a fashion designer and an old friend of Raymond and Cécile’s late mom threatens to disturb her vision of paradise Cécile wears this egg yolk-yellow and off-white swimsuit throughout the film. Miyako Bellizzi: Durga reached out to me about the project about a year before—so we’d been talking about it for a long time. And then it was Durga who brought me and Cynthia together. Before we had a character, before Chloë had been cast, Cynthia and I were already talking. Cynthia Merhej: When I first read the script and read Anne’s character, I felt like I could relate to her in a lot of ways; and I understood why Durga thought of me for it. MB: Yes, I feel like, Cynthia, you as a person are very similar to Anne. The three of us had all these ideas of how to take inspiration from the original film, which is from the 1950s, and use it to create characters that are timeless. Then we were waiting to see who was cast. And as soon as it was Chloë we were like, ok wait, this changes everything! Sevigny as Anne in a marvelous beach cover-up. CM: We did a lot of little pieces: skirts, a robe you can wear to the beach, little tops and pants, and Miyako mixed and matched things together to really bring out her character. I feel with Lily McInerney’s character Cécile, it was simpler because Miyako had envisioned her as wearing easy pieces like swimsuits and t-shirts most of the time, so there was just one dress for her. It was very straightforward. MB: Yes, also Cécile’s character doesn’t really care [about clothes], so she can wear the same thing multiple times. This is the first film that I’ve done where I’ve had so many women, and that’s what was so interesting to me. I think for the most part people know me from styling men, so it was really incredible for me to be able to do three completely different women in the summertime. Cécile, Elsa, and Anne—the three women at the heart of Bonjour Tristesse. Yes, I love that Cécile wears the same swimsuit almost the whole movie. Miyako, you’re very good at styling characters that are grounded in reality. But Cécile also has that special moment, when Anne gives her a dress, which is in a way a coming-out dress. CM: The famous yellow dress! I got a really cute message the other week from someone that wants that dress for their prom. Miyako had very specific ideas on the shade of the dress. There was a scene where she’s supposed to fall on the floor and you’re supposed to see a bit from under the skirt and we liked this idea of a flash of pink that’s a little bit secretive, a little bit seductive, and still quite naive and young and innocent, because that’s who she still is. Bellizzi and Merhej worked together to find the exact shade of yellow that would stand out against the refrigerator light. MB: Every film is different. This one especially in the sense that it’s contemporary, but it’s based off of a vintage film. I wanted it to be timeless. Durga and I sent images back and forth to each other to create the world, and asked questions: What would you wear on holiday in the summer? What do Europeans wear when they pack and live in the summer on the sea? Has it changed or stayed the same over the last 70 years? CM: I work in a similar way where I’m using a lot of different things: drawings, photos, collage, whatever. Usually I get the ideas really fast in my brain and in a flash I just have to scribble everything down. Depending on how much time I have, I’ll do proper drawings or just go ahead and start draping and making things. “We worked with Sophie Buhai on her hair pin, her jewelry—the pearl earrings—everything was very intentional,” Bellizzi explains. In the film there is a scene where Anne is sketching and they show your drawings. CM: It was a really weird process. I got a bit blocked to be honest. I thought, should I draw as Anne or should I draw as me? Because drawing is such an intimate process: my sketching is rough and I like when things are very imperfect and weird and not symmetrical, but I didn’t feel Anne would be that weird so I tried to be more precise in my drawings. Does working on a project like this influence your own style? MB: I think so, because it’s all you’re thinking about so you kind of become it. I don’t know if you feel the same way, Cynthia. But it was also a bit of a fantasy too, because I was living this other life in the south of France. So you’re in a different place physically and mentally and you dress differently when you’re in different places, and then there’s a definite reset when you get back to New York. It was like, ‘Alright, I’m back in my sneakers.’ This conversation has been edited and condensed. here worn by Aliocha Schneider as Cyril and Lily McInerny as Cécile created from a reworked design by Renaissance Renaissance’s Cynthia Merhej Many of the costumes were sourced from vintage markets Best known for her work with the Safdie brothers the New York-based costume designer scoured French markets and collaborated with Renaissance Renaissance’s Cynthia Merhej to capture the dreamlike spirit of Durga Chew-Bose’s retelling of the Françoise Sagan novella one of Larry Clark’s Tulsa photographs from his controversial 1971 series sits behind costume designer Miyako Bellizzi when we meet on Zoom in anticipation of her new project A contemporary retelling of Françoise Sagan’s 1954 novel and the directional debut of writer-turned-filmmaker Durga Chew-Bose experiences a wholly different adolescence to the suburban teenagers Clark depicted 50 years ago and indeed those who inhabit his later films and yet his work had a subtle but not insignificant bearing on the feature whose breakout role arrived with Clark’s Kids while the iconic blue T-shirt she wore in the 1995 picture finds a double in Cécile’s wardrobe ‘That was a special correlation I only made later,’ shares Bellizzi she’s not explicitly interested in clothes kiss the boy next door or read beside an assembly of beverages (water Her style is largely casual and she rarely bothers with trousers in the house; in one scene the camera appears to remark on this carefree attitude watching as she realises her jumper is inside out of the label Renaissance Renaissance (an LVMH Prize semi-finalist) she was like “I see Anne being Cynthia's work” and honestly it was refreshing,’ reflects Bellizzi very special collaboration that doesn't exist much in this industry While Merhej’s pieces became the blueprint for much of Anne’s wardrobe – an early challenge for Bellizzi and Chew-Bose ‘seeing Chloë not as the fashion designer that maybe everyone would think that she is’ – the pair’s real showpiece is a champagne coloured evening frock that Anne gifts Cécile Reworked from an existing Renaissance Renaissance design (and originally produced in black) it features a magnificent skirt with a train and a tie that transforms its essence into a bubble shape ‘The dress is the most beautiful thing,’ says Bellizzi going with a really beautiful silk taffeta and added tulle underneath so it would create more body and grab the light.’ Either side of Cécile’s fairytale moment she mostly wears swimwear; a red two-piece because her being in the sea is such a big part of the film Cécile would wear a swimsuit all day – go to the beach go to dinner wearing it still – she's a teenage girl So I wanted it to be intertwined with her everyday wardrobe,’ offers Bellizzi ‘Finding the yellow swimsuit was like finding a needle in a haystack; I had been looking forever It was really important to find something one of a kind that you would never really see or you can't buy – that's a big part of what I like to do Bonjour Tristesse opens in selected US cinemas today (2 May 2025) escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox Zoe Whitfield is a London-based writer whose work spans contemporary culture She has written extensively for international titles including Interview (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at Miyako Sushi and Grill on Richmond Road causing significant damage to the restaurant’s kitchen fire crews received a call about a structure fire at 3:23 p.m and upgraded it to a working fire when they got on scene Firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the vents of the building No one was inside the restaurant when the fire started Crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly and are now working to ventilate the building Chief Galati said the damage to the kitchen is extensive and the restaurant will not be able to reopen anytime soon The cause of the fire remains under investigation Japan to Itaro Kondo and Tayiko Esaki and was proud of her status as a member of a samurai family Miyako and her twin sister Tokiko both attended nursing school on scholarship at the Kurume University School of Nursing.  After graduation in 1945 she worked for the University hospital as a surgical nurse she accompanied her husband to the United States in November of 1953 and proudly became an American citizen on October 15 After John's retirement in 1971 they settled in Fayetteville and she went on to own and operate Miyako's Beauty Salon Her many talents included Japanese doll making Miyako was preceded in death by her husband Shizuka and Tokiko; and her great grandchildren Cameron Blake Draughon and Ashley Marie Garrett Roland (Andrea) Johnson of Raleigh; daughter She also leaves behind 4 loving grandchildren Brenden Ribar and Lorelei Johnson as well as 6 great grandchildren Miyako Sushi and Steak House released a statement on social media Tuesday following a fire in which the restaurant said that it will be closed until further notice due to extensive damage “Our management and staff are devastated after enduring a fire within the restaurant today We are beyond grateful that not a single person was injured in this tragedy,” the post says The post mentions that the restaurant has been in business in Lexington for 25 years this year along with additional emergency personnel are at a scene at Miyoka Sushi & Grill as of 4 p.m This is a developing story and LEX 18 wil have more information as it becomes available Report a typo This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLEXINGTON (WKYT) - Crews responded to a kitchen fire at a Lexington restaurant Crews were dispatched to Miyako Sushi & Steakhouse on Richmond Road at around 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon Officials say crews quickly extinguished the bulk of the fire located in the kitchen where it had spread to the ventilation system Officials say investigators are working to determine the origin and cause of the fire They say the restaurant will be closed until repairs are made Ryan Chan is a Newsweek reporter based in Hong Kong, where he previously had over a decade of experience at a local newspaper, covering China and current events around the world. His focus is on security and defense issues in the Western Pacific region. He is a graduate of Hong Kong Baptist University. You can get in touch with Ryan by emailing r.chan@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content A Chinese flotilla was spotted sailing toward the wider Western Pacific Ocean this week which included a suspected laser-armed warship Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email The Chinese navy has also expanded its reach and presence far away from the country's shores The deployment of the Chinese naval vessel came after the United States sent a destroyer equipped with a high-energy laser weapon to Japan in October 2024 USS Preble is capable of firing laser beams to destroy hostile fast attack craft and drones The Japanese Defense Ministry on Wednesday reported the recent movements of China's warships in the Miyako Strait, a waterway in Japan's southwestern islands that links two marginal seas of the Western Pacific Ocean: the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea seven Chinese warships—two Type 052D destroyers and one Type 903 replenishment ship—transited the Miyako Strait southeastward The Type 071 amphibious warship was identified as CNS Siming Shan which is armed with a laser-based directed energy weapon specialist outlet Naval News reported in August 2024 citing images circulated on social media that were yet to be officially confirmed the laser weapon was placed between the Siming Shan's main gun and the command bridge "The modification includes a protective and extendable cupola," Naval News said "This design supports the notion that this is indeed some form of laser weapon." It is not clear if the Siming Shan's laser weapon is now operational or still being tested The Preble's laser has been tested in Fiscal Year 2024 Compared with traditional defensive ship-based weapons such as missiles laser weapons could be less expensive per shot and have virtually unlimited firing power The Pentagon said in its Chinese military power report: "The [People's Liberation Army Navy] continues to develop into a global force gradually extending its operational reach beyond East Asia into a sustained ability to operate at increasingly longer ranges." Specialist outlet The War Zone wrote: "The Type 071 includes a small flight deck at the stern and hangar space for up to four Z-8 heavy transport helicopters It also has capacity for four air-cushion landing craft It remains to be seen whether the Siming Shan will test its laser during the deployment in the wider Western Pacific Ocean which could eventually provide "very significant" new capabilities to the Chinese fleet of warships specialist outlet The War Zone pointed out Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that is factual and fair We value your input and encourage you to rate this article Newsletters in your inbox See all According to multiple Japanese government sources the