Secretary-general of Japan's National Security Secretariat (NSS) Takeo Akiba has been a key actor in shaping Japan's foreign and security policies The Sankei Shimbun learned that Akiba would soon be stepping down it was announced that Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano would replace Akiba as secretary-general of the NSS Both Akiba and his predecessor, Shigeru Kitamura, were participants in the first Japan-North Korea summit meeting in September 2002. Prime Minister (at the time) Junichiro Koizumi led the summit Both officials were also involved in subsequent Japan-North Korea negotiations There is growing concern within government circles about losing such experienced figures from its nerve center As head of the National Police Agency's (NPA) Foreign Affairs Division, Kitamura was responsible for investigations related to North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens In November 2016, he led an NPA team to Pyongyang for the third Japan-North Korea working-level consultations. However, North Korea said that Megumi Yokota had already died and handed over what they claimed were her remains to Japan as "proof" of her death revealed that the remains belonged to unrelated individuals Akiba was head of the Treaty Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) at the time He accompanied Koizumi on his first trip to North Korea he was present for the signing of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration by the leaders of both nations Akiba made three trips to Pyongyang to negotiate with North Korea's Treaty Bureau chief and other officials on the text of the declaration Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who played a central role in Japan-North Korea negotiations, was tragically assassinated in July 2022 the number of key figures who experienced those dynamic and intense negotiations is rapidly dwindling One can only hope that this will not cast a shadow over future negotiations on the abductions issue The first time this reporter spoke with Akiba was during the Yasuo Fukuda administration Akiba was director of the China Division within the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the MOFA.  Currently, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya are proactively taking a conciliatory stance toward dialogue with China they have announced measures to ease visa requirements for Chinese nationals When he was head of the Foreign Ministry's China Division "When Abe was prime minister, and Taro Aso was foreign minister September 2006-September 2007]  diplomacy was much easier 'Let's wrap up the negotiations quickly.' Rushing to finalize matters only lets the other side take advantage there's no need for us to rush.' This allowed the negotiating team to avoid playing their cards too early In June 2020, Akiba took the lead in hammering out an agreement with China to jointly develop gas fields in the East China Sea as the Japanese side managed to extract concessions from their Chinese counterparts a staunch ally of Abe and Aso known for his hardline stance on China "This will only benefit China." He further commented "Giving away what rightfully belongs to Japan and even engaging in capital participation would only serve Chinese interests." Nakagawa actually threw a party to thank Akiba and others who were in charge of negotiations with China "You've managed to secure genuine concessions from China and made significant strides in advancing our position." Akiba had this to say about the situation at that time "It was incredibly helpful to have someone in Nakagawa's position convey that the gas field agreement was entirely insufficient It sent a strong message to the Chinese side that public opinion in Japan viewed the deal very critically." and ruling party officials set to visit China all adopt a soft stance it will be impossible to conduct proper diplomatic negotiations no meaningful progress or valuable outcomes will be achieved (Find access to the article in Japanese.) Author: Rui Abiru You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " 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 Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots Please make sure JavaScript is enabled and then try loading this page again. If you continue to be blocked, please send an email to secruxurity@sizetedistrict.cVmwom with: By Eyal Hareuvei Publication date 19 March 2025 | 16:40 ICT which will be held in Takeo province this weekend is expected to attract many national and international visitors themed “The Value of the River: Connecting Culture and Natural Tourism” will see crowds enjoy artistic performances sporting competitions and other exciting recreational activities The festival will take place from March 21-23 It will be officially opened by Prime Minister Hun Manet and his wife on March 22 with entertainment set to run from 4am to 10pm Takeo provincial governor Vei Samnang believed that by being selected to host the event the provincial economy will receive a large boost “It will serve as a platform to promote local products boost the tourism industry and advertise the potential of the province's many tourist areas,” he said “This is the first time Takeo has hosted the Tonle Festival It is a proud opportunity for the province to showcase its potential in all sectors to the Cambodian people an inter-ministerial committee had completed about 85 per cent of the preparations,” he added Samnang urged the public to attend this weekend’s festival and reminded them to maintain a pleasant environment by disposing of rubbish correctly sisters and children attending the festival to help manage waste properly and invite more people to participate to show their support It will provide a happy opportunity to relax after people finish work,” he said The Ministry of Tourism shared that to ensure the 9th Tonle Festival is successful the inter-ministerial committee will organise major activities including live performances featuring famous Cambodian artists and famous singers There will be exhibitions of tourism achievements a food and beverage fair and exhibitions on trade as well as displays of various development projects from across the province There will also be ten sporting competitions including a 75-kilometre bicycle race from Phnom Penh to Takéo The first Tonle Festival was held in Kratie province and has since moved around the Kingdom Since returning from a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic The most recent edition took place in Siem Reap province last year in Japanese Back to program page you are consenting to our use of these cookies Honda’s Tokyo headquarters completed in 1985 will be reconstructed in the spring of 2025 A new headquarters building will be constructed on the same site The building embodies philosophies of Honda founders Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa and Honda’s philosophy of Monozukuri (Manufacturing): to be the most advanced in 20 years which incorporates Japan-first technologies and the pursuit of safety and energy conservation has