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Shima

@shima4life.bsky.social
238 followers 530 following 109 posts

Island dweller

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Reposted by Shima
David Fedman @dfeds.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Hi friends, happy to share a labor of love: an essay in the latest issue of Environmental History on Tokyo's war-damaged trees (戦災樹木), the more than 200 hundreds trees scattered across the city that carry scars of wartime bombing in their morphology www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/eh/0/0
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Peter Santema @petersantema.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
New #ornithology paper out in @royalsocietypublishing.org! We show that female dotterels can move across large distances within a single breeding season in search of mating opportunities, visiting up to five different sites (median: 3) and travelling up to 1000 km between sites (median: 71 km). 1/n
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The Sewphist @thesewphist.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Does anyone I know happen to be somewhere near Auckland Showgrounds and have access to a printer? All my IT issues last week had some consequences… and I need a few docs printed, but I’m here alone. Am happy to pay if someone can pick up a USB, print them for me, and deliver back. 🙏
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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 25/08/2026
From September 2031, Japan will require new cars to have driver monitoring systems installed to monitor drivers for signs of distraction or drowsiness amid an increasing number of accidents attributed to phone use.
ebx.sh
New cars sold in Japan from September 2031 must have driver monitoring systems
Such systems monitor driver attention, alerting them if there are signs of drowsy driving or if they are suspected to be looking at their phones.
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Aaahh!!! bstract Tesseract @abstracttesseract.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Those who walk away from omurice
static.klipy.com
Cute Bear Rice Omelet Dish
Alt: Someone putting ketchup on a cute sleepy bear-shaped omurice dish
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Margaret Mitchell @mmitchell.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
People not in tech have been interested in what happened with the Open AI agent/Hugging Face hack. So, I "Explain it Like I'm 5"-ed it and made a cartoon in 8 panels. Apologies for some anthro-ing. 🫤 m-mitchell.com/HF-hack-cart... 1/8
An AI agent in development at OpenAI was recently tested on how well it could find and exploit code vulnerabilities.

The test began in a "sandbox", an environment meant to keep everything the agent does contained, so that nothing it triggers can affect systems outside of the test.
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David Hood @thoughtfulnz.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
The Black-capped Chickadee is found in countries with a total population around 384 million. The New Zealand Fantail is found in countries with a population of about 5 million. But what the fantail lacks in size, it makes up for in enthusiasm, so #kikorangi it is your time to shine.
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Jer Thorp @jerthorp.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Who will win #WorldCupOfBirds Match 102? 1️⃣ Black Guillemot (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿) 2️⃣ New Zealand Fantail (🇳🇿) 📊 Show results
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Scout @scoutriver.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I have an extra 6 year old for the next 10.5 weeks. He's super into Hot Wheels and we just don't have anything for them to drive on. Does anyone in Dunedin have any Hot Wheels tracks needing love that they might be open to passing along? We are making do with a track he has drawn on cardboard.
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Amelie In Tokyo ✨ @amelieintokyo.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Bouteille à la mer sait-on jamais 🥹 : on cherche un avocat ou juriste spécialisé dans le droit des étrangers dans la région rennaise pour protéger une jeune personne fragile d’une OQTF.
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Camellia Tea Ceremony @camelliakyoto.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
It is thought zongzi were created as offerings to the poet Qu Yuan (屈原 c.340–278 BC), who (perhaps) drowned himself after the monarch failed to heed his (wise) advice. The grateful people tossed rice dumplings into the Miluo River so that the fish would leave the poet's body alone.
Zongzi being steamed.Wrapped zongzi.Tucking into a zongzi.On the way home with a zongzi.
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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 28/04/2026
A heat wave sweeping across Southeast Asia is making offices even warmer, as workers continue to adjust to energy-saving measures put in place by governments due to the war in Iran.
ebx.sh
Southeast Asia office workers swelter in energy-saving drive amid heat wave
As the prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz drains energy reserves, relief does not look to be coming anytime soon with countries set to bake in abnormally hot weather.
