Today's print edition Home Delivery The Aichi Prefectural Government said Sunday that outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed at three chicken farms and a quail farm in the prefecture Two of the three chicken farms are in the city of Handa and the other is in the city of Tokoname The quail farm is located in the town of Agui The city of Tokoname has already been seeing an outbreak of bird flu cases since the beginning of the year and roughly 680,000 birds have been culled so far.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The prefectural government of Chiba the same day announced bird flu cases at three chicken farms in the cities of Choshi and Asahi A total of about 1.44 million birds at the seven farms and related facilities will be destroyed The number of bird flu cases confirmed at chicken and other farms in the country this season rose to 39 the four farms in the prefecture reported the deaths of many chickens and quails to local livestock hygiene centers Saturday morning and infections were confirmed in subsequent genetic tests The three farms in Chiba reported the deaths of chickens to local authorities Saturday Rapid and genetic tests confirmed infections later the agriculture ministry held a meeting of its bird flu-related task force and decided to set up a response headquarters in the two prefectures The ministry is poised to support the Aichi and Chiba governments' measures to prevent infections from spreading agriculture minister Taku Eto called for unified efforts to tackle the outbreaks and protect poultry farming in the two prefectures 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 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 Aichi Prefecture's Tokoname is an ancient pottery town that continues to change with the times there is a small city facing the gentle blue waves of Ise Bay staring out at Chubu Centrair International Airport and the distant mountains of Mie Prefecture It’s a fairytale village buried in gentle hills Tokoname was a center of Japan’s ceramics industry for nearly 1,000 years even mass-producing clay pipes and tiles used all around the nation during Japan’s period of modernization remain in the ruins of a few tall chimneys battered monuments surrounded by collapsed furnaces and buildings overgrown with grass and flowers These remnants of the past now clad the town: the narrow alleys and hidden groves that pockmark Tokoname’s historic heart feature enormous ceramic pipes studding steep walls hidden corner gardens and sleek modern homes all feel like they’re drowning in earthenware: decorated tubes “There is a culture of craftsmanship in Tokoname,” says Yasuhiro Oguri an archeologist and curator at the Tou no Mori Museum “I see the artisans working now as the same as the people who worked here 1,000 years ago Tokoname is constantly giving rise to the new.” This is a town that exists in between life and death Wandering its famous Sanpo no Michi (walking path) today among crumbling ruins of the past you will find third-generation potters experimental artists and independently owned cafés The wind whirling through the narrow streets brings scents of sea breeze “Tokoname-yaki (Tokoname-style ceramics) has changed over the eras as it has adopted techniques from China he displays a treasured piece of representative Tokoname clay from each of the Heian Tokoname became a center of ceramic production in the 12th century as pottery shifted from Sanage in eastern Nagoya southwards to Tokoname and northeast to Seto another town in Aichi Prefecture famed for its ceramics The Chita Peninsula is particularly well-suited for pottery because of its high-quality clay its gentle hills that proved ideal for digging old-fashioned kilns and easy access to water for transportation Oguri says that no one knows exactly why pottery production moved to Tokoname a new technique for ceramic production called himo-zukuri was invented in the town It involves coiling rope-like pieces of clay on top of one another and its rapid spread across Japan influenced the rise of Tokoname into the Edo Period When new kiln technology from Europe was introduced in the 19th and 20th centuries Tokoname began using mold-making to mass produce ceramic pipes and tiles Thus began the stage of Tokoname’s history as a key source of Japan’s industrialization this industry could not survive the change it brought about There used to be more than 400 kiln chimneys Tokoname was covered in pitch-black smoke from all of the coal burning,” says Oguri “When new environmental regulations emerged in the 1960s and 1970s almost everyone had to quit the industry in Tokoname.” city leaders came together to create the Sanpo no Michi in order to preserve the once-flourishing manufacturing townscape clay artisans continue to pass on their techniques making a living off of the tourist industry The city has had to lean hard into tourism to preserve its history Tokoname has a thriving scene of independent artisans and entrepreneurs to support it Hotaruko gallery owner Tadashi Koike sells his own crafts along with those of some 40 plus local potters preserved ‘climbing kiln’ in the center of the Sanpo no Michi animal statues and Koike’s personal specialty These adorable Buddhist deities are a traditional craft recognized as the patron saint of children “I make them with a very gentle temperament and take pride in giving each one unique features,” says Koike “They’re for protecting new babies and helping them to grow up strong.” Many of these artisans come from multi-generational families of potters Fumii Watanabe is the third generation of Watanabe potters Located just down the street from Hotaruko today they sell wabi-sabi style dishware and offer hands-on pottery experiences “I started running the store with my father when I was 26,” says Watanabe the Watanabe clan exclusively made and sold bonsai pots but bonsai lovers decreased throughout the Showa Period encouraging Watanabe to change the business model in the 1980s “I’ve expanded my range to make objects of all types and sizes,” he says “The ceramics experiences and dishware are most popular nowadays.” Tokoname Tourism Association representative Hiro Tomita says that due to diversification of hobbies in Japan traditional uses for Tokoname ware like tea ceremony and bonsai cultivation have declined But rising foreign interest in Japanese culture has stepped in to fill this void: “Tokoname exports many kyusu teapots and bonsai pots abroad [now],” he says “The opening of Chubu Airport has been indispensable for the growth of Tokoname and will continue to be moving forward.” Café Culture and Losing Yourself in the Alleyways and Parks It’s not just ceramics galleries that carry on the creative impulse of Tokoname restaurants and off-beat boutiques also thrive The sophisticated Sugi Cafe located just beyond the bakeries studios and galleries of Kurafutoya Alleyway Located on the second floor of a preserved home Sugi Cafe doubles as a camera and photography gallery a moody ambiance and an excellent classical record selection Owner Munehito Sugisawa moved to Tokoname a decade ago and when a vacant property opened up immediately seized on the chance to create his ideal café I loved the atmosphere of getting lost in an older Japan,” he says it’s so much fun to lose yourself in the streets of Tokoname and try to find your own favorite café.” Another local favorite is the rustic footbath café Featuring a gorgeous outdoor garden with a sakura tree nothing beats sitting under the pink blossoms in early April feet relaxing in a footbath made of Tokoname clay enjoying the signature piping hot and honey-glazed fried sweet potato Also to be found within striking distance: chirashi-zushi at Tokoname-ya colorful statuary at the Daisuke Hayashi Art Gallery and countless other local spots And all this is simply to explore Tokoname’s independent scene with its precious clay