
People Dress in Myanmar Traditional Garments for Festival in Fukuoka; Residents of Japan, Myanmar Parade in Support of Myanmar after Devastating Earthquake
People dressed in traditional Myanmar garments parade through the streets during the Hakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri festival in Fukuoka on Sunday. To show support for Myanmar, where a powerful earthquake has claimed more than 3,000 lives, Myanmar residents in Fukuoka Prefecture and Japanese locals donned the traditional attire and played folk instruments on the final day of the 2-day event. The participants paraded through the city, with some holding banners, stating, 'Ganbare Myanmar!' (Hang in there, Myanmar!)

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

3 hours ago
Forever Young: A New Manga Title Takes On the American Market
Manga has long been big business in Japan, and weekly publications like Young Magazine are instrumental in keeping it front and center in the cultural conversation. But in an era of shrinking Japanese readerships, creators see the future of the medium as being overseas. A new English-language edition of the manga vehicle, the special issue released to kick off the Young Magazine US print run, goes hard from the very beginning, featuring an originally illustrated cover by Ghost in the Shell creator Shirow Masamune. The artwork envisions a futuristic city where urban life, humanity, and technology intersect—perfectly capturing the issue's editorial theme: unfiltered manga. The cover of the US-exclusive edition of Young Magazine . (© Kōdansha) The debut issue features 19 works across a wide range of genres—including sci-fi, dark horror, and cyberpunk—created by both established and emerging talents from Japan and abroad. Highlights include Subaru and Subaru by Shigeno Shūichi, known internationally for Initial D , and Me and Bob Dylan (And My Father) by Oshimi Shūzō, renowned for his raw portrayals of adolescence in titles like The Flowers of Evil and Blood on the Tracks . Me and Bob Dylan (And My Father) by Oshimi Shūzō. (© Kōdansha) A limited run of 4,000 print copies of this special kick-off issue will be handed out at the Anime NYC 2025 show, held in New York City from August 21 to 24. The special issue will also be made available at 17 Kinokuniya bookstores across the United States. A digital version will be released through a dedicated website and on social media platforms. Of the 19 featured titles, 16 will be opened to fan voting to determine whether they continue in serialization in English. Rankings will be determined by votes on the special website and by the number of likes and reposts their shares receive on X (formerly Twitter). The top five titles will be serialized in both Japanese and English later this year in the official English edition of Young Magazine and Kōdansha's K Manga app. The title page of The Graveyard Shift by Satō Yoshimi, one of 19 works included in the special US issue. (© Kōdansha) While manga for younger teens—both boys and girls—dominates the North American market, Hidemi Shiraki, the chief editor of this special English issue of Young Magazine , emphasizes the unique appeal of manga for young adults: 'So-called seinen manga, aimed at older readers, has in Japan long explored the raw emotional complexities of life—including the struggles, pain, and alienation from society that people in this cohort experience. I hope readers in North America can connect with these emotions through our stories.' (Originally published in Japanese on July 15. Banner photo: The special Young Magazine US issue with its original cover by Shirow Masamune. © Kōdansha.)


Tokyo Weekender
6 hours ago
- Tokyo Weekender
You Can Now Own a Demon Slayer-Inspired Lingerie Set
The online shop Premium Bandai has unveiled a Demon Slayer lingerie collection that lets fans lounge, snooze or binge-watch in comfy, character-inspired sets. They're perhaps not suitable for confrontations with terrifying mythical beasts, but these sleep sets are perfect for bedtime battles against insomnia. Pre-orders run until August 31, with sets shipping out this December — just in time to cozy up in anime-approved comfort. Because demon slayers deserve their beauty sleep, too. Character-Inspired Sets The collection features three designs, each drawing inspiration from a fan-favorite character. Tanjiro's set reimagines his iconic green-and-black checkered haori in feminine silhouettes. Nezuko's version is pastel and sweet just like the beloved oni , echoing the patterns of her pink kimono (bamboo muzzle not included). And Shinobu's butterfly-themed set captures the elegant lilac tones of the Insect Hashira. Each design comes in several options: a night bra and underwear set, a cami nightgown, sleep shorts, an off-shoulder top and kinchaku -style drawstring bag and headband set. Prices vary per item, with the most expensive product being the underwear set, retailing for ¥6,160. What's the Hype About Demon Slayer? If you've been under a rock the past five years and somehow missed the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba craze, it's one of Japan's biggest pop-culture phenomena of the past decade. The manga has sold over 200 million copies worldwide , the anime regularly tops global streaming charts and its 2020 film Mugen Train became the highest-grossing movie in Japanese history, its record only recently broken by the new Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle film . With the killer combination of stunning visuals, elaborate world-building and lovable characters, Demon Slayer has gone from hit series to full-blown cultural phenomenon — enough to warrant an entire lingerie set for its very devoted fans. Related Posts Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Smashes Japanese Box Office Records The Legends of Watanabe no Tsuna: The Original Demon Slayer How Kagura Dance Influenced the Story of Demon Slayer


