Have you ever wished you had just a little more time? Well, you should have been more specific!
Everyone knows about leap years. Once every four years, an extra day is added to the end of February so that the calendar year synchronizes with the astronomical or seasonal year. But, have you ever heard of a leap second?
A leap second occurs when an extra second added to astronomical time is necessary to keep in line with the universal atomic clock. Astronomical time was the universal standard until the atomic clock came into use in 1958. Then, it was discovered that irregularities in the earth’s rotation meant the two standards of time were out of sync.
▼ Nobody’s perfect. Not even the Earth.
Leap seconds have been used sparingly since 1972. The latest one was about one and a half years ago on July 1st, 2015. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) in France makes the final call, and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NITS) in Japan complies.
It has been determined that the next leap second will take place on December 31st, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Accounting for the time difference, it will take place in Japan on January 1st, 2017.
▼ That means a whole extra second of fireworks!
That also gives you another second to eat Yoshinoya, study Japanese, wait for the train, or play Pokémon GO. Use it wisely!
References: Wikipedia (Leap Year), IERS
Featured images: Wikimedia Commons/Postelwijn
Images: Wikimedia Commons/NASA, Wikimedia Commons/Ondrejk
[ Read in Japanese ]
Toyota City civil servant arrested for using government access to run a detective agency
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
What’s Your National Stereotype? Japanese Sinking Ship Joke Has Got You Pegged
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Toyota City civil servant arrested for using government access to run a detective agency
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
What’s Your National Stereotype? Japanese Sinking Ship Joke Has Got You Pegged
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Amazing exhibition of Japan’s legendary “cursed katana” is going on right now【Photos】
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Amazing exhibition of Japan’s legendary “cursed katana” is going on right now【Photos】
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
What’s in a Lawson fukubukuro lucky bag?
Gorgeous Ghibli schedule books are here to help you get a jump on planning ahead【Photos】
How to properly wrap a ninja hood – Now available in English!
Japan’s official Hello Kitty Airport holds ribbon-cutting ceremony, now welcoming travelers【Pics】
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Leave a Reply