operations included heavily armed coast guard vessels and naval frigates in a display of coordinated maritime capabilities Defense reporter at the Global Times covering weapons and military development The guided-missile frigate Changzhou (Hull 549) attached to a flotilla of the Chinese PLA Navy sails toward the designated waters during a maritime training exercise on November 2 (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wan Haichao) Highlighting the PLA's advancing missile and warplane capabilities a senior US Air Force commander recently called for “inside .. China is taking countermeasures against 13 US military firms and six senior executives over the US' recent announcement .. the Philippines dispatched coast guard ships and government vessels Two Chinese military task groups just transited the Miyako Strait into the Philippine Sea In a recent development that has raised concerns across the Indo-Pacific region two separate Chinese military task groups transited the Miyako Strait into the Philippine Sea as confirmed by Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO) signals a continued demonstration of China’s military presence in the region further intensifying the already complex security dynamics in one of the world’s most strategically vital areas The two Chinese task groups involved in the recent passage through the Miyako Strait include a surface action group and an amphibious task group the surface group was led by the PLAN destroyer CNS Nanjing The ships were sighted sailing southeast in an area northeast of Miyako Island around 11 p.m before making their way through the strait to enter the Philippine Sea which included the PLAN destroyer CNS Shaoxing this task group also sailed southeast through the waters between Okinawa and Miyako Island to enter the Philippine Sea These movements were closely monitored by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, with the JS Shishijima minesweeper and a JMSDF P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft shadowing the Chinese vessels The JSO noted that while the Miyako Strait is regularly used by Chinese military ships and aircraft to transit between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea the transit of PLAN amphibious ships through this route is a rare occurrence a 155-mile wide passageway between Miyako Island and Okinawa has long been a critical route for military movements in the region It serves as a key point of transit between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea an area of growing importance due to its proximity to the contested South China Sea and Taiwan While Chinese naval movements through the Miyako Strait are not uncommon the presence of amphibious ships is unusual which are designed to support landing operations and force projection raise questions about China’s intentions in the region This rare sighting comes after a similar transit on August 17, 2024, involving a PLAN Type 052 destroyer and a Type 075 amphibious assault ship signaling an increased level of Chinese military activity in this area The exact purpose of these deployments remains unclear with speculation rife about whether the task groups are preparing for potential operations near Taiwan’s east coast or if they are simply en route to a different area of operations Given China’s longstanding claims over Taiwan and its military assertiveness in the region this latest move has fueled concerns that Beijing could be planning more direct action in the near future Japan’s military is monitoring 7 PLA Navy vessels that on February 10-11 sailed southeast in the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island The 7 PLA Navy vessels include 2 Luyang III class missile destroyers, 2 Jankai II class frigates, a… pic.twitter.com/1PDaK0Y48a — Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) February 12, 2025 This recent transit by Chinese forces follows a growing trend of increased military activity in the Indo-Pacific there have been numerous reports of Chinese naval and air forces operating near Taiwan These movements have often been accompanied by heightened rhetoric from Beijing emphasizing its strategic interests in the region have maintained a strong military presence in the region conducting joint exercises and operations to counterbalance China’s growing influence The US Navy, along with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and other regional partners, regularly participates in training exercises in the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea reinforcing their commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and security in these vital waterways The increasing frequency of Chinese military movements in the Miyako Strait and surrounding areas is not without diplomatic implications and other regional disputes continue to simmer the presence of Chinese naval forces in the Philippine Sea further complicates the security environment which closely monitors Chinese military activity due to its own territorial disputes with Beijing in the East China Sea has expressed concern over the growing presence of PLAN forces in the region The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s proactive surveillance of the recent Chinese task group movements underscores Japan’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its interests and maintain regional stability Naval & Air-Force units from Australia, Japan, the Philippines & USA joined for the #CopeNorth25 exercise in the #IndoPacific, to uphold freedom of navigation & support regional stability. pic.twitter.com/xTolyqRzHV — Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) February 13, 2025 The US has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan’s defense under the Taiwan Relations Act and Japan has emphasized its resolve to protect its sovereignty and regional security The recent transit of two Chinese military task groups through the Miyako Strait is a significant development in the ongoing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific While the full scope of China’s military intentions remains unclear the increasing presence of PLAN ships in these waters coupled with their unusual use of amphibious vessels points to a potential shift in Chinese military strategy As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article Anduril Is the Netflix of War—and the Old Defense Giants Are About to Get Blockbuster’d SOFREP Evening Brief: Trump Annoys 1.4 Billon Catholics by Posting Pic of Himself As Pope Putin Says He Hopes He Won’t Have to Use Nukes in Ukraine Mexico Rejects US Offer to Send Troops Across the Border British Special Air Service Compromised: How a Decade-Long Security Oversight Put Elite Operatives at Risk SOFREP Evening Brief: Trump Annoys 1.4 Billon Catholics by Posting Pic of Himself As Pope, Putin Says He Hopes He Won’t Have to Use Nukes in Ukraine, Mexico Rejects US Offer to Send Troops Across the Border · 4 hours ago The World is Gearing Up for War: $2.7 Trillion in Global Military Spending Signals a New Era of Conflict · 5 hours ago The Great Goat Heist: Inside the Navy’s Mascot Snatch · 7 hours ago SOFREP Evening Brief: Israel Approves Gaza Seizure Plan, Pakistan Conducts Second Missile Test · 7 hours ago Anduril Is the Netflix of War—and the Old Defense Giants Are About to Get Blockbuster’d · 12 hours ago Your Subscription Supports our Veteran Staff and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection and continued support of the sport and airgun industry RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight space and time in the most challenging environments Courtesy of the artist / The Third Gallery Aya have seen their bodies magnified and objectified countless times by art who strives to ‘capture the invisible,’ the female body shines through its absence The photographer skillfully crafts intimate portraits of those who have passed through the objects they left behind: dresses with no hips to fill where she received the 2024 Women in Motion Award for Photography An accolade she accepted as a representative of a group of Japanese women photographers who have long been sidelined in the history of their discipline now honored in a major collective exhibition this year Ishiuchi Miyako had already organized an exhibition of ten Japanese women photographers (including herself) with Ishiuchi Miyako photographing them nude contributed to the renown of her first series created the following year In Zesshō Yokosuka Story (‘Magnificent Poem: Yokosuka Story’), the artist captured the city where she grew up from an unprecedented angle. While other photographers like Daido Moriyama and Shomei Tomatsu had already documented the military base and entertainment districts there Ishiuchi Miyako indirectly highlighted the consequences of American occupation on the surrounding neighborhoods and their inhabitants This was her way of reconciling with a city where numerous unpunished sexual crimes occurred She later said that it was in this environment that she first became aware of her identity as a woman This realization continued to shape her as she advanced in her career which she describes as a ‘boys’ club,’ Ishiuchi Miyako had to assert herself you fall victim to many things,’ she explains in an interview with Pen ‘Even though I don’t consider myself a victim of misogyny I created an image of a strong woman to face men.’ and the image she had created became too burdensome She then returned to her ‘natural state.’ This return to essentials is reflected in her work through two series revealing unadorned bodies Ishiuchi Miyako photographed about fifty women born the same year as her focusing unusually on their hands and feet she illuminated scars as traces of past wounds ‘I want to represent things that have no form The passage of time is thus central to her work After identifying it in the knots and creases of palms and soles Ishiuchi Miyako sought its traces in the personal effects of the deceased ‘These objects carry the proof of a human life,’ she asserts From 2000 to 2005, Ishiuchi Miyako attempted to reconstruct her mother’s life, who had passed away suddenly, in the series Mother’s She pondered over the aspects of her mother’s personality that would remain forever inaccessible such as her penchant for collecting lingerie and the photographer was selected to represent Japan at the Venice Biennale in 2005 a publisher proposed that she photograph the belongings of atomic bomb victims from Hiroshima having only seen black-and-white images of the disaster Ishiuchi Miyako created a new color series ‘I want to capture things as they naturally are To capture the crimson of [my mother’s] lipstick,’ recalls Ishiuchi Miyako ‘I initially started photographing the ひろしま/hiroshima series in black and white And it’s not natural because we don’t see in black and white.’ the photographer was invited to immortalize Frida Kahlo’s personal effects kept sealed in the artist’s bathroom at the request of her husband Diego Rivera until 2004 Ishiuchi Miyako once again revived the shadow of a past life giving form to Frida Kahlo’s personality in a unique way as if she had just left her corsets and boots This attention to details that constitute women’s lives and the way she conveys reality by moving away from fantasies and clichés through a female gaze suggests a feminist approach to the photographic subject Ishiuchi Miyako concludes with nuance and humility ‘I didn’t really concern myself with feminism but the result of my work is considered as such It’s not just about gender or feminism And these themes naturally permeate my daily life.’ To celebrate the extraordinary life and career of the photographer the Rencontres d’Arles and Kering awarded her the 2024 Women in Motion Award for Photography honors women photographers who have made a significant impact on their discipline the Arles festival and the French group are also committed to promoting photographic heritage with the Women in Motion LAB an initiative supporting research projects around female figures in photography the program enabled the organization of a major collective exhibition of Japanese women photographers’ work Japanese Women Photographers From the 1950s to Now accompanied by an unprecedented book restoring the rightful place of Japanese women artists in the history of their country’s photography Belongings (2024), an exhibition of photographs by Ishiuchi Miyako at the Rencontres de la Photographie in Arles, until September 29, 2024, Salle Henri Comte Ishiuchi Miyako is represented by The Third Gallery Aya More information on the Women in Motion Photography Prize on the Kering website Ishiuchi Miyako at the presentation of the 2024 Women in Motion Award for Photography at the Ancient Theatre of Arles © Lisa Le Corre A History of Japanese Women in Photography Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film we interviewed its founder and chief representative The Chinese navy and Coast Guard were reportedly conducted a maritime blockade drill in a strategic waterway near a Japanese island where the United States stationed its forces The Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun said the drill was held in the Miyako Strait. It lies between two of the southwestern islands in Japan—Miyako and Okinawa—while serving as the maritime boundary of the Philippine Sea and the East China Sea The U.S. military deployed 54,000 personnel in Japan pursuant to the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security of 1960 a Japanese prefecture that covers two-thirds of the Southwest Islands On December 22 last year, three frigates and three Coast Guard ships from China transited the Miyako Strait westward from the Philippine Sea to the East China Sea which cited sources close to the Japanese government The Japanese military confirmed the movements of the Chinese warships in a bulletin the following day; however it did not mention the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard in the strait Newsweek has emailed the Chinese and Japanese defense ministries for comment https://t.co/C2XZRsbx2Y１２／２２、中国海軍ジャンカイⅡ級フリゲート２隻及びジャンカイⅠ級フリゲートが、沖縄本島と宮古島との間の海域を北西進し、東シナ海へ向けて航行したことを確認しました。