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Browse Tags: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z - Tracking 105,151 Podcasts, 2,016,017 Episodes.
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| Podcast title | Japan Visitor Blog - Tokyo Osaka Nagoya Kyoto
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| http://japanvisitor.blogspot.c... | |||||||
| Description | What's happening in Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Shimane Japan | ||||||
| Updated | Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:13:27 PDT | ||||||
| Category | Travel Audio Blogs Society & Culture Arts Politics |
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1. Japan This Week 21 March 2010 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: 今週の日本  Japan Eases Monetary Policy to Fight DeflationNew York Times 鸠山称正在讨论驻日美军普天间机场搬迁两 案 People's Daily Bluefin tuna fails to make UN's list of protected fish Guardian Toyota Cast Doubts On James Sikes' Runaway Prius Story NPR IBM, acusada de no declarar 3.225 millones de euros en Japón El Pais Unqualified Minamata cases to be settled Japan Times Conservationists condemn Japan’s passion for coral Times Online Relation Tokyo-Washington : l'épreuve de la diplomatie secrète, par Philippe Pons Le Monde Bluefin tuna ban proposal meets rejection BBC The ‘Illusion’ of Homogeneous Japan and National Character: Discourse as a Tool to Transcend the ‘Myth’ vs. ‘Reality’ Japan Focus Honda scoring run boosts Japan's WC build-up Yahoo Sports Last week's Japan news Japan Statistics In an ongoing campaign intended to both frighten and influence the nation's youth, the Japanese government has released a study asserting that 2.76 million Japanese are estimated to have used illegal drugs. That is 2.9% of the country's population. The drugs included in the survey were cannabis, stimulants, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroine. There was nothing in the report about alcohol or tobacco use. Source: Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare In order to maintain its current population of 125 million, Japan would need to have net migration of 381,000 people per year for 50 years. That is a total of 17 million immigrants. To keep its working-age population at 1995 levels, Japan would need to have net migration of 609,000 migrants per year for 50 years. That would total 33 million new residents from overseas. Source: Kyodo News © JapanVisitor Boo k a hotel in Japan with Bookings Japanese Fiction Happi Coats Tags Japan News Japan Statistics politics  |
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2. Shoin Shrine Hagi http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: 吉田 松陰 One of the most popular tourist sites in Hagi is the Shoin Shrine enshrining Yoshida Shoin (1830-1859). He was a local samurai who was executed in 1859 for his part in an asassination plot against Ii Naosuke - a government official - but is mostly known for being a teacher of many of the leading members of the new Meiji government, which took over power from the Tokugawa regime in 1868.  The shrine was established in 1890 and moved to its present location in 1955. The original shrine is just to the north of the present shrine and it now enshrines the students of Yoshida Shoin.  Within the grounds of the shrine is his old classroom where he taught the likes of Ito Hirobumi (1841-1909), Japan's first Prime Minister.  Also within the grounds is a small museum on Yoshida that mostly consists of life-size tableau depicting events from his short and dramatic life.  © Jake Davies & JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice  Tags Yoshida Shoin Hagi Yamaguchi Japanese culture  |
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3. Wako Building Ginza http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: The Wako Building in Ginza Tokyo is one of the up-market area's most famous landmarks.  The present rounded building was built in the 1930s and amazingly survived the World War II bombing of Tokyo. Wako was originally founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori as a watch business called K. Hattori (which later became Seiko). The first company building on the site was demolished in the 1920s to make way for the existing structure - the clock at the top of the building pays homage to the company's roots. Wako, the retail business split off from Hattori (Seiko) in 1947 and now the company is a high-end store selling watches (of course), jewelry, women's fashion items, baby wear and expensive foreign chocolate. Wako Ginza also has two restaurants, a cafe, tea salon and chocolate salon. The Wako Hall is an exhibition space in the building. Wako has branches in Haneda Airport, Hiroo and Shinsaibashi in Osaka Wako Building Tel: 03 3562 2111 Hours: 10.30am-6pm; closed Sunday © Guillaume Marcotte & JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Ginza Tokyo Wako Japanese stores  |
