In Photos: Step back in time with Japan hotel's Showa era-themed offerings
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A room where you can spend the night as though in the Showa era (1926-1989) starting this April 29, the Showa Day public holiday in Japan, is seen in the Hotel New Akao in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, April 25, 2025. (Mainichi/Koji Wakai)
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The Mainichi
8 hours ago
- The Mainichi
BTS's 2nd chapter: What the future holds for the global phenomenon and their fans (Pt.1)
SEOUL (Mainichi) -- K-pop sensation BTS is making a comeback. The members, who had suspended group activities due to mandatory military service, have begun to be discharged from the military one by one. RM and V were discharged June 10, followed by Jung Kook and Jimin on June 11, while Suga's conscription is scheduled to end June 21. While it is said to take a few months of preparation for all seven members to resume activities together, fans worldwide are already eagerly anticipating the "second chapter" of their complete return. How will BTS's style, which has gained widespread empathy through its stories of growing up in adolescence, change from here? How will the global BTS fandom, known as the "army," respond? The group's agency has not announced future activity plans, leaving fans eager for more information. Ahead of this discharge rush, this Mainichi Shimbun reporter visited the research office of Hong Seok-kyeong, a leading expert on BTS and author of "BTS on the Road," at the Seoul National University's Center for Hallyu (Korean culture) Studies to discuss BTS's future. This interview will be published in two parts. Graduating from the growth story Question: BTS has sung about anxieties toward society and conflicts harbored during adolescence, garnering fervent support from fans worldwide. How will they change post-discharge? Answer: BTS's growth story, together with their agency Hybe Co., ended when they achieved global success. In South Korea, once someone returns from the military, they are treated as a full-fledged adult. They will graduate from the "story of adolescent growth" that pushed their immaturity to the fore and move toward an "independent adult world." Q: What does the narrative mean for the group? A: As I explain in my book, BTS excelled compared to other contemporary K-pop idols by showcasing their narrative in a multifaceted way across various media platforms. First, there is the fiction-filled world of BTS's songs and music videos. Second, there are the members' daily lives as seen on fan community platforms such as apps, which can be described as "the story of the team's growth." Third are the "real-life stories" of each member. Fans have traversed these layers, connecting the musical world with the personal stories of the members, identifying with them as if they were partners. Post-military service, they will probably still express their conflicts with society, but the storyline will likely shift from adolescent anxieties to independent adult narratives. Q: Will the personal stories of the members change as well? A: The emphasis will shift to solo activities, with team activities taking place in between, and individual independence and personality will be highlighted more than brotherly unity. I was surprised by J-Hope's transformation after his discharge. During a concert in Seoul in May as part of a world tour, he performed for two and a half hours with only three BTS songs and no guest appearances. I felt that he successfully established his own style. From being protected to freedom Q: As the BTS narrative changes, will the relationship with the "army" also change? A: One characteristic of K-pop culture is fans' desire to protect their artists. In the Korean entertainment industry, idols are often criticized for their comments on social media, and sometimes driven to suicide because they cannot bear such condemnation. The reason behind this is that the road to stardom is quite challenging. The "army" in particular wanted BTS to keep distance from political messages to avoid entanglement in the conservative-liberal conflict in South Korean politics. While aware the members aren't conservative, the fans had set limits to protect them from potential harm. The attitude has been, "Fans pave the way, so we want the members to fully engage in their activities and achieve success within it." This suggests a kind of contractual relationship between artists and fans. Q: Will BTS, as mature adults, graduate from being protected by fans? A: They will likely gain some freedom from their relationship with fans. While they may not make political statements against authoritarianism or engage in specific activities supporting LGBTQ rights, they might increasingly speak out on peace and environmental issues, especially as influencers living in South Korea, a divided nation. In particular, senior members like RM are expected to express their thoughts in their own voices. Meanwhile, the "army" might also change. The core demographic, similar in age to the members, will grow older while exploring styles with the artists. The key to BTS's future lies in how many new teenage fans they can attract in this "second chapter." It will be interesting to see how Jung Kook, the youngest, can expand his fan base to those younger than himself. (Japanese original by Akiko Horiyama, Foreign News Department) Profile: Hong Seok-kyeong was born in 1963. She specializes in communication studies. After completing her doctorate at Seoul National University (SNU), she earned a Ph.D. from Stendhal University (now University Grenoble Alpes). She served as an associate professor at the University of Bordeaux from 2000 to 2013 before becoming a professor at SNU in 2013. She was appointed the first director of the Center for Hallyu Studies in 2022. Between 2018 and 2019, she accompanied BTS on five legs of their world tour and interviewed 92 "army" fans, and has published the book "BTS on the Road."
