The Gov't of Japan

🌳 May 4 is Greenery Day, a Japanese national holiday to enjoy nature and give thanks for its blessings 🍃 In Japan’s long north–south archipelago, Hokkaido sees cherry blossoms in early May, while Okinawa turns deep early-summer green. Fleeting views await across Japan ✨

Visit this link for more: japan.go.jp/kizuna/2026/04…

Transforming used aluminum into hydrogen power! 🥫 Startup Alhytec has found a way to create hydrogen gas from discarded aluminum without producing CO2, AND make a useful byproduct💡 Two birds with one stone!

🌾 Japan’s flour-born food culture🍙 From sizzling takoyaki and smooth udon to fish-shaped taiyaki and oyaki, a Nagano Prefecture specialty, flour-based dishes abound across Japan. Boiled, grilled or steamed—why not savor flavors passed down in homes and street stalls? ✨

Himawari Real-Time Image(from the Japan Meteorological Agency website) Created by processing content from the Japan Meteorological Agency’s “Himawari Real-Time Image” page （data.jma.go.jp/mscweb/data/hi…）

Created by processing content from the Japan Meteorological Agency’s “Examples of Observations Conducted via HimawariRequest: Cyclone in Australia” page (data.jma.go.jp/sat_info/himaw…） JMA NOAA/NESDI CSU/CIRA

🌪️Tracking typhoons faster and more accurately—Japan’s Himawari satellites help make it possible. Since 1977, the Japan Meteorological Agency has shared observation data with about 30 Asia-Pacific countries. Via HimawariCast 🛰️, 34 institutions receive it in real time.

🏔️ Preserving beauty for the future: Kamikochi in Matsumoto, Nagano is one of Japan’s leading mountain resorts, known for the Azusa River, Kappa Bridge, Hotaka Range & Taisho Pond. Since 1996, year-round car restrictions help visitors enjoy the scenery with a lighter footprint🌿

Making traditional tableware easier to use🍽️ Born around present-day Kasama, Ibaraki, in the Edo period, Kasama ware has long been loved for daily use. Now it embraces “universal design in dining,” as artisans shape new possibilities for tableware to suit more diverse lives✨

Japan’s convenience stores are evolving🏪In Feb. 2026, the first “Disaster Support Lawson” opened in Futtsu, Chiba to support communities in disasters💡It has solar panels, batteries, Starlink communications and 1,500+ liters of drinking water, aiming for 100 stores by FY2030.

Read the full story here: japan.go.jp/kizuna/2026/04…

Using traditional Japanese woodworking for satellites?! 🌳 A Japanese astronaut seeks to make satellites more planet-friendly, by using traditional Japanese woodworking techniques to create robust casings from natural wood🛰️

It looks like glass, yet it won’t shatter when dropped🥃 In Yao, Osaka, Kinjo Rubber uses silicone molding to create a refined, easy-to-use cup. Drop-resistant and accessible to all, it joins the YAOYA Project to showcase Yao and help energize local manufacturing✨

Thanks for helping us pick our new header for May! The votes are in, and the winner is ④. We hope you enjoy seeing it!

Help #PickaHeader for May! The lantern-lined steps of Kifune Shrine 🏮, koinobori (carp streamers) 🎏 & the traditions of Children's Day, and vibrant azaleas in full bloom. Which photo resonates with you most? Comment with your pick by April 26. Winner revealed here the next day!

Azaleas🌺 are now in full bloom across Japan. In shades of red, pink, purple, and white, they brighten shrines, temples, and parks, with seasonal festivals held in some locations. These vibrant scenes look almost like paintings. Why not experience their fleeing beauty yourself?

Visit this link for more: japan.go.jp/kizuna/2025/04…

Could a simple cream be a breakthrough against malaria? Japan’s Kao Corporation has developed an innovative mosquito repellent with a brand-new approach to global health—starting right at home🏡. Learn more about its potential impact!