transcended its role as an office building to become a place where technological innovation and future orientation converge This issue of Honda Stories unravels the technologies and thought that went into every detail of the building Honda grew in step with Japan’s rapid economic growth and its history has been shaped by the vision of its founder Soichiro Honda a key figure in management who supported Soichiro from the earliest days when the the Tokyo Yaesu Head Office Building “Hundreds of thousands of people gather and disperse around Tokyo Station every day only a small fraction of the surging crowd comes to our building each and every one of them comes to our building with big dreams The time will come when this small building will no longer be able to hold their big dreams Honda’s headquarters has continued to grow changing location and form as the company’s dreams have expanded Honda moved from its Tokyo Yaesu building to Harajuku was completed to house its ever-expanding dreams the Aoyama Building has served as a symbol of Honda for 39 years to the present While it has been visited by dignitaries from around the world including Britain’s Prince Charles and former Princess Diana Frances Spencer it has also provided a space that combines diversity and familiarity The construction project for the Aoyama Building was carried out in the in-house spirit of “All-Honda,” gathering members of the Honda Group as well as the design and construction teams in one planning office enthusiastically conveyed a message to the engineers that the building should be the most advanced in 20 years Designing the Aoyama Building was guided by three basic philosophies that can be considered the foundations of modern architecture: safety these philosophies were incorporated based on Honda’s own manufacturing philosophy Soichiro’s desire to make the headquarters building the safest building in the world was persistently conveyed to the project’s engineers A space where people can feel safe to visit or pass through creates a sense of relief and prevents panic Honda has always pursued safety through manufacturing and this was a philosophy that it felt obliged to realize in the building’s design The design of the evacuation exits to ensure the safety of the employees was the subject of many iterations of planning and verification taking into account the human tendency to flee to the four corners of a building in the event of a disaster adopted a structure that allows access to the evacuation stairs from the balconies of each floor He was emphatic that government standards were only the minimum Design that allows people to evacuate safely without the help of machines: this approach can be seen as the challenge to incorporate Honda’s safety philosophy into the building The balcony was designed to prevent windows from falling and fire from spreading which is expected in skyscrapers in the event of a disaster Professor Nobuo Fukuwa of Nagoya University’s Disaster Mitigation Research Center evaluated the building in later years saying that the ground was so strong that no piles were needed and that it had achieved a high level of earthquake resistance the Canadian cypress barrels on the B3 level of the Aoyama Building is another facility that represents Honda’s spirit of hospitality to its employees and local residents also known as “Soichiro’s water,” stored in two large 35-ton Canadian cypress barrels has been provided free of charge to visitors to the Aoyama Building since its completion and has also served as drinking water in times of disaster The barrels are said to be inspired by the water purification system used by a French restaurant nearby when head office was located in Harajuku The same water purification system as the French restaurant was initially planned for the Aoyama Building but it was decided to use a Canadian cypress barrels instead purified water and eliminated the calcium odor In accordance with its basic philosophy of “No production without safety,” Honda had introduced a system to evaluate and commend all kinds of safe operations for a large number of workers led by the contractor Hazama Gumi (now Hazama Ando Corporation) whose company policy was “Safety takes priority over everything else.” safety in the Aoyama Building had been considered throughout to such an extent that experts had considered it unique in the depth of its safety design the second requirement in designing the Aoyama Building realized technologies that unfaded to this day: in FY2021 primary energy consumption was reduced by approximately 60% compared to FY1990 The energy efficiency rating of the exterior at the time of the 13th JIA (Japan Institute of Architects) 25 Year Award (FY2013) was around 32% better than the base value and earned the equivalent to the highest CASBEE*¹ (Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency) rank *¹ An environmental performance evaluation system for buildings developed in 2001 by a committee established within the Institute for Building Environment and Energy Conservation under the leadership of the Ministry of Land It is used to objectively evaluate and indicate the performance of a building in terms of how considerate it is to the global and surrounding environments The evaluation covers new and existing buildings in Japan Data for FY2017 showed a reduction of approximately 20% in CO₂ emissions when compared to the best business offices in Tokyo the average value of major office buildings in Japan has been on a downward trend not only because of social promotion of energy conservation and the renewal of facilities to a degree but also because reductions in energy consumption have been promoted since 2010 Of note is the Aoyama Building’s unique ceiling lighting which is not in conventional lines but square-shaped units The illuminance of lighting in the building was determined based on medical and physiological data reexamining the illuminance of typically overly bright office lighting in Japan This was not only a consideration for employees and work productivity based on ergonomics but also a major factor in energy conservation The architectural designers were constantly told by Honda’s staff to design the building “like a Civic.” The Civic CVCC which was a huge hit when it launched in 1973 had tires positioned at the corners and a solid footing It was also the first car in the world to comply with the Muskie Act (the U.S which at the time was criticized as impossible to achieve by automobile manufacturers around the world and environmental performance was applied to the building’s architecture the design team focused most on a natural air-cooling system*² that utilized natural energy This was developed through trial and error in cooperation with engineers in the fluid dynamics field at Honda R&D *2 Cooling load treatment is required for zones in a building that are exposed to outside air and sunlight because of their high air conditioning load and large temperature fluctuations This system incorporates outside air cooling into the cooling treatment to achieve high