artifacts and digestible exhibit on the history and production process of Tokoname clay Not to mention Tokoname’s brand-name attractions in the form of the famous Tokonyan combining six museums and galleries that display everything from decorative tiles to terracotta architecture a theme park all for cod roe and impeccable orange sunsets at palm-lined Rinku Beach The museums all have excellent English descriptions Tokoname’s true charm lies in the sense of discovery as you stumble across its green and bronze alleyways uncovering beautiful art and craftsmanship at every turn The coronavirus pandemic has meant hard times for locals: Koike has both lost business from reduced numbers of tourists and opportunities to offer workshops as a visiting instructor But artisans and creatives preserve the spirit of Tokoname with the hope of extending 1,000 years of creation just a little longer “Everyone from children to adults can try out the traditional crafts experience,” says Watanabe but people who love pottery give it their all I’ll be happy if I can have just one person take up an interest and decide to make Tokoname-yaki themselves.” Tokoname played host to the Champions Cup last weekend with 198 of Japan and Korea's most talented Magic fans gathering in search of fame and fortune With 18 Pro Tour invites and two seats at Magic World Championship XXIX up for grabs players fought through two days of fierce Pioneer competition before a winner was crowned: Rei Hirayama The championship match was a Rakdos mirror with runner-up Kyosuke Kyogoku also piloting what was who dispatched Kyogoku 2-0 in the final and claimed the Champions Cup as his own however - both finalists received an invitation to the next World Championship The Top 8 was dominated by Rakdos midrange with six players making it through with the black-red deck Mono-Green and Azorius Control made brief appearances in the Top 8 but the story of the weekend was definitely the dominance of Rakdos some huge names from the region stepped up and secured their slots at the next Pro Tour including two Hall of Famers: both Shuhei Nakamuras and Shota Yasooka proved they've still got it While Rakdos was immensely popular (and immensely successful) in Tokoname plenty of other decks were widely represented at the tournament Azorius Control was the third-most-played deck at the Champions Cup outstripping even Izzet Phoenix and putting two copies into the top 12 Players gather to do battle across two days of Pioneer Some of Magic's oldest and most powerful cards being put through their paces Jumpstart proves a popular pick for players in Tokoname which nowadays is exported mainly to asian countries through the display of the ceramic pieces and historical documents the architects want to encourage visitors to re-discover the uniqueness and beauty of the art the visitors can experience and appreciate the beauty and the uniqueness of tiles in the tunnel the original tiles take inspiration from islamic culture as they were produced in iberia peninsula before being exported to italy people began producing victorian tiles in england which were later imported to japan where they were known as ‘majolica tiles’ they were exported not only to japan but also to other asian countries that admired the western architecture arched windows are positioned lower toward the end the team set three main themes: the history of the majolica tile and showing the world filled by captivating majolica tiles in order for visitors to understand the history efficiently the black architecture with a pitched roof was installed in the center of the room which could be seen as either a house or a castle being positioned at an angle of 16 degrees this divides the space into four sections and provides a circulating walking path for visitors to follow the history of the majolica tiles from chapter one to chapter four the uniqueness of majolica tiles can be experienced in a more tactile manner in the tunnel through the classical western arched window satisfying their curiosity about the content inside of the black piece where they can see beautiful tunnel covered completely with the printed tiles there is also a selection of tiles embedded in various places for visitors the characteristics of the tiles such as their spacial sense texture and surface can be experienced in a more tactile manner.  the black architectural structure in the center of the room brings a new perspective to the space the black piece gently divides the space into four chapters with documents and collection of existing tiles visitors can learn the birth of majolica tile the arched windows reveal the interior of the house the world map at the end of the room shows the majolica tiles being exported worldwide name: japan-made majolica tiles — trail of inspiration designer: GENETO studio designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style The Tokoname clay is said to “mellow the taste of tea” and teapots made here are still widely loved Ceramic artist Tetsuya Osawa uses a unique Tokoname glaze called ‘chara’ to produce tableware and other items with a blurred texture His craftsmanship was only possible in Tokoname located on the west coast of the Chita Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture is one of the ‘Six Old Kilns of Japan’ and its pottery production dates back to the end of the Heian period From plates and tableware to large jars and pots for storage the city has produced pottery that has been a part of people’s daily lives When we visited the studio of Tetsuya Osawa we found countless large jars that had been badly burned lying in the backyard These jars had been placed here long before Mr Osawa settled in Tokoname “The jars are not half as big as they used to be There are traces of the people who made them all over the town You can clearly feel the power that Tokoname has known as the main production centre of Mino ware Osawa has been familiar with ceramics since childhood When she graduated from junior high school she chose to become a potter without hesitation I wanted to do something tangible with pottery he studied ceramics intensively at high school and university and came to Tokoname under the guidance of Masamichi Yoshikawa who later became his teacher.Why didn’t he return to his home town of Tajimi Mr Osawa says: “Now I understand the greatness and interest of Tajimi Tokoname has a long history as a pottery production area the kyusu (teapot) is said to be the most representative of Tokoname ware It was only in the late Edo period (1603-1868) that teapots began to be made a phenomenon that occurred only in the last 200 years or so which contains a lot of iron and is highly baked the iron oxide reacts with the tannin in tea to mellow its taste which is why it has been favoured by tea masters Another reason for the popularity of the kyusu is the high level of skill of the craftsmen who have achieved the hermetic sealing of the lid which is necessary for steeping the tea leaves and maintaining the temperature of the tea If you look closely at the kyusu made by Mr Osawa you will see that the red clay has peeled off in places and black clay is peeping through This is because the texture is created by applying a coat of brown make-up clay on top of the black base followed by a coat of red make-up clay on top of that to create three layers It may be easier to understand if you imagine Negoro-nuri lacquerware Osawa says: “I wanted to combine the influence of contemporary craft artists and the quality of Tokoname kyusu in my own work Several layers of different-coloured decorative clay are layered on top of the base and the glazed and fired vessels are then polished with a file to expose the underlying layers of decorative clay The most distinctive feature of Osawa’s pieces made in this way is their blurred texture “I imagine in my mind the texture of something in an old house or a Buddhist statue in a