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4. Hello Kitty Plastic Sandals http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: ハローキティ Brightly colored Hello Kitty plastic sandals worn with sweat pants and sweat top are a favorite with the Japanese "Bad Girl" fashionistas.  That carefully contrived "just got out of bed look" is completed with pink enameled toe nails and a shock of uncombed carrot-dyed hair. Note the reflexology dimples on the soles of the sandals. © JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Hello Kitty Bad Girl Japanese Fashion  |
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5. Daishoin Temple Hagi http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: 大照院萩 The Mori Clan, who built the castle town of Hagi and ruled the domain from there during the Edo period, had, rather unusually, two family temples for the burial of their dead. Local people say this was a ruse by the clan to downplay their power in the eyes of the ruling shogunate.  The first family temple was Daishoin, a Rinzai sect temple rebuilt by the Mori in the late 17th century. Here the first, second, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth lords and their wives were buried, while the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh were buried at Tokoji Temple on the other side of Hagi.  Both graveyards have hundreds of stone lanterns donated by faithful retainers, though Daishoin has 600, about 100 more than Tokoji.  Because of its location, a little away from major tourist attractions in Hagi, Daishoin gets far fewer visitors than Tokoji. The temple is less well maintained and a little run down, but this only adds to its charm and atmosphere, coupled with the fact that it is often empty of visitors.  Daishoin is a short walk from Hagi JR station. Open from 8:30am to 5:00pm daily. Entrance 200 yen  © Jake Davies & JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Japanese temples Hagi Yamaguchi  |
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6. Japanese Wanted Posters http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: 犯罪ポスター Japanese wanted posters are nothing if not graphic. Hung outside Japanese police boxes (koban) and in railway stations - the posters show a photograph of the wanted person, their crime and the amount of reward the Japanese police are offering for information leading to their arrest.  The poster in the photographs has a cross through the image of Ichihashi Tatsuya, who was finally arrested for the crime of abandoning the body of Lindsay Ann Hawker, a young English teacher found dead in a bath of sand on the balcony of the suspect's apartment near Tokyo.  The text begins "Near You!" and introduces a rogues' gallery of dangerous felons who seem to have been on the posters for years! Dial 110 if you spot one of them! © JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Japan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Japanese  |
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7. Walls of Hagi http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: 萩 The castle town of Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, was constructed on the "island" delta between the 2 forks of the Abu River.  When the railway reached Hagi it went around the town and not straight through it and therefore the town was spared the redevelopment that occurred around railway lines and stations elsewhere in Japan.  Consequently sections of the old town are still pretty much as they were centuries ago, and it is said that Edo-period maps can still be followed.  In the old samurai district near the castle many of the former samurai dwellings still stand, and the roads are lined with impressive traditional earthen walls.  © Jake Davies & JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Book a Hotel in Yamaguchi Prefecture Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Japan Hagi Yamaguchi Samurai Japanese Architecture  |
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8. Japan This Week 14 March 2010 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: 今週の日本 U.S. Reaches Out to Tokyo’s Real PowerNew York Times 日专家热议新时代中日关系 认为日本不能与中国较劲 People's Daily Lexus, a Toyota Brand, Avoids Taint From Recalls New York Times China threat can heal US-Japan rift Guardian Japan detains anti-whaling activist Washington Post Zapatero recibe una solicitud para condecorar a Toru Arakawa, el japonés que ayudó a abrir fosas de la Guerra Civil El Pais Kan: Okinawa costs topped official claim Japan Times 65 years after the war, Japan needs convincing of the need for US bases Times Online Takeshi Kitano: "Sarkozy et Carla, c’est bien" Libération Japan opens 98th national airport in Ibaraki BBC A Jostled Princess, a Heavy Crown New York Times Toyotas Are Safe (Enough) New York Times Japan coach Okada in the dark over squad for friendly Yahoo Sports Last