SEARCHThe global authority in superyachting The 45-metre expedition vessel Southern Cross has been listed for sale with Ben Osborne of 37South Constructed with a steel hull by Japanese yard Niigata for their government as a scientific research vessel in 1996 the yacht underwent an extensive refit and was transformed into a specialised expedition vessel in 2023-2024 Her exterior design is by Periscope Naval Architects with interiors from Ashley Sutton Design and naval architecture from her original builders Works included an additional 18 tonnes of steel to the keel for improved stability a purpose-built room for conferencing and dining an expansive aft deck for storage and a new galley to serve "gourmet food" on long expeditions The sundeck and helipad deck (formed from the hardtop) were also part of the refit with the former benefitting from a semi-enclosed bar area and an outdoor dining set-up A well-designed 319GT interior layout includes a main saloon with ample seating port and starboard and a dining area aft for up to eight guests plentiful natural light is provided by large windows comprising two double cabins and three double cabins with an additional single bunk Available for private use or charter the yacht is well equipped for adventure as well as fishing excursions The yacht for sale is also kitted out with a comprehensive setup of military-grade equipment, while every onboard system has a failsafe full backup. A Niigata 6MG25HX diesel engine powers her to a top speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 10-12 knots. Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday SubscribeSign up to our newslettersSign up to BOAT International email newsletters to get the latest superyacht news Boat International Media Ltd © 2008 - 2025 Content presented under the "BOAT Presents" logo is an advertising feature and Boat International Limited has been paid to include this content 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 By Matt Schley2025-03-21T09:09:00+00:00 Kiyotaka Oshiyama at Niigata International Animation Film Festival Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s Look Back won the grand prix at the third Niigata International Animation Film Festival (NIAFF) on Thursday (March 20) The award was presented to the director on the final night of the festival who was also honoured with the Koji Fukiya prize for his work as an animator highlighted the importance of hand-made animation during his acceptance speech I kept hearing that AI would soon be able to create entire works of animation but that’s something that is going to become more difficult so the film is like a souvenir of our current times the whole process and history of anime with human hands will only become more valuable from now on Seville European Film Festival director Manuel Cristobal described Look Back as “perfectly paced with beautifully rendered characters.” The film recently took home the best animation prize at the Japan Academy Awards on March 14 and was Japan’s highest-grossing non-franchise anime film of 2024 Based on a manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto (Chainsaw Man) the story follows two young artists with very different personalities who team up to create a hit manga until tragedy strikes It marks the feature directorial debut of Oshiyama who previously worked as an animator on Studio Ghibli features such as The Boy And The Heron Despite an initial mid-sized release in Japan last year, it went on to rank among the top 20 box office hits in the country given to a work “that is not constrained by conventional values,” went to Memoir Of A Snail The film previously won best film at Annecy and was nominated for an Oscar Elliot also touched on AI’s looming presence and said: “I think the best art will always be created by human beings.” The festival’s Evolve award went to Italy’s Balentes while the honourable mention award went to US director Eric Power’s Papercuts: My Life As An Indie Animator Power is the festival’s first repeat director his When You Get To The Forest having played at the inaugural NIAFF in 2023 The competition section featured 12 features from 10 countries chosen from a total of 69 entries from 29 countries Cristobal’s fellow jurors were artist and educator Christine Panushka and Dwarf Studios producer Noriko Matsumoto The festival’s Hiroshi Okawa and Koji Fukiya awards named after pioneers of Japanese animation born in Niigata were announced prior to the festival and awarded March 20 The Hiroshi Okada award went to Japanese studio Shin-Ei Animation best known for its long-running Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan franchises The Koji Fukiya prize was awarded to four individuals: director and animator Kiyotaka Oshiyama (Look Back) animator Toshiyuki Inoue (Tokyo Godfathers) audio director Eriko Kimura (The Colors Within) and composer Yuki Hayashi (My Hero Academia) it was announced NIAFF will shift a month earlier for its fourth edition and will take place from February 20-26 Screen profiles all the films in the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection and parallel sections Bookmark this page to keep track of all the latest festival dates EXCLUSIVE: The modern love story is the second film by the rising German director A ‘special success incentive’ has also been created for filmmakers whose films are recognised artistically ‘Sinners’ increases weekend-on-weekend takings to pass £11m Screen International is the essential resource for the international film industry access to the Screen International archive and supplements including Stars of Tomorrow and World of Locations Site powered by Webvision Cloud Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo the event is celebrating its 100th year with festivities taking place between Friday March 28 and Sunday April 13.  The park has long been regarded as one of Japan's top evening hanami spots with one of the highlights being the 300m Sakura Road you can stroll under a boulevard of blooming cherry blossom trees and see the bonbori lanterns illuminated after sunset Aside from the cluster of blossoms near the castle the inner and outer moats that surround the grounds and nearby Aota River are lined with even more sakura trees especially with the reflection of the lit-up trees on the water.  For more information on the 99th Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival, visit the website This article was originally published on March 14 2022 and updated on March 13 2025 Here's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2025 The massive snow corridor at Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is opening in April Kanto's largest tulip festival has 600,000 blooms – and it’s near Tokyo Enjoy hi-fi tunes on the streets of Tokyo at the city’s first mobile listening bar 6 Tokyo pizzerias ranked in the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific list for 2025 Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us the dawn casts its soft red glow on the surface of Lake Hyoko The chirping of ducks floating on the water and the swans' proud trumpeting echoes through the air. Located in Agano City this small reservoir has a circumference of about 1,200 meters It is known as "Swan Lake" because many swans gather here during the winter The lake was originally created as an agricultural reservoir to combat a severe drought in 1625 "Hyoko," is said to have originated from a small pond nearby Swans take off and fly toward nearby rice fields and rivers in search of food They flap their magnificent wings and kick the water's surface with their webbed feet to gain speed The first flock of swans arrives in early October each year the number of swans can reach between 5,000 and 6,000 marking the second-largest number ever recorded 75-year-old Isao Saito feeds the birds three times a day He is affectionately known as the "Swan Uncle." come here," a fierce competition for the food begins as if I'm hosting rare guests who traveled a long way." The tradition of swan feeding began in 1954 with Shigezaburo Yoshikawa who successfully introduced artificial feeding for the swans and Saito became the third generation to carry it on Lake Hyoko was designated as a Natural Monument of Japan in 1954. In 2008, it was registered under the Ramsar Convention a member of the management office in charge of the lake We ask visitors to observe them while following proper etiquette such as not entering restricted areas and only feeding them designated food." Community-wide efforts are underway to protect the lake and surrounding areas Author: Yasushi Kawamura You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Japanese injection molding machine maker Niigata Machinery Co which was acquired by Haitian International in 2023 is transitioning sales and service of Niigata machines in the U.S and Canada to Absolute Haitian effective March 1 acquired the injection molding business of Niigata Machine Techno Co with financial backing from Haitian International The transition expands Absolute Haitian’s product offerings with the company saying in a release that customers will benefit from a unified supplier by gaining access to a broader range of horizontal machines and vertical machines and enhanced customer support infrastructure This change coincides with the construction of new Niigata production facilities in Momoyama Those investments will centralize research manufacturing and support with standard Niigata products including horizontal and vertical electric injection molding machines Niigata expanded out from machine tool manufacturing in 1963 when the company partnered with German firm Stube to produce its first injection molding machine the company introduced its first all-electric injection molding machine Niigata Machine Techno USA was created in 2017 and it restructured and designated Elk Grove Village Japanese injection molding machine maker Niigata Machinery Co. Ltd., which was acquired by Haitian International in 2023, is transitioning sales and service of Niigata machines in the U.S. and Canada to Absolute Haitian effective March 1 Niigata’s eighth-generation all-electric injection molding machine Founded in 1895, Niigata expanded out from machine tool manufacturing in 1963, when the company partnered with German firm Stube to produce its first injection molding machine. In 1984, the company introduced its first all-electric injection molding machine. Niigata Machine Techno USA was created in 2017 and your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Niigata Prefecture is blessed with fertile land crystal clear water and a varied climate – all of which contribute to its exceptional local products This food-lovers’ paradise tends to fly under the radar for international travellers but Niigata has much to offer adventurous foodies through its richly varied food and drink culture we take a gourmet journey across Niigata to learn about the region’s sustainable gastronomy through two of its most famous products – salmon and sake can take advantage of Niigata’s local experiences – while supporting the region’s recovery from the 2024 Noto Earthquake Located where the Miomote and Okawa Rivers meet the Sea of Japan Murakami City is a popular spot for spawning salmon the waterways become busy highways for hundreds of fish swimming upriver to lay their eggs and you can witness the excitement yourself on Murakami’s riverbanks The most popular fishing technique in Murakami is also the oldest – fishermen use a homemade staff with a hook on the end Because there’s no live bait to lure the fish They set up wooden platforms and traps called kodo and camouflage them with cypress saplings and ferns to be artificially inseminated and hatched in spring Murakami City is said to be the first place in the world to propagate salmon in this way back in the 18th century when it was a samurai castle town it’s still known as “Salmon City” – and strolling around the city’s picturesque streets it’s obvious that salmon is central to Murakami’s identity salmon are strung out on nearly every storefront – cured salmon To taste this unique delicacy, head to Sennensake Kikkawa a family-owned and operated business that specialises in Murakami salmon and sake you might catch owner Shinji Kikkawa curing the salmon the traditional Murakami way The salmon dries from one month to one year “After drying for a year and being exposed to the winds of Murakami the salmon develops a special umami,” Kikkawa told Euronews Travel Salmon is so revered in Murakami that it is always handled with the utmost respect – when gutted the fish’s stomach is opened in two incisions to