Mar 24, 2026 19:33:00

Headline news for March 24, 2026

A brand movie for Fukushima Prefecture's comprehensive information magazine, 'Fukushima Map,' has been released. This animated movie is directed by Sunao Katabuchi, who also directed 'In This Corner of the World,' and features character designs by Fumiyo Kono and music by Kotringo, bringing together the production team from 'In This Corner of the World.' Director Katabuchi and others conducted location scouting on site to depict the charm of Fukushima.

[Directed by Sunao Katabuchi] 'Fukufuku Map' | 'Fukushima Map' Brand Movie, Part 2 - YouTube

Incidentally, on the same day of the same month in the past, we published the following article.

A demo for a game scheduled for release on Steam was found to contain 'information-stealing malware' - GIGAZINE

North Korea establishes '227 Research Center,' a hacking group specializing in AI - GIGAZINE

Research shows that the perception of time changes depending on the language spoken - GIGAZINE

Will future inhabitants of lunar and Martian colonies speak with a 'lunar accent' or a 'Martian accent'? - GIGAZINE

The difficulty in 'outputting text' using image generation AI is attributed to a similar reason as 'mysterious kanji tattoos on foreigners,' according to a GIGAZINE article.

The world's heaviest bicycle, 'Kleine Johanna,' weighing approximately 2 tons, measuring 5 meters in length and 2 meters in height, has appeared - GIGAZINE

Mercedes' 'Drive Pilot' autonomous driving function means drivers are not held legally responsible in the event of an accident while the system is in operation - GIGAZINE

Is it safe to reuse empty plastic bottles? - GIGAZINE

Fossil of the world's oldest known ancestor of 'almost all animals,' dating back 550 million years, unearthed - GIGAZINE

I paid my respects to the Golden Knight Garo at the 'Garo Shrine' - GIGAZINE

An explosion at an ammunition depot in eastern Ukraine forced the evacuation of 20,000 people; some speculate it was a 'drone attack' - GIGAZINE

What was the 20th-century 'Canals on Mars' controversy that captured the hearts of many due to a translation error? - GIGAZINE

◆ Ideas (notes, miscellaneous things)

Twitter is crazy 💧 Actually, as some others have pointed out, I think this kind of altar is related to the origins of Voodoo. … https://t.co/EK3PY7gMAC
— ูุุุุุุุุุุุุุุุุุุ𐬯𐬀𐬠𐬀𐬔𐬎𐬠𐬛 𐬰𐬀𐬥𐬌𐬐𐬀🦋 (@masayasan201911) March 24, 2026

In the Kinki region, there's a word that describes both 'simmered dishes' and 'Saturn's sixth moon.' https://t.co/ZuBsGJOto8
— Pretentious Kyoto Person Bot (@kyoutojin_bot) March 24, 2026

◆Science (Science, Academics, Technology)
Deep Science: Extracting rare earth elements from the deep sea is extremely difficult; the realistic solution is 'developing terrestrial resources' | Mainichi Shimbun

Oldest whaling may date back over 1,000 years; 5,000-year-old harpoon discovered | National Geographic Japan website

◆Society, Politics, and Economy (Events, World News, Business)
[Breaking News] Refusal to unlock smartphones becomes illegal in Hong Kong | 47NEWS

Trump explains agreement that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, postpones attack on power plant | 47NEWS

Henoko ship capsizes; large work vessel offshore Henoko halts construction on the day of the accident, but sets sail for 'peace education' - Sankei News

London, UK: Ambulance arson by Jewish group investigated as hate crime | NHK News | UK, incidents and accidents

President Trump says attack postponed after talks; Iran denies any talks | NHK News | Iran situation, Strait of Hormuz, Iran

Great East Japan Earthquake: Solar panels proliferate on farmland in 12 municipalities surrounding the Fukushima nuclear power plant, covering an area equivalent to 100 Tokyo Domes... Possible impact of prolonged evacuation: Yomiuri Shimbun

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has repercussions for domestic factories and transportation, including reductions in thermal power plant output and shipping services - Nikkei

US-Iran talks reach a deadlock; Trump claims 'major agreement,' Iran denies | Reuters

Japan's oil reserves 'remaining enough for 241 days,' 'not yet at the stage where we need to ask for conservation,' the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases latest information, including the status of private reserve releases from the 16th of this month | TBS NEWS DIG

