Official Author

岩本 晃弘 （aki）

Duty-Free Shops in Narita Airport! This video, created by “Traveler’s Factory（成田空港免税店）”, introduces duty-free (tax-free) shops in Narita Airport. Narita International Airport represents international airports in Japan, and is located in Narita, Chiba prefecture. Narita airport consists of three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, and has wide variety of stores. If you are planning to travel abroad or use Narita Airport for sightseeing around Japan, we recommend taking a look at the video to get a feel for the duty-free shops there. What is a “Duty-Free” Shop? Some Benefits of Duty-Free Stores. Photo：Duty-Free Shop Duty-free shops, which are shown in the video, are stores where people can purchase items at a price exempted from customs or sales tax in order to encourage consumption outside of Japan. Therefore, we mostly see these kinds of stores at airports or in busy shopping districts. One of the best benefits of duty-free shops is that we can get items at a cheaper price without sales tax. For example, you can buy alcohol and tobacco at prices exempt from alcohol and tobacco taxes, as well as sales tax. This means you can get these items for a cheaper price than at ordinary retail stores in Japan. Why are Duty-Free Shops Tax Exempt? Photo：Duty-Free Shop All the items are at duty-free shops are tax exempt because the Japanese sales tax system cannot be applied at international airports; International airports do not belong to any country. In addition, these items are regarded as “exported goods” to be used outside of Japan. Japanese people can also enjoy shopping at duty-free shops in Japan; If they are at the airport for international departures, they can purchase items after departure procedures. They are also asked for their passports when making a purchase. If you see stores with a sign saying “Duty-Free Shop” or “Tax Free Shop,” you can buy tax-exempt items. What Kind of Duty-Free Shops are there in Narita Airport? Source :YouTube screenshot In Narita Airport, most people go to either Terminal 1 where ANA is in service, or Terminal 2 where JAL is in service. In both terminals, there are some duty-free shops selling brand-name products such as Tiffany & Co., Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, where you can buy designer wallets, bags, watches, and so on. From 0:37 in the video, you can see signs of some popular shops such as: “Dior,” “GUCCI,” “GIORGIO ARMANI,” “HERMES,” and “CHANEL.” You can also see the cameraman purchasing a Chanel perfume at 2:17. At Narita Airport's duty-free shops you can shorten your pre-departure shopping by using the “pre-order” or “mail order” services. You can pre-order the items you want before even going to the airport! Each shop has different opening hours, but most shops open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. You might also see some duty-free shops when returning to Japan from