Video Introduction to the English Tour of the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo This is an informational video released by "Tokyo MX" in 2018, introducing English tours of the Imperial Palace, a central city landmark that is gaining popularity among foreign visitors to Japan. Asakusa (浅草, Asakusa), Odaiba (お台場, Odaiba), Shibuya (渋谷, Shibuya) and Ueno (上野, Ueno) are famous for their central Tokyo attractions, but in recent years, the number of foreigners visiting the Imperial Palace has been on the rise. In response to the growing demand for inbound tours, the Imperial Household Agency, which oversees the Imperial Palace, has introduced English tours for foreigners for the first time, in addition to tours in Japanese. A Look at the Imperial Palace Photo：Near the palace The Imperial Palace is where the Emperor of Japan usually spends his time. It was called "Kyujo," "Kojo," and "Kogu" in the past. The current Imperial Palace, located in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward (千代田区, Chiyodaku), is built around the ruins of Edo Castle and consists of the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor, and a palace for various events and political affairs. The palace, introduced at 2:17 in the video includes seven buildings, including the Main Hall (正殿, Seiden), Homeiden State Banquet Hall (豊明殿, Homeiden), the Rensui Dining Room (連翠, Rensui), Chowaden Reception Hall (長和殿, Chowaden), Chigusa/Chidori no ma Hall (千種・千鳥の間,Chigusa・Chidorinoma), the Omote Gozasho North Building (表御座所北棟, Omotegozashokitato) and Omote Gozasho South Building (表御座所南棟, Omotegozashominamito). The Palace is surrounded by a moat, and the path along the moat is crowded with people on a daily basis. The English Tours of the Imperial Palace Source :YouTube screenshot The English-language tour will take you on a 2-kilometer course along the south side of the Palace. You can visit the Imperial Household Agency building and historical sites on foot with a guide from the Agency's staff. You can see an actual guide at 0:47 in the video. In this approximately one-hour tour, you can see a garden reminiscent of the Edo Period and the iron bridge at the main gate, along with Fujimi Tower(富士見櫓,Fujimiyagura) that stands atop a stone wall, and the palace where general New Year's ceremonies and other imperial events are held, as introduced at 1:29 in the video. The guide's explanations are easy to understand for foreign visitors to Japan, so don't be shy about joining in the tour. You can hear opinions of those who participated in the tour at 1:06 and 2:32 in the video. Summary of English Tours at the Imperial Palace Photo：Moat of the Imperial Palace The sights of the Imperial Palace shown in the video are definitely worth seeing in person. If you're thinking of applying for the English tour, be sure to visit the link at the bottom of this article to access the official site of the Imperial Palace. The site provides an overview of the English tour application process, a tour schedule, and a map of the facilities. ◆Imperial Palace Facility Information◆ 【Address】1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111 【Access】A 10-minute walk from Nijubashimae Station on the Chiyoda Subway Line, a 5-minute walk from Otemachi Station on the Mita Subway Line, a 5-minute walk from Takebashi Station on the Tozai Subway Line, and a 15-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station. 【Official Website】Imperial Household Agency: Information of the Facilities: Imperial Palace – Kyoto Imperial Palace https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/index.html 【Tripadvisor】Imperial Palace https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066443-d320050-Reviews-Imperial_Palace-Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

A First in Japanese History! No.1 in the Popular Online Game "FORTNITE"! Are you familiar with e-sports? E-sports is a form of sport competition using video games. Players compete to show their mastery of the game and win massive prize pools. E-sports has actually been around for decades, but thanks to advances in technology and more and more people being connected to the internet, it has seen a surge in growth in the last 10 years, with professional teams popping up all over the globe. Japan actually has vocational schools that train e-sports players, and sends world class athletes to compete on the world stage. This video introduces Ruri, the first Japanese player to win the Australian Open Summer Smash 2020, a new tournament with 30 million yen (~$280,000 USD) in prize money at stake. What is FORTNITE? Source :YouTube screenshot Let's talk about the rules of FORTNITE, and how it's played. Starting at 0:38 in the video, you can see up close footage of the fast-paced, action-packed gameplay. FORTNITE is an online battle royale game with a twist. One of the main features of the game is called "building" which allows players to use materials they've found throughout the map to construct tactical structures that allow them to outmaneuver their opponents. The online battle royale game "FORTNITE," is developed by Epic Games in the UK. Supported platforms are PC, PlayStation 4, XboxOne, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. There is a "save the world" mode where players work together to fight off waves of monsters, and a "battle royal" mode where players fight against one another to be the last remaining. Because of FORTNITE's in-game transactions, and depictions of violence, the game has a PEGI rating of 12+. The actual game is a 3rd person shooter where characters spawn into a map and have to scavenge the area for weapons, armor, and materials. Players start every match as a blank canvas, forcing them to adapt to their environment and make do with what they have. The story is post-apocalyptic in nature, with 98% of the world's population being eradicated by a sudden storm and the emergence of monsters called "husks." The player's goal is to fight to survive and save the human race. The "Australian Open Summer Smash 2020" Featuring FORTNITE Source :YouTube screenshot Cross-platform online games like FORTNITE, which are also compatible with handheld devices, have evolved remarkably in recent years. Ruri, a member of the Japanese professional team "CrazyRaccoon," managed to win such a large scale tournament at just 16 years old. The "Australian Open Summer Smash 2020" was held at a tennis stadium in Melbourne, Australia, also used for the Australian Open tennis tournament every February. The crowed roared when the Japanese team secured their victory. The second day's solo match (a charity tournament) also drew a large crowd where spectators gathered to see the winner's Victory Royale. The rules are simple- the last player standing wins. Summary of Japan's Australian Open 2020 Fortnite Win Source :YouTube screenshot Ruri is just 16 years old but is already an accomplished player that managed to win a prestigious tournament with a massive prize pool. Players also have rankings, similar to other sports, and it's expected that we'll see Ruri aiming for #1. In the world of e-sports, opportunities for young players like Ruri continue to grow. People even talk about the future of e-sports, saying that it's only a matter of time before it's a part of the Olympics. 【Official Website】Fortnite - Play Now for Free | Official Site | Epic Games https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/home?lang=en-US

Ghibli Park "Mononoke no Sato" and "Witches' Valley" in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture Video Introduction This video, titled "[Ghibli] Latest Information "Mononoke Village" and "Valley of Witches" – An Interview with Director Goro Miyazaki! A Perfect Recreation of Whisper of the Heart's Antique Shop?!" (【ジブリ】新情報「もののけの里」「魔女の谷」を宮崎吾朗監督に直撃！　「耳をすませば」の地球屋をプロの仕事で完全再現!?), was uploaded by "CHUKYO TV NEWS" (中京テレビNEWS). The theme park "Ghibli Park," scheduled to open on November 1, 2022, is drawing a lot of attention right now. The latest information on the Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches areas within the park is presented in the form of an interview with director Goro Miyazaki, the son of Hayao Miyazaki. Information on Ghibli Park - Opening Dates, Location, Etc. Photo：An aerial view of Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park in Aichi, Japan, taken via drone Ghibli Park is a park that recreates the world of Studio Ghibli. The park is located in Aichi Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute, Aichi, in Japan's Tokai Region. There are no big attractions or rides at the park, and it's a place where visitors can explore forests and paths while feeling the wind on their skin and discovering hidden secrets. The fact that the park is built together with the forest shows how much importance is placed on the Ghibli worldview. Ghibli Park is divided into five areas, which will be opened sequentially by completion date. The first phase of the park will open on November 1, 2022 and will include the "Hill of Youth," "Dondoko Forest," where Satsuki and Mei's house from "My Neighbor Totoro" is located, and "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse," which will house various exhibits of Studio Ghibli works. The second phase is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023 with "Mononoke Village" and "Valley of Witches." Check out the official website for detailed opening dates and a map of the park. Mononoke Village – Scheduled to Launch in 2023 Source :YouTube screenshot The Mononoke Village area is scheduled to open approximately one year after the November 2022 opening. In Mononoke Village, visitors will be able to see facilities that appeared in the movie "Princess Mononoke" as well as objects made based on the characters in the movie. During the interview, director Goro Miyazaki says that objects (playground equipment) will be made in the likeness of the demons/cursed gods in Princess Mononoke, and that they will also be climbable. In addition, visitors can enjoy a hands-on learning experience at "Irontown," where iron is extracted from iron sand, and a charcoal-making hut is also under construction. Valley of Witches – Scheduled to Launch in 2024 Source :YouTube screenshot Following Mononoke Village, Valley of Witches is scheduled to open. It has been announced that the Okino residence where Kiki, the main character in the movie "Kiki's Delivery Service," was born and raised will be constructed, and the room where Kiki packed her bags will be faithfully reproduced as well. The "Gütiokipänjä Bakery," where Kiki and her black cat Jiji lived, will have a store as well as an attic. According to an interview with director Goro Miyazaki, the "Gütiokipänjä Bakery" will actually sell bread baked in a stone oven. The opening of Valley of the Witches is surely something to look forward to! The 'Hill of Youth' – A Faithful Recreation of the Antique Shop Featured in 'Whisper of the Heart' Source :YouTube screenshot The "Hill of Youth" will open prior to "Mononoke Village" and "Valley of Witches." There, the antique shop from the movie Whisper of the Heart will be recreated. The shop is built by Tatsuya Yamada, an architect specializing in wooden structures, and Takeshi Nakamura, a carpenter, who reviewed the work dozens of times, paying close attention to the smallest details. One example of the attention to detail was shared in the interview as well. It's mentioned that, in order to reproduce every detail, they asked an abacus craftsman to decorate a part of the balcony railing fence for the antique shop. This shows the attention to detail that went into recreating the structure to immerse visitors in the world of Ghibli. Now that you have this knowledge, you can be sure to look for small details like this when visiting! [Video] 8:00 - Interview with Yamada and Nakamura Admission Fees, Tickets, and Free Areas at Ghibli Park Ghibli Park requires a reservation for each area with specific dates and times. Please check the official Ghibli Park website for up-to-date admission fees and pricing for each area. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in August, and will be available for purchase through Boo-Woo Tickets (Boo-Wooチケット) and other means. In addition, Ghibli Park will also have a free area with playground equipment inspired by "The Cat Returns." This is great information for those who live nearby with young children or those planning on visiting the area with kids. 【Official Website】Ghibli Park https://ghibli-park.jp/en/ 【TripAdvisor】Aichi Expo Memorial Park https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1121224-d1309786-Reviews-Expo_2005_Aichi_Commemorative_Park-Nagakute_Aichi_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html