Kim Yo-jong denies Japan-North Korea summit; refuses to meet if the purpose is to resolve abduction issues - North Korea: Jiji.com

Asbestos contamination in cosmetics: Former saleswoman who developed mesothelioma receives workers' compensation [Miyagi Prefecture]: Asahi Shimbun

Rice prices may fall sharply; demand forecast for 2025 rice crop revised downwards... Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Yomiuri Shimbun

Japan's first Shinkansen train with all seats removed, making it 'all-cargo only,' begins operation... From food to medical supplies and electronic components, it shortens travel time by 5 hours compared to trucks: Yomiuri Shimbun

Slightly Daily Cult Newspaper: All Constitutional Democratic Party Diet members were wiped out at World Mate founder's birthday party = Liberal Democratic Party secures a single-party majority, Sanseito party participates for the first time

N-Party leader Tachibana and three others, including an Amagasaki city council member, have been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of inflating poster costs in the city council election. Hyogo Prefectural Police | Society | Kobe Shimbun NEXT

[Breaking News] US reportedly sets April 9th as the end date for hostilities with Iran | 47NEWS

[Announcement]... pic.twitter.com/GCDSfKXUBZ
— Yamayoshi Seika (@yamayoshiseika), makers of Wasabi Beef (March 23, 2026 )

[Editorial] Defamation and slander against high schools: Unjustified attacks cannot be tolerated.

(Editorial) National Social Security Conference: Setting sail without a chart will lead to drifting: Asahi Shimbun

Italian Prime Minister Meloni's pet project referendum is rejected by a majority vote, marking his first defeat since taking office: Asahi Shimbun

Government considers nationalizing defense equipment factories to strengthen combat capability - Nikkei

Former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda: Yen appreciation and deflation are 'completely over' and 'currency will become multipolar through digitalization' - Nikkei

[Exclusive] Heisei Chikuhō Railway to convert to bus service; statutory council finalizes policy | [Nishinippon Shimbun me]

Investigating the reasons why illegal employment is so prevalent in Ibaraki... There were circumstances on both the workers' and employer's sides that could not be resolved by 'reporting': Tokyo Shimbun Digital

Parking lot flooded; lawsuit filed against government seeking compensation for record-breaking heavy rain damage in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture | NEWSjp

Italian Prime Minister Meloni suffers painful defeat as constitutional amendment referendum is rejected, but denies resignation, saying 'we are moving forward' - Sankei News

US President Trump tells Defense Secretary Hexeth, 'I think you were the first to speak out' regarding military operations against Iran - Sankei News

Skylark acquires Shinpachi Shokudo, a set meal restaurant chain, for 11 billion yen to expand into urban areas - Nikkei

G7 leaders successively visit Takaichi, struggling with relations with the US and China, seeking cooperation with Japan - Nikkei

Asian economies feared to be on the brink of crisis, Singapore's Foreign Minister questions Iran attack | Reuters

The Trump administration paid $158 billion in taxpayer money to a French energy giant in exchange for not building offshore wind farms - CNN.co.jp

The Ryukyu Shimpo and OTV protested against allowing the Self-Defense Forces to participate in the Eisa dance, and as a result, the committee passed a rule change removing the Ryukyu Shimpo and OTV from the organizing committee . https://t.co/txmyQI8UCQ
— Major General Ukonoe 𝕏 (@RunForTheR) March 24, 2026

Long lines at gas stations…Regular gasoline price rises by approximately 21 yen, highest level in 4 years. China's government halves gasoline price increase in gasoline price adjustment | TBS NEWS DIG (Page 1)

◆Lifestyle (Life, Living, Health)

⚠Important Notice⚠

This farm is NOT a tourist farm.
This is a farm where visitors can observe.

Many dangerous horses, including breeding stallions, are also kept there.
Acting carelessly can lead to serious accidents.
Don't underestimate it.

