Working Group To Discuss How To Reduce Okinawa's Burden Of Hosting Bases

Working group to discuss how to reduce Okinawa's burden of hosting bases

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary says the government will hold a working group meeting early next year to discuss ways to alleviate Okinawa Prefecture's burden of hosting US military bases.

The southern prefecture hosts about 70 percent of the US military facilities in Japan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu is in charge of reducing this burden.

Judo Experts To Study How To Use Sport's Techniques To Prevent Falls In Elderly

Judo experts to study how to use sport's techniques to prevent falls in elderly

The All Japan Judo Federation is working on a new project to use the sport's techniques to help elderly people avoid falls.

Japan's health ministry says the number of people aged 65 or older who died as the result of a fall has been on rise, with more than 8,800 deaths reported in 2020. That's about four times the number of people in the same age group who died in traffic accidents.

2021 Acura Tlx Luggage Test | How Much Fits In The Trunk?

2021 Acura TLX Luggage Test | How much fits in the trunk?

The 2021 Acura TLX has a 13.5-cubic-foot trunk according to the spec sheet. That would be comparable to a typical compact mainstream sedan despite the TLX's exterior dimensions being more akin to a midsize sedan (its 194.6-inch length is right smack between a Toyota Camry and Honda Accord). Luxury cars usually sacrifice utility for style, and by adapting cab-rearward proportions for this latest generation, it shouldn't be surprising that the TLX follows the trend. 

However, how much utility does the new TLX sacrifice and is the trunk still useful? Let's find out.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Luggage Test | How Much Fits In The Trunk?

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Luggage Test | How much fits in the trunk?

You take one look at the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and you're bound to go, "well that doesn't look like it has much space." Popping open the hatch will do nothing to change that opinion. You may even assume that since the Crosstrek is just a lifted Impreza hatchback that more traditional crossover SUVs would be able to hold more stuff. 

Well, the Crosstrek certainly isn't a big vehicle. And judging by the number I see here in Portland, Ore., with Yakima or Thule roof carriers, owners are apt to need more space than they provide. However, Subaru's smallest crossover (or lifted hatchback, if you prefer) is bigger than it looks. On paper, it has 20.8 cubic feet of space behind its back seat, which is more than most subcompact crossovers like the Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade, etc. Only the Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V have more. So too does the Kia Seltos, though it's a half-size larger than the Crosstrek in the growing in-betweener compact crossover segment. 

2021 Nissan Rogue Luggage Test | How Much Fits In The Cargo Area?

2021 Nissan Rogue Luggage Test | How much fits in the cargo area?

I would assume that a major reason someone buys a 2021 Nissan Rogue rather than a Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4 is because of its looks. The new Rogue, like its predecessor actually, is quite the handsome thing. It's nicely proportioned with a face that's distinctively bold without being overwrought. It doesn't scream "functionality!" like the rather mumsy CR-V or the sensible-shoes Forester. 

Usually, such an emphasis on style would result in a reduction of space and versatility. Fashion and function are often at odds with each other. Yet, the Rogue bucks that trend. Though it's not quite as spacious or versatile as its fellow top sellers, it's still awfully big for something deemed a "compact" SUV. There's abundant leg- and headroom in the back seat, and since this is a luggage test, a surprising amount of cargo space. In fact, its 74.1 cubic-feet of maximum cargo capacity, which trails only the CR-V for class best. Space behind the raised back seat isn't as good as the CR-V and RAV4, however, with Nissan measuring it at 31.6 cubic-feet in the cargo area's standard formation (like the vehicle we'll be testing here) and 36.5 cubic-feet with the innovative optional Divide-N-Hide cargo floor. Let's see if that 31.6 cubic-feet is consistent with the amount of luggage you can actually cram aboard. 

Survey On How Schools Are Affected By Coronavirus

Survey on how schools are affected by coronavirus

A survey of schools in Japan shows that more than 10 percent of them had students who were absent to prevent coronavirus infection.

The Japan Teachers' Union issued a report on the survey conducted between late August and mid-September -- the period just after summer break. A total of 1,152 schools from elementary to senior high as well as those for special needs responded.

