スポーツ｜テニス
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### 小田凱人、国枝慎吾ペアが実現
車いすテニスのエキシビションで観客魅了
2025年10月12日 18:18（18:21更新）
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12日、東京・有明コロシアムにて車いすテニス男子ダブルスのエキシビションマッチが行われました。若さあふれる19歳の小田凱人選手（東海理化）と、42歳の国枝慎吾選手のペアが華麗なプレーで来場者を魅了しました。
国枝選手は四大大会とパラリンピックを制覇した「生涯ゴールデンスラム」を達成した実績を持ち、今回のペア結成は注目が集まりました。
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※本記事は有料会員限定の内容です。残り250文字をお読みいただくには、有料会員登録が必要です。7日間の無料トライアルや、1日あたり37円で読み放題のプランもございます。年払いプランならさらにお得にご利用いただけます。
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[有料会員登録はこちら]
[西日本新聞meとは？]
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410529/
Ayesha, a 13-year-old girl from southern Punjab, used to be a bright, cheerful student. After the devastating floods this year, everything changed. Her family lost their home. Her father’s livelihood was washed away, and they were forced to relocate to a crowded shelter.
Since then, Ayesha has been struggling with persistent anxiety: trouble sleeping, constant worry, and sudden panic attacks at school. Her teachers noticed that she had become withdrawn and easily startled.
Ayesha’s story is not unique. Across Pakistan, thousands of children and adolescents like Ayesha are silently suffering the psychological consequences of disasters, climate change, poverty, displacement, and violence. Their pain is often invisible but no less real.
With the help of a local mental health and psychosocial support counsellor, and a trained teacher, Ayesha began to recover. She learned breathing techniques and mindfulness to manage her anxiety, joined a peer support group, and slowly regained her confidence. Her story is a reminder that healing is possible—that every child deserves the chance to thrive.
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With over 60 percent of Pakistan’s population under the age of 25, we are a remarkably young nation. This demographic reality presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Ensuring the mental health of our children and adolescents is not only a moral imperative but also vital for our country’s future.
Unfortunately, many young people face a range of adversities that threaten their mental well-being. Natural disasters like floods and earthquakes displace families and disrupt lives. Poverty and unemployment create chronic stress and insecurity. Violence and abuse, both domestic and societal, leave deep emotional scars. Educational pressures, bullying, and lack of support in schools compound the burden.
Limited access to mental health services, especially in rural areas, leaves many without help. The result? A growing mental health crisis among Pakistan’s youth—one that demands urgent attention.
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Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness; it’s the foundation of how children think, feel, relate to others, and handle life’s challenges. Good mental health helps children thrive in school, build friendships, and grow into resilient adults. Poor mental health, on the other hand, can lead to academic failure, substance abuse, self-harm, and even suicide.
Yet, mental health remains one of the most neglected areas of public health in Pakistan. Stigma, lack of awareness, and limited resources mean that many children suffer in silence.
Child and adolescent mental health services are still in their infancy in our country. We struggle to establish formal referral pathways to psychiatric services for children with mental and behavioural problems, who are often presented to various practitioners in the community, including spiritual and faith healers.
Although the number of general adult psychiatrists is increasing, challenges remain in adding formal training programmes and specialised degree courses for trainees in many teaching institutions.
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Supporting the mental health of children and adolescents is not just the job of psychiatrists or psychologists; it’s a collective responsibility.
Parents are the frontline defenders of their children’s mental health. Open communication, emotional warmth, and consistent support can buffer children against stress. Parents should listen without judgment, encourage the expression of feelings, avoid harsh discipline or neglect, and seek help when needed.
Parenting programmes and community awareness campaigns can empower families to support their children better.
Schools are often the first place where signs of distress appear. Teachers and school staff can play a critical role in early identification and support. That is why Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for schoolteachers is a game-changer. It equips educators with the skills to recognise signs of emotional distress, provide basic support and reassurance, and refer children to appropriate services.
Creating safe, inclusive, and nurturing school environments can also dramatically improve mental health outcomes.