temple” she also revealed the difficulties she faced in developing this style “I had a lot of trouble figuring out how to create my own texture and how to make it work with just the simple shape of a vessel he came across a unique Tokoname glaze called “chara” which is indispensable for kyusu production gives off a lacquer-like lustre while retaining the texture of the clay and has long been familiar to the people of Tokoname who sought the ‘shine’ that gives kyusu a luxurious feel The glaze has long been popular with the people of Tokoname who sought the ‘shine’ that gives kyusu its luxurious feel and the texture calmed down unbelievably.Mr Osawa now uses three different types of challah to express black He has come across chara only because he has continued to make ceramics in Tokoname The exquisite sheen and lacquer-like texture are the originality of Osawa’s work mugs and other objects are arranged in rows a bear objet d’art has an unusual presence The bear objet d’art was heavily influenced by Mr Osawa’s wife Ms Masuda creates free and soft-feeling ceramic works with motifs of bears and other animals and is such a popular artist that she held a solo exhibition at the Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery in Tokyo.Having always had a complex about “making things while controlling the form” Osawa began to admire the way Masuda creates freeform shapes he sought something that he could create more freely rather than restraining the clay to the rotation of the potter’s wheel and this bear object is what he came up with you can see that each one has a slightly different shape Perhaps they embody the ideal of freedom that Osawa sought I want to make something that can be enjoyed even when it comes in different sizes,” says Osawa ‘I think the history of tools is great Tools become even better through the relationship between the people who make them and the people who use them,” says Osawa this coffee dripper was made by Mr Osawa for an acquaintance who runs a coffee shop in Aichi Prefecture Mr Osawa held a series of interviews to find out “what kind of coffee utensils he wanted to use” and made detailed adjustments to the number and depth of the grooves.Mr Osawa says: “As with the kyusu we are most happy to receive feedback from people who actually use it It is interesting to brush up based on feedback” The coffee drippers are also in the hands of café owners in Tokyo and improvements are made based on their feedback A relationship between the maker and the user The tools that Mr Osawa makes continue to evolve in relation to the people who use them Mr Osawa trained under ceramic artist Masamichi Furukawa while still a university student she is now looking to expand into overseas markets I would like to come back to my own place and dream of new dreams who says she has always been “not good at sales and marketing” has been able to connect with galleries and expand her sales channels by exhibiting at craft markets and pottery fairs She is currently using Instagram to contact galleries in Japan and abroad and plans to hold a solo exhibition with Masuda in Australia in November 2023 but I would like to have more opportunities to go abroad with my work,’ she said of her dream Osawa’s handiwork is always with the user in mind ‘The work I make gives me new opportunities I enjoy making things that are different from what I make now and imagining what kind of encounters and stimulation there will be between the work I make and the people who use it” which are the result of the combination of a sensibility honed through Tokoname’s long history of tool production and a charisma that she was only able to encounter because of Tokoname Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information Inax branded toilet bowls at the company's plant in Tokoname a maker of toilets sold under brand names including Grohe and American Standard wants to tackle a different kind of waste: The millions of tons of plastic dumped into landfills or oceans The Japanese company has developed a new material that’s made from recycled plastic and wood chips and can be used as a substitute for concrete or wood in anything from sidewalks to furniture it will be introduced at an event in Tokyo on Tuesday Chubu international airport in central Japan will start building a second runway and undertake extensive maintenance of the existing one once the new runway is completed in about five years The airport's capacity for plane departures and arrivals will increase by 20 percent from the current level when the two runways start operating together The existing 3,500-meter runway was built in 2005 when the airport in Tokoname south of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture opened as a major hub between Tokyo and Osaka but needs repairs due to aging The new 3,290-meter runway will be created by renovating a taxiway located about 210 meters east of the existing runway The new runway will be used for departures while the existing one will receive arrivals The construction of the new runway is expected to cost about 14 billion yen ($123.3 million) and shouldered by the airport's operating company "The central and the prefectural governments will provide financial support indirectly." Local governments and businesses had initially hoped to construct the second runway on land that will be reclaimed near the airport But the policy was shifted after it was estimated that the reclamation work would take about 15 years While Omura said he would like to wait for air transportation demand to improve following the coronavirus pandemic he indicated that the airport might build another 3,500-meter runway once the landfill project is complete the third runway will replace the existing 3,500-meter lane including one dedicated to low-cost carriers that opened in September 2019 Japan's Narita, Haneda airports start facial recognition in full scale Japan airport trials device to disinfect luggage carts amid pandemic Chubu airport to resume int'l flights from Tuesday after 2-month halt To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Aichi Prefecture--Small and simple cards proved more effective than a high-tech surveillance system in reducing shoplifting at a supermarket here each featuring messages “Security cam focus adjustment” and “Shoplifting prevention: Experiment II,” were placed all around the store Since it started using the cards in Shikakeology the study of “triggers” that prompt people to change their behavior the Tokoname outlet of the Beisia Food Center supermarket chain has slashed its losses from shoplifters The idea was pushed by a police officer who learned about Shikakeology through a TV show He increased the number of surveillance cameras and stepped up patrols by security guards but “it is difficult to keep an eye on every corner of the spacious store,” he said chief of the community safety division at the Tokoname Police Station had wondered why shoplifters were ignoring security cameras He thought that the “Security Cameras in Operation” signs posted at many stores had become too familiar for shoplifters and were no longer a deterrence police officers were visiting stores less often because of the novel coronavirus pandemic Hanamura in October last year placed more than 1,000 enigmatic cards with “Shoplifting prevention: Experiment II” written in white letters on a black background on store shelves and other parts of the sales floor Each card is about the size of a price tag Shoppers had no idea what “experiment” the store was conducting but they could sense some sort of anti-theft measures were in place white cards with the message “Security cam focus adjustment” were attached on the floor in front of cashiers Some customers were seen looking up at the ceiling “(The messages are) aimed at making shoplifters notice the security cameras and other countermeasures and discouraging them,” Nakagawa said and the