World's Oldest Person, Tomiko Itooka, Passes Away at 116

A research team from Shinshu University in Japan has made a significant discovery concerning plant immunity, which could revolutionize agricultural practices. Their findings, published in the journal Plant and Cell Physiology, revealed that peroxisomal proteins play a crucial role in bolstering plant defenses against environmental stressors such as drought and pests. The team identified the protein HSR201 as essential for producing salicylic acid, which is vital for plant immune responses. This breakthrough offers the potential for developing crops that require fewer chemical pesticides and fertilizers, thereby reducing agricultural pollution. Traditionally, chemical inputs have been used to combat threats to crops, but these practices contribute to environmental degradation and climate change. Dr. Shinpei Katou, the research leader, emphasized the potential for improving crop resilience and sustainability through a better understanding of these natural defense mechanisms. If successfully applied in crop development, the implications could enhance food security globally, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate change. Further research may lead to the implementation of these findings in agricultural practices within the next decade.

Rescue teams in Yashio, Saitama prefecture, Japan, are racing against time to save a 74-year-old truck driver trapped in a large sinkhole since January 28. The sinkhole, measuring approximately 10 meters across and 10 meters deep, opened suddenly at an intersection, swallowing the driver and his two-ton vehicle. According to media reports, initial contact with the trapped man has ceased as water has begun to accumulate in the hole, raising concerns for his condition. Rescue efforts faced setbacks, including a second sinkhole formation on January 30, which merged with the first hole. Local authorities have evacuated residents within a 200-meter radius due to potential hazards posed by an underground gas pipe. Motohiro Ono, the governor of Saitama prefecture, expressed concerns about the possibility of further collapses, attributing the initial sinkhole to a ruptured sewage pipe. In reaction to the ongoing crisis, local officials have begun discharging wastewater into a nearby river, affecting approximately 1.2 million residents instructed to conserve water while emergency services continue their operations.

Japan has announced its refusal to fund a UN women's rights committee following calls for the country to change its male-only royal succession laws. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated on Thursday that Japan will not proceed with a planned visit by a committee member and will suspend financial contributions, which historically range between ¥20 to ¥30 million (approximately $150,000 to $225,000) annually, to the UN High Commissioner for Women. The UN committee previously urged Japan to ensure both women and men can claim the throne, in line with practices in other monarchies. However, Japan has demanded that these recommendations be retracted, asserting that succession rights are unrelated to human rights or gender discrimination. Currently, only sons of royal fathers are eligible to become emperor, leading to concerns about succession as Emperor Naruhito’s heir is significantly older than prospective successors, with only 18-year-old Prince Hisahito as a youthful option. Despite opinion polls indicating public support for allowing female succession, traditional views remain strong, hindering parliamentary discussions on the matter.