防衛省・自衛隊は、引き続き警戒監視・情報収集を実施します。 pic.twitter.com/eGcHgtAwpm The Yomiuri Shimbun said one of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels has a hull number of 2901, which is known as the "monster ship" due to a displacement of 12,000 tons making it one of the world's two largest law-enforcement vessels This was the first time Japan confirmed that China's navy and Coast Guard ships carried out an operation in the Miyako Strait that suggested a maritime blockade China would deploy naval and Coast Guard ships to surround the island preventing America's military intervention The sailing in the Miyako Strait indicated the Chinese blockade area could be expanded to include nearby Japan's islands A source close to the Japanese government told The Yomiuri Shimbun: "This is an unusual move that indicates China's intention to impose a naval blockade." professor of politics and international relations at the International Christian University in Japan told the Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post: "China is using its strategic and the challenge for Japan is how it can counter that challenge." It remains to be seen whether China will normalize its joint navy and Coast Guard patrols in the waters between Taiwan and Japan enhancing its capability in imposing a blockade at sea are likely to increase their naval presence as a countermeasure Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. With over 200 professionals and a nationwide presence KE Andrews is a leading property tax firm dedicated to providing exceptional customer service to our clients Offering comprehensive solutions for property owners our firm specializes in strategic tax planning to minimize liabilities and optimize returns Expertise in various industries for more than 45 years Our team of professionals is ready for your project regardless of industry The Miyako Hotel in Plano is set to combine Japanese and Southern-style design providing a unique experience for its guests Located near Toyota’s North America headquarters on the south side of Campus at Legacy this hotel aims to serve both Japanese employees and the broader public The project is anticipated to open in mid-2027 and has attracted attention for its cultural integration and design Garfield Public-Private LLC has been appointed as the developer for the Miyako Hotel marking progress five years after the project’s initial announcement This Dallas-based firm is tasked with finalizing designs and advancing the project toward construction Despite delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic Gensler’s team is now actively engaged in the design development phase consisting of approximately ten professionals and integrating electrical and plumbing systems into the site This phase is essential for determining construction costs and setting a guaranteed maximum price for the project The objective is to ensure that the hotel’s design captures the essence of both Japanese and Texan cultures The Miyako Hotel will incorporate Japanese cultural elements to provide an authentic experience Design features include Japanese motifs on walls and wallpaper and bathroom configurations inspired by Japanese styles emphasizes creating an atmosphere that honors Japanese aesthetics without being overly curated The hotel’s exterior lighting will mimic luminescent paper lanterns creating a distinctive nighttime appearance the lighting will adopt an understated and clean style complementing modern Japanese luxury design Public areas of the hotel will function as gallery spaces showcasing art from Kintetsu Enterprises Co A Japanese garden at the hotel will combine Japanese and Texan outdoor aesthetics The garden will feature cherry blossom trees maintaining biodiversity and conserving water This blend aims to create a serene environment that reflects the harmony of the two cultures Gravel and sand will create earthy textures the garden will contribute to the hotel’s ambiance The Miyako Hotel will emphasize personalized care and attention to guests This approach contrasts with Western customer service which focuses more on individualized attention The hotel will feature a bakery offering decorated Japanese pastries A rooftop bar will provide teppanyaki dining Private dining options will enhance the personalized service Additional amenities include an expansive pool for lap swimming The Miyako Hotel will provide accommodations that reflect Japanese design and Texan hospitality Each room will be designed with attention to detail and offer a comfortable environment Traditional Japanese elements such as tatami mats and futon beds will be integrated into the room designs The hotel will offer a range of recreational facilities These facilities cater to both leisure and fitness enthusiasts the Miyako Hotel is expected to become a notable destination in North Texas Its Japanese and Texan elements will distinguish it from other regional hotels appealing to local and international visitors The hotel’s location near Toyota’s North American headquarters makes it a convenient option for corporate travelers The Miyako Hotel is anticipated to positively impact the local economy creating job opportunities and attracting tourism in Plano Its cultural integration fosters greater understanding and appreciation between Japanese and Texan communities The Miyako Hotel seeks to become a valuable addition to the Plano landscape by offering a blend of luxury The Miyako Hotel is set to be a unique addition to North Texas elegantly blending Japanese culture with Texan design the hotel aims to offer a distinctive experience for its guests reflecting a harmonious fusion of two distinct cultures the Miyako Hotel aims to set a new standard for luxury accommodations in the region Following the recent announcement of the return of the popular Ishigaki route HK Express Airways (HK Express) announced the resumption of its direct flights to Miyako (Shimojishima) this seasonal route will operate four weekly round-trip flights until 24 October 2025 connecting Hong Kong with Shimojishima Airport (SHI) and offering travellers even more convenient travel options As the only airline offering non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Miyako (Shimojishima) HK Express provides travellers with unparalleled convenience along with direct flights to Naha and Ishigaki makes HK Express the only carrier connecting Hong Kong with all three major airports in Okinawa Whether you are looking to relax on the pristine beaches of the Miyako Islands or explore the vibrant culture and cuisine of Naha HK Express offers a flexible gateway to all three destinations with connections to over 10 destinations across Japan travellers have even more options to create the perfect itinerary Get ready to embody the “Live More” spirit Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai said: “we are pleased to have expanded our seasonal summer network with the start of flights to Antalya we will operate more than 50 flights a week to Türkiye where passengers can explore the region’s stunning coastlines and rich history We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board where they can enjoy convenient travel options to one of Türkiye’s most beautiful coastal cities.” and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()) Avolon announces new fundraising - Asian Aviation Combined with the US$1.1 billion senior unsecured facility announced earlier Avolon has raised US$2.1 billion in new funding in Q2 2025 Vietjet launches new Hanoi-Shanghai route - Asian Aviation Vietjet has launched a new direct route between Hanoi and Shanghai marking a significant addition to its growing international flight network Air India group taps dnata for UAE work - Asian Aviation Air India and Air India Express have named dnata as General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA) respectively in the UAE announced the finalisation of its expanded aircraft completions operations at St AAV News in Brief 05 May 2025 - Asian Aviation News in brief on Boeing ICAO Dubai International ASECNA Indra ACTSI Gulfstream Qatar Airways Cargo Mammoth Freighters Airbus Helicopters Δdocument.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()) United States satellites spotted a fleet of Chinese warships transiting a major waterway in the Western Pacific Ocean following a three-day large-scale war game around Taiwan Earth-observing satellites Landsat 8 and Landsat 9, which are jointly managed by NASA and the U.S captured a photograph on Thursday that appears to show at least three Chinese naval vessels moving northward through the Miyako Strait Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed that six Chinese warships transited the strait, which lies between Japan's southwestern islands of Miyako and Okinawa The Japanese navy was sent to monitor the warships While China has yet to officially announce them, it was reported that the country held military exercises along its eastern coast facing Taiwan from Monday to Wednesday sending 90 ships to the waters around the island to target the entire first island chain for the first time a self-ruled island that China has long viewed as part of its territory despite never having governed it closed an emergency response center that opened earlier this week after the Chinese military activities likely indicating the Chinese drills were over Citing two officials familiar with the regional security situation Reuters reported that China showed signs of pulling back its forces with its ships "gradually moving north." According to the Taiwanese Defense Ministry 34 aircraft and 16 vessels of the Chinese military operated around Taiwan of which 22 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line and entered the island's air defense zone 34 PLA aircraft and 16 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 22 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. pic.twitter.com/0PODCH89ap The Chinese military maneuvers came after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who is viewed by China as a "separatist," visited Taiwan's allies in the South Pacific Ocean and made stopovers in Hawaii and Guam the Pacific Ocean territory of the United States said on Thursday that it did not see the Chinese military activity as a response to Lai's transit claiming this was consistent with levels during other large exercises A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department previously told Newsweek that transits made by high-level Taiwan authorities are consistent with its longstanding practice While the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the sole legal government of China, it views Taiwan as one of its key partners in the Indo-Pacific region Regarding Beijing's sovereign claim over the island Washington only acknowledges the Chinese position without endorsing it Okinawa — Contractors looking for unexploded ordnance earlier this month found two suspected World War-II era bombs on Miyakojima a popular tourist destination 170 miles southwest of Okinawa 8 and 11 on a property next to Miyako Airport a Miyakojima city Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Division spokesman said by phone Thursday Okinawa prefecture hired the contractors to make a magnetic survey of the property City officials are planning with the 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to remove the bombs “We want to remove them as soon as possible,” he said Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity Magnetic surveys were proposed at other Japanese airports after a 500-pound WWII-era device exploded Oct 2 underneath a taxiway shoulder at Miyazaki Airport on Kyushu the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands Transport and Tourism started emergency magnetic surveys at Miyazaki Airport on Wednesday night according to a release on the ministry’s website Approximately 2,000 tons of ordnance remain undiscovered out of 200,000 tons dropped on the main island during the Battle of Okinawa according to the prefecture’s General Bureau website Crews disposed of nearly 22 tons of unexploded ordnance between April 1 No one said making it as a creative in New York was easy. Because it’s definitely not. It takes years of being broke AF while hustling to keep creating—and one of the only respites along the way is finding your people and keeping them close. Photographer Natalia Mantini and stylist/costume designer Miyako Bellizzi have lived the struggle firsthand but their friendship has kept them both inspired and sane over the years they’ve known each other The California natives met in the city and have been collaborating basically ever since “We have a lot of similarities both in how we were raised what we care about and our feelings about what we make,” Mantini told office “[Bellizzi’s] become someone I go to for a clear perspective about my work.” With similar influences—like Chicano culture and the Bay Area—and complementary styles their connection informs and validates the work they make together and on their own “Natalia brings out the drama in me,” said Miyako “I love shooting with her because we can do whatever we want and just have fun.” While Bellizzi has spent the past few years styling films like Good Time and music videos for artists like Jay-Z Mantini has