total damage from shoplifting during the six months from September 2020 was reduced by 30.7 percent from the same period the previous year Other Beisia Food Center outlets are planning to use Shikakeology to thwart thieves while Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department Osaka prefectural police and other authorities are making inquiries “I hope each store comes up with their own gimmicks,” he added Nakagawa had contacted Osaka University professor Naohiro Matsumura Some known examples of Shikakeology include a trash can equipped with a basketball hoop to get people to properly dispose of their litter and a target sticker on a men’s urinal to prevent spillage and reduce cleanup costs Shikakeology makes use of the sense of being watched prompting people to avoid embarrassing behavior even if they are not actually being watched but it is interesting to see an example of Shikakeology applied in society,” he said Nearly 20% of Lexus LX SUVs stolen in Aichi Prefecture Police scramble for ways to protect victims at empty ‘koban’ Stolen ‘Demon Slayer’ manga returned by repentant thief Bird-dropping sticker touted as way to ward off bike thieves 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 Copyright © The Asahi Shimbun Company. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission. Jerusalem, 30, dropped Shigeoka twice on the way to a split-decision victory to win the title in March 2024. The Filipino followed up doing so with a dominant performance to earn a unanimous decision over the unbeaten Mexican Luis Castillo in September. He is no stranger to recording an upset on Japanese soil, having previously defeated Masataka Taniguchi via second-round stoppage in March 2023 to win the WBO version of the minimumweight title. He later lost the WBO belt in his first defense, to the WBA and WBO champion Oscar Collazo. Japan’s Shigeoka, 27, won the WBC title in just his eighth professional fight, when earning a clear decision over Panya Pradabsri in October 2023. Pradabsri, of Thailand, has since won the WBC light-flyweight title. A victory for either could set up a unification bout with either Pedro Taduran or Collazo. Incidentally, the WBC have ordered a rematch between Pradabsri and Carlos Canizales, after the Venezuelan lost a highly-contentious decision to him in Bangkok in December. This website may contain adult language. TM & © 2025 BoxingScene.All Rights Reserved. This website may contain adult language TM & © 2025 BoxingScene.All Rights Reserved GKN has announced plans to build an all-new driveline production facility in Tokoname Developed as demand for AWD and eDrive systems continues to increase which will replace the current Nagoya site will feature advanced technologies in preparation for growing vehicle electrification in Asia next-generation AWD systems and RDMs featuring technologies such as electronic disconnect capability and torque vectoring the Tokoname site represents a significant technological upgrade which will begin in September and is penciled for completion in June 2018 will enable the company to prepare for an expected increase in business over the next four years With the company already producing the Multi-Mode eTransmission for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV the growing demand for eDrive systems has resulted in GKN investing in the development “This new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to meet increasing demand for advanced AWD and eDrive systems while retaining all the benefits of an automotive manufacturing site in the Nagoya area.” By remaining in the Nagoya area the GKN facility will remain in close proximity to potential new OEMs and provide prospects for future growth Japanese version Chubu airport in central Japan will resume some international flights from next Tuesday after operations were suspended for more than two months due to the spread of the novel coronavirus Philippine Airlines plans to fly three round-trip flights between the airport and Manila in June and continue the service into July although the schedule has yet to be decided The airline has not flown to or from Chubu airport in Tokoname Finland's Finnair is also scheduled to restart flights to and from the airport in July All international flights have been suspended at the airport since April 1 due to the virus outbreak The airport logged 486 weekly international flights in January but the number began declining in February with services to China canceled or reduced "We will take sufficient measures against infections to ensure safety at our airport," a spokesperson said JAL to ease domestic flight cuts in June on expected travel recovery Budget airlines face business model challenge in post-pandemic world Japan's coronavirus entry ban disrupting lives of foreign residents 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 By Jin Kiyokawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer creates each part of kyusu teapots one by one in a fluid motion that wastes no energy The accumulation of his skills over the past 60 years shows from the way he throws clay on his pottery wheel and how he forms the parts — the body devoting himself to making kyusu that are comfortable to use “I can thinly shape kyusu parts using sticky clay which makes it light and easy to hold,” he said “I also try to make sure you can finish pouring from the teapot without a single drop dribbling down.” Shimizu makes a kyusu lid to replace one that had broken for customers who want to continue using the kyusu they already have The tea utensils have become a part of their everyday life “I am happy to find that they use kyusu I made many years ago and are glad to have new lids for them because usually you can never know who is using my kyusu,” Shimizu said Tokoname is a city of history and innovation It is known as one of so-called “six ancient kilns,” referring to six major centers that have been producing ceramics for many centuries — Seto Taking advantage of its clay suitable for pottery and location facing Ise Bay the city flourished as a major production center of kame jugs in ancient times in response to changes in the industrial structure The production of kyusu is a 200-year-old tradition dating back to the end of the Edo period (1603-1867) and it became particularly prosperous after World War II Shimizu’s grandfather used to make kame during the agricultural off-season his father made suribachi mortars but later turned to creating kyusu Shimizu himself began making kyusu after studying ceramics during high school An important point in his career came when he was around 30 He met a senior craftsperson who taught him about trying a variety of clays without sticking to the one that makes red-brown shudei kyusu The craftsperson also taught him some pottery techniques Shimizu also worked on making various items keeping in mind that 10% of his creations should be something other than kyusu The enterprising nature of Tokoname has kept it vibrant with new innovations The diversification of Tokoname ware has been promoted thanks to artists who produce kyusu for coffee or a well-designed tea burner that allows people to enjoy the aroma of tea The city where black smoke always used to hang in the air has become a tourist destination in recent years with the development of many promenades The city does not treat its history as a relic of the past a slope lined with walls made from earthen pipes and shochu bottles or an old traditional Japanese-style house converted into a cafe Tokoname is changing while retaining the memories of the area “I think I was born in a good place,” Shimizu said earnestly showing me an old pottery piece he found in the mountains when he was in high school materials for learning left behind by ancestors are found everywhere Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun The first lineup for “WIRED MUSIC FESTIVAL’24” which will be held on