Latest news with #AgencyforCulturalAffairs
The Mainichi
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
30% of Japan religious corps say Unification Church dissolution order hits freedom of faith
TOKYO -- Some 30% of major religious corporations responding to a Mainichi Shimbun survey believe that a court order for the Unification Church to dissolve will affect freedom of religion guaranteed under the Japanese Constitution, while nearly 80% of responding groups appreciate the order. The survey results brought into sharp relief the fact that major religious corporations understand the propriety of the dissolution order but harbor a certain degree of concern over political intervention in religion. The survey was conducted in April targeting 62 religious corporations and federations with a claimed followership of 100,000 or more in Japan according to the 2024 edition of the almanac of religion released by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The Mainichi sent out the questionnaire asking for their views on the dissolution order against the Unification Church in multiple-choice answer and free description styles, and received responses from 19 religious corporations. The Japanese Association of Religious Organizations and the Nichiren Shoshu provided their own views as corporations without answering the set questions. Regarding the dissolution order issued by the Tokyo District Court against the Unification Church, formally the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, 15 groups responded that they either "appreciate" or "somewhat appreciate" the court order. Many of those respondents cited the high amount of financial damage incurred by Unification Church followers as the group solicited massive donations, as well as the large number of such victims, as their reasons for selecting those answers. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan responded, "While the freedom for people to believe in religion should be respected, illegal and malicious acts in the name of religion must not be tolerated." Tenrikyo stated, "For an organization to have the status of a religious corporation, it is required to be worthy of such a title." Meanwhile, two groups respectively opted for answers stating they "do not appreciate" and "rather do not appreciate" the court's disbandment order, while another two corporations didn't respond. Oyamanezunomikoto Shinji Kyokai, a religious group established after World War II, chose the answer "rather do not appreciate" the court order, calling it "a strong measure that significantly interferes with activities that religion has made its mission in history, such as missionary work and spiritual relief." It said, "The illegal acts (under the Civil Code) alone cannot suffice as the basis for the dissolution order." Once the disbandment order is finalized, the Unification Church will need to liquidate its property and become ineligible for tax breaks, while being allowed to continue activities as a voluntary organization. When asked what effects the dissolution order, with its strong efficacy, will have on freedom of religion, six corporations answered that either there will be effects or a certain degree of effects. Happy Science noted, "It could allow the government to arbitrarily suppress religious groups. We should be careful about depriving people of freedom of religion by strengthening state authority and intervening in religion." Meanwhile, 10 groups said either there will be no effect or little to no effect on freedom of religion, while another three gave no answer. Bussho Gonenkai Kyodan pointed out, "We infer that freedom of religion is guaranteed unless there are acts including those clearly recognized to significantly harm public welfare." Myoshinji Temple, of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, stated, "While freedom of religion is the right of the people, it does not mean they can do anything while acting against public welfare. It cannot necessarily be said that the dissolution order infringes on freedom of religion." In October 2023 the education and culture minister requested a disbandment order against the Unification Church from the Tokyo District Court. The court ordered the church to dissolve based on the Religious Corporations Act on March 25, 2025. The church on April 7 filed an immediate appeal against the ruling with the Tokyo High Court.
Japan Forward
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Japanese Director Saki Michimoto Brings New Perspectives to Italy's FEFF
Independent director Saki Michimoto has captured international attention with her debut feature, See You Tomorrow . The lyrical drama marks her down as one of the most promising new voices in Japanese cinema. Screened on May 1, the film played at the 27th Far East Film Festival in Udine, northern Italy. Joining the director at the event's Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine were the film's stars, Makoto Tanaka and Risa Shigematsu. "It was an emotional experience," said Michimoto. The introduction of her talent to a European audience can only boost a career in cinema that is still in its formative stages. Michimoto first showed the world a glimpse of her talent during her student years. She won the Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Pia Film Festival for her short film 19 Years Old . Then, in 2021, she participated in the New Directions in Japanese Cinema project run by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, where she directed the short, The Youngest Daughter . See You Tomorrow explores the relationships between young photographers and their dreams ー both unfulfilled and realized. It was also nominated for the 2024 Kaneto Shindo Awards. On the sidelines of the 2025 FEFF, Michimoto sat down to talk about her career as it has played out so far, including her debut feature and her time in Italy. (Courtesy of the filmmaker) Yes, there are many autobiographical elements in the movie. This is because the main character, Nao, is