Tokyo Weekender
6 hours ago
- Tokyo Weekender
This Japanese Perfume Smells Like A Newborn Baby
In a world where cars and homes seem financially out of reach for many, younger generations have been turning to attainable luxuries, such as expensive niche perfumes. From elusive, cameleonic 'skin scents' to conceptual perfumes meant to smell like a library or a jazz bar, there's an endless series of bottles to dissect on Fragrantica. But a new scent concocted by Japanese startup Scent Fest Co. may take the cake as the most avant-garde perfume thus far: It's meant to capture the universally comforting smell of a newborn baby's head. Launched on June 15, Poupon pure claims to be the world's first perfume to scientifically recreate the smell of a newborn baby. According to Scent Fest, six years of research data went into recreating the sweet, powdery scent. 'With the declining birthrate … reducing and eliminating the anxiety and stress associated with pregnancy, childbirth and childcare has become a major social issue,' Scent Fest explained in a press statement . 'Our product evokes a sense of gentleness for mothers and those involved in childcare.' List of Contents: Why a Newborn Baby Scent? Product Details Related Posts pr times Why a Newborn Baby Scent? Although the invention might sound like another 'recession indicator' meme to some, Scent Fest CEO Mamiko Ozaki developed the scent to help parents struggling with childcare, especially during the perinatal period. Ozaki, a Kobe University professor emeritus specializing in taste and olfactory physiology, had long studied pheromones that control the social behavior of ants. Inspired by the way ants use pheromones as communication tools, she wanted to apply her expertise to human society. 'From my own parenting experience, newborns cry constantly, which can be frustrating for parents,' Ozaki told The Mainichi . 'But at the same time, they emit a good smell as if to send the message, 'Be gentle with me,' which I think makes it possible for us to care for them.' Working with physicians and mothers at Hamamatsu University Hospital, Scent Fest collected head odors from about 20 newborns and identified 37 odor components. After recreating the scent, volunteers — including students, parents, grandparents and childcare workers — were asked to smell it. Based on fMRI and psychological sensory evaluation, the researchers gathered that the aroma activated feelings of 'liking,' 'pleasantness' and 'wanting to keep smelling it' in the brain. The key component to the pleasant smell of newborn babies, Scent Fest found, is a chemical substance called nonanal, which has a floral scent. This unique scent is said to gradually fade away after about six weeks from birth. The company has registered patents in Japan, the US, the EU and the UK on their composition and production method. courtesy of scent fest Product Details Poupon pure Eau de Parfum is currently sold in a 5-milliliter spray container at ¥2,970. The small bottle is meant to be carried around for everyday use, or at home for refreshment and relaxation. It uses IFRA-compliant ingredients, is alcohol-free and does not conduct any animal testing. While Poupon pure is currently sold out, the next batch is set to arrive late August to early September — so check the company website or Instagram . Shipping is limited to Japan, for now. Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . Related Posts Japanese Perfumes To Relive Your Favorite Memories of Japan Smell Like a DigiDestined With New Digimon Adventure Perfume Craft Your Own Signature Scent at This Asakusa Perfumery Travel Japan Through Scents: Quintessential Perfumes, Incense, and Fragrances