avoid suggestions of harakiri a form of ritual suicide in which dishonoured samurai would disembowel themselves Every part of the salmon is eaten, including its organs, fins and skin. It’s said Murakami has 100 different salmon recipes – and you can try 22 of them at the restaurant Izutsuya One of Izutsuya’s most delightful dishes is salmon skin which curls up like a claw as you grill it at your table The meal is also accompanied by Niigata rice – widely considered the best in Japan Niigata’s famous rice is the key ingredient in one of its other specialities – sake The region’s geography makes it particularly suited for sake production – heavy snowfall from its mountains provides the purest water To get a closer look at Niigata sake, head to Asahi-Shuzo visitors can see each step of the process – from rice polishing and koji processing to fermentation and bottling Asahi-Shuzo has a strong focus on environmental conservation and leads a local initiative to save the region’s fireflies which are believed to be an indicator of water quality you can see the fruits of their labour – bioluminescent bugs twinkling joyfully – as you stroll through the brewery’s grounds visitors can enjoy the red maple trees Asahi-Shuzo planted in the Momijien Maple Garden overlooking the brewery so water is very important,” Asahi-Shuzo master brewer Motoyoshi Yamaga explained to Euronews Travel At Sara no Sato Asahiyama, which houses the brewery’s shop and restaurant, you can try the different varieties of Asahi-Shuzo’s flagship sake label – Kubota Tasting each different sake side by side is a wonderful way to introduce your palette to the subtle aromas and flavours After you’ve gotten your fill of salmon and sake relax in one of Niigata’s 144 different onsen onsen getaways are a favourite pastime for Japanese people and often start with a stay in a traditional inn For those who treasure their comfort, try Tsukioka Onsen Masyuu which was recently renovated to combine the charm of a traditional ryokan with the luxury of a hotel The inn’s indoor and outdoor baths feature sulphur-rich natural hot spring water with a beautiful emerald colour which is believed to be good for skin and joints Omotenashi is the guiding principle here – the foundational Japanese concept takes hospitality a step further representing an all-encompassing care for guests with warmth And the dinner is exquisite – featuring seasonal local products arranged beautifully into an array of small dishes For a more down-to-earth experience, head to Senami Onsen and stay at Taikanso Senami no Yu a larger institution with few frills and an extraordinary view of the Sea of Japan Their outdoor bath is an experience for all of your senses – you can smell the sea feel the heat seeping into your bones and watch the horizon all at once It’s a great place to sit and reflect at the end of a long watch the full episode of Explore Sustainable Japan in the player above Nagoya Grampus edged Albirex Niigata 5-4 on penalties after an enthralling 3-3 draw to secure their second League Cup and deny their opponents a first major title on Saturday Niigata scored a last-minute leveler to force extra-time after coming back from two goals down then equalized again to take the epic cup final all the way to a shootout at Tokyo's National Stadium where Nagoya lifted the trophy they first won in 2021 The result was a fitting sendoff for longtime Nagoya keeper Mitch Langerak who is departing the club at the end of the current J-League campaign to join Melbourne Victory in his native Australia "We have the best fans in Japan," the 36-year-old said I had the feeling we were going to win this." With two of the country's most ardent fan bases giving raucous support from long before kickoff it was possession-based Niigata who showed plenty of early promise under the rain in front of 62,517 But veteran Nagoya forward Kensuke Nagai capitalized on Niigata keeper Koto Abe's mistake to open the scoring in the 31st minute as he struck a low first-time effort into the left corner from outside the box The 35-year-old got his second in the 42nd minute following a superb passage of play from his teammates set off by Keiya Shiihashi floating the ball into the box Sho Inagaki nodded it down away from the goal for Ryuji Izumi who still had work to do but showed deft touches to wrong-foot his marker and tee up Nagai to side-foot home Niigata sent on the tournament's leading scorer with six goals as part of a triple substitution with 25 minutes left and got a goal back when Kaito Taniguchi headed in Danilo Gomes' right-wing cross Albirex left-back Kento Hashimoto drew a diving save from Langerak in the 82nd minute from distance and the Australian keeper made another to deny Gomes' cross creeping in at the far post as Niigata ramped up the pressure With the clock ticking and Nagoya seemingly home and dry substitute Yota Komi won and scored a last-minute penalty to force extra time who came on with 10 minutes left in regular time before giving away the penalty made amends by drilling home via a deflection three minutes into extra time But Komi again came to Niigata's rescue as he latched on to Nagakura's through ball and slotted past Langerak in the 111th minute The penalty shootout was played at the Nagoya end and Niigata's second taker while Langerak stepped up to score the next attempt low to left before Yuya Yamagishi buried the decisive kick to clinch Nagoya a memorable win Niigata manager Rikizo Matsuhashi said his team were "gradually getting stronger "I told my players to go through lots of these tough moments and build on them in pursuit of a title," he said Nagoya manager Kenta Hasegawa credited the Niigata supporters and their "desire for a first title" for bringing Albirex back into the match but said he had confidence in Langerak and company heading into the shootout "We have Mitch in our goal and I backed our chance if it were to go to penalties," he said "The Nagoya fans kept cheering us on till the end in the rain and it was great to see their smiles." Football: Kamada winner sends Crystal Palace into League Cup q'finals Football: "Miracle of Miami" match-winner against Brazil to retire Football: Seike AFC Women's Player of the Year, Oiwa wins coach award To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible By Amid Amidi | 01/22/2025 9:59 pm | Be the First to Comment! The Niigata International Animation Film Festival (NIAFF) a festival dedicated exclusively to animated features has announced the selections for its third edition Twelve films from 14 countries will screen in competition The films were selected from 69 entries representing 28 countries and regions Festival organizers noted a large number of entries from Latin America and the Middle East “While many works actively incorporated new methods such as the fusion of rotoscoping and digital technologies as well as the use of AI traditional timelapse photography or stop-motion animation also seem to be favored among the creators signifying the diversification of approaches in creating animation.” A jury of three people has also been announced: Spanish film producer Manuel Cristóbal (who will also be head of jury) American filmmaker and teacher Christine Panushka and Japanese stop-motion producer Noriko Matsumoto (Domo-kun the festival is planning a major retrospective on Satoshi Kon which will not only screen films that he directed like Perfect Blue but also works in which he contributed as a key animator Discussion with colleagues who worked with Kon will round out the retrospective program For more information on the festival and tickets, visit the event’s website Amid Amidi is Cartoon Brew's Editor in Chief Niigata International Animation Film Festival (NIAFF) the first film festival in the world dedicated to feature-length animated movies and the largest dedicated animation festival in Asia concluded six days of colorful and lively events on Thursday Winners of NIAFF’s Feature Film Competition awards were revealed at the 2025 edition’s closing: Honorable Mention – Papercuts: My Life as an Indie Animator The winners were awarded with trophies and prizes by the three juries (Manuel Cristóbal The Okawa Hiroshi Award and Fukiya Koji Awards ceremony also took place The recipients were: Shin-ei Animation Co. Eriko Kimura (sound director) and Yuki Hayashi (composer) The festival is held in the city of Niigata where many creators of manga and animation originated from who founded Toei Animation and produced Japan’s first colored feature-length animation movie The Tale of the White Serpent in 1958 niigata-iaff.net © 2025 Animation Magazine. All Rights Reserved. The Business, Technology & Art Of Animation And VFX © 2025 Animation Magazine. All Rights Reserved. The Business, Technology & Art Of Animation And VFX We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies. We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below. The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. 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Regulators and international nuclear officials are a go, but without a green light from the local governor, the Tokyo Electric Power Co.-owned plant is stuck in limbo International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station on February 18 it is one of the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) nuclear facilities Grossi declared that preparations had reached the stage where the facility was ready to restart operations Also, on February 18, Japan's 7th Strategic Energy Plan was approved at a Cabinet meeting Nuclear power generation is a main pillar of that plan.  Grossi said he was convinced that TEPCO had made great progress in ensuring safety and nuclear security Coming from the head of an international organization whose mission is the peaceful use of nuclear energy his timely message should be taken seriously Reactors 6 and 7 of the nuclear power station have been shut down since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 They have now passed safety inspections by the Nuclear Regulation Authority Reactor No 7 completed the fuel loading process in April 2024 Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi has not yet given his consent which is necessary for the reactor to restart Governor Hanazumi's cautious stance may be motivated by his desire to gauge prefecture residents' sentiment on the restart he is taking far too much time to make his decision Niigata's own technical committee has been independently verifying the safety measures at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station It also submitted a report to the governor on February 12 stating that most of the 22 items confirmed to date have shown no problems The No 7 reactor at the nuclear power station is a state-of-the-art advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) with improved structural safety it has one of the largest generating capacities in Japan Restarting that reactor would also ease power supply pressures in the Tokyo region and extreme heat threaten the capital's functions the restart would help improve TEPCO's business situation that will directly contribute to supporting the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station It will also support the reconstruction of nearby areas affected by the 2011 disaster Some question why Niigata residents should support restarting nuclear power stations in Niigata when they would produce electricity used elsewhere But isn't that a narrow-minded way of looking at things Will they also ignore the calls from the local city of Kashiwazaki and village of Kariwa for the early restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station These two communities are the local governments in the prefecture with the closest connection to the nuclear power facilities This is the age of heavy energy-using artificial intelligence Offering the availability of nuclear power as a stable carbon-free energy source is essential for attracting new businesses We urge Governor Hanazumi to make a forward-looking decision. That requires taking into account both the interests in Niigata Prefecture and Japan's national interests. In turn, this requires considering the international situation regarding energy security Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun You must be logged in to post a comment Local startup Rice Resin turns wasted rice into low-carbon plastics Yamakoshi Village is tackling population decline with innovative Nishikigoi NFTs fostering a unique bond between real and digital villagers These projects showcase Niigata's entrepreneurial spirit combining tradition with cutting-edge