Today, two incidents of horse bites occurred due to people approaching horses carelessly.
— Yogibo Versailles Resort Farm (@Versailles_Farm) March 23, 2026

[Breaking News] The reopening date for the entire Kumagawa Railway line has been decided! 🚂✨
◆All lines open on Sunday, September 20, 2026!
Approximately six years after the torrential rain disaster, the 'Kuma River Fourth Bridge,' a crucial part of the recovery effort, is finally nearing completion!
🚉 Kawamura Station ➡ Sagara-Toshima Station (New Station)
🚉 Higashi-Taragi Station ➡ Taragi-Shorenji Station (Name Change)
The railway lines in Hitoyoshi-Kuma are connected once again! 🙌 #FullLineReopening #Kumamoto #Recovery pic.twitter.com/1U67K5k6dn
— Hitoyoshi Newspaper (@hitoyoshisheare) March 23, 2026

This is my opinion based on having seen a considerable amount of prefectural folklore materials.

• Roof lions began to become widespread on private homes after 1889 (Meiji 22) → At that time they were made of unglazed pottery or plaster.

• The style of placing two glazed, high-fired Shisa statues together became popular after the war.

• There are instances where plasterers have performed personal rituals upon completing a roof, but there is no established formal format.

↓ https://t.co/Hc5rwVCkQy
— Gusuki (@Soda_Limer) March 23, 2026

When a mentally broken, unmotivated middle-aged man joined the company, new graduates and mid-career employees became desperate to find new jobs, and the man started giving unsolicited advice. 'This is when real management begins' - Togetter

'I didn't want to come, I just wanted more options.' The idea that he wouldn't have come to Tokyo if his hometown had Starbucks, Saizeriya, a movie theater, and decent jobs is something city dwellers don't understand - Togetter

Things my grandfathers told me that left a lasting impression on me. My maternal grandfather: 'We contributed a lot during the war, but it was all confiscated with property taxes after the war, so don't trust what the government says (paraphrased).' My paternal grandfather: 'The country's debt is increasing, and they will definitely try to wipe it out with inflation. The value of money can be manipulated by the government, so don't trust the value of money (paraphrased).' - posfie

Once you stop watching TV after a while, you'll reach a point where you barely recognize any celebrities. Wouldn't it be better to consider how TV looks to someone in that state if we want to make it interesting? - posfie

The first note caused a huge uproar, so everyone knows about it, but I read the second note written by Ichiro Yamamoto for the first time in this post.

And I also got pretty much the same impression as the person who wrote this post... https://t.co/M6Cl8jCCuU
— Belmontakame (@belmontakame) March 23, 2026

Feeling frustrated, I went to a cake shop just before closing time and asked for 'one of each cake,' which made the staff member very happy. The professional said, 'I'm very grateful.' - Togetter

When making Chinese food at home, don't skimp on the MSG. It's just right when you add so much that you're surprised, thinking, 'Do I really need this much?' 'The key to recreating restaurant food recipes lies in the amount of MSG' - Togetter

Students were making genitals out of clay and grinning... When I told them this, they all stopped making them: 'Giving them a 'low rating' is what really shatters a kid's pride' - Togetter

I was saddened when I tried to invite my best friend, who I spent high school and college with and who moved back to our hometown for work, to my wedding only to find out she had blocked all my contacts. This is how I felt my life as a woman in my late twenties was beginning - Togetter

A designation from the deceased → The scene of a certain woman's suicide was so well-prepared that it didn't require special cleaning. 'Is something like this even possible?' - Togetter

'When you visit their home, you feel like a servant,' 'The real hell begins after the children are born'—various opinions gather about the risks of international marriage, but how can one have a successful marriage? - Togetter

[Viewer Discretion Advised] What happened to Issei Sagawa, the perpetrator of the Paris cannibalism case, after the incident? → After being discharged from a mental hospital, he wrote books and appeared on television and in magazines... 'For some reason, he was just drifting along until recently' - Togetter

There was a case where a customer who had informed the restaurant of their egg allergy beforehand was served an omelet rice dish with an egg on top. Instead of remaking the dish, the restaurant removed the egg and served it again, resulting in an allergic reaction and requiring emergency transport to the hospital. - Togetter

What happens when building materials increase in price by up to 50%? It's not just 'apartments are too expensive to buy.' It's the reality that 'you buy a plot of land, but it never gets built.' - posfie

Fukuoka Prefecture: Heisei Chikuhō Railway's 'route bus' plan approved by statutory council... Supported by a majority of municipalities along the line, as it would be less burdensome than a BRT and would allow the railway to continue: Yomiuri Shimbun