Japan has been the "wealthiest country" for 24 years?! Let’s take a look at the video of a news report from 2015 titled [Japan, “ the wealthiest country in the world” for 24 years- a “crucial asset”]（【日本、24年連続“世界一の金持ち”に「大事な財産」】） This news report is about Japan staying at the top of the list of wealthiest countries in the world for continuous years. “Net Foreign Assets” is defined as the value of foreign assets owned by Japan's government and its companies, minus liabilities. So what exactly do they mean when they state that Japan is the wealthiest country in the world? Let’s look at some of the details. What exactly is a “Net Foreign Asset” Photo：Tokyo Stock Exchange At 0:06 in the video, Net Foreign Asset are explained. Essentially, it is the amount of the foreign assets owned by a nation minus liabilities. Surprisingly, Japan has 367 trillion yen worth of Net Foreign Assets, and it is the largest amount in the nation’s history. This means that Japan owns many external assets in foreign countries, such as security and foreign investments. From 0:23 in the video, the Minister of Finance in Japan, Taro Aso, is seen speaking in an interview. Aso states, “Net Foreign Asset is crucial” at the Ministry of Finance. As explained at 0:19, the Top 5 countries in terms of Net Foreign Asset goes Japan first, followed by China, Germany in third, Switzerland in fourth, and Hong Kong in fifth according to 2014 data. How Japan Has Continued to Own the Most Foreign Assets in History, and Remained the “Wealthiest Country in the World”. Source :YouTube screenshot There are several reasons why Japanese foreign assets have been increasing and why Japan has remained the most wealthy country in the world. As the yen depreciates, the amount of receivable yen-denominated shares and bonds has increased. Another reason why Japan's foreign assets have increased is because there are more Japanese companies starting foreign investments. Overseas liability is also on an upward trend as more foreigners have begun investing in Japanese stocks. Japan as the wealthiest country Photo：Building in Shinjuku subcenter It might be difficult to believe that Japan is the wealthiest country in the world, but as explained in the video, it is true that Japan owns the most Foreign Net Assets in the world. Japan actually is the wealthiest country in the world, and as of 2019 it has stayed on top for 28 years. Expectations are high for Japan's economic future.

『Kirakira Donki Video Introduction Sweets and other types of cute goods are very popular on Japanese Twitter and TikTok. Many people are tempted to check out these popular goods, but don't actually know where to buy them. In this article, we'll introduce Kirakira Donki, a trendy shop that recently opened in Odaiba. The video, titled "Kirakira Donki Opens in Odaiba! What's There to See? TBS NEWS DIG" (「キラキラドンキ」お台場にオープン！見所は？【Ｎスタ】｜TBS NEWS DIG), was uploaded by "TBS NEWS DIG Powered by JNN." Be sure to give it a watch! Kirakira Donki in Odaiba, Tokyo Source :YouTube screenshot Kirakira Donki opened in Tokyo's DiverCity, a shopping mall in Odaiba, in May 2022. Don Quijote has developed stores specializing in different concepts, such as "Okashi Donki" specializing in sweets, "Sake Donki" specializing in sake, "Cosme Donki" specializing in cosmetics, and even "Konkara Donki" which specializes in spicy foods. Their newest store, Kirakira Donki, which targets "Generation Z," has now popped up in Odaiba with trendy items, such as cosmetics and sweets that are popular on Japanese social media! About 60% of the staff working there are Generation Z, in their teens and 20s, and they select products that are popular on social media, as well as cutely-colored goods. In the video, you can see the inside of the newly opened Kirakira Donki. When you enter "Kirakira Donki," you'll see Don Quijote's official character "Don Pen" painted everywhere, and the ceiling is decorated in a playful style, reminiscent of an amusement park. In addition, large, cute pop-ups and handwritten product descriptions are meant to make the store catch the customer's eyes. These are just a few of the many creative details that draw customers to the store. Goods Sold at Kirakira Donki Source :YouTube screenshot The store has a wide variety of Korean food products, such as Planet Gummi, that became popular on Japanese TikTok, photogenic candies shaped like stars and hearts, as well as juices and even popular Korean and Chinese cosmetics that can be purchased for 500 yen or less! The store features a whopping 10,000 products that appeal to Japan's Gen Z. In addition, they have "Mobile Foods," like waffles and "Beauty Vinegar" drinks for take-out. 4,000 Kinds of Cute Cosmetics and Nearly 2,000 Varieties of Candy! There are about 4,000 reasonably-priced cosmetics sold at the store. This summer's hot sellers include stick-type A'pieu sunscreen in cute colors and bang styling sticks. The bang styling sticks are a popular product among teenagers that helps neatly tuck away frizzy hair during Japan's rainy season. In addition, there's a selection of around 1,800 kinds of sweets popular on Japanese social media, including cookies, gummies, and all sorts of candies. There's sure to be a candy that you'll like! Gummies Galore! Source :YouTube screenshot The Planet Gummi gummies became a hot topic on Japanese social media because of the sound they make when opened. The video even shows an elementary school girl that came to the store with her parents saying, "I'm happy I got to try the Planet Gummi gummies that I'd seen YouTubers eating! The girl's mom, who came with her to the store, also seemed to enjoy herself. Planet Gummi is a favorite in Japan, and now they're also available in a transparent blue color called "Planet Candy." This product was created by a long-established company founded in 1975. This candy is also slowly gaining popularity and is sure to be popping up on Japanese Instagram in the near future. In an interview with a customer to the store, she says "I was able buy some Korean snacks like Planet Gummi and Ozzy Strawberry so I'm happy!" Some of the items are available on the Internet, but being able to buy them in person is a totally different experience. In addition to the "Planet Gummi," new snacks such as "Pop Eye" and "Monster Gummies" that resemble poke balls are also popular on Japanese social media. Kirakira Donki has tons of products that fulfill the desires of Generation Z. It might even become a new tourist attraction in Tokyo! ◆Kirakira Donki DiverCity Tokyo Plaza Store◆ Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM Address: Tokyo Plaza 2F, 1-1-10 DiverCity Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN, 135-0064 Access: Public Transportation - A 5 minute walk from Daiba Station via the Yurikamome Line, a 3 minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station via the JR Rinkai Line 【Official Website】Odaiba DiverCity Tokyo Plaza - Mitsui Shopping Park https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/divercity-tokyo/ 【TripAdvisor】DiverCity Tokyo Plaza https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Attraction_Review-g1066449-d2696968-Reviews-Diver_City_Tokyo_Plaza-Koto_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Some of the Oldest Japanese Swords at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara: Video Introduction This video, titled "Yasutsuna – An Exhibition of the World of the Oldest Japanese Swords" (最古の日本刀の世界「安綱・古伯耆」展), was uploaded by "Nara Television Broadcasting Co." ( 奈良テレビ放送). This news video introduces an exhibition held in the city of Nara featuring works related to the swordsmith Yasutsuna and his family. It shows works created by swordsmiths active in the late Heian Period (794-1185). Forty articles are on display, including 10 national treasures, such as a famous sword called "Dojigiri," which was used by Minamoto no Yorimitsu to kill Shuten Doji, as well as other swords with a distinguished history. The exhibition also offers a glimpse into the history of how Japanese swords that were once straight, came to have a curved blade. Be sure to check out the priceless masterpieces in the video as you read along. The Black Lacquer Tachi of Kasuga Taisha – One of the Oldest Japanese Swords Source :YouTube screenshot The sword which is kept in the treasury of Kasuga-taisha and is known as Kuro-urushi-yamagane-tachi (黒漆山金作太刀, lit. "black-lacquered mountain-iron blade") was made in the late Heian period (around 1185 AD). It was discovered during a structural renovation of the temple's treasury in 1939 and is now nationally recognized as an important work of art. You can take a look at Kuro-urushi-yamagane-tachi at 0:13 in the video. Every 20 years Kasuga-taisha undergoes renovation and it was when the sword was being cleaned and repaired that it was found out to have been made in the mid to late 12th century, making it one of the oldest swords in Japan. The curved shape of the blade is what helped identify which century the sword was made in. Source :YouTube screenshot The area of the blade near the handle is curved and the tip is straight, a style typical of ancient Japanese swords. It is a real blessing to find the sword in such a good state, along with it's case which shows characteristics of 14th century craftsmanship, leading to the hypothesis that this sword was a precious samurai family heir loom which had been passed down for years and years. You can see the case at 1:17 in the video. Sightseeing Spots at Kasuga-Taisha Shrine Photo：The Large Cedar Tree at Kasuga-Taisha's Central Gate・Nara Kasuga-taisha is a shrine which was built in Nara prefecture in 768 AD. There are approximately 1000 Kasuga shrines in Japan and Kasuga-taisha in Nara is known as the grand shrine and the most important of them all. Kasuga-taisha is known for bringing good luck and happiness in marriage and we highly recommend receiving a stamp or good luck charm (omamori) from the shrine. Many events are held at Kasuga-taisha such as the Kasuga Wakamiya-On Festival (春日若宮おん祭, asugawakamiyaonmatsuri), the Buddhist Lantern Festival (万灯篭, mandoukago), and the Iris Festival (菖蒲祭, shoubumatsuri). We also recommend visiting during fall to see the beautiful changing colors of the leaves or in spring when the wisteria are in full bloom. There are also many spots in the area where you can go for lunch or grab something to eat! Summary of Famous Swords of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Source :YouTube screenshot A Japanese sword in the collection of the Nara's Kasuga Taisha Shrine attracted attention in 2018 when it was discovered to be one of the oldest Japanese swords in existence. In addition to this famous sword, masterpieces such as Hizamaru and Higekiri are also on display in the National Treasure Hall of Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a popular attraction among both foreign and domestic tourists. Please check the official website of Kasuga Taisha Shrine for information on special exhibitions where you can see the masterfully crafted blades.. ◆Nara Kasuga-taisha Information summary◆ 【Address】 Kasuganocho (春日野町) 160, Nara city, Nara prefecture 【Openings】March-October 6.30am-5.30pm, November-February 7am-5pm 【Entrance fee】Free of charge (Kasuga-taisha Museum: Adults: 500 yen, University/High school students: 300 yen, junior high school/elementary school students: 200 yen) 【Access】10 minutes by bus (bound for Kasuga-taisha Honden (春日大社本殿)) from JR Nara Station (JR 奈良駅, JR Naraeki) followed by a 10-minute walk. 【Parking】Available (1000 yen) 【Phone number】0742-22-7788 【Official Website】World Heritage Kasuga-taisha https://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/en/about_en/