Yomiuri Shimbun
04-06-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Shigeo Nagashima Passes Away: Eternal Mr. Pro Baseball Brightened An Era
With his spectacular plays and beaming smile, Shigeo Nagashima brightened an era. He was truly a sun- or sunflower-like figure. Together with fans across Japan, we pray for him to rest in peace. Nagashima, the lifetime honorary manager of the Yomiuri Giants, has passed away. He was 89. As a player and manager, he achieved numerous accomplishments and solidified the popularity of professional baseball in Japan. He was a national star worthy of the title 'Mr. Pro Baseball.' The bigger the stages were, the more the 'man with the burning spirit' demonstrated his abilities. In the game attended by the then Emperor and Empress in 1959, he hit a dramatic walk-off home run off Hanshin Tigers pitcher Minoru Murayama in the bottom of the ninth inning. With slugger Sadaharu Oh, Nagashima was the driving force for the Giants known as the 'O-N' pair during a period called the Giants V9 campaign when they won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles. And the two earned a description as the 'record-breaker Oh, memory-maker Nagashima.' During Japan's high-growth period of the Showa era (1926-1989), many people related to Nagashima with his energetic plays in a thriving society and drew inspiration from him for days to come. Nagashima was probably the only player who could make fans cheer even after making an error. Even people who rooted against the Giants loved him deeply. After retiring in 1974 with the famous speech, 'My Giants are forever immortal,' Nagashima managed the Giants over two stints. In 1994, Nagashima led the team to victory in the 'Oct. 8 showdown' against the Chunichi Dragons to win the league championship and went on to win the Japan Series. In 1996, he managed the team as they came from behind to overcome an 11.5-game deficit against the first-place Hiroshima Carp to win the league championship. In the 2000 'millennium showdown' Japan Series against the Daiei Hawks managed by Oh, the entire nation was abuzz. Dramatic developments occurred around Nagashima one after another, probably because he was a superstar. He always maintained a positive attitude, leaving behind numerous memorable quotes such as 'Make Drama' and 'Miracle Again.' At times, he also made humorous remarks that charmed fans like 'Let's pretend to go for 'utsu' [a hit], but instead we will go for hitting,' mixing English and Japanese words both meaning same thing, and 'I've reached my first 60th birthday.' One thing that must not be forgotten is Nagashima's contribution to nurturing Hideki Matsui into an indisputable cleanup hitter. Nagashima set a '1,000-day plan' to turn Matsui into an elite hitter in three years, and Nagashima was always with Matsui to tirelessly practice hitting. When Matsui retired, Nagashima said, 'I have refrained from praising him openly until now, but I would like to call him the 'greatest home run hitter of the modern era.'' Matsui still reflects on the days he spent swinging the bat under Nagashima's watch and speaks of his appreciation for Nagashima. In 2004, Nagashima suffered a cerebral infarction and was left with paralysis on the right-side of his body and other aftereffects. Despite this, he continued his rehabilitation saying, 'I want to run again.' Although he was often called a genius, he was also a man of relentless effort. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4, 2025)
The Mainichi
03-06-2025
- The Mainichi
Japan expert offers tips to avoid bedbug bites as summer approaches
