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Ichihashi Tatsuya 2007-04-30 06:03:22 市橋達也A manhunt is on for Ichihashi Tatsuya, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of 22-year-old English teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker. The battered, bound and naked body of Ms Hawker, who worked for the Nova English conversation school franchise was found buried in a bathtub of sand on the balcony of Ichihashi's apartment in Ichikawa, near Tokyo.Ichihashi, 28, managed to escape from 9 policemen in his stocking feet when the officers called at his apartment to investigate the disappearance of Ms Hawker. Ms Hawker had apparently been followed home on March 20 by Ichihashi, who begged her to give him an English lesson.The pair met for the conversation class on Sunday March 25 in a cafe near Gyotoku subway station not far from Ms Hawker's home and were captured on CCTV ordering drinks. Ichihashi and Hawker were at the cafe from around 9am-9.45am before leaving, apparently for Ichihashi's condominium. Hard facts surrounding the police investigation are hard to come by. There are re
Japan This Week 4/29/07 2007-04-30 04:41:42 今週の日本Three convicted killers sent to the gallows.AsahiSuspected murderer of Lucie Blackman acquitted in her death, shocking those at the trial.GuardianMovie Review: Midori - The Girl in the Freak Show.Midnight EyeJapan
ese Supreme Court Rules against Sex Slaves and other Wartime Workers.NY TimesNude women in surgical masks.MainichiLast Week's Japan NewsJapan StatsWell over a million Japanese tourists are expected to take overseas vacations during this year's Golden Week Holidays which began yesterday. Popular destinations are Hawaii, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Guam.Japanese Art - Geisha FansJapanese Art BooksTagsJapan Tokyo News Lucie Blackman MasksJapanese Art - byobu screensJapanese Art Books
2008 G8 Summit 2007-04-28 01:18:20 サミット閣僚会合Next summer's G-8 Summit
, which will be held in Japan, looks set to be spread pretty much all over the archipelago.Following the lead of the Okinawa/Kyushu Summit, which took place at multiple venues in 2000, the Japanese government is considering splitting up the meetings based upon who attends.The main venue will be Lake Toya, on the northern island of Hokkaido. The heads of state will convene here. The location was chosen because it is a "green" resort--and also has the added benefit of being in the middle of nowhere and will thus be easy on the Japanese police.Of the location, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was quoted as saying: "It fits the image of my plan to build a beautiful nation."For the other meetings, there is more convenience and a certain amount of symbolism in the choice of each venue.Kyoto, which is considered foreigner friendly, has been selected for the foreign ministers. Finance ministers will get together in nearby Osaka, which is the historic c
Mount Aso Caldera 2007-04-27 14:08:13 阿蘇山のカルデラMount Aso in the center of Kyushu is an active volcano and the largest caldera in the world. This huge, ancient, volcanic crater was formed over 100,000 years ago and measures approximately 120km in circumference and approximately 24km north to south and 18 km across east to west. The caldera contains five peaks Mount Eboshi (1337m), Mount Kishima (1321m), Mount Naka (1323m), Mount Neko (1408m) and Mount Taka (1592m).The Aso-Kuju National Park area is an easy day trip from either Kumamoto or Beppu by car or public transport.The tallest of the five peaks of Aso-san is Taka-dake at 1592m. Most visitors make the trip to Naka-dake (1323m) to see the volcanic crater lake belching steam and the impressive, barren landscape that surrounds the crater.On the way up to Naka-dake there is the interesting Aso Volcano Museum (Tel: 0967 34 2111; 9am-5pm), where you can see film of Naka-dake from cameras positioned in the crater wall. Just across the road from the museum are s Read more:Caldera
Kurokawa Onsen 2007-04-27 13:28:59 黒川温泉, 熊本県Kurokawa onsen is one of Kyushu's best onsen resorts.Kurokawa has grown in popularity over the last ten years and despite its reasonably out-of-the-way location, it is best to spend a night here to sample the special atmosphere in the early morning and the evening when the day-trippers are not in town.Kurokawa has over 20 hot springs situated along the river at the foot of the steep, wooded valley. There are some excellent rotemburo (outside baths) and prices for some of the public spas start as low as 100 yen.Accommodation options with breakfast and evening meal in any of Kurokawa's ryokan are on the expensive side but great service and food translates to excellent value for money.Kurokawa's tourist office (Tel: 0967 44 0076; 9am-6pm) offers a map of the spas and a day pass (1200 yen) for entry to three onsen.Kurokawa's most well-known hot spas include: Shinmeikan (Tel: 0967 44 0916), which has mixed bathing rotemburo and a cave bath, Yamabiko Ryokan (Tel: 0
