Please enable JavaScript to view this page correctly For five decades the Japanese photographer has captured the internal lives of a host of unlikely subjects Now a new show celebrates an artist dedicated to documenting the underdog she took a job in a bar frequented by Black American GIs stationed at Camp Hansen She had grown up hating the Americans who controlled her home island and Yet she found kindred spirits among the soldiers and her fellow barmaids with whom she lived and loved and also photographed These images became her first major documentary series and capture a sense of their youthful freedom and outsider bonhomie from the group of men and women hanging out in bed to the trio hitting the town for a night out Like much of what you can discover in Ishikawa’s first UK survey spanning her five-decade career – from dockworkers to travelling actors or downtown Philadelphia’s African American community – these are natural intimate photographs of a hidden world that could only have been taken by an insider Ishikawa explains how her antipathy towards the American occupiers was inevitable during a period when everything was “rotten and collapsing” The US had been an oppressive presence in Okinawa since the aftermath of the second world war Though governance of the island was returned to Japan in 1972 serving as a stop-off for returning troops during the Vietnam war and as a deterrent to a potential threat from China crimes committed by soldiers against Okinawans including an alarming number of sexual assaults with suspects frequently acquitted and discharged Okinawa had apparently been discarded by Japan a driving force behind the medium’s golden age in postwar Japan who would later champion her work Her studies weren’t curtailed by a lack of focus She wanted to pursue the one subject that really mattered to her Like the chronicler of the New York underground Ishikawa gets involved in what she catches on camera describing it once as her own “emotional record” Where this immersive method has taken her is a continual surprise the project that emerged a decade after Red Flower focused on some of Okinawa’s most intimidating figures: burly dockworkers who lived fleeting lives of long fishing tours constant fights and time in and out of jail “They had a very closed community and people feared them though I always have an urge to explore what seems offputting or unknown.” When it comes to Ishikawa’s talent for overcoming barriers and capturing authentic experience focused on African Americans in Philadelphia in 1986 is testament to the trust she establishes with her subjects She explains: “Taking a photograph of someone in an intimate moment would happen only after I’d spent a lot of time with them and it gives me the courage to approach them.” 1983–86 (main picture)Ishikawa ran a pub where she got to know Okinawa’s stevedores She began photographing this distinctly man’s world at a little house where they’d drink all day Her images give a rare insight into their existence balancing the grit with companionship and release Uchinaa Shibai (Okinawan Play): A Story of Nakada Sachiko’s Theater Company (1977- 1992) Photograph: Mao IshikawaUchinaa Shibai (Okinawa Play): A Story of Nakada Sachiko’s Theater Company 1977–92Ishikawa spent years photographing the traditional Okinawan theatre company Diego-Za on stage and behind the scenes She was so moved by their struggle to keep the island’s traditional culture alive she offered to abandon photography and join the troupe Free weekly newsletterThe only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns Mao Ishikawa this series which focused on the African American community around Ishikawa’s old friend marked a literal departure from Ishikawa’s usual turf Yet it continues her interest in the underrepresented and overlooked Mao Ishikawa Red Flower: The Women of Okinawa (1975-1977) Photograph: Mao IshikawaRed Flower: The Women of Okinawa 1975-77Ishikawa planned to photograph US soldiers rather than Black soldiers per se when she landed a job in a bar catering to African Americans She let circumstances lead her where they would: “I’ve always sided with those who are weaker I saw how the Black soldiers were bullied by the whites There were fights in the street that we’d all cheer.” Mao Ishikawa Okinawa and the Japanese Self- Defence Forces (1991- 1995 Photograph: Mao IshikawaOkinawa and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces Ishikawa was granted rare access to photograph inside the local base of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces a controversial presence in the supposedly demilitarised country Her images of children with soldiers’ guns taken during a day when families were welcomed to a base drew condemnation for the forces’ indoctrination of the young 2025 - 11:25 AMWritten by: International Series Staff share-facebookshare-xshare-whatsappshare-copy-linkFan favorite Ryo Ishikawa to debut on The International Series at highly anticipated new Japan event CHIBA, Japan – Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa will lead a strong local challenge playing alongside big names from the LIV Golf League and the Asian Tour when International Series Japan takes place at Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba has enjoyed an illustrious career on the Japan Golf Tour with 21 wins under his belt and will be making his debut on The International Series Ishikawa made history as the youngest-ever winner of a men’s regular event on the Japan Golf Tour He will be joined by a strong line-up from Japan in the 156-man field the third of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar this season that offer a direct pathway onto the LIV Golf League for The International Series Rankings champion The Japanese contingent will be further enhanced by the presence of former World No.1 amateur Taiga Semikawa and 2024 Japan PGA Championship winner Yuta Sugiura Semikawa made history in 2022 by becoming the first amateur in 95 years to win the Japan Open – part of a remarkable season that also included victories at the Panasonic Open and the Japan Create Challenge His standout performances earned him the top spot in the world amateur rankings before turning professional later that year he has added titles at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup and the Kansai Open Golf Championship to his name Sugiura is another notable name as he claimed an impressive victory at the prestigious Dunlop Phoenix Tournament as an amateur in 2023 before going on to claim the title at the 2024 Japan PGA Championship Hana Bank Invitational 2024 champion Takashi Ogiso from Japan who won The Crowns and the Yokohama Minato Championship in a superb three-month spell in 2024 are also confirmed alongside other notable countrymen including Naoyuki Kataoka and Taihei Sato in a strong local showing Ten-time champion Shugo Imahira and Japan’s only LIV Golf League representative are already confirmed alongside Harold Varner III of 4Aces GC Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC and Asian Tour rising star Taichi Kho said: “The local challenge is set to be incredibly strong at International Series Japan – and that’s a huge win for Japanese golf fans We’re proud to bring world-class golf to one of Asia’s most passionate markets "This event offers a compelling mix of international stars and some of the finest players from across the Asian Tour With a coveted LIV Golf League spot on the line at the end of the season every shot matters and the competition will be fierce.” International Series Japan takes place at Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba from May 8-11 and tickets for the tournament are available from April 23. Secure your tickets by clicking here Volunteer © 2022 - 2025 LIV Golf Inc and LIV Golf Ltd On October 16, 2014 – 63 years to the month after Bobby Thomson hit “The Shot Heard ’Round the World” to give the New York Giants an improbable 1951 National League pennant – the San Francisco Giants sought to eliminate the St Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series for the second time in three years In 2012 the Cardinals lost the chance to defend their 2011 World Series championship by letting a three-games-to-one series lead slip away against San Francisco going on to win their second World Series in three years This time, with the Cardinals coming off another NL pennant in 2013,1 the Giants had a 3-1 Championship Series lead as they aimed to close it out at AT&T Park The Game Five starter for the Giants was 25-year-old ace Madison Bumgarner with an 18-10 record and a 2.98 ERA along with his second career All-Star Game selection He dominated the wild-card game with a four-hit 10-strikeout shutout of the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game Three of the NL Division Series against the Washington Nationals St. Louis sent out 33-year-old Adam Wainwright giving up three runs on six hits in 4⅔ innings in an eventual loss The Los Angeles Dodgers had knocked him out in the fifth inning of his only NLDS start who finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting had a 20-9 regular-season with a 2.38 ERA and an All-Star Game selection of his own The fifth game started with back-to-back one-out singles by the Cardinals’ Jon Jay and Matt Holliday. Bumgarner got out of the inning when shortstop Jhonny Peralta lined into a double play allowing Cruz to score for a 1-0 Cardinals lead Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams hit a high fly ball over the right-field fence to lead off the fourth inning, tying the ballgame.5 Bumgarner bounced back with two quick outs but Cruz – another player with just one regular-season homer – lined a ball into the left-field seats for a solo home run Both starters settled down in the middle innings. In the bottom of the fourth, after Pablo Sandoval doubled and Hunter Pence walked, Wainwright got Giants first baseman Brandon Belt to line into a double play Not a single batter reached base from the top of the fifth inning through the top of the eighth Bumgarner retired the last 13 batters he faced and exited to a standing ovation from the San Francisco faithful To start the bottom of the eighth, St. Louis manager             Mike Matheny brought righty set-up man Pat Neshek into the game had made his first All-Star team and posted a microscopic 1.87 ERA during the regular season He had recorded scoreless innings in the previous three games of the NLCS and was making his eighth appearance in 13 days He had allowed only one run in his previous seven outings After working a 1-and-1 count to start the at-bat, Morse drove a hanging slider over the left-field wall, just inside the foul pole. The blast tied the game and was the fifth postseason pinch-hit homer in Giants history.7 AT&T Park transformed into chaos Aided by Jay’s sliding catch of Blanco’s blooper to left Neshek retired the next three Giants in order to maintain the tie Bochy called on reliever Santiago Casilla to keep the score intact. Casilla had a 1.70 ERA in the regular season through 54 games. His 19 saves were second on the team to Sergio Romo’s 23.8 Peralta started the inning with a groundout to short. Next up was Adams, hitting fifth, who worked a five-pitch walk. Left fielder Randal Grichuk followed by lining a single into left field, moving Adams to second. Daniel Descalso ran for Adams Second baseman Kolten Wong hit a hard grounder to third baseman Sandoval’s left. Sandoval’s diving attempt caused the ball to ricochet to shortstop Brandon