Encouraged by the cheers and donations of many, the man dressed as an eggplant passes through Hakone into Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://odawara-hakone.keizai.biz/headline/891/

May 24, 2012

Facing Tsukuba City, Suzuki stops for a photo, while biking along the Japan National Route One highway.

In order to raise recovery funds for the May 6th tornado disaster area, Yuu Suzuki set off on bike from Kobe. While on the way towards his goal of Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, he’s calling out for donations. On May 25, amid the rain, he safely crossed Hakone Pass, arriving in the city of Odawara.

The eggplant man raising recovery money.

On that day, the weather began to clear from the west. With rainclouds overhead, Suzuki began peddling towards the east. On the mountains of Hakone, his scope of vision was impaired by rainfall since morning. Riding the steep inclines of Hakone's roads and finding his endurance weakening, Suzuki frequently made use of rest stops. He questioned his idea of using an ordinary bike, not equipped with gears. Taking weather and safety into account, on 9 occasions Suzuki switched to walking with his bike on the climb from Mishima to the summit of Mount Hakone. During declines, he cautiously peddled downhill. At 4:20PM, Suzuki arrived in front of Odawara Station uninjured.

At the station, he found himself surrounded by a rush of high school students, married couples and tourists. They were demanding answers to questions such as "Why the heck are you an eggplant?" and "Let's take a picture." One by one, he politely responded to each of them. Asking for tornado relief donations as a favor, many Odawara citizens complied. "Aaa, so cold!" said a woman in her 50's after requesting a handshake, surprised by the coldness of Suzuki's body. "Hang in there," people called out. By reaching Odawara, Suzuki surpassed his aim of travelling 100 kilometers (62 miles) in one day. "Today, I'm set for Yokohama. There’s nothing else on the itinerary until then." Currently not working, Suzuki's past jobs included hotels and restaurants.

Yesterday, his spirits feeling weakened, he said to himself: "I wonder if I should stop cycling and just continue my fundraiser by hitchhiking..." However, he went ahead and rode his bike into the Kanto Region. "Receiving a lot of cheers and donations, I was filled with energy," said Suzuki. Going around the area, he asked himself "What town should I visit from here?" We do know that he'll continue to Oiso, Hiratsuka, Chigasaki, Fujisawa, Ofune and then Yokohama. "Yo-shhhh!" he yelled, starting eastward from the Japan National Route 1 line, still facing a distant journey until he arrives at Tsukuba City.

Original text:

ナスの着ぐるみで箱根越え小田原に－多くの人の声援と募金協力に励まされ 

（2012年05月24日）

つくば市に向けて国道1号線を走行中にフォトコール

竜巻被害地への寄付金と自転車を届けるため、神戸を出発し、茨城県つくば市を目指して募金を呼び掛けながら走行している鈴木佑さんが5月25日、雨の中、無事に箱根峠を越えて小田原市内に入った。

【画像】ナス男募金活動

当日の天候は西から崩れ、走る鈴木さんは雨雲と一緒に東に向かった。箱根の山は昼前から雨が降り視界も良くない。勾配の厳しい箱根路は、野宿を繰り返しているため体力的にも弱くなっている鈴木さんには難関。ギアも付いていない普通の自転車で乗り越えられるのか疑問だった。鈴木さんは天候と安全を考え、三島から箱根山頂までの登りでは、9割を自転車を押しながら歩き、下りは慎重な運転で走行。16時20分、無事に小田原駅前に到着した。

駅前では、高校生、主婦、観光客に囲まれ、「なんでナスなの？」「写真撮らせて」などの質問や要望が殺到。一人一人に丁寧に対応していた。募金も順調で、多くの市民が協力。50代の女性が握手を求めて、「まあ冷たい」と鈴木さんの体が冷え切っていることに驚いていた。「頑張ってね」の声を掛けられ、1日100キロの目標達成のため小田原を後にした。「今日の予定は横浜。そこまで行かないと日程がない」。ホテルや飲食店での仕事をこなしてきた鈴木さんにも、仕事は待ってはくれない。

昨日は、「自転車をやめて募金だけのヒッチハイクにしようかな…」と弱気になっていたときがあったという。それでも自転車を走らせ、関東圏に入った。「多くの声援と募金が自分のエネルギーになっている」と鈴木さん。「これからどんな街があるのですか？」と周りに質問。大磯、平塚、茅ヶ崎、藤沢、大船、そして横浜と続くことを知ると、「よ～し」と声を上げて国道1号線を東に向かってスタートした。つくば市までの道のりはまだ遠い。

Learning to work as a fisherman, children of Toudai Fukuura Elementary board fishing boats/Yugawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205210016/

May 22, 2012

Aboard the fishing boat, the children enjoy touching fresh fish.

On the 21st, sixty 5th and 6th graders from Toudai Fukuura Elementary School (Yoshihama, Yugawara Town) experienced what it's like to be a fisherman, boarding local fishing boats for the day.