October 13 (Sun.) at the AICHI SKY EXPO outdoor venue in Tokoname “WIRED MUSIC FESTIVAL” is a music festival that started in 2015 under the concept of “from Japan to the world the festival will feature the Japanese car culture brand “LIBERTY WALK,” which has been popular both in Japan and abroad a street fashion symbol originating from Japan since its establishment in 1993 which has become a symbol of Japanese street fashion since its establishment in 1993 The announced performers include NLE Choppa from Memphis Additional artists will be announced in the future Tickets will be on sale from June 14 (Fri.) at 6:00 p.m which allows entry to the front of the stage Ticket sales will end as soon as the scheduled number of tickets is reached Inc.Special Support: TAMAKOSHI Co.Supported by：Yagami Jewelry NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura said he has lodged a complaint with the Unification Church after a congratulatory message from his office was doctored so that it praised the group’s leader The message was sent via telegram--a form of communication still used in Japan to mark ceremonial occasions The message was read out loud at an event involving the religious organization held in October 2019 in Tokoname an official at the Unification Church admitted to rewriting his message “We created (the text) as we saw fit and read it out (at the event),” the official reportedly told him but at a news conference called to disclose what had occurred Omura bristled over the contents of the message being tampered with “It is very disagreeable and regrettable that they made up text as they saw fit and read it out loud,” Omura said at the July 25 news conference “I believe that because many things are being said about this organization Omura explained that he frequently gets requests for telegrams from various organizations he paid for the telegram with his own money and his office sent a straightforward message for the event that read: “I want to extend my congratulations for holding this event and I pray for everyone’s health and happiness.” But the organization added in words of praise for its leader when it was read out at the gathering so that it also said: “I pay my sincere respects to President Hak Ja Han who coordinates our global environment to achieve world peace A source related to the event’s organizing committee said they “met with representatives of Governor Omura and apologized.” The source said the committee and the Unification Church are “friendly organizations.” But when it comes to why they requested a telegram from Omura in the first place the source only said that “the details are unknown,” and added they could not answer why it was rewritten People born into Unification Church speak out about hardships Suspect willing to die to ‘liberate’ members of religious group Abe murder suspect planned bomb attack on religious leader Relative: Mother of Abe murder suspect donated 100 million yen Problems over money continue at Unification Church: lawyers Unification Church: Murder suspect’s mother still a member No reproduction or republication without written permission Japanese version Nagoya Tetsudou Hen first launched for Switch on December 15 Boasting a professional railway driving experience and powered up by enhanced realistic behavior and visuals the new Real Pro series comes to PlayStation 4 Experience the exhilaration of driving the high speed Express and Limited Express trains through the suburbs high-definition video and realistic railway driving behavior you will feel exactly like a professional train operator Follow professional railway driving rules and depart to your final destination Challenge Yourself with the Professional Driving Experience through Super-Impressive Visuals Following official operating procedures performed by professional train operators which recreates smooth and realistic driving You can enjoy to the full extent the feature that is unique to this series: Clear and real-life visuals captured directly from the driver’s seat it is now possible to experience the full beauty through high-definition 4K Experience train driving through the ultimate recreation of the Meitetsu Experience the Exhilaration of High-Speed Driving over 70 kilometers of railroad have been recorded This range includes the Meitetsu Nagoya Line (Meitetsu Gifu Station to Jingu-mae Station) the Tokoname Line (Jingu-mae Station to Tokoname Station) and the Airport Line (Tokoname Station to Central Japan International Airport Station) The cars that you will be able to operate are the Express You will be able to enjoy not just the impressive visuals and realistic driving behaviors but also the life-like sounds of the train Valuable Data that Bridges the Past to the Present The Meitetsu Shiryoukan (Meitetsu Resource Center) unfortunately closed in December 2020 with various valuable materials that can no longer be seen in person There is also a quiz corner for the train enthusiasts browsable information that can be unlocked by getting achievements throughout the game Featuring records from the past and a view of the present you can enjoy valuable materials that transcends time Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without acknowledgment of Gematsu is prohibited Use of this site is governed by all applicable laws Website by 44 Bytes The first toilet seat with a built-in warm water shower-spray was released 50 years ago by Ina Seito in Tokoname Sales were sluggish at first but the electronic toilet has grown in popularity and is now synonymous with the Japanese people's love for cleanliness.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); we have made efforts to improve the product thinking about the users," said Ikuya Idota who has been engaged in the development of the product ever since he joined Ina Seito in 1976 Japanese version AD Leave a rating/comment#SculptureBack to ArticlesSHARE a music festival held with mostly maskless crowds in an outdoor public venue in Aichi Prefecture has long-lasting reverberations 13 said 26 festival attendees had contracted the virus so far Adding the number of people who traveled to the festival from Tokyo and elsewhere and tested positive for the novel coronavirus afterward a total of 44 people have contracted COVID-19 billed as Japan’s largest hip-hop and R&B outdoor festival 29 at the Aichi Sky Expo’s general-purpose area in Tokoname the central government’s state of emergency over COVID-19 took effect in the prefecture setting the maximum number of event attendees at 5,000 Prefectural officials said they had requested a Nagoya-based company that has held the festival since 2005 to suspend ticket sales and ban alcohol sales in the venue But the organizer did not comply and up to 8,000 tickets were sold and distributed A visibly irritated Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura on Aug 30 deemed the anti-virus measures for the festival as insufficient “This is extremely problematic,” Omura said suggesting the organizer will not be granted use of any Aichi public facility for the festival in the future the prefectural government along with the Nagoya city government have offered a free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for anyone who attended the festival A total of 1,154 people have taken the test “I feel sorry for health care workers,” a 25-year-old Tokyo resident said He is one of the 8,000 or so people who attended the festival Although he has tested negative for the novel coronavirus feels he “should not have gone to a festival that flouted (COVID-19 rules).” He went to the festival with a friend who lives in Nagasaki Prefecture The two had planned to “be careful” by hanging out toward the back of the venue and keeping their distance from other attendees as much as possible But it did not take long for them to realize that they had little willpower “It was impossible to avoid heavy congestion unless you