Crawford Crawford backhanded it and fired to Panik for the force out at second Bochy countered with 35-year-old lefty Jeremy Affeldt who was pitching in his fourth playoffs and had pitched in three World Series This was Affeldt’s seventh outing in the playoffs; he had not allowed a run in six innings of work He was on a streak of 17 straight scoreless outings Taveras worked a 1-and-1 count before chopping a sinker to Affeldt’s left. Affeldt snagged the ball and sprinted to first base himself, recording the final out of the inning.10 For the bottom half of the ninth, St. Louis sent out second-year pitcher Michael Wacha for his first appearance since September 26, instead of proven closer Trevor Rosenthal Wacha was placed on the disabled list on June 18 for a stress fracture in his shoulder He had pitched only four times since returning from his injury and this was his first relief outing of the year Sandoval led off with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Joaquín Arias Pence flied out to right field on Wacha’s first pitch to him Wacha then issued a four-pitch walk to Belt Next up was Ishikawa, who took two straight mid-90s fastballs inside. Color commentator Harold Reynolds mused that the next pitch “was going to have to be on a platter.” Wacha fired a low fastball that Ishikawa hooked just over the right-field wall. AT&T Park descended into chaos again while Ishikawa had an adventurous trip around the bases. After he touched second, Giants pitcher Jake Peavy ran out and wrapped him up in a hug before Ishikawa fought through him Joe Buck, calling the broadcast for Fox Sports, simply said: “Travis Ishikawa hits one into right! The Giants win the pennant!”11 The win gave the Giants their third World Series berth in five years Sixty-three years and 13 days after Bobby Thomson’s homer, Ishikawa became the first player to end an NLCS with a home run. He joined Thomson as the only two players to win a NL pennant with a homer.12 As Ishikawa said after the game: “It’s such a great feeling right now Bumgarner won NLCS MVP honors for allowing three runs in 15⅔ innings pitched. He continued his postseason heroics in the World Series against the Kansas City Royals, pitching a complete-game shutout in Game Five and coming out of the bullpen for a five-inning save in Game Seven Watching this game with my dad as a die-hard Giants fan was one of the greatest and most cherished memories of my childhood This article was fact-checked by Kevin Larkin and copy-edited by Len Levin the author consulted the YouTube recording of the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm3bfVzPbUI https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN201410160.shtml https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2014/B10160SFN2014.htm 1 The Cardinals lost the 2013 World Series to the Boston Red Sox 2 Molina, who was selected for his sixth career All-Star Game in 2014 and went on to receive his seventh career Gold Glove, suffered an injury in Game Two and didn’t play again during the series. Veteran A.J. Pierzynski had started Games Three and Four at catcher 4 Anthony McCarron, “San Francisco Giants Rookie Star from NY, Joe Panik, Is a Big Hit,” New York Daily News, October 7, 2014, https://www.nydailynews.com/2014/10/07/san-francisco-giants-rookie-star-from-ny-joe-panik-is-a-big-hit/ 6 John Shea, “Planning, Rehab Went into Morse’s Pinch Home Run,” SF Gate, October 17, 2014, https://www.sfgate.com/sports/shea/article/Planning-rehab-went-into-Morse-s-pinch-home-run-5828723.php 8 Casilla and Romo shared the duties of closer during the season but Bochy had used Castilla in ninth-inning save situations in Games One and Four of the NLCS In Game Two Romo had allowed Adams’ game-winning home run in the ninth inning 9 Tavaras Taveras remained in the game despite Affeldt’s entrance 11 FOX television broadcast, “NLCS G5: Cardinals vs. Giants [Full Game HD],” YouTube video (FlyingHellFish99), 2:14:56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm3bfVzPbUI If you can help us improve this game story, contact us Postseason · 2010s · Pennant Clinchers Meet the Staff Board of Directors Annual Reports Inclusivity Statement Contact SABR My day was already made after ziplining over the beautiful ocean and enjoying a tasty pizza with an amazing view I decided to swing by a couple of locations before going home My first stop in the afternoon was Ishikawa Kogen Tenbodai an observatory that was just a 10-minute drive away from Cafe Gallery Doka Doka Its neighboring area happens to be one of the narrowest sections of Okinawa’s main island the east and west coasts are only four kilometers away from each other Thanks to these geographical characteristics a visit to this observatory would reward me with a great panoramic view The route to this location may be a little complicated to explain But instead of going through its entrance gate you will pass it and keep going a little further south You will reach a parking space for the observatory on the right the stairs were literally cutting through a forest there’s an open space with a small bench with a roof to rest I took a moment to try to catch the view through the thick greenery but in between the leaves and trees I could see some of the coastline where I’d been only a few hours prior I continued my climb and after about 10 minutes a concrete tower like a big mushroom was waiting for me There was also a block of stone with the letters “三角点 (triangulation point)” nearby indicating that this location is a standard for land surveys I reached a balcony that circles the mid-section of the tower I could see the island form a triangle with the west and east coasts as two sides It was a kind of view I had not experienced in Okinawa There are mountains and hills that offer similar elevations to this one Ishikawa) is located to the north of the observatory has about the same height as Myouyama the view from its summit was not as panoramic as this one I had a great time enjoying the view of Cape Zanpa and the Motobu peninsula appearing through a haze Ishikawa Kogen Tenbodai GPS Coordinates: N 26.421494 E 127.788295 *Parking space available for free Read now > Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan TOKYO, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TIER IV the pioneering force behind the world's first open-source software for autonomous driving is proud to announce Level 4 certification for an autonomous bus service in Komatsu This certification applies to the entire route from Komatsu Station to Komatsu Airport and a designated section of the return route marking a significant milestone achieved through collaboration with local authorities and service operators granted under the Road Transport Vehicle Act classifies the bus as a Level 4 autonomous vehicle Upon receiving a permit under the Road Traffic Act the bus will be authorized to operate autonomously within predefined routes detecting surrounding vehicles and pedestrians while adhering to designated environmental conditions and Sompo Japan in a strategic partnership to establish a year-round autonomous bus service This service was designed to enhance connectivity between Komatsu Station and Komatsu Airport aligning with the launch of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Komatsu Station Since 2023, the initiative has leveraged TIER IV's Minibus, powered by Autoware* the open-source software for autonomous driving championed by TIER IV The project also incorporated a comprehensive risk assessment conducted by Sompo Japan high-precision 3D mapping technology developed by Aisan Technology and remote monitoring and fleet management supported by BOLDLY Following extensive testing and operator training the paid year-round autonomous bus service began in March 2024 the service had transported over 18,000 passengers demonstrating the growing demand and feasibility of autonomous public transit solutions and proof of concept tests to accelerate the widespread rollout of autonomous driving *Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation we are committed to reshaping the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software enabling individuals and organizations to thrive in the evolving field of autonomous driving is thrilled to announce the successful completion .. is proud to announce a strategic collaboration.. Transportation, Trucking & Railroad Automotive Computer Software Computer Software Do not sell or share my personal information: A year has passed since the devastating Noto Peninsula Earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture which left around 500 people either dead or missing The disaster inflicted unprecedented damage on the region but JAPAN Forward's visit to the affected areas revealed the remarkable resilience and determination of Ishikawa's residents What became clear during our visit was the strength who refused to be defeated by the disaster the residents still need comprehensive support to ensure that no one is left behind in the recovery efforts Charcoal craftsman Choichiro Ono observed a moment of silence with his family in Suzu City one of the hardest-hit areas in Ishikawa Prefecture Some people are finding it hard to envision their future," he shared Ono leads the charcoal production company Notohahaso He has worked to preserve the satoyama's natural resources and revitalize the local community through reforestation and charcoal-making the earthquake a year ago completely destroyed four of his kilns It was the third time an earthquake had damaged his facility.  Although he felt on the verge of giving up, Ono is pushing forward toward recovery. He has launched a crowdfunding campaign to replace the kilns with durable metal ones to increase productivity and relocate his factory to a safer location "Our community was already grappling with an aging population and depopulation," Ono explained we've faced multiple disasters — earthquakes and torrential rains JAPAN Forward visited Ishikawa to document recovery efforts ahead of the release of the crested ibis we later received a message from him that carried profound weight have long supported urban centers through primary industries already burdened with challenges like aging and depopulation we need a clear signal—a guidepost for rebuilding our lives beyond the restoration of basic necessities—that it's okay for us to live here." Ishikawa Prefecture was once home to the last wild crested ibises on Honshu the government relocated the remaining birds to Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture Japan's native crested ibis went extinct in 2003.  ibises gifted by China have been bred and reintroduced into the wild with Sado Island becoming Japan's sole successful site for reintroducing the species the population has grown to approximately 500 The government now aims to expand the release program to Japan's main island of Honshu The extinction of the crested ibis in Japan was caused by a combination of factors including pesticide use and environmental degradation These issues severely reduced the insects and other small animals the birds relied on for food.  