solutions From eco-friendly plastics to digital rural revitalisation Niigata's vision sets a precedent for tackling global challenges while preserving local culture and resources One of the idle nuclear reactors at a power plant in Japan's Niigata Prefecture is set to face a prolonged delay in its restart as the operator is likely to fail to complete the required anti-terrorism measures by the October deadline sources close to the matter said Wednesday 7 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant as soon as possible has been postponed until 2029 due to a shortage of construction workers which has hindered the development of necessary facilities such as a backup control room for each reactor the Nuclear Regulation Authority prohibited the transportation and loading of reactor fuel stored at the plant on the Sea of Japan coast due to insufficient counterterrorism measures ordering the utility to take corrective action The de facto ban on one of the world's largest nuclear plants by output was lifted in 2023 which supplies electricity to the Tokyo metropolitan area and surrounding regions after taking steps to ensure its safety and security The operator is expected to report its plans to the nuclear watchdog on Thursday Court rules against suspension of nuclear units in southwestern Japan China joins water sample analysis at Japan nuclear plant for 1st time Visitors to one of Tokyo’s fanciest shopping areas can plan a trip further afield at a prefectural information center in operation since summer opened in August and includes a restaurant and sake and craft shops and hosts events promoting tourism in the western Japanese prefecture The facility recently invited journalists to a get-together promoting Sado Island in the Sea of Japan part of Niigata just off the coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu Gold mines on the island were mined by hand for hundreds of years and were recently registered as a World Heritage cultural site The South Korean and Japanese governments held separate ceremonies in November commemorating miners drafted to work there during World War II told visitors of the experiences they can have during a visit to the island It takes under four hours to get there from Tokyo Obata’s family has brewed Sake on Sado since 1892 her company converted an abandoned school on the island to a brewery that includes a cafe demonstrated onidaiko traditional Sado drumming that has been passed down for more than 400 years a performer in a mask and costume leapt around the room in a type of performance done on the island to wish for good health a company that promotes local culture on the island by planning festivals and making traditional costumes Journalists could taste some of Aida’s rice at the Ginza event and wash it down with sake brewed on the island They also got to sample a selection of food prepared by the information center’s restaurant – The Niigata Bit Ginza – using ingredients such as oyster Food: Lunch at The Niigata Bit Ginza starts at 2,980 yen Text and photo by University of the Philippines College of Dentistry The University of the Philippines College of Dentistry (UPCD) reaffirmed its commitment to internationalization and academic collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Niigata University Faculty of Dentistry a WHO Collaborating Centre for Translation of Oral Health Sciences The signing ceremony was attended by Niigata University Faculty of Dentistry Dean Makoto Inoue and UPCD Dean Michelle Segarra alongside Vice-Dean for International Affairs Professor Hiroshi Ogawa and Associate Professor Armin Segarra of UPCD This partnership paves the way for collaborative international conferences It also provides opportunities for faculty and student exchanges as well as PhD programs for UPCD faculty and students.# #FP1 #FP6 #InnovationsforLifelongLearningDedicatedToService With beautifully maintained landscapes reminiscent of the English countryside Niigata’s Mitsuke English Garden provides an idyllic setting for a springtime day out The venue is adding to the fun this April with their Cosplay Gataket event which is returning after its successful debut last year The event allows participants to dress up as their favorite character and capture some memorable photos with lush greenery and seasonal blooms as a backdrop Mitsuke English Garden is located approximately three minutes drive from the Hokuriku Expressway’s Nakanoshima Mitsuke Interchange if you’re visiting the garden via public transport the closest station is Mitsuke Station on the JR Shinetsu Main Line the garden is just under twenty minutes on foot or around a five minute taxi ride away Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan The third festival took place from March 15-20. This year's festival hosted a retrospective on Satoshi Kon. Anime films screening in competition included Ghost Cat Anzu and Look Back The first Niigata International Animation Film Festival was held in March 2023, and featured Mamoru Oshii as the judging committee chairman and it aims to be the largest festival of feature-length anime in Asia Niigata has hosted the Niigata Anime and Manga Festival and Niigata Manga Awards. The city is also home to some anime studios The film sold 135,000 tickets and earned 227 million (about US$1.40 million) in its first three days GKIDS screened the film on October 4 in New York and Los Angeles, and then on October 6 and 7 more widely in North America. The film earned US$688,253 at the U.S Sources: Niigata Animation FIlm Festival, Comic Natalie and all eyes turn to the screen — the start of a two-hour cinematic journey Takada Sekai-kan is believed to be one of the oldest cinemas in Japan still operating in its original form.  Takada Sekai-kan first opened in 1911 as a playhouse called Takada-za it was renamed Sekai-kan and became a permanent movie theater white Renaissance-style theater once had tatami mats in its seating area The windows — an unusual feature for a movie theater — are a reminder of its playhouse origins Following Japan's period of rapid economic growth and the situation worsened as the building aged After the 2007 Chuetsu offshore earthquake Determined to preserve this historic landmark local volunteers and film enthusiasts established the NPO Machinaka Eigakan Saisei Iinkai (Downtown Movie Theater Revival Committee) he became the theater's sole full-time staff member in 2014 "It would be amazing to create new value by blending cinema with other elements," Ueno said with excitement we could collaborate with a local Italian restaurant to offer movie-inspired menu items." This article was updated from its original publication in June 2016 Author: Ryosuke Kawaguchi You must be logged in to post a comment Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons Yamagata–based travel specialist The Hidden Japan has launched a new collection of multi-day tours showcasing local crafts and hands-on experiences unique to Niigata and Yamagata prefectures Yamagata and are designed primarily for travelers seeking intellectually stimulating particularly tourists from Western countries Experiences cater to a wide range of interests Tokyo is well linked to Yamagata and Niigata prefectures by bullet train making northeastern Japan an ideal off-the-beaten-path region for travelers seeking less crowded destinations Niigata Prefecture is best known for its sake Yamagata Prefecture is famous for the yamabushi of Dewa Sanzan and the snow monsters and ski slopes of Mount Zao With their new fully-guided tours linking these prefectures travel specialist The Hidden Japan hopes to shine the spotlight on the lesser-known cities of Tsubame and Sanjo in Niigata Located along the northwestern coast of Honshu these cities share a long history based on trade and exchange with connected yet distinct cultures and traditions visiting both regions allows for a deeper experience of the culture each tour a journey with its own distinct and compelling narrative The tours have been designed primarily for travelers who seek authentic intellectually stimulating cultural experiences on their travels Yamashina notes that the tours can be experienced as is but individual elements of the tours can also be combined using a mix-and-match approach for bespoke tours Niigata and Yamagata are home to some of Japan’s most skilled craftspeople and artisans with Tsubame-Sanjo in particular widely recognised as a center for craftsmanship Proximity to the Sea of Japan as well as the rich soils of the Shonai Plain have nurtured rich culinary traditions while the Dewa Sanzan mountains have for centuries attracted those making spiritual pilgrimages With Tsubame-Sanjo being less than two hours from Tokyo Station by bullet train the tours are an excellent and convenient add-on to itineraries beginning in Tokyo Beyond the Sushi Bar: The Foundations and Future of Japanese Cuisine  four-night tour with a strong emphasis on gastronomy and make your very own dashi (fish stock) blend Catch and prepare your own fish with a local fisherman Delicious meals and hospitality in Japanese-style hot spring inns The Artisans of Uetsu: Encounters with Silk, Steel, and More three-night tour with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship in the Uetsu region see the construction of kitchen knives and hammered copperware Immerse yourself in samurai silk traditions Shop for top-quality crafts and sew your own ornaments Delicious meals and accommodation in Japanese-style hot spring inns Soul of Uetsu: Spirituality and Cuisine Shaped by Nature three-night tour introducing the Uetsu region’s culture with an element of physical activity through walking and cycling tours Slurp se-abura (back fat) and Sakata ramen sample seasonal delicacies at a fish market Hike up Mount Haguro with a yamabushi priest savor the spiritual shojin ryori cuisine of the mountains please visit the respective tour pages at The Hidden Japan’s website Thanks to factors such as an increasing consumer awareness of overtourism and a growing interest in sustainable travel the Tohoku region has received more attention as a travel destination in recent years the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) revealed that the number of international visitors to Japan in 2024 reached record heights of 36.9 million 15.6% more visitors than the previous record of 31.9 million in 2019 Furthermore, research by the JTB Foundation and Development Bank of Japan suggests that up to 30% of foreign visitors have personally experienced the effects of overtourism; and moreover that 70% of respondents surveyed take sustainability into consideration when choosing travel destinations In a region with very few tour companies catering to English-speaking visitors their commitment to hiring locals and building strong relationships with artisans and small businesses has made The Hidden Japan one of the leading tour operators in Yamagata and the Tohoku region Both Yamagata and Niigata have a wealth of culture and traditions still little-known to travelers Established in 2018, The Hidden Japan is an inbound tourism company aiming to offer travelers deep Japan experiences alongside local masters with a focus on culinary Saori Yamashina & Derek Yamashita (available for interview) Sakata Head Office: 2-26-20 Shinbashi Sakata City Yamagata Branch Office: 1-A Q1 Yamagata Creative City Center Email: info@thehiddenjapan.com I visited Tsubame Sanjo before with my wife years ago before covid They have some of the best knives and kitchenware we have ever seen and all for rock bottom prices too The craftsmen there were really friendly and we did a copper hammering tour with a French woman who lives there Also not sure why the Yamabushi comment above is getting thumbed down We went to Haguro too and stayed at one of the lodges there Thank you for visiting Rick and its great to hear you also found this wonderful region of Japan Haguro where guests can be guided up the mountain and visit the shrines here with a Yamabushi and local guide Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts Join the leading Asian tourist attraction to assist our diverse range of customers A mix of what's trending on our other sites Tokyo struggled to show a strong attack from the early stages Marcelo RYAN broke free from a long feed by right wing-back Kosuke SHIRAI and skillfully intercepted the ball by positioning his body just as the opposing player trapped it His shot with the right foot was blocked by a fine save from the goalkeeper and then Teruhito NAKAGAWA tried to capitalize on the rebound just when it seemed the half would end as is resulting in a painful goal just before