week's Japan news Japan Statistics Percentage gap between median wages for men and women, 2006. South Korea: 38 Japan: 33 Germany: 23 Canada: 22 UK: 21 USA: 19 OECD average: 17.5 New Zealand: 10 Belgium: 9 Source: New York Times The number of visa overstayers in Japan is at its lowest in twenty-one years. As of January 1, 2010, the number of foreigners who had overstayed their visas was 91,778 - the first time in 21 years the number dropped below 100,000. Of those deported, Chinese topped the list for the seventh year in a row. Source: Kyodo News In its annual list of the world's richest, Forbes magazine's top ranked Japanese was Uniqlo's Tadashi Yanai. He came in 89th, with a net wealth of $7.6 billion. Source: Forbes © JapanVisitor Boo k a hotel in Japan with Bookings Japanese Fiction Happi Coats Tags Japan News Japan Statistics politics  |
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9. Toppy Jetfoil Yakushima http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description:  トッピフェリー屋久島There are several ways of getting to Yakushima, an island that is a World Heritage Site located off the coast of Kyushu. From Kagoshima, perhaps the most pleasant option is a two-hour ride on the "Toppy" jetfoil. "Toppy" means flying fish in the local dialect, and the boat does indeed "fly." On the day we rode across the bay to Yakushima, the seas were rough but the ride smooth once the jetfoil kicked in and the boat lifted up and out of the water as it glided forward. The fee is 7,000 yen one way. For those who prefer a slower, cheaper, and possibly rougher ride, regular ferry service is also available. The Yakushima Ferry 2 departs Kagoshima New Port in the morning, and costs 5,000 one way for a four-hour ride to the island. For an extra fee, you can bring your car as well. (Flights are available from Kagoshima Airport, but as the airport is so far outside the city this is not a good option. If you are coming , however, from Kansai - Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara - flights from Itami Airport take one hour and 15 minutes.) © JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Japan Tokyo Yakushima Toppy Ferry Japanese  |
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10. 24 Kaikan Sauna: Gay Shinjuku http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: ２４会館  24-Hour Kaikan is a gay sauna, part of a chain, located at the back of Shinjuku Ni-Chome, and, with 8 floors, is the biggest cruising premises in the area. As the name indicates, 24-Hour Kaikan is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Foreigners are welcome, and staff speak limited English. The 2,600 yen entrance fee, payable by vending machine in the entrance, is for a 13-hour stay: 200 yen-per-hour after that. (A 6-hour “short stay” on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. is also possible for 2,000 yen: 200 yen-per-hour after that.) The procedure is: put shoes in locker and change into slippers, buy admission ticket from vending machine, take shoe locker key and ticket to the front desk, and receive a clothes locker key and a bag with robe, face cloth, and bath towel. The reception floor also has a snack room. There is parking on the first floor (600 yen for first 3 hours). There is a dry sauna, steam room, communal bath, and tanning beds on the 3rd floor. There is a video room on the 4th floor, and private rooms on the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors. Private rooms are expensive (from 3,800 yen to 21,000 yen depending on numbers and time slot) so most action takes place in the common rooms on the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors - so much action in fact that if on weekends you manage to find a space on a futon to lie down, sleep is often difficult. Being a roomful of scores of guys, there is naturally a lot of snoring. Being a roomful of guys there for hooking up, there is also naturally a lot of moaning and groaning, huffing and puffing, and those on the cruising front lines scouring the scene for hookups with subtle groping of likely looking sleeping forms. Foreigners are not all uncommon at 24 Kaikan Shinjuku, and, while most Japanese guys are not very forthcoming and are unlikely to make the first move, if you know what you want and stay tuned, your chances are as good as anywhere else in the world. The easiest Japanese guys to hook up with are gaisen, i.e. those into foreign guys, but they do not necessarily form the limits of your cruising experience in Japan. Those who don't think of themselves as gaisen might just need a little more effort on your part. 24 Kaikan also has a rooftop floor, equipped with another suntan room and a cold bathtub. Condoms (kondomu in Japanese) are available free of charge. Upon entry, you may be asked to show your passport or alien registration card. Read more about gay Japan © JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Japan Tokyo Shinjuku Ni-Chome gay  |
