Official Author

坂崎 なお（Nao Sakazaki）

Introducing Drone Footage of Kumamoto Castle's Reconstruction! This video, titled "Four Years Since Kumamoto Earthquake. Drone Footage of Kumamoto Castle's Reconstruction" (熊本地震から4年　修復作業続く熊本城をドローン撮影), was released by "Jiji Press Video Center" (時事通信映像センター) in 2020. Kumamoto Castle is a famous sightseeing spot in Kumamoto. It was damaged in the Kumamoto Earthquake that struck on April 14th, 2016 and reconstruction is currently ongoing. Reconstruction of the exterior of the large keep will be finished by 2020, and work on the interior of the large keep and small keep will continue through 2021. During the restoration period, the castle has a special viewing corridor, as shown at 1:05 of the video, where you can see a close look at the repairs taking place. The History and Characteristics of Kumamoto Castle Photo：Kumamoto Castle Kumamoto Castle, also known as Ginnan Castle, was built between the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1598) and the Edo period (1603-1868) in Kumamoto, Akita, Higo as a flatland-mountain castle. After Kato Kiyomasa rebuilt the castle, it became the residence of the Hosokawa family of the Kumamoto Domain until the end of the Edo period. In the Meiji period (1868-1912), it was used as a battlefield for Satsuma Rebellion and as a school. The ruins of castle are designated as a national special historic site and the turret and gate which escaped the flames of the Satsuma Rebellion have been designated Important Cultural Properties. Condition of Reconstruction Photo：Restoration of Kumamoto Castle Kumamoto Castle was badly damaged in the 2016 earthquake. However, the castle barely survived, being supported by a single line of stone wall. This came to be called "The Stone Wall Miracle" and became a beacon of hope for the people affected by the disaster. The total cost of repairing Kumamoto Castle is estimated to be about 35.4 billion yen. If you donate more than 10,000 yen, you will receive a "Castle Lord Card" and "Castle Lord Certificate" and your name will be listed on the digital board. As of 2019, donations have exceeded 2 billion yen. The basic plan for reconstruction was created in 2018 and included "the early restoration of the castle tower, a symbol of reconstruction, and "a plan to lay the foundation to survive at least 100 years." Sightseeing Spots Around the Castle Photo：Kumamoto Castle and Cherry Blossoms The free guide "Omotenashi Busho" is very popular at Kumamoto Castle. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors in the fall, which are very photogenic. There's also the exciting "Kumamoto Castle Marathon" in winter where you can run around the castle. Kato Shrine dedicated to Kato Kiyomasa and the Monogatari Goten on the second floor of the Kumamoto Museum Wakuwakuza are also a must-see. Also check out the "Wakuwakuza History and Cultural Experience." Summary of Kumamoto Castle's Restoration Photo：Kumamoto Castle Inner Citadel and Turrets The castle has 400 years of history and the castle's reconstruction has been attracting a lot of attention from castle fans in Japan and abroad. Check out the official website for information on the reconstruction, special exhibitions, and for maps. We recommend taking a look at the live camera at Josaien Wakuwakuza to check the progress. ◆About Kumamoto Castle◆ 【Address】1-1 Honmaru, Chuo, Kumamoto, Kumamoto 【Access】A 10-minute walk from Kumamoto Castle/City Hall Station and 30 minutes by bus from JR Kumamoto Station 【Entrance fee】500 yen for adult and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school student. 【Hours】8:30 am to 6:00 pm from March to November, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm from December to February 【Closures】December 29th to December 31st 【Parking Facilities】Available 【Telephone No】096-223-5011 【Official Website】Kumamoto Castle https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/en/ 【Tripadvisor】Kumamoto Castle https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298213-d324727-Reviews-Kumamoto_Castle-Kumamoto_Kumamoto_Prefecture_Kyushu.html

