South Korea is intent on terminating GSOMIA and this bodes well for Japan Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan and South Korea are at loggerheads over history and other issues. Hence, with South Korea stating that it intends to terminate GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement), then…
South Africa crush England in Rugby Union World Cup Final in Japan Kanako Mita and Sawako Uchida Modern Tokyo Times The final of the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup witnessed a potent display by South Africa who crushed England. In the end, the final whistle provided mercy for England. Thus, the mighty Springboks demolished England…
Japan puts faith in Myanmar under Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratic path Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nation of Myanmar is extremely multi-ethnic and multi-religious and under the State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, this nation is firmly focused on the democratization of this nation. Of course, certain…
Japanese art and the alure of the past on the artistic soul of Kanzan Shimomura Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kanzan Shimomura (1873 to 1930) is a famous artistic son of Wakayama. Thus, the spiritual and cultural dimension of his art is blessed by the natural traits of Wakayama. Equally important, he was born…
Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in Japan is proclaimed Chika Mori and Sawako Uchida Modern Tokyo Times An ancient ceremony was held for Emperor Naruhito who claimed his rightful enthronement. This follows on from his father who abdicated based on health grounds. Hence, despite the official reign of Emperor Naruhito being May 1, it is now…
Art and Buddhism crossing from the Middle Kingdom to the Land of the Rising Sun Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The path of Buddhism in China and Japan knows many roads because of various sects. Equally important, the thought patterns of Buddhism and cultural impact are extremely diverse in China and Japan. This equally…
Typhoon Hagibis death toll reaches 75 while 10 people are still not accounted for Noriko Watanabe and Chika Mori Modern Tokyo Times The death toll from Typhoon Hagibis is now 75 people. At the same time, ten people are still not accounted for. Thus, the final figure is likely to increase further. It is known…
Japan reaches the last 8 of the Rugby Union World Cup: New Zealand remains the favorite! Sawako Uchida and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese rugby union team made history by reaching the last 8 of the Rugby Union World Cup for the first time. Of course, while one shock against Ireland or…
Typhoon Hagibis in Japan leads to many fatalities, missing people, and mayhem Kanako Itamae and Chika Mori Modern Tokyo Times It is known that at least 18 people have perished from Typhoon Hagibis that struck Japan. At the same time, 13 people are still missing but this number could increase. Sadly, the final number of…
Typhoon Hagibis soon to hit mainland Japan – projections unsure if Tokai or Kanto region Sawako Uchida and Kanako Itamae Modern Tokyo Times Typhoon Hagibis is projected to hit mainland Japan on Saturday in the evening or a little later. However, with the direction being changeable, then it is still unsure if it will hit…
Typhoon Hagibis set to hit mainland Japan this weekend Chika Mori and Noriko Watanabe Modern Tokyo Times Japan is bracing for Typhoon Hagibis that is scheduled to reach the mainland this weekend. According to the Meteorological Agency winds of up to 200 kilometers could be witnessed. Therefore, precautions are being put in place and government…
Japan shock Ireland in famous Rugby Union win that lights up the tournament Chika Mori and Kanako Itamae Modern Tokyo Times In the opening matches for Japan and Ireland respectively, it looked like history would repeat itself. After all, Ireland brushed aside Scotland with ease, while Japan had a labored victory against Russia. Hence, knowing…
Japan cements military ties with Australia and the trilateral approach with America Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The governments of Japan and Australia respectively are strengthening military and geopolitical ties. Hence, the latest first-ever joint air combat exercise between both nations is following on from the growing role that Japan took…
TEPCO executives acquitted in Tokyo District Court over Fukushima Nuclear Plant crisis Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The brutal earthquake that hit Japan on March 11, 2011, triggered the devastating tsunami that killed just below 18,500 people. Another horrendous consequence was the Fukushima reactor crisis after the tsunami devastated this nuclear…
Japanese politics and the crushing of democracy: Yes, another Koizumi rises quickly! Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Political apathy in Japan isn’t something new but in some recent elections just below 50 percent didn’t bother to vote – or, slightly over 50 percent did. Thus, the usual dominance of the Liberal…
Typhoon Faxai hits Chiba, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Tokyo, and the surrounding region Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times Typhoon Faxai hit vast swathes of Chiba, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Tokyo, and other parts of the Kanto region in Japan. It appears that Tokyo escaped the worse of the typhoon despite major cancellations of the transport system,…
