Please log in and check your service registration status.To cancel your subscription 1) === '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";");else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} Hotaka Yamakawa homered and drove in three runs to help send the Pacific League champion SoftBank Hawks home with a 2-0 Japan Series lead after they beat the Central League's DeNA BayStars 6-3 in Sunday's Game 2 The Hawks' victory at Yokohama Stadium was their 14th straight in Japanese pro baseball's season finale a year after SoftBank vanquished DeNA in their previous postseason clash BayStars right-hander Shinichi Onuki recorded three swinging strikeouts in the first inning but allowed two singles and a two-out two-run home run to PL home run leader Yamakawa who launched a hanging curve into the seats to open the scoring who hit three homers and drove in six runs in SoftBank's three-game sweep of the Nippon Ham Fighters in the PL Climax Series final stage who was razor sharp until struggling in the fifth inning "I was behind in the count but still looking for something good to hit," said Yamakawa who said one highlight of his first Japan Series so far was the Yokohama fans I am personally fond of the supporters' song for (BayStars slugger Shugo) Maki." Taisei Makihara singled in two runs to chase Onuki and Hawks catcher Takuya Kai delivered a sacrifice fly An Ukyo Shuto double and a Yamakawa single made it 6-0 in the fourth but DeNA's bullpen retired the last 16 Hawks The BayStars caught a fifth-inning break when Moinelo was hit by a batted ball and stayed in the game The DeNA batters began stinging nearly every pitch and scored twice on Masayuki Kuwahara's double Moinelo was finally yanked after allowing a pair of two-out singles in the seventh that set the table for Maki to double in DeNA's third run who led DeNA with 25 home runs this season did not suit up for the game after leaving Game 1 for a pinch-runner are looking to win the Japan Series for the third time Japan's Paris Paralympic wheelchair tennis double gold medalist Baseball: Arihara stars as Hawks take Japan Series Game 1 Baseball: Underdog BayStars eager for Japan Series challenge To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible "I wasn't sure about it at the moment I hit it," Yamakawa said of his home-run swing "I was behind in the count but still looking for something good to hit."  The Hawks extended their lead to 5-0 in the third inning on a Takyuya Kai sacrifice fly And they took a 6-0 lead in the fourth on a Yamakawa RBI single Yamakawa, NPB's leader in home runs (34) and RBIs (99) during the 2024 regular season, went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs. Teammates Taisei Makihara and Ukyo Shuto also had two hits apiece Ohnuki lasted just 2⅓ innings in his Japan Series start He gave up seven hits and he was charged with five runs SoftBank didn't have a baserunner after the fourth inning as a quintet of DeNA pitchers (Chihaya Sasaki Yuya Sakamoto and Hiromu Ise) silenced the Hawks offense it appeared that SoftBank was already on the verge of winning its 14th consecutive Japan Series game a streak that began in 2018 and produced the team's three consecutive titles through 2020 Hawks star Livan Moinelo shut down the BayStars offense for four innings The BayStars' Masayuki Kuwahara smacked a two-run double in the fifth to cut the lead to 6-2 holding the hosts to one hit in the inning the BayStars recorded a pair of two-out hits by Kuwahara and Koki Kajiwara off Moinelo SoftBank manager Hiroki Kokubo opted to take Moinelo who had scattered eight hits in 6⅔ innings out of the game after the left-hander had tossed 109 pitches With runners on first and second, Shugo Maki hit a run-scoring double to left off reliever Shuto Ogata Yoshitomo Tsutsugo's infield groundout ended the seventh SoftBank setup man Darwinzon Hernandez worked a scoreless eighth.  Hawks closer Roberto Osuna who allowed three runs in the ninth in a shaky outing in Game 1 quickly slammed the door on the BayStars a day later He recorded a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the save Kokubo acknowledged that his team faced a formidable challenge against the BayStars."Yamakawa's two-run homer in the first got us into a good rhythm in the first half [of the game]," the Hawks manager was quoted as saying by Nikkan Sports "But thanks to the efforts of DeNA's [bullpen] we were unable to get even one runner on after the fourth inning and it was a very heavy and difficult game."Kokubo added: "In the end Hernandez and Osuna got us out of the game with three solid outs each so I think it was a tight game at the end." The Japan Series shifts to Fukuoka for Games 3 Games 6 and 7 would be held at Yokohama Stadium on November 2 and 3 "We just need to win two more games," Kokubo was quoted as saying by Nikkan Sports "I want to go back to Fukuoka and show the Hawks fans how good we are." Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Continuing on its 20th-anniversary celebration for the Caliber 9R, Grand Seiko has released two limited-edition timepieces: the SBGA499 and SBGY035 Both references are rendered with radiant red-colored dials inspired by the ephemeral morning glow of the Hotaka mountain range the SBGA499 is attired in a 40.2mm-wide stainless steel case Evoking the radiant red glow of its inspiration while copper pink accents nod to the golden morning sunlight the timepiece has a price tag of $5,800 USD Today's print edition Home Delivery The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are on the verge of steamrolling toward another Japan Series title if the first two games of this year’s series are any indication Slugger Hotaka Yamakawa was the Hawks’ main weapon during the final stage of the Pacific League Climax Series and he made his presence felt in Game 2 of the Japan Series with a three-hit performance that included a two-run home run and an RBI single in a 6-3 win.