TOKYO -- As temperatures rise and summer draws near, insect-related damage increases. Among these pests, there has been a surge in consultations about bedbugs with extermination companies and industry associations in Japan in recent years. These insects cause intense itching when they bite, and you might unknowingly bring them back with you from your travels. What precautions can one take to avoid being affected? Human blood as sustenance There has been a spate of complaints posted on X (formerly Twitter), such as, "I thought it was insanely itchy, turns out it was caused by bedbugs in my futon," and, "I threw out the carpet to get rid of them." Bedbugs, which prefer warm environments, find spring to summer to be the most "comfortable" time of year. Their breeding also becomes more active at this time. Bedbugs are reddish-brown insects, measuring 5 to 8 millimeters in length. They dislike light and are commonly found in dark areas like bedrooms. During the day, they hide in crevices such as the edges of bed mattresses, curtain folds and inside electrical outlets. The troublesome aspect is that bedbugs primarily feed on human blood. While they are not known to transmit viruses, their bites result in a red rash accompanied by intense itching. The itching can disrupt sleep and, in rare cases, lead to severe allergic reactions. Complete extermination difficult In Japan, bedbug infestations had nearly disappeared by the late Showa era (1926-1989), but reports of incidents began to resurface in the 2000s. This resurgence is thought to be attributable to the globalization of the movements of people and goods, which has increased the likelihood of bedbugs being brought in from overseas. Furthermore, bedbugs have a relatively long lifespan for an insect of several months to a year, and a single bedbug lays around 500 eggs. While high-temperature steam and freezing-type insecticides are effective, bedbugs' high reproductive capability makes complete eradication difficult. Preventing them from being brought home from places like accommodation sites is crucial. Increased consultations with exterminators Hotels and inns are also taking steps to combat bedbugs. The pest control company Asante, based in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, has been using bedbug detection dogs since 2010 and continues to train them. During a session, a 10-year-old male beagle began sniffing the scents of six lidded cups at the command, "Seek!" Within minutes, he sat in front of one cup and nodded his head. When the handler opened the lid, a case containing bedbugs appeared. Excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period, the company had been inspecting approximately 2,900 rooms at hotels and other facilities annually. In fiscal 2024, the number of requests increased to cover about 3,900 rooms. According to a survey by the Japan Pest Control Association, an industry group knowledgeable about pest and vermin control and damage prevention, the number of consultations had remained at around 500 to 700 cases since fiscal 2014, but it roughly doubled to 1,176 cases in fiscal 2023. "From my perspective, I think it's not so much that the damage has suddenly increased as that awareness and interest have grown," Asante's dog handler Ataru Shimoyama noted. Precautions to take at accommodation sites What can be done to prevent infestations? According to Shimoyama, upon arriving at your accommodation, the first step is to check for small black stains around the bed. These could be bedbug droppings. Additionally, taking advantage of bedbugs' aversion to light by sleeping with the lights on can be effective. Shimoyama added, "Pretending to sleep is also effective." Apparently, after about 15 minutes, bedbugs around the bed can be lured out. If you find any, report it to the facility immediately. At accommodation sites, it's advisable to place your luggage in the bathroom. Bathrooms, with their slippery materials like tiles, are difficult for bedbugs to navigate as they have weak claws to infiltrate, preventing them from attaching to your belongings. Preventing them from being brought home To avoid bringing bedbugs home from your travels, it is crucial to take precautions immediately upon returning. Keeping your suitcase at the entrance rather than bringing it into the bedroom or living room reduces the likelihood of infestation. Since bedbugs might cling to the inside of your suitcase, it is safer to wash items like clothes at a laundromat with high-temperature dryers rather than at home. In the unfortunate event that you do bring bedbugs home with you, capture them with adhesive tape and consult a professional exterminator. If an exterminator cannot be arranged immediately, placing adhesive pest traps in the corners of the room can apparently help in extermination.