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Mental health services must be integrated into primary healthcare and community settings. The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programme is a vital initiative that aims to provide psychological support in emergencies, train frontline workers in mental healthcare, and build referral systems for specialised help.
Expanding MHPSS across districts and rural areas can ensure that help reaches those who need it most.
Faith leaders and community influencers can also help reduce stigma and promote compassion. Their voices can encourage families to seek help and support mental health initiatives.
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Investing in child and adolescent mental health is not just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic one. By investing in their mental well-being today, we lay the foundation for a healthier, more resilient society tomorrow.
Pakistan’s future depends on how well we care for its young minds today.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1350042-nurturing-young-minds
スポーツニュース
デンソーが開幕2連勝 バレー女子のSVリーグ
2025年10月12日 15:35（2025年10月12日 15:38 更新）
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バレーボールの大同生命SVリーグは12日、福島県郡山市の宝来屋ボンズアリーナなどで女子の5試合が行われました。
デンソーは東レ滋賀をストレートの3―0で下し、開幕から2連勝を飾りました。
昨季準優勝のNEC川崎もSAGA久光に勝利し、好調を維持しています。
（※この記事は有料会員限定です。）
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410472/
スポーツ ドジャース戦、午前9時8分開始 リーグ優勝決定シリーズ（ナ・リーグ）日本時間 2025年10月12日 16:58更新
【ロサンゼルス共同】米大リーグで大谷翔平、山本由伸、佐々木朗希が所属するドジャースが、ミルウォーキーでブルワーズと対戦するナ・リーグ優勝決定シリーズ（7回戦制）第1戦の試合開始時間が、13日午後7時に決定しました。
本記事は有料会員限定の記事となります。クリップ機能のご利用も有料会員のみとなっておりますので、ご了承ください。
西日本新聞meとは？
【有料会員限定情報】残り84文字。7日間無料トライアル実施中。1日37円で読み放題、年払いならさらにお得です。
2025/10/12 15:46 (2025/10/12 15:48 更新) [有料会員限定記事]
西日本新聞meとは？
【イスタンブール共同】パレスチナ自治区ガザに船団で支援物資を届けようとしてイスラエル軍に拘束されたオランダ在住の会社員、安村美香子さん（62）＝大津市出身＝が12日までに電話取材に応じました。
安村さんは、10月1日に拘束されていた期間中、「人間扱いされなかった」と語っています。
詳細な内容や経緯については、この記事は有料会員限定となっております。残り557文字の全文をお読みいただくには、7日間無料トライアルおよび1日37円での読み放題、または年払いプランをご利用ください。
クリップ機能は有料会員の方のみご利用いただけます。
記事の共有はthreads、Facebook、Twitterから可能です。
The Monsoon of 2022: Beyond Physical Damage – Addressing the Mental Health Impact of Floods in Pakistan
The monsoon of 2022 brought torrential rains across Pakistan. Although the Meteorological Department had warned about possible flooding, the reality struck sooner than expected. Many areas of the country were submerged, and Sindh was no exception.
At that time, I had just assumed charge as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at my university. The Vice Chancellor called an emergency meeting to discuss how we could contribute to relief efforts for the communities affected by the floods. Teams comprising doctors and paramedics were dispatched to provide first aid, food, medicines, and treatment for medical conditions anticipated in such disasters, including skin and eye infections.
As a mental health professional, I realized that addressing physical health alone would not suffice. Acute panic and deep psychological scars are often part of such calamities. After a brief training on psychological first aid, I sent medical officers, psychiatry trainees, and psychology interns to join our medical teams. This multidisciplinary team worked effectively on-site, but many patients needed ongoing treatment and were referred to hospitals in Hyderabad.
During this time, I met many individuals whose stories left a lasting impact on me. Among them was an elderly, lean man whose quiet tears spoke volumes. He seemed unable to express the many emotions and thoughts crossing his mind. A companion informed me that he had lost the dowry he had painstakingly saved for his daughter’s marriage in the flood. Without uttering a word, his grieving face revealed dreams washed away and a spirit broken by loss.
