Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world following a series of acquisitions it’s already made in the country Japan’s biggest gas utility will hunt for a variety of potential investments not limited to upstream sectors like shale gas and renewable energy Tokyo Gas President Shinichi Sasayama said in an interview The company will consider midstream targets Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Aristos is a Newsweek science and health reporter with the London He is particularly focused on archaeology and paleontology although he has covered a wide variety of topics ranging from astronomy and mental health Aristos joined Newsweek in 2018 from IBTimes UK and had previously worked at The World Weekly He is a graduate of the University of Nottingham and City University You can get in touch with Aristos by emailing a.georgiou@newsweek.com. Languages: English either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content A team of paleontologists has discovered a new species of beaked dinosaur in Japan is a close relative of the famous triceratops but it differs significantly in size and characteristics Fossils of the dinosaur were found in Tamba-Sasayama City a study published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology reports which scientists believe belong to a young individual of the species Sasayamagnomus had a diminutive body size of less than 3 feet in length and likely weighed only around 22 pounds The name of the new species derives from the Sasayama region who contributed to paleontological research in Japan The species is part of a group of herbivorous dinosaurs known as the ceratopsians of which triceratops is perhaps the most famous known for their beaks and elaborate head ornaments thrived in the Northern Hemisphere from the Late Jurassic (around 161million to 145 million years ago) through the Cretaceous period (around 145 million to 66 million years ago) But the new species possesses "unique" characteristics distinct from any known ceratopsian Unlike triceratops and other later relatives Sasayamagnomus lacked large horns and frills Sasayamagnomus represents the earlier evolutionary stages of the ceratopsians in Asia and is closely related to primitive members of the group from North America The discovery reinforces the the idea that ceratopsians may have migrated to North America around 110 million years ago via the Bering Land Bridge during the mid-Cretaceous period the eastern part of the Eurasian continent and the western portion of North America were connected by the land bridge allowing animals to migrate between the two This period saw significant global warming that resulted in the growth of vast forests in the Arctic region which may have also facilitated the expansion of ceratopsians from Asia to North America Do you have an animal or nature story to share with Newsweek ET: This article was updated with a locator map of Tamba-Sasayama Tanaka, T., Chiba, K., Ikeda, T., & Ryan, M. J. (2024). A new neoceratopsian (Ornithischia, Ceratopsia) from the Lower Cretaceous Ohyamashimo Formation (Albian), southwestern Japan. Papers in Palaeontology, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1587 Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all Please log in and check your service registration status.To cancel your subscription 1) === '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";");else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information KOBE—Fossils found in Hyogo Prefecture are of a new genus and species of primitive ceratopsian a plant-eating beaked dinosaur from about 110 million years ago 3 that the dinosaur closely resembles its relatives believed to have inhabited North America suggesting that ceratopsians born in Asia migrated to North America during the early Cretaceous Period the dinosaur was about 80 centimeters long and weighed around 10 kilograms It did not have a distinctive horn or frill which were key features of triceratops and other ceratopsians The fossils were found in a geological formation of the early Cretaceous Period (about 110 million years ago) in Tanbasasayama The dinosaur was named “Sasayamagnomus saegusai” by the research team whose members belong to the University of Hyogo a legendary dwarf who guards buried treasure a paleontologist who oversaw excavations of dinosaur fossils in the Tanba area for many years Part of the fossils were found in 2007 by Kiyoshi Adachi a former high school teacher and amateur geologist An excavation project started the following year and others discovered fossils of Tambatitanis one of the largest herbivorous dinosaurs ever found in Japan shoulder and leg of Sasayamagnomus saegusai The researchers concluded that it is a new genus and species because the fossils’ characteristics were different from those of other ceratopsians The findings were published in the British scientific journal Papers in Paleontology on Sept The fossils are in the best state of preservation among ceratopsians found in Japan The Sasayama Group has produced many dinosaur fossils Researchers announced in July that fossils found there in 2010 are of a new genus and species of a troodontidae “Dinosaur fossils from the Sasayama Group have great potential,” said Tomonori Tanaka chief researcher at the Museum of Nature and Human Activities and associate professor at the University of Hyogo “We are looking forward to finding new animals and dinosaurs as research progresses.” The fossils of the ceratopsian dinosaur and related materials will be on display at the museum in Sanda Fossil of oldest monstersauria lizard species found in Hyogo Museum: First dinosaur eggs confirmed in Kyushu region Uzbekistan fossil identified as new carnivorous dinosaur species New mosasaur species from the ‘kingdom of fossils’ identified Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information Some of Tokyo Gas Co.’s real estate assets do not have high capital efficiency, and the firm will consider ways to utilize them better, President Shinichi Sasayama said at a briefing in Toyko on Thursday. The company also believes its current mid-term return-on-equity target of 8% is not enough, and will raise it once the goal is met, Sasayama said. This visit provided a unique opportunity to showcase our diverse range of domestic programs that empower and support orphaned students in Uganda. His Excellency, the ambassador of Japan, had the chance to learn about the following programs: 1. Ashinaga Uganda Rainbow House: The heart of our operations, the Rainbow House is a vibrant hub for education and community support. Here, students receive academic tutoring and emotional counseling and participate in various extracurricular activities designed to foster holistic development. 