-
The Johnny & Associates Scandal: A Silent Japanese Media Was An Accomplice Says Expert Panel
On August 29, Japan witnessed the unfolding of one of its most controversial entertainment revelations. The scandal surrounding the late Johnny Kitagawa, former president of Johnny & Associates, who passed away at 87, was once again brought to the fore. At a press conference, an external expert team formed to prevent recurrence, after nearly three…
-
Today Japan starts dumping its nuclear waste into the ocean.
“Japan’s decision to go forward with the release of the treated, radioactively contaminated water is not surprising, but certainly disappointing. Both Japan and the IAEA can turn a challenging situation into an opportunity to explore and develop better approaches to nuclear disasters than ocean dumping. Considering the documented deteriorating conditions of ocean health and that…
-
The Evaporated: 神隠し(かみかくし）Gone with the Gods –On Air now
People have a habit of vanishing in Japan—even hundreds of years ago, it happened often enough that myths were created to explain these sudden disappearances. 神隠し (kamikakushi)–to be hidden by the gods. Even now, every year over 80,000 people are reported missing. And that may be the tip of the iceberg–because only family members can…
-
Upcoming “Tree Hugging” Event In Tokyo Will Protest Controversial (and Wildly Unpopular) Meiji Jingu Redevelopment
On April 9, 2023, protestors convened outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to oppose the planned redevelopment of the culturally and historically significant Jingu Gaien area in central Tokyo. It was the real beginning of a protest movement. With the support of Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, a real estate firm intends to construct high-rise towers…