I also recall a mother who screamed every time she remembered her child drowning, and a farmer who lost his cattle – his entire livelihood swept away. Behind each individual case was a story of human pain and sheer helplessness. The floods not only dismantled homes and damaged crops but also swept away the hopes and peace of countless people.
The challenges did not end there. Within weeks, many who had helped flood victims began suffering from anxiety, sleep disturbances, and trauma themselves. This experience gave my team and me unforgettable insights into managing the multifaceted nature of grief.
Many survivors initially experienced shock; they felt numb and were unable to comprehend the devastation. Those who had helped others lived in intense fear—fear of losing loved ones, possessions, or facing hunger, disease, or another disaster. Overwhelming grief was common among those who lost family members, relatives, homes, and lifelong savings.
As people tried to rebuild their lives amidst instability and insecurity, some struggled with panic, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appeared in some, who relived traumatic events through flashbacks and nightmares. Others battled suicidal thoughts fueled by survivor guilt.
Imagine a white-collar worker, once living with dignity, now standing in a queue for food—his pride shattered and spirit broken.
Children accompanying families of psychiatric patients often showed withdrawn and fearful behavior, reflecting anxiety and confusion about their surroundings. Adults expressed irritability, helplessness, and emotional numbness. The elderly, already fragile, lost their sense of safety and belonging.
These deep psychological scars often linger long after physical damage is repaired.
Recognizing and treating emotional wounds is as vital as addressing physical injuries in disaster response. True recovery goes beyond rebuilding homes and providing food; it means restoring resilience, dignity, self-esteem, and hope.
If psychological wounds are neglected, healing remains incomplete. Fear, grief, despair, and shattered ego can prevent a person from fully recovering despite adequate physical healthcare. Emotional scars erode motivation, disturb sleep, and weaken the body’s resilience.
This reality concerns me deeply, especially since public attention and media coverage tend to focus more on physical health and infrastructure than mental well-being.
The flood of 2022 left us pondering: Can we not learn from such experiences and train ourselves to practically help those in distress? Rather than watching as bystanders—making videos or panicking—we can act with empathy by listening, connecting, and comforting those who have suffered, offering them a ray of hope.
Can our governments also support these distressed people in ways that protect their dignity and self-esteem, enabling them to become more resilient and capable of rebuilding their lives—and perhaps, helping others in turn?
The mental health dimension of disaster relief is not just an add-on; it is central to holistic recovery and the restoration of communities torn apart by tragedy.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1350034-floods-washed-away-all-but-tears
**Warner Bros. Rejects Paramount’s $20/Share Takeover Bid as Too Low**
*By Akash Pandey | October 12, 2025, 10:59 AM*
Warner Bros. Discovery has turned down an initial takeover offer from Paramount Global, considering the proposed $20 per share bid too low. According to Bloomberg News, Warner Bros. rejected the offer in recent weeks, prompting Paramount to explore alternative strategies to pursue the acquisition.
### Paramount Weighs Next Steps
Paramount is now evaluating various options to move forward, including potentially raising its bid or seeking financial backing from partners such as Apollo Global Management. Under CEO David Ellison’s leadership, Paramount is also contemplating going directly to Warner Bros.’ shareholders to pressure the company into accepting the offer.
CNBC recently reported that ongoing talks between the two companies remain stalled over disagreements on price. Making the offer public and addressing shareholders directly could be a tactic Paramount employs to advance the deal.
### Market Snapshot
As of last Friday, Warner Bros.’ shares closed at $17.10, valuing the company at approximately $42.3 billion. Paramount’s shares stood at $17 each, giving it a market cap of around $18.6 billion.
### Leadership and Strategic Moves at Paramount
David Ellison, son of billionaire Larry Ellison, took the helm of Paramount in August following an $8 billion merger with his production company, Skydance Media. Paramount’s portfolio includes CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, and its iconic film studio.