The Hairdresser Recreating Ukiyo-e Hairstyles This video, titled "Recreating Ukiyo-e Hairstyles," was created by "The Art Institute of Chicago." From 0:27 in the video, professional hairdresser Tomiko Minami appears. She is highly skilled at recreating the hairstyles portrayed in ukiyo-e prints of the Edo Period. Ukiyo-e prints were created by Edo-era artists such as the famous Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎). The beautiful renditions of women in ukiyo-e prints have gained admiration not only in Japan but also worldwide. As seen in the video, hairdressers like Tomiko Minami use the techniques of old to bring ukiyo-e hairstyles to life in the present day. More About Professional Hairdresser Tomiko Minami Source :YouTube screenshot The video introduces Tomiko Minami of Minami Hairdressing. She is part of a group of Japanese hairdressers known as "yusoku biyoshi" (有職美容師), who specialize in studying and maintaining historical traditions of the imperial court and samurai families with regards to hair and clothing. Tomiko Minami is not only proficient in traditional Japanese hairstyles, but also well-versed in the ornaments and clothing styles of each era. She is even responsible for hairdressing and garments at the Ise Jingu Festival (伊勢神宮祭). At the Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) and the Heian Shrine (平安神宮) Jidai Matsuri, she is in charge of more than 150 different types of hairstyles. Her recreations of ukiyo-e hairstyles are extremely detailed and intricate. With participants strolling around with their beautiful hairdos and traditional garments, these festivals of Kyoto are a wonderful sight, bringing to life the atmosphere of times past. The Amazing Hairstyles Yusoku Biyoshi Can Recreate Source :YouTube screenshot During the early Edo Period, people generally let their hair flow freely without tying it up. However, from the mid-Edo Period, hairstyles, such as those seen in ukiyo-e prints, began to increase in popularity. There were styles such as the the kamome tabo (鴎髱, Seagull's Tail), the yoko-hyogo (横兵庫, Butterfly), and the torobin (燈籠鬢, Lantern Locks) resembling a traditional lantern. In the later Edo and Bakumatsu Periods, elaborate hairstyles ,especially for high-ranking courtesans, were created as well. The hairdressers skillfully make use of combs and hairpins to create traditional Japanese hairstyles, such as suberakashi (垂髪), as well as the shimada and katsuyama styles favored by geisha and maiko. At 1:37, 3:19, and 5:02 in the video, you can see the finished hairstyles carefully dressed by the talented hairdresser. Summary of the Hairdressers Recreating Ukiyo-e Hairstyles The hairdressers shown in this video make use of techniques used in the Edo Period to accurately recreate the hairstyles of that period. Their incredible skill has gained attention from around the world. Be sure to take a look at the video and take in the skills of the hairdressers and understand the depth of Japanese culture!

Video of Sprinter, Kiryu Yoshihide, Taken by Gopro! Check out the video, uploaded by Kiryu Yoshihide “Running with a GoPRo!（GoProを付けて走ってみた！）” Kiryu Yoshihide is a famous sprinter, holding the national record for the 100 meter dash, at 9.98 seconds. It's rare to see him running on indoor track with a GoPro on his head. The difference between his point of view and the point of view of a normal person while running, is shown at 2:21 in the video. What Kind of Athlete Is Kiryu Yoshihide? Source :YouTube screenshot Kiryu Yoshihide is a sprinter from Hikone, Shiga in Japan's Kansai region. He was born December 15th, 1995 and he is now 24 years old (as ofJune, 2020). He is 176 cm tall and weighs 70 kg. He has liked sports since his childhood, and during his time at Rakunan High School and Toyo University, he participated in national and world tournaments. After graduating from college, he participated in the Asian Games as a track and field athlete affiliated with Nippon Life Insurance, while also appearing in commercials and television programs. In 2020, he announced his marriage on his official YouTube channel, surprising everyone. A Look at His Records and Awards! Source :YouTube screenshot Yoshihide Kiryu competes globally in short-distance track and field events such as the 100 and 200 meter dash. In 2017, he achieved a 9.98 in the 100 meter sprint, his best record as well as the national record. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, he ran 2 x 100 meter relays with Yamagata Ryota, Iizuka Shota, and Aska Cambridge. They set a record for Asia and took home a silver medal. About Kiryu Yoshihide Source :YouTube screenshot Other than YouTube, he also has a Twitter and Instagram. He talks about his training and track and field in general. He introduces about his cleats, how to build muscles, and more. Definitely check it out if you're interested in track and field. Summary of Kiryu Yoshihide Source :YouTube screenshot This video showed Kiryu Yoshihide’s impressive speed, and introduced a little bit about him. If you watch the video at 2:21, you realize the difference between a professional runner and an average person. We also see a race between Yoshihide and his coach at 2:38. He is now training for the Tokyo Olympics. It'll be exciting to see what he can achieve, and if he'll be able to set any new records. 【Official Webbsite】JAAF | Kiryu Yoshihide https://www.jaaf.or.jp/english/

