1. President Donald Trump has given approval for the manufacture of "tiny cars" in the United States, which can be powered by gasoline, electric, or hybrid technology.
2. This decision aims to provide more affordable vehicles in the US market, a move that could lower overall automobile costs amid rising inflation and ahead of next year's midterm elections.
3. The specific types of small vehicles covered under this new policy are yet to be defined, but Trump has shown interest in very small cars commonly seen in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.
1. Yugyoji Temple, built in 1325 and located south of Tokyo, has attracted visitors with a colorful light display as part of its 700-year anniversary celebration.
2. The event was organized by the temple and local chamber of commerce, featuring LED lights that cast decorative patterns on the main hall and pathway, along with illuminating a 700-year old ginkgo tree.
3. The light show runs daily from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., through December 14, providing an immersive experience for first-time visitors and potentially educating them about the temple's rich history.
1. On December 8, 2025, approximately 6,000 cyclists were allowed to ride across Rainbow Bridge, an event usually off-limits for bikes.
2. The participants included Fujimoto Musashi, a bronze medalist in the men's individual road race at the Tokyo Deaflympics in November.
3. The event offered three courses ranging from 8 kilometers to 37 kilometers, allowing cyclists to cross Rainbow Bridge and enjoy views of Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji, and the cityscape during morning glow.
1. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has emphasized four main priorities: defending the US and western hemisphere, deterring China without confrontation, increasing defense burden sharing among allies, and strengthening the US defense industrial base.
2. Hegseth called for a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure peace, stating that the US is not aiming to hinder China's growth but to counterbalance its growing power.
3. The Defense Secretary urged US allies to contribute more to defense spending, commending NATO's 5% GDP commitment and expressing optimism that other Indo-Pacific allies will follow this model in the coming years.
1. The condolence message board near the site of the deadly Hong Kong fire will be removed on Sunday.
2. The board, which was set up in a park near the high-rise complex where 159 people died, has been a place for visitors to leave messages demanding punishment for those responsible and expressing criticism of the government's response.
3. People visited the park on Sunday to pay their respects, with some expressing regret over the removal of the board as it serves as a symbol of support from Hong Kong people, helping those affected by the disaster recover.
1. Travel advisory from the Chinese government has significantly affected tourist numbers in Osaka, Japan's third-largest city.
- The majority of foreign tourists in Dotonbori, a popular tourist area, are from Southeast Asia and other Asian countries, with Chinese tourists being a minority.
- Many drugstores in the Namba neighborhood, which typically cater to Chinese tourists due to their low prices and high-quality products, are experiencing a drop in customers. This could potentially impact their long-term business sustainability.
1. Several startups, including Airtable, Handshake, and Opendoor, have announced they are "refounding" recently, indicating a significant change or shift in their business models or AI product launches.
2. Airtable's co-founder and CEO, Howie Liu, clarified that this is not a pivot but a "refounding moment," as it involves building upon the existing platform rather than changing direction due to past mistakes.
3. Handshake's chief marketing officer, Katherine Kelly, explained that their aim is to reintroduce startup culture into an established business. This could mean increased work hours and office presence requirements for employees.
1. Sakaguchi Shimon, a Japanese scientist who won this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, discussed his work on regulatory T cells at a news conference in Stockholm.
2. Regulatory T cells discovered by Sakaguchi have potential applications for treating various immune disorders, autoimmune diseases, and allergies.
3. Sakaguchi expressed hope that the award will increase societal awareness of the importance of medical research, and encourage governments to support basic research, potentially leading to advancements in cancer immunotherapy.
1. Mount Kilauea on Hawaii has erupted, producing lava fountains at three different locations as of Saturday.
2. Residents in the surrounding areas are advised to minimize exposure to sulfur dioxide and other harmful gases due to the volcanic activity.
3. The US Geological Survey states that such multiple active lava fountains from Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is an extremely rare event.
1. A unique gift shop in downtown Tokyo, Meta Mate Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi, offers a service to 3D print figurines of customers in the cockpit of Mazinger Z, the first anime mecha with a human pilot.
2. Customers can reserve or walk-in for the service, which involves a full-body scan using precision cameras, followed by 3D printing of the figure to match the size of the robot's cockpit.
3. The figurines are mounted in the crown-like protrusions on Mazinger Z's head, just like in the anime and manga. Four sizes are available, ranging from 2.4 inches to 5.9 inches and costing between $215 and $1,295.