The children were split among two fishing boats, according to their grade level. With the boats' tairyo-bata flags raised, they departed from Fukuura Fishing Harbor. After gazing from the ocean at the streets of Yugawara and the Mitsu Ishi Rock of Manazura Peninsula, the boats arrived off-shore for them to witness the operation of fishing nets placed in the area. Bringing up a large catch of saba (mackerel) in the nets, the children were surprised, saying "They captured all that..."

While the children caught kawahagi, japanese bullhead sharks and touched 1-meter long, giant conger eels, flying fish were seen leaping from the ocean's surface. There's was always something interesting to rediscover in different parts of the sea.

5th grader Iwata Yukihisa (Age 10) commented: "Now I understand how cool being a fisherman is. I would like to do this again." Boat captain Takahashi Minoru (Age 52) added: "Not having enough successors is my biggest worry. If even one of these children takes the path of a fisherman, that would be wonderful."

Original text:

漁師の仕事学ぶ、東台福浦小児童が体験乗船/湯河原

2012年5月22日

船上で新鮮な魚を触り、喜ぶ子供たち

湯河原町立東台福浦小学校（同町吉浜）の５、６年生約60人が21日、地元の漁船に体験乗船し、漁師の仕事を学んだ。

児童は学年ごとに２隻に分かれ、大漁旗が掲げられた福浦漁港を出航。海上から湯河原の街並みや真鶴半島の三ツ石を眺めた後、沖合で定置網漁の様子を見学した。たくさんのサバが掛かった網が引き上げられると、「あんなに捕れるんだ」と驚いていた。

児童たちは捕れたてのカワハギやネコザメ、体長約１メートルのオオアナゴを触ったり、海面を飛ぶトビウオを見つけたりして、いつもとは違う海の面白さを再発見していた。

５年の岩田幸久君（10）は「漁師さんの仕事のかっこよさが分かった。１度やってみたい」。船長を務めた高橋稔さん（52）は「後継者不足が最大の悩み。子どもたちが一人でも漁師の道を歩んでくれたらうれしい」と話していた。

With tree frogs laying eggs, the Daikō Temple Sect of Shōmyō Temple is this year's first location.

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2012/05/22/005187.html

May 22, 2012

A rhacophorus arboreus egg sticking out from a tree branch. (May 22, 9:30AM)

The Daikō Temple (Chief Priest Ariga Sadou) of Fukuchiyama City's Shōmyō Temple is known as "the temple of the tree frogs." On the 22nd, egg-laying began. In an average year, egg-laying begins at this time and lasts until the end of June.

Before and after the annual summer rain season, frogs arrive from the mountains behind the main temple, forming and laying their eggs in the trees of the surrounding lake. During this period, the males and females come to the area issuing mating calls. Afterwards, the females climb the lake’s tree branches. Hanging on to the branch with her body enveloped in a secretion of meringue-like bubbles, she buries half of herself into the nest and begins laying the eggs.

Being appointed Chief Priest of the temple in 1988, Ariga (Age 51) held an interest for the frogs, continuing to protect and observe them to this day.

This month began the current observation. At about 6:30 AM on the 22nd, the first egg-nest was spotted. Around day break, the frog was observed laying eggs.

Within a week, tadpoles will hatch, falling into the river below. Chief Priest Ariga commented: "Before, we would have about 30-40 eggs per year. But lately, they've decreased to about 15 per year. As the humidity increases from the rainfall, we'll get a greater number of eggs."

Original text:

モリアオガエルが産卵　正明寺の大興寺で今年第１号の卵塊

2012年5月22日

写真＝木の枝に出来た卵塊（２２日午前９時３０分ごろ）

モリアオガエルの寺として知られる福知山市正明寺、大興寺（有賀祖道住職）で２２日、産卵が始まった。例年並みの産卵開始で、６月終わりごろまで続く。

毎年梅雨前後に、本堂そばの池の木に、裏山からやってきたモリアオガエルが卵塊をつくり産卵する。この時期になると池の周りに下りてきた雄が雌を呼ぶため鳴き出す。あとからきた雌が、池の上に枝を垂らしている木に登り、体液を出してメレンゲ状の泡をつくり、体半分を埋めると産卵を始める。

１９８８年に同寺住職に就いた有賀住職（５１）がカエルに興味を持ち、ずっと保護、観察を続けている。

今シーズンは５月に入ってから観察を始め、２２日午前６時３０分ごろに第１号の卵塊を見つけた。夜明けごろに産卵したと見られる。

１週間ほどでオタマジャクシになり、下の池に落ちる。有賀住職は「以前は３０－４０個ほど卵塊が出来たこともありましたが、近年は１５個ほどに減っています。雨が降って湿気が増えると、卵塊の数が多くなってきます」と話している。

Discovered in Ofuna prefecture, a snapping turtle over 50 centimeters is currently in custody/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205210026/

May 21, 2012

The captured snapping turtle=Ofuna Police

A snapping turtle was discovered in the Sunaoshi River of Ofuna, Kamakura City. It's currently being protected by Ofuna's police as a lost and found item.

At around 4:30PM on the 19th, it's said that "An unusual turtle in the bottom of the river" was spotted. Passing neighborhood residents informed the police. Several officers arrived, using a net to capture it.

