food safety
Ever sit down to eat a meal and wish you knew how many calories or salt were in your food? Ever cooked a piece of meat or fish only to later wonder whether it might have gone bad? Last week, Chinese Internet giant Baidu announced that it has been working on a pair of wi-fi-enabled high-tech chopsticks that will be able to detect the nutritional makeup of the food it touches as well as warning consumers of any safety issues such as contaminants or expired food.
According to Reuters and others, a major foreign-owned restaurant chain operating in China possibly used tainted meat products. An organized crime group exposed on May 2 is said to have sent falsely labeled meat products containing rat, fox and other contaminants to the Mongolian hot pot specialty restaurant chain Little Sheep which is owned by U.S.-based Yum! Brands of the U.S., operators of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and other well-known restaurant chains. This latest revelation comes to light not long after it was revealed this past January that KFC China was using chicken that had received excessive doses of growth promoting agents and antibiotics. China has become a major market for the restaurant titan, and the company is said to be at wits end as it deals with successive scandals occurring there.
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A thesis which assesses the risks of internal radiation exposure within Fukushima Prefecture following the explosions at the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, suggests that the effects of internal radiation fall far below that recorded after Chernobyl.
Ryugo Hayano, who works as a professor at Tokyo University’s Science Research Department, has collected the findings of doctors who conducted research into internal radiation exposure among those living inside of the Fukushima Prefecture. He consolidated these findings into an English journal entitled ‘Proceedings of Japan Academy Series B89’, which is available on the net.
The latest journal is a collection of reports that looks at the degree of radiation exposure through daily food consumption and it is reported to be the first of its kind.


Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Play games, learn, and get your fortune at Ginza’s limited-time Tsunaguu “Shrine of the Future”
Japanese shiitake mushroom snacks from Don Quijote, created for people who don’t like mushrooms
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is here! So is it worth watching?【SoraReview】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Japanese women’s breasts get dismal satisfaction evaluation…from their owners
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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】
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is here! So is it worth watching?【SoraReview】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Japanese women’s breasts get dismal satisfaction evaluation…from their owners
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
You put WHAT in your curry? Japanese netizens reveal their favourite secret ingredients
Starbucks unveils new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino in Japan
Japan’s only blue old-school post box: Where is it and why is it there?
New Jimmy Choo x Sailor Moon collaboration brings anime magic to bags, shoes and accessories
7 reasons why you should visit Aomori Prefecture
Meet the most unmotivated Sanrio character ever — Gudetama, the lazy egg!
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Tokyo ramen restaurant’s brilliant idea: takeout cups of just ramen broth!【Photos】
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】