been shooting everyone from J.Lo to Barbie Ferreira But no matter the subject—from high profile celebrities to Downtown cool kids—their vision never strays Peep their latest shoot exclusively for office and read our interview with the best friends and collaborators What was the inspiration behind this shoot from each of your perspectives Natalia Mantini: My inspiration was to have fun and not answer to anyone but ourselves about what we were making I was feeling John Waters and aerobics videos mostly I didn't want anything to feel constrained and we are rarely serious when making things together We take our work and influences very seriously but we don't want any restrictions or outside trends to interfere I prefer to be dancing and laughing the whole time I wanted her to wear whatever she wanted to feel powerful and have fun ‘Freak what you feel’ is often my inspiration when working with Miyako Miyako Bellizzi: It all started with a conversation about Natalia getting a new camera and how she wanted to shoot portraits of me with it I was excited because I love medium format and since she has taken portraits of me in the past I thought it would be fun to do something a little different with this shoot—something fun and dramatic How would you each describe the work you’re making right now Natalia Mantini: I'm focused on making work that is influenced by subcultures and communities that shaped me Miyako Bellizzi: I've been doing more cinema which involves me thinking about individual characters that reflect a mood or tone How do your styles interact with one another Natalia Mantini: Miyako and I are both heavily influenced by punk There are a lot of similarities that we grew up around even though I was in Los Angeles and she was in Oakland We have a lot of parallels in what we were drawn to as kids—whether it's music We have an inclination towards the freakier side of things and grew up idolizing similar iconic women I think our styles just naturally mesh well and tap into what we both love about each other's culture and purity I think we often validate each other’s' style with appreciation Miyako Bellizzi: Natalia brings out the drama in me We have the most fun together when we shoot I love shooting with her because we can do whatever we want and just have fun with it We play off one another's style and photo influences to create images that reflect us Natalia Mantini: Lately I've been influenced by a lot of contemporary artists and musicians—Monica Garza, Mario Ayala, Cheyenne Julien, Jennifer Packer, Rhylli Ogiura from Krimewatch; the foto archive Veteranas and Rucas is huge for me; I love Wong Kar-wai To get myself to a grounded place of figuring out what and why I'm making something I like to listen to and read pieces by Penny Rimbaud I am lucky enough to have some friends who work in film and am influenced and inspired by their process Miyako Bellizzi: Living in NYC is a constant inspiration for me I take inspiration from everything I see—I'm inspired by real people mostly living their everyday lives Friends who create art who inspire me are Emma Kohlmann I love photography and some of my favorites are Mary Ellen Mark and directors I love stylistically are Wong Kar-wai John Waters and my buds Josh and Benny Safdie Natalia Mantini: It's fluid and fun—it feels like we're kids playing We conceptualize everything together and feed off of one another's energy Miyako Bellizzi: I'd say it was a mutual meeting of the minds that we built together by taking inspiration from ideas we both wanted to showcase It became a melting idea from different eras different styles and genres that we like to create something different from what we've seen before How does your friendship positively contribute to the work you create together Natalia Mantini: It makes it enjoyable and gives me a feeling of making something with a sibling There's a sense of freedom and presence to what we're doing Miyako Bellizzi: We are a very good team because we enjoy and take references from similar ideas and creating images for fun and the drama of it is just another day in our life We can bounce ideas off each other and laugh throughout the entire process What’s one way you’ve seen each other evolve as artists over the time you’ve known each other Natalia Mantini: Miyako has and continues to blow me away She has one of the most obviously pure and innovative ways of executing her style and I'm so happy it's being recognized in the way she deserves I think what really hit me was when I went to see Good Time in theaters and saw her name on the opening credits I started crying—I may have cried for an hour I could feel that the film had her touch in every scene I couldn't be more impressed by her vision and the fact that she has built this all on her own Miyako Bellizzi: The last four to five years have been a rollercoaster for both Natalia and I in terms of highs and lows we've worked together and have been on this journey together I think about the times we were broke and had nowhere to publish our work—we'd still do shoots with the little money we had and figure out a way to publish our own magazine I've seen her develop as a photographer and really find her niche over the last few years I am so proud of Natalia and all of the beautiful women she's been able to photograph She seems to only be getting better with age and I love seeing her process Her passion to stay creative and inspired drives me to keep going I'd say that's what friends are for: to push each other to be the best we can be I feel that connection with her and it's really special Natalia Mantini: I'm a Scorpio which some say you can tell by looking at me but I do like to connect with my astrologer friends to see what's going on with the moon What are your favorite New York spots to escape the chaos Miyako Bellizzi: The New York Buddhist Church Edith "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale and Selena See more from Natalia and Miyako here and here At Marta in Los Angeles, artist Minjae Kim has built a strange and playful world for his new show Phantom-22 and a mountain lion named P-22 who once roamed Griffith Park and small clay figures frozen mid-thought or in quiet conversation others like odd but inviting furniture you can actually use It’s the kind of space that invites you to slow down The show takes cues from Buster Keaton’s 1920 film One Week that chaos turns into creativity—offering a view of LA that’s both dreamy and broken Kim’s work blurs the line between fantasy and reality and myth into something you can walk through Phantom-22 is open at Marta through May 31 The old normal has since resumed its throne you can see the imprints of that unprecedented moment The upward consolidation of wealth that went down is still holding steady Scores of people who found their purpose during the pandemic are still working—like Anne Verhallen and Barbara Pollack who co-founded Art at a Time Like This on March 17 “I worked with an artist that had several shows in Asia and Barbara has a long standing career working with Asian contemporary artists so we both felt that canceling a little bit earlier,” Verhallen recalled over the phone animated by artist-activists such as Helina Metaferia who has since joined the organization’s advisory board Part of ATLT’s staying power stems from its timeless central question: “How can we think of art at a time like this?” Turns out that’s always valid “We're throwing the question back to artists,” Pollack “How can we rethink art at a time like this How does crisis make us think about art differently What kind of art can we make in response to crisis?” Verhallen told me ATLT considers artists thought leaders “We wanted to create a space where we can view their works in a nonprofit setting and really let their works speaks for themselves.” These days, ATLT is going coast to coast, taking on mass incarceration and climate change—and harnessing collaboration. In 2023, they partnered with the Natural Resource Defense Council to present “How On Earth” at EXPO Chicago In this beat between ATLT’s blowout anniversary bash PUBLIC hotels' ART SPACE last month and their first gallery show (around censorship this Autumn) I caught up with with three repeat conspirators to debrief on what they’ve learned these past five years You first connected with ATLT when Barbara invited you to stage an online solo show How did you choose which five paintings to put on digital view JUDITH BERNSTEIN - I chose them because they are all iconic works!! equate human birth with the birth of the universe and puts women at the center (where they should be!) Birth of the Universe was shown a few times and was the centerpiece for my solo exhibition at the New Museum in 2012 Golden Birth of the Universe was a commission for Studio Voltaire London where it served as a humungous altar piece in the church turned exhibition space and Money Shot/Blue Balls have been shown under blacklight for maximum impact Online exhibitions have pretty much faded away since the old normal returned did participating in your own alter how you looked at your work—or art in general—at all JB - In person viewing is always much more impactful There is a lot that is lost online: the scale online still allows for engagement with the art and democratizes the viewing by providing more access Your art has been political for more than 50 years now It feels like the same issues won’t go away Has your opinion about art's role in society shifted JB - Making art is my passion and obsession I make art for my own needs and not for the popular market Art for me is a calling and not just a business but there are many underlying issues that remain the same—economic and social inequity These gestural paintings feature heads that appear at once transfixed in awe and in a state of active alarm reflecting the tension fundamental to the poetic dyad of life and death—my contemporary response to Edvard Munch’s scream This series addresses the horrific moment that we’re in The current timeframe is a reenactment of the 30s and we are now on the precipice of World War III Since your practice often involves talking to people and going places and ATLT’s debut billboard installation took place during the pandemic I was wondering—did you select an artwork you'd already made or was this something that you produced during lockdown HELINA METAFERIA - I adapted something that I had made the year before I've been making this work prior to the 2020 uprisings and so it felt like a service of my work to utilize it for social justice and art spaces and public spaces I've been working at the intersection of art and activism with a focus on women and non-binary people and thinking about ways in which archival research often doesn't fully encompass our labor within activist histories I've been working with that theme for a while some people feel like it might not be a pressing issue for them the work is there and accessible and ready for those moments we're in another moment where the question of ‘Art at a Time Like This’ is very pressing And we never know when we'll be called upon but we should always be prepared and ready I love that you created a social practice rubric for your students at Brown to use How would you evaluate this particular billboard activation HM - As if we're looking at a sculpture or a painting There can be ways we can organize a conversation For the social practice element to this public art project I would consider thinking about the ways in which it used the limited resources that were available in a way that’s its own creative pursuit An organization was developed and was formed Many social practice projects start with one show to have some sort of structure to support it If you look at the work of Rick Lowe or Theaster Gates and then it quickly emerged into organizations and nonprofits and they become institutions within themselves I think Art at a Time Like This has kept its grassroots feel but it's quickly growing as an organization that is here to meet the needs of artists and cultural producers and art workers when there is precariousness—and there's always precariousness—so their value will always be there the scaling up of it reminds me of a lot of great social practice work People wonder if every original idea’s been had I do think social practice is it—especially because there's such a disconnect between the values the art world alleges to espouse versus the values it actually practices Do you have thoughts about how social practice might grow in art over the next 50 years or so HM - The term itself is new—only like 20 years old—coined in 2005 through institutions It takes art historians a decade or more to really articulate what artists are doing and we won't be able to define it readily until years to come It's gonna be related to what happens with our nation We respond to our environments and our conditions and we have a platform—a privilege—that allows us to speak to the most challenging aspects of society I think there are people who don't want to see contemporary art flourish because it has a critical voice but the future of any art form will be determined by the greater geopolitical circumstances It'll be determined by freedom and democracy and ability for free speech Whether it'll be concentrated in Europe or in Asia or in Africa or in the US will be determined by governments I think the beauty of any art form is that so much is unknowable HM - I'm in a group exhibition that Barbara Pollack curated at Jane Lombard Gallery in New York City I have a solo exhibition at Project for Empty Space That’s open May 6 through the end of August and it’s curated by another powerhouse curator group The title of that show is “When Civilizations