The Rare Oriental White Stork at Hyogo Park! This video, titled "Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork," released by "ibukivideo," shows rare footage of the Oriental Stork. Japan was once home to wild Oriental storks; however, they disappeared from the skies of Japan in 1971... The last habitat of the Oriental stork in Japan is Hyogo Prefecture's Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork, which can be seen at 0:44 in the video. Here, the public and private sectors work together on stork research projects. The Oriental stork is also designated as the prefectural bird of Hyogo Prefecture. In this article, we''ll take a look at Hyogo Prefecture's efforts to breed the Oriental stork. Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork Source :YouTube screenshot Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork is a research facility for storks located in Shounji, Toyooka, Hyogo prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. You can learn about the research on Oriental storks at the Kounotori Stork Sanctuary which is attached to Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork and can be seen at 1:11 in the video. Be sure to stop by the nature observation and learning zone where you can observe the ecology of storks, and "Kounotori Honpo," a Toyooka City Community Exchange Center where you can purchase stork related merchandise. In addition, there are also research facilities that breed storks, such as the Nature Acclimation Zone, the Stork Conservation and Propagation Center, and the Nature Zone. About the Oriental Stork - Ecology and Feeding Habits Photo：An oriental stork eating fish The Oriental stork is an endangered species of bird in the family Ciconiidae, order Ciconiiformes, and genus Ciconia and is an internationally valuable bird. They are distributed throughout Asia, measuring 110 cm in length, weighing between 3 and 5 kg, and are characterized by their appearance similar to that of a crane. There are many folklore stories about storks bringing babies into the world. In Japan, the storks once lived in the rice paddies and rivers of the mountains and woodlands. As you can see at 2:35 in the video, their nests are approximately 1 metre wide. Their diet consists of fish and insects. Adult storks do not have a well-developed vocal system, so they cannot be heard except when they are chicks. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the number of storks in Japan was drastically reduced due to over-hunting, and besides a few protected individuals in the Tajima area of Hyogo Prefecture and the Wakasa area of Fukui Prefecture, they were hunted to extinction. In 1908, a ban on hunting the Oriental stork was put in place, and its habitat was designated as a national natural monument in 1921. The lifespan of the stork is said to be over 30 years; however, it is not yet known how long they live for in the wild. Summary of the Oriental White Stork Photo：The Oriental White Stork At Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork, a project is underway to help storks return to the skies of Japan. In 2005, a test release of storks was carried out in order to reintroduce them into the wild, and in 2007, they succeeded in breeding wild storks in the field. Now roughly 80 storks have returned to the skies. In addition to the storks bred at Hyogo Park of Oriental White Stork, Osaka Tennoji Zoo and the Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park in Aichi have also succeeded in breeding storks. If this article has piqued your interest in the Oriental stork, be sure to visit Hyogo Park of Oriental White Stork to learn all about the beautiful bird! ◆Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork Facility Overview ◆ 【Address】128 Nigatani, Shounji, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture 668-0814 【Access】A 40 minute walk from the Kyoto Tanetsu Railway "Konotori no Sato" Station 【Hours】9:00～17:00 【Admission Fee】None 【Parking】Free parking available 【Telephone】0796-23-5666 【Official Website】Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork http://www.stork.u-hyogo.ac.jp/ 【Tripadvisor】Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022822-d1384701-Reviews-Hyogo_Park_of_the_Oriental_White_Stork-Toyooka_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html