foreign countries. Some of these shops sell foreign spirits and perfumes, and you can buy brand-name products at tax-exempted prices. It's much more affordable to buy expensive products you can rarely get, at these stores. At duty-free shops, a wide variety of items such as food, cameras, electronics, watches, and even traditional Japaneses crafts are popular among foreign visitors, . Precautions when Using Duty-Free Shops Photo：Tourist However, there are some precautions you need to bear in mind when using duty-free shops. First, you are not allowed to open or use tax-free items before leaving Japan; These are sold to be consumed outside of the country. Moreover, because these tax-free items are treated as “exported goods,” it is prohibited to use them within Japan. If you are foreign visitors from outside of Japan, you can also use the “Okinawa Regional Duty-Free Shop System” to buy some items at duty-free shops in cities like Akihabara. In this case, it’s also prohibited to use your tax-free items before leaving Japan. In extreme cases it’s possible that you may be asked to pay taxes when you leave the country. If you follow the guidelines listed above though, you'll have nothing to worry about! In addition, if you plan on using a flight connection overseas, you have to be careful when purchasing tax-free alcohol and tobacco; the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into each country is different. Moreover, in some countries, the items you bought at duty-free shops are treated as imported items. In this case, it’s possible that you will be asked to pay tariffs. That being said, before buying tax-free items, we recommend checking the laws in the country you are going to. Overview of Duty-Free Shops in Japan Source :YouTube screenshot Today we introduced a video on duty-free shops at Narita Airport and tax exemption there. Unfortunately, some Japanese people probably think that they cannot buy items at these kind of stores before departures. If you have a chance to visit international airports in Japan, like Narita Airport in this video and Kansai Airport in Osaka, please try visiting the duty-free shops they have! 【Official Website】 Narita International Airport Official Website https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/ 【Tripadvisor】 Narita International Airport (NRT) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Airport-g298161-qNRT-Narita_Chiba_Prefecture_Kanto.html

山口県岩国市錦町紹介動画について こちらの動画は「錦川観光協会」が公開した「岩国市錦町（にしきまち）観光PR動画」です。 山口県岩国市は瀬戸内海に面し、錦帯橋を始めとするおすすめスポットが多数点在するエリアです。 その中で今回の動画では山あいにある錦町を紹介します。 皆さんもこの動画をご覧になれば山口県岩国市錦町のファンになるでしょう。 山口県の錦町は滝の宝庫！日本を実感できる観光ができる！ 今回の舞台は山口県岩国市にある錦川の上流にある錦町。 この山口県岩国市錦町には五竜の滝があり多くの観光客が訪れています。 竜頭の滝、龍門の滝、白竜の滝、登竜の滝、竜尾の滝と五竜の滝が山口県岩国市錦町訪れた観光客を楽しませてくれます。 滝の下流にある宇佐川は山口県を代表する清流としても有名。 宇佐川に住む鮎は全国の鮎の中でも最上級とされています。 また、錦川には日本の特別天然記念物オオサンショウウオも生息。 オオサンショウウオ目当てに山口県岩国市錦町へ観光で訪れる人も多くいます。 山口県岩国市錦町の中心観光地が昔ながらの日本の街並み！錦町駅前を歩いてみよう！ 