Hello and welcome to today’s news from Japan Daily News on December 4th, 2023. In our top stories today:

The Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed train system, experienced a temporary suspension of service this morning. According to JR West Japan, the suspension was due to abnormal displays on the train cars, which prompted a halt in operations on certain sections of the Sanyo Shinkansen line. However, the issue was resolved, and train services resumed at 7:39 AM.

In related news, the Sanyo Shinkansen line also faced a separate disruption today. Due to another abnormal display on the train cars, train operations were temporarily suspended between Shin-Osaka and Okayama stations on the downline since 7 AM. JR West Japan conducted inspections to address the issue.

Moving on to the anime industry, a recent survey conducted by a group representing anime creators revealed concerning results. The survey focused on the mental health of individuals involved in anime production, and it found that 17% of the respondents had either experienced or potentially suffered from mental illnesses such as depression.

Turning to international news, a Japanese environmental NGO announced its decision to award Japan with the ‘Fossil Award’ during the United Nations conference on climate change, COP28. The NGO deemed Japan as being unenthusiastic in addressing climate change due to its efforts to extend the lifespan of coal-fired power plants and delay the transition to renewable energy sources.

In seismic news, a major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck the Philippines today. The Japan Meteorological Agency received information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii, stating that there is no concern for significant impact on Japan. Although some minor changes in sea level may occur along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Okinawa, no damage is expected. The Meteorological Agency issued a ‘Northwest Pacific Tsunami Information’ to neighboring countries, as there is a possibility of a tsunami near the epicenter. It is worth noting that the Philippines experienced a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 near Mindanao Island two nights ago, resulting in tsunamis reaching the Pacific coast from Kyushu to Kanto and the Amami region.

Moving back to domestic news, Japan’s prestigious Nihon University will hold a press conference this afternoon regarding the ongoing scandal surrounding their American football team. The university’s president, Makiko Hayashi, along with other officials, will address the recent series of arrests among team members, as well as the resignation of the university’s chancellor and vice-chancellor. The decision to disband the team will also be discussed. We will provide detailed coverage of the university’s response, the reactions to the disbandment plan, and a comprehensive overview of the team’s history.

Lastly, in international natural disaster news, a massive volcanic eruption occurred in Indonesia yesterday evening. While the Japan Meteorological Agency initially assessed the possibility of a tsunami resulting from the eruption, they have confirmed this morning that there is no tsunami threat to Japan. And now for the weather. Today in Tokyo, the weather will be mostly clear with a temperature ranging from 9 to 13 degrees Celsius. Visit JapanDailyNews.com for the news, yen exchange rates, and a daily Japanese proverb.