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The Hawks earned a 5-3 win in Game 1 and are taking a 2-0 lead in the series back home to Mizuho PayPay Dome where they will host at least the next two contests two wins away from its first title since 2020 will also host Game 5 if the BayStars avoid being swept In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division WATCHPRO USA Grand Seiko has released a pair of red-dialed watches that pay yet another tribute to the natural beauty of Japan The company has a long tradition of taking inspiration from the rugged countryside around its factories The new watches look to the Hotaka mountain ranges in Japan’s central Shinshu region The ‘Morning Glow of Hotaka Peaks’ limited edition watches have dials that reflect the red light cast on the autumn leaves The two new pieces are part of celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the launch of Grand Seiko’s first commercially available hybrid Spring Drive movement in 2004 comes on a brown crocodile leather strap and has the manual-winding Caliber 9R31 version of the Spring Drive movement Manual-winding offers the now-standard 72-hour Spring Drive power reserve while allowing for a slimmer watch – the 38.5 mm diameter steel case is just 10.2mm deep This slender watch is water-resistant to 30m and has a graded red dial that gets brighter towards the centre It is a limited edition of 700 watches and costs $8,500 It has a bright red dial on a steel bracelet and features the 9R65 movement – the same 72 hour power reserve but the standard issue automatic winding Spring Drive movement The larger watch is water-resistant to a more substantial 100m It is a limited edition of 1,300 pieces worldwide and costs $5,800 grand-seiko.com Villages-News.com A drunk driving suspect was treated at the UF Health Emergency Room Clinic at Brownwood after a crash on State Road 44 at U.S The driver whose car had been hit told officers that he believed the driver who crashed into his car shortly before 10 p.m according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department The driver was identified as 22-year-old Elias Hotaka Longa of Sumterville He struggled through field sobriety exercises and provided breath samples that registered  .116 and .119 blood alcohol content A bottle of vodka and a large paper cup were found in his vehicle He was taken to the ER for a medical evaluation and then booked at the Sumter County Detention Center the local hour hand can be adjusted independently via the crown in one-hour increments in both directions without affecting the other indications Like so many Grand Seiko watches produced in the Shinshu Watch Studio, the local scenery of the Nagano prefecture is a constant source of inspiration. Last year we saw the Grand Seiko GMT SBGE275 with a dial inspired by the snow-covered slopes of the Hotaka mountains Still relying on the Hotaka mountain range as its muse Grand Seiko turns to the short summer season when the mountains are covered with vegetation The sporty 200m water-resistant stainless steel case features brushed and polished surfaces With a 44mm diameter and thickness of 14.7mm but the downturned lugs and offset crown at 4 o’clock make it look smaller the new reference SBGE295 “Hotaka Peaks” has a rotating two-tone green and white sapphire crystal bezel with a 24-hour scale The external scale is complemented by a two-tone green and silver sloped inner flange with day/night indications and a second 24h scale with odd numbers The white areas of the resilient synthetic sapphire insert all the numerals and the inverted triangle on the bezel are treated with LumiBrite and glow in the dark The combination of a 24-hour bezel and a 24-hour day/night flange with the GMT hand means that you could technically track three different time zones The highlight of this GMT model SBGE295 is its attractive green dial with its irregular textured pattern but the indices are also engraved with a ribbed texture and plots of lume on the 12 minute and arrow-tipped GMT hands are brushed and have LumiBrite inserts contrasting with the brightly polished central seconds hand The inscriptions on the dial are printed in a silvery powder to match the daytime hours of the flange and part of the power reserve indicator located at 9 o’clock The date window with a white background is positioned at 4 o’clock which fuses the precision of quartz regulation with a mechanical calibre ensures the impeccable accuracy of ± 1 seconds per day or ± 15 seconds per month and allows the seconds hand to glide silently and smoothly across the dial Grand Seiko’s first 9R Spring Drive movement with a GMT function was released in 2006 and delivers a robust 3-day power reserve The Grand Seiko SBGE295 “Hotaka Peaks” comes with a three-link stainless steel bracelet with a triple-folding clasp with push-button release. It will be available on the 1st of July from GS Mastershops, Salons and Boutiques worldwide for a