山口県岩国市錦町へ訪れたら錦川清流線の終点、錦町駅周辺を観光してみてはいかがですか。 駅前には広瀬映画館資料館やお菓子の館といった日本の昔ながらの風景が多数あります。 また、山口県を代表する温泉地雙津峡（そうづきょう）温泉にも足を運んでみてはどうでしょうか。 雙津峡温泉までは「とことこトレイン」が走り、温泉までの道のりには絶景の数々。 特にきらら夢トンネルは観光客を魅了します。 紅葉の時期は木谷峡も穴場スポットして有名です。 錦川清流線の車窓は日本の絶景！電車に乗って山口県の錦町を観光へ！ 山口県岩国市錦町への観光は、JR山陽本線の岩国駅から錦川清流線で訪れることができます。 錦川清流線の車窓からは多くの絶景を楽しめます。 錦川沿いを走り景色を眺めながら錦町へ。 のんびりした電車旅も日本観光の思い出となることでしょう。 山口県岩国市錦町紹介まとめ こちらの動画では山口県岩国市錦町を紹介いたしました。 皆さんも山口県岩国市錦町の美しさへ魅了されたのではないでしょうか。 山口県は日本でも自然豊かな人気の観光スポットが豊富です。 皆さんも山口県の岩国市錦町へ訪れてみてはいかがですか。

Japanese Elementary School Students Cleaning Did you enjoy cleaning when you were a kid? Maybe not, but there are actually quite a few people in Japan who remember cleaning time in elementary school quite fondly. This video, “Japanese Students Clean Classrooms To Learn Life Skills” was created by “AJ+”. As you can see in the video, it is a natural thing for elementary school students in Japan to clean their classrooms themselves! This is a custom that people overseas are surprised at. The reason being that, in many cases, schools overseas hire janitors for cleaning. Let’s take a look at the introductory video of cleaning time for elementary school students. A nostalgic scene for Japanese people, and a maybe something new for those overseas. At Elementary Schools in Japan, It's Normal for Students to Clean Source :YouTube screenshot The joy of schools in Japan, and probably most schools around the world, is lunch time! You can see this at 0:29 in the video! When students in Japan finish eating, however, they clean up the used dishes by themselves after eating delicious meals. You can see cleaning time at 0:47, after lunch has ended. In Japan, students clean starting from elementary school. They clean classrooms and hallways all by themselves. At schools overseas, usually janitors do the cleaning, but in Japan, as seen in the video, it's a a part of everyday life for students to clean their schools by themselves. Children divide up their cleaning activities, diligently wiping down windows, mopping floors, sweeping, and getting rid of garbage. In Japan, cleaning is essentially another part of studying, and this is happens everyday. Japan's Cleaning Culture Source :YouTube screenshot At schools in Japan, students learn things that can be put to practical use. On such thing is cleaning. Students learn how to use cleaning utensils at school so they can put it into practice at home and in the future. Schools are not just a place to study, but also a place where students can bond and learn how to work as a team. Elementary school students in Japan learn these things from their everyday cleaning routine as well. Overseas Reactions Source :YouTube screenshot When foreigners watch this video, their reactions are noticeably different than those of the Japanese, to whom this is commonplace. In overseas countries, most people think “cleaning = labor,” and therefore think that cleaning activities are jobs for workers. There are also many people