Japan Covid-19 daily infections hit over 1,000: Tourism and psychological war Kanako Mita and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times New infections of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Japan broke the daily number of 1,000 for the first time. This is despite the coronavirus entering Japan in the middle of January. Alarmingly, the prefectures of Aichi, Okinawa,…
Zen Buddhist art of Japan: Hakuin Ekaku and teacher of all Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) revived Rinkai Buddhism in Japan because his roots never left him. Indeed, he was a holy Buddhist preacher who connected easily to ordinary people. Therefore, he understood the complexity of Buddhism in the countryside and…
Art of Japan and poetry: Above the withered fields a bat flits Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetic skills of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) are extremely legendary inside Japan despite the passages of time. Indeed, despite some notable art pieces by Buson, it is his words belonging to the world of haiku that stand…
Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia in possible border openings: Covid-19 crisis Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The coronavirus (Covid-19) devastated parts of Europe including Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. However, others throughout the Baltics, Nordic nations, and Visegrad Group have dealt with the crisis to a higher degree. Sweden…
Japan thanks Taiwan for donating two million masks: Taiwan to help nations Chika Mori and Kanako Itamae Modern Tokyo Times President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan is a very dynamic leader. Hence, it isn’t surprising that Taiwan is reaching out to help nations under stress. This applies to the international struggle against coronavirus (Covid-19). Japan thanked…
Increasing deaths from coronavirus in Indonesia including young children Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The fear of coronavirus (Covid-19) is increasing in Indonesia based on mounting deaths. However, the vastness and remoteness of many parts of this nation mean the true extent isn’t known. Yet, it is widely perceived that…
Eternal poetry of Japan: In the heart that loves the blossoms, the wind is already blowing Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetry of Izumi Shikibu and other female poets in Japan during the same period highlights that women played an important part in aspects of Japanese high culture. Of course, in common with…
Coronavirus deaths over 30,000 in Europe: Lessons from developed Asia ignored Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis emanating from Wuhan in China is devastating nations in Europe. This obviously applies to the number of deaths. However, the economic angle, utter over-stretch of countless health care systems, unemployment, collapsing…
Abe fears for the Japan economy if Tokyo is forced to lockdown over coronavirus Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Tokyo is witnessing more coronavirus cases. Hence, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his fear of a lockdown on Tokyo. Therefore, despite the coronavirus (Covid-19) entering Japan by the middle of January, it…
Japanese poetry and the recognition of death from tuberculosis Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The life of the Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) was short and blighted by ill health from a very early age. Hence, the words that flowed from Shiki were naturally impacted by the shadow of death. However, despite being…
The brutal tsunami of March 2011 and the Heroes of Otsuchi to fleeing dignitaries Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In the memory of the “Fire brigade Heroes of Otsuchi” – and remembering how many so-called friends of Japan fled at the drop of a hat. The tragic events of March 11,…
Japan contraction before the coronavirus black swan equates to economic woes Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was optimistic that his economic policies alongside the intended increase in tourism and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games would enable a rebound. Of course, Abe knew that the sales tax hike…
Coronavirus crisis in Italy is increasing with deaths soaring Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis is increasing at an alarming rate in Italy. This is witnessed by the death toll now reaching over 360 people. At the same time, infected cases have now passed over 7,300. Therefore, the…
Japanese 8th-century poet enriched by the high culture of the Tang Dynasty Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The eighth-century Japanese scholar and poet Abe no Nakamaro (698-770) belongs to the cultural world that was inspired by the Middle Kingdom (China). From a very young age, he showed exemplary skills suited to the world of…
Italy takes further emergency steps after 107 confirmed deaths from coronavirus Kanako Mita and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis in Italy is increasing because 107 confirmed deaths have been announced. At the same time, with more than 3,000 cases occurring in such a short time, then new measures are needed…
Japanese Art and Poetry of Yosa Buson: A bat flits in moonlight Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetic skills of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) are extremely legendary inside Japan despite the passages of time. Indeed, despite some notable art pieces by Buson, it is his words belonging to the world of haiku that stand…
Japanese folklore and art through the prism of a loyal warrior Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) was a famous and notable samurai who was loyal to the Taira clan. In Japanese art and folklore, he is depicted favorably based on his many attributes that were so important in this period…
Japanese art and Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese woodblock (ukiyo-e) artist Torii Kiyonaga was a very innovative artist who helped to enhance the prestige of the Torii School. Indeed, despite Kiyonaga not belonging to the Torii family, he still rose to the top and adopted this esteemed name. Kiyonaga…
Buddhism and poetry in Japan during the Nara Period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yamabe no Akahito belongs to the world of eighth-century Japan when Nara was the cradle of high culture in this nation. In truth, the jigsaw of his life is extremely difficult to piece together. Hence, his relationship with the…
Tourism in Japan: Buddhist holy place and stunning mountain views Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The adorable landscape of this part of Chiba from the lovely ropeway is a treat in itself. Yet, while the views initially soak up the hidden energy of the tourist, this is soon replenished further by…
The brief fleeting flower of the Japanese artist Shigeru Aoki Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Shigeru Aoki (1882-1911) blossomed quickly but family problems and then tuberculosis would soon take him from this world. Hence, the promising artistic flower of Aoki parted before even reaching 29. This sad reality means that nobody…
Art of Japan and the Buddhist holy preacher Nichiren: Mystical landscapes Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In these art pieces by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi, the theme flows from old Japan to the rich wisdom of the holy Buddhist cleric called Nichiren (1222-1282). In a sense, Utsumi is alluding to the rapidly…
Japanese Zen Buddhist poetry by Sesson Yūbai and the impact of the Middle Kingdom (China) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The notable Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, Sesson Yūbai (1290-1346?), witnessed the richness of culture during his stay in the Middle Kingdom (China) and the darkness of the ruling elites who imprisoned him. Hence, his…
Changing dynamics of Japanese art during the Meiji era Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Utagawa Sadahide (Gountei Sadahide) witnessed the first years of modernization in Japan that emerged after the 1868 Meiji Restoration. Yet, prior to this dramatic period in Japanese history, the artist Sadahide depicted aspects of Western encroachment. Indeed, while many spectrums…
Samurai Tadamori (1096-1153) in Japanese art and folklore Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) was a famous and notable samurai who was loyal to the Taira clan. In Japanese art and folklore, he is depicted favorably based on his many attributes that were so important in this period of Japanese history.…
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…
The footsteps of death followed the Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The life of the Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) was short and blighted by ill health from a very early age. Hence, the words that flowed from Shiki were naturally impacted by the shadow of death. However,…
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…
Japan and Russia territorial dispute made worse based on US containment policies Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan wants stronger relations with the Russian Federation but three issues remain that are preventing this. This applies to the role of America that seeks to contain China and…
President Trump to enjoy his state visit to Japan and meet the new Emperor Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times President Donald Trump of America will enjoy his state visit to Japan based on the friendliness of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Equally important, and a great honor for Trump, the leader of America will be the…
Online invaders hack Binance for over $40 million Horace C. White Modern Tokyo Times Hackers hit Binance Crypto Exchange, Steal $40.7 in Bitcoin The world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has been reportedly hacked by unknown persons. It announced Tuesday that there has been an incursion on its online platform, which led to the loss of…
Namibia asks for support because of a severe drought that threatens 500,000 people Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Namibia is asking for international support because of a severe drought based on poor rains. It is known that at least 500,000 people are already struggling because of the lack…
