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Matthew Hernon
For Matthew Hernon's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 7, 2023
'Terrace House' alum Chikako Fukuyama tackles cyberpunk samurai in '47 Ronin' sequel
Though she"s best known for her time as a housemate on "Terrace House: Aloha State," the actor joins an all-Asian cast in a follow-up to the 2013 Keanu Reeves-led fantasy action flick.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 21, 2022
Yoshiki: Our focus should be on the environment and eradicating poverty, not destroying Ukrainian cities
The X Japan rock star, who recently donated u00a510 million toward humanitarian aid in Ukraine, touts the importance of speaking out publicly about supporting people in need of help.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Feb 27, 2022
Japan's New Left remains a thing of memory, 50 years on from hostage incident
The Asama-Sanso lodge incident, a dramatic 10-day standoff with police that saw three lives lost, sealed the fate of the nation's student protest movement, some analysts say.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Dec 23, 2021
Shioli Kutsuna’s close encounters with Hollywood
The Sydney-born Japanese actress faces an alien invasion in the new Apple TV+ series, 'Invasion.'
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 17, 2021
Japan’s Olympic history
Looking back at some of Japanu2019s most memorable moments at the games since the country's 1912 debut in Stockholm.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 4, 2021
A decade in the game, LiSA continues to slay
The singer-songwriter, who has written opening tracks for the u201cDemon Slayeru201d franchise, marks 10 years in the music industry as a solo artist with a mini-album titled u201cLadybug.u201d
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 16, 2021
Tao Tsuchiya: Actress, singer, dancer … ninja?
The u2018Rurouni Kenshinu2019 star follows her mother's advice of living life to the fullest.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Apr 7, 2021
Rihito Itagaki brings a splash of color to Japanese television
Actor Rihito Itagaki takes on his first lead role, playing a gender-fluid character in Yomiuri TVu2019s new series u201cColorful Love: My Androgynous Boyfriend.u201d
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Oct 24, 2020
Minamata disease victims struggle to find closure
More than 60 years after first raising awareness about a neurological disease caused by industrial mercury poisoning, photojournalist Aileen M. Smith still wants answers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 17, 2020
'Midnight Swan' highlights transgender issues and self-expression through dance
Director Eiji Uchida hopes to raise awareness of transgender issues in Japan with his film, which stars SMAPu2019s Tsuyoshi Kusanagi.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 18, 2020
French-Japanese director Noemie Nakai finds strength in vulnerability
The French-Japanese filmmaker hopes to make a difference in the world by embracing the areas outside our comfort zones and making films about vulnerability.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 8, 2020
'One Cut of the Dead' director Shinichiro Ueda brings teleworking to Japan's film industry
Shinichiro Ueda reunites the cast of his hit comedy "One Cut of the Dead" for an innovative teleworking sequel
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
May 7, 2020
Tsubasa Endoh overcomes obstacles to fulfill dream of playing soccer abroad
Attacking midfielder uses the myriad setbacks he has experienced in his career as motivation to succeed in life.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Apr 24, 2020
Traveling Gekidan Miyama troupe grinds to a halt
Traveling stage troupe Gekidan Miyama considers its future as the COVID-19 pandemic rips through Japan's theater industry.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 17, 2020
Naoki Kobayashi: A J-pop star jumps to a new stage
Having already tasted success in the world of J-pop, Naoki Kobayashi has now set his sights on an acting career overseas.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Mar 21, 2020
Ken Mogi: Brain science and other thoughts
Ken Mogi talks about the significance of studying the brain and how he likes to use his.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 6, 2020
Paying cinematic tribute to the 'Fukushima 50'
Actor Koichi Sato discusses his role in "Fukushima 50," a film which looks at the events that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Feb 8, 2020
Ryunosuke Kuroda: Galloping into dressage
Having based himself in Europe to hone his equestrian skills, Kuroda now has his eye on representing Japan as a dressage rider at the Tokyo Olympics.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Jan 15, 2020
Aoi Okuyama: From Hokkaido to the mean streets of London
Japanese actor Aoi Okuyama makes her debut in BBC-Netflix yakuza series 'Giri/Haji,' earning acclaim from the British media.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 11, 2019
Actress Honoka Matsumoto is tackling tough issues on her journey to the top
22-year-old Honoka Matsumoto's latest film looks at the issue of same-sex marriage in Japan, one of a number of difficult topics the actress has taken on in her roles

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world