who understand the idea behind it, and the reason for keeping things clean. What Do the Teachers Think? Source :YouTube screenshot In the video, you can also see an interview of an elementary school teacher at 0:59. “Cleaning is something you have to be able to do for yourself later in life, so it's a custom that's likely to continue into the future,” she says. Summary of Cleaning at Japan's Elementary Schools Today we introduced a video about Japan’s everyday education. Many people might be surprised by this. However, for the Japanese, this is just a part of everyday life. So what do you think? Is it a good custom? And before answering, is your room clean?

四国ライオンアドベンチャーの吉野川ラフティング紹介動画について こちらの動画は「アウトドア撮影隊 GOAT」が公開した「【吉野川ラフティング】 「四国ライオンアドベンチャー」公式movie （2016.07.22公開）」です。 迫力満点の川下り！時には岩の上から水面へジャンプ！ 日本観光にでは綺麗な清流でラフティングを楽しんでみませんか？ 四国のど真ん中を流れる吉野川では吉野川ラフティングが人気のアクティビティです。 今回紹介する動画は近年、訪日外国人にも人気の吉野川ラフティングをピックアップ！ 四国ライオンアドベンチャーで「吉野川ラフティング」を楽しもう！ 四国の徳島県小歩危（こぼけ）で吉野川ラフティングを体験できるのが四国ライオンアドベンチャー。 吉野川は激流として有名ですが、経験豊富なインストラクターが付き添い、安全に吉野川ラフティングを楽しむことができます。 四国ライオンアドベンチャー「吉野川ラフティング」の１日コースの見所 まず、受付が済んだら、移動中のバスで安全講習。 その後、川に着いたらボートに移りスリル満点の吉野川ラフティングの旅へ出発！ 最初の難関が鉄橋の下の瀬。 動画に出てくる激流をこれから超える吉野川ラフティングの開幕です。 鉄橋の下の瀬を越えると森囲いの瀬で「小歩危」最大の難関。 別名でモーニング　グローリーとの名を持ちます。 次にくる大滝の瀬は多くのボートが転覆するポイント。 ここを超えたら美味しいランチが待っています。 ランチを食べた後も「吉野川ラフティング」を堪能！ 午後は曲がり戸の瀬。 小歩危最大の格差に挑戦です。 ここを越えたら後はゴールを目指すだけ。 ゴールに着いたら吉野川ラフティングをまた体験したいと思うはずです。 今日1日で吉野川の美しさや自然に満足したことでしょう。 四国ライオンアドベンチャー「吉野川ラフティング」をおすすめする理由 四国ライオンアドベンチャーは四国でも一番綺麗な小歩危（こぼけ）渓谷でラフティングを楽しめます。 また、粗谷渓谷（いやだにけいこく）にも近く、宿泊場所も多数あります。 疲れたら一泊してゆっくりされてみてはいかがですか？ 四国ライオンアドベンチャー「吉野川ラフティング」紹介まとめ 四国ライオンアドベンチャーのコースの特徴は１日・半日コース（要予約）を選べます。 体力に少し自信がない方は半日コース。 吉野川ラフティングを満喫したい人は存分に１日体験。 みなさんも四国ライオンアドベンチャーで吉野川ラフティングを満喫してみてはどうでしょうか。

大分県宇佐市の魅力紹介動画の見どころ この記事では「宇佐市インターネット作成局」が公開した動画「宇佐市２０１６観光プロモーション動画」を紹介します。 今回紹介するのは大分県宇佐市。九州の中でも、昔ながらの日本の街並みが残り、ゆったり日本を観光できると人気です。 九州の空の玄関口である福岡空港からも近く、訪日観光客にも観光ルートとして、訪れやすいエリアです。 では、大分県宇佐市の素晴らしさを動画と共にご覧ください！ 大分県宇佐市でゆったり日本の自然を満喫！ 動画の冒頭でダイナミックに「USA」と書道で書く彼女たち。 大分県宇佐市には日本の自然を満喫できる観光スポットがたくさんあります。 日豊本線宇佐駅周辺の観光スポットから一緒に見ていきましょう。 まず、最初に訪れた観光スポットは千財農園フジ園とバラ園。 ここはインスタ映えスポットです。 宇佐神宮は大分県でも有名な神宮。 参道を歩くだけで日本らしさを感じることができるでしょう。 日本のグルメを大分県宇佐でいただく！ 大分県宇佐市に訪れたら、ご当地グルメを味わいたいですね。 まず訪れたのは長洲港。 ここでは浜の市が楽しめます。 宇佐から揚げを楽しみ、海を見ながら浜焼きをするのも良いでしょう。 また、すっぽん料理やどぜう料理も宇佐市を代表する名物。 ブドウ狩りやワイン・麦焼酎も宇佐市の観光には欠かせないものです。 大分県宇佐市の大自然を感じるパワースポットへ！ 海の次は山へ訪れてみませんか。 「宇佐のマチュピチュ」と言われる西椎屋の景（にししいやのけい）は絶景です。 院内石橋（いんないいしばし）は景勝地としても有名。 東椎屋の滝（ひがししいやのたき）や岳切渓谷（たっきりけいこく）ではマイナスイオンいっぱい。 安心院盆地（あじむぼんち）は雄大な山々に田んぼと日本らしい風景です。 大分県宇佐市の日本家屋にはカラフルな鏝絵（こてえ）があり、散策も楽しめます。 お子様と一緒の観光では九州自然公園アフリカンサファリへ行ってみるのもいいでしょう。 はちまんの郷、双葉の里もおすすめ。 宿泊はホテルではなく農村民宿で日本文化を体験することもできます。 宇佐市には日本を代表する祭りがいっぱい 日本へ観光に来たら祭りにも参加したいと思いませんか。 大分県宇佐市は祭り・イベントが豊富です。 市民にも人気なのが七夕夏祭り。 漁港ではみなと祭りも行われ、花火大会も。 夏越祭りでは日本の伝統的な祭りを体感できます。 大分県宇佐市の魅力紹介まとめ 今回は動画で大分県宇佐市の素晴らしい観光名所を紹介しました。 こちらの記事で紹介しきれなかった素晴らしい情報や、大分県宇佐市の魅力はまだまだたくさん動画で紹介されています。 訪日外国人にもおすすめの大分県宇佐市へ遊びに来てみませんか？

