
Emperor visits Mongolian school offering Japanese-style education
After being greeted by students, the emperor inspected a Japanese class for high school students.
In response to students speaking in Japanese, including about their dreams of studying in Japan, the emperor said, "I'm very glad to see you studying with such high aspirations."
The school's predecessor, Shine Mongol High School, was founded in 2000 by Janchiv Galbadrakh, 62, who studied at Yamagata University in northeastern Japan and whose eldest daughter attended a high school in Japan.
Shine Mongol High School has evolved into a comprehensive educational institution offering elementary through high school education and also featuring a college of engineering and a Japanese-style technical college known as kōsen.
Later on Wednesday, Emperor Naruhito visited Gandantegchinlen Monastery, a key temple in the country that has been influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.
The emperor walked inside the temple while watching tsam, a traditional dance with masks, and viewed a 26-meter-tall deity statue.
Before leaving the temple, the emperor received a bouquet from a 10-year-old monk named Gungaagarmaa and told him, "Please come to Japan when you grow up."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NHK
11 hours ago
- NHK
Son of 1985 JAL crash victim releases anime to pass on memory
Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the deadly crash of a Japan Airlines jumbo jet, a victim's son has released an anime to pass on the memory of the tragedy to the next generation. Yamamoto Masayoshi lost his father Kenji in the accident that claimed the lives of 520 people in August of 1985. The father was 49 years old. Yamamoto released the roughly one-minute video on Friday as part of his long-term efforts to pass on the memory of the accident and the lessons learned from it. He made the animated video with the help of generative artificial intelligence. Based on the story he created, it shows a woman, who lost a parent in the accident, telling her two children about the incident. It explains that the plane crashed on a mountain, that it took a long time before rescuers reached the site, and that families continue to climb the mountain to console the souls of the victims. But the bereaved families are getting old and a growing number of young people are not aware of the accident. Yamamoto said he hopes his video will help the younger generation and foreigners know what happened and think about what they can do to prevent a similar tragic accident.


Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
Behind the scenes: Inside Fuji Rock's strategy for staying on top
The failure of Coachella, one of the biggest ongoing music festivals in the United States, to sell out for the second year in a row shook the concert industry recently. Previously, tickets would sell out the day they were made available. One theory for the decline is ticket prices, which range from $549 to $599 for each of the two festival weekends — about a $100 increase from just four years ago. Another reason is that Coachella keeps increasing audience capacity, meaning it must sell more tickets. But Coachella also indicates a trend — at least in the U.S. — away from festivals. They're not only expensive, but fewer people want to pay for this particular experience. When the summer festival craze was at its peak, about 10 years ago, promoters were often competing for the same big-name acts. Though the base appeal of a music festival is the expansive musical buffet, many fans bought tickets based on the artists they were interested in seeing. The reality, however, was that most would prefer to see their favorite acts in standalone concerts. In contrast, the 2025 edition of the Fuji Rock Festival, one of Asia's premier summer music festivals, is enjoying its best sales in years. Two weeks before the festival's opening on July 25, three-day passes and tickets for Saturday were sold out. "It's the most tickets we've sold since the COVID-19 pandemic," Yuji Toki says via email. Toki is in charge of ticket sales for Smash Corporation, the concert promoter who organizes Fuji Rock. "Sales actually started later than they usually do, but they've been very strong." The festival's organizers say that the theme of Fuji Rock is coexistence between nature and music. | MARK THOMPSON Even more encouraging for Fuji Rock's future is the customer demographic, which has shifted younger. "We found that many newcomers bought tickets this year," Toki says. "The 25-34 age group was the largest, which is a change from the past." And yet, half of all ticket sales still go to "repeat customers," he adds, including a significant portion of Fuji Rock regulars who return regardless of the lineup. Another notable trend is an increase of foreign visitors. "Inbound customers account for about 10% of all ticket sales," Toki says, "though the actual number could be higher since Japanese friends of some visitors may be buying their tickets for them." Toki reveals that tickets for Fuji Rock this year were purchased in 60 countries, though the overwhelming majority of foreign festivalgoers are from Taiwan, South Korea and China. Fuji Rock benefits from a larger trend: Music festivals featuring international acts have grown more popular in Asia over the past decade and attract an increasing number of domestic fans. It indicates not only a surge in appreciation for global pop styles but also more disposable income in the hands of more people. Many of these new festivals face problems due to inexperience in planning and insufficient infrastructure. Fuji Rock, which was launched in 1997, is seen as a reliable bet for music lovers in Asia who can afford the trip. It's not just the festival that makes an impression. Japan has been inviting major artists since the 1960s, and for decades, it was the only Asian country