|  Japanese Star
Dedicated to Welfare
Not a few people who have succeeded in the world of business and entertainment, such as Bill GATES of Microsoft and Bono of U2, are involved with social welfare and charity. Although there are also some in Japan who have become famous and then contributed to society, not many are as enthusiastic as actor and singer SUGI Ryotaro. ...
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 Film
Director Builds Cultural Bridge
Aaron Woolfolk has been interested in building bridges
between cultures ever since he was a teenager. His
dream of being a film maker has provided the perfect
outlet for him to do just that. “I’ve
always wanted to be an international film maker,”
he says. “Even as a teenager in Oakland I’d
take the bus into Berkley to see all the foreign films.
I’ve always looked at film making as a global
thing.” ... |
 Chinese
Writer Wins the Akutagawa Award
The Akutagawa Ryunosuke Award (aka “Akutagawa
Award”) was established in 1935 to honor the work
of AKUTAGAWA Ryunosuke, a renowned writer of the Taisho
era. The award is given to a new writer of “pure”
literature, and is one of the most prominent literary
awards in Japan. For the first half of 2008 (139th award),
the twice-annual award went to the novel “Toki-ga-nijimu-asa”
(Time Blurred Morning). ... |
 “Your
Smile Makes me Smile”
It’s hard to imagine a more approachable person
than HIRAI Keisuke, standing among vibrant smiling faces
in photos he has taken in Cambodia, Mongolia and Nepal.
It might seem the native of Kagawa Prefecture inspired
his subjects to smile with his innocent grin alone.
But behind each of these faces are stories of friendship,
hardship and strength. ... |
 Yokai
Culture: International Couple Publishes a Unique Book
about Japanese Yokai
Did you know that the sushi roll called kappa maki takes
its name from the kappa, one of the many legendary Japanese
folk creatures known as yokai? Yokai-related phrases
such as “Tengu ni naru,” an idiom that means
“someone who is overly self-confident,”
pop up in daily Japanese speech as well. Summer is a
time when all sorts of ghosts and yokai are prevalent
in Japanese films and plays. ... |
 JERO
American Singing Enka from the Heart
An American enka singer is currently in the limelight
in Japan. His name is JERO (real name Jerome WHITE Jr.)
and he was born in Pittsburgh, U.S.A. Since his debut
in February 2008, his popularity has rocketed and he
now makes frequent appearances on TV and radio, and
in magazines. Recently JERO is also appearing in TV
commercials. ... |
 Australian
Magician who Made his Passion into a Living
If you love magic and you love the Japanese language,
then Simon PAXTON might be doing your dream job. You
see, Simon is a bilingual Australian magician who has
made his home in Japan. ... |
 American
Go Player, Successful in Japanese Professional Go
Among the many games played in the world, it is said
that go is the simplest, yet most complex of all, and
that it can never be mastered within a lifetime. Go
is an intellectual game played on a wooden board with
two people placing black and white go stones in turn.
The winner covers more of the board with their stones.
... |
 MATSUI
Makoto Dancing Brilliantly, the Life of an Actor who
Plays Female Roles
As the beautiful woman comes on to the stage, clapping
and shouting rise from the audience as they are drawn
to the woman’s elegance. But things are not what
they seem as this beautiful woman is actually a man
– MATSUI Makoto, a leading actor in commercial
theater who plays female roles. ... |
 Success
After Overcoming Discrimination, Broken Love and Hardship
If you get off the train at Shinagawa station in Tokyo
and walk along the modern main street, you will see
a beautiful 31-story building. On the 12th floor of
the building is a company running a Chinese language
class and an erhu class. Chinalinear Inc. was created
by GONG Cui, a representative executive who has achieved
her childhood dream of working overseas. She came to
Japan in 1997. ... |
 A
Dog Without Leash
One balmy night in the summer of 2006, I, my fiancé
Keita, several friends and our dog Lip made the 20-minute
drive from our house to Kumano Beach, Mie prefecture.
We were headed out to watch the world-class fireworks
show that the city hosts each year. ... |
 A
Japanese Woman Who Became a Muay Thai Fighter
Do you know what Muay Thai is? Muay Thai is Thai style
boxing, and is said to be the origin of Japanese kick
boxing. Kick-boxing and Muay Thai have different judging
standards, although both have the same basic rules.
Furthermore, the big difference is that people are allowed
to make bets on Muay Thai matches. In kick-boxing matches
boxers do their best to beat the opponent as quickly
as possible. ... |
 Canadian
Living by the Sword
What makes a foreigner become so interested in Japanese
culture that he is willing to forego almost everything
most of us take for granted to pursue and succeed in
his chosen profession? ... |
 University
Professor’s Welfare Inventions Helping Disabled
People
In line with the effects of Japan’s aging society,
the number of people requiring care is increasing throughout
Japan. These disabled people often have wishes that
many people living normal lives are unaware of. For
example, a wife who has been forced to live her life
in a wheelchair had a small wish to be able to look
at the outside from upstairs. ... |
 Creating
Great Photos by Taking Slices of Daily Life
The mass retirement of Japan’s “baby boomers”
began in 2007. Many of these people enjoy themselves
by participating in various kinds of hobbies and voluntary
work, and among these, photography is gaining popularity.