Introducing the Minohiki! This video, titled "Minohiki (Protected Species) - An Ornamental Chicken in Danger of Extinction" (蓑曳鶏（みのひきどり 国指定天然記念物 ）～絶滅危機の観賞用ニワトリ～), introduces the Minohiki, a chicken bred for its beauty. The video was released by "Toyohashi Dot Television." The minohiki is characterized by its beautiful feathers, called minoge (saddle feathers), which grow from the center of its body. The origin of the name minohiki comes from the fact that the minoge grows to the point of dragging it on it on the ground (hiki meaning pull in Japanese). In this article, we'll introduce the minohiki in detail along with the video. What Kind of Chicken Is the Minohiki? Source :YouTube screenshot The Minohiki is a type of Japanese chicken that is said to have been bred during the mid Edo period (1700-1800s). It's a medium-sized pheasant, and is thought to be a cross between the long-tailed chicken, the shokoku chicken of China, and the game fowl of Thailand and is similar in build to the long-tailed chicken. It weighs approximately 2 kg. As shown at 1:35 in the video, the minohiki lays its eggs in the spring. There are several species of minohiki, including the Akazasa, Shojo, Shirafuji, Shiro, and Goshiki. Because the minohiki shed their feathers after summer, the best time to admire them is from spring to June. You can see a beautiful white minohiki at 2:24 in the video. On the Brink of Extinction? Source :YouTube screenshot The minohiki, a native Japanese species, was designated a protected species in 1940 (Showa 15). During the Showa Period (1926-1989), more than 1,500 chickens are said to have lived in the Mikawa region of Aichi Prefecture and the Enshu region of Shizuoka Prefecture. However, the number of bird lovers has declined and they are now on the verge of extinction. The Minohiki is difficult to raise individually, but you can see them at zoos and other places. Summary of the Minohiki Source :YouTube screenshot If you're interested in seeing the minohiki up close, consider dropping by The Toyama Family Park. The park currently raises minohiki. Japan is also home to many other unique types of chickens, such as Chabo (Japanese bantam), Shamo (game fowl), and Cochin. When you go to the zoo in Japan, be sure to keep an eye out for a variety of chicken species.

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/

Check out the Video of the Medal of Honor Award Winner Hiroyuki Sanada The video "Bringing Japan to the Rest of the World. Medal of Honor Award Winner Hiroyuki Sanada (世界へ日本発信続けたい 紫綬褒章に真田広之さん)" features footage of a press conference with actor Hiroyuki Sanada who was awarded the Medal of Honor with a Purple Ribbon in 2018. Action movie star Hiroyuki Sanada was one of 797 people to be awarded the Medal of Honor with a Purple Ribbon. His breathtaking performances in Hollywood blockbusters such as the Last Samurai and the Avengers have seen him gain huge popularity worldwide. In this article you can learn more about his career as well as about the Medal of Honor he was awarded in 2018. What Is the Medal of Honor with a Purple Ribbon? Photo：Microphone The Medal of Honor with a Purple Ribbon is an award that was established in 1955 due to an amendment in the medal of honor rules and regulations and is awarded for scholarly or artistic achievement. To be more specific, great achievements such as discoveries or inventions in the field of science or excellent performances in the field of sports or art. In the past, the Medal of Honor was been awarded to figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, gymnast Takehiro Kashima, judo athlete Ryoko Tani, swimmer Kosuke Kitajima as well as the Japan baseball team who won the first World Baseball Classic, and other groups for their remarkable achievements. More About the Actor Hiroyuki Sanada Source :YouTube screenshot Hiroyuki Sanada, whose Medal of Honor award interview you can see in this video, is a popular actor who has appeared in various television dramas, movies and commercials. He was born in Tokyo, is currently 59 years old (as of 2020), is 170cm tall and is proficient in English. He began acting at the age of 5 years old. He debuted in a movie by Chiba Shinichi and then joined the Japan Action Club (JAC) where he continued to improve his acting skills. In recent years, he starred in the American television drama LOST and several Hollywood blockbusters, advancing him to the level of worldwide star. Hiroyuki Sanada was previously married but divorced in 1997. He has two sons who are also pursuing careers in acting. Medal of Honor Winner Hiroyuki Sanada Video Summary Photo：Hollywood This video contains interview footage of the Medal of Honor winner Hiroyuki Sanada who talks of his joy at winning the award and also of his future plans in the world of acting. With a nervous look on his face, he speaks of his surprise and joy at winning the award and from 2:06 in the video he explains how he plans to continue to expand his career as an actor and his determination to bring what Japan has to offer to the rest of the world behind-the-scenes. If watching this video has sparked an interest in the popular actor Hiroyuki Sanada, please check out some of the previously mentioned Hollywood movies he has starred in!