Heal.” It's an interdisciplinary exploration of 60 years of activist archives led by women of color I'm premiering a work in progress of a feature film and showcasing new collages and sculpture and video and installation I’m in some group shows now at Palais de Tokyo in Paris and at the Knoxville Museum of Art called “States of Becoming.” whether things are going to slow down for you when there's political turmoil or if things are going to speed back up because people want the work But my overall message to any artist who works at the intersection of art and activism is just to keep going All you can do is remain consistent and authentic and work through the studio practice Work through that from a place of integrity because that is more of an inner work that supersedes the outer circumstances It's a continuous dialogue between you and you I love that you helped plant nature in the white cube at EXPO last year Did conceptualizing “MOTHERFIRE” for the environmentally taxing fair context lend any new angles to your explorations around art and climate justice LILY KWONG - I have always felt that my mission is to reconnect people to nature and their community My focus is to bring plant life to some of the most challenging environments in the hope of sparking awareness my team and I have built mountains in Grand Central Station created a jungle in industrial Brooklyn and created urban greenspace in downtown Los Angeles EXPO was the same—my intent was to plant the seeds of an ecosystemic and spiritual awakening to consider the more-than-human world I focused on the circularity of what I could control and our saplings were re-homed and the Shou Sugi Ban posts were returned to the fabricator for re-use Which plants did you pot in the work’s 55 Shou Sugi Ban posts How did you choose and source them—and keep them alive throughout EXPO’s run LK - I worked with the incredible horticulture team at Theodore Payne Nursery whose mission is to educate about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes I’ve learned about wildfire resilience and California's fire ecology and wanted to create a monument to the regenerative possibilities of native plants in fire-prone regions We contract grew saplings with Theodore Payne’s team: Ceanothus spinosus Pinus sabiniana and kept them alive through the loving care by our project manager Shannon Lai Some of these trees are not only incredible food resources for mockingbirds but they are also fire retardant like Toyon and Lemonadeberry Others are considered fire-responsive like the ghost pine which is actually highly flammable but its seed regeneration is favored post-burn and its germination increases with fire Native plants are uniquely adapted to survive and thrive following a burn since they have co-evolved with fire for millennia I wanted to honor fire as a core element of our local ecology both as a contributor to our rich biodiversity as well as an ever-looming threat You had your first show at LA’s Night Gallery last fall and debuted a public artwork in New York’s Madison Square Park this month organizer—do you see “artist” growing fastest of all LK - I would say Mother is the fastest growing—a role that I have found fundamentally transformative to my psyche Though ‘artist’ has expanded immensely alongside motherhood Having two children in three years has given me much more confidence as a creator—what is more artistic than growing a spine My show Solis with Night Gallery emerged from my maternity leave with my daughter an explosion in a new medium created largely with her by my side was in many ways my first artistic collaboration with baby Gaia mother & artist are inextricably linked LK - Gardens of Renewal at Madison Square Park is truly a dream project It’s been an aspiration of mine to build something for the iconic park since I first took landscape design courses at New York Botanical Garden over a decade ago Our Meditation Garden and Children’s Garden has been almost two years in the making a prayer for humans to be brought back into harmony with nature and for balance peaceful co-existence and reciprocity to be restored to our society and ecosystem Brooklyn-based artist Ross Knight makes sculptures about the conditions of visual pleasure viewers experience when encountering his works A Knight sculpture typically could be a body or a household object Knight’s works decenter the figurative impulse of sculpture the artist delights in abstracted gestures toward libidinal overcharge and its exhaustion His first solo exhibition at Off Paradise Continuous Squeeze further explores these perceptive anticipating that we could be scandalized and seduced by apparatuses that remain familiar and foreign to us Continuous Squeeze is your first solo show in a decade How have you been working on your sculptural practice without the pressure of making a show It seems that there is a mystery or privacy to your works that does not fall into trends or categories whether I have an immediate deadline or not generally does not determine how offer I’m working in the studio Studio time for me is split between different activities or “work/labor” I usually have at least one thing that is progressing well and moving towards completion one that appears or feels like it’s stuck or stalled and then there is something or new material I’m experimenting with or trying to further understand and whether it has any future place in my work It is this last endeavor that is the slowest process with no guarantee that anything will be accomplished meaning I do not have a staff of studio assistants with a definitive set of tasks to perform I generally work alone which allows for risk and discovery no audience to watch me have a bad day in the studio or fail The studio for me is a very private head and body space which I think allows me to be less inhibited As to the 10-year period two of those ten were effectively surrendered to the COVID pandemic when it came to studio visits and public venues This was also when both of my galleries (Team Gallery and Richard Telles Fine Arts) effectively closed which looking back on it proved to be somewhat liberating for my studio activity At the time it was a lot of what I thought was bad news all at once however it all probably came at the right time for me A central part of your practice is exploring how inorganic materials can become organic-looking Tell me more about your interest in creating this kind of visual effects Thinking and talking about the space between the organic and inorganic is a curious thing There might have been a period when we lived in a world where these two were clearly defined Now I know scientifically they still are and mutually exclusive But I I’m not so sure that’s haw we as a species experience the two We seem to live in a time and space where the two slip in and out of their ontological categories or definitions The “organic” and the ‘non-organic” are increasingly becoming conflated How else would you describe our fledgling relationship with AI or CGI Now I’m still working with “real” materials and fairly 20th century methods of object making/ rendering and the un-natural join or intersect or maybe just collide I am especially fascinated by how you combine erotic imagery with visual perspectives A sculpture that seems clinical can appear to be ludicrous at a different angle How do you think through shifting interpretations in your work I love thinking about the phenomenology of objects Their shapes and possible meanings through association Sometimes a thing can be both familiar or understood and then quickly shift into alien obscurity or the abstract A lot of what humans do or to be more precise invest in is kind of ludicrous Over designed fetishism can be found everywhere we (humans) have had complete control over Look no further than the kitchen gadgets and high-end bathroom architecture/design that is venerated It seems to me that most of our production values are born out of the act of arousal Value has extended beyond basic needs or task completion We live in a period when corporeal arousal is value dominant Your earlier works seem to be more interested in tensions of mutual dependency or thresholds whereas your recent works are more about how the human form can be evoked in the absence of a human body What motivates this shift from constructing an intricate system toward hybrid structures between bodies and functional objects whenever you have two or more things (objects) coupling up to form one dependency as a subject is always present in the narrative What I’m interested in is that space or gap between the surrogate (stand in) and the accoutrement (ornament/equipment) Another dimension of your exploring hybridity is that your recent sculptures often play with surface and depth I am curious as to how you think about dimensionality I would consider myself a sculptor in the truest sense of the word Which means I find myself thinking about fundamental attributes that define both an object/sculpture and how we coexist with it The motifs of wellness culture often recur in your sculptures What attracts you to the culture of self-optimization wellness culture and our pursuit of self-optimization If we look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs diagram wellness culture of self-optimization might find itself positioned at the top of the pyramid under the heading “self-actualization” but with a sometimes-weird twist to it because this wellness culture end game seems to try and cheat mortality Which is the most un-human thing I can think of Please confirm that you are at least 18 years old A port city devastated by the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami is developing as a tourism destination thanks to growing interest from international cruises was hit by 40m-high waves that caused widespread loss of life and destruction to buildings and infrastructure reconstruction has been followed by the development and promotion of tourism resources to attract visitors The area’s natural beauty is one of the assets that has attracted the attention of cruise ships and Sanriku Geopark featured on shore excursion itineraries Silversea Cruises’ Silver Muse and Silver Whisper first called at Miyako in 2023 while Silver Nova made its inaugural port call in 2024 labor and tourism department in Miyako’s Port Promotion Division “The port calls have had a very positive effect on the local economy,” department manager Kazuhiko Takehara told TTG Asia Local tourism associations have held seminars to train tour guides such as the sightseeing boat Miyako Umineko Maru have been introduced to showcase the scenic coastline to visitors Takehara added that local children and young people are also benefiting “Kindergarten and elementary school students interact with passengers with welcome programmes and performances of local arts High school and university students act as volunteer interpreters and hospitality volunteers on the wharf one port of call tour included a visit to a junior high school for international exchange,” he said more port calls are scheduled by Silversea ships as well as the Diamond Princess and Coral Princess Seafront stays and heritage charm at Penang Marriott Hotel Is Your Business Listed On TTGmice Planner Online Amid the most devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County history, hotels are pulling double duty, providing emergency shelter for evacuees while working to keep vital business on the books And according to Hotel Association of Los Angeles CEO Jackie Filla with the region's pipeline of future meetings and events critical to recovery "We can do both -- one is not at the exclusion of the other," Filla said "We haven't said no to a single request that we've gotten from officials or nonprofits and that's one of the really great things about the hospitality industry: We're problem solvers." As of Jan. 14, Filla estimated, more than 300 properties across Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California had stepped up to offer discounted rates for Angelenos in need with many hotels also discounting or waiving pet many properties have mobilized to support those displaced by the fires "More than half of our hotels have done really steep discounts and deals for people affected by the fires," said Jeff Morris, chief marketing officer for the West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board "They're offering everything from percentages off room rates to allowing pets to waiving parking fees." Fred Tayco, executive director of the San Diego County Lodging Association reported that local properties began receiving evacuees almost immediately after the fires broke out on Jan "We started getting notifications from members that they were getting displaced L.A and we quickly realized [the situation] was significant," Tayco said Southern California has gotten very used to things like this our community knows how to respond to an emergency We've done very well at coming together and helping our neighbors to the north." The Hotel Association of Los Angeles is also working on possible long-term options citing the success of programs like Inside Safe which has utilized hotels to help address housing needs in Los Angeles retaining existing business is also important -- particularly for downtown Los Angeles properties preparing to host major conferences and other events "Hotels are the single largest generator of tax [in Los Angeles] outside of property tax," Filla said because a lot of Los Angeles will be ready to host." Last week, the BHN Group by Northstar (Northstar Travel Group is the parent company of Travel Weekly) said that the Americas Lodging Investment Summit and its two companion events -- ALIS Law and ALIS Design+ -- will proceed as scheduled the week of Jan 27 at downtown's JW Marriott/Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles L.A Live and Courtyard/Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A Likewise, the Los Angeles Convention Center said it continues to operate with scheduled events proceeding as planned "Being able to welcome guests is going to be really vital to our recovery effort to make sure that people keep their jobs and that we're able to collect revenue for the city," Filla said Tourism leaders are also keeping a close eye on the entertainment sector another crucial economic engine for the region with things like the Grammys and Oscars coming up," said Morris "The entertainment business is really important and critical to West Hollywood and some surrounding events have already been canceled so we're going to continue to have to monitor that." Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Chinese navy and the China Coast Guard (CCG) in December jointly carried out activities similar to a naval blockade in the Miyako Strait located between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island A heavily armed CCG fleet was also dispatched to areas near the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent This is the first confirmation of activities of either kind according to multiple sources close to the government The government is reportedly exercising increased caution believing that China may be considering an expanded naval blockade area in the event of a Taiwan contingency “This is an unusual move that indicates China’s intention to impose a naval blockade,” one of the sources said a total of six ships — two Chinese navy Jiangkai II class frigates and one Jiangkai I class frigate and three CCG vessels including the 2901 — sailed from the Pacific Ocean side to the East China Sea side of the Miyako Strait on Dec the three naval ships are believed to have sailed around the island of Taiwan and the Sakishima Islands counterclockwise as if encircling them one of the world’s largest vessels owned by a maritime law enforcement agency Two of the CCG ships were reportedly equipped with 76 mm cannons which are usually installed on military ships Joint navigation by Chinese naval and coast guard vessels was also confirmed in the summer of 2023 in an area between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan China would be expected to first use naval and coast guard vessels to impose a naval blockade around Taiwan and then shift to missile attacks as well as landing and other operations The recent activities by China could mean that its planned blockade area also extends to the waters near the Senkaku Islands and the Sakishima Islands The Yomiuri Shimbun investigated data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) which automatically transmits and receives information on ships such as their type location and course and found that the CCG vessels turned off their AIS signals while they sailed in the Miyako Strait together with the naval ships despite having them on near the Senkaku Islands Since military vessels turn off their AIS signals during operations the CCG vessels are likely to have joined in with China’s naval operations in secret A four-vessel CCG fleet equipped with 76 mm cannons sailed in Japan’s contiguous zone near the Senkaku Islands on Dec It was the first time that all four vessels to be armed with the cannons according to sources close to the Japanese government and they are also installed on Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ships such cannons are the main armament on Jiangkai II class frigates The maximum firing range of a 76 mm cannon is about 10 to 15 kilometers and it is capable of firing 60 to 120 rounds per minute A CCG vessel equipped with a 76 mm cannon was confirmed to have entered territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands for the first time in November 2022 The Yomiuri Shimbun examined data that has been released since January 2024 by the Japan Coast Guard’s11th regional headquarters based in Naha which has jurisdiction over the Senkaku Islands only one in a four-vessel CCG fleet was armed with a cannon and other weapons up to May all vessels have been armed with automatic cannons or larger-caliber 76 mm cannons China sent about 90 naval and coast guard vessels into waters around Taiwan and conducted exercises rehearsing for a possible naval blockade around the island Regarding the four CCG ships that appeared near the Senkaku Islands “We can’t exclude the possibility that they operated in collaboration with those vessels.” China views new Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as a worker for Taiwan’s independence and an enemy China is believed to have increased pressure in the waters around Taiwan including areas around the Senkaku Islands The largest cannon deployed on a JCG patrol vessel is a 40 mm cannon with a maximum range of about 5 kilometers around one-third that of the 76 mm cannons CCG vessels are allowed to use weapons if China’s sovereignty is violated under a law implemented in 2021 The law also states that the CCG can carry out defense operations under the orders of China’s Central Military Commission and the CCG is now called China’s “second navy.” It is possible that heavily armed CCG vessels will be operated on a regular basis and in a more integrated manner with the Chinese navy and will put more pressure on Taiwan and Japan in the future Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun The Shandong sailed about 640 kilometers south of Miyako Island in the Pacific Ocean on Monday night and moved toward the South China Sea on Tuesday The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong is seen at a port in Dalian TOKYO – The Defense Ministry reported Tuesday that the Shandong on Monday conducted aircraft takeoff and landing drills in a sea area south of Miyako Island Fighters and helicopters took off from and landed on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier about 20 times A Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer was dispatched for warning and surveillance activities regarding the Chinese aircraft carrier Japan scrambled fighter jets on Sunday as China sent a bomber and a spy plane over waters near the Japanese southwestern islands for a long-distance mission from the Chinese mainland Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email Japan and its security ally, the United States have set up air defense identification zones around the countries in the interest of national security The zone begins where sovereign airspace ends and is within the international airspace The Miyako Strait lies between the Japanese islands of Miyako and Okinawa. It is part of the so-called first island chain, a U.S. defense concept, which extends from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines to the south, attempting to contain China in the Western Pacific Ocean The Japanese military did not identify the variant of the Chinese bomber. According to a Chinese military observer, the bomber was a H-6J, which the Pentagon described as a maritime strike bomber and a naval variant of the H-6K operated by the Chinese air force The new and larger advanced H-6J has six pylons for carrying weapons instead of four, capable of firing supersonic antiship cruise missiles. The bomber is equipped with advanced avionics and upgraded engines, the Pentagon said in a report released in October last year The bomber "can attack warships out to the second island chain," the report warned which is situated to the east of the first one is a series of islands stretching from Japan to Guam Long-range bombers are part of the Chinese military's anti-access/area denial capabilities These aim to prevent the American military forces—especially the navy and its aircraft carriers—from approaching the first island chain during a potential conflict with Taiwan China held a large-scale military exercise around Taiwan last week a self-ruled island that has been viewed by Beijing as part of its territory Chinese warships and combat aircraft have engaged in drills focusing on blockades on key ports and areas The Japanese military said the two Chinese military aircraft headed toward waters in the Philippine Sea south of the country's Sakishima Islands after transiting the Miyako Strait. They returned to the East China Sea via the same strait and flew toward mainland China It was not the first time the Chinese sent the same types of bombers and spy planes over waters near the southwestern islands of Japan where they had conducted a similar mission on March 12 Japan's Joint Staff Office on Thursday reported that its air force scrambled fighter jets 358 times in response to foreign military aircraft approaching the country showing a decrease from the same period last year Among the Japanese scrambles, 241 of them were against the Chinese military aircraft, which is fewer than last year's 304 times. However, the number of scrambles against the Russian military aircraft was 115 times which is an increase from last year's 110 times On September 12, a pair of Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and antisubmarine warfare aircraft flew on an anticlockwise flight around Japan A Japanese-Texan fusion hotel is coming to Plano in 2027, according to a press release by KE Andrews Since the hotel’s initial American expansion to San Francisco in 1968 the Miyako Hotel has long explored combining American and Japanese motifs Garfield’s Head of Design and Construction Stephen Galbreath told Dallas Business Journal that the company now intends to bring “beautifully detailed Japanese design with a big Texas [feel]” to Plano The atmosphere would be achieved with a combination of Japanese indoor designs and careful curation of flora native to Japan and Texas 13-story hotel will also serve Japanese food offerings including a Japanese bakery and a teppanyaki dinner experience The projected Plano location stands in contrast to the two other U.S.-based Miyako Hotels as the first and sole location outside of California While the original plan was to leverage the property’s proximity to Toyota Motors North America Japanese car manufacturer Toyota’s North American headquarters to attract clients visiting from Japan for business the vision for this location seems to have expanded A 2022 Instagram post by Gensler depicting a rendering of the Miyako Hotel also wrote that it would be “within walking distance to numerous restaurants and retail and only a five minute drive to the headquarters of dozens of Fortune 1000 companies.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by @gensler_design “This is going to be the flagship hotel for them in the U.S.,” Galbreath said per the Dallas Business Journal Renderings of the new Miyako Hotel can be seen in the Dallas Business Journal article and the project is slated to break ground between late 2024 and early 2025 We are currently funded by our readers and such charitable foundations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AARP, Report for America/GroundTruth Project & Koo and Patricia Yuen of the Yuen Foundation.’ You can make your tax-deductible donations here via credit card Stock donations and donations via DAFs are also welcomed Contact us at info @ asamnews dot com for more info.  We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp With an array of activities spanning 160 diverse islands selecting the perfect itinerary can be a delightful challenge Okinawa's main island hosts six ferry terminals, with Tomari Port being the largest. From there, you can hop over to the beautiful Kerama Islands, such as Tokashiki, Zamami, and Aka, or even venture to Kume Islands For even more island adventures, domestic flights are available within Okinawa, connecting you to places like Miyako, Ishigaki and Kumejima Islands Miyako Island is exclusively accessible by air travel, only a 50-minute flight away from Naha Airport About Miyako Island Yonaha Maehama Beach stretches for an impressive 7 kilometres with soft white sand and crystal-clear emerald-blue waters It's one of Japan's most beautiful beaches or just soaking up the stunning ocean views About Yonaha Maehama Beach Driving on and from Miyako Island is an unforgettable adventure where scenic bridges connect you to smaller nearby islands Japan’s longest toll-free bridge at 3,540 metres linking Miyako and Irabu islands with stunning views of endless turquoise waters as your driving backdrop Another highlight is 17END on Shimoji Island where pristine sands meet the ocean and runway for a one-of-a-kind sight where the dazzling colours of the sea will leave you speechless About Irabu Island About Shimoji Island (17END) About Ikema Island Accommodation on Miyako Island offers everything from charming resort hotels to luxurious retreats perfect for unforgettable family holidays or romantic honeymoons About Rosewood Miyakojima Miyako Island is Japan’s top producer of mangoes - have a taste to know why the island's markets are brimming with these juicy fruits celebrated for their rich flavour and irresistible freshness About Island Fruits, including Mango Miyako Island is also home to the highly prized Miyako Beef Raised with the island’s mineral-rich groundwater and on the lush pastures these cattle produce beef that’s marbled well to give off a luxurious experience with every bite About Miyako Beef About Kerama Islands Furuzamami Beach is a true slice of paradise earning its place in the Michelin Green Guide Japan with a prestigious two-star rating white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters it’s the right spot for relaxation and fun in the sun About Zamami Island makes it a