Photo contests are often hosted by camera manufacturers
and newspaper companies. There are also many people
who will hold their personal exhibitions and invite
their friends. ... |
 It’s
the Bizarre World of Chindougu!
It’s baby clothing with cleaning mops. What is
this? “Wouldn’t it be great if the baby
cleans up the floor as it crawls along?” KAWAKAMI
Kenji, an inventor of the “Baby Mop” says
as if it were nothing. “The baby is practicing
filial devotion to its parents already!” ... |
 A
Japanese Introducing Origami Therapy in New York
Many of us are filled to capacity with material possessions,
facing an onslaught of electronic information, and coping
with the dangers of terrorism — we are in a society
filled with stress, and many people are seeking help
— through therapy — for healing. In Japan,
some of the more well known therapies include aromatherapy,
foot therapy or yoga therapy. ... |
 A
French Researcher Spellbound by Noh
“Hisureba
hana nari, hisezuba hana naru bekarazu to nari.”
(If the secret of the flower becomes known to the public,
it is not a true flower anymore.) These beautiful words
were written by a noh actor of the early Muromachi era,
Zeami (1363~1443). Zeami authored a book about noh called
“Fuushi-kaden” that discussed noh training,
esoteric techniques and theatre. ... |
 First
Time Ever in Japan – a Cancer-Sniffing Dog!
On the seashore at Shirahama, Chiba prefecture, a soothing
sea breeze is blowing in. On the beach is an amazing
dog that has the ability to sniff out the smell of human
cancer. The dog’s name is Marine, a 5-year-old
female black Labrador Retriever. Marine looks like a
normal dog, but why can she discover cancer? Her cancer
sniffing ability is attracting attention from the medical
community as she has the ability to play a significant
role in future cancer treatment. ... |
 Welsh-born
Director Makes Films in Japan
It’s difficult enough for most movie directors
to stake their claim in their own country’s film
industries, let alone stamp their mark on a foreign
country’s movie-making industry using a totally
different language. ... |
 Foreign
Student Pop Singer who Loves MISORA Hibari
KYO-I, 24, came from Qing Dao in Shangdong province
in China, and attends a university in Japan. She majors
in Theater at Meiji University. On one hand, Kyo is
a regular college student, going out to Shibuya to shop
with her friends while studying. But on the other hand,
she has produced a debut CD as a pop singer after being
in Japan just 3~4 years. ... |
 English
or Kanji? Unique "Ee Kanji" Art Form
Anew art form called "Ee kanji" is catching
people's attention. Take the kanji character for "sea,"
for instance. In this art form, the character is written
on white paper using black ink and a strong brush stroke.
Stare at it for a while and be amazed that it is able
to be read as the English word, "SEA." The
kanji for "love," written using calligraphy,
can be read as the English word, "Love" after
a while. ... |
 Braille
Goddesses Brings Light to Visually - Impaired People
Every month from around the middle of 2005 Hiragana
Times editorial section has received telephone calls
from a women's group soon after the magazine became
available in the shops. The caller usually points out
misused characters in the text. We have some staff engaged
in proofreading in the editorial section to make sure
there are no spelling mistakes, however, the caller
still points out two or three misused characters or
typos every month. We are astonished at their sharp
perception. ... |
 Iranian
Beauty Dreaming of Becoming a Novelist
Everyone who has written stories, or who wishes to write
stories, will face a common challenge at some point
in time regarding the difficulty of expression and choice
of words. There are approximately 7,000 different languages
in the world, and of these languages, Japanese - with
its hiragana, katakana and kanji - is considered to
be one of the more complicated. ... |
 Crossing
the Entertainment World, Equipped with Japanese and
English Languages
“It is so nice to meet
you!” says a young woman as she enters the room.
Her greeting is in such beautiful Japanese that there
is no trace her mother tongue is English. Wearing a
marine blue sweater that shows up her white face and
blonde hair vividly, her large round eyes tell of her
bright personality. ... |
 "Don
Quixote de Tokio" in quest for ever-lasting dreams
No expiration date for adventure in life!
What will you do when you are retired? It is difficult
for most people to consider this when they are young
and working. What is a man to do when he is set free
after years as a workaholic? Some people plan in advance.
But for those who meet their retirement day without
any planning, what will happen? ... |
 She
has even acted as a dead body ...... but her steadiness
has another side to it
Actress, KURODA Yoshiko, 27, performs in the movie,
“Oninaki-no-machi,” (directed by MIYASAKA
Takeshi) that comes out this spring. Her acting work
ranges from movies and TV dramas to theatre and modeling.
Her principle, she says, is “I will do anything!”
