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BEPPU, Oita Pref.

More here: Kawamoto sets 100-fly record

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology released the results of nationwide academic tests for sixth-year elementary school students and third-year junior high school students on Friday, highlighting gaps in academic ability among schools across the nation.

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Gaps in academic ability highlighted in nationwide school tests

Large lotus ponds along the way occupied areas not readily drained, and the fringing fields between the rice paddies and the untilled hill lands were bearing squash , maize, beans and Irish potatoes. Many small areas had been set to …

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Farmers of Forty Centuries Return To Japan

KOFU — The tourist association of Shosenkyo, a scenic spot in Yamanashi Prefecture that promotes itself as "Japan’s most beautiful valley," has been receiving many complaints from visitors due to unkempt trees spoiling the view.

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‘Japan’s most beautiful valley’ faces crisis due to unkempt trees

SHIMA, Fukuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Shintaro Kai put up another solid performance in bad course conditions Saturday, shooting a 2-under-par 70 to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Vana H Cup KBC Augusta tournament. Kai, who is in his fifth year on the JGTO tour, set himself up for a first career victory after a pair of runnerup finishes this year as he put together five birdies while making three bogeys in a round that saw the start of play delayed for three hours because of an… Read the full story

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Kai maintains top spot in Shima

Police are facing increased difficulty in investigating crimes due to a lack of interest from people who are questioned, and having greater difficulty in tracking down suspects from stolen goods, according to this year’s National Police Agency white paper.

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Police investigations stymied by lack of public interest: White paper

A favorite chocolate snack of Kohei Uchimura, a double silver medalist in gymnastics at the Beijing Olympics, is becoming highly popular.

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Olympic medalist’s favorite chocolate snack becomes huge hit

Isao Harimoto (68)* spent Aug. 6 in Hiroshima this year to tape a TV program.

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Hibakusha: Frightened by blurry vision

A boy stands at attention, staring into the distance, with his dead baby brother tied to his back.

Continue here: Hibakusha: Who is this boy?

OITA — Three top school officials have been reported to prosecutors for bribing a former Oita Prefectural Board of Education (BoE) official with 1.1 million yen in exchange for favors on their promotion exams.

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3 top Oita educators accused for bribery in cash for promotions scam