The X-2 Stealth Aircraft - From the Wings to the Engine, This Machine Is Homegrown This news report introduces the first flight of the domestically manufactured stealth aircraft, the X-2. It's titled "Where's the Hinomaru? The First Flight of the Domestically Manufactured Stealth Fighter (22/04/16)" (日の丸戦闘機”の行方は　国産ステルス機が初飛行(16/04/22)). The X-2 shown in the video is a domestically manufactured stealth aircraft. From the wings to the engine, everything is made in Japan. It became a popular topic in 2016 when it made its first flight. Japan's X-2 Stealth Aircraft Source :YouTube screenshot The X-2 is an experimental aircraft for advanced technology demonstrations commissioned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Technical Research and Development Division of the Japanese Ministry of Defense. 220 Japanese companies cooperated to develop this aircraft. The X-2 was named after the X1G, a modified Saab-Safir 91B high-lift research aircraft once used by the Defense Agency as an experimental aircraft. More than 90% of the X-2's parts were made in Japan, and it was developed under the name "Shin shin," which means Mt. Fuji. The X-2 was developed to demonstrate advanced military technology as a future domestically produced fighter, and to accumulate knowledge of stealth technology. Stealth fighters are characterized by their small size and shortened operational periods of a few hundred hours. Their engines are small and they are not equipped with weapons. The Body of the Japanese X-2 Stealth Aircraft Source :YouTube screenshot The Japanese stealth aircraft is equipped with a mechanism called "chine," which is used to reduce and absorb radar reflection and absorption, and the surface of the fuselage is specially coated with composite materials such as ceramic and silicon carbide. The X-2 has a total length of about 14 meters. Tests conducted in the radio anechoic chamber of the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) to investigate the RCS, which is the radar's reflection area, proved that the X-2 is smaller than a medium-sized bird and larger than an insect in terms of stealth performance. The development of the X-2 cost 39.4 billion yen and took seven years of prototyping from 2009 to 2014, with development completed in 2016. The cockpit has two displays and a heads-up display, while the seats and canopy are made of ITO, a material developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries that prevents radio waves from reflecting off of it. The engine of the X-2 is an XF5 developed by the Ministry of Defense's Air Equipment Research Center in cooperation with Ishikawajima-harima Heavy Industries, and is a turbofan jet engine with an afterburner that burns by blowing fuel into the exhaust of the jet engine again. The engine was developed through research into high-motion flight control systems, and the engine's three thrust vectoring paddles allow the direction of engine thrust to be controlled at will, even in areas of stalling where normal fighter jets would be unable to do so. In the future, the X-2 is expected to be commercialized around 2030, and is envisioned as the next fighter aircraft of the F2, which belongs to the older generation of aircraft. The First Flight of the X-2 Japanese Stealth Aircraft Photo：American stealth aircraft・F35 As shown in the video, the X-2, a 100% Japanese-made stealth aircraft, made its first flight at Nagoya Airport in April 2016. It has a top speed of 1,200 km/h, or supersonic speed. You can also see the X-2 flying with other fighters, such as an F15, at 0:39 in the video. Japan is the fourth country to fly a manned stealth aircraft, following the United States, Russia and China. Since then, it underwent several test flights and was kept in storage, but it became a hot topic of conversation when it was shown to the public at an air festival at the Air Self Defense Force base in Gifu. Summary of the X-2 Japanese Stealth Aircraft Source :YouTube screenshot What did you think of Japan's latest stealth aircraft? At 1:28 in the video, you can see comments from people who saw the first flight of X-2. Be sure to check out the test flight of the X-2 and see how awesome the new stealth aircraft is!

What is the Ig Nobel Prize? Do you know of the Ig Nobel Prize? This video, “The Winners of This Years Ig Nobel Prize Are Once Again Japanese (The Daily Saliva of 5 Year Old Children) イグノーベル賞今年も日本人『5歳児の1日の唾液量』(19/09/13)” introduces the awards ceremony of the Ig Nobel Prize, 2019. The Ig Nobel Prize is a parody of the Nobel Prize, with the first awards ceremony held in 1991 at Harvard University in Massachusetts, America. Now, it has become an annual event, and is a scientific award recognized worldwide. The selection criteria is research which “first makes people laugh, and then makes them think”, and similarly to the genuine Nobel Prize, the Ig Nobel Prize is made up of several different categories. In recent years, the Japanese winners of the Nobel Prize have been buzzed about, but in actuality, Japanese researchers have been awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for 13 consecutive years, beginning from 2007. The 2019 winner was Professor Watanabe Shigeru and his 5-man team from Meikai University. They were awarded the prize for their study on the “estimation of the total saliva volume produced per day in 5-year-old children”. What is the content of this year’s Japanese Ig Nobel Prize-winning study? Source :YouTube screenshot In 2019, Professor Watanabe’s team won the Ig Nobel Prize for chemistry. Their study involved measuring the amount of saliva produced by 5-year-olds in order to maintain the cleanliness of their oral cavity. The study consisted of the researchers feeding 5-year-old children a pre-determined volume of food, having them chew and then spit the food out without swallowing, then measuring the spat-out food and comparing the volume to that at the beginning of the experiment. Through this, the researchers estimated that the children produced about 500 milliliters of saliva per day. At the awards ceremony, the researchers reenacted the experiment using a banana. This can be seen from 0:14 in the video. Source :YouTube screenshot The winners of the prize have only 60 seconds to make a speech, with a girl named Miss Sweetie Poo crying out, “Please stop! I’m bored!” if that time limit is breached. This can be seen from 0:53 in the video. The awards ceremony begins with the audience throwing paper airplanes at the stage, followed by the winners entering on a rope. From start to finish, the venue is filled with laughter. It might seem difficult to win an award for science, but the Ig Nobel Prize is a unique international science award overflowing with humor and, occasionally, irony. However, the academic papers concerning these award-winning research studies have even been published in the English science journal “Nature”, showing that these studies have genuine scientific significance. An overview of the Japanese Ig Nobel Prize winners for 13 consecutive years Source :YouTube screenshot These are some of the main Japanese prize winners. ・1992 Kanda Fujihiroshi (Medicine): For the discovery of the chemical compounds responsible for foot malodor. The first Japanese winner. ・1997 Maita Aki (Economics): For “Tamagotchi”, which diverted millions of man-hours of work into the husbandry of virtual pets. That year was a double win for Japan, with the prize for Biology awarded to Yagyu Takashi. ・2002 Sato Keita and others (Peace): For inventing Bow-Lingual, a dog-to-human language translation device ・2004 Inoue Daisuke (Peace): For inventing karaoke, allowing people to spend a peaceful time together ・2016 Higashiyama Atsuki and others (Perception): For investigating whether things look different when you bend over and view them between your legs All of these and more are part of the 71 Japanese winners of the Ig Nobel Prize as of 2019. Summary of this video regarding the Ig Nobel Prize and the study on the amount of saliva produced in one day by 5-year-old children Source :YouTube screenshot Although Japan has a significant number of Ig Nobel Prize winners even compared to countries worldwide, in Asia, South Korea’s professors as well as religious experts have also been recipients of the prize. In addition, the study “cats are liquids”, which trended on the Internet, was actually conducted by a team of researchers from France. Of course, though cats are solid beings, they have extraordinary flexibility, and thus are occasionally seen as liquids. This humorous thesis invited many laughs from the audience. The reward for winning the Ig Nobel Prize is 10 trillion Zimbabwe dollars! However, this is a currency no longer in circulation and thus not even worth a penny…