Denpark Anjo 2007-04-25 15:13:17 デンパーク, 安城Listen to the muzak at DenparkJapan makes a specialty of country-related theme parks. Huis ten Bosch is the most famous example in Nagasaki, but there is also a Spain Mura near Ise Shima in Mie and a Villaggio Italia in Nagoya.Anjo, a small, quiet town between Nagoya and Toyohashi has Denpark - a compact theme park based on the architectural and agricultural charms of Denmark.From the piped Euromuzak to the manicured lawns, Denpark does its best to recreate a piece of faux-Denmark in deepest Aichi. There's a windmill, various reconstructions of Danish houses, Carlsberg beer on tap and plenty of cheese and butter in the shops.There's a toy train to whisk the kids around the park's pleasant gardens and street performers put on shows in "Floral Place" - a huge glass house with restaurants and shops.DenparkTel: 0566 92 7111Hours: 9.30am-5pmAdmission: 600 yendenpark.jpAccess:Take a JR Tokaido Line Express train to Anjo Station from Nagoya Station (22 mins) or from
eMoney 2007-04-24 17:04:19 電子マネーIn the not so distant future, paying with cash in Japan may be the equivalent of wearing a fedora. Unlike the United States, though, credit cards are not going to make cash transactions rare; rather, it is prepaid cards.The Financial Services Agency (FSA) is now considering giving approval for eMoney transactions to include both money transfers--now limited to banks and financial institutions--and the ability to convert the balance of a prepaid card into cash.There are currently four major prepaid cards in Japan: Edy, Suica (at left), ICOCA (below right), and PASMO.Edy has 28 million subscribers and can be used at Circle K convenience stores.Suica is JR East's rechargeable smart card that can be used JR lines in Kanto, Kansai, and Sendai, and on all subway lines and buses in the Tokyo metropolitan region. There are 20 million cardholders.ICOCA is JR West's answer to Suica, and it is used primarily in Kansai--Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara--but can also be used in the cap
NAKED TOKYO:07 [PORTRAITS] 2007-04-24 05:00:58 東京写真展ーー六本木スーパー・デラックスSuperDeluxe, an art space and gallery in Roppongi, Tokyo, will host in mid-May a photography exhibit by the art group The Naked Tokyo Collective (NTC).With the theme "Contemporary Portraiture from Tokyo," NTC artists were encouraged "to explore and expand on standard assumptions of portraiture by focusing on self-portraiture, sex, eroticism, and anonymous nudity."NTC applies a potent mix of shock and serenity, humor and seduction, to the art of contemporary portraiture.All of the works were created in 2007 specifically for this exhibition, and the show is anticipated to be highly controversial.This photographic, multi-media exhibition will take place for one day only, May 14th, at SuperDeluxe.According to an NTC press release: "Naked Tokyo is an international collective of photographers who apply their signature aggressive and shocking styles to interpreting this big city, stripping it bare to reveal the Naked Tokyo within."I
Japan This Week 4/22/07 2007-04-22 11:28:28 今週の日本Nagasaki Mayor Itcho Ito assassinated in front of campaign office.NY TimesJust how close are Japan
and China?China DailyCell phones fuel infidelity.Mainichi Japan's age-old problem.GuardianMobster guns down another yakuza in broad daylight, holes up in apartment and fires at cops.AsahiLast Week's Japan NewsJapanese Art - byobu screensJapanese Art BooksTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Kyushu
Asia Society Conference in Tokyo 2007-04-20 17:29:39 The AsiaSociety
will hold its 17th annual conference in Tokyo
from May 16 - 18. The Asia Society, which is located in New York, is an NPO whose stated mission is to strengthen and improve relations between people in Asia and the United States.The first annual conference was held in Hong Kong, China, in 1989, and focused on business and economic issues.Tokyo hosted the conference once before, in 1993.This year's theme is "Coming Together, Moving Ahead: Asia Economies through Integration and Innovation." No one knows what this means, but there will be simultaneous interpretation in English, Japanese, and Chinese.US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Shieffer and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be speaking, the latter delivering the opening address.DetailsThe conference will be held from May 16 - 18 at the Prince Park Hotel, in Minato Ward Tokyo. The admission fee is 73,000 yen for the three days. Meals are included.Tokyo ContactTelephone: Forma Corporation at 81-3-5570-6297Email: tsuji@asiasoc.