Successfully reintroducing the species requires restoring a suitable habitat rice paddies maintained by local farmers as part of these efforts were damaged in the recent earthquake none of the affected communities abandoned the shared goal of reintroducing the crested ibis we stopped by the home of Yoshio Muramoto in Hakui City Muramoto has dedicated 72 years to bringing the crested ibis back to Ishikawa He will turn 100 on April 26 and remains deeply passionate about the cause Muramoto and my parents share the same hometown I visited Ishikawa with my parents and interviewed Muramoto about his conservation work Muramoto has privately funded a crested ibis museum on his property to help children learn about the environment these birds need to thrive "I want to witness the day when the crested ibis soars once again through Noto's skies with my own eyes," he said a soy sauce shop in Nanao City with a history spanning nearly 100 years they were encouraged by local customers eagerly awaiting their handmade soy sauce they reignited the kiln used to steam soybeans and fully resumed production "It's important to keep our livelihood going," said owner Masako Torii "Buying soybeans for soy sauce from farmers in Suzu also supports the region." Taizo Shibano, owner of Malga Gelato in Noto Town recognized as the "World's Best Gelato Artisan," also exemplifies this resilience he represented Japan in the Gelato World Cup Asia Qualifiers in Singapore I want to win Asia's first gold medal in the finals in Italy in 2026," he said hit hard by both earthquakes and torrential rains people in Hokuriku are known for their resilience despite the severe hardships they've faced shared their recovery efforts with a steadfast will to endure Muramoto submitted a waka (a traditional Japanese poem) to the Imperial Household's 2025 New Year Waka Reading The theme for this year is "Dream." Although his poem was not selected but I want to entrust my dreams to the ibis and to the children," he said We have a great responsibility in realizing Muramoto's dream of advancing the recovery of Ishikawa Follow our special New Year's series, Predictions 2025 Author: Mika Sugiura You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Japan on Wednesday marked one year since a powerful earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in central Japan including those who succumbed to health issues afterward as efforts toward full recovery continue in the hardest-hit areas Some 21,000 residents in Ishikawa Prefecture remain evacuated or in temporary housing as of late December with infrastructure restoration and the demolition of collapsed homes still incomplete The Ishikawa prefectural government held a ceremony in Wajima one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake to offer condolences to the victims and pledge efforts toward reconstruction To accomplish restoration and reconstruction efforts as soon as possible is the way to comfort the souls of the victims," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at the event He expressed his intention to revise laws concerning disaster relief and countermeasures in a bid to strengthen social welfare and promote government-private cooperation in devastated regions Those in attendance observed a moment of silence for the victims at 4:10 p.m. the same time the magnitude-7.6 quake occurred on New Year's Day last year The region was also hit by torrential rains in September hindering post-quake recovery efforts and increasing the number of evacuees "We are determined to create a future for a new Noto We will devote all our efforts to pave the way for reconstruction," Ishikawa Gov Residents gathered to watch the year's first sunrise early Wednesday on the coast near Mitsuke Island uninhabited rock island in Suzu that suffered a major landslide during the earthquake but it cheers me up to see the sun even a little bit," 74-year-old Sumiko Ikezaki I hope that there will be no earthquakes." a temporary altar was constructed at a shrine in Wajima that had been damaged by the disaster who works for a nonprofit corporation in the city that supports foreigners "I think we have seen some change toward reconstruction Of the 504 fatalities reported as of Friday 228 people in Ishikawa Prefecture died in the earthquake The remaining 276 fatalities across Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures are believed to have resulted from deteriorating health conditions in some cases linked to the stress of evacuation Some fatalities were also attributed to limited access to electricity and water as well as disruptions to services at medical institutions The death toll is expected to rise further with around 200 cases awaiting review for recognition as quake-related deaths The quake caused more than 150,000 houses to fully or partially collapse across Ishikawa All temporary housing for those affected was completed on Dec but this was four months behind the initial schedule due to increased demand and delays caused by the September rains The Ishikawa prefectural government has established 6,882 makeshift homes across 10 municipalities 64 percent reside in the cities of Wajima and Suzu known as a popular tourist destination for fresh seafood A historical marketplace in Wajima was devastated by a fire that destroyed around 240 buildings A total of 88 hotels and Japanese-style inns while 100 sightseeing facilities were damaged in Ishikawa Post-quake deaths to rise in central Japan as 200 cases await review Recordings show crew in Haneda collision thought OK to enter runway Over 60% of quake-affected Noto residents see little recovery: survey 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 the ABU Prizes 2024 awards ceremony was held in Istanbul organized by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Inc.’s program “Baseball Boys of Ishikawa: Overcoming the New Year’s Day Earthquake” which aired on Thursday The ABU Prizes are among the most prestigious awards in the Asia-Pacific region recognizing excellence in television and radio programs produced by ABU member organizations The Special Jury Prize is awarded to programs that have significantly impacted the final judges in terms of subject matter All entries reaching the final selection are eligible for this award received this award in 2022 for “The Nonfiction: Memories of Me and Dad” marking its second honorable win “Baseball Boys of Ishikawa: Overcoming the New Year’s Day Earthquake” is a sports documentary that closely follows a baseball team After losing their home and training facilities due to the earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on January 1 they faced various challenges while competing in the National High School Baseball Championships The story revolves around the deep conflict faced by young players practicing in Yamanashi the area most severely affected by the disaster It explores their struggle with the question: “Is it right for us to play baseball now?” The production team’s heartfelt desire to convey to as many people as possible the thoughts and emotions of the baseball players and those in the disaster-stricken areas was also recognized comments: “Many people generously contributed to the interviews but I had to make the difficult decision to cut some to effectively convey the theme of the work This award does not belong to the production team; it is for those affected by the disaster in Ishikawa.” Program Director (クロスロード) comments: “With smiles and a sense of giving back in their hearts the players returned to their alma mater in Ishikawa after competing at Koshien not feeling downcast but beaming with smiles They have faced and overcome numerous challenges ‘to support the disaster-stricken areas.’ I sensed that their smiles at this moment were more like ‘determined expressions,’ ready to confront the challenges that lie ahead while holding onto these three words.” comments: “This documentary was created with unconventional direction to convey the struggles of the baseball team members the emotional turmoil of the people in the shelters and the current situation in the disaster-stricken areas so that as many people as possible can become aware of it There is still a long road ahead for recovery offer some comfort and support to those in these regions.” Ishikawa has seen its share of natural disasters Following a devastating January 1 magnitude 7.6 earthquake it suffered the strongest rainfall since the start of record-keeping in the region in September landslides further stalled earthquake recovery efforts the region is resilient in the face of adversity Farmers and craftsmen alike are rebuilding their livelihoods "The sight of the crested ibis soaring again in the sky will become a symbol of Noto's recovery" ―said Ishikawa Governor HASE Hiroshi the crested ibis is a special natural monument It is so entrenched in the Japanese identity that its species name includes "Nippon" (Japan) it became extinct in Japan in 2003 due to modern agricultural practices and overhunting the prefecture is working hard to restore the crested ibis population JAPAN Forward visited the region to uncover the secret to its resilience and appeal The team interviewed local business owners fighting to restore their livelihoods Theirs is a story of coexistence with nature and determination Small businesses are also leveraging their communities in the recovery. TORII Masako warmly welcomed us to her soy sauce shop in Nanao The front of the store collapsed in the earthquake so she is operating at a limited capacity from the side entrance.  one batch of moromi — the base of the fermented soybean and wheat for the soy sauce — survived the earthquake where everything is handmade and locally sourced.  With the help of a family friend, she set up a crowdfunding page and raised almost ¥22 million (about $147,000) to rebuild the store "We have so many clients telling us they can't wait for us to start again we are so incredibly grateful," she told us.  Torii is working toward revitalizing the region after the recent rain She feels fortunate that her shop has suffered less than many neighboring towns Notohahaso is a company found further south in the forests of Suzu Focusing on the business of making charcoal for activities like the Japanese tea ceremony The repeated natural disasters have taken their toll CEO ONO Choichiro told us that smaller earthquakes in 2022 and 2023 cracked four wood-burning kilns Operations had just restarted when the January 2024 quake hit they used drones to check for damage and learned that flooding had swept away trees on the mountain and caused a road to collapse.  The business owner cautiously estimated that operations could restart in spring Planting and nurturing sawtooth oak trees encourages ecosystem diversity Human intervention also keeps forest soils clear facilitating sunlight filtering to tree roots Ono hopes this will help keep the forest healthy and resilient with a strong root base to enhance water retention and protect against landslides He also believes human support of the natural environment promotes the values of a circular economy in the community.  "Natural disasters happen frequently," Ono said "We need to rethink our relationship with nature Our aim of sustainably producing charcoal is becoming ever more important." Malga Gelato's approach is to create flavors that appeal to the five senses SHIBANO Taizo is a world-title-winning gelato maker They reflect the region's seasonal flavors and ingredients such as rice gelato sourced from the famous paddies in Ishikawa suffered greatly at the hands of the earthquake the September rains affected the supply of raw ingredients such as rice which would normally have been in season.  The Shibanos are optimists, however. "It might take some time until customers come back to Noto, but we will do our best to keep moving forward," said Taizo via an online message. As coach of the Japan team in the Asian Gelato Cup that won first prize in October Shibano hopes to bring some happy news to his native Noto by leading the team to the world title in 2026 There are those sowing seeds of hope in nature itself.  