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Ian Weissman, DO @drianweissman.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Rotavirus vaccines reduce the risk of severe disease in infants by 85% to 90%. But these benefits last only when most babies get vaccinated. When vaccination rates drop, rotavirus can spread more easily, and more infants can get seriously ill. theconversation.com/rotavirus-ca...
theconversation.com
Rotavirus cases in children are rising – but a highly effective vaccine has slashed hospitalizations from the virus by 80% in 2 decades
As rotavirus spreads this season, doctors worry that falling vaccination rates may endanger kids.
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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 24/04/2026
The Finance Ministry has proposed a drastic reduction in medical school enrollment, considering an expected surplus of doctors due to the country's declining population.
ebx.sh
Japan proposes drastic cut in medical school enrollment
The Finance Ministry is considering the reduction because of an expected surplus of doctors due to the country's declining population.
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💀Jubi 💀 @jubilations.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Checking in NASA'S live stream of the Artemis II and just noticed they have Sailor Moon's Artemis watching as well. I love dorks
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John Bistline @bistline.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
This is my favorite climate change chart. Japanese monks, aristocrats, and emperors kept meticulous records of cherry blossom festivals for 1,200 years and accidentally built the world's longest climate dataset.
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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
🚨There are now 113 new ways to break the law on your bicycle in Japan! 🚲🚵‍♂️👮🏼‍♂️👮🏻‍♀️🚔 This is the April Fools gift that the Japanese police want you to take seriously. And if you don't, the fines are rather hefty. open.substack.com/pub/tokyopal...
open.substack.com
Japan's War on Two-Wheels: There Are Now 113 New Ways To Break The Law on A Bicycle. Not an April Fools Joke
Starting today, April 1st 2026, there are over 100 new traffic violations that the police can use to ruin your day in this little island country. Japanese police once waged a war on dancing and now...
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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
On this day 31 years ago, the Aum Shinrikyo cult, released a powerful nerve gas on the Tokyo subway during the morning rush hour. A yakuza group may have been an unwitting accomplice in the attack. open.substack.com/pub/tokyopal...
open.substack.com
How a cult tricked the yakuza to make a lethal nerve gas — and the murder that benefitted them both
On this day 31 years ago, the Aum Shinrikyo cult, released a powerful nerve gas on the Tokyo subway during the morning rush hour. A yakuza group may have been an unwitting accomplice in the attack.
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Kit Whitfield - fantasy writer @kitwhitfield.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Fascinating multiple translations of a famous haiku. Want to play? Here's mine: The abiding pond - Then in hops the little frog Splashing time. www.bopsecrets.org/gateway/pass...
bopsecrets.org
Basho's Frog Haiku: 32 Translations
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Grandparents For Vaccines @gparents4vaccines.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
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mama.melancholia @mama-melancholia.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Ōtautahi/Christchurch peeps - please share this far and wide. Check out ‘Cup of Rest’ café in Ferrymead, and soon! You won’t be disappointed. #cupofrest #supportlocal #chch #aonz #kahurangi #christchurch #ōtautahi #edit #persian
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Frank @fmacskasy.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
My wife and I were on a beach in the Wellington area and found this at a car park, in the grass. It is approximately the size of a person's hand,made of bone, and intricately carved. I've masked the lower half,as only the legitimate owner will be able to fully describe it. Please share this...(1)
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Civixplorer @civixplorer.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
The growth of Paris from 250 AD to the present day in 3 minutes. 🔎 CITY 3D TIMELAPSE
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Louise Hutt @saycheeselouise.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
So, if I did want to get into birding, what should I know? NZ hot takes only pls. Ideally I'd like to have like a pokedex I could tick birds off in, might begrudlingly use iNaturalist if I have to (had just unkind experience using it tenish years ago). Alternatively a good book I could annotate?