energy savings The adoption of this air-cooling technology had a great impact on the engineers of the time “Other skyscrapers use water cooling [chilled water circulating] but the Aoyama Building uses air cooling [outside air].” Although basic research on this technology had been conducted in Japan there were no examples of its implementation yet the Aoyama Building pioneered the use of a computer-controlled air conditioning system Although this technology did not initially produce significant results due to hardware and software limitations and it has now been inherited as a technology that is widely used throughout the country Although it took several decades to achieve results for the building to be the most technologically advanced in 20 years the theme was to realize a sustainable architecture that could respond to organizational and technological changes as well as social and environmental transitions where the building was not made to be perfect Symbolic of this flexibility was the FCC (Flat Cable Conductor) under-carpet wiring system This technology allows power to be supplied anywhere within the building thus allowing flexible office equipment placement it allows flexibility in layout changes and has transformed the interior of conventional offices This technology was later updated to the wiring system used in OA floors that had become popular Another example that symbolizes the flexibility of the Aoyama Building was the adoption of the “One Big Office” concept The office area of the Aoyama Building consists of a lattice beam and four pillars spanning nearly 19 meters and is designed to provide a clear view of the entire space The height of the cabinets is also standardized at three levels to ensure an unobstructed view These innovations embody Honda’s corporate stance of promoting free and vigorous communication among employees The design was based on the advice of Kai Umemura a structural engineer and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo at the time to ensure a large space while also achieving a high level of earthquake resistance The One Big Office concept is also applied to the boardroom This symbolizes the spirit of Waigaya*³ that Honda values can gather for lively discussions at any time  *³ Waigaya refers to Honda’s unique culture of open-hearted discussions about dreams and the ideal state of work Soichiro was said to have remarked to those around him that as a company grows larger the power of the back office (administrative division) becomes stronger and that many companies lose momentum as soon as a new building is constructed who thoroughly adhered to a hands-on approach wanted to avoid such a situation by all means The great inventions of the past were overwhelmingly made by small and medium-sized enterprises rather than those invented by large corporations “Never forget the town factory spirit.” The most important guideline of the Aoyama Building “From an office to a place of thought,” came from this idea The engineers of that time look back and say that the factory was filled with the idea of everyone thinking Soichiro’s desire not to maintain this spirit in the Aoyama Building is reflected in the rewarding of improvement proposals the idea contest after working hours at the factory and not making the carpet in the head office floor more luxurious than at the factory Takeo Fujisawa reflected on his interactions with the architectural designers when the Aoyama Building was first designed and we are about to enter the 21st century so what is different about this from the buildings of the 1960s It cannot be a normal design and structure that the world is used to Honda takes pride with its consistently high overall level of technology It is very easy to design a factory building to be user-friendly I wanted the opinions of everyone who will use this place which resulted in the current building (Aoyama Building) That is why no other company can imitate us.” As many as 700 Honda engineers were said to be involved in the Aoyama Building construction project Takeo Fujisawa’s will and Soichiro Honda’s philosophy Although the two founders had very different personalities To carry on the philosophy of the founders in the Aoyama Building which changes its form with the times and with Honda’s new dreams Publication date 22 January 2025 | 11:00 ICT authorities have pumped water from the Bati River and Prek Tnaot canal to dry season rice fields across Takeo province’s Bati district is intended to save approximately 4,000 hectares of rice fields hundreds of farmers used tractors and motorcycles to block a main road for several hours demanding intervention from local authorities and relevant ministries.  vice-chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) along with Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Thor Chetha and Minister of Agriculture led a team of irrigation specialists to meet directly with the farmers in Kandeng commune The water resources ministry explained that the provincial water resources department began pumping water from the Bati River through Stations 22 and 23 The water was channelled into the main irrigation system to revive about 4,000 hectares of dry season rice belonging to 3,500 households The affected fields are located in Krang Thnong Chetha also instructed a team from the water resources ministry to pump water from the Prek Tnaot through Canal 78 into the Bati River reservoir which would then be distributed through the main irrigation system to irrigate the drought-affected fields The ministry stated that in the 2025 agricultural plan the target for dry season rice cultivation in Bati district was just 2,000 hectares Farmers planted 4,000 hectares despite insufficient local water sources to support such expansion.  the Prek Tnaot upstream area and the system supplying water to the Bati River reservoir were temporarily closed for repairs addresses farmers who protested over water shortages in Takeo province During a January 21 meeting with representatives of the Senate’s Third Committee Chetha reported on the ministry's ongoing efforts to restore and construct new hydraulic systems including flood protection and saltwater barriers He noted that these efforts have reduced natural disaster risks ensured water security and supported people’s daily lives as well as supported agricultural production the ministry expanded irrigation coverage to 1,969,843 hectares including 1,387,051 hectares for wet season rice and 582,792 hectares for dry season rice,” he said He also pointed out challenges such as developing human resources for operational continuity enhancing data systems for forecasting and early warnings and addressing budget shortages for maintaining and repairing irrigation infrastructure Climate change has exacerbated natural disasters causing damage to water management systems Authorities also reported pumping water to irrigate 483 hectares of dry season rice fields in Kratie province’s Prek Samann commune Two machines were used to pump approximately 1.2 million cubic metres of water Over-expansion