He is shifting his production methods so his rice paddies can become a feeding ground for the crested ibis.  one of the causes of the bird's extinction last time was the overuse of herbicides and pesticides the bird feeds on small animals in the irrigation water in rice paddies He limits fertilizer and pesticides to foster the bird's feeding prey His rice fields also feature large grooves to hold stagnant water he hopes these efforts can revitalize the region "I would love it if more people would come to this area to see the crested ibis." One of the key places to realize the recovery of the crested ibis in the prefecture is the Ishikawa Zoo Home to red pandas and capybaras, it also hosts the Toki Satoyama Center people like OI Tsuyoshi and DEMURA Satoshi work around the clock so that the crested ibis can breed and train before their release in the wild on Sado Island Approximately 300,000 people a year come to the Ishikawa Zoo and the Toki Satoyama Center seven chicks successfully hatched in the zoo approximately 90 crested ibises have been born and sent to Sado for their return to the wild Ishikawa Prefecture is providing support to bringing the crested ibis back to the region where the species found its habitat before disappearing in 2003 The government therefore selected the region as a candidate site for the bird's release we have been working with local residents preparing the crested ibis for release into the wild including developing rice paddies that will serve as feeding grounds," explained Ishikawa Governor Hase in an official statement residents are committed to the bird's release He pledged that "The sight of the crested ibis soaring again in the sky will become a symbol of Noto's recovery." Muramoto is a key person pushing these efforts along Muramoto has dedicated much of his life to conservation and raising awareness of the bird "I plan to live until I see the crested ibis return here," said the almost centenarian, who still shows visitors around his museum to leave behind an environment that nurtures the crested ibis for future generations Over 1000 visitors have come to learn more about the majestic bird it was hard not to be affected by his enthusiasm and resolve He is a symbol of all the people in Ishikawa working tirelessly to rebuild their lives in harmony with nature Ishikawa Prefectural authorities have also been undeterred in their rebuilding efforts "The recovery and reconstruction of the twice-hit Noto region will be arduous," Ishikawa Governor HASE Hiroshi told JAPAN Forward we will keep supporting the people in the affected areas and build back better," he added.   See Governor Hase's full statement on supporting the region's recovery and resilience This article was written in collaboration with the Government of Japan Author: Arielle Busetto, Mika Sugiura Video: Shaun Fernando You must be logged in to post a comment An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck Ishikawa and other central Japan prefectures Tuesday quake measured a lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in Wajima and Shika a region in Ishikawa Prefecture where recovery efforts have been continuing following a devastating earthquake on New Year's Day The agency initially said the magnitude was 6.4 It also corrected the estimated depth of the focus off the western coast of the prefecture to 7 kilometers from the earlier released 10 km The prefectural government said a woman in her 70s in Tsubata was injured in the quake the 72-year-old operator of a local izakaya Japanese-style dining bar said the jolting made her worried about a possible collapse of an old house nearby that was heavily damaged in the New Year quake and is set to be demolished Tuesday's quake measured 4 on Japan's intensity scale in Suzu Bullet trains were suspended between Toyama and Kanazawa on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line due to the quake No abnormalities were reported at the Shika nuclear power plant in Ishikawa shaking with a seismic intensity of 1 or higher was observed across a wide area from northeastern to western Japan FEATURE: Bonds tying "ama" divers to quake-hit region stand test of time Ishiba visits disaster-hit Ishikawa in 1st inspection tour as PM Death toll rises to 7 after record rainfall in Japan's quake-hit Noto The Japanese crested ibis is expected to fly freely in the region by 2026, with Ishikawa Prefecture's help. The area was the last habitat of the species before its extinction from Honshu the move holds particular significance for the region.  Meanwhile, even as the crested ibis reintroduction project progressed, the region was struck by successive natural disasters in 2024. Despite the devastation, Ishikawa Prefecture has been undeterred in its support for local communities and determination to "build back better."  In a statement shared exclusively with JAPAN Forward, Ishikawa Governor HASE Hiroshi shared his thoughts on the region's resilience and recovery and the challenges ahead The full statement follows in English.  The earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on January 1 measuring a maximum intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale claimed many precious lives and caused extensive damage to homes the Oku-Noto region was hit by record-breaking torrential rains The recovery and reconstruction of the twice-hit Noto region will be arduous Noto was the last native habitat of the crested ibis on Honshu the government selected Ishikawa Prefecture as a candidate site for the bird's release including developing rice paddies that will serve as feeding grounds.  residents have reassured us that they were continuing their efforts and would not give up on the release of the crested ibis We will continue to make every effort to release the birds as early as fiscal year 2026 so that the sight of the crested ibis soaring again in the sky over Noto will become a symbol of Noto's creative recovery.  You must be logged in to post a comment Japan men's volleyball captain Yuki Ishikawa who will play for Italian powerhouse Perugia in the season beginning Sunday is only thinking about winning titles with his new team so I've been inspired" the 28-year-old outside hitter said in an online press conference Wednesday and European Champions League titles are the only things I'm looking for." Japan lost to 2022 world champion Italy in a grueling quarterfinal despite taking the first two sets "It's important for me to prepare to get the result I want at the next Olympics I want to grow both in terms of play and mentally," Ishikawa said Olympics: Japan suffers heartbreaking men's volleyball q'final loss Feature Films Database Southern Mediterranean films database Scriptwriters European Film Schools Production Companies Distributors International Sales Submit a Film Industry Reports Co-Production Podcast Online Screenwriting Training Course Guided Course for Feature Film Writing Script Analysis Analysis of the potential of your series Cineuropa's Training Catalogue Film Festival Photographs Newsletter Photogalleries EUFCN Location Award Euro Film Fest 27 Times Cinema GoCritic! Advertise on Cineuropa Logos and Banners PRODUCTION / FUNDING Japan / UK / Poland by Vassilis Economou 30/01/2025 - Adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel the movie is now in post-production in Poland and will be introduced to international buyers at the upcoming European Film Market The debut novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, A Pale View of Hills, is being adapted into a feature film, marking a major international co-production between Japan, the UK and Poland. Directed, written and edited by Japanese filmmaker Kei Ishikawa, the movie will be introduced to international buyers at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin with Japan’s Gaga Corporation handling global sales and the release being set for summer 2025 A Pale View of Hills delves into the fragmented memories of Etsuko a Japanese widow who experienced the atomic bomb in Nagasaki and later moved to England after the war a place full of memories after the loss of her husband and eldest daughter has distanced herself from Etsuko since the death of her half-sister now a writer who dropped out of university to pursue her career returns to the family home to work on her manuscript Etsuko begins to open up about a recurring "dream" she has been having – a vivid memory from her past in Nagasaki involving a woman and her young daughter whom she encountered long ago is gradually drawn into the fragments of Etsuko's history that have remained hidden for so long The film adaptation continues the tradition of bringing Ishiguro's introspective, character-driven narratives to the screen, following the success of previous acclaimed film adaptations like The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go [+see also: trailerinterview: Domhnall Gleesonfilm profile] The lead role of Etsuko is played by Japanese actress Suzu Hirose known internationally for her performances in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Our Little Sister and The Third Murder Nikaido gained global recognition for her performance in Sion Sono's Himizu for which she won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actress at the Venice Film Festival and she was recently seen in FX’s historical drama Shogun Gaga Corporation will distribute the film in Japan with an expected theatrical release in mid-2025 Further details on international distribution and festival premieres will be announced in the coming months Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox 10/04/2025Cannes 2025 – Un Certain Regard Young talents gear up to take part in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard 02/05/2025Production / Funding – Italy Shooting begins on Walter Fasano’s Nino, a portrait of scoring maestro Nino Rota 02/05/2025Production / Funding – Belgium Wallimage is backing Michaël R Roskam's Le Faux Soir 30/04/2025Production / Funding – Italy The final clapperboard slams on Il falsario, starring Pietro Castellitto 30/04/2025Production / Funding – UK/France/Germany Sally Potter’s Alma to star Pamela Anderson and Dakota Fanning 29/04/2025Production / Funding – Spain Claudia Pinto finishes filming Morir no siempre sale bien 29/04/2025Production / Funding – Latvia The National Film Centre of Latvia unveils the recipients of its latest round of funding Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the most important daily or weekly news on European cinema Cannes 2025 Marché du Film AFCI runs its second annual Global Film Commission Network Summit at Marché du Film Festivals / Awards Czech Republic Czech Republic’s Anifilm goes sci-fi Distribution / Releases / Exhibitors Europe European Arthouse Cinema Day set to return on 23 November Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Indie Sales presents a three-star line-up at Cannes HOFF 2025 The Shadow and U Are the Universe win at Estonia’s Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival Crossing Europe 2025 Awards The New Year That Never Came and The Flats crowned at Crossing Europe Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Be For Films to sell Love Me Tender in Cannes Cannes 2025/Sponsored Latvia set to shine bright at Cannes, led by Sergei Loznitsa’s competition entry Two Prosecutors Las Palmas 