prime spot for snorkelling enthusiasts eager to be captivated by its vivid underwater world About Tokashiki Island Discover the stunning beauty of Zamami Island through sea kayaking and snorkelling Glide across crystal-clear waters in a kayak and explore the island's breathtaking coastline With an incredible 80% chance of spotting sea turtles gliding gracefully beneath the waves you’ll feel like you’ve entered a tropical utopia About Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking Guide Service Experience the awe-inspiring thrill of whale watching on Zamami Island where majestic humpback whales migrate through the island's surrounding warm waters you have the chance to witness these incredible creatures breaching and playing just off the coast About Whale Watching Tour Mozuku seaweed from Zamami Island is a true culinary treasure you won’t want to miss This extraordinary seaweed is full of minerals and fiber and over 90% of Japan's mozuku is farmed in Okinawa Renowned for its delicate texture and unique flavour this local delicacy is a staple in Okinawan cuisine A short domestic flight from Naha Airport will whisk you to Ishigaki in just over an hour followed by a 15-minute scenic ferry ride to the idyllic Taketomi Island by riding a traditional water buffalo cart These gentle giants are a beloved part of the island’s heritage and will slowly pull you through lush landscapes and tranquil villages your guide will share fascinating stories about Ishigaki’s culture Step into a world where time seems to stand still with its traditional Ryukyu village offering an authentic glimpse into Okinawan history with red-tiled roofs and beautifully crafted coral brick walls are surrounded by sandy lanes and vibrant hibiscus flowers you’ll feel the presence of centuries-old Ryukyu culture still alive in the architecture and the way of life About Ryukyu heritage Kondoi Beach is known for its incredibly tranquil shallow waters that stretch far into the horizon allowing you to walk right into the shimmering turquoise sea About Taketomi Island including Kondoi Beach Retreat into a luxurious resort hotel and indulge in a truly magical experience under the stars the island’s resorts offer the perfect blend of comfort and nature beauty step outside to witness a breathtaking starry sky About HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island Treat yourself to refreshing shaved ice on Taketomi Island What sets Taketomi’s shaved ice apart is its use of local ingredients and the island’s pristine water Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version JP EN FR 简体中文 繁體中文 Richer living through mindfulness of the traditional Japanese seasons Discovering a richer life in the traditional seasons of Japan Place × Season × Time=Unforgettable experiencesThrilling experiences born of the right place Discovering the hidden stories in everyday lifeUntold stories from just around the corner in Japan Unique brand stories combining tradition with revolutionRevolutionary traditionalism: Brand stories like no other Interviews with the people of the momentMeetings with the women and men who make Japan tick Weaving a lifestyle from Japanese sensibilities and aestheticsBring the Japanese sense of beauty into your life Online salons led by individual hostsThought-provoking discussion led by fascinating figures Premium Japan Members Beginning with the call "Miyako Odori wa yoiyasaa," the Miyako Odori is a dance performance by about 80 geisha and maiko from Gion Kobu which will be held for one month in April at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater Since its inception in 4 as an attraction at the Kyoto Exposition it has been suspended during and after the war and due to the COVID-1 pandemic "I don't feel like spring has arrived until I see the Miyako Odori." The people of Kyoto unanimously agree and this spring tradition that not only Kyoto residents but people all over Japan look forward to every year began on April 4st this year The audience is thrilled by the sight of geisha and maiko dancing from the flower path to the stage The sight of geisha and maiko in Kyoto Yuzen kimonos and Nishijin-ori obi belts dancing on a stage with eight scenes for one hour against the backdrop of stage art that beautifully depicts famous historical sites from all over Japan and passages from classical literature is gorgeous and truly spring in full bloom the theme is "Miyako Fujyo Shikisai," and the show is structured to trace the history and culture of Kyoto's various famous sites The choreography is provided by the Kyomai Inoue school The Kyomai Inoue school was founded in the late 18th century by Inoue Yachiyo I and has been passed down as the only official school of Gion Kobu head of the Kyomai Inoue school and a Living National Treasure not only choreographs and teaches the Miyako Odori but also teaches the dances that geiko and maiko perform in their daily lives in the tatami rooms all 79 geiko and maiko of the Gion Kobu are students at the Gion Women's Arts School established by the Yasaka Nyokoba Gakuen Educational Institution where they are learning Inoue-style dancing The chairperson of the Yasaka Nyokoba Gakuen is Sugiura Kyoko the proprietress of the teahouse Ichiriki-tei almost all of the geisha and maiko who will be performing in the Miyako Odori were gathered in the large classroom on the second floor of the Gion Women's Arts School adjacent to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater Today was the day they would practice the choreography that they had been practicing individually until then going through the entire piece from start to finish They have begun rehearsing the "So-odori" dance in which all members of one group appear on stage The geiko and maiko dance to the music playing from a tape recorder Headmaster Inoue Yachiyo sits in the center of the practice room while the Inoue-style masters and natori students watch the practice Seated in front of Inoue is her future successor "Tuck your chin in and straighten your back," "Don't bend your elbows here," "Give yourself a little more space." the head of the school stands in the center of the classroom watching the geisha and maiko with his eyes make sure your right hip does not pull back." Sometimes the dancer stops the piece to approach a maiko and give her direct instruction teachers and Inoue school masters also join in and they give detailed instructions on the position of the hand holding the fan all dancers are required to be perfectly synchronized the head of the school continues to give strict guidance to each dancer They pay close attention to even their fingertips Everyone has a very serious look on their face during practice The appearance of the geisha and maiko in colorful kimonos is gorgeous a tense atmosphere hangs over the large classroom "We must make the Miyako Odori a wonderful performance." This tension is created by the passion of all the people involved The practice for the "General Dance" runs from morning until noon the practice for the "Separate Dance" runs until late into the evening and two of the geisha and maiko who will be performing in the "Miyako Odori" performance "The month during which the Miyako Odori dance takes place is extremely tough and tiring for the performers Many visitors come from all over the country to see the performances and are deeply moved by them and at the same time makes me feel proud." the teahouse where Sugiura serves as the proprietress is also known as a historic teahouse that appears in the kabuki play Kanadehon Chushingura it's a very tough two months for geiko and maiko from the start of their Tachikata training in March until the end of the Miyako Odori at the end of April After training and the performance on stage there are banquets waiting for them in the evening maiko have to go to have their hair done early in the morning It's a very physically demanding two months so they can't get through it unless they're mentally fulfilled." "But everyone is happy with the sense of accomplishment they get when they finish and that's what gets them through the two months it's no exaggeration to say that the whole year in Gion-cho revolves around the Miyako Odori And the Miyako Odori is an opportunity for anyone to see the dance that is usually only available in the tatami rooms of teahouses where first-time visitors are not allowed." You can see the faint silhouette of a dancer at the back of the stage and then in an instant the stage changes to a gorgeous one and the feeling of seeing the curtain come down on this performance without a hitch make my heart pound no matter how many times I watch it." "Gion-cho is not a tourist spot; the whole town is like one house like outsiders are invading a quiet house." the geisha and maiko who undergo rigorous training and work hard to perform on stage for a month We hope that everyone who comes to see the Miyako Odori will also watch over Gion-cho with kindness." where all members of one troupe appear on stage My grandmother (Inoue Yachiyo IV) would often say 'The So-odori is important in Miyako Odori,' and I agree it's important that the whole group can become one It's about erasing any physical habits that everyone has and cooperating and matching up with everyone That's what we focus on when we practice So-odori." Inoue Yachiyo was recognized as a holder of an important intangible cultural property (living national treasure) in 27 She has also received the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic called 'Okiuta,' all the performers split into two groups and come out from the east and west runways I think it took them 43 steps before they stopped walking for the first time but I don't want them to look careless during those 43 steps they came out in a beautiful and orderly manner.'" Inoue sometimes demonstrates the movements himself "When it's time to practice the Miyako Odori I can see exactly how much each student has grown over the past year I notice that they weren't very enthusiastic last year Some of the students even say that their appearance has changed Seeing this kind of growth and change makes me very happy." into groups for the three performances each day is like puzzling a puzzle and quite a difficult task the group will feature various famous Kyoto sites The Gion Women's Technical School has carefully preserved the designs for the stage background of the Miyako Odori "The composition of the stage is decided by the dance and singing club But the Miyako Odori is not just made possible by these people; it is made possible by the combined efforts of everyone in Gion which is why we've been able to mark 150 years of time Because we're performing the Miyako Odori throughout its long history We create our performances with that thought in mind." "I had the opportunity to change collars (from maiko to geiko) in January last year so this is my second time performing in Miyako Odori as a geiko Becoming a geiko means I get to play different roles in Miyako Odori I am performing this year as the daughter in the third scene 'The more recently you've changed your collar you feel a sense of responsibility to set an example for the younger geisha during the 'Soudori' dance Both of them dreamed of becoming maiko since they were young and decided to follow this path this is my fifth time performing in the Miyako Odori there were 7 people performing in the Miyako Odori the number of participants has returned to 5 but I feel that I have to work harder to be able to perform in the more glamorous Miyako Odori." "This will be my second time performing in the Miyako Odori I was completely confused and didn't know what to do but this year I feel like I've gotten a little more used to it." I have to get up at 5 or 6 in the morning to go to the hairdresser but the whole of Gion town feels like a festival I can meet up with my classmates who I usually only get to see briefly in the tatami rooms Mameki-san has started to show a bit of the composure typical of a geisha while Honoka-san still has a childlike innocence in her smile I have to remember the monthly events and customs But I was born in Kyoto and dreamed of becoming a maiko since I was little I'm so happy that I was able to become a maiko and even perform in the Miyako Odori 1 *No performance on April 30th (Tue)Time: 3 performances per day (each performance is approximately 60 minutes)1st session: 12:30 30rd session: XNUMX:XNUMXVenue: Gion Kobu Kaburenjo (570-2 Minamigawa Higashiyama-ku)Price: First class ticket with tea voucher 7,000 yen Second class student ticket 2,000 yen (all reserved seats) In addition to informing you of the latest information via newsletter we also plan to inform you of exclusive events and give away special gifts Japan's military detected and intercepted another Chinese long-range drone over the contested waters around its southwestern islands last week A TB-001 reconnaissance and attack drone flew over the East China Sea on Friday the Japanese Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office reported It transited the strategic Miyako Strait and headed to the wider Pacific Ocean Newsweek's map illustrates the flight path taken by the Chinese drone as it changed its course over the Philippine Sea after passing through the strait flying toward the southwest instead of returning to its original point of departure in China The Miyako Strait lies between Japan's islands of Miyako and Okinawa. It forms the so-called first island chain, a series of islands that stretch from the Japanese archipelago through Taiwan The strait has become a major waterway for China's navy to access the wider Pacific Ocean for operations and exercises. Japan has deployed anti-ship missile launchers on Okinawa in response