the end of the first half but as time passed without being able to create effective attacking plays they conceded an additional goal on a counterattack in the 34th minute of the second half they were unable to show any powerful attacks and suffered a frustrating 0-2 defeat "It ended up being mismatched""It was half-hearted""What we wanted to do as a team wasn’t clear" After the previous match against Shimizu S-Pulse Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI and the players spoke about the reasons for the defeat The players failed to coordinate their eye contact on the pitch and ineffective use of long balls and short passes causing time to pass without achieving unified intent the poor management of the match remained an issue and during the period when they wanted to launch a counterattack they suffered a counterattack themselves and conceded an additional goal there is limited time to spend on training to make sufficient adjustments for this match but it will be a game where everyone must once again firmly reconfirm what we want to do and what we should do before facing it differentiating between short and long passes and the quality of finishing — in the match against Gamba Osaka where we secured a long-awaited victory we demonstrated the transition from "good defense to good attack." We reaffirmed the importance of real-time communication to align our perspectives Positive calls seeking each other on the pitch will surely propel the team forward who had struggled with no wins in the first 8 matches since the season opener it will be the first match against his former club "It is a club with special feelings for me as it was the first team I managed as a coach but right now the whole team is focused on defeating Niigata," he said reminiscing about the people he once fought alongside yet his attitude of treating every match as a must-win remains unchanged The 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League has passed about one-third of the season and entered the mid-season phase The upcoming match against Niigata will mark the end of the long series of consecutive games that started in late March we want to transform the challenges and positive signs we have felt into tangible "results," and by bringing back 3 points from this away game we aim to take the first step toward a comeback for the future Q: In the match against Gamba Osaka two rounds ago we saw a style of play that included using long balls Is it necessary to also work on "resetting the needle" as the coach mentioned?A Using long balls to launch attacks is by no means “bad,” nor are short passes inherently “good.” It’s important to choose appropriately depending on the situation I believe we must quickly communicate to the entire team which way our focus is leaning I believe they are a team going through a difficult situation just like us and I also think that momentum can increase with just one trigger There is nothing special only about this match; my mind is solely focused on how to defeat the opponent in front of us What was the period spent in Niigata like for the coach?A I was truly able to spend a wonderful time and this was the first team I had the honor to lead as a manager From the growth of the club and each player to my own development There is no doubt that this is a club with special meaning to me how do you feel about leading the team at DENKA BIG SWAN STADIUM?A it doesn't matter if it's against my former team or anyone else the only thing that matters is that the whole team comes together to defeat Niigata How do you look back on the match against Shimizu S-Pulse?A it was a match where I felt my own lack of ability I want to think once again about what I can do for the team I believe it is important to fight as much as possible for the team to win so that I can prove "who I am." As a whole team and from the coach there was also talk in the meeting about continuing without wavering so I think we just have to trust that and do it I want to make flexible decisions by observing the opponent Whether to kick the ball or to connect passes I hope to make the best choices to score goals and defend in a good balance so this time we must avoid a losing streak.A I believe that winning is the best way to build confidence This applies to the entire team as well as myself; by winning We missed out on a winning streak last time I want to secure a solid victory to create an opportunity to advance to the top ranks Please tell us your impression of Albirex Niigata.A they are a team excellent at ball possession but there were times when they controlled the ball We need to firmly accept that and be patient so if we set up a block considering the timing everyone must defend by calculating backward from the goal but I believe there will be chances to strike back and we want to aim for those opportunities After a period away from the starting lineup you came on as a substitute in the previous match against Shimizu S-Pulse has your desire to help the team win increased?A watching the team's way of playing from the outside there were parts that were not going well and scenes where things did not fit together we need to organize those issues before entering the match each player is required to excel in the basic aspects compared to the opponent I think it is important for the team to communicate and give instructions from the back line so that the best decisions can be made on the pitch.A it is not that the style of attacking by kicking long balls to the front line like in the matches against Gamba Osaka and Shimizu S-Pulse but since we aim for a style that values ball possession I believe we should not rely solely on that kind of play it is important to carefully consider where to position yourself by observing the opponent and communication where surrounding players use their voices to reposition teammates effectively will be a key point 4/29 Shimizu Match MATCH REVIEW & INTERVIEW 5/3 Niigata Match MATCH REVIEW & INTERVIEW A town known to receive over three metres of snowfall a year Niigata prefecture’s Tsunan is one of Japan’s snowiest destinations Though the sight of frosted windows and thick blankets of white powder might delight visitors in search of a winter wonderland the constant flurry of snow can grow tedious for locals so an annual festival was conceived to lift spirits in the area.  This year's Tsunan Snow Festival is scheduled to take place on March 8. Activities on offer include snow slides and cultural showcases, but the biggest spectacle is the sky lantern event at the New Greenpia Tsunan resort.  there will also be food stalls and pop-ups selling hot sake and other beverages to keep you warm Tickets are now available online from ¥13,500. Note that tickets include a parking space (you will have to take a shuttle to the event area) and one lantern to participate in the lantern festival This article was published on January 5 2023 and updated on January 14 2025 Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton take over Harajuku with a pop-up shop and café Dive into the otherworldly with Mika Ninagawa's latest exhibition at Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art Waymo to begin testing driverless vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025Discover the secrets of scenic Setouchi with our new guide to the Inland Sea region Announcing the first 7 chefs and restaurateurs coming to Time Out Market Osaka in March 2025 Iwamuro Onsen is situated on the Echigo Plain The vast plain extends from central to northern Niigata Prefecture along the western coast of Japan's Honshu Island Iwamuro is known for its distinctive black hot spring water attracting both domestic and international visitors.  has held matches at Iwamuro for three consecutive years take the Hokuriku Expressway and exit at the Maki-Katahigashi Interchange then drive for about 20 minutes through a peaceful rural area.  The quaint town features a mix of inns and homes with friendly residents offering a warm "konnichiwa" to passersby the onsen was discovered by a village elder who dreamt of a white-haired old man who advised: "If you bathe in the sacred spring beneath the old pine tree at the edge of the village villagers found a heron soothing its wounds in the spring and unwind in a free foot bath with Iwamuro's famous black waters There are only a few black hot springs in Japan the unique color comes from sulfur and iron combining to form ferrous sulfide The fine black particles give the water its tint the bath is also believed to help with nerve pain Glamour model and onsen sommelier Rin Takahashi attended an event at Iwamuro Onsen in September She described the water as "incredibly gentle on the skin and soothing to the core." To enhance its beautifying effects she recommended applying moisturizer within ten minutes of leaving the bath For those seeking a quick soak, the day-use hot spring is a great option. Just a five-minute walk from the tourist information center is Hoho an inn offering scenic views of the Echigo Plain and Mount Yahiko.  visitors can enjoy its outdoor bath and rent face and body towels Bathing amid the sounds of nature makes for a truly relaxing experience shared that foreign guests are often intrigued by the black water Takashimaya has hosted the Kisei title matches 26 times has competed there for three consecutive years since 2022 Fans are often seen taking photos outside the inn is also famous for its local produce branded as Nishikan Nana-iro Vegetables Some of these have even been served to Fujii during his stays at Takashimaya there's no better way to unwind than to enjoy the fall foliage followed by a soothing soak in the black waters of Iwamuro Onsen Iwamuro Onsen, often called the "back parlor of Niigata City," is located in Nishikan Ward. It is also a popular destination for visitors to the famous Yahiko Shrine The onsen can be reached by taking the Yahiko Line and Echigo Line to Iwamuro Station it's about a 20-minute drive from the Maki-Katahigashi Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway Author: Kenichi Honda You must be logged in to post a comment The last match of the congested schedule that continued from late March was an away game against Albirex Niigata They have yet to win in 5 away league matches but this game demands a win at all costs to turn things around They want to recall once more the joy and the 3 points earned at Japan National Stadium the red and blue starting eleven changed five players Seiji KIMURA was placed in the center of the three-back The defensive midfield duo consisted of Kento HASHIMOTO and Takahiro KO with Kei KOIZUMI and Keita ENDO deployed as right and left wing-backs respectively The inside halves were Keisuke Sato and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA who is expected to score his first league goal Attention is also focused on the combination of Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI as well as the left-side partnership of Keita ENDO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA who are starting together for the first time which saw a big round of applause and some boos for Coach Matsuhashi during the pre-match player introductions kicked off at 14:03 with the Tokyo ball under clear skies at DENKA BIG SWAN STADIUM 1st HALF—Leading with Hian's first league goal Tokyo searched for attacking options from the start during a period when they struggled to maintain possession they connected vertically through pressing from the front and a sharp interception where Koizumi made a one-touch return pass the movement of the blue and red became lighter the ace scored his long-awaited first league goal When RIAN picked up the loose ball slightly to the right side of the center of the pitch and advanced with it he did not miss the moment when the opponent's marking slowed down and struck a powerful left-footed shot He pierced the top left of the goal with a fierce controlled shot with the instep successfully scoring the opening goal early in the game which left a strong impression of having properly organized the previously "disjointed" on-pitch perspectives from the last match against Shimizu S-Pulse the defense worked effectively by pressing from the front line and quickly intercepting passes Tokyo attacked the goal with swift transitions while keeping their anticipation high in both offense and defense The players maintained good positioning and spacing forming many triangles to open multiple passing lanes While allowing the opponent to hold the ball to some extent Tokyo gained control of the game's pace through soccer that embodies "good defense leading to good offense." creating