Nara's Prefectural Government has announced plans to allow its employees to study overseas. Japan struggles with the recent bird flu epidemic, as an alternative to the humble egg is proving increasingly popular. And JR Tokai, otherwise known as Central Japan Railway, has also announced plans to automate its Tokaido Shinkansen service from 2028. Two and a half hours west of Tokyo is Ishikawa prefecture and the city of Kanazawa where Notebook walks to the sound of Japanese bush warbler (uguisu) birdsong and the sound of running water.

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