2. Higher Education Support: We are committed to ensuring our students can access higher education opportunities. Our scholarship programs provide financial assistance and guidance to help students enroll in universities within Uganda. 3. Leadership Development: Our leadership programs aim to cultivate future leaders who are academically proficient and socially responsible. Through workshops, seminars, and mentorship, we instill leadership, community service, and global citizenship values. 4. Life Skills Training: We recognize the importance of a well-rounded education and offer life skills training to equip students with essential skills for personal and professional success. This includes financial literacy, health education, and career planning. 5. Entrepreneurship Initiatives: To address the economic challenges many of our students face, we run entrepreneurship programs that encourage innovation and self-sufficiency. Students receive training and support to develop their business ideas, contributing to their communities’ economic development. 6. Care Program: The ambassador also learned about our comprehensive Care Program, which supports students who have experienced trauma or significant loss. This program offers psychological counseling, health services, and personalized care plans to ensure the well-being of our students, helping them overcome their challenges and thrive both academically and personally. The visit left the ambassador feeling inspired and motivated to continue joining hands with Ashinaga to make quality education more accessible to children in need in Uganda. His excellency shared: “Ashinaga Uganda’s Rainbow House initiative is one of the valuable practices in human resource development. When I visited, the children’s energy filled the classrooms, which made me happy. I want to support such effort strongly.” The ongoing collaboration between the Japanese Embassy in Kampala and Ashinaga, Uganda, has been instrumental in the success and growth of our programs. We are deeply grateful for the embassy’s support, which has enabled us to expand our reach and enhance our services. As we look to the future, we are committed to further strengthening our relationship with the Japanese Embassy. Through continued collaboration, we can achieve an even more significant impact, empowering more orphaned students to realize their full potential and contribute positively to society. We thank the Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Sasayama Takuya, and the embassy team for their unwavering support and dedication to our mission. Together, we will continue to invest in the future of Uganda’s youth, building a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Announcement Regarding Portuguese Website (September 4, 2024) Support Young Leaders like Robert: Join The Little by Little Campaign A Leader’s Journey: Bohang Shapes Student Life as Ashinaga UK Council President Mahamat: Ashinaga France Scholar Tops Chemistry Class at Aix-Marseille University Embracing Authentic Leadership: AAI Scholars Reflect on Growth and Self-Awareness The Power of Paying it Forward: 10 Years of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative  Community Betterment Trip for Fostering Unity and Sustainability Empowering Student Success with Mindfulness Twitter FacebookInstagram Newsletter Stay up to date with all activities and opportunities When one thinks of the hotspots of opportunity and innovation in Japan the first places that come to mind are likely the metropolitan areas of the country more people flock to the major cities from rural areas to get their slice of the cake.  But on my recent visit to Tamba Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture I witnessed a small town full of possibilities.  The old castle town community of 42,000 people was established approximately 400 years ago by the Tokugawa Shogunate Most people don’t know that Tamba Sasayama was an important strategic location for the relatively new government to hold off the daimyo in Western Japan.  rural communities across Japan have changed dramatically As young people move out to the major cities small towns across Japan have struggled with rapid population decline.  Tamba Sasayama is striving to reimagine the community for the future while embracing its rich history and quaint landscape The small city embodies optimism ー and the idea that countryside problems are also unique opportunities for innovation.   After about an hour’s train ride from Kobe I arrived at Furuichi Station in Tamba Sasayama.  When one imagines “nature,” it is common to think of an environment that is free from human influence. But one of Tamba Sasayama’s charms is the area known in Japanese as satoyama It is an environment where the balance between agriculture and villages has been formed and maintained by the hands of human beings Very few of these sorts of environments remain today.  At the station, I was greeted by Yoshiteru Kira, a local farmer and entrepreneur. Kira showed me around his impressive farm that he operates Kira Farm grows an assortment of herbs and vegetables one of Tamba Sasayama’s most famous produce.  you will see many rice fields and small farms You might get the impression that agriculture is the biggest economic driver of the city Although many people practice subsistence farming not many people pursue farming as their primary occupation today.  explains that he is among the youngest farmers in the area the average age of farmers in Hyogo Prefecture is upwards of 70 years old As fewer young people desire a life in agriculture preserving the man-made “satoyama” environment has become increasingly difficult.  He came back several years ago to pursue farming and raise his family in the quiet environment that the city offers But that’s not the story for many people who leave the area to never return.   However, an entrepreneurial group called the Tamba Sasayama Innovator School By turning small-town problems into jobs uniquely suited for the agrarian environment it aims to create a community where locals can stay and people who live in other parts of the country want to move In collaboration with both the city government and Kobe University the Innovator School is promoting entrepreneurship within the city.  Daiki Seto is one of these non-native Tamba Sasayama entrepreneurs. He runs a tutoring business in the city. Seto, who is originally from Kyoto, is one of the coordinators at the Innovator School and operates Sasayama Terakoya Juku (ささやま寺子屋塾).  Seto had the opportunity to visit Tamba Sasayama and gain hands-on experience in farming While he was never particularly interested in agriculture And when the opportunity arose to move to the city in 2014 Seto was inspired to start his business when some of the parents in the area expressed disappointment over the lack of tutoring schools for their children in Tamba Sasayama.   