2021 Honda Odyssey Luggage Test | How Much Fits Behind The Third Row?

2021 Honda Odyssey Luggage Test | How much fits behind the third row?

The 2021 Honda Odyssey is a modern minivan, and as such it's absolutely gigantic. That is obviously not news. And yet, the Odyssey still managed to blow me away with its cargo-carrying ability. 

Now, like the various three-row crossovers and SUVs I've luggage tested, I only checked to see how many pieces of luggage from my garage would fit behind the raised third-row seat. The most voluminous crossover I've tested and indeed one of the most voluminous three-row crossovers, period, the Hyundai Palisade, could fit the four biggest suitcases I own. Pretty good, but sorry Palisade, you're about to be crushed.

How To Use A Custom Android Launcher

How To Use A Custom Android Launcher

One of the upsides of using Android is the ability to use custom launchers. Unlike iOS where users are more or less stuck with what Apple has given them, Android allows for a greater degree of customization.

If you’re not planning on rooting your Android device, launchers are a great way to customize your device without getting too technical and are usually safe and won’t mess up your phone.

How The World Views Postponed 2020 Tokyo Games

How the world views postponed 2020 Tokyo Games

An NHK survey on the Tokyo Olympic Games, postponed for a year, has found that sport-related bodies expect organizers to decide at least six months prior to the scheduled opening whether the event will take place.

Thursday marks one year until the opening of the Tokyo Games, which were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This Is How Sony Could Handle Backwards Compatibility On The Ps5

This Is How Sony Could Handle Backwards Compatibility On The PS5

When it comes to backwards compatibility on consoles, it’s safe to say that Microsoft has done a much better job compared to Sony. For instance, the PS4 supports backwards compatibility with PS3 games, but that’s pretty much it, whereas the Xbox One supports the original Xbox and Xbox 360 games.

However, in a tweet by @Renak_schedule, they have discovered what appears to be a patent by Sony in which the company is looking at an idea on how to make its consoles more backwards compatible with older consoles, like the PS4, PS3, PS2, and the original PlayStation through the use of cloud gaming.

Acura Rdx Luggage Test | How Much Fits In The Trunk?

Acura RDX Luggage Test | How much fits in the trunk?

The 2020 Acura RDX is considered a compact luxury SUV, but there's actually very little that's compact about it. When lined up against its competitors, you can see that it enjoys a clear dimensional advantage. In fact, the RDX is pretty close to the Lexus RX, with an identical rear legroom figure and considerably more cargo space with the back seat raised. Obviously, I'll be addressing the latter here.

On paper, Acura provides several cargo numbers calling out specific SAE measurement standards for each one. Basically, it has 31.1 cubic-feet behind its back seat when you include its underfloor storage and 29.5 cubic-feet when you don't. Even that smaller number is superior to everything in the segment save the Volvo XC60 (29.7), while the Lexus RX apparently has a seems-way-too-small 18.4.  

2020 Honda Ridgeline Suspension Deep Dive | How It Works

2020 Honda Ridgeline Suspension Deep Dive | How it works

Many have their doubts about the Honda Ridgeline's unibody structure and independent rear suspension. Not me. I once drove the latest Ridgeline generation to Racetrack Playa, a geological wonder you may have read about in Death Valley. The trip there was a tooth-rattling 54-mile out and back journey on a badly washboarded dirt road, but thanks to its carlike unibody structure and independent rear suspension doing a better job sucking up the washboard at speed, the Ridgeline survived the trip much better than two off-road package trucks that tagged along. It may have returned with one slightly leaky rear shock, but the Tacoma TRD Off-Road and Nissan Titan XD Pro-4X suffered dramatic explosive failures of their rear shocks and irreversible heat damage to their front ones.

The Ridgeline's suspension has no equal in the pickup world when it comes to on-road ride and handling, and unlike the weird first generation's compromised bed, the new one's is longer and wider than any other midsize crew cab. It's got that trunk and two-way tailgate, too. By all accounts it's a great truck if you can admit you'll never take it to Moab. But Death Valley surprised me. Much like that original generation, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline is actually quite well-suited to some off-highway situations. Let's see if we can figure out why.