China lands probe on surface of the moon to collect lunar rocks https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/01/asia/china-moon-change-5-landing-scn/index.htmlThough I don't know how technically difficult it is to land on the moon, it would cost a lot.…

Why are Google and Amazon investing in Indonesia’s tech unicorns? Because Alibaba and Tencent are too https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3111466/why-are-google-and-amazon-investing-indonesias-tech-unicornsIndonesia has the la…

Metro to the pyramids contract awarded https://www.railwaygazette.com/metros/metro-to-the-pyramids-contract-awarded/57900.articleWhen it comes to building metro in Japan's heritage area, it would be taken up as violation of landscape. So, …

ことでん琴平線の新駅「伏石駅」が開業 香川県 New station "Fuseishi" opened on Kotoden Kotohira Line, Kagawa Pref https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/df1253dcac864bfc54cba7dd04cbe6f90294e1c5(Translation begins) On Kotohira Line, connecting Tak…

Hong Kong customs seizes more than 160 diamonds worth HK$6.5 million from truck at Shenzhen border https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3111617/hong-kong-customs-seizes-more-160-diamonds-worth-hk65The last sentence mad…

Revisit the inspiration for 'Avatar's' alien landscape with a ride up the world's tallest outdoor elevator https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/zhangjiajie-bailong-elevator-avatar-tallest-outdoor-lift/index.htmlIt's difficult for us to k…

Hong Kong opposition activist Joshua Wong put in solitary confinement with lights on 24 hours a day, after X-ray reveals ‘a shadow’ in his stomach https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3111318/hong-kong-opposition-activ…

China has 8 million blind people, but only 200 guide dogs https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/23/china/china-guide-dogs-intl-dst-hnk/index.htmlAfter reading this article, I found the reason why I've never seen blind people with guide dogs in C…

Should women be entitled to period leave? These countries think so https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/20/business/period-leave-asia-intl-hnk-dst/index.htmlIt's embarrassing for Japanese to offer period leave. That's why few females offer peri…

www.scmp.comWhen Mount Unzen erupted, competence of getting the best shot of the eruption by reporters became delayed evacuation and more victims. Also, volcanic eruption in Pompeii caused a lot of victims. Both of the tragedy happened, du…

edition.cnn.comIt's extremely difficult to find out factors affecting an ecosystem. If a kind of species is confronting extinction, it is difficult for us to clarify whether or not economic activities of human beings affected the ecosystem…

www.railwaygazette.comFaster monorail won't be interesting, because it must be slower than high speed rail. The monorail on trial can run at most 100km/h. It's slower than train on ordinary rail. But, in mountainous cities, monorail is one…

www.railwaygazette.comConversion of the Sakhalin’s network from 1067 mm to 1520 mm gauge would be pity for Japan's rail fans. That's because similarity between Japan's rail and Sakhalin's one is disappearing. But, it's also a chance to add…

Hong Kong’s latest generation of light rail vehicles enter service https://www.railwaygazette.com/vehicles/hong-kongs-latest-generation-of-light-rail-vehicles-enter-service/57815.articleMTR Hong Kong recently likes to buy rolling stocks fr…

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/17/success/honda-civic-unveiled-twitch/index.htmlCars with higher fuel efficiency must be attractive in the United States, where society is highly dependent on oil. Reduction of oil use will help them reduce…

15 Asian nations sign RCEP, world’s biggest free-trade deal, after eight years https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3109939/china-declares-victory-15-asian-nations-sign-worlds-biggestIt's mysterious that these 15 nations agree…

www.railwaygazette.comI was amazed by the function that blue LED light indicates train is operated automatically. In Japan, many railway companies are suffering from shortage of train drivers. So, installation of automated trains would be …

edition.cnn.comIt's rare that representative airport located in a capital of West European country does not have a rail access to its downtown. In 1990s, there were many airports in mega cities which don't have rail access. For example, Ho…

www.scmp.comWhen I went to suburban city of Vancouver, I saw advertisement of "Cantonese Teacher" on a bench of a bus stop. Then, I wondered why Cantonese skill is in demand there. The answer is that Canada is one of the major countries fo…

Taichung Green Line ready to open https://www.railwaygazette.com/taichung-green-line-ready-to-open/57784.articleWhen I saw the train for Taichung Green Line in Kawasaki Heavy Industry Hyogo Plant, it was about 4 years ago. I thought it sho…

Japanese town deploys 'Monster Wolf' robots to deter wild bears https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/12/asia/japanese-monster-wolf-robots-intl-hnk/index.htmlI've heard that a man I knew on Twitter was told to be aware of bears by a train driver…

Kenyatta inaugurates Nairobi commuter DMU service https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/kenyatta-inaugurates-nairobi-commuter-dmu-service/57770.articleCentral Africa is where urban rail is not common, except for Addis Ababa and Abuja. T…

Trump in denial over election defeat as Biden gears up to fight Covid https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/09/politics/election-2020-donald-trump-joe-biden-coronavirus/index.htmlWhen US president leaves White House, I've heard that he also leav…

Ulaanbaatar’s yurt settlements to be served by cable car https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-biden-election-results-11-05-20/index.htmlI don't know why cable car was chosen as an urban transportation around Ulaanbaatar. It is …

en.wikipedia.orgAmong right wing people in Japan, presidential nomination of Biden would be a nightmare, because he has a pro-China policy. But, I think it's a superficial aspect of his political mindset. Surely, he is the first US delegat…

www.scmp.comIn Japan, some people say "Japan has been becoming aging society. That's why most of the political leaders in Japan are elderly people." But, this article denies that hypothesis. In some African countries with high fertility ra…

Multiple metro openings in Shenzhen https://www.railwaygazette.com/operations-and-services/multiple-metro-openings-in-shenzhen/57710.articleWhen I visited Shenzhen 10 years ago, the city just had 2 metro lines. But now, it has 11 lines, an…

Four people 'killed in cold blood' in Vienna during night of terror https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/03/europe/vienna-shooting-nov-3-intl/index.htmlI felt nostalgia to hear that ISIS stated its responsibility. I thought that the group was f…

Series 6500 train ready for testing on Toei’s Mita Line https://www.railwaygazette.com/vehicles/series-6500-train-ready-for-testing-on-toeis-mita-line/57706.articleThere are many new trains with free Wi-fi service. And, there are more publ…

Japan Innovation Party, struck by the denial of restructuring autonomous unit plan in Osaka, has to restructure itself for the next election https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/85eda342c440bcd90042d5de005bba05bb0b1d16 (Translation begins) Se…