Video introduction of "Marugoto Nippon" in Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo This is a news video titled "The appeal of all of Japan, from Asakusa! 'Marugoto Nippon'" (浅草から全国の魅力を！「まるごとにっぽん」開業へ). Built in 2015, Marugoto Nippon, is a new shopping complex built near the popular tourist attraction Sensoji Temple, directed towards inbound tourists. Marugoto Nippon, built under the theme of revitalizing the rural regions, is now a new landmark promoting the attractiveness of regions all over Japan. What Kind of Facility Is Asakusa's Marugoto Nippon? Source :This article's video As shown in the video, Marugoto Nippon is a four-story shopping complex inside the Tokyo Rakutenchi Asakusa Building in Asakusa, of Tokyo's Taito ward. 50 locations have been opened in 17 different municipalities around the nation in an attempt to convey the appeal of local goods from regions all over Japan. With the theme of "see," "eat," and "take home," the store sells seasonal foods, local sake from breweries, traditional crafts from various regions, and household goods. For more than half of the stores this is the first time that they have actually had a physical location. Because of this, what was now only possible to buy over the internet or in rural areas can now be bought in Tokyo. You can feel a sense of closeness to the more rural regions of Japan through this experience. Among the many stores, there are popular restaurants and cafes in which you can drink boba tea (tapioca tea), a occasionally, there are events such as cooking classes or festivals, so you can enjoy the shopping complex in a variety of ways. Learning About Japan Through Asakusa's Marugoto Nippon! Source :This article's video Marugoto Nippon in Asakusa, promotes the appeal of Japan to the world through the sale of regional specialties. For example, at Oita Onsenza, seen from 1:45 in the video, they not only sell products containing minerals from hot springs, but they also provide a foot bath using water from the famous Beppu Onsen (hot springs). Through this, they provide a service in which visitors to Japan can experience Japanese culture. Also, being able to buy umeboshi (salted dried plums) and local sake, which was only available to buy at rural areas, in Tokyo, is another great aspect of the store. There are also many easy-on-the wallet items so you might end up buying a lot of souvenirs albeit for a very reasonable price! Summary of Marugoto Nippon Source :This article Video As of 2020, Asakusa is a popular tourist area that hosts more than 55 million domestic and foreign visitors annually. Being able to buy local specialties from Japan’s rural regions in a location as convenient as Asakusa is nothing short of amazing as well. Marugoto Nippon, shown in the video, is a popular place that not only attracts foreign visitors, but Japanese people as well. Check out the Marugoto Nippon official website where you can see the store information and floor guides. Please be aware that Marugoto Nippon is due to close in November of 2020. Make sure you stop by before it's gone for good! ◆Marugoto Nippon Facility Overview◆ 【Address】〒111-8535　2-6-7 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo 【Access】A 10 minute walk from Tokyo Metro/ Tobu Railway Asakusa Station 【Operating Hours】10:00-20:00 (Business hours differ for some stores) 【Closures】None 【Parking】Yes 【Telephone No】03-3845-0510 【Official Website】Marugoto Nippon https://marugotonippon.com/ 【Tripadvisor】Marugoto Nippon https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g14134311-d9585851-Reviews-Marugoto_Nippon-Asakusa_Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Antenna Shops in Ginza and Yurakucho! “Strengthening Cooperation! Antenna Shop Battlefield（連携強化！　アンテナショップ激戦区）,” created by “Tokyo MX,” is a news clip that was broadcast on January 18th, 2017. There are many antenna shops that are operated by local governments and companies from all over Japan. Antenna shops are shops that sell local products, foods, traditional crafts and souvenirs. There are also sightseeing information booths and restaurants/cafés that sell local cuisine and sweets. It is like a showroom and gallery for local governments. As you can see at 0:27, there are a lot of antenna shops inGinza and Yurakucho, creating a sort of "antenna shop war-zone." In this article we'll introduce popular products at antenna shops in Yurakucho. Be sure to follow along with the video! Antenna Shops around Yurakucho Source :YouTube screenshot The antenna shop battlefield from Yurakucho to Ginza is 300 meters in diameter. According to research, annual sales of Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza reached over one billion yen; 100 million yen of which is from soft-served ice cream. You can see the survey results at 0:35 in the video. Soft-served ice cream costs 350 yen (~$3.50 USD), which means there are a lot of people visiting this place. At 2:18 in the video, you can see Hiroshima Brand shop TAU and Okinawa Ginza Washita Shop, which have sales between 700 million and 1 billion yen. As introduced at 1:45, Oishii Yamagata Plaza sells "tama konjac," a local specialty, as well as fresh local vegetables from Yamagata. Antenna Shop Cooperation Source :YouTube screenshot The antenna shops around Yurakucho cooperated to bring more visitors to the area. The "National Men's Ekiden Stamp Rally," a coordinated event that ran from January 6th to the 22nd in 2017, was a stamp rally event to visit 16 shops in the Yurakucho area with a stamp collecting card. If you collected seven stamps, you could enter to win a gift from the local government and merchandise for Ekiden. The main antenna shop during the event is “Hiroshima Brand shop TAU.” The branch manager talks about why he started the event and introduces the popular product “Hassaku Orange Rice Cakes” during his interview. Summary of Yurakucho's Antenna Shops Photo：Raw Yatsuhashi “Strengthening Cooperation! Antenna Shop Battlefield” introduces how lively the antenna shops in Yurakucho are. There are other antenna shops in Kochi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Hakata, Akita, Toyama, Osaka and Shizuoka as well. There's also Hokkaido Foodist and Kyoto Kan around Yaesu, Tokyo. The antenna shops in Ikebukuro, Kansai, Fukuoka, Nagano, Aomori, Gifu, and Aichi are gaining popularity as well. Be sure to check out the homepage to see store hours and holidays. Enjoy buying local products from all over Japan in the heart of Tokyo!

Introduction to Osaka Metro’s “Facial Recognition Ticket Gates” Today, we'll introduce “Osaka Metro Starts Testing Facial Recognition Ticket Gates（【改札機「顔パス」通過 大阪メトロが実証実験】)" a video by Kyodo News. This is a news video of Osaka Metro starting the testing of facial recognition ticket gates, in anticipation of the World Expo in Kansai. In December 2019, Osaka Metro released information of the next generation facial recognition ticket gates. By registering your faces photo data in advance, you can pass through ticket gates with facial recognition without using the conventional tickets and IC cards, which is an amazing technology. In the video, you can see Japan’s cutting edge technology. Please enjoy. What Kind of System Is Osaka Metro’s Facial Recognition Ticket Gate? Source :YouTube screenshot Osaka Metro installed the test ticket gate at the Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station on the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line in Osaka City’s west ward, and demonstrated its use before the media. As seen from 0:07 in the video, there are cameras set at the ticket gates, and these cameras recognize people’s faces passing through the gate, and the gate immediately opens. If people don’t need to take out tickets and IC cards, they can use stations without stress even when carrying heavy luggage or shopping bags. You can see in the video from 1:18 a passenger carrying big bags on both hands passing through the gate smoothly. The scene of passengers passing through the gate with facial recognition is introduced in the video from 0:26. In the video, Osaka Metro workers are shown passing through the gate with facial recognition, but in the future, they will build up systems so that ordinary passengers can use it as well. The Installation and Future Prospects of Osaka Metro’s Facial Recognition Ticket Gates Photo：Ticket gates Maybe it won’t be too long until people are passing the ticket gates with facial recognition and ticket vending machines disappear from stations. If no ticket vending machines are needed, it will be a cost reduction for railway companies, so it can be said that there are many benefits. This system is only a system using facial recognition technology, so if you are wearing masks and hats it leads to matching failure, and the gates don’t open. From now on, they will brush up the technology to improve on the ease of use for passengers. Summary of Osaka Metro’s Facial Recognition Ticket Gates Source :YouTube screenshot Technology of ticket gates opening through facial recognition is unprecedented, and Osaka Metro is garnering a lot of attention for this first attempt. Osaka Metro aims to install the facial recognition ticket gates to all stations by fiscal year 2024, in time for the World Expo in Osaka. These days, many technologies have become wide spread, such as cashless payments and QR codes. It can be said that these facial recognition ticket gates are one of these shifts toward the next-generation. 【Official Website】Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/

Pikachu Jet Video Introduction This video, titled "[SKYMARK]☆Pikachu Jet BC2 Inaugural Video" (【SKYMARK】☆ピカチュウジェットBC2 就航記念動画☆), was uploaded by "- SKYMARK CHANNEL -" (スカイマーク チャンネル - SKYMARK CHANNEL -). This video introduces the BC2, the second aircraft of the "Pokémon Air Adventures" project, from its arrival at Haneda Airport to its first flight. The cute design of the Pikachu Jet with the image of the sea and Pikachus scattered throughout the cabin will help hype up your trip. Check out the video to see the Pikachu Jet's takeoff and landing, as well as a look inside the aircraft. About the Pikachu Jet BC2 and an Overview of the Cabin Source :YouTube screenshot The first Pikachu Jet (BC1) began service in June 2021 as part of the "Pokémon Air Adventures" Project. This video introduces the second Pikachu Jet, the BC2, which entered service on May 30, 2022. It's a great video where you can see the No. 1 and No. 2 Pikachu Jets together. [Video] 0:36 - BC1 and BC2 Pikachu Jets Pikachu, the famous Pokémon character, has been featured in video games and anime to express the joy of adventure. The "Pokémon Air Adventures" project was created with the aim of promoting the aviation and tourism industries with such Pokémon. The Pikachu Jet flies primarily to and from Okinawa and to airports served by Skymark flights. The design of the Pikachu Jet BC2 is inspired by the Okinawan sea. The design is fun and cute, with a large Wailord, Pikachu, Shaymin, Magikarp, and other Pokémon all over the aircraft! It's really photogenic and great for taking Instagram photos! Commemorative medals, mini pouches, and model planes are available for purchase on board the Pikachu Jet as well. There is also a special offer where children will receive a keychain plush of the specially painted plane (while supplies last). Keep an eye out for Pokémon on boarding passes, flight attendants' aprons, in-flight decorations (headrest covers, seat guides, etc.), equipment, in-flight services, and more. Pikachu can even be seen making an appearance in the Skymark uniform! [Video] 0:42 - Pikachu and the Pikachu Jet Operation Schedules and How to Ride the Pikachu Jet The Pikachu Jet operation schedule is currently being on the official Pikachu Jet website with plans through September 30, 2022. If you book your ticket according to the routes and times announced in this operation schedule, you will have a higher chance of riding on the Pikachu Jet. (Please note that the aircrafts are subject to change without notice.) Pikachu Jet BC2 – Flying Routes To/From Okinawa Photo：The Pikachu Jet BC2 The main routes served by the Pikachu Jet BC2 are as follows: Haneda - Naha Haneda - Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) Haneda - Kobe Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) - Haneda Kobe - Haneda Kobe - Nagasaki Nagasaki - Kobe At Naha Airport, the Skymark domestic flight counters and check-in machines are decorated with Pikachus! If you're a Pokémon fan, be sure to snap some photos. A special "Pokémon Air Adventures Pikachu Jet" store is also located inside the JAL side of the RYUBO Department Store on the 2nd floor of the Naha Airport Domestic Terminal. You can buy Okinawan souvenirs with a special Pikachu design here. In addition, airport vehicles will be wrapped in Pikachu-designs to add to the excitement. All the Pikachus! Yui Rail and Bus Tours! Pikachu and friends are also on the Okinawa Urban Monorail (nicknamed "Yui Rail") connecting Naha Airport and Urasoe! The operation schedule for this service will be posted on the Yui Rail website every Friday. Be sure to check it out in advance. If you're a Pikachu lover, you can also join the "Pokémon Air Adventures: Okinawa de Asobo" tour. You can enjoy Pikachu to your heart's content by receiving Pokémon goods and touring tourist facilities on a Pokémon-themed bus. Summary of the Pikachu Jet This article introduced the specially painted Pikachu Jet. A one-day flight from Ibaraki Airport was also available, but this flight is already sold out. If you'd like to board the Pikachu Jet, we recommend checking the flight schedule and making a reservation. If you broaden your criteria to include the first plane as well, you'll have an even better chance of getting on the plane. We hope you get the chance to board a Pikachu plane and have an exciting trip! The Pikachu Jet and other specially painted planes are very popular with airplane/airport photographers, and some people have even posted pictures of the first and second planes together on Instagram. There's even going to be a special collab with Pokémon GO as well, so be sure to keep an eye out for some special Pikachus! [Official Website] Skymark - Summer Memories with the Pikachu Jet https://www.skymark.co.jp/en/campaign/flying-pikachu/?cp=topmv1flying-pikachu-en