Kuroda is a sound actress with a down-to-earth approach
in the seemingly flashy and volatile Japanese entertainment
business. ... |
 Launching
Rosy Music Career from Roppongi
It's not often that a foreigner can rock the club scene
in Japan, but that is what Canadian singer-songwriter
Rose BEACH is doing. "I make lyrically raw, socially-conscious
fusion-pop," Rose says about her unique musical
style straight after the release of her debut CD "Family
Love." "My music ranges from hot, sensual
club tracks, to heartfelt acoustic sounds. ... |
 A
Family Inn in Shitamachi Overflows with Foreign Guests
Tokyo is rich in variety. Each region, including Shinjuku,
Shibuya, Ginza, Akihabara and Roppongi, has its own
peculiarities. One of the more interesting areas around
Yanaka, near Ueno station, is called “Shitamachi.”
There are many temples and shrines in this area and
you can sense a taste of the past when you visit. ... |
 Dreaming
of being a Vocalist Singing in English
Many young Japanese seem to have it all, which allows
them to focus on improving their possibilities and satisfaction.
One of these lucky people is Manami (26 years old, real
name TAKAHASHI Manami), from Adachi-ku, Tokyo. However,
she has almost come to realize the first step of her
dream. ... |
 The
Best Cooking is the Least Cooking
Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
recenty created a new award for people living in foreign
countries who contribute to the popularization of Japanese
food and ingredients, the name of which is "Award
for Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food." ... |
 The
World Should Know the Truth about the Kamikaze!
On September 11, 2001, two airliners crashed into the
World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York. American
newspapers reported this disaster as a "Kamikaze
Attack." At the end of the Pacific War when Japan's
defeat became certain, Japan's military headquarters
created a new force in which young men would fly their
bomb-laden planes into American warships ... this was
the so-called "Kamikaze squad." ... |
 A
Wise Missionary Connecting Japan with Brazil
SUZUKI Kenichi, a Japanese-Brazilian doctor, first came
to Japan 25 years ago and completed the department of
engineering doctorate course at Tokyo University. ...
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 Traveling
Around the World Seeking a Liberal Way of Living
The awareness of Japanese youths is changing significantly.
Even now, not a few young people want to become government
employees or enter leading companies, but the number
of people who prefer to buck such a fixed and restricted
life and search for their own way of life is increasing.
... |
 Happiness
is a Daily Decision
Happiness has been described as being as fleeting as
a leaf flying about in the wind - easy to see, but difficult
to catch. Just what is happiness anyway? And how can
we find it? One man who holds some of the keys to unlock
the secrets of happiness is Australian writer Andrew
MATTHEWS. ... |
 Blue-Eyed
Kabuki Commentator & Entertainment Star Interviewer
Millions of people on the JR Higashi Nihon Nagano shinkansen
lines, the Narita Express and the new Tsukuba Express
have heard the English-language announcements on the
trains, but very few know who the speaker is, let alone
the fascinating life she is experiencing in Japan. ... |
 The
fate of "Madame Platinum"Trapped in the Bubble
Economy
Fifteen years ago Japan's bubble economy collapsed and
the country slid into a long depression. It has seen
symptoms of recovery in recent years, but many good
Japanese people were swallowed by the wave of the recession
and are still left behind. ... |
 A
Young Man Who Enjoys the Full Trust of Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai, the British funk group mentioned in last
month's Hiragana Times cover story is a world superstar
known to millions of music fans. Last June he released
a new album called "Dynamite" and visited
Japan for the promotion via his own private jet. ... |
 Entering
a Fantasy World Where Clay Animals Roam
In Japan, images of cute animal characters including
Mickey Mouse, Snoopy and Hello Kitty are used on everything
from stationery to T-shirts and contribute greatly to
the sales of these products. Many characters are usually
born from cartoons and animation, but now many new and
totally unique characters are being created from clay
dolls in the image of animals. ... |
 NPO
Founder is Friend of Weak and Downtrodden
In Shinjuku's Kabukicho, Japan's number one entertainment
district, the lights never go off at the Shinjuku Relief
Center, NPO Japan Social Minority Association headquarters.
... |
 Who
is the Traditional Japanese Wife Behind the Godfather?
Tainaka Acupressure & Massage Company headquartered
in Nagaokakyo in Kyoto is growing at a rapid pace. The
company started from zero three years ago and now have
approximately 60 clinics around Kyoto and 200 massage
staff. ... |
 A
Beauty Missionary who Lures Women
It was a small opportunity indeed that set Ms. TAKAHASHI
Setsuko on the road to creating dolls. When Japan was
enjoying a high growth economy and women began advancing
in various fields, Setsuko was busy with child care
every day. But all the time she was frustrated with
such a routine-filled life and looking for something
to fulfill herself. ... |
 A
Service Minded Magician of a Public Bath House
On the tall chimney in a quiet residential area of Nakano,
Tokyo, the words "Magic Onsen" are written.
At the entrance, the words "Showa Yokujo (Public
bath house)" are displayed. When you step into
the house, you will feel the nostalgia of an old-time
sento (public bath.) ... |
 American
Maverick in Japan - Rick ROA
There are very few foreigners in Japan like Brooklyn-born
Rick ROA. His 35 years in the “Big Mikan”
has seen him working on some of the biggest events ever
in Japan, bringing him into contact with many Ambassadors,
former Prime Ministers, as well as jobs such as “Director
of Licensee for Playboy,” and was the “International
Manager for the KANO Sisters,” whom he holds the
highest respect and admiration for. ... |
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