The heat wave is responsible for many deaths in Japan after highs in excess of 40 degree Celsius Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The heat wave in Japan is still not abating with temperature highs in excess of 40 degree Celsius. It is known that at least 30 people have perished…
Japan and EU trade deal is a sign that both entities oppose protectionism and Trump’s America First Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The signed economic agreement between Japan and the European Union (EU) will account for roughly 37 percent of all international trade in terms of value. Equally important for Japan,…
Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781) and Japanese art: Richness of the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781) is a very intriguing artist because he wasn’t conventional. Equally important, Shōhaku did not follow the artistic trends of the Tokugawa Period. Instead, he was adamant that his artistic soul should dictate the style…
At least 217 die after floods and landslides hit Japan with the elderly especially suffering Sawako Uchida and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The death toll now stands at 217 after severe floods and landslides his Western and Southwestern Japan. Yet, with at least 20 known people still missing, then most likely the…
Japan death toll now reaches 156 after brutal floods and landslides kill many Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Intense flooding and landslides in Western and Southwestern Japan are known to have killed at least 156 people. However, with approximately 60 people still missing, then people in Japan are waiting for more…
At least 81 dead in Japan after floods and landslides wreak havoc in Western and Southwestern Japan Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Severe flooding and landslides in Western Japan and Southwestern Japan is wreaking havoc because the death toll is now 81 individuals. Also, with others still missing, then it is…
Japan floods and landslides have killed at least 50 people with Hiroshima and Ehime being hard hit Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times At least 50 people have perished after severe flooding and landslides hit vast areas of Western Japan. It is feared that more dead bodies will be found because approximately…
Execution of 7 Aum Shinrikyo members in the Tokyo Sarin attack is bringing Heisei Era to a close Sawako Uchida and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The reverberations in Japan of an internal religious cult that utilized terrorism and fear remains in the memory today, just like the brutal events of the Tokyo Sarin…
Japanese Buddhist poetry of the fourteenth century: Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) is a famous Japanese Rinzai Buddhist preacher who became the first abbot of the Eigen-ji temple that was built in his honor. He reportedly said about poetry, “Why pursue words, when one truly seeks silence?” This…
Japan football team plays in a style of ill repute: No guile or honor against Poland Sawako Uchida and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japan football team shamed itself at the 2018 World Cup being played in the Russian Federation. All the foundations of obtaining 4 points out of 6 by playing with…
Sesshū Tōyō and Buddhist art: Is Huike paying respect to Bodhidharma? Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist, Sesshū Tōyō (1420-1506), never questioned the Buddhist faith but in an artistic sense, he felt constrained by the time of his day. Indeed, the stunning and intriguing art piece titled Huike Offering His Arm to…
Three people die after 6.1-Magnitude Earthquake hits Osaka Chika Mori and Kanako Itamae Modern Tokyo Times A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Osaka just before 8 am this morning in Japan. Hence, the earthquake struck while adults and children were preparing for a busy day ahead. Sadly, three people perished, including a young 9-year-old-girl. Osaka – and…
Impact of art on Japan from the Middle Kingdom (China): Ma Yuan and Xia Gui Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Tensho Shubun was inspired by an array of areas related to China. In the realm of art then this notably applies to Xia Gui and Ma Yuan. Other notable areas relate…
Japan fears repercussions of US halting military exercises with South Korea: Glee in Russia Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan is in a flux after President Donald Trump of America announced curtailing military exercises with South Korea. Trump uttered this after the meeting with the leader of North…
The US and North Korea in possible détente but the road ahead remains rocky: Japan sidelined Sawako Uchida and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times President Donald Trump of America was vindicated by his optimism prior to meeting the leader of North Korea. At first, Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, looked anxious…
Karoshi and dying in Japan from overwork: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Olivier LeCourt, Sawako Uchida, and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The blight of Karoshi (death from overwork) and other related issues for people who don’t commit suicide, but who suffer from mental breakdowns and numerous other related issues to health, is never ending…