2025 MECAS/Awards Manuel Muñoz Rivas and Joana Carro win awards at the eighth MECAS Cannes 2025 Marché du Film Playtime to present some high-impact and entrancing trump cards at Cannes Production / Funding Italy goEast 2025 Review: My Magical World Market TrendsFOCUSA busy spring festival season awaits the European film industry. Cineuropa will continue to keep its readers up to date with the latest news and market insights, covering the buzziest events, including Cannes, Kraków, Karlovy Vary, Tribeca, Hot Docs, Annecy, Brussels, Munich and many others Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 02/05/2025Slovak crime-thriller Černák becomes the highest-grossing film in domestic cinemasThe second film in the saga about a local mafia boss, directed by Jakub Króner, outgrossed its first part, which dominated Slovak cinemas last year Animation – 30/04/2025Mirko Goran Marijanac • Media sales executive, DeAPlaneta EntertainmentDuring our chat, the exec shared key insights from this year’s Cartoon Next and touched on the current climate for the animation sector Jaśmina Wójcik • Director of King Matt the First The Polish director discusses her approach to taking on a 1920s children’s literary classic in an unexpected way Želimir Žilnik • Director of Eighty Plus The Serbian director discusses his deep suspicion of ideologies in relation to his irresistibly charming latest feature, which follows a man whose life spans three political systems Paulina Jaroszewicz • Distribution and marketing manager, New Horizons Association Cineuropa sat down with the Polish distributor to discuss her company’s strategy as well as the connection between its distribution line-up and BNP Paribas New Horizons Festival’s programme Lorcan Finnegan • Director of The Surfer The Irish filmmaker discusses his mystery-thriller, how he created the character with Nicolas Cage and his approach to the use of colours in the film Privacy Policy The images used on this website have been provided by journalists and are believed to be free of rights if you are the owner of an image used on this website and believe that its use infringes on your copyright We will remove the image in question as soon as possible We have made reasonable efforts to ensure that all images used on this website are used legally and in accordance with copyright laws About us | Contact us | Logos and Banners Mission | Partners | Team | Donations | Terms and conditions The mood surrounding the Japanese men’s volleyball team has changed dramatically for the better since the squad’s unexpectedly strong showing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 commentators are proclaiming with confidence that men’s volleyball has gotten better and that the team has a shot at a medal The current squad is being heralded as the strongest ever the Japanese men’s team has struggled on the international stage and failed time and again to qualify for the Olympics How has the team generated such high expectations after so long in the shadows A key figure in the current squad is team captain and star outside hitter Ishikawa Yūki the veteran of Italy’s top flight professional volleyball league has built a successful career with an unwavering winning spirit and a burning desire to be the top player in the world Ishikawa Yūki high-fives teammate Takahashi Ran during Japan’s match against Italy at the Nations League on July 23 (© Foto Olimpik via Reuters Connect) Pivotal on Ishikawa’s road to becoming the best volleyball player ever to come out of Japan was his decision to go to Italy in August of 2014 while still a student at Chūō University The roughly three months he spent playing for Modena Volley were transformative Up to then he had not considered playing long term for a team overseas but getting a taste of play in one of the top professional leagues convinced him that he wanted to compete at the highest level of the sport Ishikawa has played for the likes of Top Volley Latina fast players in a fiercely competitive environment he has built his confidence while honing his technique and bolstering his mental fortitude Armed with a blistering spike that barrels down from a height of 351 centimeters and utilizing a diverse approach to attack vectors he has forged a reputation as a trusted scorer in any situation while on the defensive end he offers reliable receiving skills His unsatiated thirst for points and strong desire to win inspires his teammates and results in true synergy on the court Ishikawa is not particularly tall for a volleyball player earning him respect on the global stage and working to raise the image of Japanese volleyball Ishikawa was core to the club’s historic third-place finish during the 2023–24 season He has proved himself to be not only Japan’s leading talent Ishikawa transferred to SuperLega’s Sir Safety Perugia for the 2024–25 season He was approached by a number of teams in other leagues but signed with what many consider to be the world’s best professional team anywhere out of his steadfast desire to become the top player globally and I want to use this a season to narrow in on becoming the best in the world.” This determination to stand at volleyball’s pinnacle has enable Ishikawa to thrive wherever he has played Using his ability to calmly analyze situations and make clear judgments he has continued to grow while performing at the top of his game he has achieved greater heights than any Japanese player ever Ishikawa shows off his new uniform at a press conference following his transfer to the 2024 SuperLega champions Perugia on May 17 Ishikawa had a successful international season in 2023 capped by him leading the Japanese national team to bronze at the Volleyball Nations League Championship The experience undoubtedly boosted the confidence of Ishikawa and his teammates particularly as Japan beat powerhouse Brazil for the first time in almost 30 years and downed a powerful Italian side in the third-place match just a few months later at the Men’s Olympic Volleyball Qualifying Tournament Japan suffered a painful defeat against Egypt early in the competition which forced the team to recalibrate its strategy Japan managed to right its course and succeeded in punching its ticket to Paris The qualifying tournament highlighted Japan’s strengths Ishikawa showed his confidence in the squad saying that “we are in the running for a medal in Paris and we’re still getting stronger.” Japan at the 2024 Men’s Volleyball Nations League improved on its previous performance by taking home the silver Ishikawa expressed disappointment at failing to capture the gold and reaffirmed his commitment to win it all in Paris If the team realizes its dreams of an Olympic medal it will be the first for Japanese volleyball since the men’s team won gold at the Munich Games in 1972 Ishikawa says that the team is wholly focused on medaling declaring that ”we wouldn’t be talking about it if we weren’t confident and I think with these players and with this team we can do it.” The Japanese men’s team failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics and Ishikawa was resigned to watching the final between Brazil and Italy from the stands he attacked with assertiveness and tenacity against top-ranked Brazil Japan fell short of its goal of reaching the semifinals Ishikawa is intent on not to let that happen again Ishikawa will get its chance to shine this summer Japan’s ace has only grown stronger since Tokyo and he and his teammates are primed and ready to achieve long-awaited glory at the Olympics Banner photo: Ishikawa Yūki spikes against Turkey in an Olympic qualifying match on October 4 There are currently no upcoming/recent events Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here a music event aimed at supporting the recovery and reconstruction of the Noto Peninsula will take place on May 10th (Saturday) in Kanazawa The event will feature a lineup of artists who have shown their support for the initiative The venue for the event will be the Ishikawa Industrial Exhibition Hall which has been a key site for accepting evacuees and relief supplies since the disaster struck numerous support organizations from the Noto Peninsula will be involved providing attendees with information about the current situation in the area and the ongoing need for assistance The event will also offer free tickets to middle and high school students from the Oku-Noto region allowing them to engage with music fans and connect with the future of their community will be donated to volunteer organizations working in the Noto Peninsula Tickets are now available through an early reservation lottery on ePlus with applications accepted until March 4th (Tuesday) 2025 (Saturday) OPEN 10:00 / START 11:00Venue: Ishikawa Industrial Exhibition Hall (193 Fukurahata-cho Minami Performing Artists:Sambomaster / Kuroyume / ORANGE RANGE / BRAHMAN / Maximum the Hormone / MONGOL800 / MAN WITH A MISSION / Kishidan / locofrank / JESSE (RIZE/The BONEZ) / Rina Katohira / ZARAME / FUNNY THINK / Push Pull Pot and more Ticket Prices:General Ticket: ¥8,800 (tax included)Student Ticket: ¥6,600 (tax included) Organizer:GAPPA ROCKS ISHIKAWA Executive Committee / Track Down / e+ / Workstore Tokyo Do / STARBASE INC / TOWER RECORDS / Other disaster relief organizations NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size TechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and Informa we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities Ishikawa created the 1988 arcade game Gator Panic and helped the company recover from its financial struggles in the late 2000s "We are deeply grateful for the support and kindness shown to him during his lifetime," wrote Bandai Namco "The wake and funeral were held privately with close relatives...and we kindly decline any floral tributes Ishikawa joined Namco (pre-Bandai merger) in 1978 He worked several positions at the developer including managing director for research and production At Namco he served as an executive producer on several games After Bandai and Namco merged in 2005, Ishikawa became president of its games division. By 2009, he was appointed president of Bandai Namco Holdings, a position he held until becoming chairman in 2018 He fully stepped down from the company the following year Ishikawa is also credited with Bandai Namco's "IP Axis Strategy," which emphasized speed and innovation The plan was made in response to the company's post-merger struggles in the late 2000s and is said to have "significantly improved" Bandai Namco's performance since then there are plans to hold a public memorial service for Ishikawa at a later date Justin Carter has written for numerous sites including IGN his writing can be found at io9 over on Gizmodo Don't ask him about how much gum he's had because the answer will be more than he's willing to admit This website is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget influences and connects the world’s technology buyers and sellers Informa PLC’s registered office is 5 Howick Place Read the full story on SportsLook - [NPB NOTEBOOK] Marines Sign Shuta Ishikawa to Bolster Their Rotation Looking to fill the void when Roki Sasaki signs with a team in Major League Baseball, the Chiba Lotte Marines announced the signing of veteran right-handed pitcher Shuta Ishikawa on Wednesday The 32-year-old Ishikawa exercised his domestic free agent status after eight seasons with the Pacific League's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Ishikawa negotiated with five clubs and Lotte was able to