plays in midfield and making large developments to the opposite side showcasing a variety of attacking strategies with depth as players continuously came forward from the back Although they couldn't score an additional goal the players on the pitch worked together in both offense and defense demonstrating the football the team should play as they headed into halftime 2nd HALF—Secured the win with additional goals by Hian and Aniki marking the second away victory of the season Both teams entered the second half without any substitutions Tokyo aims to maintain control by continuing the precise anticipation and aggressive style they showed in the first half Tokyo gained momentum by directing the arrows toward the goal Many players actively engaged with the ball an additional goal was scored from a brilliant play who was advancing while carrying the ball inside Doi then aimed for a forward run from the center he delivered the final pass to Koizumi inside the penalty area and made a graceful goal by slicing through the last line with a vertical breakthrough and finishing with his right foot The reliable "Aniki" made a big impact against his memorable former team on his professional debut and Tokyo extended their lead to two goals Tokyo continues to demonstrate sharp predictions Not only do they react quickly to loose balls but all players also reposition accurately to create passing lanes and actively engage with the ball the right side was broken through in a moment of lapse and although Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a save once the ball was lost due to a miscommunication in front of the goal Takahashi was forced to be substituted due to a fierce collision in a midfield contest and Koizumi was converted to a defensive midfielder Takahashi had been controlling the entire team from the base of midfield with precise communication so the team was now challenged to fill that gap and secure the victory in the remaining approximately 20 minutes after a period of being pressed by Niigata due to an unexpected substitution who picked up the loose ball inside his own penalty area dribbled forward and accelerated strongly through the center of the pitch broke free and powerfully struck with his right foot to score an additional goal allowed Tokyo to successfully extend their lead to two goals once again and Tawara Tsukida were substituted with Teppei OKA with the bench making moves to close out the match The second half added time was displayed as 11 minutes partly due to dealing with player Takahashi but the team showed an aggressive attitude including the substitutes maintained focus and anticipation until the end Player Hian also shined by scoring two goals securing their first away league win since the opening match against Yokohama FC MATCH DETAILS＜FC Tokyo＞STARTING ⅪGK Taishi Brandon NOZAWADF Kanta DOI/Kei KOIZUMI/Enrique Trevisan (40th minute second half: Teppei OKA)/Seiji KIMURAMF Yo TAKAO (28th minute second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Kento HASHIMOTO (40th minute second half: Kota TOKIWA)/Keita ENDO (13th minute second half: Soma ANZAI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (40th minute second half: Leon NOZAWA)FW Yoshimasa SATO (30th minute second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Marcelo Hian SUBSGK Go HATANODF Yasuki KIMOTOMaki KITAHARA MF GOAL8th minute of the first half: Marcelo RYAN / 7th minute of the second half: Kei KOIZUMI / 37th minute of the second half: Marcelo RYAN <Albirex Niigata>STARTING ⅪGK Daisuke YOSHIMITSUDF Soya FUJIWARA/Jason Gellia/Haruto Inamura/Yuto HORIGOME (2nd half 22 min: Kento HASHIMOTO)MF Taiki ARAI (2nd half 40 min: Yuji HOSHI)/Hiroki AKIYAMA (2nd half 22 min: Yoshiaki TAKAGI)/Yota KOMI (2nd half 13 min: Danilo Gomes)/Motoki HASEGAWA/Hitoshi OKUMURA (2nd half 40 min: Miguel Silveira)FW Yuji ONO (2nd half 13 min: Keisuke KASAI) SUBSGK Kazuki FUJITADF Fumiya HAYAKAWA/Michael James FITZGERALD GOAL21st minute of the second half: Keisuke Kasai / 45+9th minute of the second half: Danilo GOMES it was a difficult match with an uncertain outcome until the very end but despite some struggles caused by ourselves I am glad that we were able to secure the victory how did you feel about playing as the opposing team's coach in a match there?A I felt a strange sense of returning among the players and related parties who have fought alongside me for a long time how to defeat the opponents and how to demonstrate our progress were also important aspects in a way Until Takahiro KO's substitution due to injury the counterattack that led to a goal showed the good aspects we have there were parts where we disrupted our own pace Instead of focusing on the two goals conceded our way of playing until then was very conservative At the point when we scored the third goal instructions were passed to the entire team Although it did not always lead directly from the finish to a goal there was an unpleasant feeling of "maybe..." I think we can evaluate that they did well in trying firmly and moving the ball to create space ahead and how to connect the corrections to scoring in the end are things we still need to continue working on "We must score goals." How do you reflect on the fact that you were able to score 3 goals in the end?A it is very frustrating that what we are doing can be perceived negatively or diminished because we are not scoring goals we will not be able to move in the direction we aim for I believe this is something we absolutely must not overlook and I want to continue emphasizing it going forward The players' arrows were pointing towards the goal and it looked like their gazes were aligned.A The opponents are good at taking positions that create hesitation we assigned the players the task of tightening that area a bit conceding two goals was unfortunate both in terms of shape and overall play in the early stages there was still some confusion and while I intended to clearly communicate to the players why we build up the ball from the back By effectively using the space created through those attempts the players haven't gained much confidence I need to clearly demonstrate what is required there are parts that they have been able to execute I have been practicing every day to score goals to have scored 2 goals and helped the team win I also want to take a good rest and prepare for the next match the first goal came from a pass by Keisuke Sato and I carried the ball myself by dribbling I was able to skillfully slot the ball in with my left foot but I was able to control the ball well afterward and score Do you think these two goals will be a trigger for you to score even more goals in the future?A I am also happy to have joined Tokyo and to have scored my first league goal as a Tokyo player and I want to keep adding more goals moving forward The song that was used as a chant for Amaral and Lucas has become a chant for Marcelo RYAN we still have no way of catching up to those two but it makes me happy that fans and supporters encourage and acknowledge us in that way I want to play so that I can catch up to them for Tokyo Have you struggled because you have been away from scoring goals until now?From the very first day I joined I have been training with the goal of scoring and helping the team win It has been very frustrating not being able to score for a long time I always believed that I would score someday being able to score and help the team win is the most important thing we were able to challenge various aspects of maintaining possession I thought it would be good to move inside and help the defensive midfielder so I was allowed to play freely without sticking strictly to the wing-back position I made sure to stay wide where I needed to and I hope to improve by reading the opponent better and doing it more skillfully and I believe the important thing was that I was able to get to that position Was this a match that revealed some challenges as well?A but we need to be more particular about how we finish and win in the end so we want to make sure to handle that properly Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming home match against Vissel Kobe.Just like the match against Shimizu S-Pulse in Group A nothing matters unless we achieve consecutive wins so we want to work hard to secure those consecutive victories Q: please review the assist scene.After winning the ball I had an image of peeling off the opposing player and carrying the ball up to a high position and since Marcelo RYAN moved again at a good timing I think everything went as imagined up to the goal I believe you came on as a substitute during a difficult time and timing.A and since we wanted to avoid conceding goals and Kei KOIZUMI was performing well and scoring from the right wing position I myself wanted to achieve some kind of result While focusing on not being easily beaten defensively I was determined to make the most of the few chances we had the match could have ended in a 2-2 draw.A I think we were able to score the third goal and also showed a positive attitude in going for the goal We want to continue the aggressive mindset of aiming for the second and third goals in the future but I think both conceded goals were unfortunate Q: It seemed like the wide players often took positions more inside while playing.A I think it's also good to move inside and play depending on the situation I myself am always conscious of plays like the second goal scored by player Koizumi where he breaks through from the outside area with passes I want to continue focusing on playing in good positions 5/3 Niigata Match MATCH PREVIEW & INTERVIEW Today's print edition Home Delivery When the Yamagai brothers saw their historic family restaurant consumed by flames in 2005 it is unlikely they ever envisaged it would rise from the ashes to become a beacon of gastronomy in their hometown in the far north of Niigata Prefecture was that they were dead set on rebuilding after the fire that they would take charge in the kitchen Unlike the four generations of their family who preceded them they did not intend to hire an outside chef: Instead they would be handling the cooking themselves.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); After all, both had already undergone their training and culinary apprenticeships in Kyoto — first Shinsuke Yamagai, the elder brother (now 47), followed a couple of years later by his sibling Ryota (16 months his junior). Working side by side, they were planning bigger changes that would lift their restaurant, Shintaku firmly out of its musty past and into a much more contemporary gastronomic relevance In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division This Thursday marks the final day of the Niigata International Animation Film Festival (NIAFF) opened with a screening of “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence,” both in celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary and as a kind of tribute to its director who served as the festival’s inaugural jury president I said that it would be a big deal if the festival made it three years,” Oshii told the audience via a pre-recorded video message “Now it’s up to the quality of the films to sustain it.”googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The choice of “Innocence” as opening film represented an ongoing challenge for the nascent festival: Though its ostensible mission is to introduce foreign animation to Japanese audiences the packed showing was further proof that domestic anime remains the major draw in Japan The 45.4-metre Niigata motor yacht Cklass Nautique has been listed for sale with Marco Fodale and Joaquin Genrich of Fraser Originally serving as a Japanese government fisheries training vessel named Lucas the yacht was delivered in 1992 by Japanese shipyard Niigata before being converted into a yacht by Philippines-based naval architect Simon Jupe of HYS Shipyard in 2015 The Japanese yard is responsible for both the interior and exterior redesign of Cklass Nautique which has had one owner since the rebuild and has never been chartered The broker noted how the yacht "blends the reliability of the original vessel with the innovation of a modern yacht." He continued: "HYS Naval Architect Simon Jupe describes this approach as retaining only the finest elements of the original hull and prime mover systems with all other features crafted anew to the highest standards." Accommodation on board is for up to 12 guests across five cabins including a full-beam master suite on the upper deck which features a private hot tub and is accessible via an elevator that connects the lower and upper decks two double