to the rapidly increasing Chinese naval activities is classified as a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle It has a maximum range of approximately 3,700 miles and is capable of carrying munitions It was the second time the Japan Air Self-Defense Force had intercepted this type of Chinese drone this month. During the last encounter on July 8 the TB-001 returned to its original point of departure in China after transiting the Miyako Strait the drone seemed to be flying toward airspace between Taiwan and the Philippines This indicates the drone might have returned to southern China after passing east of Taiwan Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense ministry for comment by email Beijing views the self-ruled island as a breakaway province and deploys military aircraft and vessels around Taiwan on a daily basis A Chinese military observer on X (formerly Twitter) noted that China sent different TB-001 drones for the two flights by identifying their serial numbers from images The first drone bore "JD-1052" while the second one was "JD-1051." the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong was spotted in the Philippine Sea by Japan's military on July 9 three days before the second TB-001 flew over the same waters It was not immediately clear whether the drone operated with the carrier on Friday Listen NowSaveShareDownloadOhtani has drawn Japanese visitors to LA's Little Tokyo neighborhood largely because it's not far from Dodger Stadium Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty ImagesAcross the U.S. cities are trying to reel in the international tourists they lost during the pandemic In Los Angeles, a gift has come in the form of Shohei Ohtani, the hitting-and-pitching phenom for the Dodgers baseball team. Already a star in Japan when he came to the U.S. to play for the LA Angels, Ohtani unlocked international icon status last year by signing a record $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers Now Japanese fans are coming by the thousands to see Ohtani play for his new team and dropping tourism dollars in places they wouldn’t normally go 15-story mural of Ohtani that covers a wall of the Miyako Hotel employees sold Japanese-style pastries shaped like blue Dodger helmets and getting to practice their Japanese A mural depicting Ohtani in a Dodgers uniform on the Miyako Hotel in LA’s Little Tokyo neighborhood.Mario Tama/Getty ImagesIn the lobby guest Megu Adachi was checking in at the front desk with several friends from Japan They couldn’t wait to see the Dodgers play the Colorado Rockies “yakyu shonen”: a boy obsessed with baseball “Baseball only,” Adachi emphasized in English Hotel manager Akira Yuhara said that when the Dodgers are playing at home half of the 170-plus rooms are occupied by Japanese tourists who are in town to see Ohtani they had little reason to come to his hotel in the historic neighborhood of Little Tokyo which occupies a few city blocks in downtown Los Angeles is typically more popular with Japanese travelers SoCal’s Japanese American population center shifted from Little Tokyo to the South Bay after World War II Scores of Japanese companies like Honda and All Nippon Airways have operations there and it’s where many of their employees live But hotel manager Yuhara said Ohtani has generated interest in parts of L.A that haven’t been top tourism draws for the Japanese they go Dodger Stadium and buy everything,” Yuhara said At the stadium, visitors can pick up a replica of Ohtani’s No. 17 jersey. Concession stands sell chicken katsu sandwiches and fried octopus where tours are now given in Japanese several times a week “We can refer to it as the Ohtani effect,” said Adam Burke “I don’t think it’s beyond the pale that we could be over 400,000 Japanese visitors.” Burke projects Japan could be in the top four international markets along with the likes of China and the United Kingdom Osuke Ishiguro manages the LA office of leading Japanese tour operator JTB. He said that even though the yen is weak right now visitors from Japan are paying to attend not just one Dodgers game three games in a row they’re coming out to see.” His agency is booking customers in and around Little Tokyo Tadashi Onaka was taking photos of the Ohtani mural He had planned a trip to Arizona to visit family but took a detour to LA so he could go to a Dodgers game He got to see Ohtani smack a single in the first inning a place he’s was surprised to learn has been around for 140 years he described Little Tokyo as “very small.” it’s its own thing that now legions of Ohtani fans are starting to discover Sign up for the Marketplace newsletter to get the day’s biggest business stories straight to your inbox every weekday evening Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology image: Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) containing peptides offer an innovative approach to effectively treat schizophrenia Such DDSs hold significant potential to revolutionize therapeutic strategies against diseases that affect the central nervous system Japan -- Schizophrenia is a complicated mental health disorder accompanied by wide range of symptoms such as hallucinations It has been associated with anomalies in neurotransmission due to the imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters Current treatment strategies against schizophrenia involve the administration of antipsychotic drugs which can cause adverse effects and are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease response to therapeutic drugs is often inadequate as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) strictly regulates the movement of ions and molecules into the brain The researchers were inspired by previous findings which showed the interactions of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 (VIPR2) gene duplication in schizophrenia and their own discovery of a novel peptide has selective antagonist activity to VIPR2 the major limitation associated with KS-133 was its poor permeability across BBB To facilitate the effective transport of KS-133 into the brain that could specifically bind to LRP1 and influence RMT the researchers developed a novel nanoparticle-based drug delivery system (DDS) where KS-133 peptide was encapsulated with KS-487 targeting peptide and studied its efficacy in treating schizophrenia The administration of peptide formulations via the DDS resulted in the effective distribution of the drug in the brains of mice Drug release profiles assessed by pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed the role of the brain-targeting peptide in transporting KS-133 into the brain the efficacy of DDS was evaluated in mice with induced schizophrenia by elevated activation of VIPR2 Mice treated with KS-133/KS-487 nanoparticles showed significant improvement in cognitive functions during novel object recognition tests which could be attributed to the inhibition of VIPR2 Explaining the real-life applications and potential of their study “Existing drugs only have mechanisms involving neurotransmitter modulation our peptide formulation could be used as a novel drug to restore cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.” Miyako and co-researchers provides preclinical evidence of a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting VIPR2 that could improve cognitive impairment in schizophrenia we will extend our study to involve cells and animal models to confirm the efficacy and safety of this peptide formulation and promote its development as a new treatment for schizophrenia within 5 years,” concludes Dr optimistic about the long-term implications of their study We hope that the discovery and development of novel DDS utilizing bio-compatible peptides revolutionizes the treatment landscape of schizophrenia Cyclic Peptides KS-133 and KS-487 Multifunctionalized Nanoparticles Enable Efficient Brain Targeting for Treating Schizophrenia                                             About Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) was the first independent national graduate school in Japan JAIST has become one of Japan’s top-ranking universities JAIST counts with multiple satellite campuses and strives to foster capable leaders with a state-of-the-art education system where diversity is key; about 40% of its alumni are international students The university has a unique style of graduate education based on a carefully designed coursework-oriented curriculum to ensure that its students have a solid foundation on which to carry out cutting-edge research JAIST also works closely both with local and overseas communities by promoting industry–academia collaborative research.   About Associate Professor Eijiro Miyako from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Miyako Eijiro is an Associate Professor at the Materials Chemistry Frontiers Research Area Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) He has been a visiting scientist at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) He also served as the Senior Researcher at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) His research interests are in the areas of Bioengineering in Chemical Systems and Engineering from Kyushu University (Japan) in 2006 He has received research prizes and awards such as PCCP Prize in Royal Society of Chemistry and Research Encouragement Award in The Fullerenes This work was technically supported by the Platform Project for Supporting Drug Discovery and Life Science Research (Basis for Supporting Innovative Drug Discovery and Life Science Research (BINDS)) from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED JP23ama121026j0002) and Research Support Project for Life Science and Drug Discovery (BINDS) from AMED under grant numbers JP23ama121052 and JP23ama121054 Eijiro Miyako thanks the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (Grant number 23H00551) JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Pioneering) (Grant number 22K18440) the Japan Science and Technology Agency for Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-driven R&D (Grant Number JPMJTR22U1) This work was partially supported by grants from JSPS KAKENHI to Satoshi Asano [23K091380] and Yukio Ago [20H03392] and Tokyo Biochemical Research Foundation in the form of a grant to Yukio Ago This research was also supported in part by AMED in the form of a grant to Yukio Ago [JP22ym0126809] This work was partly supported by JST SPRING by a grant to Ami Ono (JPMJSP2132) and Seigo Iwata (JPMJSP2102) 10.1021/jacsau.4c00311 Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system. Copyright © 2025 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. The tourism industry in Los Angeles, still rebounding from the pandemic, has gotten a rare gift in the form of Shohei Ohtani. One traveler from Osaka, Megu Adachi, was in the lobby last week checking in with several other friends. They had tickets to watch Ohtani play, or as Adachi fondly called him, yakyu shonen — a kid obsessed with baseball. “Baseball only!” Adachi emphasized in English. With travel down from China, the biggest pre-pandemic source of overseas visitors to L.A., other countries such as Japan are proving to be increasingly important sources of tourism dollars. Because of Ohtani's appeal — not to mention the Dodgers also signing of Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto — Japan this year may surpass visitor numbers for markets like the U.K. and Australia. “We could be over 400,000 Japanese visitors," Burke said. "It would absolutely make it one of our top four international markets.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by R O B E R T V A R G A S (@therobertvargas) “They found out he’s a superstar,” Ishiguro said “So a lot of people want to just see the game half of the Miyako's rooms are occupied by Japanese tourists they had little reason to visit Little Tokyo noting some perceive downtown as dangerous Though it is a cultural hub for Japanese Americans that's rooted in history Yuhara said Japanese businesspeople coming to work in L.A where SoCal’s Japanese American population center shifted after World War II It’s also where scores of Japanese companies like Honda and All Nippon Airways have located their U.S Yuhara said a sister hotel he manages in Torrance has traditionally been more popular with Japanese travelers If they want a photographic souvenir of Ohtani they need go no farther than neighboring Hermosa Beach But the pull of Ohtani has more travelers traveling up the 110 Freeway and squeezing in a stay downtown “They’re interested in Dodgers [merch] shopping.” Concession stands sell chicken katsu sandwiches and takoyaki (fried octopus.) Elite went from having "zero" bookings from Japan to working with Japanese tour operators to secure tickets and advising on L.A He expects even more Japanese fans will come during the summer and into the fall should Ohtani stay healthy the Dodgers make the postseason and the yen recovers The agency is booking guests in and around Little Tokyo shuttling them to and from the stadium and their hotels He said not since another Japanese superstar played for the Dodgers two decades ago have this many Japanese tourists regularly flocked to this part of town Yutaka Umezawa has noticed more people speaking Japanese on the street and at Daikokuya "I can hear that they're Japanese and usually they're talking about Ohtani," said Umezawa Tadashi Onaka was visiting the Ohtani mural with his son Yusuke He had traveled from Japan with the intent of seeing his son “He hit a run in the first inning,” Onaka recalled it's its own thing that legions of Ohtani fans are now getting to discover LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio