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Yasuo Fukuda New Japan Prime Minister 2007-09-25 05:10:00 ?? ??Yasuo Fukuda today became Japan's latest Prime Minister following the formality of a vote (338-117 in Fukuda's favor) in Japan's Lower House, which is controlled by Fukuda's party the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).Fukuda succeeds Shinzo Abe, who resigned citing ill-health last week after just less than a year as premier - a period marked by scandal-related resignations and a suicide in Abe's hapless cabinet.Fukuda, like Abe before him and his main challenger for the LDP top post Taro Aso, is a scion of the ruling elite. His father, Takeo Fukuda, was Prime minister from 1976-78 and is best remembered for his phrase, "Jinmei wa chikyu yori omoi" (Human existence is more important than the world) when he ordered the release of several Japanese Red Army members and paid a ransom after a Japanese Airlines aircraft was hijacked by the JRA on leaving Mumbai en route for Tokyo from Paris in 1977.Fukuda Junior, 71, was born in Gunma Prefecture and attended the prestigious Was ...

Hip Harajuku hounds 2007-09-24 21:01:00 ????????Yesterday was Autumn Equinox Day (Shuubun no Hi), officially the first day of fall, when, in theory, the last muggy days of summer give way to autumn breezes. It was Japan's second Monday off in a row, last Monday having been Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi).I spent the day enjoying what has become the very slightly cooler weather of the past few days, walking through Tokyo's Shinjuku and Yoyogi down to Harajuku. Harajuku, one of Tokyo's hubs of street culture, was as packed as ever on a holiday and also, as ever, full of as many fashion permutations as you can imagine.It wasn't exactly fashion, and it wasn't tradition, either – a middle aged guy sitting on the edge of a flower bed on Omotesando Avenue in ripped jeans and sunglasses with his four dogs, all of them coolly decked out, if not in ripped jeans, then in sunglasses, too!Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Kyush ...

Book Review: Woman on the Other Shore 2007-09-23 22:44:00 ????????? ??Woman on the Other Shore, by Mitsuyo KakutaJudging by most of the Japanese novels that make it into English, you might think that modern Japanese lit is all about wild sheep chases, forked tongues, and chopped up bodies. But there’s more. Thanks to translator Wayne P. Lammers, we now have Woman on the Other Shore, a novel about two relatively normal 35-year-old women - a stay-at-home mom, and a single woman who has her own business. She brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her first novel.Woman on the Other Shore Sayoko, the mother, can’t seem to fit in with the other moms when she goes to the park. She winds up “park-hopping,” changing venues every time the moms start to get cliquey. The other woman, Aoi, was bullied throughout her school years, and finds it difficult to forge close relationships. When Sayoko decides to give up park-hopping and begin a job at Aoi’s company, the two form an unlikely friendship, which is threatened by t ...

Japan This Week 9/23/07 2007-09-23 04:18:00 ?????Yasuo Fukuda wins the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election and is set to become Japan's next prime minister.AsahiJapanese government accused of censoring book on princess.GuardianMovie Review: Takashi Miike's "Sukiyaki Western Django."Midnight EyeJapanese Sexpert: Erotic image training key to attaining a beautiful mind.MainichiJapanese economy continued to stagnate under "obocchan" Abe.New York TimesTokyo Tower to grow 100m.Japan TimesYokuzuna Hakuho wins autumn sumo basho in Asashoryu's absence.Sumo AssociationDelivery company Yamoto fabricates records.YomiuriJapan StatisticsCommercial land prices in Japan rose by an average 1% over the 12 months till July this year according to a survey by the Construction and Transport Ministry.Commercial property prices rose by 12.1% in Tokyo, 8% in Osaka and 7.2% in Nagoya. Prices in Nakamura Ward which includes Nagoya Station rose by a whopping 40.1%. A number of new high-rise developments have been built in recent ...