In efforts to strengthen its bid for Warner Bros., Paramount has been in discussions with alternative asset manager Apollo Global Management for potential financial support.
### Warner Bros.’ Planned Business Split
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is preparing to split into two separate businesses: one focusing on cable TV and the other on streaming and studio operations. This restructuring is expected to be completed next year.
Warner Bros.’ CEO David Zaslav believes that by separating streaming and studios from the debt-heavy cable networks, the company can achieve a significant premium for these assets. Convincing Zaslav to sell before this separation occurs will be a critical hurdle for Ellison and Paramount.
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The evolving negotiations between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global highlight the complexities of major media consolidations amid changing market dynamics and strategic realignments.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/paramount-s-20-per-share-offer-for-warner-bros-rejected/story
**Crime Series *Countdown* Review: A High-Stakes Thriller Anchored by Jensen Ackles**
*Countdown*, created by Derek Haas, enters the crowded world of American crime thrillers with an ambitious promise: a high-stakes manhunt uniting agents from multiple federal and local agencies to stop a citywide catastrophe. At first glance, it has all the right ingredients—action, tension, and a powerhouse lead in Jensen Ackles. Yet, while the show delivers adrenaline, its realism and procedural accuracy waver between credible and cinematic fantasy.
The series begins with the public assassination of a Homeland Security officer, triggering the creation of a covert, multi-agency task force. Detective Mark Meachum, played by Jensen Ackles, is drawn into the chaos alongside DEA agent Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), FBI analyst Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane), and Special Agent Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane), who oversees the operation. Their mission is not merely to solve a murder but to uncover a conspiracy that stretches far deeper.
The premise fuses the structural appeal of *24* with the moral greys of *True Detective*. However, it does not always strike the perfect balance between realism and spectacle.
### Strong Ensemble Cast
The ensemble cast is *Countdown*’s strongest asset. Jensen Ackles, best known for his long-running role as Dean Winchester in *Supernatural* and his darkly comedic turn in *The Boys*, once again demonstrates his command over morally complex characters. His portrayal of Meachum—a detective haunted by a personal health crisis and moral fatigue—anchors the series emotionally. Ackles’s charisma and rugged vulnerability add depth to a character who might otherwise have felt like another hardened cop archetype.
Jessica Camacho, recognized from *All Rise* and *Westworld*, adds emotional resonance as DEA Agent Oliveras. Her performance offers a grounded counterbalance to Meachum’s impulsiveness. *The Flash* alum Violett Beane plays the tech-savvy FBI agent Evan Shepherd with youthful sharpness. Eric Dane, known from *Grey’s Anatomy* and *The Last Ship*, brings an authoritarian presence as Nathan Blythe, although his role occasionally slips into cliché.
The supporting cast, including Elliot Knight and Uli Latukefu, fill out the task force with competence, though their subplots often feel rushed amid the show’s relentless pacing.
### Realism vs. Spectacle
*Countdown* is a paradox: fast, flashy, and full of heart, yet occasionally hollow at its core. The series thrives on charisma and momentum rather than innovation or procedural accuracy. What unites the cast is an earnestness making even the most predictable moments feel watchable. Ackles’s natural chemistry with his co-stars carries much of the narrative tension. While the script occasionally falters, the performances never lose their grip on the viewer.
As a police procedural, *Countdown* aims for realism but lands somewhere between authenticity and action-movie shorthand. The show’s depiction of a multi-agency task force is, in principle, accurate—such collaborations do exist for national-security threats or inter-jurisdictional crimes. The inclusion of specialists from different backgrounds—including DEA, FBI, LAPD, and Homeland Security—adds a layer of believability, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern policing.
However, procedural accuracy begins to unravel under the pressure of dramatic convenience. Evidence is analyzed at lightning speed, inter-agency communication appears frictionless, and field agents seem to operate with unlimited jurisdiction. Viewers familiar with real-world investigative processes will notice these shortcuts immediately. Chain-of-custody protocols, warrant procedures, and forensic timelines are often compressed or skipped entirely to maintain pacing.