The length of the turtle's shell measured 34 centimeters, it's total body length measuring over 50 centimeters. On the 21st, the turtle was confirmed by the Shin E No Shima's Aquarium to be an invasive species.

In the situation that the owner does not come forward after several days, the turtle will be taken by the prefecture's animal shelter. It's forbidden to release invasive species outdoors. The police commented "If someone is doing such a thing, we would like them to stop."


Original text:
50センチ超のカミツキガメ保護、大船で見つかる/鎌倉
2012年5月21日

捕獲されたカミツキガメ＝大船署

鎌倉市大船の砂押川でカミツキガメが見つかり、大船署が拾得物として保護している。

19日午後４時半ごろ、「川の水底に変わった亀がいる」と、近隣住民が通りかかった警察官に通報。署員数人で網を用いて捕獲した。

亀は甲羅の長さが約34センチで、体長は50センチ以上。21日に新江ノ島水族館で確認したところ、特定外来生物のカミツキガメと判明した。

数日間持ち主の申し出がなかった場合、県動物保護センターに引き取られる。特定外来生物は、野外へ放つことが禁じられており、同署は「誰かが放したのだろうが、やめてほしい」と話している。

A speedier harvest from the rice paddies of Ishigaki Island (The fastest yielding rice in Japan)

Translated from the original article at: http://ishigaki.keizai.biz/headline/939/

May 21, 2012

Mr. Nakaarashiro, smiling broadly.

At Okinawa's #1 rice field, Hirata Field of Ishigaki Island, the harvest of its fast growing rice has begun.

On Nakaarashiro Jun's 9-hectare rice paddy, the harvest season has already begun. Nakaashiro's island farm is battling to be ranked above all others as the fastest producing rice farm. Usually, farms begin harvesting rice from the end of this month. Planting his koshihikari rice in the middle of January, he's been harvesting since May 18 from 50 ares of space. "On the Chinese Calendar, March 2012  marks a leap month, extending the time period from planting until harvesting. From March, the temperatures have gradually risen, creating a favorable condition for the growth of the rice. Selecting delicious tasting rice is the basis for improving the flavor of a meal. 2012 is set to have the greatest harvest in several years," said Nakaarashiro, his face cracking with a huge smile.

Nakaarashiro divides the cultivation of rice between 3 periods within each year. After the end of this period, the next goes from the end of June until mid-August, followed by another period from late August until late November. "Even though the summer typhoons cause damage, the harvests from the other seasons supplement the total yield and disperse the risks from the weather." said Nakaarashiro.

Retailers within the city quickly line their shelves with Nakaarashiro's recently grown rice, for residents of Ishigaki to enjoy Japan's fastest growing rice. 

Original text:

石垣島の水田で早くも稲刈り－「日本一早い米」収穫

（2012年05月21日）

顔をほころばせる仲新城さん

沖縄一の米どころ・石垣島平田原（ひらたばる）で早くも米の収穫が始まった。

稲刈りが始まったのは仲新城淳さんの9ヘクタールある水田。仲新城さんは島内の稲作農家の中でも1、2位を争う超早場米の生産者で、一般農家は今月末ごろから収穫を始めるのに対し仲新城さんは1月中旬に植えたコシヒカリを5月18日から日に50アールずつ収穫している。「今年は旧暦の閏（うるう）3月があり田植えから稲刈りまでの期間を長く取った。3月から気温が徐々に上昇したのは稲の生育に好条件だった。米のおいしさの基準である食味が増し、今年は数年に一度の豊作になるだろう」と顔をほころばせる。

仲新城さんは毎年3期に分けて米を生産し、今後は5月末から8月中旬、8月下旬から11月下旬にかけても稲作を行う。「夏場の台風で被害が出ても、ほかの期の収穫で補えるリスク分散の役割もある」と仲新城さん。

市内の小売りスーパーでは早くも仲新城さんの生産した新米が並び、石垣市民は日本一早い新米を食べることができる。

[Video News] Fireflies and lanterns give off a dreamy light in Itsukushima Shissei Park. (The evening of the bamboo lanterns)/Nakai

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205200016/

May 20, 2012

[The evening of the bamboo lanterns] = Itsukushima Shissei Park, Inokuchi, Nakai Town

On the evening of May 19th, the Itsukushima Shissei Park of Inokuchi, Nakai Town held the "Evening of Bamboo Lanterns." Large groups of  families enjoyed the eerie light brought on by the candles and the fireflies taking to the air. This is the 7th occasion of the event.

The viewing season for fireflies lasts until the end of June.

Original text:
【動画ニュース】幻想的な灯籠の明かりとホタル、厳島湿生公園で「竹灯篭の夕べ」/中井
2012年5月20日

「竹灯篭の夕べ」＝中井町井ノ口の厳島湿生公園

５月19日夜、中井町井ノ口の厳島湿生公園で「竹灯篭（とうろう）の夕べ」が開かれた。大勢の家族連れらが、幻想的なロウソクの明かりとホタルの飛翔を楽しんだ。今回で７回目。

ホタルの見ごろは６月上旬まで。