Haneda Airport Garden, Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan Video Introduction This video, titled "[Haneda Airport Garden] Fully Opened and Ready Promote Japanese Culture" (【羽田エアポートガーデン】全面開業　日本文化を発信), was uploaded by "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" (日本経済新聞). Haneda Airport Garden, a commercial complex directly connected to Haneda Airport's international flights and Terminal 3 had its grand opening on January 31, 2023. Stores with noren curtains and other elements of Japanese culture line the aisles. Haneda Sando is store designed to resemble the approach to a Shinto shrine, with stores on both sides of the aisle, which gives visitors a fun experience similar to that of a typical Japanese shrine festival. The Handa Airport Garden was created with the hope that visitors to Japan can experience Japan from the moment they step off the plane. Be sure to check out the video of Haneda Airport Garden as you read along. What is Haneda Airport Garden? Photo：Haneda Airport, Terminal 3 The Haneda Airport Garden, by Sumitomo Realty & Development, was originally scheduled to open in April 2020, following an increase in the number of international flights, but was postponed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus. The full opening of the new building has been planned in anticipation of a recovery in tourism to Japan. Directly connected to Haneda Airport Terminal 3, Haneda Airport Garden boasts 12 floors and a total area of 43,000 square meters. The first floor features restaurants, a food court, and other establishments for food and drinks, while the second floor is lined with shops selling local specialties, souvenirs, and sundries, making it a large-scale facility with approximately 70 tenants. In addition, there's a bus terminal on the first floor, which serves as a direct connection between tourist attractions and Haneda Airport, while the second through twelfth floors include a hotel and hot spring facilities. Haneda Airport Garden is a new commercial complex being called the "new face" of Japan. Haneda Airport Garden – Hours, Recommended Souvenir Shops, and Japanese Culture Source :YouTube screenshot Here we'll introduce the stores featured in the video as wel las their business hours. ●Hakuchikudo, a Fan Specialty Shop in Kyoto Hakuchikudo is a store with more than 300 years of history, founded in 1718. The store is popular for making beautiful and fashionable traditional Kyo-sen (Kyoto-style folding fans) created by techniques passed down from one generation to the next. [Video] 0:28 - Hakuchikudo ●Kurazukuri Honpo, a Shop Selling Traditional Japanese Sweets Established in Kawagoe in 1887, this Japanese confectionery store values "ingredients" and "technique" and sells exquisite wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) that are made with the care and passion of its craftsmen. The "Fukuzo" (福蔵, homemade red bean paste wrapped in baked rice cake skin) and "Beniaka kun" (べにあかくん, a biscuit made with butter, whipped cream, and Japanese sweet potatoes) are especially popular. [Video] 0:38 - Kurazukuri Honpo ●Yamakoshi Honpo, a Shop Selling Local Specialties From Niigata, Japan This shop sells local specialties from Nagaoka, Niigata. You can purchase special types of rice, processed rice products, miso, sake, and more. [Video] 1:02 - Yamakoshi Honpo ●Rokkakukan Sakurado is a shop specializing in cosmetic brushes. Visitors can purchase cosmetic brushes and miscellaneous cosmetic goods only available at Haneda Airport Garden here, as well as products from Chikuhodo, a famous cosmetic brush manufacturer in Kumano, Japan. [Video] 1:12 - Rokkakukan Sakurado From Kyoto ●Hakuchikudo and Kurazukuri Honpo are located in the "Japan Promenade" area, while Yamakoshi Honpo and Rokkakukan Sakurado are located in the "Haneda Sando" area. Both shops are making their first appearance in Tokyo. Business hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Recommended Restaurants at Haneda Airport Garden + Business Hours Source :YouTube screenshot In addition to shopping, visitors to the Haneda Airport Garden can also enjoy a variety of dining experiences. ●OEDO FOOD HALL Food Court (大江戸フードホール) (Hours - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) The interior design is a modern interpretation of Edo-period Japan, and the walls are decorated with ukiyoe-style paintings, a type of woodblock print painting popular at the time. The food court serves a wide variety of dishes, including steak cooked on lava rock, juwari soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat flour, and tekkaju, a dish that uses natural tuna directly shipped from Misaki Port. The restaurant also features ingredients from Tokyo and neighboring prefectures. ●The Izakaya Umaiyo Sakana Umaiyo Sakana (うまいよ魚旨いよ魚) (Hours - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) A wide variety of fish dishes can be enjoyed here, and customers can enjoy 27 kinds of sake carefully selected from all over Japan. The interior design, reminiscent of a shrine, is also worth noting. ●Hanayama Udon (五代目 花山うどん) (Lunch Hours - 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dinner Hours 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) The popular "Hishikawa Udon" here has a chewy texture that could be mistaken for rice cakes, with their signature large noodles. Heijoen, a Japanese BBQ Restaurant (Hours 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) Heijoen is a restaurant where patrons can enjoy Japan's world-famous Wagyu beef. The menu includes delicious platters and Kobe Beef Tokusen Gozen, a set meal that includes an assortment of the finest cuts of Kobe beef, and the restaurant is proud of the high quality of its beef, which is mainly Kobe Beef. Haneda Airport Garden – Hotels & Natural Hot Springs Source :YouTube screenshot The Haneda Airport Garden is home to Villa Fontaine, the largest hotel directly connected to an airport, with a total of 1,717 guest rooms. Villa Fontaine is divided into two types: Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport and Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport. Villa Fontaine Premier has parking available for one car per room (reservation required), and is recommended for those who not only want to use the airport, but also those purely interested in staying at the hotel. The hot spring facility "Izumi Tenku no Yu" located on the 12th floor of the hotel is drawing a lot of attention as a hot spring where you can enjoy airplane spotting and views of Mt. Fuji. There are four areas to enjoy, from relaxing hot springs to bedrock baths and saunas. Non-hotel guests can also use the facilities by paying a fee, and it's open 24 hours a day! Summary of Haneda Airport Garden Haneda Airport is aiming to become the new gateway to Japan. Haneda Airport Garden, which has just fully opened at Haneda Airport, is a commercial complex where visitors can fully enjoy Japanese culture. It's a great place for both Japanese citizens and foreign visitors to Japan alike to enjoy the delicious dining experiences, shopping, saunas, and more. The interior design is also really photogenic for any instagrammers looking for a new place to check out! Discover the new face of Japan at Haneda Airport Garden! 【Official Website】Haneda Airport Garden 【TripAdvisor】Tokyo International Airport, Haneda Airport

Washoku Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List This video, titled "[Washoku] Added to Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Health and Beauty Evaluation (12/13/05)" (「和食」世界無形文化遺産に決定　健康・美しさ評価(13/12/05) ), is a news report about washoku being approved as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, in December, 2013. As shown in the video, "Washoku: Traditional Dietary Cultures of the Japanese" (「和食 日本人の伝統的な食文化」) was formally approved to be added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list at a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee held in Azerbaijan in 2013. You see the moment of the announcement in the video around 0:05. The fascination with washoku is, as shown in the video at 0:30, it's beauty. Japanese cuisine is characterized by its beautiful display, respect for nature, and how healthy it is, which led UNESCO to place it on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. What Is Washoku? The History and Style of the Dishes Photo：Washoku Washoku is a traditional eating practice of Japan, also referred to as Nihon-shoku (日本食, Japanese food) or Nihon-ryouri (日本料理, Japanese style cooking). Traditionally, in Japan, washoku was made using seasonal ingredients for particular annual events. The history of Japanese food dates back to the Yayoi period (~300 B.C - ~250 A.D.), more than 2,000 years ago, and by the Asuka period, the unique Japanese diet, consisting of main dishes (主菜, shusai), side dishes (副食, Fukushoku), and one soup, three sides (一汁三菜, Ichiju-sansai), had already been established. What is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage? Photo：Traditional Spanish cuisine UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage is different from UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, which aim to protect buildings and tangible cultural properties. UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage was established to ensure better protection of important intangible cultural heritages, such as folk culture, folklore, oral literature and social practices, traditional crafting techniques, and festivals. Some examples of this include the gastronomy of France, the Mediterranean cuisine of Spain, Italy, Greece and Morocco, traditional Mexican cuisine, and the Ceremonial Keşkek tradition of Turkey. In Japan, Traditional Ainu dance, Nôgaku Theatre, and Kabuki have also been approved as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages. Summary of Washoku Photo：Kaiseki cuisine As you can see in the video, Japanese food culture, which has been around since ancient times, has been recognized by the world and is attracting a great deal of attention. When you're visiting Japan, be sure to stop by a Japanese restaurant and enjoy the delicious food of an itamae chef! There are websites that offer instructions on how to make Japanese food, so you can use the recipes as a guide to make nutritious and balanced Japanese food as well!