sign the Tokyo native "I'm determined to fight to win the league championship and win the Japan Series title," Ishikawa said in a statement released by the Marines Ishikawa went 7-2 this season with a 2.56 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 15 games for the Hawks who lost to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in six games in the 2024 Japan Series Ishikawa pitched Game 4 of the Japan Series He struck out four batters and gave up one run on four hits over 5⅔ innings scoring four runs in the seventh inning after Ishikawa had left the game Over eight seasons with the Hawks, Ishikawa has a career win-loss record of 56-41 with a 3.32 ERA and 712 strikeouts in 822 innings. He also tossed a no-hitter against the Saitama Seibu Lions in August 2023 Under manager Masato Yoshii the Marines finished third in the PL standings this season Ishikawa will join a team that is in need of starting pitchers. Only two pitchers this season had 10 or more wins for Lotte: Sasaki with 10 and Kazuya Ojima with 12 Even though he missed large chunks of the season due to injury issues Sasaki had a career-high 10 wins against five losses with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games for Lotte in 2024 Sasaki became the youngest pitcher in NPB history to throw a perfect game at 20 years More than 20 of them have contacted his agent Joel Wolfe to express their interest in negotiating for the hard-throwing right-hander Continue reading the full story on SportsLook Author: Jim Armstrong The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook You must be logged in to post a comment On January 12, Coming-of-Age Ceremonies were held in Wajima and Suzu. The two cities in Ishikawa Prefecture were severely affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and heavy rains The ceremony honors young adults who turn 20 many young people leave their hometowns before turning 20 to pursue education or job opportunities several participants made promises to return in the future I want to come back and contribute to the growth of my hometown." 71 people took part in the Coming-of-Age gathering who is training to become a chef in Kanazawa City "I will continue to work hard every day so that one day I can showcase my skills in Suzu." Its representative Masaharu Omiya explained "We selected this theme because we want to be a light of hope for Wajima which is still recovering from the disaster." Omiya moved out of the prefecture for work his love for his hometown grew stronger over time he returned to Wajima and began working at Wajima City Hall "I want to help make this town a place where young people can thrive." You must be logged in to post a comment SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2014 World Series team on Saturday and if that doesn’t challenge your concept of time “Her name is Braelynn and she just arrived in May,” Ishikawa said over the phone recently It was just one decade ago that Ishikawa hit the pennant-clinching home run that he’d tell his grandchildren about someday His shot into the right-field arcade at the waterfront ballpark in China Basin was such a monumental and dramatic moment in franchise history that a generation of Giants fans will be telling their grandchildren about it It’s not as if the Giants faced elimination in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Ishikawa batted with two runners on base and nobody out in the ninth inning A bloop single over the second baseman’s head might have netted the same result The Giants’ waterfront ballpark set decibel records when the ball landed in the right-field arcade roared around the bases after hitting the franchise’s first pennant-clinching home run since Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in 1951 The television cameras panned to general manager Brian Sabean in his booth as hands covered his sobbing face a former top prospect who had a respectable if less-than-remarkable career who was in his second stint with the club after bouncing around the league and who ended up the postseason starter in left field by providence or circumstance or because of a random assortment of injuries made the moment all the more emblematic for a franchise that was headed to its third World Series in five seasons No matter what Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy did no matter who they plugged in or what roster improvisations they had to make it all kept clicking into place as if guided by fate reached last week while coaching on the road with the Giants’ Low-A San Jose affiliate “That one swing really changed my life from a baseball perspective,” said Ishikawa who is in his eighth season as a minor-league hitting coach I’m always running into people who tell me that they were at the game or they tell me where they were at when it happened It will always be really cool to know that moment had a huge impact on people.” Pablo Sandoval might never hang up his cleats; after the Giants released him in spring training he signed with the independent Staten Island FerryHawks the Giants are expecting an impressive turnout who hit the 18th-inning home run at Nationals Park that helped the Giants escape a hard-fought NL Division Series who planned to play this season but didn’t sign with a club and hasn’t officially retired was behind the batting cage in San Francisco on the Giants’ last homestand along with former Giant Darin Ruf; their two families were just starting a summer vacation together in Sonoma County the Giants anticipate that the attendees on Saturday will include another officially unretired player: Madison Bumgarner whose dominant and unyielding October in 2014 ranks as arguably the greatest single postseason performance by a pitcher in major-league history Bumgarner has kept a low profile since April of last season when the Arizona Diamondbacks released the struggling left-hander and absorbed the two years that remained on the five-year $85 million contract he signed prior to 2020 He hasn’t made any public appearances since then The Giants began the gentle process of pushing and prodding for this weekend many months ago Even Bumgarner had to appreciate that it wouldn’t be the same to get the 2014 team together without the pitcher who threw a shutout against the Kansas City Royals in Game 5 of the World Series then came back on two days of rest to throw five more shutout innings in relief on the road and hoist the Giants to a Game 7 victory Bumgarner’s former batterymate is among those eager to reconnect with him “We caught up on the phone a couple weeks ago,” Buster Posey said Bumgarner’s unrelenting force of will and Ishikawa’s pennant-clinching home run might have been the defining moments of the Giants’ last World Series championship run But they weren’t the only memories that result in frisson when the players recall them it was the NL wild-card game at Pittsburgh when Bumgarner threw a shutout and Crawford’s grand slam cracked open a scoreless game in the fourth inning and slipped noise-canceling headphones on a road atmosphere that was as loud and frenzied as any the Giants had experienced in their previous two championship runs “I feel like that team had the attitude, and a lot of it came from Tim Hudson and Jake Peavy, that if we could go into Pittsburgh and win that wild-card game, we were going to be in a really good spot,” Posey said. “The Nationals had a great team that year But the wild-card game definitely stands out the crowd noise and atmosphere felt similar to Philly in 2010 Every playoff atmosphere is great but those had a different energy And then Craw’s grand slam silenced it and Bumgarner shut them out That’s probably a game that gets overlooked sometimes the importance of going in there and winning that game.” the moment that gives him the most chill bumps — even more than the game-ending home run — happened an inning earlier in Game 5 of that NLCS It was when Michael Morse hit a tying blast off Cardinals right-hander Pat Neshek in the eighth It was the Giants’ own Kirk Gibson moment: Morse was battling an oblique injury that reduced him to pinch-hitting duties and Neshek had held right-handed hitters to a .176 average with two home runs all season Ishikawa was in Rancho Cucamonga with the Low-A club a few days ago when Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” began to play over the stadium speakers It’s among the most ubiquitous rock songs in history Ishikawa had to explain to another coach why he’s still affected by it “I get chills every time we hear it and I get chills whenever I think of Morse’s homer,” said Ishikawa who will be able to take a break from his coaching duties to attend the reunion “The Giants would play it when we were tied or down in the eighth they’re playing the song and all of a sudden (Journey lead vocalist) Steve Perry is on the big screen And that was after I’d given up that bonehead run in the fourth inning when I misplayed a ball That was one of the coolest baseball moments that didn’t happen to me I knew right there that we were going to win who was probably the nastiest right-on-right pitcher in baseball that year ‘There’s no way we can lose at this point.’ I was confident we weren’t going back to St That’s how ripped-from-the-storybook everything seemed to be in that 2014 run When a team wins Game 7 of the World Series those final moments tend to blot out everything that came before it But so many moments that led up to that last game in Kansas City remain fixed in franchise lore There was the tumult of Thunderstixx and the Rally Monkey in Anaheim in 2002 Maybe those teams just needed someone like Bumgarner to bully their way to the end I don’t know that I appreciated it in the moment as much as I probably should have just because you want to win that game so bad after all the work that’s been put into this …’ It was one of the more nervous games leading up to it Of all the stats and accolades that defined Posey’s career this one might stand out: He caught 56 postseason games and 14 of them — exactly 25 percent — were shutouts He’d say all I had to do was sit back there I trusted him to throw what he was comfortable with more than anybody.” who more than held his own as a 19-year-old in the Cal League before the Giants promoted him to High-A Eugene at the end of June “This is a guy who will be a leader in the big league clubhouse,” Ishikawa said of Eldridge but you can see an aura and maturity level around him that you don’t see from a lot of 19-year-olds He’s way beyond where I was (as a high school draftee).” Perhaps Eldridge will make a memory that Giants fans will tell their grandchildren about “It’s created opportunities for me,” Ishikawa said “I’ve had the opportunity to speak at churches and baseball camps to help others who might be going through a tough time in baseball or life in general We’re all facing challenges and trials and there’s no guarantee everything will always turn out well but you have to keep grinding with the right mindset That’s the message when I share the story.” Rescuers search where houses were swept away along a river in Wajima following heavy rain in central Japan’s Noto peninsula area where a devastating earthquake took place on Jan A house leans as a swollen river undermines the ground in Suzu Debris and driftwoods are piled near damaged houses along a river running through Wajima Debris and driftwoods cover rice fields in Suzu A man wades through a flooded street near temporary housing units installed after the Jan People wade through a partially flooded