where it was possible to see these top international acts. "We are actively trying to attract music fans from other Asian countries," says Noriyuki Yamamoto, who has been working for the festival since its inception and is in charge of booking, stage production and promotion. "In four places — Taiwan, China, Singapore, South Korea — you can purchase tickets directly from local vendors." Another development working in Fuji Rock's favor is the greater availability of and interest in music from this hemisphere. "Japanese and Asian music in general is attracting a lot of attention worldwide," Yamamoto says. "We consider ourselves the pioneering Asian music festival, and actively seek Asian acts and other elements that will attract people from other countries." In addition, Fuji Rock collaborates with other Asian festivals to bring international acts to the region — not just to cut costs, but because a multi-stop tour across Asia is more appealing to artists than a single show. "There are other festivals held around the same time as Fuji," Yamamoto said. "Some during the same week. So we work closely with them when booking artists." New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde performed at Fuji Rock Festival in 2017. | MARK THOMPSON Nevertheless, it's the lineup that most people notice first about a festival, and even in that regard, Fuji Rock has changed. This year, none of the headliners are what would be considered blockbuster acts, meaning the kind that, in the past, would guarantee a large turnout. Yamamoto says two of the main stage headliners this year — British dance music upstart Fred Again.. and American funk-rock collective Vulfpeck — have never performed in Japan before. 'I think they lend the festival a slightly different feeling — in a good way,' he says. 'It's not that their appearances alter anything, but up until now, headliners have mostly been acts who have visited Japan before, either at Fuji Rock or at concerts, so I think these two artists give the audience a fresh impression of the festival." In recent years, Fuji Rock has also showcased more top-selling Japanese acts, better reflecting the home audience's preferences. Many of the Japanese artists at this year's festival, including Vaundy, Radwimps, Creepy Nuts and Hitsujibungaku, have garnered substantial followings overseas, especially in Asia. "We've also added more Asian acts," Yamamoto says. "The purpose is to present a lineup that shows a wide variety, which is the point of a festival." The one aspect of Fuji Rock that has not changed over the years is its setting. The creator of the festival, Smash founder Masahiro Hidaka, envisioned it as a place where you can hear music surrounded by abundant nature. "It's something we think is hard to really experience," Yamamoto says, "not only in Japan, but elsewhere as well." Plenty of other festivals are held outdoors: Glastonbury, the inspiration for Fuji Rock, and Woodstock, the granddaddy of all rock festivals, are and were held on farms, while Coachella takes place in a desert basin. In fact, Fuji Rock's original location was also on farmland near Mount Fuji. For various reasons, it had to be relocated, and Hidaka chose the Naeba Ski Resort in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture. Nature is more or less a distraction at other outdoor festivals; at Fuji Rock, which offers dense forests and a big cooling river, it's all-enveloping. "The theme of Fuji Rock is coexistence between nature and music," Yamamoto says. "It's an experience that can be appreciated by people of all ages." And all nationalities. Fuji Rock Festival takes place at Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, July 25 to 27. Follow our coverage on our dedicated liveblog and on Instagram . For more information, visit


Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
Ayaka Ohira: ‘Being outside of the traditional path gave me more freedom'
In addition to being a self-taught animator, Ayaka Ohira, 33, styles herself as a "gyaru" — a member of the irreverent Japanese fashion subculture known for gaudy, over-the-top makeup and plenty of attitude. 'Shinsei Galverse,' Ohira's independent anime series coproduced with Arch Inc. and animated by Studio S.o.K., was released on June 25. 1. What's the story of 'Shinsei Galverse'? There was once a beautiful, holy Mother Planet that sustained harmony in the galaxy. However, the end came suddenly. (Protagonist) Zero crash-lands on the war-torn planet Amatera with no memories and no idea who she is. She slowly discovers she's a cosmic being known as Galverse. 2. How long were you working on the anime? It has been roughly three years since launching 'Shinsei Galverse' in 2022 as a crowdfunded anime project. We began full-scale work on the script, character design and animation about two years ago, but the initial planning and search for the right studio started earlier. 3. How did seeing 'Shinsei Galverse' on the Shibuya billboards make you feel? Shibuya has always been a sacred place for me when it comes to gyaru culture, so seeing my characters there felt unreal. 4. Is gyaru style coming back? It's definitely getting attention. I see a new generation of kids reviving '90s gyaru fashion on TikTok and other social media. But for me, gyaru isn't just a trend, it's a way of life. So rather than say it's 'making a comeback,' I'd say it never really left. 5. What do you consider the heart and soul of gyaru? To me, it means living based on your own values, not other people's opinions. It's confidence in thinking, 'I can do this, I'm the strongest.' Anyone can be a gyaru, regardless of gender or age. 6. What inspired the '90s art style in 'Shinsei Galverse'? I grew up watching anime from the 1990s and 2000s, and I've always loved the hand-drawn textures and the raw energy. I also love anything that brings back that nostalgic feeling of childhood and I wanted to share that emotion with the audience. 