Video introduction of "Nishinoshima" in Ogasawara Village, Tokyo Check out the news video “New footage of research in Nishinoshima. Nishinoshima growing to the size of 60 Tokyo Domes!（西之島調査の最新映像　東京ドーム約60倍に成長中！）” publicized by FNN.jp Prime Online. Nishinoshima is a newborn desert island that was born in the 2013 undersea volcano eruption, swallowing up preexisting islands. In the area around Nishinoshima, which was previously an isolated island far off in the sea, seabirds and fish have settled down and created a new ecosystem. Please enjoy this amazing footage of the new, growing Japanese island. How Big Is Nishinoshima? Source : YouTube screenshot Nishinoshima is a desert island located in the Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島, Ogasawarashoto),and is located about 1000 kilometers from Tokyo and about 130 kilometers from Chichijima Island (父島, Chichijima). Currently, as you can see in the video from 2:08, its land mass is about 2.9 square kilometers (1.1 sq. mi.), 1000 times the size of the original island. Nishinoshima, created by a volcano in Japan, is expanding little by little due to cinder from the mouth of the volcano building up and then hardening due to the flow of magma. Nishinoshima's New Ecosystem Source :YouTube screenshot Nishinoshima, the newly formed island in Japan, is made of black rough walls of cooled, hardened lava. The ground surface is covered with andesitic lava flow, creating the landscape of a precipitous cliff. The Geographical Survey Institute (国土地理院, Kokudochiriin) has been visiting the island to research its mantle and magma composition. According to this research, the island has expanded since it was born in 2013, and its ecosystem is changing as well. The masked booby (アオツラカツオドリ, Aotsurakatsuodori), shown from 0:23 in the video, is thought to have inhabited Nishinoshima very recently. As you can see from 1:38, the boobies have been spotted laying eggs inside of the island. A new life, that of a baby bird, is being born on this island. Summary of Nishinoshima, Japan's Newest Island Source :YouTube screenshot On Japan’s seafloor, active volcanic activity still continues and the continent is set to slowly grow bigger. When you see new islands appear and change the size of the continents, it reminds you that the shape of the continents shifts each and every year. Many experts are continuing research in Nishinoshima, so keep an eye out for any new information! Please enjoy this amazing footage of Nishinoshima, an island where very few have set foot. 【Official Website】Nishinoshima｜Marine Volcano Database｜Japan Coast Guard Marine Information Department https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/GIJUTSUKOKUSAI/kaiikiDB/kaiyo18-e1.htm

Kazuhiro Tsuji's Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hair Styling! The video, “Kazuhiro Tsuji, [So Excited to Have Received the Award] Academy Award Report（辻さん、アカデミー賞報告 「うれしかった」）,” was released in 2018 by “KyodoNews.” It's news coverage of Kazuhiro Tsuji receiving the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 2018 Academy Awards. Kazuhiro Tsuji was in charge of the special effects make-up of Gary Oldman, who played the role of Winston Churchill in the film “Darkest Hour,” released in 2017. The make-up he did on Gary Oldman received recognition and he became the first Japanese person to win the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. In the video, you can see him giving an elated speech during his interview. In this article, we'll talk about Kazuhiro Tsuji, winner of the 2018 Academy award for hair and makeup. Be sure to follow along with the video! Kazuhiro Tsuji- Personal History and Career Source :YouTube screenshot Kazuhiro Tsuji is a make-up artist and contemporary artist from Kyoto city, Kyoto prefecture in Japan's Kansai region. He is an American citizen, living in Los Angeles, and goes by the name “Kazu Hiro.” During his high school years, he happened to look at a film magazine that had an article of special effects make-up done by the world-renowned make-up artist Dick Smith, and from that, he became interested in make-up. Thus, he began learning about special effects make-up. He was a teacher at the Yoyogi Animation Academy, and was in charge of make-up on the Japanese film “Sweet Home.” He emigrated to the United States in 1996. He studied under Dick Smith and worked on many Hollywood movies such as “Men in Black” and “Planet of the Apes.” He was also in charge of the make-up for movies such as “How the Grinch stole Christmas,” “Click,” and “Norbit.” He became an American citizen in 2019, and after naturalizing in America, he also changed his name to Kazu Hiro. He has an Instagram account where you can see some of his make-up and art as well. Kazuhiro Tsuji's Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling Source :YouTube screenshot Kazuhiro Tsuji was in charge of actor Gary Oldman’s special effects make-up in the English film, “The Darkest Hour,” released in 2017. This can be seen at 0:26 in the video Kazuhiro Tsuji had actually retired from the film industry in 2012 and had been active as a contemporary artist but after receiving a passionate offer from Gary Oldman, he decided to return to the industry. It took more than 4 hours to put on the special effects make-up that transformed Oldman into the former prime minister Winston Churchill. The transformation of Oldman to look like former prime minister Churchill, was recognized and as it's shown in the video, he received the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. This is the first time a Japanese person has won an Oscar at the Academy Awards since the film “Okuribito” won the Foreign Language Film Award at the 81st Academy Awards. From 1:03 in the video, you can see Kazuhiro Tsuji’s delighted expression as he comments on his achievement. He also comments on the Oscar statue at 1:59. In 2019, he was in charge of the special effects make-up on "Scandal" at the request of Hollywood actress, Charlize Theron. This was also recognized as high quality, near-perfect make-up and he received the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, for the second time, at the 92nd Academy awards. Summary of Academy Award Winner Kazuhiro Tsuji Source :YouTube screenshot In the video “Kazuhiro Tsuji, [So Excited to Have Received the Award] Academy Award Report（「辻さん、アカデミー賞報告 「うれしかった」）,” produced by “KyodoNews” in 2018, you can see Kazuhiro Tsuji at a press conference held when he returned to Japan for a visit. At the end of the footage, he says that he will be holding an exhibit in 2020. His exhibition is something to look forward to seeing, as he is also a renown contemporary artist. 【Official Website】The Darkest Hour http://www.bitters.co.jp/churchill-movie/

Shutdown of the Supercomputer "K" This video titled "The Curtain Has Come Down on the Supercomputer 'K' and Fugaku Will Serve as Its Successor,（スパコン「京」幕下ろす 後継・富岳、運用へ）, released by "KyodoNews," is a video on the shutdown ceremony of supercomputer "K"- the former fastest computer in the world. The supercomputer “K” was used in various fields after achieving first for two consecutive years in the category of fastest calculation speed of a supercomputer, in 2011 during the test run. In the video of K's shutdown ceremony "Fugaku”, the successor to “K” , is also reported. You can find out how powerful the Japanese computer is. The video features the supercomputer "K" and its successor. What Is "K"? Source :YouTube screenshot The supercomputer "K" was jointly developed by the Riken Center for Computational Science and Fujitsu. NEC and Hitachi were also involved in its development at the beginning, but withdrew. This supercomputer, completed in 2012, contributed to the development of various fields including life science, healthcare, disaster defense, and space technology. It was also referred to as a "Next Generation Supercomputer," "General Purpose Hyper Speed Calculator" or "Kyosoku." This supercomputer achieved the fastest calculation speed in the world at the beginning of it development and has been used for about 7 years. According to the latest world ranking, it has currently dropped all the way to 20th . It was finally decided to put an end to the 7 year history and to make room for its successor "Fugaku," the next generation, most advanced supercomputer. In the video you can see that about 860 units of the supercomputer “K “ were shut down in turn during this ceremony. Hiroshi Matsumoto, President of the Riken Center talked about the expectations for the next generation supercomputer in this video (1:11). It is expected that Fugaku's calculation speed is more than 100 times faster than "K," and it will be used as AI (Artificial Intelligence). K's Specs Photo：CPU Next, we will show you what kind of specs "K" has. First, its high-end CPU capable of performing highly advanced arithmetic processing was developed by Fujitsu. 88,128 pieces are connected in parallel to calculate 10 petabytes worth of information per second. There is some concern about error because of the scale that the supercomputer has. However, they built a unique system that could avoid errors and continue high-speed arithmetic processing. Also, high-performance memory is used. This supercomputer consumes powers equivalent to the amount used by about 30 thousand households. Therefore it costs about 1.2 million yen to operate the whole system of "K" per hour, Running the supercomputer "K" full for a day costs about 28 million yen (~$260,000 USD), so the electricity bill can get a little high. “Fugaku," the Next Generation Supercomputer Source :YouTube screenshot “Fugaku," successor to "K," had a development costs of about 112 billion yen (~$1.38b USD). The development of Fugaku started in 2014, and it is scheduled to used starting in 2021. Its calculation speed is more than 100 times faster than that of "K." It is aiming to achieve the worlds top level utility. 150 thousand units of CPU are connected to improve its computing power. According to the world supercomputer ranking as of November, 2019, "Summit" developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory is top the list, followed by "Sierra" developed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and "Sunway TaihuLight" (神威・太湖之光). Summary of the Supercomputer "K" The video, titled "The Curtain Has Come Down on the Supercomputer 'K' and Fugaku Will Serve as Its Successor," released by "KyodoNews" is a video on the shutdown ceremony of supercomputer 'K' that was used for 7 years. These computer technologies that have been developing day to day may change our futures. 【Official Website】K Computer | Riken Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) https://www.r-ccs.riken.jp/en/k-computer/about/ 【Official Website】The supercomputer "FUGAKU"｜Riken Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) https://www.r-ccs.riken.jp/en/postk/project

