DARWIN, Australia — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a historic visit to Darwin on Friday, some 75 years after Japan bombed the northern Australian city, as the two countries cement ties in the face of emergent China. Trade and closer defence ties will be the centrepieces of Abe’s two-day visit and meetings with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, before the two leaders travel to PNG for the weekend APEC summit. Abe will be the first Japanese leader to visit the northern Australia port city, where more than 250 people were killed during multiple Japanese bombing raids in 1942-43 during World War II -- the worst foreign attacks ever on the country. Abe and Morrison are scheduled to pay their respects at memorials to the war dead in an act reminiscent of the Japanese leader’s visit to Pearl Harbor in 2016. "Prime Minister Abe’s visit is deeply symbolic and significant and it will build on our two countries’ strong and enduring friendship as well as our … [Read more...] about Abe visits Australia’s Darwin, 75 years after Japanese bombing
Japanese
Goldman Sachs Investing In Japanese Tech Startup That Makes Paper From Limestone
Nov 15, 3:28 PM EST Newsletter Signup BusinessTechnologyWorldNationalMedia & CultureOpinionSportsLuxury Business By Susan Oliver Nelson 11/15/18 AT 3:28 PM Goldman Sachs (GS) is investing in TBM Co., a venture company that’s developed technology that produces paper from stone. The product, LIMEX, is a material primarily made from the natural resource limestone. The environmentally and economically viable product that can substitute paper is nearly inexhaustible because of its recycling capability.LIMEX is produced without using pulp or water and is used for catalogs, stickers, books, business cards, posters and is water resistant. To compare, 20 trees and 100 tons of water are required to produce a ton of regular paper while the process to make LIMEX uses less than a ton of limestone and polyolefin resin. If LIMEX substitutes paper, it will cut back on deforestation and reduce water usage. TBM is looking to raise a total of $27 million USD, the … [Read more...] about Goldman Sachs Investing In Japanese Tech Startup That Makes Paper From Limestone
Japanese flower exhibit
The Japanese Bloom flower exhibition will be held on November 18 at Liti Boutique on 357 Hai Bà Trưng Street in HCM City’s District 3, beginning at 9am. – Photo Ticketbox.vnViet Nam News HCM CITY — The Japanese Bloom flower exhibition will be held on Sunday (November 18) starting at 9am at Liti Boutique on 357 Hai Bà Trưng Street in HCM City’s District 3. The event is the biggest Japanese flower exhibition in Hà Nội and in HCM City, organised by Liti Florist and Naniwa Flower Auction, the largest flower auction in Japan. Visitors will have the opportunity to admire thousands of flowers and cut branches from hundreds of different species of flowers. Japan’s best fresh flowers will be featured. Tickets are VNĐ200,000 per person. The event is also being held in Hà Nội on November 17 on 1 Lê Thánh Tông Street in Hoàn Kiếm District. — VNS … [Read more...] about Japanese flower exhibit
10-year-old tour guide charms tourists in Japanese garden
OKAYAMA, Japan — Takuto Kawakami, 10, has a lot of questions. But as a volunteer tour guide inside Korakuen, one of Japan's most famous gardens, he also has all the answers. It's not just his handle on history that's unusual. In Japan, few people speak fluent English. Takuto mastered it, passing a grueling English exam that four out of five Japanese adults fail. "I struggled with some words I didn't know," he said. "Like 'chrysanthemum.'" He didn't learn any of his English in school. Instead, he started using Disney products when he was 6 months old. By the time he was 4, he could speak in full sentences, so his mom brought him to the garden to hone his skills on tourists. Takuto proudly wears the names of the people he's met and by sharing his gift of language, he's made their experience a lot less foreign. "Have a nice day and have a nice trip and please come back again," he said as he waved goodbye. … [Read more...] about 10-year-old tour guide charms tourists in Japanese garden
Japanese man ‘marries’ virtual reality character
With nearly 40 wedding guests looking on and filming the special moment, Akihiko Kondo lifted up the veil on his bride and kissed her. The only catch? Kondo's bride is Hatsune Miku, a virtual reality star developed by a Japanese music technology firm. Together, Kondo, 35, and Hatsune Miku, represented by a stuffed doll, declared they were "married" in the $18,000 (€16,000) ceremony in Tokyo. A week after the "marriage", Kondo came home from work at a middle school in the suburbs and was greeted by the holographic projection of the love of his life who literally lights up and welcomes him home. The hologram of Hatsune Miku recognises Kondo's face and voice with her embedded camera and microphone and can respond with simple phrases and songs. … [Read more...] about Japanese man ‘marries’ virtual reality character