The 'marbled-color foundation' that was popular a while ago seems to be based on the same theory as Neo-Impressionist paintings, but is there a connection? → Pola, which also runs an art museum, explained it - Togetter

A friend of mine who was providing technical guidance in developing countries said the same thing. First, you have to teach skills that don't require machines. There's no point in bringing in the latest equipment if it's all gone the next day. - posfie

During a rescue training exercise, while we were treating a seriously injured patient, someone with minor injuries interrupted us shouting, 'Help me too!' or 'Do this first!' It felt so real. - Togetter

The mass food poisoning incident in Shimane Prefecture involving people who ate flounder sashimi has sparked discussion about countermeasures against the parasite 'Kudoa septempunctata' - Togetter

Odakyu's timetable after the completion of the quadruple-track expansion in 2018 is truly perfect.
Even so, the morning rapid express trains are extremely crowded, but I guess it's unavoidable that they get this crowded.

Currently, the number of daytime express trains has been reduced by 3 per hour, but I wish they would bring it back.

No matter how many times I look at it, it's so beautiful it moves me. It's seriously amazing . pic.twitter.com/Ec30zxDWDC
— Ajinori (@potaku_ajinori_) March 24, 2026

The generation that calls itself a council and tries to escape responsibility is incompetent, creating unnecessary things that burden future generations with maintenance costs, and abolishing necessary things that burden future generations unnecessarily.

Instead of an irreversible complete closure of the entire line, there are ways to do it, such as gradually closing the line on the Yukuhashi side, or temporarily suspending the railway and conducting a social experiment by having drivers temporarily transferred to other companies, since there seems to be a high demand for employment. https://t.co/llXNBGq897
— Chaa (@chamitter) March 24, 2026

I posted this story in 2023, and it ended with 'very recently,' but who would have thought that 'even further down the line'—that a branch line that was too unprofitable was converted to a third-sector railway but was still unprofitable and would be shut down—would become a reality? pic.twitter.com/ANBWqAETgS
— Yorozu no Karumi (@calmicco) March 24, 2026

◆IT & Gadgets (Internet, Software, Hardware, Mobile)
[Hothot Review] Competing with Ryzen with low cost and multiple cores: Testing the capabilities of the 'Core Ultra 200S Plus' - PC Watch

How to use NFC tags and the Web NFC API

The quality of the AI-generated implementations was often inconsistent, requiring me to constantly point out the flaws myself. Therefore, I implemented a system to automatically improve the quality before reviewing the changes. - $shibayu36->blog;

Achieving Parallel Development with Devin: What Was Needed to Master the 'Magic Wand' - Tabelog Tech Blog

'We're sending out fake emails as part of our security measures—if you click on one by mistake, you'll have to go to training,' someone said, ignoring a seemingly fake email, only to find out it was a real email they had to respond to, and now they're crying - Togetter

Who is demanding 'age restrictions'? Age restriction laws are a means of censorship and control using children as a pretext. » p2ptk[.]org

A shrine maiden at a certain shrine is making CAT6A LAN cables as a side job, and the sight has become a hot topic, with people saying things like, 'It looks like it would be strong against unexplained communication failures,' and 'I want its blessing.' - Togetter

From 8-pin to 6-pin: The latest trends in domestic credit cards as seen in metal terminals [Jun'ya Suzuki's Pay Attention] - Impress Watch

Notion will open a data center in Japan 🇯

This means that customers using the Enterprise plan will be able to store their workspace data domestically.

For more details, please visit: https://t.co/UrosunWXFL pic.twitter.com/ngllDv0kjp
— Notion Japan 🇯 (@NotionJP) March 24, 2026

If you see a message saying 'Please complete the setup' when changing your smartphone, be careful because it's a malicious app that forces you to install a large number of unnecessary apps - Togetter

This is the season when many people replace their smartphones, so this is for those who have purchased an Android phone.
You're being notified to 'complete the setup,' but this is a malicious app disguised as a setup wizard that tricks you into downloading a large number of Chinese apps and other malicious software.
AppCloud and AppSelector are completely useless and do more harm than good, so force stop and disable them. Please tell your family and friends too. pic.twitter.com/aRijIyGhVX
— Cheap Bonus™🥶 (@petun01a) March 23, 2026