宮城県鳴子で作られている伝統工芸「こけし」の紹介動画について こちらは「Esther Bellido」が公開した宮城県鳴子の伝統工芸こけしを実演で製作する様子がご覧になれる動画「Relaxing & Calm - Making a traditional Japanese wooden Kokeshi Doll」です。 こけしとは東北地方で作られている伝統工芸品。 日本へ観光の際にはお土産として購入すりのも良いでしょう。 こちらの動画では職人が匠の技を披露し、こけしを手仕事で作る様子がご覧になれます。 日本の伝統工芸品！こけしの歴史・由来・意味とは？ こけしの起源は江戸時代、東北地方の温泉へ来た観光客にお土産として木の人形「こけし」を販売したのが発祥。 こけしは地域により形に違いがあり、津軽系・南部系・木地山系・鳴子系・作並系・遠刈田系・弥治郎系・肘折系といった多くの種類があり技術・技法も違います。 値段は1000円ほどから高級なものは数万円になります。 芸術品こけしの制作工程 こちらの動画の舞台は宮城県鳴子にあるこけしの岡仁。 ここではこけしを作る様子を実演で見ることができます。 近年では、こけしは可愛いと、若い女性や訪日観光客を中心に人気となり、ブームとなりました。 インテリアとしてこけしを自宅に飾る人も。 こけしの製作の工程は0:26からご覧になれます。 こけしの原料となる原木を切る玉切り。 次に余分な木を切る木取り、木地挽きという作業では回転させて削っていきます。 最後はカンナで仕上げ挽きをして、形が出来上がったら絵付け。 高速で回転するこけしに丁寧に色をつけていきます。 鳴子のこけしの特徴は蝋引き（ろうひき）をすること。 蝋引きをすることで色が鮮やかになります。 頭と胴体を別々に作製したものを、最後に頭と胴体を繋げ作品の完成。 宮城県鳴子で伝統工芸のこけしを楽しむ！ 鳴子には多くのこけし職人がおり、職人によって技法・作り方も独自のものであり、こけしも作る人によって形が違うとも言われています。 日本の伝統工芸品「こけし」紹介まとめ 今回は日本の伝統工芸品のこけしの制作風景の動画を紹介いたしましたが、一つ一つが手作りだということがわかったと思います。 また、今回動画で取り上げたこけしの岡仁はお店でこけし作りの体験ができ、通販サイトで商品の販売をしています。 こちらの動画では4分ほどでこけしづくりの職人の技を感じることができます。 日本の伝統工芸品「こけし」の魅力をこの動画で堪能ください！

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/

日本の伝統工芸「房州うちわ」プロモーション動画について こちらの動画は「IKIDANE NIPPON」が公開した「Boshu Uchiwa: the making of a hand fan」で千葉県房総半島の館山市・南房総市を中心に伝わる房州うちわを紹介しています。 こちらの動画をご覧になれば日本のうちわ文化と、房州うちわが一つ一つ手作業で作られていることを知ることができます。 うちわは日本に古くから伝わる伝統工芸品であり、気軽に持ってかれるお土産です。 こちらの記事では日本が誇る伝統工芸「うちわ」文化の魅力を動画に沿って解説します！ 日本の文化うちわと房州うちわの歴史 うちわの起源は古く中国やエジプトの絵にも書かれ、2000年ほど前の弥生時代に日本へ伝わりました。 また、房州うちわの歴史は元々、江戸で作られていた江戸うちわが戦争により被災し、千葉の房総半島へ移ったのが始まりだとされています。 日本の伝統文化「房州うちわ」と日本のうちわ文化 房州うちわとは京うちわ、丸亀うちわと並び日本三大うちわとして多くの人に愛されています。 房州うちわの特徴は女竹を原料として使用し、丸柄に仕上げている点です。 それに比べ、丸亀うちわは男竹で挿柄を使用するのが特徴。 他にも日本の特徴的なうちわの種類として江戸うちわもあり、藍染めで貼り文字を使って作られています。 日本の伝統文化「房州うちわ」の特徴 房州うちわは房州うちわ振興協議会が中心となり現在でも盛んに生産され、1984年には千葉県指定伝統的工芸品に指定されました。 千葉県には現在も数多くの工房があり、うちわ職人が丁寧にうちわ骨から作っています。 代表的な工房は太田屋・宇山工房、房州堂です。 工房では手仕事でそれぞれの工房の技法で大きさも柄も少し違う作品となっています。 また、道の駅やお土産屋さんでも房州うちわは販売され、作られる工房によって作り方や柄も違います。 うちわは日本の文化が今に残る芸術品と言っても過言はないでしょう。 日本の文化！伝統工芸品「房州うちわ」のを作る21の工程 房州うちわには材料を用意してから21の工程があります。 最初に竹の切り出しから始まり、皮むき、磨き、水付け、割竹、もみ、穴あけ、編竹、柄詰め、弓削、下窓、窓作り、目拾い、穂刈り、焼き、貼り、断裁、へり付け、下塗り、上塗り、仕上げをして完成。 この一つ一つの工程を職人が丁寧に匠の技を屈指してつくりあげています。 日本の伝統工芸品「房州うちわ」の文化と魅力のまとめ 千葉県の房州うちわを紹介させていただきました。 こちらの動画では4分ほどで房州うちわの生産の工程をご覧になれます。 訪日観光の際には、伝統工芸品の房州うちわの作成を体験したり、購入されてみるのも良いでしょう。 それでは、日本の伝統工芸品「房州うちわ」の魅力をこの動画でご堪能ください！

Shigeru Takagi, the Japanese Man Helping to Clear Mines in Cambodia This video, titled "Shigeru Takagi Helps Clear Land Mines in Cambodia" (カンボジアで地雷除去する高木茂さん), introduces Shigeru Takagi, a Japanese man taking part in Peace-Keeping Operations (PKO) in Cambodia. Shigeru Takagi was previously enrolled in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). While serving in the JGSDF, he requested to participate in peace-keeping operations but unfortunately denied permission to do so. After retiring, he was invited by his previous boss to work for the Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS). He currently works clearing mines in a village in Cambodia