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11. Food Poisoning Chihana Kyoto Three-Star Restaurant http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: 食中毒千花 One of Kyoto's most revered kaiseki restaurants Chihana, a recipient of three stars from the Michelin Guide, was recently cited in a food poisoning case. On February 26th, a party of eight suffered high fever and diarrhea after dining at the world famous restaurant. As a result, Kyoto city ordered the restaurant closed for business for three days from March 4 - 6. The eight patrons ranged in age from 32 to 58, and all were from the Kyoto area. © JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Japan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Japanese  |
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12. Kyoto National Museum Treasures of the Hapsburg Monarchy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description:  京都国立博物館ハプスブルクThe Kyoto National Museum, the wonderful Meiji Era brick pile across the street from Sanjusangendo and a high-end Hyatt Hotel, is currently showing a fantastic series of paintings and other items until March 14. 2010 marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Japan and Austria-Hungary. To celebrate this event, some 120 paintings and decorative art works from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Szépmüvészati Múzeum in Budapest are on display. These works were formerly owned by the Hapsburgs, who ruled much of Europe for over six hundred years. They were in addition patrons of many painters, such as Durer, Velazquez, Rubens, Raphael, Titian, and Goya. There is also an album of one hundred Japanese paintings and two lacquered shelves decorated with makie (sprinkled metal design) presented by Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) to Emperor Franz Joseph (1830-1916) as a token of their friendship. The details are stunning. The birds and insects in particular are wonderful. Treasures of the Hapsburg Monarchy Until March 14 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Entrance Until 5:30 p.m.) Fridays 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (Entrance Until 7:30 p.m.) 1500 yen for adults Suggestion: Go towards the end of the day. You will have Durer and Rembrandt almost all to yourself. © JapanVisitor.com Yahoo Japan Auction Service Boo k a Japanese Hotel with Bookings Japanese Friends Japan Job Search Tokyo Vice Tags Japan Tokyo Kyoto National Museum Hapsburg Japanese  |
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13. Japan Newsletter Spring 2010 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: ジャパンニュースレター Please join our Japan Visitor newsletter if you are planning a trip to Japan AND to win some great prizes this month. Even if you may never visit the country but are just interested in things Japanese please subscribe to our monthly newsletter to keep up with the latest travel and cultural news from Japan. Take a look at March's Japan Visitor newsletter to see what you will receive in your email inbox.  © JapanVisitor.com Rough Guide To Japan Tags Japan Contest Newsletter  |
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14. Nagoya Friends at Harry's Diner in Sakae THIS SAT!! 3/13 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r... download (, 0.00Mb) Description: |
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Description: ニチユウ
In Tokyo and looking for beetroot, Italian rucola, fresh cassava, Amazon fruits like acai and cupuacu?
Nichiyu International is a company in Tokyo that started as a foodstuffs provider for the sizeable Brazilian Japanese community here. The company runs a fleet of truck-stores that vend foodstuffs around the Tokyo area.
However, not long ago Nichiyu discovered that there was a bigger market than just the Brazilian one. There are also Philippine, Turkish, Russian, and other ethnicities in Tokyo each with their own special culinary demands. Therefore, the Nichiyu truck now caters to a range of non-Japanese communities in the greater Tokyo area.
Not only that, but the company’s diversification has taken it beyond foodstuffs. While in the truck buying groceries, you can also buy Brazilian weekly magazines, exotic beauty products or a homemade Brazilian-style lunchbox.
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Description: 田県神社の豊年祭, 犬山、愛知県
The 2010 Tagata Jinja Fertility Festival takes places on March 15 and is one of Japan's most celebrated "Phallic Festivals". Fifteen years ago there were a few hundred bemused spectators watching the procession and the whole event was very much a subdued local affair.
Nowadays a vast, boisterous crowd of both Japanese and foreign visitors watch the 2.5m, newly-carved 300kg wooden phallus being carried on a mikoshi (portable shrine), by teams of 12 men, the 1.5km between Kumano Shrine and Tagata Shrine near Inuyama, just outside Nagoya.
The procession reaches Tagata Shrine about 4pm for the literal climax of the day's events. A small portable shrine carries a wooden representation of Takeinadene-no-mikoto, the male deity visiting his female counterpart (and wife) Tamahime-no-mikoto, who is enshrined at Tagata Jinja. Next comes the huge phallus which is placed in the shrine for another year, the old phallus being sold off.
Access
To get to Tagata Jinja take a Meitetsu train from Nagoya Station or Kanayama Station to Inuyama. Change to a Meitetsu Komaki Line train leaving from platform 3 and go threee stops to Tagata Jinja Mae. Turn left out of the station and then left again at the main road. Tagata Jinja is about 400m on your right. To reach Kumano Shrine turn right out of Tagata Jinja, cross over the main road and Kumano Jinja is on your left as you climb the hill after crossing over the railway line.Alternatively take the Tsurumai Subway Line to Kami Otai and change to a Meitetsu Line train to Inuyama and then the Komaki Line to Tagata Jinja Mae.
Ogata Shrine (Tel: 0568 67 1017) is a ten minute walk, turning right out of Gakuden Station on the Meitetsu Komaki Line.
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Description: 今週の日本
House Hunting in ... TokyoNew York Times
Millions of Toyotas Recalled, None in Japan
New York Times
For Japan's Toyota Owners, Little Help With Acceleration Problems
Guardian
Japan says it won't comply with bluefin tuna ban
Washington Post
Body image, diet pushing Japanese women to lose weight
Washington Post
La princesa Aiko, víctima del acoso escolar
El Pais
Okinawa reversion account at Fed found
Japan Times
Wind of change blows in smokers' paradise of Japan
Times Online
Une poupée érotico-écologique
Libération
Avatar director James Cameron defends Hiroshima author
BBC
Japan Offers New Plan in Okinawa Dispute
New York Times
Toyota Secretive on 'Black Box' Data
New York Times
Japan: Shunsuke Nakamura - I Want To Win The J-League Title With Yokohama F Marinos
Yahoo Sports
Last week's Japan news
Japan Statistics
Japan came home with 5 medals from the Vancouver Olympics: three silver and two bronze. This was well short of the ten medals the Japan Olympic Committee set as a goal.
In contrast, South Korea won 14 medals, including six skating gold medals.
Source: Kyodo News
Number of Wikipedia pages, by language (number):
1. English (3,178,000)
2. German (1,018,000)
3. French (907,000)
4. Polish (671,000)
5. Italian (653,000)
6. Japanese (650,000)
7. Dutch (584,000)
8. Spanish (557,000)
9. Portuguese (541,000)
10. Russian (488,000)
Source: Asahi Shinbun
Percentage of Wikipedia pages devoted to "popular culture" (comics, gossip, celebrities), by country:
Japan: 80%
USA: 40%
France: 20%
Source: Asahi Shinbun
Catch quotas of bluefin tuna, 2009:
southern bluefin tuna: 11,800 tons
Atlantic bluefin tuna: 23,900 tons
Pacific bluefin tuna: 24,900 tons
Japan imports 80% of its Atlantic bluefin tuna. However, that fish is likely to become designated an endangered species - which Japan strongly opposes - and would result in a ban on imports.
Source: Yomiuri Shinbun
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Description: 花見
Springtime, perfect for having picnics, wearing shorts and admiring the Cherry Blossom in DC. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an two-week (per annum) event that celebrates springtime in Washington, DC as well as the 1912 gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan.
DC Attractions include multiple festivals, museums, monuments, and more. The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization that coordinates, produces, and supports creative and diverse activities promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty and the environment, and community spirit and youth education. It's also begins peak season for an influx of tourists to Washington, also brought in by the thousands of historical landmarks, museums, and other buildings, The National Museum of Crime & Punishment, located in Washington, D.C. is one of those such buildings, with excellent depictions of historically famous crime scenes along detailed information concerning past wars, forensics, organized crime, and more.
National Museum of Crime & Punishment
575 7th St. NW
Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 621-5561
www.crimemuseum.org
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Description: 密航・密輸の発見にご協力を！
Close to the southern tip of Kyushu, not far from Sakurajima and Kagoshima - and North Korea - there was this sign planted on a bluff above a beach.
It literally reads:
Mikko Mitsuyu no Hakken ni go Kyoryoku o!
"Thanks for your help in spotting smugglers and ships that sneak into Japan!"
Below that in red on the flag:
Fushin na fune, hito, kuruma o mikaketara sugu 110 ban
"If you see a suspicious boat, person, or car call 110"
That is Japan's national emergency number.
This sign - located on a beach not far from the Korean Peninsula - is clearly referring to and aimed at thwarting the activities of Kim Jong Il's agents.
To date, 17 Japanese nationals have been recognized as having been abducted by agents from North Korea. They were bundled to the Hermit Kingdom, where they were used as language teachers for other agents.
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Description: 日本 苗字
Japan has its Suzukis, Tanakas, Katos and Watanabes just as the English speaking world has its Smiths, Taylors, Collinses and Wilsons, but there is also incredible variety in Japanese surnames, and especially first names – every bit as much, if not more than, there is with Western names. If you teach English in Japan, you'll almost invariably find that there is a student or two in a class whose surname you’ll have never come across before.
According to reliable Japanese sources, the top ten names in Japan are Sato, Tanaka, Yamamoto, Saito, Suzuki, Watanabe, Nakamura, Takahashi, Ito, Kobayashi, which cover about 10% of the population. The next 100 surnames cover 35% of the population, and the next 1,000, 74%. In total, there are estimated to be about 300,000 surnames in Japanese.
Unlike the most popular English names, the majority of which are derived from occupations, most Japanese surnames are derived from place names. Obvious ones from the top 10 are Tanaka (“in the fields”), Yamamoto (“foot of the mountain”), Nakamura (“middle village”), and Kobayashi (“small wood”).
While in formal situations, the Japanese refer to each other by their surname plus the polite “san” or the extra polite “sama,” in casual situations they still use surnames, but suffix it, in the case of men, with “kun” or the even more endearing “chan” – both which are definitely best avoided unless a Japanese person has taken the initiative of attaching it to your name. In the meantime, play safe and stick to surname + san.
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Description:
桜島噴火On a brief trip to Kagoshima, we toured around the city ending up at an overlook above the center of downtown.
As we joined a group of Chinese tourists, we were afforded a splendid view of Sakurajima, the volcanic island just across the bay.
The day was clear and bright with only a few clouds. Sakurajima was framed by a blue sky, with only one small cloud just to the right of center.
After a few minutes though the mountain came to life.
Great plumes of white smoke puffed out of the right side of the volcano - see below left.
This elicited great squeals of delight. It lasted for roughly ten minutes - then just as suddenly stopped.
Later in the day, it started up several more times.
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Description:
- Off The Beaten Track :: Iran Visitor
Off the beaten track in Iran - we review some suggestions for getting away from it all in Iran.
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Description: 水引
Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese craft using rice paper, which is tightly binded and wound, starched and then bent into various shapes for use as decoration.
The cord can be painted or entwined with thin strips of silk to color it. Mizuhiki was used to tie the hair of samurai in the Edo Period (1600-1868). Nowadays mizuhiki items in the shape of animals or just about anything (plants, cakes, scrolls, birds, dolls, ships, battledores, family crests, keyrings etc) are given as presents for weddings and births.
Colorful small mizuhiki knots are also attached to envelopes, especially those for giving money at weddings and funerals.
Traditionally mizuhiki was made in artisans' homes over the winter after the rice harvest was gathered in. The area around Iida and Hirugami Onsen in Nagano Prefecture is famous for the art of mizuhiki. Craftspeople may give a demonstration in your ryokan in the evening or visit one of the arts and crafts museums in the area, where you can purchase pieces ranging in size from full suits of samurai armor to tiny mobile phone straps.
Furosato Mizuhiki Kogeikan (Tel: 0265 25 5222) just off National Highway 153 close to the Iida Interchange of the Chuo Expressway is recommended.
Hours: 8.30-5pm daily.
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Description: The Foundation for Shamanic Studies
シャーマニズム研究財団
"Shamanism is a path of knowledge, not of faith, and that knowledge cannot come from me or anyone else in this reality. To acquire that knowledge, including the knowledge of the reality of the spirits, it is necessary to step through the shaman's doorway and acquire empirical evidence."
Michael Harner, Ph.D.
FSS Founder and President
Author of The Way of the Shaman
The Basic Workshop in Core Shamanism (Weekend)
Kyoto: March 13-14, 2010
Tokyo: March 27-28, 2010
Core Shamanism
Core shamanism is the universal or near-universal principles and practices of shamanism not bound to any specific cultural group or perspective, as originated, researched, and developed by Michael Harner. Since the modern world overwhelmingly lost its shamanic knowledge centuries ago due to political and religious oppression, the Foundation’s programs in core shamanism are particularly intended for modern peoples to reacquire access to their rightful spiritual heritage through quality workshops and training courses. Training in core shamanism includes teaching students to alter their consciousness through classic shamanic non-drug techniques such as repetitive drumming so that they can discover their own hidden spiritual resources, transform their lives, and learn how to help others. Core shamanism does not focus on ceremonies, such as those of Native Americans, which are part of the work of medicine men and women, persons who do both shamanism and ceremonial work.
Michael Harner's
The Way of the Shaman: Shamanic Journeying, Power, and Healing
The Basic Workshop in Core Shamanism (Weekend)
Kyoto: March 13-14, 2010
Tokyo: March 27-28, 2010
During the Basic experiential workshop, participants are introduced to core shamanism, the universal and near-universal basic methods of the shaman to enter non-ordinary reality for problem solving and healing.
Particular emphasis is on the classic shamanic journey, one of the most remarkable visionary methods used by humankind to explore the hidden universe otherwise known mainly through myth and dream. Participants are initiated into shamanic journeying, aided by drumming and other techniques for experiencing the shamanic state of consciousness and for awakening dormant spiritual abilities, including connections with Nature. Practice includes comparisons by participants of their discoveries in shamanic journeys as well as being introduced to shamanic
divination and healing. They are also provided with methods for journeying to meet and study with their own individual spirit helpers in nonordinary reality, a classic step in shamanic practice. Participants learn how the journey is utilized to restore spiritual power and health, and how shamanism can be applied in contemporary daily life to help heal oneself, others, and the Planet. Basic and Advanced courses to be continuously offered in Japan and Asia.
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies Faculty for Asia: Kevin Turner
shamanismjapan@yahoo.co.jp
Tel/fax: 075-723-4379
English website: www.shamanism.org
Japanese website: www.shamanism.org/workshops/japanese.html
Kevin Turner’s English bio: www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/turnerbio.html
Kevin Turner's site: www.shamanism-asia.com
シャーマニズム研究財団
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies
「シャー マニズムとは、知識の道であって信仰の道で はない。そしてその知識は、私や或はこのリ アリティ（現実）における他の誰からも得る ことは出来ない。精霊達の 現実に関する知識を含むこの知識を身につけ るには、シャーマンの門戸をくぐり、自らの 経験を通して証拠を掴んでいかねばならない 。」