cabins and two twins are located on the main deck sit-up bar and saloon with dining and lounging space guests can make the most of dining and lounging space on the main deck and a helipad with a capacity of 1.5 tonnes the yacht is equipped with three tenders (two rubber dinghies and a fishing boat) Powered by a Niigata 1,800 HP engine, the yacht for sale has top speed of 13 knots and range of 7,500 nautical miles at 10 knots Currently lying in Panama City, Cklass Nautique is asking $5,800,000. A still from award-winning animated film "Clarice's Dream," which is being screened at this year's edition of the Niigata International Animation Film Festival (Courtesy of Fernando Gutierrez and Guto Bicalho)   TOKYO -- March is a major month for Japan's anime industry the warrens of Tokyo's Ikebukuro neighborhood hosted the 12th annual Tokyo Anime Award Festival "Tokyo is the HUB of contemporary ANIMATION!," draws filmmakers from Japan and elsewhere to compete in feature and short-film categories the third annual Niigata International Animation Film Festival focusing on feature-length animated films and running for six jam-packed days opened its doors to hundreds in the northern port city of Niigata on the Sea of Japan And on March 22 the biggest of Japan's anime trade shows drawing hundreds of thousands of industry players and cosplayers to the Tokyo International Exhibition Center The Ludens Yuzawa Ski Resort in Niigata prefecture has been nonoperational since 2018. It is one of many suffering the same fate due to waning snowfalls. (Photo by Miho Saito) NIIGATA, Japan -- With Japan's ski season right around the corner, inbound visitors are already showing up at some of the country's resorts. But those in Niigata prefecture, for decades one of Japan's best ski destinations, suffer a different fate. There, the number of resorts is on the wane, with roughly 30% fewer from the peak. Another, the Murakami Budo Ski Resort, in the northern part of the mountainous prefecture, will close its doors after the 2024-25 season. The lodge opened in 1988, and during the 1990-91 season hosted as many as 20,000 visitors. Snow has caused chaos for people in Yuzawa in Japan's Niigata prefecture which has been blanketed by heavy snow as a cold front set in The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy snow advisory on Wednesday morning forecasting up to 70cm (2ft) of snowfall within 24 hours in areas along the Sea of Japan coast Fresh snowfall was seen in Niigata prefecture parts of which have already had more than three metres (10ft) of snow this winter Many places will see 30 to 50cm (1 to 1.6ft) of new snowfall by the end of the weekend with some spots seeing up to a metre (3.3ft) including higher parts of Niigata prefecture The peak of the winter weather is expected on Wednesday with temperatures predicted to rise early next week and the wind moving from the north to the west Any snow showers will then be restricted to more northern areas WATCH: Huge snowfall causes chaos in Japan FeaturesWhat role did weather forecasters play in WW2 victory Watch: How Turner's masterpieces inspired a BBC Weather forecaster VideoHow the UV index works and why it matters Why are showers so hard to forecast Elsewhere on the BBCYour first look at the new series hosted by Dannii Minogue The ultimate crash course in interior design is back Copyright © 2025 BBC. 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Make a smart investment by bringing Apple to your school or your entire district For help with sales,contact Apple Education at edulatam@apple.com Speak to an Apple Education Specialist for help with products and solutions Educators in Japan are working to prepare their students for an increasingly technology-centric world — and the Global and Innovation Gateway for All (GIGA) School Program is one initiative towards that goal It provides all students with personal computers and high speed internet access Perhaps no district has taken this mission to heart quite like Niigata City — home to nearly 800K people and 167 schools — where iPad has become the go-to classroom device While technology usage in Niigata was limited prior to GIGA every elementary and junior high school in the district now has a 1:1 student to iPad ratio When The Ministry of Education in Japan analyzed device usage in its latest annual survey with students there using iPad nearly twice as often as the national average daily device usage and express their learning in ways that would have been impossible before Niigata leadership attributes the popularity of iPad and dynamic — it allows them to roam around the classroom And most students take iPad home with them every day Leadership has also been extremely satisfied with the durability of iPad the government anticipated and allotted a 15% overage for replacement units Niigata’s iPad break-down rates — which include the inability to use a device for any reason — are six times lower than the government allotment giving them the opportunity to invest remaining funds elsewhere Find out how the durability of iPad supports learning in Niigata Toshiro Katayama was a city administrator in Niigata when they chose to implement iPad into classrooms across the district he’s witnessing the impact of the device on students in real-time “We’re raising kids to be trailblazers for the future iPad plays an important role in that process helping them to be confident and flourish in society,” says Katayama iPad has helped introduce a new way to learn and educate it’s a device that they trust and rely on — every day Apple products and resources are designed to make learning personal OneFootball's home page Search Settings Sign In Sign InJoin40 tiny steps 1 big point (Kashiwa Reysol vs Albirex Niigata analysis) | OneFootballSportsEye Reysol and Niigata Share Points in Tense EncounterKomi's Unique Penalty Technique Steals Spotlight in 1-1 DrawKashiwa Reysol's impressive unbeaten run stretched to seven matches though manager Ricardo Rodríguez will be left pondering how to convert draws into wins after his side were held to a 1-1 stalemate by struggling Albirex Niigata at Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium The result sees Reysol slip from third to fourth in the J1 League standings while Niigata remain entrenched near the relegation zone despite taking a first-half lead Penalty DramaThe visitors broke the deadlock in the 12th minute through Yota Komi's penalty The forward's distinctive spot-kick routine – featuring an extraordinary 40 small steps in his run-up – once again proved effective as he maintained his perfect penalty record since turning professional who have built their season on defensive resilience eventually found an equaliser but couldn't complete the comeback despite dominating possession for extended periods The draw tells the story of both teams' seasons thus far Kashiwa have established themselves as one of the league's most organised sides losing just once in their opening 12 fixtures this was their sixth draw of the campaign – a statistic that threatens to undermine their title aspirations the result represents another missed opportunity they couldn't secure just their second win of the season intensifying pressure on Kimori as questions about tactical direction and player confidence grow among supporters Kashiwa continue to cope without left-back Daiki Sugioka who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for three months since early April The defender had been a regular starter following his winter move from Shonan Bellmare Niigata received a boost with midfielder Yuji Hoshi continuing his integration back into the team following his own hamstring issues while defenders Shusuke Arai and Shusuke Shimizu are reportedly nearing full fitness Reysol continued their tradition of community engagement with midfielder Yushi Yamada contributing to the club's regular charity auction supports local welfare and ticket donations in the Kashiwa area Related NewsClub World Cup: Additional sales phase for club fans Vitiello paints ‘depressing’ outlook regarding Milan’s future: “No signs of change” Barcelona superstar pushing to start vs Inter Milan despite recent return from injury Premier League clubs total transfer spending in entire PL era – Top 20 PL clubs in order Arsenal and PSG receive injury boosts ahead of Champions League semi-final 4️⃣ things to look out for in the Champions League this week The Champions League returns with a bang this week as the finalists will be determined following some tense first leg action.Here is what to look out for...⚔️ Match of the... 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Arsenal get major injury boost for Champions League showdown with PSG Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings said Monday it now aims to restart a reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture in the fiscal year 2025 According to changes made to the power utility's business plan the restart of the reactor is expected to boost its earnings by around ¥100 billion ($672 million) per year.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Tepco had sought to carry out a drastic review of its business plan in the current fiscal year but the latest changes were provisional as it is still unclear when the company will be able to gain approval to bring the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant back online According to a newly released earnings forecast Tepco and its four core subsidiaries are expected to post a net profit of ¥57.2 billion in the current fiscal year ending this month This compares to a net profit projection of ¥113.7 billion in the year through March 2026 when the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is expected to be restarted Tepco also called for an increase in state financial aid in light of larger compensation payments linked to the triple meltdown of its Fukushima No The addition of the Sado Gold Mine to Japan’s growing list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in July has brought renewed attention to Niigata Prefecture Capitalizing on the buzz is a newly opened antenna shop located in Tokyo’s Ginza district that offers up the prefecture’s abundant gourmet delights and highlights its rich artisan traditions Niigata is home to a profusion of sake brewers the store boasts a lineup of some 300 labels ranging from established brands to small-batch jizake Customers can peruse the selection on their own choose from among 32 labels available for tasting or use a tablet-based app to find a variety of sake that matches their personal tastes Along with sake, the shop features a vast array of food items derived from the rich agricultural lands and bountiful waters of the prefecture, including delicacies like frozen snow crab and rice balls made with leading rice brand Uonuma Koshihikari. Traditional craft items are also on offer, such as Tōjirō knives and other Tsubame-Sanjō brand items The first and second floors of the shop are dedicated to products from Niigata An event space is located on the third floor and a Niigata-themed restaurant is on the eighth floor Individuals interested in moving to the prefecture can visit the Niigata Living and Work Support Center located on the underground level The shop carries over 1,000 products including a wide array of agricultural and seafood products Clockwise from top: the store’s spacious sake corner; a selection of labels by brewer Hokusetsu located on Sado Island; Kanemasu Aka is among the rare brews visitors can sample at the tasting corner An event space on the third floor of the complex includes a gallery showing works on the theme “The Land of Niigata” along with traditional and other products from the prefecture The restaurant The Niigata Bit Ginza on the eighth floor offers Italian dining highlighting Niigata’s rich culinary traditions and native craftsmanship.  