While traditional tutoring businesses may operate out of a single property his business uses different facilities across the city This allows him to serve a wider range of communities while also saving on property costs.   In addition to teaching traditional subjects his curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills in order to develop the pipeline of young entrepreneurs in Tamba Sasayama.  Tamba Sasayama’s city center embodies the same spirit of turning problems into opportunities.  two local guides showed me around the city center The area called the “jōkamachi” is lined with shops and restaurants in refurbished historic buildings.  According to one of the guides who was born and raised in Tamba Sasayama he says that the area was a bit dilapidated But thanks to the recent efforts by the local government to transform the cityscape the once-neglected scene has been returned to its charming original state.  As we walked along the old merchant district it felt as if we had been transported to the Edo period The city recently completed a project to place its electrical lines underground and one feels transported to another era when walking through the streets which sell Tamba ware - the regional pottery.  The hotel chain renovates historic properties around the city into beautiful guest lodges The hotel reception desk and restaurant was situated in an old Meiji period residence of a bank manager.  The dinner course featured some vegetables from Kira farm Knowing the care and attention that had been put into growing the vegetables made me appreciate the meal that much more.  If you are used to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo or any of Japan’s major cities there is a feeling of opportunity and possibility that is unique to the small town.  The charm of Tamba Sasayama is not necessarily one specific location or any one activity it has to offer it's the atmosphere of calm combined with the distinct sense of something stirring in the community choosing to persevere and rebuild for the next generation.  I concluded the long day of exploring the city at Sasayama Station There was still much to see in the city so I wished I had stayed at least another day.  there was not much in the immediate area surrounding the station but Daichi Seto promised me that by the next time I come there would be many shops and cafes.  You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Hyogo — The old Sasayama town hall in Tamba-Sasayama is still loved by locals for the way it brings a piece of the Taisho era (1912-26) into the present day please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent Popular culture flourished during the years of the Taisho era so these years are widely thought of as an exciting and happy time in stark contrast to the subsequent years when the country rushed headlong into World War II now called Taisho Roman Kan (Taisho romantic house) where it served as the town hall for about 70 years until 1992 the building has been used as a tourist facility selling local products The wooden structure has a distinctive shape with a complexly-layered roof The main entrance is in the center section with two more doorways to its left and right On the rooftop is a fire watchtower which looks out over the whole town The building was closed for two months last year to undergo major renovations during which new merchandise display tables and sofas were set up in the facility The stately air of this city landmark has never faded a building that looks as nice as this one really stands out so it was everyone’s dream to work at the town hall,” said an 85-year-old local woman who remembers when it used to be the town’s municipal government office Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun A teacher at a daycare center in Japan was arrested by police on charges of attempted murder of an infant the Fuji News Network (FNN) reported on the 9th was arrested by police on charges of stabbing a 2-year-old boy in the neck with a weapon at a daycare center in Kagoshima Sasayama committed the crime near the front door of the daycare center while returning to the classroom after playing with his child in the garden the child was lying on his back on the floor and was bleeding from wounds near his neck who was taken to the hospital by the rescue team saved his life but was diagnosed with a full recovery for one month has been in charge of the homeroom since April "According to the records of the childcare journal but it was confirmed that there were many cases in her class where the child suffered double or abrasions." "The original side plans to set up an investigation committee to find out the truth," he added Sasayama reportedly denies some of the charges ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool Today's print edition Home Delivery Japan's top city gas supplier Tokyo Gas is looking to add more U.S as it aims to expand its gas-related businesses in North America after its recent acquisition of a U.S The Japanese company paid $2.7 billion to acquire Texas-based natural gas producer Rockcliff Energy in December and agreed to purchase a 49% stake in North American energy marketing and trading firm ARM Energy Trading in February.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); "We would still consider investing in shale gas assets if we can acquire them at the appropriate price and in a competitive way," Tokyo Gas President Shinichi Sasayama told reporters on the sidelines of the Japan Energy Summit conference in Tokyo 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 A 21-year-old female nursery school teacher in the city of Kagoshima was arrested on Saturday for allegedly slashing the neck of a boy at the nursery with a knife-like object according to police and local media reports which is being treated as attempted murder is believed to have occurred at around 11:00 a.m Friday near the entrance of the nursery school when the children were returning to the building after playing outside quoting the facility’s lawyer.