Moving full-scale Gundam video introduction in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture "A Full-Scale Moving Gundam in Yokohama｜To Open in October" (動く実物大ガンダム間近で 横浜、10月に施設オープン), is a video introducing the plan for an actual moving Gundam. The popular anime series Mobile Suit Gundam was a social phenomenon that captured the hearts of children and adults alike. The construction plan for a facility where you can actually see a full-scale version of the Gundam (model number: RX-78-2) up close and in action, has started at the Yamashita Pier (山下ふ頭, Yamashitafuto) in Yokohama. This article introduces the full-scale Gundam set to be built in Yokohama alongside the video. What Is Mobile Suit Gundam? Source :YouTube screenshot Mobile Suit Gundam is a televised anime series about giant robots that was broadcast in Japan from 1979. The main character was Amuro Ray, and the show depicted a conflict between people that completely defied the conventional wisdom of the mecha anime genre. It also gave birth to new buzz words such as "Char" and "Newtype" capturing the hearts of adults and children alike. Even today, more than 40 years after the show's broadcast, sequels are being broadcast and Gundam series toys, Bandai plastic models called "Gunpla," and figurines are being sold one after another, and the popularity of the series continues to grow. The GUNDAM GLOBAL CHALLENGE project Source :YouTube screenshot The "GUNDAM GLOBAL CHALLENGE project" is a group built around Representative Director Yasuo Miyakawa, with the purpose of building a moving, full-scale model RX-78-2, which is one of the main mobile suits that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary since its premier. It's planned to be built at Yamashita pier,in Yokohama. You can see the outline of the plan being explained at a press conference at 0:08 in the video. The Gundam is planned to be 18 meters tall when standing, weigh 25 tons, don carbon armor, and have an actuator that allows for 24 degrees of freedom. It's truly an actual gundam! The design is the Gundam used by the popular character Amuro Ray, and it will be operated remotely by a pilot outside of the Gundam. Life-size Gundams have been built before in Odaiba(お台場,Odaiba) and Shizuoka (静岡,Shizuoka), but this plan in Yokohama is the first attempt to create a moving full-scale Gundam, and it is catching the attention of Gundam fans all over the world! GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA! Source :YouTube screenshot GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA is a facility scheduled to open at Yamashita pier, Yokohama, on October 1st, 2020, and is built so that you can see the moving full-scale Gundam from the same point of view as in the anime. This is explained in detail at 0:18 in the video. The main facilities are "GUNDAM-CARRIER" which supports the gundam from behind, "GUNDAM-DOCK" where the gundam is stored, and "GUNDAM-DOCK TOWER," explained using a model from 1:12 in the video. This is a special viewing space where you can see the gundam up close from 15-18 meters high. The facility is built so that visitors can enjoy and experience every corner of the full-scale gundam with the view of Yokohama city in the background. In addition, "GUNDAM LAB" is also being built in the facility. This is planned to be a spot that all Gundam lovers can enjoy — it has an exhibition facility explaining how the moving life-size Gundam works, shops, cafes, and communication spaces! Summary of the Moving, Full-Scale Gundam Photo：Yokohama・Yamashita Pier Since it was first aired as a robot anime produced by Sunrise Inc, it has become very popular not only as an anime, but also in video games and manga, and after 40 years, a gundam is finally being built in real life. This article introduced the moving life-size Gundam planned to be built in Yokohama, alongside the video. Are you excited to see the giant gundam up close? The gundam walking plan to be held in Yokohama is an embodiment of the dreams of many people- that a gundam would move for real someday. Think you can wait 'til October 2020? If this article and video is your first time hearing about the project, or if you're just curious about it, don't forget to visit Yokohama in October! 【Official Homepage】GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA　*Exhibition ends on Sunday, March 31, 2024. https://gundam-factory.net/en/

Japanese Food Exports Today, we'll take a look at the video titled "Overseas Buyers Rush to Get Their Hands on Japanese Food!" (日本食に海外バイヤー殺到). The fact that Japanese food was registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2013 is still fresh in our minds, but in recent years there has been a global boom in Japanese food, drawing attention to Japanese ingredients and food culture. Let's take a look at some of the strategies used to expand the sales channels for Japanese food, shown in the video! JAPAN'S FOOD - EXPORT FAIR Source :YouTube screenshot At 0:24 in the video, foreign importers line up for the Japanese food exhibition at Makuhari Messe. This is JAPAN’S FOOD EXPORT FAIR, where foreign buyers come to negotiate business deals. 700 Japanese companies participated in the expo and 4,000 buyers from 80 countries and regions visited the event. As commented by a Chinese buyer in the video at 0:58, Japanese food products are very popular overseas because of their high quality processing techniques and safety. Of course, setting up a manufacturing base overseas is one effective sales channel. However, there is also the option of directly exporting processed food and marine products made in Japan using Japanese ingredients. Buyers and company representatives aiming to expand the sales channels for Japanese food products are aiming to sell domestically produced food products with a focus on "a taste of Japan." The Demand for Japanese Food Overseas Source :YouTube screenshot Domestic companies and brands selling bread, curry, Japanese tea, and confectioneries, are aiming to expand their sales channels through the production of products for overseas markets and other PR methods. An increasing number of trading companies and corporations are also setting up specialized export departments within their companies. By developing products for overseas markets in anticipation of the annual inbound demand of more than 30 million people, they are trying to capitalize on that demand after these visitors have already returned home. These moves are expected to increase the volume and value of Japanese food exports. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is also currently working on a project to expand exports by creating an environment where foreigners visiting Japan can experience Japanese food even after returning to their home country. Source :YouTube screenshot Pasco Shikishima, introduced at 1:12 in the video, a major bread manufacturer, is marketing its products for export as being made in Japan with packaging similar to what you would find in Japan. Pasco Shikishima exports bread baked at its factory in Japan, which is quickly frozen to preserve the quality of the product. S&B Foods, introduced in the video at 2:46, also exports its main brand products to about 80 countries, targeting demand from foreigners after they return to their home countries. The company is committed to the same taste and quality as what they sell in the Japanese market. Summary of Japanese Food Exports Photo：Washoku With the Japanese food boom, many Japanese restaurants have sprung up in Japan and abroad. There are also many wealthy people who are mass buying all of Japan's unique ingredients and luxury foods. In anticipation of demand of travelers returning home, Japanese food brands need to have a global perspective. As the Japanese food boom is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, it will be interesting to see what kind of strategies food-related companies will come up with.

Introducing IR! This video "Understanding IR in 3 minutes", by Kato Ayako（「IR(カジノ含む統合型リゾート)」　加藤綾子【3分でわかる】）” is a news clip that talks about how Yokohama, Kanagawa has started preparing to attract IR in October 2019. The lifting of IR is explained in the video in detail, and we will explain IR in this article so you can follow along. What is IR? Source :YouTube screenshot IR stands for Integrated Resort. They have facilities such as conference halls, exhibition halls (MICE facilities), restaurants, shopping areas, hotels and even theaters. Furthermore, they can have amusement parks, sports facilities, cinemas, and warm baths as well. You can see the explanation of IR from 0:21 in the video. The “Casino Law” was established in 2018 and the Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is planning to approve up to three locations for IR, in Japan. By October of 2019, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagasaki and Wakayama had already announced their candidacy, while Nagoya, Tokoname in Aichi, and Odaiba in Tokyo are still considering the option. Pros and cons of IR Photo：Casino slots Admission fees are collected by the Japanese government divided between the government and the prefectures. Casino profits are returned to IR conference halls and entertainment facilities. This will boost tax revenue, increase tourism and generate economic benefits leading to regional revitalization. Yokohama estimated that the effect on annual revenue will lead to a growth of 80 to 120 billion yen ($743m to $1.1B USD). But there are concerns about gambling addiction, the influence it will have on the younger generation, and the deterioration of security it may cause. In order to establish IRs in Japan, measures for preventing gambling addiction are being considered. What are casinos like? Photo：Marina Bay Sands in Singapore Casinos are popular in Las Vegas and Macao. Japanese people are not familiar with casinos, but there are Pachinko parlors in Japan, so casinos are expected to become popular as well. Starting casinos will also benefit the economy through casino tax revenue which is helped by the influx of tourists from abroad. In fact, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore was able to increase the number of foreign tourists and tourism consumption in a similar fashion. This is shown in the video from 2:08. In a nutshell Photo：A casino IR is expected to become a new attraction for Japanese and foreigners alike. The video gives a great overview on IR, so definitely check it out if you found this article interesting. We recommend using subtitles if you don't speak Japanese! It will be interesting to see what new information on dates and companies is released in the near future.

Japan Expo Paris 2022: Video Introduction This video, titled "Japan Expo - The Largest Celebration of Japan in Europe, Opened for the First Time in Three Years in France, Drawing More Than 250,000 Visitors (July 15, 2022)" (欧州最大級「ジャパンエキスポ」仏で3年ぶり開幕　25万人超が来場か(2022年7月15日)), was uploaded by "ANNnewsCH." It introduces Japan Expo, an event focused around Japanese culture, such as manga and anime, as well as Japanese food and traditional performing arts, held in the suburbs of Paris. What Is Japan Expo? The History and Summary of the Exciting Event in Europe! Photo：Female cosplayers Japan Expo is a major event that brings together not only contemporary Japanese culture such as anime, manga, and cosplay, but also traditional Japanese folk arts, martial arts, traditional music, and much more. It's held in France and attracts fans of anime, cosplay, and Japanese culture from all over Europe every year. The history of Japan Expo dates back to the 1990s. The founders of Japan Expo, Jean-François Dufour, Sandrine Dufour, and Thomas Sirdey, were exposed to Japanese anime culture and gradually became fascinated by Japanese culture as a whole. With the desire to reach a wider audience, Jean-François Dufour and his colleagues organized an event in France for anime fans, a precursor to Japan Expo. After traveling to Japan and deciding they wanted to learn more about Japan and share it with other fans of Japan, the first Japan Expo was held in 2000. Guests at Japan Expo 2022 Source :YouTube screenshot Every year, the guests at Japan Expo attract a great deal of attention on the day of the event. In 2022, celebrities from various genres, including manga artists, cosplayers, and animators, participated as guests. Here are a few of them. Cosplay: PION A popular Korean cosplayer Musician: miwa Theme song "神無-KANNA-" for the movie "Child of Kamiari Month," etc. Animator: Junichi HAYAMA Character designer and animation director for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Singer: Mika Kobayashi A singer who performed music from Kill la Kill and Attack on Titan, etc. In addition to artists, Japanese and local companies alike had booths where visitors could purchase goods and traditional Japanese crafts. For Japan lovers, this event has tons of exciting attractions. Cosplayers and More: A Look Inside Japan Expo Paris Source :YouTube screenshot Japan Expo Paris has been held since 2000; the 2019 event attracted a record 104 artists and achieved the highest sales in its history. There were high expectations for the following year's event, but due to the novel coronavirus, it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. While many fans were saddened by this, the event was held for the first time in three years in 2022. Japan Expo 2022 was a huge success, attracting a whopping 250,000 people over the course of four days! Many cosplayers attended the much-anticipated Japan Expo. There were also cosplayers of anime such as Demon Slayer, Tokyo Revengers, and the ever-popular Dragon Ball, which have been extremely popular in recent years. In the video, you can see people enjoying the long-awaited Japan Expo. [Video] 0:25 - Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball Cosplay [Video] 0:36 - Mobile Suit Gundam Statue [Video] 0:48 - Tokyo Revengers Cosplay Japan Expo Summary Japan Expo Paris is a celebration of Japanese culture and was held for the first time in 3 years in Paris, France after record sales in 2019. The event attracts Japan fans not only in Europe but from all over the world. This event is a great opportunity to meet Japanese artists, as well as cosplayers, allowing people to take photos with many of their favorite characters to share on Instagram and other social media sites. The event is immensely popular among YouTubers and fans, and the atmosphere of the venue has also been covered by international media, showing just how popular it really is. Seeing the enthusiastic atmosphere at the event, people who've never attended before will definitely be interested in attending next year's event. Tickets are required to enter Japan Expo. In addition to advance tickets, tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event. In addition, a limited number of VIP tickets are also available, including special tickets that allow prior admission and tickets that include participation in handshaking events, so we recommend purchasing tickets in advance if you want to enjoy the event to the fullest. We're looking forward to Japan Expo Paris 2023! Throw on your best cosplay and get ready for next year's event! Start prepping for next year's event and gather information about tickets and event dates in advance! 【Official Website】Japan Expo https://www.japan-expo-paris.com/en/