suggested retail price of EUR 6,600. For more information, please consult grand-seiko.com always disliked the case shape of this series sits awkward on the wrist and is way too big but I won’t be buying it because it has ridiculous thickness I have 21cm wrist and it looks even funnier on a wrist like mine They could easily make an 11case on this one as these movements are under 6mm There are plenty of spring drive GMT watches in the 40-42mm category the best bang for you buck watch company on the market Who else can you buy a watch from that hand polishes their watches at these price points And their movements are a work of art and technology Their new Ever-Brilliant steel really makes the watch pop especially against their dials I have to find a dealership near me to check out these watches in person and try them on The Seibu Lions baseball club announced an indefinite suspension Monday for infielder Hotaka Yamakawa after Tokyo prosecutors decided not to indict him over an allegation of rape due to insufficient evidence a three-time Pacific League home run leader and member of Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning team was referred to prosecutors for allegedly raping a female acquaintance at a Tokyo hotel last November The prosecutors decided to drop the case last Tuesday "We take this situation very gravely and have punished the individual in order to encourage him to do some serious self-reflection," Lions President and CEO Tsuyoshi Okumura said The Lions removed Yamakawa from the team on May 12 a day after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported the 2018 PL MVP had assaulted a woman in her 20s "This situation was caused by my failure to consider my position as a professional baseball player and I will reflect deeply," Yamakawa said in a statement Japan baseball star Hotaka Yamakawa not to face charges over alleged rape Japan slugger Yamakawa referred to prosecutors over rape allegation Baseball: Hotaka Yamakawa deactivated following assault report Tokyo prosecutors on Tuesday decided not to indict Hotaka Yamakawa a member of Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning team due to insufficient evidence over an allegation of rape The prosecutors have not disclosed the reason for dropping the case a three-time Pacific League home run leader Yamakawa was removed from the team on May 12 a day after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in its online edition that he had assaulted a woman in her 20s The woman had filed a damage report to police to prosecutors on suspicion of forcible sexual intercourse the police said they would leave the final decision on whether he should be indicted to the prosecutors but we are still pursuing the facts," the Lions said in a statement Nippon Professional Baseball's secretary general Atsushi Ihara said "We are likely to leave this matter to the club." Baseball: Lions slugger Yamakawa accused of sexual assault The SoftBank Hawks have agreed to a deal in principle with Hotaka Yamakawa a three-time Pacific League home run leader who was suspended for much of the 2023 season by the Seibu Lions after being accused of sexual assault who was a member of Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning team prosecutors declined to bring charges against him over the assault due to insufficient evidence The Hawks finished third in the PL this year and are in need of a right-handed power hitter The 2018 Pacific League MVP was limited to 17 games this year the Hawks' Pacific League rival Lotte Marines announced the acquisition of two-time Central League home run leader Neftali Soto The former Cincinnati Reds first baseman batted .234 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs for the DeNA BayStars in 2023 Baseball star Hotaka Yamakawa suspended indefinitely over alleged rape case The two creatives on what drew them to hair styling It’s 2000 and the mini-series Beautiful Life is airing on television sets across Japan young hairstylist who defies his father’s wishes to take over the local hospital tree-lined streets in Omotesandō to get to the salon where he works I want to do what he’s doing.” Takayoshi Tsukisawa is one of those people “Whenever I would work with a model or photographer, they’d ask me for hair salon recommendations,” says Tsuki. We’re sitting in the large, open concept salon, along with Hotaka, while the song “Water” by Tyla plays softly through the speakers. “I’d always say, ‘Sorry, I don’t know,’ and eventually, we decided it was time to create that space ourselves.” Ahead, we speak to Hotaka and Tsuki about what drew them to hair styling, their obsession with physical magazines, the move to the US, and more. RH: “My hair is really fluffy and frizzy, and when I was younger, I could never find a stylist who was good at cutting my hair. When I was 20, I went to this famous hair salon in Tokyo and the stylist did such a great job on my hair. Then I realized that I wanted to do the same thing for other people and help make them feel good. I’d gone to university to study math and chemistry but I quit after two years and started beauty school.” R: “From fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, or iD. I’d flip through the pages and think, ‘Wow.’ It was hard to find foreign magazines at the time, when I was a teenager, so I’d go to this school festival at a nearby university where they sold international magazines. It was so exciting. I couldn’t understand anything but I loved the texture and the picture quality.” How’d you get that chance? Where’d you go first? T: “I went to London first, but I got food poisoning on the first day. I thought, ‘Oh, London hates me.’ After that, I came to New York and felt much more welcome. What is your process when you're working on a shoot or creating a more editorial style? T: “I get a lot of new ideas from people watching, on the street or on the subway. But a lot of those looks are more ‘normal.’ So I like to get more ‘weird’ ideas from magazine editorials. I love going to McNally Jackson to pick up new copies. I have about 200 magazines in my house.” I just read a piece about how the internet and algorithms have kind of flattened culture and inspiration. Do you find that to be true? Is that why you still use those physical magazines to get ideas? And is that why you look on the street, rather than maybe on your phone? T: “For sure. For example, editors select images in magazines based on their specific taste, one by one. But TikTok is random. I still keep up on what’s happening on social media and what’s trending, but I do prefer to get ideas from real people.” R: “Japanese hairstylists do haircuts, perms, hair color, and makeup. So when I worked at a hair salon in Tokyo, we spent so much time watching people because we had to find a haircut model or a color model.” T: “Now young people can Instagram DM someone and ask, ‘Hey, can I give you a haircut?’ We had to spend all day searching. Even when we had a day off, we’d still always be on the look out.” View this post on InstagramA post shared by 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙬𝙖(𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞 ) (@tsukihair) View this post on InstagramA post shared by 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙬𝙖(𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞 ) (@tsukihair) How long did you work at the salon in Tokyo? T: “Training takes a long time. It depends on how strict the hair salon is. It took me five years.” T: “It’s no joke. Every morning before opening the salon, you’d practice. And after the salon closes, you’d practice until midnight. Every day for five years.” T: “So many young assistants will quit within two years. It’s hard because the pay is low and the hours are long. There were some hair salons that were abusive to their young employees, so a lot of people gave up.” R: “We’d go to a museum or gallery, or to the movies. I don’t know why but I love American culture. I found it so cool. I was into Sex and the City. When I was an assistant, I was so tired after work, but I still made time to watch Sex and the City on DVD.” T: “She was so excited when she moved to New York to have that Sex and the City life, but I lived deep in Bushwick. It was a completely different world and she was so disappointed.” View this post on InstagramA post shared by 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙬𝙖(𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞 ) (@tsukihair) View this post on InstagramA post shared by 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙬𝙖(𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞 ) (@tsukihair) T: “I didn’t have a work visa or close friends People knew about me and it was kind of easy to survive I had to start over again and study new things not just the language but other hair skills I braided a woman’s hair and she didn’t like the braids since we went to beauty school 20 years ago Once the pandemic ended and we had the money to pour into the space R: “I always wanted a salon where everything fit our mood and taste It’s a nice space to collaborate creatively I also wanted to open a salon that was similar to the Japanese hair salon in Tokyo T: “I was always disappointed with the hair salon business in New York there are two types of hair salons in New York And on the other side is a salon that’s too casual the salons are somewhere in between—nice and cool We couldn’t find that kind of hair salon here Tsuki is represented by Streeters Photographer Tom Brannigan Approaches Beauty Like a Still LifeThis New York Styling Legend’s Closet Has Jackets Made on Savile Row and Cufflinks From ChanelDon’t Get Caught With Your Wig Slipping Guests can enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating at Hotaka Ramen & Izakaya Rachel joined Community Impact in April 2023 and covers government in Pearland She graduated from Baylor University in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in journalism listening to live music and spending time in the great outdoors World Baseball Classic winner Hotaka Yamakawa was removed from the Seibu Lions active roster Friday a day after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in its online edition that the power hitter had allegedly sexually assaulted a woman three-time Pacific League home run champion allegedly assaulted a female companion in her 20s at a Tokyo hotel with the Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday revealing that an investigation is under way The infielder's removal from the roster was "a comprehensive decision" in which his "condition" was also considered Yamakawa was not seen training at Seibu's Belluna Dome on Friday ahead of a league game against the Rakuten Eagles Yamakawa won his third home run title last year when he also led the PL in RBIs for the first time He played for Japan in its run to the WBC title in March Yamakawa