are considerably strong-willed,” he said people were allowed to move freely except through VIP sections set up on both sides of the stage Food venders were lined up in the back of the venue and alcoholic beverages were available He stayed away from the populous front row section near the stage trying to keep a distance of 1 to 2 meters from the people around him and in particular after their favorite musician’s session ended many people streamed over to a rest area set up inside a hall and elsewhere at the same time There was only one entryway at the venue to the rest area located outside the main stage area where people would jostle each other to pass through but he saw many in the crowd taking theirs off due to the heat An emcee on the stage repeatedly urged the crowd to “put on a mask” and “scream in your mind,” the man recalled But some performers encouraged the crowd to sing along and "raise the roof." Videos capturing such scenes started popping up on social media by the end of the day The man became concerned and took a PCR test in Tokyo a week later the man still defends his decision to travel the long distance to attend Namimonogatari2021 in the midst of a state of emergency “There is nothing wrong with the decision itself,” he said “There was no way for me to know what the situation at the venue was like until I (arrived there).” What shocked him the most is the fact that the musicians who performed at the festival have come under fire “The organizer should have taken responsibility and implemented rules to prevent this kind of thing from happening.” he said he learned a valuable lesson: the next time he plans to go to a music festival he will carefully gather information beforehand (This article was written by Kei Kobayashi and Shino Matsuyama.) Subsidy may be yanked from music festival for flouting rules Dwindling number of school kids set to attend Paralympics Nagoya allows show to continue despite protest against racism Rare footage of Pink Floyd in 1st outdoor rock festival in Japan Many Tokyoites ignore Koike’s plea not to travel outside capital Japan’s bonsai culture has spread around the world the dedicated pots in which bonsai are planted No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form nendo has realized ‘colorful shadows’ a gallery within the japan pavilion at EXPO milan speaking to the world event’s theme of food the cool space features a long dining table displaying 16 new tableware products that nendo has designed specifically for this occasion the designs have all been made in collaboration with different traditional japanese craftsmen within the country’s local industry installation view of ‘colorful shadows’(above) image by daici ano(main) image by daici ano ‘tokoname-yaki’ for koyophoto by hiroshi iwasaki ‘tokoname-yaki’ is a type of ceramic ware chiefly produced in tokoname ‘tokoname-yaki’ are typically reddish-brown these particular pieces have been blackened through the process of smoking using a rice chaff and made into coasters making full use of the material’s high absorbency the resulting texture resembles that of a japanese hard sugar confectionery known as rakugan has a place to rest the spoon as well as the cup ‘yamanaka-shikki’ for japan crafts oshima photo by hiroshi iwasaki ‘yamanaka-shikk’i is a type of lacquer ware which originated in the late 16th century in the yamanaka onsen (hot spring) region in kaga ishikawa prefecture — a locality renowned for its woodturning this bowl has been designed with the aim of bringing out the distinctive gloss and sheen of this traditional technique which contrasts the sharply stretched out silhouette of the mouth of the vessel its complex curved surface reflects the light in a unique way making it possible to accentuate the glossy finish even further ‘satsuma-yaki’ for tsukino-mushiphoto by hiroshi iwasaki ‘satsuma-yaki’ is a type of ceramic ware from kagoshima prefecture that originated in the times of lord toyotomi hideyoshi (1536-1598 A.D.) it is generally divided into two types: the white shirosatsuma with its luxurious hand-paintings; and the black kurosatsuma designed more for daily use with its simplicity and solidity this particular four-piece set is in the style of shirosatsuma an enamel glaze has been applied to a white background to resemble the colour and shape of an egg the entire piece demonstrates the effect of kannyu; a method whereby cracks are intentionally formed due to a difference in the rate of contraction between the ceramic and the enamel pigmented ink is then poured onto the cracks from inside of the container and pushed through with different concentrations of colour creating gradated hints of black oozing through the basic white surface these four bowls can be piled up inside one another in a neat an enamel glaze has been applied to a white background to resemble the color and shape of an eggimage by hiroshi iwasaki ‘wakasa-nuri’ for hashikura matsukanimage by hiroshi iwasaki recognised in particularly for the hardest and most beautiful of japanese lacquer chopsticks they’re separated into two for eating then rejoined into one form when not in use ‘nishijin-ori’ for hosoophoto by hiroshi iwasaki ‘nishijin-ori’ originated in 5th to 6th century and developed as a luxurious textile at the end of 8th century in kyoto prefecture the traditional brocade uses thinly cut strips of paper treated with lacquer or gold leaf as the weft of the textile and is often woven to make obi belts for kimonos we have focused on this distinctive method of ‘paper weaving’ and have used strips from naval maps published by the maritime safety agency in its fabric and older editions must be discarded as they are unusable for safety reasons they are made from water-resistant paper that is difficult to recycle and their material is therefore treated as industrial waste turning it into luncheon mats not only makes optimal use of its water-resistant properties but the seabed features inscribed on it also serve as an intriguing fabric pattern the warp of the textile is black in order to accentuate the unique texture of the fabric detail of the paper weavingphoto by hiroshi iwasaki ‘takaoka-doki’ for takatafactoryphoto by hiroshi iwasaki takaoka in toyama prefecture is renowned for its craftwork with a history over 400 years and takaoka-doki is one of the main crafts of the city it employs a variety of techniques and treatments to create a whole range of cast-metal products this particular cutlery is made from aluminium treated with a urethane baking finish to accentuate the unique texture resulting from this process the individual pieces have been designed with abstract circular with matching section-shapes for each of their handles.  the design-feature of the handles also makes it easy to differentiate between spoon and knife when they are in an upright position ‘ozu-washi’ for ikazaki shachuphoto by hiroshi iwasaki ‘ozu-washi’ has been renowned for its high-quality traditional japanese paper made in aichi prefecture since heian period (794-1185 A.D.) which is generally made from the mitsumata plant or oriental paper bush a black ink used in traditional calligraphy which is compatible with washi has been mixed in to soften the paper material and then compressed to form the shape of a small plate the jagged edges and the bumps surrounding the main portion of the plate have been intentionally left untreated so as to accentuate the qualities of the original paper or as ornamental trays for various small objects a bowl with a beautifully transparent glaze finish incorporating the distinctive black used in satsuma earthenware which is a coloration that comes from the iron in the clay and glaze resembling the shape of an orange or a grapefruit while the outside has a natural matted finish which resembles the texture of the section profile of a citrus fruit when cut in half allows for the expression of the glaze to change depending on one’s perspective  look at the internal section of the bowl that reveals a citrus fruit motivephoto by hiroshi iwasaki ‘wakasa-nuri’ for hashikura matsukanphoto by hiroshi iwasaki but overly square-cornered ones aren’t as comfortable to hold we explored ways of increasing the surface area of chopsticks in the hand and discovered the natural form of the pleated cross-section so a bunch of chopsticks kept together into a cup turns into a ‘bouquet’.  