The Niigata full course features ingredients The third floor regularly hosts events highlighting different aspects of Niigata Web: https://the-niigata.jp/ Banner photo: Daiginjō Kintsuru by Sado-based brewer Katō Shuzōten Volume 15 - 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1388805 This article is part of the Research TopicVestibular Function and Mental Health During the LifespanView all 3 articles Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a functional vestibular condition Despite being the most common chronic neuro-otologic disorder could be a useful tool to help in the screening and diagnosis of this condition This study aimed to validate a French version of the NPQ and make it an available assessment tool we aimed to understand the characteristics of PPPD patients better The NPQ was translated and adapted into French 50 patients with vestibular disorders without PPPD They answered the adapted NPQ and additional questionnaires assessing trait (STAI) and state anxiety (HADS-A) depression (HADS-D) and handicap related to dizziness (DHI) The NPQ’s reliability was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha Intergroup comparisons and multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine the characteristics of PPPD patients compared to vestibular patients and healthy controls and to explore the effect of clinical parameters and treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were carried out to determine the diagnostic values of the NPQ total score and sub-scores Relations between NPQ and reported handicap depression and anxiety were evaluated by correlations between questionnaire scores The internal consistency was high (>0.8) for all NPQ subscales and the total score Intergroup comparisons showed a significantly higher NPQ total score and sub-scores in the PPPD group compared to the two others The ROC curve analysis showed a significant discrimination of NPQ (AUC = 0.664) and its subscales depressive symptoms and trait anxiety were significantly higher in PPPD patients than in vestibular patients and healthy controls State anxiety did not differ between patients with PPPD and vestibular patients without PPPD there was a significant correlation between the NPQ and the DHI Our study provides a better understanding of PPPD symptomatology and its assessment It showed that the NPQ is a reliable tool that can assist in symptom assessment for a French-speaking population which we aimed to translate and validate in a European French-speaking population Current treatments for PPPD often involve a multidisciplinary approach, combining vestibular rehabilitation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving patients’ overall well-being. The most used medications are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which seem to be effective on the dizziness-related handicap (1) Due to the complexity and the subtlety of the symptoms challenges persist in raising awareness among healthcare providers and providing diagnostic tools highlighting the need for continued research and tool validation to enhance the assessment and management of PPPD symptoms there is no French version of the NPQ available even though around 30% of the French-speaking population worldwide might experience vertigo at some point in their lives we decided to explore their effect on the NPQ scores we also collected data on the patient’s pharmacological treatment at the time of inclusion in the study We predicted that PPPD patients would have higher scores in the NPQ and perceived dizziness handicap in comparison to other vestibular populations we predicted that vestibular and PPPD patients would exhibit higher scores in depressive symptoms and anxiety than the control population with no vestibular or other psychiatric or neurological disorders we predicted that the symptom severity of PPPD (as measured by the NPQ scores) would be positively correlated with anxiety and the severity of the perceived handicap 191 participants completed the questionnaire of which 41 were excluded because of multiple missing data due to technical issues with the software recording the participant’s responses (n = 38) or because the initial diagnosis was revised (n = 3) Final analyses included 50 participants per group Patients with PPPD and patients with vestibular disorders were patients referred to our otoneurological center and diagnosed by our otoneurologist Control participants were patient’s relatives and hospital staff who were matched prospectively on age and sex to both clinical groups Otoneurological assessment included a battery of standard tests which depended on the patient’s symptoms The assessment included examination of spontaneous and positional nystagmus as well as examination of nystagmus evoked by the head shaking test further investigated by videonystagmography (Synapsys®) the pendular rotatory test (Earth vertical axis rotation on a motorized chair following sinusoidal rotation; Synapsys®) and the caloric test (irrigation of ears with warm and cold water; Synapsys®) examination of the vestibulo-ocular reflex using the video head impulse test (vHIT; Otometrics®) a measure of the amplitude and latency of the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials evoked by air-conducted sounds on the sternocleidomastoid muscles (Interacoustics®) These clinical tests were in general not performed at the time of the NPQ assessment and were taken from the patients’ files We decided to use these elements as objective indicators of vestibular disorder in the patients’ medical history Control participants received no otoneurological assessment Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee (CPP Île de France 2 n° 2021-A03111-40) and procedures were in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki All participants gave their written consent before being involved in the study The rights to translate the NPQ into French and to reproduce it were granted by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., the publisher. The steps for the French translation and cross-cultural adaptation are summarized in Supplementary material 1 and were as follows: with French as the native language and familiar with otoneurology and vestibular medicine translated the instructions and questionnaire items into French The forward-translated questionnaire was translated back to English by a bilingual English translator who was naive to the NPQ and the study purpose 3. Back translation review. The French and English translated questionnaires were compared with the original version of the NPQ (9) to check for congruency. The questionnaire was corrected accordingly to obtain the final questionnaire reproduced in Supplementary material 2 Basic demographic information was collected, including age, sex, handedness, education level, marital status, and employment status. We also collected information about smoking and drinking habits, history of migraine, and antidepressant treatment (Table 1) Eligible participants were informed by otoneurologist ME about the study. Interested individuals were directed to the researchers and signed an informed consent. Then, participants answered demographic questions, the NPQ, DHI, HADS and STAI. At the beginning of the study, participants answered questionnaires on a tablet touch screen using PsychoPy® (23) Missing values due to technical difficulties led us to continue the data collection on printed paper questionnaires for the remaining participants 31 participants filled out paper questionnaires (15 PPPD patients 3 vestibular patients and 13 healthy controls) Statistical analyses were carried out in IBM SPSS (version 25) GraphPad Prism (version 10.1.0) and JASP (version 0.16.1) We used two-tailed tests for all analyses and p-values were considered statistically significant when <0.05 The NPQ reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha (α). Reliability is considered good for a Cronbach’s α of 0.70–0.95, and poor for a Cronbach’s α below 0.70 (24) As questionnaire ratings were not normally distributed we used Kruskal–Wallis tests for between-group comparisons we stratified PPPD patients according to the history of vestibular disorder to control its effect on the NPQ total score with a Kruskal-Wallis test we conducted multiple linear regression analyses with clinical factors that may influence the NPQ scores (presence/absence of deficits at the caloric tests and the vHIT The models met the assumptions for multiple linear regressions PPPD patients referred to our otoneurological center were included irrespective of the treatments taken at the time of inclusion, in line with procedures from Yagi et al. (9). Given the variability in the NPQ scores reported previously (9) we stratified PPPD patients and patients with vestibular disorders according to their antidepressant treatment at the time of inclusion and compared them using a Kruskal–Wallis test we calculated non-parametric Spearman correlations between dependent variables At the time of measurement, there was no statistical significance between the three groups of participants regarding their age, sex, handedness, education, employment status, marital status, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption (Table 1). As expected, the occurrence of migraine differed between the three groups [χ2(2) = 9.38, p = 0.009], with the highest rate in PPPD patients (Table 1) 54% of the PPPD patients had a documented history of past or current vestibular disorder including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (n = 4) and/or vestibular migraine (n = 5) vestibular schwannoma (n = 2) semicircular canal dehiscence (n = 1) neurovascular conflict (n = 1) and/or other forms of unilateral or bilateral vestibulopathy (n = 10) Patients with other vestibular disorders presented with Menière’s disease (n = 15) and/or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (n = 7) semicircular canal dehiscence (n = 3) other unilateral or bilateral vestibulopathy (n = 20) and/or vestibular migraine (n = 4) Table 2 summarizes clinical parameters in the two groups of patients While the occurrence of migraine did not differ significantly between PPPD patients and patients with vestibular disorders [χ2(1) = 0.53 the duration of the disease was significantly longer in patients with vestibular disorders than in patients with PPPD (Mann–Whitney test A larger proportion of PPPD patients was under antidepressant medication at the time of inclusion in the study (18 were under SSRI) when compared to patients with vestibular disorders (3 under SSRI 1 under monoamine oxidase inhibitor; χ2(1) = 13.56 An internal consistency analysis was calculated for the clinical population patients with PPPD and other vestibular disorders together (n = 100) and it revealed high reliability for all NPQ subscales (Upright/Walking: Cronbach’s α = 0.85; Movement: α = 0.81; Visual stimulation: α = 0.81) vestibular: p < 0.05 r = 0.20; p < 0.001 and Visual stimulation (p < 0.05 r = 0.23; p < 0.001 Niigata Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness Questionnaire (NPQ) scores (B) the subscales score in the persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) (C) the total score in PPPD without selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (D) Total NPQ score in PPPD patients stratified according to a documented history of vestibular disorder (PPPD VD+) or no history of vestibular disorder (PPPD VD−) (E) Total NPQ score in participants stratified according to self-reported migraine The solid line inside the box is the median and boxes cover the interquartile range (5–95) Wilcoxon test with respect to the control group As most of our PPPD patients have a documented history of vestibular disorder, we explored the effect of stratification of the PPPD group into PPPD with (PPPD VD+) and PPPD without (PPPD VD−) a past or present vestibular disorder on the NPQ score (Figure 2D) The NPQ total score was significantly modulated by the group [Kruskal–Wallis test Pairwise comparisons with adjusted p-values showed no significant difference in the total NPQ scores in the PPPD VD+ patients (Mdn = 35) when compared to PPPD VD− patients (Mdn = 28; p = 0.28) The NPQ total score was significantly higher in PPPD VD+ patients than in patients with other vestibular disorders (Mdn = 21.5; p < 0.05) no significant difference was found in PPPD VD− patients when compared to patients with other vestibular disorders (p = 0.26) Both PPPD groups had significantly higher NPQ total scores than the control group (Mdn = 2; p < 0.0001) NPQ scores were not significantly predicted by the deficit at the vHIT (t = 0.439 p = 0.663) and the caloric tests for the lateral canals (t = 1.00 Bearing in mind the small size of the subsamples the effect of the group on the NPQ total score was significant when controlling for the effect of the deficit at the vHIT (t = −2.96 and at a significance level when controlling for the effects of the deficit at the caloric test (t = −2.02 Pairwise comparisons with adjusted p-values showed that NPQ total scores did not differ significantly between participants with and without migraine for the PPPD patients (p = 0.134) patients with vestibular disorders (p = 0.371) and controls (p = 0.723) When patients were stratified according to treatment, the NPQ total score was significantly modulated by the group [H(2) = 11.97, p < 0.01]. Pairwise comparisons with