Design Festa East Gallery 2007-09-21 21:06:00 ?????????Design Festa Gallery EAST to open October 5th (FRI)Freedom of expression, Design Festa Gallery East!Design Festa Gallery East further widens Tokyo's choice of exhibition sites by offering larger spaces, film screenings, large-scale installations, performances, acoustic live-sets and more! In addition, it has Japanese style rooms with tatami mats and a large kitchen space which can be used as a cafe.You can plan an original event using the whole building including show and theater spaces!The new Design Festa Gallery EAST & WEST are offering 22 spaces for all artists.Don't miss this art explosion in the heart of Harajuku![ Opening Week Oct.5(Fri)-Oct.11(Thu) 11:00 -20:00 ]Many artists will get together to celebrate the opening of "EAST"!!Large-scale paintings, objet, installations, handmade foot wear and accessories will be exhibited. A dynamic documentary video will be premiered, besides Gagaku and Jazz live music!Design Festa East[ PARTY!!!- Design Fes ... Design

Latin Fever - Sept. 22nd at Salsa one in Sakae! 2007-09-21 02:30:00 Latin Fever at Salsa One in SakaeDate: September 22, 2007 (4th Saturday)Time: 18:30 - 21:00Drinks will be served between 6:30pm-8:45pm.Free Salsa Lessons for anyone who wants one!Place: Salsa One, Okuda Bldg 3F, 5-3-4 Sakae, Naka-ku, NagoyaFee: 3000 Yen Gentlemen, 2500 Yen LadiesDress code: Anything (Casual, etc)Reservations: Not necessary but recommended and appreciated. Just show up to the party!Over 25,000 Yen worth of exciting prize giveaways each month!First 15 foreigners in the DOOR, only 2000 YEN Reserve now! - Must come early!Reserve now!There will be free food along with free drinks (beers, wine, cocktail drinks and juices). Our party is not a dinner party, but we will have light food & snacks. Quantities are limited, so please come early! Please free to come alone or bring your friends. EVERYBODY is welcome to join regardless of nationality/gender. Reservations are greatly appreciated. About 125-150+ people are expected to attend. Approximately 55% female and 45% male, 7 ...

Okama Volcanic Crater Lake Zao San 2007-09-19 22:37:00 ???????The spectacular volcanic crater lake, Okama, near the ski and onsen resort of Zao Onsen is worth the long drive or bus ride from Zao Onsen town.However, chances are the pristine, greenish-blue lake at an altitude of around 1600m will be obscured by clouds especially in high summer. The best time to visit the lake during the summer hiking season of May-October is in May, June or October and always early in the morning before the clouds have formed.AccessMount Zao is in the Zao Quasi-National Park.Zao Sky CableTel: 0236 949 420Take the Zao Sky Cable from Zao Onsen Ski Resort.There are also buses from Zao Onsen and Shiroishi.Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tohoku Zao Yamagata volcano ...

Japanese Manhole Covers III 2007-09-19 03:08:00 ???????Here is our latest collection of Japanese manhole covers, which often represent in their design the main attractions of their localities. Japanese manhole covers are a unique form of street art and well worth keeping your eyes to the ground for.If you have a manhole cover shot and wish to show it on this blog please contact us if you'd like us to display it.Manhole Covers in JapanMore Manhole Covers - Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shimane, HiroshimaCosa Stai Cercando?: Tombini (letteralmente!)TagsJapan Kyoto Shimane Manhole Hiroshima DrainsBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Toyokawa Kakunodate Manhole Sendai Drains ...

Chusonji - Motsuji Walk 2007-09-17 23:02:00 ??????????Visitors to the two main sites in Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan can enjoy a pleasant 3km walk on a new specially-made trail between Chusonji and Motsuji.The pleasant hike, which is well sign-posted, passes through thick forests and across marshes on wooden boardwalks. At no time does the path entail walking on the road.There are signs warning of the dangers of stumbling on a bear, but most of the time the Japanese Black Bear tends to avoid humans and is nocturnal.To find the path turn left out of the main entrance of Motsuji and walk along the side of the gardens and you'll see a sign to Chusonji along the path heading in to the hills to your left. From Chusonji the path is signposted below the Sankozo Museum.Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tohoku Hiraizumi Chusonji Motsuji ...

Japan This Week 9/16/07 2007-09-16 04:33:00 ?????PM Shinzo Abe resigns suddenly, Yasuo Fukuda favorite to beat Taro Aso in LDP Presidential election.GuardianNinth World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention opens in Kobe.Yomiuri70% of voters call Abe "irresponsible."AsahiWomen quit day jobs to feel wanted--in night sex jobs.MainichiJapanese housewives trading in currencies take a hit.NY TimesDengue fever on its way to Hokkaido?Japan TimesYamagata International Documentary Film Festival to open October 4th.MainichiNagoya University students deface Tottori sand dunes.YomiuriJapan StatisticsThe number of people over 100 years of age in Japan will top 30,000 according to a survey of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. The number of centenarians will reach an all time high of 32,295 by the end of September up 3,900 from last year.Women count for 85.7% of the total or 27,682 as opposed to men at 4,613. The oldest male Tomoji Tanabe, lives in Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu and at 112 is the world's oldest male. Tsuneyo Toyonag ...

Japan Visitor YouTube Play List 2007-09-15 02:47:00 ?????Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Kyushu ... Youtube

Kurashiki 2007-09-13 21:54:00 ??A minor miracle took place in the small city of Kurashiki after the war. In 1948, after Japan’s crushing defeat—when the rest of the country was trying to eat and hell-bent on rebuilding—Kurashiki created a historic zone and saved the old buildings located therein.At the same time, Kyoto and every other city in Japan was busy knocking down the old “useless” buildings—or those that had been bombed to rubble—and replacing them with banal “Western” buildings. Hence, the drab and nearly uniform cityscapes you see in all urban areas of Japan.Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, instead created a Preservation Area south of Kurashiki Station. The station area is like much of modern Japan. However, if you walk 600 meters south along Chuo Dori, you will come upon the preserved area (????, Bikan Chiku).It includes many white buildings with walls with a distinctive black lattice-like design, several museums, and many shops and restaurants. The area is bisected by a canal ...

Cassiopeia & Hokutosei Luxury Night Trains 2007-09-12 20:57:00 ?????????The Cassiopeia & Hokutosei trains both run between Tokyo Ueno Station and Sapporo 1,200km (760 miles) to the north.CassiopeiaThe Cassiopeia is Japan's premier luxury train and completes the Tokyo-Sapporo run in approximately 16 hours and 30 minutes. The train, which began service in 1999, includes stops at the following stations: Omiya, Utsunomiya, Koriyama, Fukushima, Sendai, Ichinoseki, Morioka and Hakodate.An accommodation fee is standard regardless of distance traveled and twin rooms and luxury suites are available. The train also includes a restaurant and a cafe/bar lounge with excellent views. The train departs Ueno Station about 3 times a week.TimetableUeno 16.20pm - Sendai 20.59pm - Morioka 23.16pm Hakodate 4.18am - Sapporo 8.54amSapporo 16.20pm - Hakodate 9.00pm - Sendai 4.33am - Ueno 9.24amMore timetable information (in Japanese)Like most of Japan's night train reservations sell out quickly so book early!Holders of a Japan Rail Pass receive sizeab ... Amp

PM Abe Resigns 2007-09-12 03:32:00 ??????Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has resigned after barely a year in power.Poor recent election results in July which lead to the loss of the LDP's majority in the upper house and a series of financial scandals surrounding Abe's cabinet has lead to a loss of public support.Abe, at 52, was the youngest post-war Prime Minister and an avowed nationalist. His catchphrase of making Japan "a beautiful country" failed to go down with voters more concerned with the issues of missing pension funds and the growing income gap in the country.LDP leaders will meet September 19 to pick a new party leader who automatically becomes Prime Minister.Another hawk LDP secretary-general, Taro Aso or more the more moderate Yasuo Fukuda are the favorites to succeed the hapless Abe.Shares fell slightly on the Nikkei, Japan's stock market, on the news.Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionHappi CoatsTagsJapan Shinzo Abe LDP Japan news politics ...

MyBar Party 2007-09-11 10:27:00 ?? ??Mybar Retro PartySunday Sept. 23Mybar would like to invite you to our 70's & 80's retro fever night. Prizes for best dressed D.J's and Disco Cocktails.No charge!!MyBarAddress:Tatenomachi Bldg. B1F3-6-15 Naka-kuNagoya468-0003Tel: (052) 971 8888(nearest subway; Sakae exit 3)Within 10-15 minutes travel time of Nagoya StationBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionHappi CoatsTagsJapan Bar Party Nagoya ...