Japanese Poetry interwoved in the principles of Buddhism and Confucianism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The early life of Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?) remains shrouded in mystery. Hence, speculation of his birth, be it Paekche in Korea or in Japan is open to debate. Irrespective of this, it is clear that Okura served Japan…
Japanese art and the nuance of joy amid Northern English industrial landscapes Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, adores a plethora of different art styles fused from her native Japan and a mixture of European artists. This notably applies to the Dutch Masters of the sixteenth and seventeenth century,…
57 perish from the heatwave in Japan but the 2020 Olympics to be held in the same period Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times At least 57 people have perished in the last week in Japan based on the horrendous heatwave. At the same time, over 18,000 people have been treated at…
PM Dmitry Medvedev of Russia rebukes Japan over his visit to the Kuril Islands (Northern Territories) Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, sharply rebuffed negative comments emanating from political elites in Japan. After all, in the eyes of Medvedev, how can he be…
Japan tourism and the Shokozan Tokei-ji Buddhist Temple in Kamakura Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kamakura is famous for many adorable Buddhist temples and other important historical realities based on the past importance of this amazing part of Japan. The beauty of Kamakura – for Tokyoites and tourists alike – is…
First Ever Sino-Russian Joint Air Patrol Barely Avoids Triggering Regional Conflict Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor By: Pavel Felgenhauer The Jamestown Foundation The Chinese Ministry of National Defense published a white paper yesterday, July 24, entitled “China’s National Defense in a New Era.” The document accuses the United States of pursuing “unilateral policies,” provoking “intensified competition…
Abe and ruling political bloc wins Upper House election in Japan but voter apathy is high Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the ruling bloc partner Komeito won the majority of seats in the Upper House election that was contested. Hence,…
At least 23 perish after a brutal attack against a Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) studio in Japan Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Latest reports about the brutal attack against a Kyoto Animation studio indicate that at least 23 innocent people have been brutally killed by one individual. The animation studio, KyoAni, was…
Buddhism and Japan Art: The influence of the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese Zen Buddhist priest Mokuan Reien was born in the thirteenth century in the land of the rising sun. Like many Japanese Buddhist holy men – artists and people of culture – the Middle Kingdom (China) was the…
Japan touts national security in a spat with South Korea after high-tech restrictions Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan is issuing national security concerns in the latest spat with South Korea. While, in the opposite direction, South Korea once more is using historical war-time issues that need to…
Heavy rainfall in Japan is lashing down on Kyushu Kanako Itamae and Chika Mori Modern Tokyo Times Heavy rainfall is continuing to lash it down in two prefectures in the Kyushu region of Japan. Hence, more than one million people have been told to evacuate in parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki because of serious worries…
Japan Considers a New Security Relationship Via “Networking” with Taiwan Publication: China Brief Volume: 19 Issue: 10 By: Howard Wang The Jamestown Foundation Introduction—Japan Seeks “Networking” with Regional Allies In early May 2019, Japanese Foreign Minister (FM) Taro Kono tweeted support for Taiwan’s bid to attend the World Health Assembly as an observer—thereby advocating for…
PM Abe of Japan returns from a pointless visit to Iran: Middle East quagmire Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returns to Japan after a pointless visit to Iran that made him look out of touch. Once more, the Japanese Foreign Ministry that is aloof about the real…
Japan and the pension debacle: Political elites fail to understand ordinary people Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times It is well and fine for political elites to provide international support to countless nations while running an enormous public deficit. After all, they don’t fear the pension debacle that awaits ordinary people because…
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Iran but Saudi Arabia may be displeased? Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is planning to visit Iran once all arrangements have been made. This especially applies to meeting President Hassan Rouhani of Iran and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Therefore, senior…
Capitalist Big Brother in Japan: Yahoo Japan to Mizuho FG and George Orwell Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The privacy of information is endlessly being crushed just like freedom on social media. George Orwell in 1949 published a powerful book titled Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984). Sadly, the ramifications of his words are…