street in Suzu Japan’s Self-Defense Forces vehicles deployed to support people in areas affected by severe weather are parked on a mud-covered road in Wajima This aerial photo shows the flooded area after heavy rain in Wajima Debris is piled along a bridge over the Kawarada river near the city hall in Wajima This aerial photo shows cars are submerged after heavy rain in Wajima Debris is piled in a river running through Wajima the car park of a municipal office is seen under water This aerial photo shows the flooded Kawarada river and submerged area after heavy rain in Wajima TOKYO (AP) — Rescue workers searched for at least six people missing Sunday after heavy rain pounded Japan’s northcentral region of Noto triggering landslides and floods and leaving one person dead in a region still recovering from a deadly Jan The agency has since downgraded the heavy rain alert and kept landslide and flooding warnings in place one person died and another was missing after being swept in floodwaters Another went missing in the nearby town of Noto rescue workers were searching for four people missing following a landslide at a construction site They were among 60 construction workers repairing a tunnel damaged by January’s quake The FDMA said another person was missing due to floods at a different location in the city NHK footage at a coastal area of Wajima showed a wooden house torn and tilted after it was apparently hit by a landslide two people were seriously injured by a landslide while visiting their quake-damaged home At least 16 rivers in Ishikawa breached their banks as of Saturday afternoon according to the Land and Infrastructure Ministry Residents were urged to use maximum caution against possible mudslides and building damage about 1,350 residents were taking shelter at designated community centers school gymnasiums and other town facilities About 50 centimeters (20 inches) of rain has fallen in the region over the last three days due to the rainbands that cause torrential rain above the Hokuriku region “Heavy rain is hitting the region that had been badly damaged by the Noto earthquake and I believe many people are feeling very uneasy,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi Hayashi said the government “puts people’s lives first” and its priority was search and rescue operations He also called on the residents to pay close attention to the latest weather and evacuation advisories and take precautions early adding that the Self Defense Force troops have been dispatched to Ishikawa to join rescue efforts A resident in Wajima told NHK that he has just finished cleaning his house from the quake damage and it was depressing to now see it flooded by muddy water A number of roads flooded by muddy water were also blocked said more than 5,000 homes were still without power Sunday Traffic lights were out in the affected areas Heavy rain also fell in nearby northern prefectures of Niigata and Yamagata threatening flooding and other damages and suspending train operations including the Yamagata Shinkansen bullet trains A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the region on Jan killing more than 370 people and damaging roads and other key infrastructure Its aftermath still affects the local industry Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons Located on the Sea of Japan, Ishikawa Prefecture once held a powerful place in feudal Japan. We can see this legacy today at Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three greatest Japanese traditional gardens, and the faithfully restored Kanazawa Castle there are lots of ways to connect to the culture and beauty of Ishikawa From its celebrated seafood and local produce to vibrant ceramics and views from atop Mount Utatsu Ishikawa Prefecture has much to savor and explore an organization that provides food for vulnerable groups can go a long way towards making a positive difference in Ishikawa there’s plenty of nature to bask in for visitors to Ishikawa The relatively short size makes for an easy hike to the top in just about 30 minutes you’ll have a sweeping panoramic view of the city there are nooks and crannies to explore as well Head to the Iris Garden in June for nearly 3,000 hydrangeas and July for more than 200,000 irises Take a stroll on one of the park’s three levels which include streams and ponds to accompany the flowering blossoms The Mount Utatsu Temple Area lies near the base of the mountain near the Asanogawa River and contains about 50 temples and shrines of varying sizes With lots of narrow trails lying under the lightly canopied forest you’ll have a lovely time navigating this quiet slice of city life The Noto Peninsula is the northern tip of Ishikawa Prefecture that juts out into the Sea of Japan With scenic views and small towns perfect for experiencing local culture touring the peninsula is a great option for people looking for adventure outside the big cities Cyclists setting out from Kanazawa and tracing a route along the coast up and back down to Himi in neighboring Toyama Prefecture can expect about 360 kilometers of mostly flat terrain A shorter trip from Hakui City to Nanao City measures around 240 kilometers Reward yourself at your destination with a soak in the historical Wakura Onsen If you’re interested in a day trip from Kanazawa The site is famous for its large hole that cuts a tunnel through a massive rock formation on the Kongo Coast Take a walk around the shore and in the cave or get a different perspective via a boat tour but two beautiful types of traditional crafts for your dinner table clay deposits were discovered near the village of Kutani in the southwest corner of Ishikawa Prefecture Transforming the raw materials into porcelain and applying techniques learned from Arita one of the leaders of Japanese ceramic production At the other end of the prefecture on the Noto Peninsula you can find another form of traditional crafts: Wajima lacquerware Wajima lacquerware features a distinctively glossy exterior made possible by jinoko powdered diatomaceous soil only found around Wajima Using Japanese zelkova or cherry birch trees as the base wood lacquerware goods include everything from chopsticks and stationary to tableware The whole process from start to finish can take over 100 steps to produce its signature look Check out the Wajima Museum of Lacquer Art for its incredible collection Ishikawa’s geography means great food from north to south Situated on the Sea of Japan and benefitting from the intersection of cold and warm currents Ishikawa is unsurprisingly well known for its seasonal catches Several varieties of crab are caught throughout the year Kegani (horsehair crab) may not be a household name but it’s a delicious one that is available much of the year outside of summer and packs a sweet flavor kobakogani (female snow crab) is highly sought after in winter for its rich and creamy meat and abundance of roe Enjoy it boiled and seasoned with vinegar and soy sauce or simmered whole as a soup Kaga yasai (literally meaning vegetables from Kaga) are a special designation of heirloom vegetables grown in and around Kanazawa City While many of these vegetables have been consumed by locals for generations they have gradually become less profitable to produce a dedicated group has fought hard to keep this part of regional culinary history alive often simmered and commonly found in Ishikawa’s New Year’s cuisine (osechi) A sweet potato known for its high sugar and relatively low moisture content Gorojima kintoki is a fall favorite and central ingredient in soft serve ice cream and sweets Eat like a local and pick up some Kaga yasai at Omicho Market Kanazawa’s largest and most important fresh food market Ishikawa Prefecture has lots more to offer Why not check out these extra spots to round out your trip planning I’m the only one of us that likes it though My wife and I have lived here for seven years now the Sushi is inexpensive from local restaurants like Benizushi including all restaurants and many supermarkets The nature and views of Noto Cho are breathtaking especially if you drive along Route 35 on Toyama Bay you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Northern Alps across Toyama Bay I really enjoy driving my motorbike around Noto on my day off You can also visit Yanagida Shokubutsuen (Noto Botanical Gardens) to enjoy nature One of the reasons my wife and I love living here is because we love the tranquility of the nature of Noto and the beautiful night sky You can clearly thousands of stars here at night The summers here are relatively cooler than most areas south of Noto Noto is a great place to visit but right now we are still slowly recovering from the Earthquake Just another thing to factor in if your planning to visit Noto I will add that the local sake is wonderful as well with the most famous probably being Tedorigawa which was featured in the great documentary The Birth of Sake Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts Join the leading Asian tourist attraction to assist our diverse range of customers A mix of what's trending on our other sites You are the reason JAPAN Forward launched The Week — a podcast for busy people who want to keep abreast of what is going on in Japan The podcast is back and we're traveling to Ishikawa to explore the region's recovery 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Reach out and stay in touch on Twitter @ariellebusetto. We have a library of podcasts available on our landing page, including Real Issues, Real Voices, Real Japan ー in both English and Japanese, ー and discover Sports Talk Author: Arielle Busetto Be the first to know when the latest episode is released on iTunes and Spotify We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info You must be logged in to post a comment Today's print edition Home Delivery The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a significant heavy snow warning again for the central prefecture of Ishikawa shortly after 5:30 a.m A strong winter pressure pattern brought heavy snowfall mainly to the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku northeastern region and the Hokuriku central region which includes Ishikawa.