in which the wood surface is carved away with a metal brush then lacquered the chopsticks and polished them again to bring out the wood grain as pattern eggshells and gold leaf are applied with the lacquer then polished away to reveal a pattern is known as ‘togidashi’ (literally ‘to polish and show’) this combination of processes allows patterns from nature to appear organically ‘oodate-magewappa’ for oodate kougeisyaphoto by hiroshi iwasaki the ‘oodate-magewappa’ is a wooden box usually circular or oval in shape and made from bending cedar or cypress it is an exquisite traditional craft developed as a side job for samurai in the 17th century and is particularly prominent in north eastern japan ‘magewappa’ tend to look so perfectly made that the highly sophisticated hand craftsmanship that goes into them often goes unnoticed the container has deliberately not been made into a complete cylinder as it would ordinarily be it has been left in a disjointed spiral shape in order to accentuate the edges of the material as well as the fact that this tableware is indeed made from bending flat planks of natural wood a magewappa that does not have some form of enclosed cylindrical shape is unprecedented and this idea gave rise to a new technique of wrapping wood around various moulds ‘magewappa’ can be used as a chopstick holder or a chopstick restimage by hiroshi iwasaki ‘edo-kiriko’ for kimoto glasswareimage by hiroshi iwasaki traditional edokiriko typically cover the surfaces of red or blue glass with several cuts but this particular design has focused on the aesthetic quality of a single cut it has taken a simple two-layered cylinder of transparent and black glass from single horizontal or vertical cuts to diagonal helix or parabola-shaped cuts peering through the etching in the black part one will notice the reflections of light let in by the transparent part creating a variety of beautifully nuanced patterns inside the glass this particular ‘edo-kiriko’ glass focuses on a single cutimage by hiroshi iwasaki ‘edo-sashimono’ for kahei yamadaimage by hiroshi iwasaki widely used for centuries as a cup from which to drink sake and as a measuring device for various grains this particular masu has been produced in collaboration with an edo-style woodwork craftsman who inherits sophisticated technique that dates back to the early edo period and its top and bottom have been tapered with diagonal carvings for easier stacking although these kinds of elaborately designed meshing joints are usually hidden from view they have been purposely accentuated in this particular design by makin g parts of the box out of smoke-coloured acrylic the wood has been coloured with traditional japanese ink and the cut ends have a darker shade as they soak in more of the colour providing a gradated accent to the overall finish this container can be used for storing a variety herbs ‘mino-yaki’ for miyamaphoto by hiroshi iwasaki mino-yaki is a type of pottery and porcelain from the tono region in gifu prefecture by combining the traditional technique of kintsugi which is the art of repairing broken ceramic ware with a glue lacquer with the modern ingenuity and skill that sustained the rapid economic growth of post-war japan three identically shaped but different-coloured plates have been cut and refitted to form these unique designs the sintered plates are meticulously cut with a water jet and the pieces are finally glued together again with lacquer whereas traditional kintsugi usually winds gold leaf on top of the lacquer these pieces have just a black lacquer finish this has created a whole new appearance from the conventional method of applying a separate glaze to the finished product ‘yamagata-imono’ for gasenphoto by hiroshi iwasaki the name given to cast-metal crafts from yamagata prefecture has its roots stretching back to the mid heian period (794-1185 A.D.) and has been popular in japan since the edo period (1603-1868 a.d.) for its exquisite handicrafts has been made out of this traditional metal ware metals are generally very good thermal conductors the handles stretch out from inside the containers resembling the way in which their material emits warmth from the liquid they contain to the hands of the owner one would use a material such as wood to try and prevent heat from being conducted to the hands but this particular design has turned this idea on its head viewing the unique properties of this material in a positive light profile view of the cast metal vesselsphoto by hiroshi iwasaki ‘imari arita-yaki’ for gen-emon gamaphoto by hiroshi iwasaki is said to be the first place in japan where white porcelain was manufactured and well-known for its intricate and vivid hand-painting craftsmanship the main idea behind these ochoko cups is to let the owner experience the precise and skillful designs by sense of touch rather than sight the base material has a matted glaze finish while a newly developed glaze with a cubic effect and glossier texture has been used to hand-draw various patterns on top and have been specifically designed to be easily distinguishable by touch alone The drop in passenger numbers on shinkansen trains and aircraft amid the COVID-19 pandemic is putting commercial facilities at stations and airports in a difficult situation forcing many of them to close temporarily or for good but some are offering new services appropriate for a post-pandemic era in order to survive an underground shopping center near the shinkansen ticket gates at Nagoya Station had their shutters closed even during lunchtime Some were displaying signs saying they were temporarily closed.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); “Our customers used to be business travelers to Nagoya but they aren’t coming any more,” said Takatoshi Hara sales manager of the firm that operates Esca "People are refraining from having lunch or dinner meetings Office workers are teleworking and they don’t commute Japanese version Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience 68 restaurants in the Tokai region have received Michelin stars while 102 establishments have been recognised with a Bib Gourmand Two restaurants in the Aichi prefecture have received three Michelin stars: Sushi Ueda (右江田) in Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya and Japanese restaurant Hijikata (土方) One restaurant in the Mie prefecture received three Michelin stars: sushi restaurant Komada (こま田) Outside of Japanese cuisine, French restaurants La Vagabonde and Reminiscence in the central district of Nagoya as well as Chinese restaurant Shosaichuka Hiro (小菜中華hiro) in Gifu city have also received two Michelin stars The guide also sees 51 restaurants with one Michelin star and 102 Bib Gourmand establishments a recognition of a good meal with good value for under 5000 Yen The Bib Gourmand selection includes eateries serving Nagoya’s famed fried cutlets and hitsumabushi unagi View the full selection here Download our app to carry The MICHELIN Guide in your pocket and book the world’s best restaurants and hotels on the go The MICHELIN Guide has arrived in the Philippines setting its sights on Manila and Environs & Cebu for its highly anticipated 2026 debut With our expert Inspectors already exploring the country’s vibrant dining scene Filipino cuisine is poised to take centre stage on the global culinary map The first provincial selection of the MICHELIN Guide in mainland China and 2 professionals honored with Special