マイケル・ハーナー Michael Harner, Ph.D
シャーマニズム研究財団創設者及び財団長< br />『シャーマンへの道』著者
コア・シャーマニズム
Core Shamanism
コア・シャーマニズム（核心のシャーマニ ム）とは、マイケル・ハーナーが考案、研 、発展させた、シャーマニズムにおけるほ 普遍的と言える原理とその 実践のことであり、いかなる特定の文化組織 や観点とも結びつくものではない。シャーマ ニックな知識の大方は、政治的／宗教的弾圧 が原因で、何世紀も前に甚 だしく失われてしまった。その様な背景から 当財団のコア・シャーマニズムのプログラム は、現代人が良質のワークショップやトレー ニングを通して、正当な精 神的文化遺産との繋がりを取り戻せるように することを意図している。コア・シャーマニ ズムのトレーニングでは、参加者が意識を変 性させていく際に、繰り返 されるドラムの音の様な伝統的シャーマニズ ムの非薬物的手法を使い、参加者がどのよう に自らの隠された精神的源泉を発見し、人生 を変容させ、また他者の助 けとなっていけるか、ということも教えられ る。コア・シャーマニズムは、例えばネイテ ィブアメリカン達が行う様なセレモニー（儀 式）には主眼を置かない。 これらは、シャーマニズムと儀式行為の両方 を行うメディスンマンやメディスンウーマン 達の仕事の一部である。
シャーマンへの道：シャーマンの旅、パワ とヒーリング
コア・シャーマニズム公式ベーシックワー ショップ
The Way of the Shaman workshop
ベーシックの体験的ワークショップでは、 加者はシャーマンのほぼ普遍的基本体系で るコア(核心の)・シャーマニズムに触れ、 題解決やヒーリングの為 に非日常的リアリティへと入っていく。 ここで特に重要視されるのが古典的なシャー マンの旅である。これは、人類が隠された宇 宙を探究する為に使った、最も注目に値する 先見的な手法であり、この 手法無しには、隠された宇宙は主に神話や夢 を通してのみしか知り得ないものであった。 参加者はシャーマンの旅をする手ほどきを受 け、ドラムの音やその他のテクニックの助け を得ながらシャーマン的意識状態を体験し、 大自然と繋がることを含む 眠っているスピリチュアルな能力を目覚めさ せていく。 またシャーマンの旅の中での発見について、 参加者同士で話し合ったり、シャーマンの直 感的予見やヒーリングにも実習の中で触れて いく。 更に、旅をする中での非日常的リアリティに て自らのスピリットヘルパーと出会い、そこ から学んでいくというシャーマンの実践に於 ける古典的ステップの方法 も伝授される。 このように参加者達は、この旅が如何にして 自らのスピリチュアルなパワーや健康を回復 させるのに役立つのか、また如何にしてシャ ーマニズムが現代の日常生 活の中で自分や他人を癒したり、この惑星を 癒すことに適用できるのかを学ぶ。
マイケル・ハーナーによるコースデザイン 師：ケヴィン・ターナー
■ 京都市：３月１３日（土）〜１４日（日）定 員18名
シャーマニズム研究財団公式コース
シャーマンへの道 （通訳あり）33,000
■ 東京都世田谷区：３月２７日（土）〜２８日 （日）定員18名
シャーマニズム研究財団公式ワークシ ップ
シャーマンへの道 （通訳あり）33,000
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Description: 今週の日本
Toyota Touted $100 Million Savings After Limiting RecallNew York Times
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Japan Statistics
Devastation caused by US B-29 raids over Japan during World War Two:
65 burned out cities
581 destroyed factories
158 square miles of cities reduced to ash
310,000 civilian casualties
412,000 wounded
9 million rendered homeless
Source: The New Yorker
According to Robert McNamara, Army Air Force statistician during World War II and later Secretary of Defense, the above raids caused 900,000 deaths in Japanese cities.
Source: "The Fog of War," directed by Errol Morris
In 2009, for the first time more advertising yen was spent on the Internet than on newspaper ads in Japan. (Percent rise or fall compared to the previous year.)
Newspaper: 6.7 billion USD (-18.6%)
Internet: 7.07 billion USD (+1.2%)
Source: Asahi Shinbun
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Description: 小学校の野球
Baseball is just as popular in Japan as it is in the United States and, as in the US, Japanese baseball starts young. Wherever you go in Japan, you will see - and especially hear - baseball being practiced on school playgrounds.
But Japanese baseball has the typically Japanese twist of being team-oriented in the extreme, and being bound by conventions. When it comes to form, you will never see any moves made that are not strictly according to the textbook, and the element of ritual when it comes to in-team and inter-team interactions is very strong.
Check out aspects of the above in this video taken of Japanese elementary school teams having a match in Tokyo, not far from one of Japan's hallowed baseball venues, Tokyo Dome. Once the game is over, every bit as much energy is expended on the post-game rituals as on the game itself, and the hierarchy of (adult) trainers/managers and (student) players features very strongly.
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