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The agency warned of major traffic disruptions in flat areas in the northern part of the Noto region in Ishikawa matching the largest recorded amount for the area Accumulated snow could crush houses damaged by the Jan Noto Peninsula earthquake and heavy rains that hit the same peninsula in Ishikawa last September The winter pressure pattern is forecast to remain until around Sunday and the flow of cold air mass is expected to intensify intermittently leading to an increase in snow accumulation in some areas In the city of Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture matching a record high for February for the area 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 Bandai Namco said it was "deeply grateful for the support and kindness shown to him during his lifetime" Former Bandai Namco president Shukuo Ishikawa has died In a statement, as reported by Oricon News Bandai Namco said it chose not to disseminate news of his death on September 9 until after his funeral "We regret to inform you that former president of Bandai Namco Holdings and former president of Bandai Namco Entertainment We are deeply grateful for the support and kindness shown to him during his lifetime "The wake and funeral were held privately with close relatives and we waited until after the memorial service to share the news of his passing We sincerely appreciate your understanding." When Bandai and Namco merged in the mid-2000s He stood down from the company just a year later The company said it would honour Ishikawa in a memorial service at a later date No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ is a registered trademark of Gamer Network Limited With the Japanese men aiming for their first Olympic volleyball medal since winning the gold at the 1972 Munich Games the anticipation level for the competition will be high amongst fans of the Hinomaru in the coming days Japan, which won the silver medal in the 2024 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League in Poland in late June begins pool play against Germany on Saturday who ended a 28-year Olympic medal drought with a bronze at the 2012 London Games What some fans inside Japan and many outside may not be aware of are the family connections that link both squads Twenty-eight-year-old Yuki Ishikawa, Japan's top star in the sport, is the older brother of Mayu Ishikawa Yuki Ishikawa now plays club volleyball for Sir Safety Perugia in Italy after four seasons with Allianz Milano that he has been playing professionally in the Italian League for 10 years now credits Yuki with her inspiration to play volleyball and admires him "He communicates well with his teammates on the court," Mayu commented "There is a lot that I can learn from him." "She is more methodical than me," Yuki noted "She definitely does what she has decided to do." The family ties continue with Yuji Nishida, Japan's left-handed attacking complement to Yuki Ishikawa. The 24-year-old Nishida is the husband of Japan women's captain Sarina Koga Koga admitted she wasn't initially attracted to the brash Nishida but I didn't like that feeling of 'I'm Nishida' on the court," Koga remarked I realized that he was a very stoic and serious person in terms of how he plays The 28-year-old Koga, who helped spark Japan to the silver medal in the Women's Volleyball Nations League in June in Bangkok has announced that she will retire from international play after the Paris Games After announcing his surprise marriage to Koga in late 2022 Nishida posted a heartfelt message on social media and would like to be a good family while supporting each other," Nishida wrote The dynamic duo of Yuki Ishikawa and Nishida has raised the level of the Japan men's team over the past half-dozen years to where it has a legitimate shot at a medal in France In a TV interview that aired earlier this year Yuki Ishikawa expressed confidence in his team's chances in France "It won't be strange at all if we get the gold medal in Paris," Ishikawa stated We can fight and put out lots of energy to win." Ishikawa credits Japan's improvement in part to several of his teammates getting new opportunities to improve their skills "The number of players who have played abroad has been increasing," Ishikawa noted. "Ran Takahashi (outside hitter) is also playing well in the Italian League 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 X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan You must be logged in to post a comment It’s been a decade since the Japan captain began plying his trade in Serie A during which he evolved into one of the world’s most.. highly respected players with the national side I have been thinking hard about how to get this team to win.' Ishikawa Prefecture Deaths after Intense Rain and Flooding Severe downpours hit the prefecture of Ishikawa (Noto Peninsula) in Japan This left six people dead – after rivers burst their banks and landslides developed which are still recovering from a deadly earthquake that devastated the area on 1 January which began on Saturday and continued until noon local time (03:00 GMT) on Monday.” Several hundred people were killed in this earthquake the severe downpours are a grim reminder of the potency of nature the people of Ishikawa prefecture are once more mourning the loss of life – and the destruction of property and infrastructure Some people in temporary houses built after the earthquake were also hit by floods “The meteorological agency says nearly 500 millimeters of rain was recorded in Wajima from Friday evening to 10 p.m Nearly 400 millimeters of rain was also observed in Suzu City Both figures are more than double the average rainfall for September and are also the highest since the agency began keeping records.” The Hokuriku Electric Power Company said 4,000 households were still without power “The number of missing people in the city reached 10.” Yoshimasa Hayashi (Chief Cabinet Secretary) uttered “This is heavy rain in the region that suffered massive damage by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.” Parts of the prefectures of Niigata and Yamagata also witnessed heavy rainfall “Military personnel were sent to the Ishikawa region to join rescue workers over the weekend as tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate.” Modern Tokyo News is part of the Modern Tokyo Times group http://moderntokyotimes.com Modern Tokyo Times – International News and Japan News http://sawakoart.com – Sawako Utsumi’s website and Modern Tokyo Times artist https://moderntokyonews.com Modern Tokyo News – Tokyo News and International News https://twitter.com/MTT_News Modern Tokyo Times https://www.facebook.com/moderntokyotimes Spearheading the resurgence of Japanese men's volleyball captain and star attacker Yuki Ishikawa has reason to believe his team can end their 52-year absence from the Olympic podium with a gold medal in Paris this summer The 28-year-old outside hitter has played in Italy's Serie A since 2014 and has been the talisman for a Japanese men's program that faced uncertainty after missing both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and only qualifying in 2021 as the Tokyo Games host who instigated overseas moves for countrymen including Ran Takahashi and Yuji Nishida led Japan to the Nations League bronze last July for its first medal at a major tournament since 1977 Having booked its Paris berth in October and reached No 2 in the latest FIVB rankings behind Poland on the back of a silver medal at this year's NL in June Japan heads into the Olympics as a force to be reckoned with I think this is a team that should (at least) medal," Ishikawa said in the first three Olympics since the sport's 1964 debut in Tokyo culminating with the championship in 1972 in Munich but has not reached the podium once while appearing in just half of the 12 subsequent summer games But on top of a new generation with overseas experience head coach and former France player Philippe Blain has put together a well-oiled Japan team ahead of a return to his homeland defensive combination and discipline have all been instilled since his days as Japan assistant coach After the host went out of the Tokyo Games with a 3-0 loss to Brazil in the quarterfinals Japan's best finish since coming sixth in 1992 and his team's rise has been eye-catching ever since At a time when Japan's seventh-ranked women raised their own medal hopes after also finishing runner-up in their Nations League Ishikawa feels now is time for his team to deliver I recall it only with frustration," the new Sir Safety Perugia player said That's the resolve I'm taking into these Olympics." Annual torch event to drive away pests held in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture Olympics: Japan's athlete count to top 400, highest in overseas games Olympics: Fencer Emura, breaker Nakarai named Japan's flag-bearers Ishikawa Prefecture has seen an increase in applications for publicly funded demolition of houses damaged by the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake that hit the prefecture Since many of the damaged houses are traditional concerns are rising that their demolition could impair the region's landscape and cultural value.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The prefectural government has launched a support program for people planning to repair damaged houses to continue to live in them or convert them into accommodation facilities 2025Mead GalleryWarwick Arts CentreUniversity of WarwickCoventry CV4 7AL The Mead Gallery at Warwick Arts Centre is set to unveil the first institutional solo exhibition in Europe dedicated to Mao Ishikawa this May the pioneering Okinawan artist and activist whose raw unflinching images have chronicled life on the margins of Japanese society for nearly five decades Bringing together more than 60 works spanning the 1970s to the present the exhibition traces the breadth of Ishikawa’s photographic practice from her seminal series Red Flower: The Women of Okinawa to her ongoing exploration of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Frequently likened to Nan Goldin for her intimate Ishikawa emerged in the late 1970s with Red Flower a striking series that captured the lives of Okinawan women who formed relationships with African American servicemen stationed at U.S Originally published in the 1982 photobook Hot Days in Camp Hansen these images offer an unvarnished portrait of camaraderie and survival in a community shaped by American military presence Her deep engagement with her subjects—living among them listening to their stories—became the hallmark of a career defined by empathy and unfiltered realism Though Okinawa remains her home and central focus she journeyed to the United States to document the hometown of an African American serviceman she met in Japan Other projects have turned to Japan’s military history from the remnants of its imperial past to the contemporary reality of the Self-Defense Forces and their entanglement with the U.S pushing the boundaries of documentary photography Her recent work includes The Great Ryukyu Photo Scroll (2014–) rooted in the historical and cultural identity of Okinawa This shift was prefigured by Here’s What the Japanese Flag Means to Me (2008) an earlier meditation on national symbols and contested narratives Mao Ishikawa Commented: “I am delighted to have my first institutional solo exhibition in Europe at the Mead Gallery For the past 50 years I have photographed Okinawa and things related to Okinawa I hope that people all over the world can see what is happening on this small island.” Through her relentless curiosity and commitment to storytelling Ishikawa continues to challenge perceptions of Okinawa and beyond—an endeavour now receiving long-overdue recognition on the European stage Japan) is a pioneering photographer whose work captures the raw often-overlooked realities of Okinawan life she embraces “photography of the inside,” immersing herself in the lives of her subjects depicts Okinawan women in relationships with Black American soldiers in stark contrast to stereotypical portrayals including Here’s What the Japanese Flag Means to Me (2010) and Fences critique Japan’s marginalization of Okinawa and the psychological impact of U.S Ishikawa challenges power structures and amplifies voices often ignored With exhibitions in Japan and internationally her work stands as a fearless emblem of Okinawa’s complex history and ongoing resistance Learn more Art Plugged is a contemporary platform inspired by a relationship with the broader arts communities We provide our audience with curated insight into the world of art from exhibitions to artist interviews and more We strive to showcase all mediums of art from all corners of the globe so we have you covered whether you’re a casual art lover or a serious collector.