Have you ever seen people in sky-blue checkered uniforms talking to foreign visitors on the streets of Tokyo? They are tourism volunteers who provide guidance in various languages as part of an initiative by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. According to Tokyo Metropolitan Government statistics, the ...
Sailing to a green-fueled future on next generation of ships
Japan’s shipbuilding and maritime industries play a vital role in supporting the nation’s economic security and society. In a recent interview with The Japan Times, Keita Arakaki, director-general of the Maritime Bureau at the transport ministry, discussed the strengths that can be leveraged and ...
Creating conditions for success with effective policies
Five years ago, I was the director of the Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Division of the Maritime Bureau at the transport ministry, which oversees shipbuilding. At the time, Japan’s shipbuilding industry was in a crisis, affected by a global shipbuilding slump and a stronger yen. ...
Crafting policies to navigate Japan’s most critical sector
Japan’s maritime industry is now at a critical juncture. Shipping and shipbuilding are more than just one industry. They form the foundation for people’s lives and livelihoods, and they are the cornerstone of Japan’s economic security. For Japan, which relies on maritime transport for 99% ...
Japan’s shipping and shipbuilding industries have long been the bedrock of the nation’s economy. Now they stand at a major crossroads. These industries achieved a miraculous recovery from the catastrophic damage of World War II, becoming world leaders in the process. However, amid intensifying international ...
Seizing the moment to build our industry’s green future
Japan, a maritime nation surrounded by the sea on all sides, relies heavily on marine transportation for much of its trade. The shipbuilding industry, which constructs vessels for marine transportation, is especially key for the nation’s economic security. Furthermore, Japan’s shipbuilders collaborate with companies in ...
Bunraku broadens appeal with anime stage art
Bunraku is a traditional performance art in which the narrator (tayu), shamisen player and puppeteers combine their mastery — cultivated over decades of training — to breathe life into otherwise lifeless puppets. Formally known as Ningyo Johruri Bunraku, it originated in Osaka in the early ...
It’s time to wander the wonders of Japan. Visitors can discover the deep aesthetic regard that’s prevalent in every art exhibit. Learn about the stories lurking in their details and the harmonious relationship between natural wonders and scientific innovation. The Japan Cultural Passport connects people, ...
Morinomiya Campus ‘forest of knowledge’ opens to the world
On Sept. 24, Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU) opened its new Morinomiya Campus in the heart of the city. The 13-story facility incorporates cutting-edge smart technologies and an environmentally conscious design, serving also as a hub for cultural exchange, community collaboration and international engagement. More ...
Happy anniversary to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, as the popular and iconic museum in central Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, turns 21 this year. The name itself distills the essence of the museum. Director Meruro Washida | KUNIYA OYAMADA “In many ways, our museum is ...
The biennial Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF), one of Asia’s largest documentary film festivals, will be held in the city of Yamagata from Oct. 9 to 16. A variety of programs, including two kinds of film competitions, will take place at various venues throughout ...
Yamagata Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region, is mostly mountainous, with rich nature and ample snowfall making it ideal for winter sports. Yamagata has many charms that Tokyo lacks and is easily accessible from the capital, with the ...