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Sue Bradford @suebra.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
We may be an ocean away, but there are many of us in Aotearoa quietly cheering on every one of you Americans who are standing up, speaking out & taking action today against your govt's latest acceleration towards full-on fascism & war. Solidarity & strength from the deep south of the planet. #nzpol
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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 05/01/2026
Two large-scale studies have linked poor oral health among older adults to higher mortality rates and a higher risk of requiring long-term care.
ebx.sh
Dental hygiene key to predicting mortality, Japanese researchers find
Studies concluded that poor oral health among older adults is closely linked with higher mortality rates and a higher risk of requiring long-term care.
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mulboyne.bsky.social @mulboyne.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Sankei explains how, to get this shot of a Doctor Yellow running in front of Mt. Fuji, the photographer stood chest-deep in the Fuji River. www.sankei.com/article/2025...
A Doctor Yellow running on a bridge acrosss the Fuji River, with Mt. Fuji in teh background.A photographer in waders, poses in an office corridor, showing how he stood when taking the shot.
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Kate Mahoney @katypi.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
About six months ago, my partner got the best gift of his life - our friend's old hearing aids. It cost under $100 to get them reset and refitted at the local hearing clinic. If you have upgraded, you can do no better thing than donate your old aids to a friend or a clinic.
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NinjaKitty 忍者キティ🥷🐈‍⬛ @ninjakitty.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Do you do this? I bought a couple of lidded bins from Kmart and collect all my metal and plastic caps/lids then take them to our local eco centre. I also collect all the soft plastics which I can drop at my local Woolworths ♻️
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MꙬse Allain @mooseallain.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Cartoon of an angry-looking man with thin legs standing ankle deep in water, holding a daggers in front of his nose so it looks like a beak. Caption: We can be herons
Just for one day
Yes, he looks a bit like a heron.
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Camellia Tea Ceremony @camelliakyoto.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
🍊THE WINTER SOLSTICE🍃 Today is 'Tōji' (冬至), the Winter Solstice. On this day we traditionally enjoy 'yuzu-yu' (柚子湯), a bath steeped in yuzu🍊☺️♨️ #Japan #Kyoto #tōji' #冬至 #wintersolstice #yuzuyu #柚子湯
media.tenor.com
a capybara with a yellow ball on its head is swimming in a pool
ALT: a capybara with a yellow ball on its head is swimming in a pool
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MishMei @mishmei.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
big props to the bus driver who rescued this lil guy from a busy road in my neighbourhood. love how they emphasise his fare evasion


Without paying 50 cents, Peri took refuge on the pole in the middle of the bus. (Supplied: Koala Rescue Brisbane
South)
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Lin Nah @linnah.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
PaknSave Royal Oak is selling 2 daikon for $5 (or $2.99 for one) and 5 telegraph cucumbers for $5 (or $1.20 for 1) www.paknsave.co.nz/shop/product... www.paknsave.co.nz/shop/product...
Photo of a container of daikon radish at supermarket. They have short green tops so whole root remains with about 4 - 5cm of green top. The rest of the green (leaves etc) were removed.  They are in retangular green plastic crates and pic is of one crate with sides of other crates showing on 3 other sides.
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Eli K.P. William @elikpwilliam.com · 07/11/2025
At last! My translation of Michio Hoshino's The Traveling Tree is out today in the UK! I’ve been dying to translate this beautiful book for more than 15 years. Read my thoughts on translating it: substack.com/home/post/p-... Or purchase a copy: www.amazon.co.uk/Travelling-T... #japaneseliterature
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Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 14/10/2025
Switching 50km/h speed limits to 30km/h would protect cyclists while barely affecting commutes, research finds
theguardian.com
Switching 50km/h speed limits to 30km/h would protect cyclists while barely affecting commutes, research finds
One expert says a cyclist hit by a car travelling 50km/h has about a one-in-ten chance of surviving, while at 30km/h it was a nine-in-ten chance * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Reducing residential speed limits from 50km/h to 30 km/h would protect cyclists from danger and make riding less stressful while not causing traffic delays for cars, according to new research. Researchers from RMIT University rated traffic stress levels for every road in greater Melbourne and modelled the effect of lower speed limits on bicycle and car travel. Continue reading...