The Many Sides of Tentative Sino-Japanese Rapprochement By: Willy Wo-Lap Lam The Jamestown Foundation A recent, unexpected rapprochement between China and Japan has emerged more quickly than many observers thought possible. And unlike previous instances since the two countries recognized each other in 1972, the initiative this time seems to have come from the Chinese…
Death of an abused 5-year-old girl: Abject failure of Tokyo child services based on inaction Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yua Funato, a five-year-old child, weighed a mere 12.2 kilograms when she finally passed away from the neglect enacted on her by her parents in March. This happened in Tokyo, one of the most…
Japan and China take small steps to prevent air and sea clashes in territorial areas of overlap Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is extremely concerned by the intentions of China in areas of dispute with China. Alternatively, China, just like in the South China Sea,…
Japanese Artist Shiba Kōkan (1747-1818) and Dutch Art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Shiba Kōkan is a fascinating artist and individual of high intellect. He lived during the Edo Period in Japan but he was open to learning from Western art forms. This notably applies to elements of Dutch influence…
Art of Zen Buddhism in Japan: Hakuin Ekaku Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The holy Buddhist monk Hakuin Ekaku revived the school of Rinzai Buddhism based on taking Zen Buddhism far and wide. Indeed, his upbringing meant that he never lost touch with people at the bottom of the ladder, in terms of wealth.…
Japan’s economic splutter in the first quarter bodes ill for Prime Minister Abe Noriko Watanabe and Sawako Uchida Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan needs some good news because of the recent political climate in this nation. However, the first economic splutter in two years during the first quarter of 2018 sums…
Female Literature in old Japan: Michitsuna no Haha 935-995 Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese female writer (diarist) and waka poet Michitsuna no Haha (Michitsuna’s mother) was born in 935 and she passed away in 995. Her writings, or diaries of truth and lament, highlight the trials and tribulations that she faced during…
UK, Japan Companies Help China to Counter US’s Tech Leverage By: Matt Schrader The Jamestown Foundation With the help of major tech companies from the UK and Japan, China may be poised to take an important step towards isolating its microchip supply chain from US pressure, as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accelerates an indigenous…
Japan remains skeptical about North Korea but is sidelined based on the over-reliance on America Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The recent summit between North Korea and South Korea hit international headlines based on the history of this event. Yet, in the corridors of power in Tokyo, people remain skeptical within…
Art of Japan and a famous Buddhist Warrior of the twelfth century Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Saito no Musashibo Benkei (1155-1189) is a famous and highly esteemed Japanese warrior of the twelfth century. Not only is Benkei revered for his loyalty, prowess, and knowledge but also he is deeply admired for his Buddhist…
Japan bows to G-7 instead of focusing on strengthening ties with the Russian Federation Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan should not meekly follow G-7 pressure emanating notably from America and the United Kingdom. Hence, it is disheartening that Japan appears to be capitulating to pressure…
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan should be upfront to President Donald Trump Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan should be upfront towards President Donald Trump of America during their current meeting in America. This noticeably applies to the Korean Peninsula because Japan is being sidelined…
China and Japan at “unmentioned swipe” at Trump in America: Russian Federation Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Aspects of the President Donald Trump administration in America seriously worry elements of the Japanese bureaucracy. Indeed, it is difficult to say the “Trump administration,” since the current leader of America sacks people by…
Contemporary Japanese Art and the spirit of Sakai Hoitsu and Yokoyama Taikan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi is a modern artist from Japan who adores the richness of European and Japanese art. At the same time, this exquisite artist also adores painting landscapes of the natural beauty of the High Peak…
More Japanese companies to invest in Myanmar: Thilawa Special Economic Zone Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Increasing numbers of Japanese companies are investing in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Myanmar. Of course, this SEZ is especially important for Japan because it highlights the importance of Myanmar to political elites…
International animation fans in mourning over the death of Isao Takahata: Grave of the Fireflies Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If individuals adore animation, then the all-time classic Grave of the Fireflies will always hit a chord. The inspiration behind this most moving anime was Isao Takahata (1935-2018), who sadly just passed away. However,…