Shin Miyazaki "ANNnewsCH", "Service Competition, Japanese- No.1 in the World（サービスの技競う大会　日本人給仕長が世界一）" is a video introducing Shin Miyazaki, the winner of the world competition for service skills. Various countries participated in the Georges Baptiste Cup, a "waiter world cup" held in Minato, Tokyo in 2012, and Shin Miyazaki, the representative of Japan, won the event. The hospitality of the Japanese people, who are known for their attentiveness, has been recognized throughout the world. Check out this video to see the amazing achievement. This article introduces Shin Miyazaki, who won the service competition. Shin Miyazaki and the World Competition for Service Skills! Source :YouTube screenshot The Georges Baptiste Cup was hosted in 2012. This competition, which has been ongoing since 1961 includes students and professionals in the service field. The competition has been held globally since 2000, with the 2012 competition held in Japan. Shin Miyazaki, the representative of Japan, won the world championship for service skills at a restaurant famous for its service skills. It's a large achievement to win the professional category with 14 other countries participating. The job of the server is not just bringing plates to the table, but also to entertain guests as well. In French cuisine, it is said to be as important of a job as the chef. Shin Miyazaki learned French and studied cheese and wine before challenging this competition. You can watch thecompetition from 0:08 in the video, and from 0:32, you can see Mr. Miyazaki pouring champagne for guests About Shin Miyazaki Source :YouTube screenshot Mr. Shin Miyazaki is currently the Japanese Maître d'hôtel (head waiter), restaurant serviceman, and representative of Fantagista21. As an active serviceman, he serves customers at Michelin Guide Tokyo's two Michelin star restaurant "Refervessons." He also engages in human resource development and lecture activities, and published the book "World-Class Hospitality." Miyazaki was interested in cooking because of his father's favorite book, "Dancyu," and thus decided he wanted to be a chef in the future. Later, he worked at a French cuisine restaurant in Tokyo, where he was inspired by the appeal of head waiter. In 2010, he won the "Maitre de Servis Cup", and as stated above, he won the 2012 world competition for service skills. Shin Miyazaki also appears on TV. He has appeared in "professional work style," "Asaichi," "Non-stop," etc. and has received a lot of attention. If you're interested in Shin Miyazaki, be sure to check out the video. Summary of Shin Miyazaki, World Service Competition Champion Source :YouTube screenshot "ANNnewsCH"'s, "Service Competition, Japanese- No.1 in the World" introduces Shin Miyazaki who won the World Competition for Service Skills. It also explains points to be careful of when serving, and it is a must-see video for those who are aiming to be professionals in the service industry.

Ayumu Hirano: Aiming for a Top 3 Finish at the Olympics! This video is titled "Ayumu Hirano #3 Skater Skateboarder, and Silver Medalist at Winter Olympics" (平野歩選手がスケボー3位 冬季五輪の銀メダリスト). It was released by "KyodoNews." Ayumu Hirano is a halfpipe snowboarder who has won a silver medal at two consecutive Winter Olympic Games. Ayumu Hirano has been attracting attention since he started his skateboarding quest to take home a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The video shows the results of the Japan Open Park competition, which also serves as a selection event for the strengthening candidates, held on March 16, 2019 at the Kugenuma Seaside Park Skate Park in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Kensuke Sasaoka won the men's title at the Japan Open Park, Midori Okamoto won the women's title, and Ayumu Hirano placed third in the men's competition. You can see Ayumu Hirano talking about his passion for skateboarding in an interview in the video. This article introduces Ayumu Hirano and the appeal of skateboarding. What Is a Skateboarding? Photo：Skateboarding Skateboarding is an action sport that involves riding a board with wheels in the front and back. Skateboarding is also called "sukebo"in Japanese. Skateboarding is said to have been created in the 1940's on the west coast of the United States as a way for children to play, and it eventually spread throughout the world between the 1980's an 1990's. Skateboarding competitions include Street, Vert, Freestyle, Slalom, and more. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, there will be two types of events- street and vert. Ayumu Hirano will compete in vert. Vert skating involves using half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and bowls (essentially large, empty pools) to gain speed and doing insane aerial tricks that include grabs and flips. Competitors are judged on how many tricks they can do in the allotted time and how difficult their tricks are. Ayumu Hirano is introduced at 0:20 in the video. Who is Ayumu Hirano? Source :YouTube screenshot Ayumu Hirano is Japan's leading snowboarder at 160 cm tall (5'2"), and has won two consecutive medals in the half pipe of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2018 Olympics at Pyeongchang. His unique hairstyle, which can be seen at 1:28 in the video, is also quite popular. His sponsors are Burton, Kinoshita Group, TEAM FALKEN, and more, and he has signed a global ambassador contract with UNIQLO to develop snowboard gear for competitions. Starting skateboarding and snowboarding at the age of four, he is trying to achieve mastery of both sports. Both his father and brother are athletes. In the interview with Ayumu Hirano at 1:28, he talks about his passion for skating and snowboarding and how he wants to train harder so he can challenge the sports to enjoy them even more. Summary of Ayumu Hirano Source :YouTube screenshot The video introduces Ayumu Hirano as he skates around the park, and also features an interview with the talented skater/snowboarder. To qualify for the Japan team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, you need to be ranked in the top 16 of the Olympic World Skateboarding Ranking as of June 2, 2020, or in the top 3 at the 2020 World Championships. Ayumu Hirano will continue to keep his eyes on the world championships as he aims for a top-3 finish. Be sure to check out Ayumu Hirano at the Olympic games! 【Official Website】Japan Skateboarding Federation http://japanskateboardingfederation.jp/

The Decision to Have the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo This video released by “ANNnewsCH” is about the IOC news on the decision to host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. “The first time in 56 years! The 2020 summer Olympics decided to be held in Tokyo (September 8th, 2013).” Many of you may have seen the early morning broadcast (Tokyo time) from Buenos Aires, on the decision to host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Tokyo is to host the Olympics for the second time; the first time in 56 years. Only 5 cities have hosted the summer Olympics more than once: Athens, Paris, London, Los Angeles, and now Japan. The Olympics will be held from July 24th to August 9th in 2020, for 17 days. Tokyo will draw a lot of attention from the world. This time, we are going to introduce the video about the announcement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Announcement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Source :YouTube screenshot From 0:15 in the video, you can see a lot of Japanese people in the venue exclaiming their delight the moment IOC (International Olympic Committee) President Rogge said “Tokyo!”. As shown from 0:56 in the video, it was early in the morning, at 5:20 AM when the news of the host city was released. But many people experienced the moment of joy at Komazawa park, Nippon Sport Science University, Chiyoda ward, Hamaguchi wrestling school in Tokyo and Nagano city. But it is also true that there were a lot of difficulties to reach the decision of the Tokyo Olympics. During the selection, Madrid in Spain and Istanbul in Turkey were highly considered. At the first voting, Tokyo gained 42 votes, Istanbul 26 and Madrid 26. But at the final voting, Tokyo achieved an overwhelming victory over Istanbul with 60 votes to 36. Amongst adversity, the final presentation was made by the governor of Tokyo, Inose Naoki, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Princess Takamado, a Paralympic athlete, Sato Mami, TV personality Takigawa Christel and more. Among them, the word “Omotenashi” (hospitality) by Takigawa Christel may be the most memorable. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the First Host City in Asia to Have the Olympics Twice Source :YouTube screenshot The Tokyo Olympics are to be held in the same city, which is the first time this has happened in Asia. Last time, Beijing hosted the summer Olympics in 2008 in Asia. In Japan, many bid committee members made great efforts to bring the Olympics to Tokyo. With the decision of the Tokyo Olympics, the Olympic flame cauldron was lit up at the National Stadium, the former venue of the opening and closing ceremony from 4:45 in the video. Many elderly people remember the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 so it will be a great chance for those who can experience it again in 2020. The Problem of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster In the final presentation on the bid for the Tokyo Olympics, the Great East Japan earthquake two years prior was often mentioned. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo stressed the safety precautions since the nuclear disaster and appealed to the world. He announced confidently that contaminated water is safely controlled and there would be no influence on the safety of visitors. However, only a few years had passed since the earthquake. There were many harsh comments in and outside of Japan at the time. The Tokyo Olympics will be held to help recover from the nuclear disaster as well. Looking Forward to the Olympics Photo：The New National Stadium The news of announcement of the host city for the 2020 Olympics gave hope to a lot of people. At 3:34 in the video, the then governor of Tokyo, Inose Naoki, tells that the success of the bid for the Tokyo Olympics came from "the teamwork of centralized power from the entirety of Japan." The world sports festival, held every four years- the Olympics and Paralympics- will be held in Tokyo. All the people in the world are paying attention to Japan and Tokyo. 【Official Website】Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games – Tokyo 2020 https://tokyo2020.org/en/