near the border of Thailand. You can see the current mine situation in Cambodia and listen to Shigeru Takagi in an interview in this video. Cambodia - A Country Covered in Land Mines Left Over From the Civil War Photo：Unexploded ordnance Even now, Cambodia suffers as a result of the civil war. In the late 1900's, around 2 million people were killed in Cambodia during Pol Pot's totalitarian regime. Currently, there are thought to be approximately 7-10 million former Soviet Union and Chinese land mines buried across the country. Even now, after the war has ended, children are unable to play freely outside, as the mines pose a huge risk to their safety. From 1:13 in the video, you can see children studying in an elementary school surrounded by land mines. Shigeru Takagi has helped remove land mines from places where people are at risk of being injured. He plans to continue removing land mines in the hope of eventually clearing Cambodia of mines completely. Shigeru Takagi Teaches Cambodian Citizens How to Safely Remove Mines Source :YouTube screenshot From 2:02 in the video, you can see women wearing heavy safety clothing and helmets (weighing approximately 10 kg) searching for land mines in the scorching 35℃ weather. After a land mine is found, the area is taped off for safety and the mine is detonated. You can see an explosion at 2:32 in the video. As you can see from 2:45 in the video, Shigeru Takagi not only participates in mine-clearing activities but also teaches how to safely remove buried land mines. He currently teaches courses for Cambodian citizens and explains things, such as the differences between anti-tank land mines and anti-personnel land mines. Shigeru Takagi talks of the importance of not only removing the mines but also of working with the government to support people who have been injured by the mines. He also expresses that he hopes the number of mine-clearing vehicles and devices will increase, in order to speed up the mine-clearing process. Summary of Shigeru Takagi, the Japanese Man Helping Clear Mines in Cambodia Source :YouTube screenshot This video was created by Kyodo News. It features Shigeru Takagi who is currently participating in mine-clearing activities in Cambodia. At the end of the video, Shigeru Takagi expresses his gratitude for being given the chance to participate in this huge project and says he has no regrets about joining. We hope through this video you learned more about the current land mine situation in Cambodia and about one Japanese man's efforts to bring peace to the country. The Japan Mine Action Service is currently still looking for more volunteers. If you were moved by the information in this article and would like to contribute towards mine clearance in Cambodia, consider supporting the Japan Mine Action Service! 【Official Website】Non-Profit Organization Japan Mine Action Service https://en.jmas-ngo.jp/?doing_wp_cron=1595986947.6080920696258544921875