adjusted p-values showed that the NPQ total score did not differ between PPPD patients with SSRI (Mdn = 31) and without SSRI (Mdn = 31; p = 0.15, r = 0.15; Figure 2C) NPQ total scores were significantly higher in PPPD patients without SSRI than in patients with vestibular disorders without SSRI (Mdn = 18.5; p < 0.001 whereas scores did not differ significantly between PPPD patients with SSRI and patients with vestibular disorders (p = 0.19 No further analysis was run on the patients with vestibular disorders as only four of them were under antidepressant treatment Next, we wanted to establish whether NPQ total score and sub-scores successfully discriminate between participants with PPPD and other vestibular disorders. The ROC curve analysis showed that NPQ scores successfully discriminate patients (Figure 3) with AUC = 0.664 (p = 0.005; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.558–0.771) and a standard error of 0.054 all NPQ subscales were significant but poor predictors of PPPD The Upright/Walking subscale had an AUC = 0.638 (p = 0.017; 95% CI: 0.530–0.747) The Movement subscale had an AUC = 0.648 (p = 0.011; 95% CI: 0.539–0.757) The Visual stimulation subscale had an AUC = 0.652 (p = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.544–0.760) ROC analysis for detecting PPPD in patients with PPPD and vestibular disorders Figure 4A shows the DHI and HADS scores for the three groups of participants DHI scores were significantly affected by the group [Kruskal–Wallis test The median DHI scores were in the range of severe handicap for patients with PPPD (Mdn = 58) whereas it was in the range of moderate handicap for vestibular disorders (Mdn = 45) Pairwise comparisons with adjusted p-values showed that the DHI score was significantly higher in patients with PPPD when compared to controls (Mdn = 0; p < 0.001 r = 0.95) and patients with vestibular disorders (Mdn = 45; p < 0.05 Patients with vestibular disorders also had significantly higher DHI scores than controls (p < 0.001 Box plots showing total scores of handicap related to dizziness (DHI) depression (HADS-D) and state anxiety (HADS-A) in the PPPD Color intensity is proportional to correlation strength measured by the HADS sub-score for depression were significantly modulated by group [H(2) = 30.49 with higher scores for patients with PPPD (Mdn = 8.5) than controls (Mdn = 3; p < 0.001 r = 0.55) and patients with vestibular disorders (Mdn = 6; p < 0.05 Patients with vestibular disorders had significantly higher depressive symptoms than controls (p < 0.001 Results about the severity of anxiety differed for the state and trait of anxiety measured by the HADS sub-score for anxiety was significantly affected by group [H(2) = 25.76 Pairwise comparisons showed significantly higher state anxiety in patients with PPPD (Mdn = 11.5; p < 0.001 r = 0.49) and vestibular disorders (Mdn = 9; p < 0.001 r = 0.35) than in controls (Mdn = 6.5) State anxiety did not differ significantly between patients with PPPD and vestibular disorders (p = 0.187 the trait anxiety measured by the STAI [effect of group: H(2) = 27.17 p < 0.001] was significantly higher in PPPD patients (Mdn = 49) than in vestibular disorders (Mdn = 42.5; p < 0.01 r = 0.27) and controls (Mdn = 38; p < 0.001 Figure 4B shows the matrix of nonparametric Spearman correlations between questionnaire scores in 50 patients with PPPD NPQ total scores correlated significantly with DHI scores (ρ = 0.73 there was no significant correlation between NPQ total scores and state of depression (ρ = 0.27 state anxiety (ρ = 0.08 or trait anxiety (ρ = 0.07 the DHI correlated significantly with state of depression (ρ = 0.48 and trait anxiety (ρ = 0.29 but not with state anxiety (ρ = 0.27 it would be interesting for future studies to investigate the differential clinical characteristics of PPPD alone and PPPD with vestibular disorders and to assess the effect this differentiation can have on symptom severity and exacerbating factors demonstrating that disease duration may contribute to increased anxiety levels and physical handicap in PPPD patients suggesting a potential nuanced relationship between disease duration and NPQ scores even though disease duration only predicted Upright/Walking subscale although migraine seems to potentiate symptoms from the Movement NPQ sub-scale the NPQ total scores were better predicted by the group when statistically controlling for the effect of migraine PPPD seems to differ more from vestibular patients on trait anxiety than state anxiety Future studies should aim to include more precise information to facilitate replicable results and provide a comprehensive overview of the patients Importantly antidepressant medication is now a commonly suggested treatment for PPPD with positive results, especially if combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, or vestibular rehabilitation (1) that recruited patients irrespective of treatment does not allow for a formal investigation of the effect of antidepressant treatment on symptom severity we found no significant difference in NPQ scores between PPPD patients with and without treatment We only observed a significant difference between PPPD and vestibular patients without antidepressant treatments which might be related to the fact that patients on antidepressants may have experienced more severe PPPD symptoms before starting treatment Future studies could benefit from (1) testing the same patient population before and after treatment for a more direct effect of treatment on everyday vestibular symptoms; (2) assessing the effect of medication dosage and (3) the differential and/or combined effects of antidepressants and other lines of treatment (including other medications Future studies should work together with clinicians and patients to identify if the NPQ is best used by them as a diagnostic tool Longitudinal studies should follow vestibular and PPPD patients through their disease trajectory to better identify potential predictors the relationship of NPQ with other symptoms and how different treatments are projected into patients’ perceived handicap and psychological characteristics One limitation of our study is that the clinical data were collected during the patients’ medical assessment and/or from the patients records in our otoneurological center we do not have systematic clinical data for all our patients and sometimes lack information to characterize the vestibular hypofunction in both patients’ groups the assignment of vestibular and non-vestibular PPPD participants is not readily comprehensive we cannot rule out a confounding effect of vestibular hypofunction on the NPQ total and sub-scores in the PPPD group Future studies should aim to systematically assess patients to make a clear distinction between patients groups and control the effect of vestibular dysfunction on the NPQ scores our study is the first to provide such a holistic analysis and overview of PPPD symptomatology and include a healthy control group in addition to the group of vestibular patients for comparison Our results show that NPQ is a promising questionnaire to measure the severity of PPPD symptoms that can be administered in subsequent doctor visits to track the disease course and potential treatment benefits The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors The studies involving humans were approved by CPP Île de France 2 The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research This work was supported by the ANR VESTISELF project grant ANR-19-CE37-0027 of the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche The authors are very thankful to Pauline Grellet for her help with the questionnaire translation staff from the Centre des Vertiges at the European Hospital-Marseille and the Clinical Research Department of European Hospital-Marseille for helping with patients’ inclusion and testing We are thankful to Nathalie Baril for helping with software programming The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or 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Lopez. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Christophe Lopez, Y2hyaXN0b3BoZS5sb3BlekB1bml2LWFtdS5mcg== †These authors have contributed equally to this work Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish the next chapter began for Albirex when it was announced that they would be transitioning into a fully-local outfit -- meaning they would be predominantly made up of Singaporean players and had to adhere to the standard foreign player quota imposed on most clubs They always knew this transitional year would produce its fair share of challenges acknowledged by both chairman Daisuke Korenaga and coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga during the club's preseason launch back in April the White Swans are learning exactly the magnitude of the obstacles that lie ahead for them It is not just the fact that they have won just once and lost four of their opening five games, not including another defeat in the campaign-opening Community Shield to Lion City Sailors their last two outings will not only have been a reality check but might even be cause for some serious concern First, there was a shock 3-2 loss -- where they twice threw away a lead -- to Young Lions a team who have finished bottom of the league in the past three seasons and have not achieved a top-half finish in 14 years Then, on Sunday, what ordinarily would have been a potentially decisive clash between two title contenders saw Albirex humbled in a 7-1 loss to the Sailors - a result which equalled their record margin of defeat from when they lost 6-0 to the now-defunct SAFFC in 2009 In fact, that second result might even have been far worse were it not for the usual heroics of goalkeeper Hassan Sunny while Albirex's solitary effort was somehow allowed to stand even upon VAR review despite Shuhei Hoshino being clearly offside A 3-2 loss to Young Lions earlier this month was the first time Albirex Niigata (S) had been defeated by the Singapore Premier League's perennial strugglers in 26 games -- a streak which ran all the way back to 2015. Leo Shengwei / PLAYMAKERFor a team that has enjoyed so much success over a prolonged period this is undeniably the trickiest position they have found themselves in for a long time subsequent knee-jerk reactions and even questions over whether Yoshinaga is still the right man for the job are far too premature Albirex were never going to throw in the towel even before a ball was kicked but unlike recent years when it was clearly stated that the title was the target the fact that club hierarchy expressed reservations in preseason suggests that expectations should be tempered this campaign Yoshinaga deserves a proper opportunity to show what he can do with a different hand dealt to him As much as incoming players or coaches usually need time to adapt to fresh surroundings Yoshinaga should also be afforded patience to solve the teething problems stemming from the unique situation of a near-wholesale change not just in playing personnel but also environment and culture The White Swans still boast an impressive-enough squad led by seasoned campaigners such as Hassan, Hoshino and Ho Wai Loon, while new imports like Yojiro Takahagi, Yohei Otake and Arya Igami Tarhani will only get better with time Albirex are also among the SPL's most professionally-ran clubs they have been extremely active in their community activities and have always viewed themselves as Singaporean The transition to a local club was always going to be the next logical step in their trajectory On the previous occasions when they emerged as champions of the SPL Albirex were never able to go on and enjoy the prestige and challenge of representing the country in continental competition the White Swans will get the opportunity to fly the flag for Singapore on the Asian Football Confederation stage It might just require a bit of patience to get through the current challenges of this transitional period A former village in central Japan that was hit by a powerful earthquake 20 years ago is continuing to stage traditional bullfights as a symbol of the region's reconstruction "I hope this community will survive by continuing the bullfights," said Tomie Matsui head of the Yamakoshi bullfighting association which organizes the ushi no tsunotsuki event in the Yamakoshi district of Nagaoka Niigata Prefecture.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); was devastated by the quake that struck the Chuetsu central region of the prefecture on Oct killing 68 people and injuring 4,805 others Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division.