Osaka World Trade Center 2007-04-20 13:51:05 大阪ワールドトレードセンタービルディングThe OsakaWorldTradeCenter
is the centerpiece of the 1990s Bay Area development at Osaka Port on the reclaimed island of Sakishima.The 252m-tall building is one of the highest buildings in Japan. On a clear day there are stunning views over Osaka from the glass observation deck on the 55th floor (Admission fee 800 yen). The surrounding area, known as Cosmo Square, also includes a Hyatt Regency Hotel and the huge Asia & Pacific Trade Center
retail mall.The island is also home to a Natural Bird Sanctuary and the impressive 1200 tonne glass dome of the Osaka Maritime Museum (Tel: 06 4703 2900), designed by French artitect Paul Andreu, who also has the new Beijing Opera House in Tianaman Square Beijing on his CV. The nearby Osaka Wine Museum (Tel: 06 6613 2411) has a restaurant and wine bar and exhibits from Osaka's sister ports, which include San Francisco, Melbourne, Shanghai and Busan.Cosmo Square is more popular at weekends
Narita-san Temple Inuyama 2007-04-18 17:10:41 成田山大聖寺Listen to Buddhist priests chanting at Narita-san Temple
With easy walking distance of Inuyama Castle, Narita-san Temple is worth a visit and has fine views of the Kiso River and the castle. On a fine day it is possible to see the skyscrapers of Nagoya in the distance.Inuyama's Narita-san Temple is a branch temple of the Shingon sect'sNarita-san Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo's main international airport.The temple was opened in 1953 and sits upon a steep hill. Shingon Buddhism is associated with its founder, Kukai aka Kobo Daishi, and the temples he founded on Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture. Shingon is known as esoteric Buudhism and teaches that enlightenment can be found in this lifetime through spiritual practice including mudras, mantras and mandalas.Narita San TempleTel: 0568 61 2583inuyama-naritasan.or.jpAccess: The nearest stations to Narita-san Temple are Meitetsu Inuyama Yuen Station (7 mins walk) or Meitetsu Inuyama Station (20 mins walk).T
Nagasaki Mayor Murdered 2007-04-18 04:22:39 長崎市長銃撃The mayor of Nagasaki was fatally shot twice in the back by a member of the Japanese underworld yesterday.Mayor
Itcho Ito, 61, was shot at point blank range outside Nagasaki Station by Tetsuya Shiroo, 59, a leading member of the Suishin-kai, a local affiliate of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan's largest organized crime syndicate.Speculation on the motives for the attack may be as trivial as a compensation claim Shiroo was pursuing against the city after his car was damaged in a pothole in 2003; though organized crime involvement more likely points to possible corruption and kick-backs involving public works contracts rather than a personal vendetta.Although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for a "rigorous investigation" into the shooting, it is doubtful that the ruling LDP, which has well-documented and long-standing links with yakuza organized crime, will do much once the outrage over Ito's death has died down.Mayor Ito is the second mayor of Nagasaki to be shot. In
Sonic 2007-04-17 03:36:20 ソニックJR Kyushu's Sonic
is an express train running from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to Oita via Beppu.The journey along Kyushu's north east coastline takes approximately 2 hours. A more scenic, though slower, inland route from Fukuoka to Beppu is the Yufuin-no-Mori.There are two types of Sonic Express: the white model 885 and the blue model 883 (pictured). The trains have a top speed of 130kph.Japanese Toys - taketomboJapanese Art BooksTagsJapan Japan trains Sonic Oita Kyushu
Japan in Washington 2007-04-16 06:56:26 ワシントンにある日本 In the American capital Japan
’s hard and soft power can be found in many places and ways. The most obvious example of the former is the embassy on Massachusetts Avenue, about five blocks from Dupont Circle. The main building, which is closer to the street, is a concrete block that is imposing and unattractive. The building at the rear (pictured at right), behind a high fence, is more in keeping with the elegant character of the French-influenced boulevard of three- and four-story mansions that have become embassies over the years. Japan’s influence can be found in other ways as well.Book stores are full of manga and anime selections; college students sport tattoos of odd combinations of Chinese characters. Moreover, sushi bars and Japanese restaurants are ubiquitous. Many are run by Koreans and other “Japanese” staff, but are popular nonetheless.Perhaps the premier event on the Japanese expatriate calendar in Washington
is the annual cherry blosso
Himeji Castle 2007-04-16 06:50:30 姫路城Himeji Castle
is Japan's most magnificent, original castle still standing today. Many other castles in Japan are modern reconstructions with ferro-concrete walls and interior elevators, as the majority of Japan's wooden castles were destroyed in air raids in World War II.Himeji Castle was first started by warlord Hidetoshi Toyotomi in 1581, who built a three-story donjon (central keep) on the site of Himeyama Hill. Himeji Castle was later expanded to a five-story donjon and remodeled by Terumasa Ikeda (one of Hidetoshi's generals) in 1608. The castle was further enlarged a few years later to reach its present grand scale.Himeji Castle is also known as "Shirasagijo" or "Hakurojo" (White Egret Castle) due to its bird-like silhouette and the white color of the castle walls.-Himeji Castle makes for an easy day-trip from Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto or Hiroshima.-There are guided tours available in English.-The castle is a 10 minute walk from Himeji Station.-Himeji is a stop on the Tokaid
Inuyama Castle 2007-04-15 17:08:36 犬山城Inuyama's main attraction its is fine castle overlooking the Kiso River below.With building supposedly beginning in 1440, Inuyama Castle
(also known as Hakutei) is Japan's oldest existing fortress. The present Momoyama-style keep and gates of Inuyama Castle were completed by Oda Nobuyasu, the uncle of notorious, local warlord Oda Nobunaga, in 1537. The castle has two basement floors and four floors above ground.Along with its fine views, the castle's wooden donjon has displays of suits of samurai armor, folding screens and documents from its long historical past.Inuyama Castle was privately owned by the Naruse family, retainers of the local Matsudaira clan, from 1618 until recently except for a period just after the Meiji Restoration when the property was seized by the new Meiji government as punishment for Naruse support of the defeated shogunate.The castle was given back to the Naruse family for repair and upkeep in 1895 after an earthquake damaged it in 1891 but ownershi
Fukuoka Yatai - Food Stalls 2007-04-14 03:04:12 福岡の屋台The eating experience for visitors to Fukuoka is having dinner at one of the hundreds of food stalls (yatai) that dot Fukuoka's main entertainment areas of Tenjin and Nakagawa.The food on offer is usually Fukuoka's legendary ramen (Chinese noodles), oden (stewed meat & vegetables in a soy sauce), gyoza (fried Chinese dumplings), yakitori (grilled chicken) and other mostly fried fare, washed down with tea, beer, sake or shochu.The most famous place to sample Fukuoka's yatai is in the Nakasu entertainment district on the Naka River.Some places may have a queue of 50 people waiting to eat at a dozen seats, while other stalls are customer free. The food is not cheap and may set you back around 30-50 USD for just a few, often lukewarm dishes and a beer. The views of the river are better on Nakasu but for a more genuine, less touristy yatai experience you may be advised to check out the stalls along Showa Dori.Yatai are usually open for business from around 6pm to 1 or
Japan - China Strategic Talks 2007-04-12 23:35:11 中国の温家宝首相訪問Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Japan
on Wednesday for three days of talks on the strategic relationship between the two most powerful nations in Asia. His talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hinted that historical issues could hamper the slow thaw that is currently taking place. However, his invitation to Japan's Emperor may turn out to be the coup of the trip--and really warm relations.After former PM Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine--enraging both China
and South Korea--hopes are high that Abe would take a different path on Sino-Japanese relations.Yasukuni, which is where Japanese war dead are enshrined--including class A war criminals Hideki Tojo et al--has strained relations in East Asia since the 1980s.Abe worshipped at the shrine in September, prior to becoming PM, but has yet to indicate whether he will do so in an official capacity as prime minister.Abe, moreover, earlier this spring voiced his skepticism ab Read more:Strategic
Mikimoto Pearl Museum 2007-04-11 16:54:29 ミキモト真珠島, 鳥羽Probably the must-see sight in Toba on the Mie coast is Mikimoto Pearl
Island which houses the Mikimoto Pearl Museum
.Toba is the world's birthplace of the cultured pearl industry. In 1893 Mikimoto Kokichi (1858-1954) produced the world's first cultured pearl. Mikimoto's life and work is celebrated on Mikimoto Pearl Island.The interesting, hi-tech Pearl Museum explains in both clear English and Japanese how natural and cultured pearls are produced, how the pearls are graded, polished and strung on necklaces or set in jewelry. There is also an exhibition room of pearl jewelry including antique pieces, elaborate crowns and even Himeji Castle constructed from pearls.The Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall is also a well-presented exhibition of the great man's life from his humble beginnings growing up in a Meiji-era noodle restaurant (which is authentically reproduced), to his discovery of the potential for pearls and marine products in general from a trip he un
Shikanoshima, Fukuoka 2007-04-11 01:16:01 志賀島Though Japan’s eighth-largest city—only a tiny bit smaller than Kyoto—Fukuoka is still in many ways much more laid back than other Japanese cities its size. Part of that no doubt is because of nearby beaches.The most accessible of these beaches can be found at Shikanoshima.Shikanoshima is an island that is connected to and now legally incorporated as part of Fukuoka City. On a causeway, it is no more than 20-25 minutes by car from downtown to the island.Another option is to take the local ferry (pictured at right). An express goes directly to Shikanoshima; a local stops at Saitozaki and one other small port. The boat is as smooth as can be. Even in rough winds, we moved comfortably through the water.It is also possible to take the train to Saitozaki, and then ride a local bus.The island is interesting not just because it is so rural and has beautiful beaches but also because of its history.The Gold Seal of the "Kan no Wa no Na no Kokuo” (King of Japan, Chinese colony)
TV Tower & Oasis 21 Nagoya 2007-04-10 13:28:34 テレビ塔, 名古屋Though not on the same scale as Tokyo Tower
, Nagoya
's TV Tower can lay claim to being the first broadcasting tower of its kind to be built in Japan. The TV Tower in Sakae was completed in 1954, four years before Tokyo Tower.Nagoya TV Tower is 180m in height and broadcasts waves for 5 TV stations from its antenna. There are two observation decks at 90m and 100m - one inside and the other outside. The inside sky deck has comfortable seating and a small coffee bar. Climb up the stairs to reach the exterior sky deck.The 4th floor has a restaurant - the Tower Restaurant Nagoya - and a small gallery. The tower is illuminated at night and is a well-known Nagoya landmark.Admission to the TV Tower is from 10.00am-9.00pm and costs 600 yen for adults.There are a number of bars and small eateries just outside the entrance of the tower.Located in Nagoya's main entertainment area of Sakae, the tower offers good views of the city below.Easily visible is Oasis 21, a new concre
Shinjuku Gyoen blossom 2007-04-09 17:40:31 新宿御苑の花見 This Saturday I spent the morning and part of the afternoon in Shinjuku Gyoen, one of Tokyo’s most (rightly) famous parks.By 11.30 the grounds were flooded with mainly couples and groups lounged on (usually) lurid tarpaulins on the lawns of the park amongst the blossom that since last week has been out in full bloom. Next to the blossom, the most conspicuous things that come out are the cameras.For every person kicking back with a beer (and, in spite of the ‘No alcohol in the park’ sign at the gate, its everywhere!) there’s one tending to a great black lensed and tripoded piece of paraphernalia, often in such a way that the supposed focus of the activity, the appreciation of the short-lived spectacle of the blossom, seems almost sidelined. Changeable as the spring weather is, the occasional cloudiness was more than made up for by long spells of brilliant sunshine – that I happened to fall asleep under and burn my face.This is the last weekend of the all-
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