Every Sunday we gather the week’s weird and interesting Japanese news and present it to you in our Sunday News column. It might not always be hard-hitting news, but we hope that it still informs and entertains you. Enjoy!
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Rehearsal for grand reopening lights up Tokyo Station: as Tokyo Station wraps up five years of restoration work, its grand reopening has been celebrated by an elaborated, 10-minute long projected light show. The building comes alive with people and trains, all backed by a sweeping orchestral score. It’s a bit of a long video, but definitely worth it. [via Reddit][/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last]City of Izumi Elects Masked Wrestler for City Council. (JP): Sick of the same old politics as usual, the city of Izumi (in Osaka prefecture) decided to take after the US and elect a pro wrestler to office. Super Delfin a 45-year-old, longtime veteran of the Japanese pro wrestling scene, has been elected to city council after officials confirmed his identity by privately unmasking him. Super Delfin stands resolved, saying “My mask and my body are one. In order to become more familiar with Izumi, I think I’ll take on this role. I will persevere to become Izumi’s hero.”
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Japanese porn star in workbook angers Indonesian parents : Japanese porn stars seem to be a busy bunch. Just last week we covered how one Japanese porn star was calling for an end to the Japan-China disputes that have been . This week, another Japanese porn star is finding herself mired in controversy after a picture of her was published on a worksheet for Indonesian students. Even though the young starlet is fully clothed and there’s no indication whatsoever of her real-life career, one government spokesman said “There’s a subtle message in the picture that could actually infiltrate [students'] minds.” [via News On Japan][/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last]Burger King’s Black-Bun Burger: Japanese fast food chains continue to enjoy menu items that their American counterparts miss out on. This time around, it’s a burger with a black bun and black ketchup, colored with bamboo charcoal and squid ink, respectively. I’m not sure I’d be crazy about the taste of either of those, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love novelty. [via Reddit, Japan Pulse]
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