resilience. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba even said in a Jan. 24 speech that the next plan, running from fiscal 2026 to 2030, will blow that budget out of the water!

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Shinjuku Alta shuts down after 45 years.

The Shinjuku Alta building, a popular meeting spot for 45 years, will close its doors after decades of business.

Japan has the world's smallest park, which is incredibly tiny.

Nagaizumi in Shizuoka Prefecture now holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest park, measuring just 0.24 square meters.

Takashi Murakami collaborates with MLB for Tokyo Series.

Takashi Murakami is collaborating with MLB on a collection featuring unique products for the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs.

U.S. war with Japan depicted only in 'Captain America.'

In "Captain America: Brave New World," the U.S. faces conflict with Japan over the newly discovered resource, adamantium.