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); and the incident was not captured on security cameras sustained serious injuries that will take at least a month to heal Kagoshima Minami Police Station’s Tsutomu Tojigamori said they arrested the suspect early Saturday after questioning her and others In a meeting to brief parents on the incident on Sunday afternoon the chairman of the nursery apologized over the incident and said it would set up a panel consisting of lawyers doctors and parents to develop measures to prevent a recurrence has reported that there were many cases of children in Sasayama’s class sustaining scratches and cuts located in the northeastern part of Hyogo Prefecture consisting of the castle towns of Tanba Sasayama and Tanba flourished as a key transportation hub to Kyoto and is a treasure trove of cuisine that impresses food enthusiasts with delicacies like Tanba Kuro (black soybeans) and Tajima beef To discover yet-to-be-explored ingredients Chef Yusuke Takada embarked on a journey to explore the terroir of Hyogo The renowned Tanba Kuro soybeans are a staple of traditional New Year’s cuisine which can only be harvested for about one month is said to be a rare delicacy as it is not distributed nationwide ‘Tanba Kuro soybeans require the most effort in the world,’ says with a smile Yasuhisa Tabuchi of Tabuchi Farm ‘The basin of Sasayama here used to be a swamp with fertile and clayey soil since ancient times With significant temperature differences between day and night so cultivation by hand is necessary to improve drainage and the distance between the ridges is over 160 cm Stems and leaves grow to over 1 meter in height these traditional cultivation methods were recognized as a Japanese agricultural heritage He moved to France in 2007 and opened the French restaurant La Cime in Osaka in 2010 he ranked 8th in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Changing tastes depending on the harvest time the first harvest is refreshing and pairs well with beer while late harvest enhances depth and sweetness with a chewy texture… the flavor changes every week Although the pods turn brown with black spots don’t be deterred by their appearance and enjoy them nonetheless.’ Located in the heart of the Shinoyama Basin Tanba Tabuchi Farm has been producing Tanba Kuro edamame using traditional cultivation methods for over 300 years on the release day of Tanba Kuro edamame (October 7th in 2023) customers from outside the prefecture flock to the farm’s direct sales store Events such as strawberry picking and edamame harvesting experiences are held to showcase the charm of Tanba Sasayama Tanba Kuro soybeans are approximately twice the size of regular edamame beans Tanba Tabuchi Farm Chef Yusuke Takada visited Tanba Tanaka Livestock Farm ‘Our Tajima cattle meet rigorous standards for growth environment and meat quality Only those that clear these standards can be called Kobe beef later on but ours are 100%,’ said the representative raised in clean and well-ventilated sheds with classical music playing in the background who visited Tanba Sasayama’s specialty area It’s the same with the artisans I deal with I want to continue our long-term relationship.’ One of these longstanding relationships was with Hiroyuki Kusuda of METZGEREI KUSUDA in Ashiya whom Takada visited at the beginning of his journey They compete together in the Charcuterie World Championships and strive to improve together ‘I use Tanba Kuro for terrines and Tanba Jidori for oven roasting,’ says Kusuda also focusing on Tanba’s ingredients From breeding and fattening Tajima cattle to operating a direct meat sales shop they handle everything from raising to selling in-house production Following the ancestors who have been protecting the purebred species for over 1300 years they thoroughly prepare the environment to raise Tajima cattle for inheritance In addition to receiving the highest honors domestically They lovingly raise about 230 head of cattle The fine marbling provides exquisite quality with a melting point of 14-20 degrees Celsius ensuring a delicious melt-in-your-mouth experience Tanba Tanaka Chikusan Hiroyuki Kusuda opened the METZGEREI KUSUDA Rokko Michi Store in 2004 they offer 60 varieties of ham and sausages faithfully reproducing the authentic flavors The bacon is smoked for three days and nights in a brick kiln specially ordered from Kobe Steel Clockwise from the top right: ‘Poulet Roti’ (100g) made with ‘Tanba Jidori’ The ‘Boudin Noir’ used in Takada's specialty ‘Boudin Dog’ is sourced from the same shop METZGEREI Kusuda honed his skills in places like Kyoto before opening his own restaurant in his hometown in 2017 he relocated to the east side of the castle town he grows rice and vegetables in the fields He also acquired a hunting license and personally hunts and butchers game Most of the ingredients served in the restaurant such as deer ham finished with low-temperature cooking he creates richly flavored Sasayama cuisine rooted in local traditions special junmai sake ‘Shugetsu’ and ‘Houmei,’ each 180ml for ¥900 and a seasonal limited edition ‘Okutanba Kizara’ made with Yamada Nishiki rice The dishes are all part of the ‘Maekawa Course’ which offers a total of seven dishes for ¥6,400 The ‘Furusato Course’ (¥10,000) is also recommended served with deer ham accompanied by ‘tsurumurasaki’ (Japanese yam) Chef Yusuke Takada cooked ‘Koshihikari’ rice A renovated 150-year-old townhouse which also features private rooms facing the inner courtyard Yamazatoryouri Maekawa The Tanba area is the birthplace of one of Japan’s three greatest sake brewers Nishiyama Sake Brewery is a long-established sake brewery that has developed alongside the Tanba Toji ‘Kotsuzumi,’ was named by the haiku poet Kyoshi Takahama and was beloved by many literati the Toji representative Yajima Korei leads him to a well on the brewery’s premises named ‘Tsubaki Jutenno’ which is fed by the underground water of the Taketa River After tasting both the brewing water and the brewed sake ‘It would make a great accompaniment to cuisine they also cultivate rare sake rice varieties such as Hyogo Kitamidori and the now-discontinued legendary sake rice They leverage fermentation techniques to develop products like amazake yogurt not only inheriting tradition but also adapting sake brewing to meet modern needs A long-established sake brewery founded in 1849 Brewing brands such as Kotsuzumi with a focus on seasonal brewing Renovating a 127-year-old wooden brewery building a complex facility called Kodento is set to open within the year It aims to disseminate fermentation culture from the Tanba region Master brewer Korei Yajima (left) explains the process of making sake yeast starter From left to right: ‘Bihaku Koushu’ 360ml ¥1,320 Signboards and other items are designed by the artist Hirosuke Watanuki Nishiyama Shuzojo brings a new perspective to a family business that has been passed down since the Edo period he returned home and established the Tanba Cheese Factory on the farm feeding them home-grown rice straw and wild plants from the fields By adding self-cultivated lactic acid bacteria to fresh milk squeezed from these cows he produces cheese that undergoes long-term aging in the cellar for over 12 months such meticulous care is rarely seen.’ His endeavor bore fruit when he won the highest award at the All Japan Natural Cheese Contest with his first entry it’s a treasure trove of ingredients it’s the passion of the producers that truly distinguishes these specialties.’ Through his journey in Hyogo’s terroir Takada realized that the charm of a region stems from its environment and its people which has been engaged in agriculture for generations cultivates up to 120 different crops annually maintains the compost heap during his dormitory life The farm raises cattle on grass and rice straw from the fields and utilizes cow manure as fertilizer for the fields The cheese is available for purchase at the nearby Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) called ‘Tanba Obaachan’s Village’ and at the farm’s shop Starting from the top right and going clockwise: Mozzarella (90g) for ¥500 Cellar-Aged Powder Cheese (95g) for ¥1,300 An 80-year-old warehouse converted into a maturation chamber operate farming and dairy farming as a family Fuki Farm This restaurant’s chef has an unusual background having transitioned from being a Tokyo Metropolitan Government employee to acting as a tour guide in Australia before awakening to the world of food and undergoing training at the renowned Osaka restaurant Piano Piano The restaurant features dishes that incorporate local Tanba ingredients such as fully ripened red Wanigajiro peppers white bitter gourds sourced from nearby contracted farms fresh mozzarella cheese from the Tanba Cheese Factory at Fuki Farm The ‘Tanba Blessings Assorted Appetizers’ plate It offers a delightful journey through the four seasons of Tanba The dishes are all part of the lunch course starting from ¥1,800 The ‘Tanba Blessings Assorted Appetizers’ features local ingredients such as figs with a sugar content of 15 degrees and ‘Tanba Jidori’ chicken ham Rich Flavor Autumn Eggplant and Tomato Sauce Pasta with Basil Sauce Conversion of a Former Kimono Shop Dating Back Over 150 Years Olmo Nipponia is a decentralized hotel that restores and revitalizes historic buildings and old folk houses remaining throughout the country Its first establishment opened its doors in 2015 in the castle town of Shinoyama It comprises nine accommodation buildings with varying charms including a former residence of a bank executive from the early Meiji era and tea houses from the late Edo period Each building is named after a chrysanthemum variety with ties to the former Shinoyama domain Located within walking distance of Shinoyama Castle and samurai residences guests can immerse themselves in the lifestyle of Tanba Shinoyama Sasayama Jokamachi Hotel Nipponia Offering a special menu for a limited time Chef Yusuke Takada is currently serving dishes at La Cime using ingredients he encountered in Sasayama and Tanba The Hyogo Prefecture special menu is available within the lunch or dinner courses Available for a limited time until around November 3rd (the period may be shorter than planned due to ingredient availability) Immersing in Japanese Cuisine Across the Seasons with Mirukashi Salon Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film we interviewed its founder and chief representative Hyogo Prefecture--Just like in the days of yore special guests arriving at Sasayama Castle here are made to feel like masters of the house Then they are led to the guest room called the Jodan no Ma where visitors had an audience with feudal lords in olden days The guests will feast on the same dinner that feudal lords served their guests The meal will be cooked using recipes from the Edo Period (1603-1867) The city of Tanba-Sasayama is offering the tour featuring the exclusive dinner in the restored main building of Sasayama Castle for people who donate 1.61 million yen ($11,800) under the government’s hometown tax program The overnight tour is limited to a group of two adults per day and allows them to enjoy the spacious guest room all to themselves The guests will stay the night at a nearby luxurious hotel which is a refurbished old traditional Japanese house Participants will also visit the surrounding castle town to explore its history Curators will accompany them and explain historical facts and show places of interest Participants can also try their hand at pottery-making For donors who can dish out 3.227 million yen for a more lavish outing the tour will come with additional options such as experiencing Kodo (the art of appreciating Japanese incense) a form of classical Japanese comic theater It is famed for being designed by Todo Takatora (1556-1630) who was called “a master of castle building.” The castle was the center of politics and administration of the Sasayama Domain a federal domain that produced 50,000 goku of rice is an old Japanese measurement unit of rice One goku represents 180 liters or 140 kilograms of rice a towering structure that is typically present for old Japanese castles the main part of the castle is a one-story structure called the Oshoin The Oshoin is as large as the 3,300-square-meter Ninomaru Palace of Nijo Castle in Kyoto Prefecture It’s where official events used to be held and houses rooms including the Jodan no Ma The current Oshoin building was rebuilt in March 2000 The original burned down in a fire in 1944 after surviving the castle abolishment law enacted following the Meiji Restoration in 1868 and then being used as an elementary school building and a public hall local residents started a drive to seek the restoration of the building A total of 1.2 billion yen was secured to rebuild the Oshoin The original Oshoin was faithfully re-created based on academic research including excavations as well as old drawings and photos The new Oshoin now stands in the city center as a symbol of Tanba-Sasayama The special tour is one of the gifts from the Tanba-Sasayama city government as part of the central government’s hometown tax program taxpayers can donate cash to a local government of their choice and receive a tax deduction from their residence taxes they can receive a gift worth up to 30 percent of the donated sum from the municipality they donated to in addition to tax credits Tanba-Sasayama has many local specialties such as black beans and Tanba chestnuts but it doesn’t receive as much in cash donations as other local entities in the program the city government collected more than 230 million yen by January since the start of fiscal 2022 in April But it’s far short of its target for the fiscal year the city is offering the tour in hopes of collecting more donations in the program in the next fiscal year The city has already received reservations for the tour “We hope that this tour will draw attention and that our city’s gifts in the hometown tax program will