Awards The MICHELIN Guide Shanghai 2025 is released and honoring three exceptional professionals with Special Awards a dim sum restaurant is awarded One MICHELIN Star in city Whether it’s your first time in a fine dining restaurant or your fiftieth these tips from our seasoned MICHELIN Guide Inspectors will help you get it right — your way Why choose between a luxurious stay and a world-class meal when you can have both These MICHELIN Key hotels in Japan and Thailand are home to MICHELIN-Starred restaurants offering the perfect blend of impeccable hospitality and cuisine What kind of story unfolds when eating becomes work An anonymous MICHELIN Guide Inspector in Asia takes us behind the curtain to find out more about the day-to-day tasks of this coveted job we invite our MICHELIN Inspectors to share their thoughts on food With just enough time to plan a trip before cherry blossom season this spring we're taking a closer look at one of the best hotels in Kyoto Discover unique ways to experience Tokyo’s winter charm—from glittering lights to gourmet delights—according to a local From nourishing bone broths to hearty double-boiled soups here are 9 MICHELIN-recognised addresses to head to when you need to quell the chill of a rain-soaked afternoon in Singapore a dessert-focused restaurant earned a MICHELIN Star Chef Koichi Katsumata redefines fine dining through an eight-course dessert experience proving that sweets can be just as sophisticated as savory cuisine Actor and idol Yuta Tamamori shares his favorite Tokyo addresses with MICHELIN from third-wave coffee spots to serene hotel restaurants A luxurious bath with a breathtaking view turns relaxation into a truly memorable experience — an investment in self-care that offers rewards beyond just relaxation Here are seven MICHELIN Guide hotels in Asia that offer just that MICHELIN Guide inspectors sample an endless procession of dishes a dish lands on their tables that is simply unforgettable Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial By continuing I accept the Terms & Condition and Privacy Policy. I would like to receive Newsletter from MICHELIN Guide Save lists of your favorite restaurants & hotels Two restaurants in the Aichi prefecture have received three Michelin stars: Sushi Ueda (\u53f3\u6c5f\u7530) in Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya and Japanese restaurant Hijikata (\u571f\u65b9) One restaurant in the Mie prefecture received three Michelin stars: sushi restaurant Komada (\u3053\u307e\u7530) Outside of Japanese cuisine, French restaurants La Vagabonde and Reminiscence in the central district of Nagoya as well as Chinese restaurant Shosaichuka Hiro (\u5c0f\u83dc\u4e2d\u83efhiro) in Gifu city have also received two Michelin stars The Bib Gourmand selection includes eateries serving Nagoya\u2019s famed fried cutlets and hitsumabushi unagi View the full selection here Japanese version Japanese version Abitare.it e Style.corriere.it rifiutando tutti i cookie di profilazione ad eccezione di quelli tecnici necessari Naviga il sito di Abitare.it con pubblicità profilata e senza abbonarti By subscribing you will reject all but technical cookies on Iodonna.it By clicking "accept" you will allow to process your personal data by us and third parties and be able to browse Abitare.it website without a subscription Japanese version Japanese version Details about a 29-year-old woman’s personal life began to emerge after she was accused of–and later sentenced for– burying her newborn infant in her parents’ garden Minagawa Kotomi | Tokyo Reporter Minagawa Kotomi a former university employee and nursery school teacher was sentenced by Japan’s Nagoya District Court to 18 months in prison after she was found guilty of disposing of her daughter’s body at her parents’ home in Tokoname in April of 2023 while weeding the garden at around 10:15 a.m Neither Minagawa’s mother nor her father knew about her pregnancy Unrelated photo for illustrative purposes | Unsplash Prior to Minagawa’s sentencing local news outlets published details about her circumstances Minagawa reportedly began doing sex work at nightlife establishments I heard that the infant was fathered by a man she met [at one of the businesses] but it seems that nobody really knows the identity of the father Minagawa became a steadfast fan of a popular male “chika aidoru” (an underground idol who is independently managed and performs at small venues) back in 2017 One insider described this idol as a pioneer who experienced limited success Unrelated photo for illustrative purposes | Unsplash He originally very popular [the group’s] CDs did not sell as well as they had hoped and fans who had supported them for a long time took desperate measures to support them Minagawa was allegedly one of the fans who worked tirelessly to support the idol’s career after his popularity began to wane She has been hooked [on him] and attending all of the events of his group all over Japan and she couldn’t even pay her mobile telephone or utility bills There were many times when the electricity in her apartment was turned off In exchange for making mass CD purchases to support the idol–which totalled around 1 million yen (about $7,011 USD) per month–Minagawa Unrelated photo for illustrative purposes | Unsplash In the underground idol world it is standard to hold a photo session after a CD purchase at a price of several thousand yen leaning [toward the fans] and do some body touching An acquaintance of the idol said that the idol became aware of Minagawa’s case after seeing news reports and that the idol was interviewed by the police during the investigation [The idol] seems to have somehow guessed that the suspect was working in the sex trade he could only follow the [group’s management office] policy of ‘support’ [i.e he said that he was disgusted with such an approach I also heard that he and his office were interviewed by the police in connection with this incident [companies] put a burden on the members and force them to engage in ‘love business,’ and then they make the fans outlay large sums of money,” the club insider said commenting on the “dark side” of idols’ relationship with fans “I pray that there will be no more incidents due to this darkness.” Groom Elopes With Mother-In-Law Before His Wedding, Devastating The Bride Divorced Actress Reveals How She Met Her Rumored New Boyfriend Korean Bus Driver Saves Foreign Student’s Life, Goes Viral In Two Countries Former Boy Group Member’s Past Sexual Misconduct Uncovered During A Recent Investigation View All (2010) It’s the perfect shopping mall for tourists It’s definitely one of the much-awaited activities for travelers especially in Japan where everyone’s wants and needs are found Brimming with a wide selection of shopping stores AEON Mall is a great shopping place in Aichi Prefecture It has shops for every need: beauty products It is conveniently located 15 minutes away from Centrair Airport which makes it an ideal place for your last-minute shopping needs AEON Mall also houses numerous restaurants which offer your much-loved Japanese dishes You’ll find yourself wanting to try each of these as they all offer sumptuous dishes for everyone AEON Mall also houses a Hello Kitty Japan and Pokemon store chances are they’ll love to visit this magical store where they can find souvenir items for themselves Staple Japanese brands which are popular among tourists such as Uniqlo Foreign currency exchange services are also found here One of the highlights of AEON Mall Tokoname one of the largest Maneki-nekos (beckoning cats) in the world These cats are popular as they are popular Japanese cat figurines which are believed to bring out good luck The statue is located near the mall entrance where lots of souvenir Maneki-neko items can be bought Non-Japanese visitors are given a Chita Cat Coupon where several shops in AEON Mall give special discounts and freebies