is batting .254 with five RBIs and no homers in 17 games this season in which he was sidelined with an injury for a while Read the full story on SportsLook - [NOTES on a SCORECARD] Lions in Tough Spot with Star Hotaka Yamakawa over Sexual Assault Case The Saitama Seibu Lions, currently mired in fifth place in NPB's Pacific League, are facing a difficult decision following the recent move by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to forward sexual assault charges on slugger Hotaka Yamakawa to the Public Prosecutor's Office a 31-year-old slugger and three-time Pacific League home run champion is accused of assaulting a female acquaintance in her 20s in a Tokyo hotel room in November 2022.On May 12 a member of Japan's World Baseball Classic-winning squad in March the question becomes: What does the team do next claims the relations with the woman were consensual The fact that she went to the police indicates she disagrees the damage to Yamakawa's reputation has been done and he has embarrassed the Lions with his actions.  Notes on a Scorecard believes the team will try to trade him to a franchise far away from Tokyo Continue to read the full story on SportsLook Author: Jack Gallagher The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on Twitter @sportsjapan You must be logged in to post a comment Grand Seiko’s 9R Spring Drive movement welcomes its second decade this year In commemorating and celebrating this milestone the Japanese watchmaker has revealed two limited-edition watches that capture the “Morning Glow of the Hotaka Peaks.” The release consists of Spring Drive SBGA497 “Snowflake” and Spring Drive GMT SBGE305 the SBGE305 draws inspiration from the mountainous landscape of Hotaka in summer it’s equipped to read time across two time zones the watch case and bracelet are crafted from stainless steel the SBGE305 is set to release in June with a limited run of 1,300 units only The Hotaka backpack is designed for big days in the hills and boasts a whopping 24l capacity but at this size it’s probably more useful as a daypack rather than your go-to riding bag There’s a cavernous main pocket with mesh dividers a small fleece-lined pocket on the top and twin stretchy water bottle pockets on the sides There’s also a helmet cradle with adjustable straps on the outside and useful zipped pouches on the waist strap The base of the pack features a reflective light mount strap a waterproof cover and a bottom-entry pocket for tools and heavier items while the Hotaka handles weight well and the bag itself doesn’t move around in use the lack of compression straps means that if it’s only half full the load shifts around noticeably inside the pack Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker a taonga harboured by the ritual of performance a practice that preserves how iwi Māori spoke and shared stories and ideas Rich and poetic, He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea offers further understanding about this ancient art form these kōrero with four leading mātanga experts of mōteatea “There is always something new to be learnt within the world of mōteatea and carry the influence of their own upbringing I am constantly fascinated by mōteatea as our oral library and historical story-telling as well as how it deals with the stories of today Alot of whakapapa and events are passed down through mōteatea and at night – truly being caught in the constant flow and nuances of the rangi and mita mōteatea is always hypnotic and a form of meditation to me – tuning into your inner self and being immersed with the story being told.” “We are again pleased and proud to present He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea alongside Puoro Ki Te Ao and Inspiring Journeys Through Music The knowledge and cadence unique to this oral art form are invaluable the stories and insights to iwi traditions These types of programmes reflect and store how music and cultural practice play such a vital part in our identity and our lives and SOUNZ acknowledges all those who advocate for this precious kaupapa.” To share and experience He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea (Season 4), please head to: sounz.org.nz/he-reo-tawhito Hōtaka Māori is supported by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage through the Cultural Regeneration Fund Phone: + 64 9 3760115Freephone: 0800 469642Email: info@nzmusic.org.nz You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Shimano touts this pack as having “generous capacity and smart features with the streamlined design and body fitting comfort of Shimano’s Accu-3D.”  This is the same technology Shimano uses in other gear and accessories to provide a comfortable It doesn’t go over your shoulders and fasten across your chest with a chest strap; it has a “rider fit cross harness” that is supposed to allow for “total freedom of movement.” Well You can see that the harness fastens right in the center of the chest and there is an elastic strap and plastic fastener for your hydration hose as well The cross harness also has a spot for a gel pack or two I really like the hip belt pockets that this pack has the hip belt is actually necessary to balance out the pack weight It’s nice that they included a little padding and being able to just reach into that little pocket and grab my phone was nice I”m pretty sure you could fit a small sleeping bag as well The hydration bladder fits behind the repair kit area and another pocket (seen above) is felt lined to hold things like your camera or phone (if you care about it enough to put it there and not in your hip pocket) Other unique features include a map storage compartment stretchable waist pockets for water bottles and a blinking light attachment loop for night riding or road riding As with their other hydration packs, Shimano’s Hotaka features a tried-and-true Hydrapak water reservoir But since I hadn’t used one myself before I kind of thought it was going to leak into my pack here’s what I discovered:  this is a great pack That weird cross harness turned out to be very comfortable and and carrying my bike through the snow and around the mud I never once thought about a strap being in my way the only time I adjusted anything at all was when I discovered my head was hitting the pack on steep downhills I loosened the harness straps a little and the problem was solved I’ve said before that if you are using something new and find yourself not thinking about it then it must be working… and while I was biking A place to store your helmet and some outer bungee straps too Many thanks to Shimano for letting us review this pack.  You can find this pack and the rest of Shimano’s cycling packs by clicking here. Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week Hotaka Suyama made a little history on Friday when the student of philosophy passed the first part of his entrance test to enter pro sumo as its first apprentice wrestler from the University of Tokyo The native of Saitama Prefecture north of Tokyo underwent the Japan Sumo Association entrance test at the sport's home the venue of May's Summer Grand Sumo Tournament "It feels like I'm just at the starting line," the 24-year-old Suyama said after taking the first step on his unprecedented challenge The 1.80-meter 104-kilogram 24-year-old surpassed the JSA's minimum height and weight requirements If an internal organ examination discovers no problems Suyama will be able to make his debut on the third day of the May tournament While physically large enough for the JSA and much stronger than when he joined the university's sumo club Suyama is not where he had hoped to be physically at this stage after the coronavirus pandemic curtailed his chances to train I decided to join up out of my desire to become stronger," said Suyama who joined his university club weighing in at 73 kg but is now diving into the deep end of a competitive world where university background holds no weight He began his new life at the Kise sumo stable Thursday "I absolutely have to become accustomed to this group living something I have never experienced," he said who will balance his education in the sumo world with his other studies until he graduates next March describes his ideal sumo as "fast and powerful," like that of former Mongolian-born grand champion Harumafuji Although there have been four wrestlers in the past out of one of Japan's other national universities as the University of Tokyo is commonly called in Japanese Sumo: Wakatakakage surprises himself with grand tournament win Wakatakakage beats Takayasu in playoff to claim maiden title FEATURE: 14-yr-old girl wrestler inspired by men's iconic sumo venue Watches & Jewelry please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent Hotaka Yamakawa of the Saitama Seibu Lions baseball team has been referred to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office over allegations that he forced a woman to have sexual intercourse with him When sending Yamakawa’s case to the prosecutors office the Metropolitan Police Department did not call for “severe punishment,” which is a request for indictment They instead sought “reasonable measures,” leaving the decision on indictment to prosecutors’ discretion a female acquaintance of Yamakawa in her 20s filed a report with the MPD accusing Yamakawa of sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Minato Ward has reportedly denied the allegations during voluntary questioning by the MPD The Seibu Lions deactivated Yamakawa from their roster on May 12 after some media outlets reported the police investigation Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun By Aki Ikeuchi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Ikimonogakari was introduced as a “J-pop band that makes you cry love and a sense of nostalgia” when it debuted about 15 years ago The popular three-member band held the final performance of their nationwide tour at Yokohama Arena on June 11 It was the last show in which member Hotaka Yamashita who announced he was leaving the band this summer The group lived up to their reputation — their performance was filled with tears and smiles They put on an incredibly positive and fun concert The other two members are guitarist Yoshiki Mizuno and vocalist Kiyoe Yoshioka After a documentary-style video that included footage of Yamashita reporting his departure from the band to the staff the three appeared on stage with a vigorous “Yamashita said he’s leaving,” Yamashita replied but I’ve been thinking about this for years.” There was no gloomy mood and the three seemed to want to have fun with the audience as usual In addition to hit songs such as “Yell” and “Kaze ga Fuiteiru” (The wind is blowing) They carefully sang and played “Karakuri” (Trick) which was written before Yoshioka joined the band Each of the three also sang “Natsu Koi” (Summer romance) while oozing charm Yamashita and Mizuno