Handicap Accessible Japan! The video, “Handicap-Accessible Information of Tourist Sites by Barry-Joshua Grisdale（観光地のバリアフリー情報発信 グリズデイル・バリージョシュアさん）”, introduces Barry-Joshua Grisdale of Canada, who promotes information on handicap accessible information on Japan’s tourist websites. Barry-Joshua Grisdale created an English travel information website for people with disabilities called “Accessible Japan”, and promotes information concerning accessibility to Japan’s tourist attractions for the rest of the world. The website name, "Accessible Japan", comes from (as you probably guessed) the word accessibility (able to access easily or use easily). In recent years, the word accessibility, along with the phrase barrier-free, have been popularized globally. In this article, we will be introducing Barry-Joshua Grisdale and Japan’s handicap accessible situation. The Different Types of "Handicap Accessible." Photo：A wheelchair accessible ramp Handicap accessible means that people with disabilities, elderly people with impaired movement, and a wide range of other people, can use facilities and get around with ease. This also refers to the modifications that help make their lives easier. Recently, a barrier-free law has been put into place in Japan, and there have been many changes happening such as: reducing uneven transitions between streets and sidewalks,installing tactile paving on the streets (braille blocks), handicap toilets, as well as elevators. Handrails on trains, extensive wheelchair accessible routes, “Non-step” buses, and handicap accessible hotels are some of the other efforts being made. Japan’s Efforts to Become “Barrier-Free” Source :YouTube screenshot It has been 4 years since Barry-Joshua Grisdale created “Accessible Japan”, the English travel information website for people with disabilities that is accessed over 70,000 times annually. Barry-Joshua Grisdale now works at a welfare facility in Tokyo. He fondly remembers when he came to Japan on a trip when he was 19 years old, and 6 train station attendants carried him down the stairs. Since then he has been spreading the word on how wonderful Japan is to its visitors. Source :YouTube screenshot The English travel information website for people with disabilities “Accessible Japan”, created by Barry-Joshua Grisdale, recommend a pathway leading up to the popular sightseeing attractionSensoji Temple, as shown from 1:05 in the video. It's very useful for people visiting Japan for the first time. The pathway is very flat and easy to access. Also, there is a service in which wheelchair users can use a slope to get on, and take a ride on a rickshaw! Historically famous tourist sites such as Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, as introduced in the footage at 3:31, have become more handicap accessible by installing elevators. Summary of Japan’s Handicap Accessible Tourist Sites Source :YouTube screenshot With the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Japan will have many visitors coming from overseas, and those with disabilities, using wheelchairs, and those with service dogs will also be able to enjoy Japan’s tourist attractions. The video in this article, summarizes the efforts of Japan’s tourist sites to becoming handicap accessible. If you're interested in handicap accessibility at Japan’s tourist sites, give "Accessible Japan" a try. It's full of useful content. 【Official Website】Accessible Japan https://www.accessible-japan.com/

The Press Conference for Saori Yoshida Receiving the People’s Honor Award This video, titled "Aiming for 14 Consecutive Wins｜People's Honor Award" (「１４連覇を目指したい」 国民栄誉賞受賞の吉田選手), is from the press conference for female wrestler Saori Yoshida after she received the People’s Honor Award in 2012. Saori Yoshida is a former wrestler nicknamed the "Strongest Female Primate." She became a hot topic of conversation after wearing a gorgeous kimono to receive the People’s Honor Award. This article introduces Saori Yoshida, who received the People’s Honor Award, and also introduces the award itself. About Saori Yoshida 画像引用 :本記事動画 Saori Yoshida is a 157 cm tall (5'1"), former female wrestler with a plethora of records. Her father, Eikatsu Yoshida, is also a former wrestler and a coach. She retired from competing in 2019 and is now herself a coach. After her retirement, she went to work for YSW Tokyo, a company that her brother owns. Presently, she stars in commercials for companies such as ALSOK and also does other work in the entertainment industry. There were also rumors of marriage after her retirement; however, as of 2020, she is still single. These days, she is also very active on Instagram. Saori Yoshida's Impressive Record Source :YouTube screenshot Saori Yoshida has an unprecedented 16 consecutive wins at the world championships in the women’s individual wrestling matches, and in 2012, she received a Guinness Book of World Records certification for winning 13 consecutive titles. She also extended her winning streak at the All-Japan Championships and the World Cup to an unprecedented 206 consecutive individual wins. She won the Athens, Beijing, and London Olympics, and was captain of the Japanese team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The People’s Honor Award Photo：Microphone The People’s Honor Award that Saori Yoshida received is, s one of Japan's Prime Minister's Commendation Awards. It was established in 1966 by Eisaku Sato and expanded the range of the Prime Minister’s Awards. The awardees are determined according to the criteria of the award, and Japanese citizens such as Sadaharu Oh, Shigeo Nagashima, Naomi Uemura, Naoko Takahashi, Yoshiharu Habu, and Yuzuru Hanyu have received the award in the past. Saori Yoshida, introduced in the video, is not only a People’s Honor awardee but also a recipient of the Medal of Honor with a Purple Ribbon. In the press conference, which can be seen from 0:14 in the video, she is seen saying “I want to continue to break world records,” and she did just that At the end of the press conference, she also goes on to say how she wants to visit hot springs and take a trip to Hawaii. Summary of Saori Yoshida Receiving the People’s Honor Award Source :YouTube screenshot The video this time introduced the press conference of Saori Yoshida after she received the People’s Honor Award. During her career, Saori Yoshida has set multiple records attracted a lot of attention as a world-class athlete. Her words of wisdom, "You won't get stronger if you don't hate losing," inspired many people to take up sports. We look forward to what she does after retirement.

PR Video for Japan's Flyboard Championship! This is the promotion video called “Japan Flyboard Championship 2018（フライボード選手権2018 & フライボードガール～Flyboard Japan Championship～）” . As you can see from the video (0:07) , a new device called a "fly-board", that soars through the air using water pressure, is attracting a lot of attention as a new marine sport. Surprisingly, there's also a Flyboard World Championship. Flying through the air with all that freedom looks like a blast! You won't be able to keep your eyes off this new marine sport! What a Flyboard Looks Like Photo：Flyboard Flyboarding is a marine sport where a person flies from the surface of the water by using a hover-boardthat connects between a water-jet and a hose on the rider's feet. When water bursts forth from the exhaust of the personal watercraft, jets are sprayed from under the board through a hose, allowing the wearer to fly. The maximum flying height is about 9 meters (30 ft.). But it's possible to do a variety of flips and tricks with practice. You can see a lot of different tricks such as the back-flips in this video (0:23). The Japan Flyboard Championship! Source :YouTube screenshot The 2018 Japan Flyboard Championship was held at the Hachikenyahama (八軒家浜: Hachikenyahama) in Tenma, Osaka City Osaka in May, 2018. Entrants competed with each other to perform the most impressive tricks in a set time limit. As you can see in the video at 1:40, the performances of female competitors, called “Flyboard Girls”, also became famous in this championship. Besides the Japan Flyboard Championship, there's also the Flyboard World Championship as well. People from all over the world enjoy flyboarding. As you may know, flyboards are used for many shows such as the ones at Tokyo Disney Sea. Wanna Give It a Shot? Source :YouTube screenshot Recently, trial lessons have become available seaside or at lakes such as Lake Yamana ( 山中湖：Yamanakako) or Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖:Kawaguchiko). There is another activity similar to flyboarding where you can fly using a jet pack. This can be seen at 3:13 in the video. "Do I need to buy something in order to try it out?" Don’t worry about that, necessary items such as a wet suits or life jackets are available for rent. Don't worry about being a beginner either. Instructors give great guidance so there's nothing to worry about. The average lesson fee is about 6000 yen (~$55 USD). It's definitely worth trying at least once! Summary of the Japan Flyboard Championship Source :YouTube screenshot Flyboarding is not a major marine sport yet, but it has been attracting a lot of attention due to the nature of the sport's aerial freedom. If this article has you interested in flyboarding, be sure to give it a shot!