◆Anime, Games, and Manga (Subculture)
Anime 'Demon's Crest' Teaser PV - YouTube

Official website for the TV anime 'Demon's Crest'

Chihaya hums the jingle from the commercial while adding cream to her coffee, and Otonashi keeps repeating a phrase she used to hear on late-night radio . #Konnichihaya #KisaragiChihaya #OtonashiKotori #SujataDay pic.twitter.com/mbX6tD7YIW
— Oken P (@oken_vortis) March 23, 2026

[Slow-paced commentary] A bloody, morbid killing game [Sakusaku Daihito R Returns / PC-9801] - Nico Nico Douga

'Those who enjoy life win!' Cute illustrations of children playing with brooms during cleaning time at elementary school are released, but they trigger trauma in a certain segment of the population - Togetter

I heard that Nobuyuki Fukumoto's 'Gin to Kin' is super interesting, so I bought it, but looking at the cover I'm filled with anxiety. Can I really trust it? → Readers give it their seal of approval, saying 'You can trust it' - Togetter

I don't know what I like!! – taigaai

pic.twitter.com/ukzTOayTm2
— をj (@kokorinko0) March 23, 2026

Mobile Police Patlabor New Game First PV 'PATLABOR the Case Files' - YouTube

PS5(R)/PS4(R) Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 New Mobile Suit Participation PV | V2 Gundam - YouTube

Minecraft Dungeons II: Announcement Trailer - YouTube

Machine Gun Fury | Launch Trailer - YouTube

Live-action 'Moana' official trailer | Opening in theaters July 31st (Fri)! - YouTube

'Marathon' 'Low Temperature Archive' Launch Trailer - YouTube

TV Anime 'Marriage Toxin' 2nd PV - YouTube

Anime 'One-Punch Man' Season 3 PV #4 - YouTube

'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Movie - Tears of the Azure Sea' ['Maximum Manliness' Gobta PV] | Now Showing in Theaters - YouTube

[Mezameza] TV Anime 'I Woke Up with the Strongest Equipment and Spaceship, So I Want to Live Freely as a Mercenary and Aim for a Detached House' Teaser PV | Broadcasting Starts October 2026! - YouTube

TV Anime 'The Tomb Raider King' Character Introduction PV [Broadcasting begins July 2026 on Fuji TV, Kansai TV, and others!] - YouTube

Anime 'Dorohedoro' 30-second PV | Streaming starts April 1st, 2026 (Wed) at 23:00! - YouTube

Mojipittan Web | A word from the producer

The incredible concentration of game designer Hiroyuki Goto

As I briefly mentioned in the first column, 'Nice to meet you,' game designer Goto is the world record holder for reciting pi. He's an impressive individual who managed to recite 42,195 digits of pi (3.141592...) in nine and a half hours.

(We plan to publish how he memorized pi in the ZAKZAK Deji-Han Conference Room. Stay tuned!)

In Mojipittan, his incredible concentration led to the creation of a dictionary specifically for the game. While multiple people verify the dictionary he created, he essentially created it himself. Some might think he could just use a commercially available dictionary, but there are unique constraints in the game, such as the need to keep the meaning to 18 characters or less in order to display it on the screen. Also, there was a decision to include many words that are not found in existing dictionaries, so a new dictionary was created.

While 'Mojipittan' boasts a nominal vocabulary of over 76,500 words (a play on Namco's name), the PS2 and GBA versions actually contain over 82,000 words. Honestly, I don't think any other game can replicate that.

The 'Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie' is available for free for one day only. It's an absolutely amazing masterpiece that shocked many people, so you absolutely must watch it and think, 'Have I really considered myself an otaku without having seen this until now...?' - Togetter

When I watched 'Ranma 1/2' as a child, I couldn't understand why Ranma disliked Shampoo's advances... Is it because Akane is Ranma's type, and that's why he's so devoted to her? - Togetter

A complete explanation of the 'revival spell' mechanism in DQ1 #Python - Qiita

Two Point Museum Ver. 8.0 Update Trailer - YouTube

'Outbound' Package Edition Announcement Trailer - YouTube

CODE VEIN II Music Introduction Trailer - YouTube