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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
How can anyone be so simple as to believe that he is free to find fault with others while his own foibles are passed over in silence? Yet when someone hears that he has been discussed unfavorably he is always outraged, and this I find most unattractive.
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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 10/09/2025
Japanese food and beverage maker Kirin on Tuesday started selling the Electric Salt Cup, which uses electricity to enhance the perception of the salty taste and umami in food.
ebx.sh
Kirin releases electric soup cup that enhances salty taste
The cup is available on the company's official online store at a price of ¥26,950 ($182).
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Timeline cleanse
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The Weeping Somnambulist @pigeon75.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
🟢 #moss
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Wolfgang Bremer @wolfgang.bremer.co · 19/08/2025
Paris has removed the paving from its city hall square and transformed it into an urban forest. Stunning! 🤩
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Mikey Brenndorfer XVX @mikeythenurse.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
This feels like the place to hunt out New Zealanders that randomly pop into my mind: does anyone know a Lisa and Bruce from Hamilton - this is going back to 2001-2 - Lisa worked at Waikato university I think in anthropology. Anti war activists - we did some actions targeting Helen Clark
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Sarah Pallett @sarah4ilam.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Apologies for sharing an X link - but for the interested this video shows the impact of a 40cm tsunami surge. Translation is available. Even as ‘little’ as 40 cm will knock you off your feet, and tsunami are often debris filled. #tsunami
x.com
ABEMAニュース on X: "【津波の威力】 カムチャッカ半島で地震 太平洋沿岸に津波注意報 高さ30~40cm程度の津波でも、足をすくわれる危険があります 海や川から離れてください ※身長160cmの女性と171cmの男性が 津波の威力を体験した時の映像です ▼アベマニュース では、最新情報を随時放送 https://t.co/3pVi5xmsBD https://t.co/TBEsD7MbDa" / X
【津波の威力】 カムチャッカ半島で地震 太平洋沿岸に津波注意報 高さ30~40cm程度の津波でも、足をすくわれる危険があります 海や川から離れてください ※身長160cmの女性と171cmの男性が 津波の威力を体験した時の映像です ▼アベマニュース では、最新情報を随時放送 https://t.co/3pVi5xmsBD https://t.co/TBEsD7MbDa
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Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 30/07/2025
On X, Masaki Nobushiro posts a recurring (and useful) drawing about how people wrongly think a 1m tsunami is a cresting wave when it's actually a wall of water filled with dangerous and deadly debris that's strong enough to sweep up a car. #tsunami
X post by @nobushiromasaki. JP text: カムチャッカ半島付近の大地震(M8.0)による津波、日本各地にも1m程度の津波が来るという注意報が出てる。侮らないで。1mは、ふつうに自動車が流されるレベルです。画像は拾い物だけど、これが本当だから。沿岸地域の方、特に気をつけて!
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Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
I wish more disabled and/or neurodivergent people (not to mention the ableds) would understand that the explicit openly stated goal of tech companies re gAI is to replace every public/social service from healthcare to education and more with their tech. And they’re using us to build consensus.
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The New Yorker @newyorker.com · 19/07/2025
Globally, roughly a third more power is being generated from the sun this spring than last. If this exponential rate of growth can continue, we will soon live in a very different world, @billmckibben.bsky.social‬ writes.
newyorker.com
4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment
In the past two years, without much notice, solar power has begun to truly transform the world’s energy system.
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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
It was so moving to learn that Pope Francis was calling Gaza’s Catholic Church nightly to talk to the priest & others sheltering there. These calls continued even as the Pope was ailing. Israel has just bombed that church, killing two and injuring the parish priest. apnews.com/article/gaza...
apnews.com
2 killed and several injured in Israeli strike on Gaza's only Catholic church
Two people were killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church on Thursday morning, according to church officials.
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Emily✨ @emilyoram.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
GUYS
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Shima @shima4life.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Last year at Todaiji, Nara did an about turn and came face to face with Esme Young (sewing bee), without thinking said ‘ oh, hello’ as though she was an old friend. Ended out having a great chat.
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Jonathan Slater @jonathanslater.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
The bird dance for the ages
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