That said, the show occasionally redeems itself by portraying the emotional toll of police work with sincerity. Meachum’s internal conflicts—such as balancing the urgency of the case with his deteriorating health—humanize the hero archetype. The series also touches briefly on moral dilemmas in law enforcement, like the blurred boundaries between justice and revenge. These moments, though fleeting, remind viewers that beneath the layers of action lies an attempt to explore ethical grey zones.
### Visuals and Pacing
Visually, *Countdown* is sleek and cinematic. The lighting, muted color palette, and high-contrast urban shots evoke a sense of urgency and claustrophobia. The editing is sharp, often cutting between field operations and tactical briefings to sustain a breakneck rhythm.
But this high-energy style is also its downfall: the relentless pace leaves little room for emotional reflection or deep character development.
### For Fans of Tense Crime Dramas
For fans of *24*, *S.W.A.T.*, or *The Night Agent*, *Countdown* will feel familiar and satisfying. It’s a show that knows its audience—viewers who crave tension, teamwork, and a ticking clock. The dialogue sometimes dips into over-familiar territory, relying on hard-boiled cop tropes (“You don’t know what it’s like out there,” “I’ll finish this my way”) that undermine otherwise strong performances. Occasional flashes of humor and camaraderie among the team offer welcome relief from the intensity.
### Critical Reception and Audience Response
Critics have been divided on *Countdown*. *The Hollywood Reporter* praised the ensemble’s chemistry, particularly Ackles and Dane’s dynamic, calling the show “an energetic if uneven ride.” *Screen Rant* highlighted the strong early episodes and effective use of tension. Meanwhile, others—including *The Daily Beast* and RogerEbert.com—criticized its overreliance on clichés and contrived twists.
*The Daily Beast* dubbed it “the year’s most insufferable show,” accusing it of recycling every procedural trope in the book.
Audiences, however, have been more forgiving. On IMDb, user reviews generally applaud the action, pacing, and Ackles’s performance. Many viewers admit that while the writing is not groundbreaking, the series is undeniably entertaining—a solid binge for fans of high-energy crime dramas. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score hovers in the mid-60s, reflecting its status as a guilty pleasure rather than prestige television.
### Final Verdict
Ultimately, *Countdown* is a paradox: fast, flashy, and full of heart, yet occasionally hollow at its core. Jensen Ackles carries the show with conviction, and the supporting cast elevates material that might otherwise have felt generic. The police work, while dramatized, maintains enough realism to keep the story grounded, even as it occasionally veers into implausibility.
For viewers seeking a slick, high-octane thriller with solid performances, *Countdown* earns its place as one of 2025’s more watchable new dramas.
However, if psychological depth or methodical realism à la *Mindhunter* is your preference, *Countdown* might fall short. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy tension, teamwork, and a ticking clock, this show delivers a familiar and satisfying ride.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1350303-t-for-threat-t-for-time
Inside its training center in Hiroshima, employees of all ages and departments—many meeting for the first time—are engaged in workshops exploring the company’s corporate culture, known as “food,” and what it should represent. Participants first reflect individually, then discuss in pairs, and finally present their ideas to the group—a process repeated across various themes.
The cultural reform initiative, launched in November 2023, is a cornerstone of Mazda’s five-year transformation plan. In May, the company rented a local soccer stadium to train 4,000 employees, and nearly all staff have now completed the program.
The project unfolds in three phases: first, defining the desired culture through training; second, embedding it in everyday workplace behavior; and third, establishing it as a daily habit. Mazda sees this internal evolution as essential for survival as electrification, environmental concerns, and other sweeping changes reshape the industry.
“We’re not a large company by scale,” one executive noted, “so human creativity, imagination, and uniqueness are critical to generating new value. We must cultivate our organizational culture anew.”
The company’s journey is not without resistance. Some employees question whether management fully supports the changes, while others see altering executive mindsets as key to success. Yet the resolve remains strong as Mazda pushes toward a future where a new corporate culture becomes its competitive edge.