of dry season rice cultivation has led to water shortages in several of the Kingdom’s provinces water supplies are sufficient for just 20,000 hectares while cultivation has reached 58,770 hectares director of the Pursat agriculture department shortages could occur next month for dry season rice “Some rice has already been harvested and there was substantial rainfall earlier this month there are no immediate concerns,” he said He added that the agriculture and water resource departments should water shortages arise in the near future Publication date 01 April 2025 | 16:23 ICT Takeo provincial police officers detained two armed drug dealers and a number of their associates on March 29 The provincial police reported on April 1 that they attempted to stop two well-known drug dealers they discovered a Glock handgun and several packages of a white crystalline powder Meng Hang confessed that he carries the firearm for self-defence while transporting and distributing drugs He claimed that both the narcotics and the pistol were supplied by his superiors in the distribution network officers conducted a raid and arrested 14 additional individuals All 15 suspects are currently being questioned at the Takeo Provincial Police headquarters before they are transferred to court Ministry of Interior spokesperson Touch Sokhak counselled delinquent youths against ending up in jail during the upcoming Khmer New Year He warned that police will be rigorously cracking down on youth gang activities Sokhak noted that interior minister Sar Sokha has instructed law enforcement from the national police level down to commune police administrative posts to work with local authorities to arrest any delinquent youths who disrupt the lives of the public and cause social disturbances "If these groups continue to cause trouble and disturb the lives of citizens meaning they will be celebrating the New Year behind bars,” he said “If they reform their behaviour and act appropriately will have the opportunity to join the rest of society and enjoy the New Year festivities which will feature joyful events across the country,” he added Ministry of justice spokesperson Seng Dina reported that in the 16 days from March 16 to March 31 first-instance courts and attached prosecutors nationwide handled 27 cases involving juvenile delinquents Dina urged parents and guardians to monitor educate and guide their children to follow the right path and steer clear of wrongdoing Publication date 21 February 2025 | 12:02 ICT The Supreme Council of the Magistracy has punished the president of the Takeo Provincial Court for committing a legal violation President Pich Mareine granted early release to a prisoner who was serving an eleven-year sentence for strangling his lover to death Details of the case were uncovered when Mareine publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with the disciplinary decision of the council’s Disciplinary Committee the committee decided to demote her to deputy president of another provincial court According to a February 20 press release from the supreme council Mareine voiced her grievances on Facebook on February 19 The release quoted her as writing: “I made a small mistake yet I am punished severely without leniency Her complaint appeared to be directed at the decision of the disciplinary committee The council clarified that Mareine had unlawfully released a prisoner who was convicted of murder and sentenced to 11 years in prison The release occurred after the prisoner had served only slightly over five years with seven years and four months remaining This means the prisoner had not yet met the two-thirds requirement for early release which must be approved by the National Commission for Pardon Releasing serious criminal offenders before they meet legal conditions contradicts Article 513 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the principles of conditional release set by the National Conditional Release Commission under the Ministry of Justice The council deemed this a serious professional violation The council emphasised that only detainees held in pre-trial detention can be released by a judge The early release of convicted prisoners serving a sentence can only be granted by the government through a royal pardon request submitted to the King “The Disciplinary Council remains firm in enforcing strict discipline against judges and prosecutors who violate the law and their professional ethics This must be done to uphold public confidence in the judiciary which is crucial for ensuring public security order and social safety — values deeply desired by the people and the nation,” added the press release He was sentenced to 11 years for murdering his lover A legal expert told The Post that there are no legal procedures allowing for a convict to be re-arrested to complete their sentence once a judicial decision has already been executed responsibility falls on the judge who authorised the release — in this case Mareine recently received praise from justice minister Koeut Rith for expediting the resolution of court cases reducing court backlogs and overcrowding in prisons Today's print edition Home Delivery Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Masataka Okano will be named as the country's next top security adviser The decision was formally approved in a Cabinet meeting on Friday President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the next commander-in-chief of Japan’s most important ally.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Under the administration of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida a 60-year-old career diplomat with experience in both Washington and Beijing and a former chief of the Foreign Ministry’s Russia division served as an aid to the deputy chief cabinet secretary and vice minister for foreign affairs playing a central role in Japan’s diplomatic initiatives 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 Link IconCopy linkFacebook LogoShare on FacebookXShare on XEmailShare via EmailLink copied to clipboardTNT analysts Champ Bailey and Takeo Spikes believe Penn State will defend its home turf vs longtime NFL players who joined TNT Sports earlier this season to be in-studio analysts for the Mountain West previewed the first-round playoff matchup in Happy Valley and former New York Giants star Victor Cruz » READ MORE: Penn State’s prep for SMU shaken a bit by quarterback developments because first time I saw them was against Clemson and I liked what I saw [from SMU] in the second half,” Bailey said Monday during a media call “One thing that stands out to me is that Penn State is solid on defense I know they lost a tough one to Ohio State Said Spikes: “I’m actually going through that tape now But a few things that really stick out to me They only allowed more than 4 yards per carry in just one of their 13 games So whenever you play great defense like that you’re forcing people to beat you throughout the game.” Bailey was a standout defensive back at Georgia who played 15 NFL seasons with Washington and Denver