looked back to when they started performing on the streets and joyfully recalled not being able to respond to a request to sing a song of pop star Namie Amuro While talking about the time when Yamashita spoke about his decision to leave the band it was revealed Yoshioka told Mizuno she was thinking of taking up the harmonica Mizuno told her that that is not all he is and Yoshioka said cheerfully It was Yamashita who brought Yoshioka back to the band after she had once tried to leave when they were students Yoshioka had tears in her eyes and said to Yamashita Mizuno acted cheerfully until the encore calls when he seemed to become overwhelmed by emotion “It’s so sad to see [Yamashita] leave us because he has seen everything with me since the first day of the band’s practice,” he said “I hope you will watch over me and the new Ikimonogakari Thank you so much,” Yamashita told the audience The way they smiled as they left the stage will be long remembered The band entered a hiatus in January 2017 so that the members could freely pursue their own activities, and then returned from that hiatus in November 2018 Source: Ikimono-gakari's official website Yuiki Hotaka bid farewell to Japan’s notoriously long working hours and crowded commutes forever He wasn’t merely quitting his job at a Mitsubishi group company he had worked for since graduating university He was retiring after saving around ¥70 million ($637,000) in financial assets that would allow him to live off stock dividends for the rest of his life and pursue his interests and hobbies: Farming hiking and enlightening readers of his blog about the alternative lifestyle he practices known as FIRE — an acronym that stands for “financial independence retire early.”googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); it’s more about securing time and freedom rather than money,” says Hotaka who now lives in the countryside in the Kanto region “I didn’t want to spend my life tied to the corporate office.” When they’re not busy developing the latest drive train or brakes, Shimano has also been busy developing their lifestyle gear. Introducing products like the new Action Camera Shimano continues to expand the other side of their cycling business with a number of products that quite good The latest bags to come our way are the Rokko 16 and the absolutely massive Hotaka 32 Depending on your needs and how much you want to carry the latest packs from Shimano are worth a look… One of the biggest distinguishing factors between the two bags other than size is the harness system As a member of Shimano’s accu3D family the Hotaka gets the advanced harness system that cross at your chest accu3D harnesses are internally adjustable to dial in your fit and provide an incredibly comfortable The harness might look a little odd at first The Rokko sticks with traditional shoulder straps with a waist belt and sternum strap but it still fits very sell with perforated foam in the shoulder straps and bolstered back panel Both packs are compatible with the Shimano branded Hydrapak bladders up to 100 oz the bladders are no different than other Hydrapak models but our experience leaves these highly recommended or you want to carry a bottle of something else both packs have dual external bottle pockets The Hotaka is quite roomy with the biggest felt lined valuables pocket we’ve seen on a bag The cavernous main compartment can be expanded to the lower section of the bag by unzipping the divider between the two Inside organization of the main compartment is spartan with just 3 mesh pockets and one upper pocket but based on the amount of other available pockets you should have no problem keeping your gear organized the bright interior is more than just looks – it makes finding small things at the bottom of your pack much easier   In addition to pockets for gels and bars on the straps there is also a dedicated map pocket on the side of the bag that you can access without taking the bag off your shoulders In total there are 16 different pockets and stash spots for your stuff If you can’t find some place to put it with the Hotaka Each pack includes a built in rain cover that stows at the bottom of the pack The covers are attached with a strap that is adjustable and allows the covers to be completely removed the rain covers are brightly colored for visibility which is good since like most rain covers they cover up the integrated tail light mounts The Rokko in comparison only has 6 pockets the Rokko doesn’t have a separate compartment for the bladder but has a sleeve inside the main pocket with a velcro strap to keep it suspended Inside there are 3 tool dividers with one designed for holding a pump and you’ll find only a key clip in the front pocket the Rokko 16 comes in at 550g while the double the capacity Hotaka 32 is almost double the weight at 1050g Hotaka packs are sold in 24L models for $130 and the 32L (tested) for $140 shimano-lifestylegear.com Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed Cant find any way to buy on the shimano website Shimano Hotaka 32l : Its a nice bag & spec”d well on paper The universal torso length adjustment is a cool feature I will definitely create a pemanant stitch once I have found the ultimate setting I am dialed in pretty close after Maiden voyage.This would alleviate a catastrophic failure The pack is larger at top than the bottom,I see the 3-d mind set.I was dissapointed to discover that shimano does not believe