7. How did you become an anime creator? I've always loved video and started out by experimenting with live-action projects. Since I also loved drawing from a young age, it felt natural to begin teaching myself animation as well. At first, I made music videos and cover art for musician friends — mostly unpaid — just to build a portfolio. Over time, I started getting more offers and before I knew it, I was fully immersed in the world of animation. The 'Shinsei Galverse' universe is heavily inspired by late-20th-century anime styles as well as the gyaru (gal) fashion subculture that its creator proudly represents. | WAGAMI Labs 8. Can you tell us about the character you created for your music video for (Swedish musician) Tove Lo? Yes, the gal who appears in Tove Lo's music video is an original character I designed specifically for her. Her symbolic animal is the scorpion — which, fun fact, sometimes eats its mate after mating — so we incorporated that slightly risque allure into the story. The music video is structured as a crossover between 'Galverse' and Tove's own personal story. 9. Was it challenging to find an anime studio for 'Shinsei Galverse'? Yes, it was. This is a project built on crowdfunding and I wanted to keep the production process as open and transparent as possible. But many studios were cautious, both about that level of transparency and some of our demands about the art style and creative vision. 10. Why was it important to you to be open about the anime's production process? Since 'Shinsei Galverse' began as a crowdfunded project, I wanted our supporters to witness the creative process itself and to feel like they were part of making it with us. 11. The 'Shinsei Galverse' launch party also included dozens of drawings and sketches on the walls and tables. Is showing the process a trend now in response to AI-generated content? With AI-generated images becoming more widespread, people are increasingly asking, 'Was this really drawn by a human?' That's why I believe there's real value in showing the process: the thinking, the time and the human effort behind a piece of work. At the same time, I'm also genuinely interested in how AI can support and be integrated into creative work. 12. You dove into the world of NFTs with 'Shinsei Galverse.' Did that help you finance the project? Yes. Without the support we received through NFTs, it would've been difficult for an independent, self-taught creator like me to produce a full anime. NFTs not only helped us raise the funds, but also brought together a group of people who have supported the project from the very beginning. That sense of shared purpose and community has been just as meaningful as the funding itself. 13. Why didn't you pursue a more traditional job in the anime industry? To be honest, I'm not really sure! I've always lived an independent life. In my teens, I was living so much in the moment that I ended up dropping out of high school, and became fully focused on being a gyaru. I think being outside of the traditional path gave me more freedom. 14. Are there many other female anime creators in Japan? I'm not deeply familiar with the inner workings of the anime industry, but from what I see, there are still very few women in decision-making roles like directors or producers. 15. Do you have any role models? One creator who really inspired me to pursue animation seriously is Yoko Kuno. When I saw her 2013 graduation project 'Airy Me,' it completely blew me away. It made me realize that I wanted to create work that could move people's hearts through animation, just like she did. 16. Did you work with many women in making 'Shinsei Galverse'? Yes, the script was written by Natsuko Takahashi, a very experienced pro who has worked on the 'Gundam' franchise. While not all of the staff were women, the producer did a great job selecting people whose sensibilities matched the Galverse world perfectly. For background art, we worked with Ogura Kobo, a legendary studio known for 'Akira' and 'Ghost in the Shell.' For the soundtrack, I asked Taku Takahashi from m-flo, whom I had worked with before. 17. The voice actor cast is pretty star-studded too. How did you get them on board? I had this dream of working with legendary voice actors from the 1990s and 2000s, but since 'Galverse' was still an unknown title, I honestly didn't expect it to happen. Still, I submitted my ideal casting list and, to my surprise, almost all of them said yes. I was completely shocked — in the best way. 18. How did the studio treat a young self-taught woman director? This was my first time being involved in a full TV anime production, so I was worried whether people would actually listen to what I had to say. But the staff were incredibly respectful and attentive. They truly took the time to understand the world I had created and the backstories of the characters. On top of that, they brought in thoughtful suggestions from their own professional perspectives, which helped make the story even better. 19. What are you working on next? Recently, I had the chance to give the Levi's flagship store in Harajuku a full Galverse makeover. I can't share the details just yet, but I'm lucky to have a few exciting collaborations in the works with some major companies. These include everything from merchandise and figurines to music-related projects. 20. Finally, if Tokyo itself were a character in 'Shinsei Galverse,' what kind of gal would it be? Tokyo would 100% be a tsundere — cool and unapproachable on the surface, but deep down she's full of passion and kindness, and every now and then, you catch glimpses of her softer side. She's not trying to be the main character, but her presence is just too strong, so she naturally stands out. 'Shinsei Galverse' is available to stream on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. For more information, visit