Both joined TNT sports this summer as in-studio analysts an 8.5-point favorite on FanDuel ahead of Saturday’s game should take care of business in front of its home crowd “The pressure is on Penn State,” Spikes said “to be able to come in and win this first home game and just show people that even though they had a hiccup we still know that [Penn State] has a very good path when you look at the big picture as far as can they advance to the semifinals and then the championship.” I don’t see how Penn State drops the ball here on the biggest stage of the year so I expect them to take care of this game.” coach James Franklin is 1-14 against top-five teams in the AP rankings and 3-19 against teams in the top 10 He has lost to Ohio State in the teams’ last eight matchups While Spikes characterized Penn State’s matchup against SMU as a “must-win,” Bailey took it a step further “You’re telling me you’re going to have SMU come to Happy Valley and you [potentially] drop the ball like that That’s completely unacceptable,” Bailey said it’s bad enough they had Ohio State against the ropes and they dropped that one Had another chance because Michigan beats Ohio State and you get in the championship game two teams that nobody had in the playoffs at the beginning of the season » READ MORE: What awaits Penn State in its playoff test with SMU? Here’s the rundown on the high-scoring Mustangs. Spikes said Penn State’s running game will be key in controlling the game against SMU That should open up opportunities for Mackey Award-winning tight end Tyler Warren in the play-action passing game © Copyright 2022 SNKRDUNK Magazine.All rights reserved Commemorating ONE PIECE's 25th anniversary The expansive worlds of fashion and anime have always orbited around each other the tk.TAKEO KIKUCHI and ONE PIECE “Monkey D commemorating the 25th anniversary of one of the most beloved IPs in all of pop culture Luffy 25th Collection” features items capturing the essence of the eponymous character’s most memorable scenes From the sweatshirt to the shoulder bag and the cozy muffler each piece is a thoughtful homage ardent ONE PIECE fans will recognize and appreciate wearable works of art that celebrate the spirit of exploration and the joy of adventure imbued with the very ethos that makes ONE PIECE the timeless classic that it is more than two decades on The tk.TAKEO KIKUCHI x ONE PIECE “Monkey D Luffy 25th Collection” sets sail on 18 November docking at tk.TAKEO KIKUCHI’s website with a price tag of 12,100 JPY (~US$80) for the sweaters In other news, check out the BLEACH x ASICS GEL-NYC and GT-2160 you can also head to the SNKRDUNK App via the banner below and browse the latest and greatest in sneakers Featuring a range of tops and shoulder bags each embellished with the franchise's most recognizable imagery the Japanese unisex label under the World Group’s Explorers Tokyo Co. is casting a spell with their upcoming Harry Potter capsule collection the Harry Potter saga has captivated audiences worldwide The titular collection draws inspiration from the first film “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” featuring iconic scenes and motifs reimagined through tk.TAKEO KIKUCHI’s signature design aesthetic The collection includes a variety of wearables: the photographic t-shirt adorned with signature stills from the film; the embroidery tee showcasing the Hogwarts crest crafted from luxurious ponte fabric; and the patterned shirt featuring a captivating collage of scenes available in two styles: one with an embroidered Hogwarts crest and the other adorned with colorful patches representing the four Hogwarts houses The tk.TAKEO KIKUCHI “Harry Potter” capsule collection will be available for pre-sale at LaLaport Yokohama TAKEO KIKUCHI on 26 July In other news, check out the 3.PARADIS x Mitchell & Ness x NBA capsule +374 10 650015 secretary-general of Japan's National Security Secretariat met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday and apparently discussed a possible summit between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese President Xi Jinping Ishiba has expressed a willingness to meet with Xi on the sidelines of a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru and a summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Brazil both later this month.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Akiba told reporters after his meeting with Wang that the two sides had in-depth discussions on how to communicate at high levels Akiba expressed concern about the safety of Japanese people in China referring to cases including the fatal stabbing of a Japanese boy in Shenzhen Akiba called on Beijing to show a concrete path to resume imports of Japanese fishery products He and Wang also discussed violation of Japanese airspace by Chinese military aircraft The Japanese diplomat also expressed serious concerns about strengthening cooperation between Russia and North Korea including Pyongyang's dispatch of troops to Russia On May 31, Japanese voice actor Takeo Otsuka announced his marriage on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. The news was well-received by fans and Otsuka’s colleagues, including fellow voice actors Yuto Uemura and Yohei Azakami who also announced their marriages earlier this year Otsuka shared that he had recently married his long-time partner He expressed commitment to working hard and acknowledged that there are still goals he has yet to achieve Otsuka did not disclose his partner’s identity or the length of their relationship Otsuka’s announcement on his X account has garnered over 3 million views The free exhibition, TAKEO PAPER SHOW is taking place at the Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum and is organised by the TAKEO Co. a specialty paper trading company founded in 1899 TAKEO PAPER SHOW is divided into two sections: ‘Function’ and ‘Laughter’ ‘Function’ features the ideas from 12 creators of what containers and packaging might be like in the near future on both an aesthetic and practical level ‘Laugher’ features 100 packages curated by Kochi Prefecture-based artist Makoto Umehara and explores the appeal of paper packaging analysing an everyday but influential part of modern life from a unique angle Among the sub themes explored is the environment including through a panel exhibition that looks at paper as an environmental material exploring its production and recyclability TAKEO PAPER SHOW also features various talks by predominantly Hokkaido-based creators The exhibition director is Kenya Hara of the influential Nippon Design Center TAKEO PAPER SHOW has been held by the Takeo Co TAKEO PAPER SHOW will run through 18 August from 9am to 5pm at Niseko’s Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum Sign up to receive Powderlife and Summerlife Digital Magazines as they are published and select other topics that interests you Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Powderlife is passionate about delivering exceptional service We believe it’s the little things that make a ski holiday so special Let us do the ground work for you and help you plan the perfect holiday Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Unlock exclusive perks as a Powderlife Member A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy © 2007-2025 Powderlife Privacy Terms Cookies Publication date 22 November 2024 | 10:04 ICT The Takeo provincial court prosecutor has charged a husband and wife, owners of the Songhak Marina Maternity and Treatment Clinic, with multiple offenses after the death of a patient caused by an unknown injection.  The couple admitted having disposed of the body of 41-year-old Nam Chanthou. Most shockingly, they left the woman’s three-year-old niece alone with the corpse, when they disposed of it in the undergrowth along a deserted roadside, nearly 4 km from the clinic in Takeo province. A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office revealed that Sun Marina, 39, and her husband, Hieng Songhak, also known as Nget, 37, were operating the clinic, in Boeung Ponhea Kuk village, of Bati district’s Trapaing Krasang commune, without a license. On November 18, Marina administered an injection to the victim, who experienced a severe reaction and passed away while still on the premises.  Following her death, Marina and her husband admitted to transporting the victim’s body, along with her three-year-old niece, to a forested area in nearby Chambak commune, to “conceal the corpse”. On November 21, Bati district police sent the suspects to court. After questioning the suspects and examining the evidence, the prosecutor charged Marina with four offenses: Involuntary manslaughter, practicing medicine without a license, concealment of a corpse, and torture and cruel treatment causing severe consequences to the victim. Her husband was charged with practicing medicine without a license, acting as an accomplice in concealing a corpse and acting as an accomplice in torture and cruel treatment causing severe consequences to the victim. Authorities shuttered Songhak Marina Clinic on November 19. Takeo Provincial governor Vei Samnang issued a statement the same day, condemning the couple’s inhumane actions and their disregard for medical ethics, as well as the Kingdom’s laws and regulations. “As the leader of the Takeo provincial administration and on my own behalf, I strongly condemn these inhumane actions that violated professional ethics as medical practitioners and disregarded the laws and regulations of the Kingdom of Cambodia,” he said. “I would also like to thank all of the citizens who have expressed their concerns about this inhumane act, which will contribute to strengthening and protecting public health for the betterment of all,” he added. Publication date 22 January 2025 | 16:06 ICT Khuy Chansou, daughter of a traditional weaver in Takeo province, has dedicated the past four years to promoting the Cambodian weaving community through her business, SouKabas Cambodia.  The name of the company reflects the business’s mission: a combination of “Sou”, meaning “perseverance” in Khmer, and “Kabas”, or “Cotton Forest”, the district of Prey Kabas where her operation is located. Her aim is to support local raw materials, provide employment opportunities for artisans and preserve the tradition of making traditional textiles. However, the popularity of Cambodian silk faces significant challenges. Hand-woven products are expensive and struggle to compete with mass-produced imports from neighbouring countries.  This has led many Cambodian silk weavers to abandon their craft, with some even migrating for work. “I have noticed that day by day, the number of weavers is gradually declining, and the quality is not as good as before,” Chansou told The Post.  “As the daughter of a weaver who has graduated with a bachelor’s degree, I felt compelled to find a way to help the people of my village,” she added. A vibrant tapestry of silk scarves from SouKabas. Supplied Chansou founded SouKabas in 2021, rebranding from Key Dambanh Cambodia, a business she started in 2017.  She has since dedicated herself to the business full-time, leaving other employment behind to leverage her university education and ensure its smooth running.  “I’m working hard to learn and develop a marketing strategy to revive the silk weaving market,” she said. “I’m trying to mobilise my villagers to start weaving silk again to provide them with employment opportunities and prevent further migration,” added the 33-year-old. Today, the SouKabas workshop employs 12 weavers who are kept busy filling orders and meeting market demand. Adhering to the philosophy of “creating new ideas, preserving ancestral heritage ancient yet not outdated, modern yet not foreign,” SouKabas offers a range of products, from traditional to contemporary. In addition to the traditional Pham Muong silk, which adheres to ancient designs, SouKabas produces fashionable eco-friendly silk bags, traditional silk for daily use and special pieces for use in religious ceremonies. The artistry of silk weaving in action. Supplied “We weaving silk strand by strand, sometimes for months, until it becomes this rare storyboard,” Chansou explained. “The scarves we weave every day come in two types: plain and patterned. In addition to silk scarves, I also produce scarves made of yarn and cloth, as well as Pha Hum (silk blankets). We also make Khmer kramas which are sewn as hair accessories for young people, which are popular,” she added. The price of the hand-woven Pham Muong silk is discounted to only $190 per 1.7 metres, while hand-woven pure silk Hol bags and leather bags are priced at $95. She also sells the Pka Romduol silk scarf, the symbol of Cambodia. Each small silk scarf is 0.5 metres wide and 1.8 metres long. They are priced at $35, while larger, wider scarves are $45. Her business has received orders from connoisseurs from within the Kingdom, as well as those living overseas. Regarding the care of silk products, she advised against washing them in normal water as the silk thread can be damaged and become brittle. Her high prices reflect the intricate nature of the traditional production process. Chansou claimed that Khmer silk is unique and distinct from those of neighbouring countries.  Where elegance meets tradition: The exquisite beauty of SouKabas silk scarves. Supplied The production starts from raising silkworms directly, spinning them into yarn, and then weaving them into silk. From one stage to another, it requires concentration, experience, knowledge and precise skills. However, she remains concerned about the impact of cheap, imported products on the price of Khmer silk, taking to social media to appeal for the public to support the women she employs. “As a weaving artisan from Prey Kabas district, I have a love for preserving and developing the original heritage of my ancestors. I do not agree with cheap copies of Khmer silk. This misrepresents the original heritage, leading to confusion among future generations,” she wrote. “It deeply hurts to see people copying Khmer silk and selling it freely. It significantly impacts the market for Khmer hand-woven silk. The livelihood of the weavers is at stake. They weave with all their heart. Seeing their creations copied and sold cheaply across the market is disheartening,” she added. She has called for the relevant authorities to help increase the price of local silk and to restrict the sale of imitation products. She has also taken an active role in exhibitions of local products. Chansou is determined to preserve Cambodian weaving and elevate its prominence. She plans to achieve this by compiling a book on Cambodian weaving which will chronicle its history from ancient times to the present. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering replacing National Security Secretariat Secretary General Takeo Akiba with Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano. To use this site, 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, and analyzing our website traffic. 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. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi, 59, will likely replace Okano. Akiba, 66, joined the Foreign Ministry in 1982. He became the ministry’s vice minister in January 2018 during the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and his tenure lasted for about 3½ years, the longest since World War II. In July 2021, Akiba became the third secretary general of the National Security Secretariat, the office in charge of coordinating and planning foreign and security policies. He was involved in the revision of the National Security Strategy to fundamentally strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities, including the possession of counterattack capabilities, and the design of an active cyber defense system to prevent serious cyberattacks. Akiba supported the cabinets of Ishiba and former prime ministers Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida through his many diplomatic connections with foreign dignitaries, such as U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Okano, 60, joined the foreign ministry in 1987. Prior to his current post, which he has held since August 2023, he served as director general of the ministry’s Foreign Policy Bureau and assistant chief cabinet secretary. Upon succeeding Akiba, Okano will be responsible for helping to build a relationship with the administration of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and work to introduce the active cyber defense at an early date. Okano would become the third vice foreign minister to serve in the top position of the National Security Secretariat after Shotaro Yachi and Akiba. The second director general, Shigeru Kitamura, was from the National Police Agency. Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Publication date 22 August 2024 | 16:20 ICT Three people died and three others were hospitalised after consuming tainted alcohol in Takeo province’s Traing district. The Ministry of Health issued a press release earlier today, warning that the six victims – from Tnaot Village in Sra Ngae commune – consumed the poisonous concoction on August 16.  Testing by the Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) determined that the contaminated alcohol was 15 per cent methanol, a level that is fatal. The ministry added that the safe methanol level to produce wine is no more than 0.1 per cent, although the ministry warned against using it to strengthen traditional alcohol. Vei Samnang, governor of Takeo province, told The Post that one alcohol producer has been detained by authorities for questioning and will likely face further legal action. “He was selling ingredients to produce wine and also making wine for sale. We have heard that he has been doing this for a long time, but we do not know where he got his latest ingredients from,” he said. According to the Ministry of Health, from 2020 to 2024, the Kingdom recorded 517 cases of alcohol poisoning, resulting in 89 deaths. Authorities and emergency response teams have been dispatched to educate the local populations. The teams are urging people to exercise caution and adhere to strict food and beverage hygiene practices, while also urging an end to the practice of producing improper or illicit alcohol, as well as its sale. The health ministry has called for all citizens and relevant stakeholders across the country to implement measures to prevent methanol contamination in alcohol. They emphasised that methanol is not a legitimate component of alcoholic beverages and urged a halt to its use in alcohol production. The ministry also warned citizens against buying, selling, producing, or consuming alcohol with unclear origins or that does not comply with the correct technical standards. It advised all authorities to deploy enforcement teams to quash the sale of illegal alcohol and educate the public. Samnang shared his own warning with consumers, noting that some producers may lack the necessary expertise to produce safe alcoholic beverages. “Consumers must also take some responsibility and avoid excessive drinking, as even a little methanol can be harmful. Everyone, including sellers and producers, must share responsibility,” he said. FRIDAY, JULY 05, 2024 PlayLoading... Newly appointed Takeo provincial governor Vei Samnang has ordered the authorities under his jurisdiction to remove alcohol advertising hoardings from throughout the province to help promote public well-being.The order was made during the first meeting of the provincial administrative command committee on July 5. “The order to remove all alcohol advertisements aims to promote the well-being of all of our citizens, especially children because these advertisements can cause negative effects and potentially lead to excessive alcohol consumption," he said. Samnang is the former governor of neighbouring Kampong Speu province, who took office as Takeo governor on July 1. During his tenure in Kampong Speu, he also ordered the removal of alcohol advertisements in public areas. The governor instructed the provincial commerce department and other pertinent local authorities to inform beer companies to remove their advertisements from public spaces. He suggested replacing them with health-related messages or educational content, or advertising drinking water instead, according to the Takeo provincial administration. “As the Takeo provincial administration, we hereby prohibit the display of all kinds of advertisements for alcohol, drugs or gambling. Such advertisements have no place here, as they affect public health. They are prohibited," he said.  “From today onwards, there will be no more alcohol billboards in Takeo province. The companies that placed them must prepare to take them down immediately,” he added. During celebrations of his appointment, which were presided over by Minister of Interior Sar Sokha, Samnang pledged to improve public services, promote the safe village-commune programme, combat drugs and reduce traffic accidents. He also announced that he would focus on attracting investors for provincial development, engaging in charitable activities, developing provincial infrastructure and upholding the law, while adhering to the government's ethical standards and respecting the constitution, nation, religion, and King. Yang Kim Eng, president of the People Centre for Development and Peace, said that the order to remove alcohol advertisements was an excellent example of ethical leadership, as it provided hope to children, youth, and the general public. He noted that it demonstrates a genuine effort to reduce the violence against women and children that is linked to alcohol and also promotes safe village policies. “Aside from Samnang, no one else is doing this. Other provinces have too many alcohol advertisements. This is a good example, and should be appreciated and celebrated,” he added. Kim Eng hoped that the removal of the advertisements would serve as a model for other provinces to follow, as he believed it would enhance safety and security in the community and reduce the harmful impact of alcohol. He explained that the WHO has identified over 200 diseases which are related to the consumption of alcohol. Japan, China, South Korea, ASEAN enhance regional financial safety net Thai Parliament built for 20B, seeks 1B repairs after 5 years Health Ministry warns of deadly 'Deafness Fever' outbreak DPU trains 98 game designers to promote Thai-made games as new soft power NEPC sets electricity price cap at 3.99 baht per unit until end of 2025 Publication date 27 January 2025 | 13:00 ICT The end of the first round of the 2025 Techo Volleyball Cambodia League (TVCL) saw some long awaited underdog wins Teams from Takeo and Pursat provinces were at last able to secure victories in the final matches of the TVCL’s first round although the wins came too late to secure advancement to the second round Visakha’s resurgence fell short of claiming the top spot from the Ministry of Interior and the Bodyguard Headquarters (BHQ) In the final matches – held over the weekend at the National Olympic Stadium – Takeo police defeated the Pursat police team in a close 3-2 match before losing 0-3 to the Phnom Penh police squad Pursat managed to end their campaign on a high note narrowly beating the 3rd Intervention Brigade team 3-2 both Takeo and Pursat ended round one with identical records: one win and six losses This left both teams at the bottom of the rankings and unable to advance to the second round composed largely of national team representatives displayed their strength in their final two matches They handed the Ministry of Interior their first defeat of the season in a thrilling 3-2 match (scores: 18-25 They followed this with a 3-2 victory over the Bodyguard Headquarters (21-25 Wooden spooners the Takeo and Pursat provincial police teams met at the National Olympic Stadium on Sunday both teams have been relegated from the Tech League The two wins marked a strong return to form for Visakha after mixed performances earlier in the season (three wins and two losses) they were unable to dislodge the interior ministry and the BHQ from the top two spots.  Svay Rieng Police and the 3rd Intervention Brigade secretary-general of the Cambodian Volleyball Federation (CVF) explained that the second round will see all six start fresh with no scores carried over from the first round This approach aims to enhance competitiveness and maintain excitement throughout the tournament “The second round will be restarted with new points and all six teams will face each other again The top four teams will advance to the semifinals,” said Serey Piseth “This means that even teams ranked third to sixth in round one still have a chance to claim the top spot if they perform well This makes the competition more intense and engaging,” he added The reset scoring system ensures that no team can afford to relax meaning fireworks are sure to fly as the league progresses Publication date 27 March 2025 | 08:59 ICT one of the leading microfinance institutions in Cambodia has once again played a proud role in the Kingdom’s anti-drug efforts joining in with educational activities at the 9th River Festival in Takeo province Thousands of citizens took part in the March 21-23 festival enjoying a series of entertaining musical acts The National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) took the opportunity to promote drug awareness and encourage public participation in the fight against drugs and High Tech Mineral Water Company and other microfinance institutions was honoured to take part in the educational efforts Promotions were conducted through exhibitions pictures depicting the consequences of drug use warning banners and educational reading materials which warned of the dangers of drugs as well as the relevant laws and the consequences of being involved with narcotics with the public encouraged to share them with their friends LOLC was recently presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the NACD for its contributions to the Kingdom’s anti-drug campaigns The certificate was presented in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior These efforts align with a government-led initiative under Prime Minister Hun Manet The “Cleaning Our Houses and Removing Weeds from the Lake” campaign aims to addresses citizens' concerns about the drug problem noted that the anti-drug task force in the tourism sector consistently receives wide support during all sea and river festivals He emphasised that these events attract many people who come to explore and learn more about the drug issues with specialists on hand to help them gain a deeper and clearer understanding of the issue Speaking on behalf of his company and their partners in the vital work noted that the private sector's involvement in supporting society He highlighted that the drug problem is a shared issue for everyone and the root cause of insecurity in many communities He urged that all sectors continue to collaborate and support one another in addressing this challenge Director of Education and Public Relations at the NACD held under the theme “The Value of Rivers: Connecting Culture and Natural Tourism” He reported that took an active interest in the NACD’s activities asking questions and accepting educational materials which they could share with their loved ones He believed that the presence of Prime Minister Hun Manet and other senior officials at the exhibition demonstrated the close attention that the seventh-mandate government is paying to the issue “Continued promotion and use of the NoDrug App are essential for receiving educational messages and useful information as well as for reporting drug-related activities,” he noted expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism and representatives of the private sector – including LOLC (Cambodia) Plc – for their continued support for promoting education This is a multi-sectoral initiative that requires the participation and support of all sectors of society and the private sector to effectively quell the issue of drugs development and a better future for our children,” he said The declaration of bankruptcy (known 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