in load compression straps.Result is a wobbly pack swaying side to side There is a helmet holder but not sure how to use it but don’t want to deal with solvents Simpyfast claims their Lube Cube is the easiest way Peak Performance expands on their MTB specific clothing with new pants Apparently that’s an option when you’re designing products for the GOAT We spotted Cofidis racing an all-new prototype wireless 13-speed Campagnolo Super Record 13 WRL SC road groupset Canyon Bicycles is now selling select models directly through Amazon.com Want wireless shifting but don’t want to have to buy a whole new drivetrain Be protected from the sun with the new UV Hooded Trail Shirt… OrNot The new Van Nicholas Astraeus is a beautiful titanium road bike that’s limited to just 50 frames Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Nagano Prefecture--Authorities in Kamikochi a mountain resort area and gateway to the Northern Japan Alps are on high alert after an earthquake swarm triggered avalanches landslides and dangerous cracks in the ground Local officials and those working in the local tourism industry here are particularly concerned about the well-being of visitors and hikers and asking them to be especially vigilant against accidents and stay away from mountains The earthquake swarm flared in late April and was particularly noticeable in the area around Matsumoto along with cracks opening up in the ground left mounds of soil and rock debris along walking trails in the nearby Hotaka mountain range Prefectural authorities recently lifted a request to the public to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic one of the few transportation means to the Kamikochi area where private cars are restricted from entering were shut down from April 18 to May 15 to minimize the risk of virus infection People working at mountain lodges and tourism-related businesses fear the quake swarm is causing tourists and mountaineers to think twice about visiting Kamikochi an earthquake with an intensity of three on the Japanese seismic scale of seven occurred in the Azumi district of Matsumoto “The shaking caused dirt to drift in the air all over the mountains It looked like smoke from a fire,” said a local tourism industry official Multiple avalanches occurred in the Hotaka mountain range evidence of the avalanche damage in a canyon known as Dakesawa in the Hotaka mountain range could be seen from the Kappabashi bridge Fallen rocks measuring about 10 centimeters in diameter were scattered across hiking trails near the Konashidaira camping site A female hiker from Shizuoka Prefecture who pitched a tent with a friend about two hours from Kappabashi the previous night said the quake made them fear for their physical safety The pair canceled their plans for climbing the following day hikers flock to Kamikochi to savor the lush mountain scenery Lodges that cater to visitors to the Hotaka mountain range remain shut until July 14 Alarmed by the damage to trails and the risk of further avalanches lodge owners are urging the public to refrain from climbing in the Hotaka mountain range for a while a professor of geology at Shinshu University who surveyed the Kamikochi area in late April and again on May 30 said the seismic activity could continue for another month or so He warned of the risk of extensive damage occurring in areas not yet hit by a big quake and urged tourists to stay away from Kamikochi (This article was written by Yukio Kondo and Takaaki Yorimitsu.) Quake swarm puts city in bind over evacuation and virus risk Celebrated valley falls silent as visitor hordes are kept away Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Tāmaki Makaurau based group Ngā Tūmanako performs at the Auckland Arts Festival's celebration of kapa haka 8:00 PM.Kapa haka group Ngā Tūmanako performs at the Auckland Arts Festival's 'Pūmanawa', Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, 21 March 2021. Read more Audio This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions Pūmanawa is a celebration of kapa haka – but with a difference The main outlet for kapa haka performance is at Te Matatini the event scheduled to happen in 2021 was cancelled Te Matatini is a competitive event; Pūmanawa celebrates getting together There are four groups on stage in the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre but they also joined together in various combinations to enjoy each others’ company and learn each others’ songs – something that would never happen at the competition beating heart” – and as the programme booklet says that “describes the essence of kapa haka; it is the heartbeat of Māoridom” Also powerful in the kaupapa is the concept of legacy and mātauranga tuku iho And we pay special tribute on this occasion to Sir Pita Sharples who did so much to foster and grow the art of kapa haka – he was in the audience at the Aotea Centre Tāmaki Makaurau based group Tūwhitia Kia Angitu performs at the Auckland Arts Festival's celebration of kapa haka 8:00 PM.Kapa haka group Tuwhitia kia Angitu performs at the Auckland Arts Festival's 'Pūmanawa', Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, 21 March 2021. Read more Audio Tainui based group Te Iti Kahurangi performs at the Auckland Arts Festival's celebration of kapa haka 8:00 PM.Kapa haka group Te Iti Kahurangi performs at the Auckland Arts Festival's 'Pūmanawa', Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, 21 March 2021. Read more Audio