be talked about,” says Tadashi Habe chief of the section to promote the furusato nozei for Tanba-Sasayama The Oshoin is open to visitors even if they don’t make a donation to the city Visitors can see the interior and wear restored samurai armor Even children are encouraged to try the armor on “Much of the stone walls at Sasayama Castle have remained intact since the Edo Period," says Yuki Onishi "Many places at the castle look good in photographs Some scenes in the movie “The Legend & Butterfly,” which is currently playing in movie theaters and features the famed actor Takuya Kimura as the 16th-century warlord Oda Nobunaga According to the city government and others the film crew shot scenes outside the Oshoin at the castle’s stone wall close to the inner moat Another film “Samurai Hustle,” and TV dramas such as “Nobunaga’s Chef” and “Female Nobunaga,” also used Sasayama Castle as a filming location An official at the castle says that it has been used at least once a year as a shooting site in recent years which is just an hour's drive from Kyoto’s Uzumasa district where a filming studio of the major film company Toei Co the relatively fresh and clean look of the Oshoin adds to its popularity The Sasayama Castle Oshoin is open from 9 a.m 200 yen for university and high school students and 100 yen for junior high school and elementary school students Castles resurrect wooden donjons to restore former splendor ‘Castle stay’ programs bestow ‘lordships’ from one million yen Fukuyama offers the chance to be king of the castle (for a price) Ancient temple starts hosting travelers to fix its financial woes National Report Hyogo Prefecture--The year’s first auction of local “matsutake” mushrooms was held here on Oct fetching 930,000 yen ($6,235) from the historic Kinmata “ryokan” inn The mushrooms were between 9.5 and 11 centimeters long and had caps 4.5 to 5.5 cm in diameter said as he checked the mushroom’s aroma: “I was relieved to win the auction as customers have been asking me if we had any locally produced matsutake We will serve them grilled or steamed in an earthenware teapot.” held at the Tanba-Sasayama Market in Tanba-Sasayama “The first arrival was delayed due to the lingering summer heat but the products are excellent,” said market manager Toshiaki Iseki Matsutake make IUCN red list as threatened for the first time Experts succeed in cultivating truffles in Japan for first time VOX POPULI: Matsutake latest to join the list of disappearing delicacies More than half of all municipalities in Japan defined as ‘depopulated’ An organization invited two former Japanese prime ministers to attend an important event for the Unification Church in South Korea Officials of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) which is affiliated with the Unification Church the first prime minister from the Democratic Party of Japan in 2009 a Liberal Democratic Party prime minister for one year from 2007 was also asked to attend the UPF event planned for Seoul Both Hatoyama and Fukuda told The Asahi Shimbun that they rejected the invites because the Unification Church now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification was in the news over its suspicious methods in obtaining huge donations from followers The Asahi Shimbun asked all other former prime ministers if they received similar invitations from the UPF although Tomiichi Murayama’s family members said he received an invitation from an organization with the word “World” in its name But no confirmation could be made if the organization was linked with the Unification Church because the former prime minister did not respond to the invitation Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told The Asahi Shimbun that he has not received an invitation the only former prime minister involved in an UPF event is Shinzo Abe who sent a video message to an event in September 2021 “I pay my respects to President Hak Ja Han and everyone else,” Abe says in the video “I highly commend the focus on family values." Hak is the widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon and now heads the Unification Church UPF events are considered extremely important and invitations are regularly sent out to important figures around the world Among those asked to attend in person or send video messages are former U.S President Donald Trump as well as a former president of Brazil and past Indian prime ministers The Japanese arm of the Unification Church apparently tried to persuade former prime ministers to take part as a way to demonstrate the group’s close ties to powerful individuals the church emphasized that he came from a political dynasty in Japan with a grandfather who served as prime minister and a father who was once foreign minister In response to questions from The Asahi Shimbun Hatoyama said he was asked a number of times in 2019 to attend the UPF event a church official said the sky was the limit for an appearance fee Hatoyama acknowledged that he received help from volunteers linked with another organization affiliated with the Unification Church when he ran for a Lower House seat in Hokkaido when he was an LDP member in 1986 Hatoyama said he was never approached by church officials during his time as prime minister A Unification Church official told the Asahi that the organization has not invited former prime ministers and had no way of knowing what its affiliated groups were doing The UPF did not respond to questions as of March 1 New LDP report falls short on ties with Unification Church Unification Church lures Gifu politicians to events via bigwig Church ties cited in 40% of senior administrative positions Unification Church date back half a century LDP leaders: ‘no comment’ on ties to Unification Church Politicians come out with dealings with Unification Church distinctive accommodation may be a tricky proposition who unified Japan and ushered in the Edo period (1603–1867) ordered the construction of Sasayama Castle in the Tamba–Sasayama basin The picturesque streets that survive to this day serve as a testament to the castle’s prosperity Nipponia Hotel is unique in enabling its visitors to rediscover this Japan of old in all its richness against a backdrop of houses that are identical to those of the period Some of the buildings are over a hundred years old boasting a highly unusual architectural style that combines wooden furnishings and earth walls The storehouse alongside the main building also serves as a bedroom The room’s period decor is enhanced by cosy It’s also known for its home-grown produce from black soybeans and Tamba chestnuts to local matsutake mushrooms is saidto be the source of the humidity that enables the food to grow and gives it its flavoursome taste All this produce is used in Nipponia’s restaurant Fresh fish caught in the Sea of Japan sits alongside beef from Hyogo Prefecture’s Tajima cows instead focusing on each of the ingredients’ distinctive flavours you can enjoy wine as an accompaniment to your meal but the restaurant recommends a glass of pure-rice sake This is your opportunity to savour dishes made from local ingredients in the inviting surroundings of a traditional home that evokes the daily lives of Sasayama’s inhabitants during the Edo period A short distance from the buildings dotted around the ruins of Sasayama Castle which is officially recognised as a historic monument in Japan visitors can find out more about the culture of the town and its 400-year history With the castle itself positioned centrally the buildings approximately 1.5 km to the east and west as well as those 600 m to the north and south have been deemed buildings of historic interest when the layout of the town was being decided the thatched-roof homes that formerly belonged to samurai and the single-storey tiled-roof merchants’ cottages were preserved in their original state a number of traders’ houses between Ogawamachi and Kawaramachi are still used It’s the perfect place to pick up all your souvenirs One of Nipponia’s latest projects is to work with local shopkeepers to create cotton-spinning and pottery workshops that showcase these two local crafts the hotel will continue to find new ways of enabling its guests to discover and enjoy all the town has to offer for which Hyogo Prefecture has become well known is cooked alongside locally sourced vegetables and eggs The garden in this internal courtyard brings out not just springtime greenery and the red hues of autumn but every shade of each of the four seasons Price (as of Autumn 2016): Onae building from 23,000 JPY per person This article was published more than 2 years ago Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walk together after a news conference Sasayama Takuya is the consul-general of Japan in Toronto Kishida’s visit took place with this in mind Japan currently holds the G7 presidency and will host a number of ministerial meetings this year There is already a Japan-Canada Action Plan that contributes to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” and continued co-operation is more important than ever in maintaining and strengthening our rules-based international order This is the year to double down on this vital partnership and concrete developments toward this end are already taking place Japan’s BASC (Battery Association for Supply Chain) is visiting Ontario and Quebec Canada is set to become a hub for EV battery supply chains combined with Japan’s advanced technologies are expected to bring about exciting developments for EVs Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne travelled to Japan three times last year Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson also visited in January I sincerely expect BASC’s mission to be a fruitful one LNG Canada is expected to start operations by the middle of this decade contributing to both energy security and decarbonization Both Canada and Japan should also work to fortify the supply of nuclear energy while hydrogen and ammonia also appear promising I look forward to greater co-operation between the private sectors of our countries to realize all such potential Japan and Canada also face common challenges such as our aging societies and infrastructures Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma visited Japan in January and inspected our country’s railway system with its TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) and TOC (Transit-Oriented Communities) programs which aim to ensure the development of vibrant mixed-use communities around transit stations With Japan’s declining birth rate and aging population our railways are seeking ways to manage their operations without relying on fare revenue This is reflected in the concept of ekinaka community development centred on train stations The Minato Mirai district of Yokohama used to be a shipyard but detailed planning has transformed it into a spectacular waterfront We hope it also might serve as an inspiration for community development in Toronto Ontario Agriculture Minister Lisa Thompson also visited and attended more than 20 meetings in Japan supporting various sectors and major retail companies Japan traditionally imports vast amounts of food resources from Canada – for example HyLife Foods has been exporting high-quality pork from Manitoba and even operating a restaurant in Tokyo – another success story Potash from Canada is also indispensable to Japanese agriculture Strengthening critical supply chains for food security is therefore of paramount importance for both countries the Japanese cuisine boom in Canada shows no sign of waning and the same applies to sake and Japanese whisky Japanese food ingredients require meticulous and careful transportation so building and strengthening the cold chain to manage the temperatures of perishable products in transport Japan and Canada are key members of important economic frameworks for the Indo-Pacific including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership The leadership assumed by both countries in the protection and development of free trade will continue to be invaluable It is against such a backdrop that Canada will send an economic mission to Japan in the fall then prime minister Jean Chrétien headed a large delegation of 250 people on a similar mission Many provincial ministers are also planning to go to Japan this year while Quebec announced its own Indo-Pacific strategy ahead of the federal government this year we look forward to the visit to Japan by “Team Canada 2.0,″ comprising federal and provincial governments The 3,000 Sakura trees planted in Ontario through our Sakura Project will be blooming again this year celebrating the 95th anniversary of our diplomatic relations are also about to enter a new season of splendour Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Click here to subscribe If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate If you do not see your comment posted immediately it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted UPDATED: Read our community guidelines here We have closed comments on this story for legal reasons or for abuse. For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions The leading authority for the Architecture & Design community Recharge in a Restored Spanish Farmhouse in Menorca 30 miles west of Japan’s historic capital the facility occupies the 90-year-old two-story house where dentist Hironobu Ishii’s great-grandfather lived and practiced internal medicine A second generation of practitioners subsequently took occupancy the house stood largely unused for 15 years The present incarnation—a 1,300-square-foot dental office and a 1,300-square-foot apartment where Ishii lives with his wife and their two toddlers—is the result of a renovation by Nawachi Atelier of Art and Design Central to the renovation was the balance between meeting the needs of an up-to-date dental practice and maintaining what Takayasu Nawachi calls “the strength that comes from the traditional logic of old Japanese homes.” According to Nawachi creating a space sanitary enough for dentistry in a 90-year-old structure was actually quite uncomplicated basically a matter of installing hygienic counters and vinyl flooring running vacuum and water tubes for dental cleanings under the floor was easier to accomplish than it might have been in a more complex building “Traditional Japanese homes have a basic post-and-beam structure which was very responsive to the changes,” he explains To compensate for old houses’ notoriously low ceilings he knocked through to the upstairs to give the waiting room and clinic double-height volumes Other improvements included making the entry wheelchair-accessible There’s a nearly 8-inch step up here but Nawachi overcame this obstacle by installing a discreet lift a steel rectangle that lies flush with the floor until activated by controls at the reception desk A fresh coat of white plaster contrasts with the dark-stained cedar posts and beams (Floor planks are a blonder cedar.) In winter The waiting room offers a tatami-covered seating platform the focal point of the project is the open-plan clinic Because Sasayama is in a part of the country where all four seasons make dramatic appearances Dental Care Ishii enjoys a unique opportunity to use the natural landscape as a tool to help patients’ fears about dental work melt away The patient population in towns such as Sasayama continues to age as the majority of Japan’s young people move to urban centers that’s not necessarily a negative for Dental Care Ishii The senior citizens who come there to be treated can treasure old traditions while benefiting from new technologies and a designer can all sink their teeth into Keywords:　NGO / Citizen　Renewable Energy　 One condition is that as the fuel in their stoves customers are required to use wood pellets sold by the NPO which procures all of its pellets from within the Sasayama City district Biomass Tamba-Sasayama aims to help create a more environmentally friendly town through tree-planting activities and to help resolve environmental problems by studying the use of biomass This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version the origin of one of Japan's most famous ninja clans plans to open the growing number of vacant homes in its castle town to tourists the Iga Municipal Government will renovate traditional Japanese homes — some built in the Edo Period — in the district south of Ueno Castle The idea is to appeal to foreign tourists by offering the experience of staying in a castle town.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); "We hope to make use of historically valuable buildings and curb the decline of the city center," an Iga official said organized by frantic gallery for art tapei 2011 ‘uncanny and sorrow in monochrome and color’ features works by atsushi takahashi and naoki sasayama atsushi takahashi: ‘a thought’ (2011) oil on canvas with gloss 91 x 116.7 cm loneliness, anxiety, horror, and intensity are examined through three widely different lenses in the exhibition ‘uncanny and sorrow in monochrome and color’, featuring the paintings of japanese artists atsushi takahashi, naritaka satoh, and naoki sasayama. the exhibition is presented by tokyo’s frantic gallery at art taipei 2011 in taiwan atsushi takahashi: ‘at that place no 1’ (2011) oil on canvas with gloss 36.4 x 51.5 x 5 cm naritaka satoh: ‘temptation’ (2011) acrylic paint pencil on paper wtih acrylic gloss 91 x 116.7 drawing primarily in pencil but adding white acrylic and charcoal to highlight and shade elements of the compositions his hyperreal pieces depict children and their playthings but with an unsettling distortion that conflates these subjects bringing a toylikeness to the human form and an organic lifelikeness to objects naritaka satoh: ‘black shadow’ naoki sasayama: ‘the new world 02’ (1999) watercolor on montvale paper 41 x 31.8 cm naoki sasayama works in his own custom-produced watercolours in paintings consumed with catastrophe and fatal events the bright colours and dynamic movement evoke visual tension with the works’ content sasayama’s paintings achieve a sculptural element thanks to the thickness of the paints naoki sasayama: ‘cleaner’ watercolor on montvale paper/panel 130.3 x 162 cm naoki sasayama: ‘once again’ (2011) watercolor on montvale paper 162 x 130 cm all three artists share in common a painterly style that achieves a kind of balance between chaos and tension and calmness while takahashi and sasayama’s paintings ‘jump out’ at the viewer satoh’s works instead draw onlookers into their dark world the juxtaposition of these varied styles brings viewers back and forth into dialogue between introspection and more outwardly-focused sentiments inviting them to investigate whether it is in the world or in themselves that they find the darkest or quietest depths of emotion installation view at frantic gallery’s recent ‘frantic underlines’ show of works by sasayama who are featured together in ‘uncanny and sorrow in monochrome and color’ at art tapei 2011 AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style A new facility to temporarily house rescued dogs has officially opened in Sasayama Designed and operated by Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK) a nongovernmental organization funded by private donations spacious kennels that can be heated and air-conditioned for year-round comfort setting a new standard for animal welfare centers in Japan which was built by a local construction company using indoor kennel components imported from Britain Four fenced areas provide room for the dogs to exercise and play outdoors every day.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Some of the first animals to occupy the new kennels — transferred in late May from ARK's present location in Nose Osaka Prefecture — are dogs rescued after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku Their owners were forced to leave the animals behind when residents were evacuated from the area around the damaged Fukushima No the owners still live in temporary housing ARK was founded in 1990 by Elizabeth Oliver the U.K.'s highest honor for charitable work ARK: www.arkbark.net 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.