The Cold Road to Europe
The northern sea route, linking East Asia with Europe through waters traditionally closed by ice to commercial navigation, are increasingly accessible during the Arctic summer due to global warming.
Chinese Patrol Boat Bound for Hawaii
If all goes well, one of China’s largest and most advanced patrol boats, the Haixun 31, should arrive in Hawaii on September 4 for cooperative exercises with the United States Coast Guard to “strengthen mutual understanding.” This will be the first time a Chinese patrol ship with helicopter-carrying capacity will dock in the United States.
Kanami’s Wind in the Pines Heading to Canada
For those on the west coast of Canada between August 28 and September 2, 2012, the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival will offer the opportunity to see Noh live, and in person.
A Tale of Two Courts: Japan and South Korea
We couldn’t help but notice that there were two court cases this month in which a judge in a foreign nation made some claim upon Japan, but that the domestic reaction was entirely different.
Imperial Palace Joggers
Complaints are growing about the increasing number of joggers around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and the alleged bad manners that some of them are showing.
Occupy Movement Anti-Nuclear Protest Camp
A small band of anti-nuclear protesters have made a camp in front of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. One evening we visited them and asked them why they were there.
Michael Woodford on Power and the Media in Japan
Former President and CEO of Olympus Michael Woodford visits the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan and speaks about his experience and the Japanese systems of power and the media.
Exporting Fukushima Food as Foreign Aid
Japanese activists petition their government to abandon plan to export Fukushima food as Overseas Development Assistance.
Taro Yamamoto on the Anti-Nuclear Movement
Actor Taro Yamamoto explains why he has become active in the anti-nuclear movement and what happened when a group of anti-nuclear activists stormed the Saga prefectural headquarters.
The Wrong Man for the Job
We still don’t know exactly why Prime Minister Naoto Kan tapped Ryu Matsumoto for the high-profile post of Minister in Charge of Reconstructing Areas Ravaged by the March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami, but we did discover today that he is certainly the wrong man for the job.