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Beyond corporate reinvention, Japan is also witnessing groundbreaking research aimed at addressing the climate crisis. On August 5th, temperatures in Gunma Prefecture hit a record 41.8°C—the highest ever recorded in Japan—with the Meteorological Agency warning that above-average heat could persist through November.
As the world works to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles and fossil fuels, a pioneering project in Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture, is exploring a domestic biofuel alternative derived from sugarcane. At the center of the effort is Satoshi Obara, a special professor at the University of Tokyo, who has spent two decades developing new sugarcane varieties in collaboration with the Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center.
One such variety, named Haru no Ougi, yields 30–50% more than conventional strains and withstands the island’s frequent typhoons without bending, making it ideal for mechanical harvesting.
Obara, who once worked on biofuel commercialization in the private sector, left his company to pursue this vision independently. His goal: to create a renewable, domestically produced fuel without relying on imported oil or external electricity—a bold attempt to build a sustainable energy future from Japan’s farmland.
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Meanwhile, in the resort sector, Spa Resort Hawaiians—a tropical-themed leisure facility in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, known for its towering 40-meter waterslide and daily Hula Girl dance shows—is fighting for survival.
Operated by local company Joban Kosan and celebrating its 60th anniversary next year, Hawaiians has faced severe financial challenges. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake forced a six-month closure, while the COVID-19 pandemic caused an additional three-month shutdown, leaving the company with about 28 billion yen in debt and aging facilities.
In November 2023, U.S. investment fund Fortress Investment Group, which manages over 7 trillion yen in assets and previously acquired Seibu Holdings, launched a takeover bid, acquiring more than 85% of Joban Kosan’s shares.
“Given the current financial state, it would be difficult for Hawaiians to remain competitive over the next 50 or 60 years without major change,” said Shunsuke Yamamoto, who led the acquisition.
Fortress plans a sweeping overhaul of the resort, investing heavily to modernize facilities and align them with the expectations of Japanese travelers who have experienced Hawaii firsthand.
Hawaiians’ transformation is part of a broader trend of foreign investment reshaping Japan’s hospitality landscape. Large-scale resorts from the bubble era are being rebuilt from the ground up, reflecting a strategic push to redefine domestic travel experiences.
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But not all of Japan’s battles involve boardrooms or laboratories—some are fought in the fields. In Tochigi Prefecture, wild boars, once rare, have proliferated in recent years, wreaking havoc on agriculture. They destroy sweet potato fields, trample rice paddies, and even roll in fields to remove parasites, knocking over crops and reducing grain quality.
Damages nationwide from wild animal incursions now total 16.4 billion yen annually. Despite these losses, Japan’s hunter population has fallen to less than half its previous size, with about 60% now over 60 years old. Local governments are struggling to respond.
Veteran hunter Kiyoshi Sekiguchi, 75, who captured 30 boars last year, says manpower is the biggest obstacle: “There’s nobody left to set traps or check them.” Municipalities offer 16,000 yen per animal, but the shortage of younger hunters—many of whom cannot leave their jobs for extended periods—remains a critical challenge.
The consequences go beyond crops. Wild animals cause traffic accidents, spread disease, and pose risks to human safety.
Yet new business models are emerging to tackle the crisis. In Chiba Prefecture, companies are making it easier for people to enter the hunting industry, including offering training for trap licenses. In Hokkaido, female entrepreneurs are launching ventures that connect hunters with consumers seeking game meat, creating a market-driven incentive for wildlife control.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147245.php
（更新：2025/10/12 11:07）
佐賀県佐賀市の市長選挙が12日に告示されました。午前11時現在、再選を目指す無所属の現職・坂井英隆氏（45歳）が立候補を届け出ました。坂井氏は自民党、立憲民主党、公明党の推薦を受けています。
立候補の届け出締め切りは午後5時までで、投開票は19日に実施されます。なお、無投票となれば8年ぶりのこととなります。
（取材・竹中謙輔）
