誕生日プレゼントのレッスンデー。
1) The Japanese government is exploring ways to use cruise ships in order to cope with accommodation shortages expected during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
2) These days, we should consider the thought of coming under cyber-attack as just a way of life.
3) A Japanese team has inspected tourist sites and other facilities on Etorofu Island, one of the 4 Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
The delegation of about 70 members, including government officials and business people, arrived in Etorofu on Thursday.
They are visiting the islands to study the feasibility of starting joint economic projects with Russia. Etorofu is the second leg of their 5-day tour, which started on Kunashiri Island on Tuesday.
4) The US government says it is tightening security on inbound flights due to a heightened threat of terror attacks.
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced the new aviation safety rules on Wednesday in Washington.
He said he is concerned about terrorist groups’ renewed interest in targeting the aviation sector. He emphasized the necessity of boosting security in airports around the world for direct flights to the US.
5) Many Japanese follow a tradition of eating grilled eel to beat the summer heat. But with the price of eel rising in recent years, a major supermarket chain is offering grilled catfish, a less expensive alternative.
Retail giant Aeon unveiled the new product for the Midsummer Day, which falls on July 25th. The company is selling catfish raised in Vietnam for the first time.
Company officials say they are using a type of catfish called pangasius, which is known for its fleshy white meat suitable for grilling.
6) India’s largest port has been hit by a cyberattack, following ransomware attacks targeting government agencies and companies in Europe and the United States.
The Indian government said in a statement on Wednesday that malicious software crippled operations at one terminal of the port in western city of Mumbai.
7) A major operator of tax-free stores in Japan is launching a new type of outlet that gives tourists a chance to experience a lifestyle rather than just buy a product.
It caters to a growing number of foreign visitors who want to get a taste of the real Japan.
Tax-free items include products that are popular among tourists, such as home appliances and cosmetics.
Visitors to the store can also enjoy a buffet of various Japanese dishes like sushi and tempura.
They can play a survival game using air guns that shoot plastic bullets.
In addition, there’s a shop that specializes in instant noodles. It sells 42 varieties and many of them are exclusive to Japan. There’s hot water available for people who can’t wait to taste their purchase.
8) Exactly 3 years have passed since the Islamic State militant group unilaterally declared an Islamic caliphate in an area straddling Iraq and Syria.
The group declared itself the Islamic State after seizing Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, on June 29th, 2014.
An offensive to retake Mosul from the militants has entered the final phase. Iraqi forces say the insurgents are now trapped in a one-square-kilometer area.
9) A US survey suggests the image of the United States has sharply worsened worldwide under President Donald Trump.
The non-partisan Pew Research Center surveyed about 40,000 people earlier this year, in 37 countries including Japan.
It reports only 49 percent held a favorable view of the US, compared to 64 percent in the closing years of the Obama administration.
10) The social-networking giant Facebook says its monthly active users reached 2 billion.
The number has doubled in 5 years.