based on my personal experiences. But you can also find parts of myself in other characters, like Sayo and the others. What mattered most to me was keeping an honest approach when portraying each character's specific traits. They are all drawn from my real experiences. Yes, I feel that. I'm turning 28 this year. I see that other directors my age are starting to gain worldwide recognition for their talent. So, in a way, I felt the passing of time and started pressuring myself. Having this feature film here in Udine this year is extremely important to me, and I will do my best not to be secondary. I think that when you're taking pictures, the person behind the camera is in complete control of the shutter. Cameras are tools that offer unilateral control, one-way control over what's happening. So, from this point of view, rather than simply depicting the subject, I would say that each photograph somehow reveals the relationship between the photographer and the person being photographed. Saki Michimoto and the film's stars caught celebrating their debut. Perhaps, in this awkwardness, there is something of myself. But I can also say that I believe when several people share the same direction or goal, yet begin comparing their paths to one another, something unspoken starts to grow in their hearts. And out of that, a certain kind of atmosphere emerges. It's a lot of fun! You know, last year [2024] the movie was released in Japan. At that time we tried reaching out to several film festivals, but we didn't get very far. That's why I'm extremely happy to see so many viewers here, and their lovely reactions. I'm really enjoying this experience. It was completely different. Here in Italy, when people get emotional about a particular scene, you can see their feelings through their body language. They express what they're feeling physically. They're also very sensitive to small details and react clearly. In Japan, on the other hand, people tend to be extremely shy, and it's often impossible to know what's going on in their minds. Title: See You Tomorrow Director: Michimoto Saki Starring: Makoto Tanaka, Ken Okouchi, Risa Shigematsu, Takuro Akiyama, Ryota Matsuda Running time: 99 minutes First released: Japan, September 28, 2024 Author: Eliska Nodlova Eliska Nodlova attended the 27th Far East Film Festival as part of the FEFF Campus for aspiring critics, writers, and film industry professionals.
The Mainichi
04-05-2025
- Science
- The Mainichi
AI helping researchers, laypeople discover archaeological sites in Japan mountains
KOBE -- Traces of a small mountain castle dating to medieval times were discovered in the hills of Tatsuno, Hyogo Prefecture, this March, thanks to advances in surveying powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Are new methods ushering in a new era of discoveries? What led to the find was highly precise 3D map data published by Hyogo Prefecture. The hill castle ruins' location was confirmed when a research team from the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (Nabunken) found distinctive landforms at the site which were first seen in an AI-driven map analysis during other research. The ruins were found near a peak about an hour's walk from a road. One of its slopes is flattened, and landform features such as traces of a moat and a bridge were seen there. The height from the bottom of the moat to the flattened area is estimated to have reached 5 meters. Since remnants of roads were also found nearby, it was concluded to be highly probable the castle was a lookout. Since it is not built robustly enough as a base for battle, as those in the Sengoku (Warring States) period (1467-1615), the site is thought to date back to the 14th century Nanbokucho period (1336-1392) when mountain fortresses were still developing. Four kilometers northeast, the Kinoyama Castle Ruins sit where the Akamatsu clan, a powerful family in Harima Province at the time, had their base of operations. Lead researcher Yuichi Takata, a Nabunken historian who made the discovery, said, "Many distinctive landforms were also found in the surrounding area that could have been mountain castle sites. If these are connected, it may help to map out the possible power relationships of the time." Use of aerial lasers Takata and the others utilized 3D map data covering all of Hyogo Prefecture, which the prefectural government began releasing to the public in stages in 2020. The data, measured by aerial laser scanning, provides elevation in square areas 1 meter on each side in flat areas and square areas 50 centimeters on a side in mountainous regions. They used AI to analyze the data as part of research to locate ancient Japanese burial mounds known as kofun. At least 1,300 locations with land features that could indicate ancient burial mounds were found, and on-site surveys in locations in the cities of Toyooka and Tatsuno confirmed 34 as burial mounds and temple ruins. This was reportedly when the unusual landform was observed, which was later determined to be the site of a mountain castle. Ancient sites found in the mountains one after another Under the Act on Protection of Cultural Properties, development projects near previously discovered sites must be reported as the surrounding areas are designated as "areas containing cultural properties." The Agency for Cultural Affairs says there are about 460,000 such sites nationwide, with around 9,000 excavations conducted annually. However, most of these surveys are linked to development, and are therefore concentrated in urban areas. Mountainous areas can be seen as a void for archaeological excavation, but in recent years, the trend is changing as governments successively make map data available to the public and archaeology fans are starting to use it to make discoveries. In Hida, Gifu Prefecture, the city government started utilizing map data in fiscal 2019. Thanks to suggestions from archaeology fans, burial mounds, mountain fortresses and other structures have been discovered, and inspired city staff analyzed the data and newly registered 71 archaeological sites. The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan has been publicly releasing map data since 2023. At the end of this past March, the data covered around 40% of the entire country. Also in 2023, the Hyogo Prefectural Government released geodata with a resolution of 50 centimeters on each side. The high accuracy makes it possible to spot ruins not only using AI, but also with the naked eye. "Ruins are often located deep in the mountains, and it's difficult to find them by raw effort alone. If they can be identified in advance using 3D maps, that makes it an order of magnitude more efficient," said Takata. Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology curator Hirokazu Nagae, who worked on the findings with Takata, commented, "Searching for archaeological sites from 3D maps is becoming popular overseas. It looks like it can be used effectively not only for research and as a hobby, but also for surveys associated with development." (Japanese original by Akira Inoh, Kobe Bureau)
Japan Forward
02-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Kuretake: The Calligraphy Giant Expanding into Cosmetics and Art Supplies
Kuretake is a long-established company based in Nara City, renowned for its high-quality calligraphy supplies. Today, it is making waves by applying its time-honored techniques to new frontiers in cosmetics and art. Drawing on decades of experience with bottled ink ( bokuju ) and brush pens, the company has launched a range of innovative products. They include eyeliner brush pens, solid watercolors ( gansai ), and art markers that have earned acclaim both in Japan and abroad. Kuretake's foray into cosmetics is led by one of its flagship products: eyeliner brush pens. These eyeliners help define the eyes with fine, precise lines, reflecting the company's mastery of brush pen craftsmanship. The "Okesho Fudepen – For Eyes" line, launched in 2022, showcases Kuretake's proprietary technology in both brush tips and ink formulation. Since eyeliners are applied to the sensitive eye area, the softness of the brush tip is crucial. As Makiko Kitamura, Deputy Manager of the Technology Development Department, explains: "Because it's used on skin — not paper — the tip needed to be soft, but not too soft." To strike this delicate balance, Kuretake adapted the design of its original 1973 brush pen, resulting in a tip that is both gentle and precise. Kuretake's eyeliner product. (Courtesy of Kuretake) The eyeliner series offers four variations, including a flat brush that allows users to control line thickness with ease. The ink, a pigment-based formula, is water-resistant yet easily removed with makeup remover. To minimize skin irritation, the ink is free of metals and includes a moisturizing agent. "We built this using the same dye technology behind our 180-color pen lineup," Kitamura notes. Founded in 1902, Kuretake first made its mark with calligraphy ink. In 1958, it became a pioneer in the industry by selling bottled ink for brush writing. The launch of its brush pens in 1973 brought national recognition. However, with the rise of digital tools, handwriting — and by extension, calligraphy — has declined. Japan's decreasing births have posed further challenges for traditional industries. A 2020 survey by the Agency for Cultural Affairs revealed that while 85.2% of people had studied calligraphy in school, nearly 89% no longer practiced it afterward. "There's no denying calligraphy is in decline," says Eriko Sato, Manager of Overseas Sales. "But Kuretake has always evolved — starting with ink, then brush pens, and now expanding into cosmetics and art." Kuretake began its overseas expansion in 1964, introducing products such as solid watercolors and markers. In Western countries, where scrapbooking and hand lettering are popular, the company's color pens under its ZIG brand has gained traction in over 80 countries, including across Europe. Kuretake's solid watercolor paint "Gansai Tambi," popular among illustrators, and the cosmetic product "Okesho Fude Pen" The company officially entered the cosmetics market in 2009, initially through OEM (original equipment manufacturing) for other brands. After the success of its eyeliner products, it launched the "Okesho Fudepen – For Eyebrows" in early 2024. This pen features an ultra-fine 0.01 mm brush tip that allows users to draw realistic eyebrow hairs with precision. Customer feedback has been enthusiastic: "The brush is so fine — it's perfect!" "It's easy to draw with because the brush is so thin." Although cosmetics have yet to match the profitability of Kuretake's brush pens, Sato sees enormous potential in the category. Kuretake is also exploring innovations outside the realms of art and cosmetics. One such product is a liquid de-icing agent made primarily from soot. Its black color absorbs light and generates heat, making it highly effective for melting snow. Unlike powder-based alternatives, this liquid spreads evenly and can even be applied using drones. With a logo that bears the slogan "Art & Craft Company," Kuretake continues to evolve from its roots in traditional Japanese calligraphy. By harnessing its heritage in ink and brush craftsmanship, the company is forging new paths in the global arenas of art, beauty, and beyond. ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Yasuhiko Hiraoka, The Sankei Shimbun
The Mainichi
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Drama film crew's lighting leaves scorch mark on cultural property in Japan's Maebashi
MAEBASHI -- Heat from lighting equipment used to film a drama has left a scorch mark on the floor of Rinkokaku, a national important cultural property in this eastern Japan city, the municipal government said April 24. The 12-centimeter diameter scorch mark was made during a drama was filmed by internet television station AbemaTV, based in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The filming has reportedly been temporarily halted. According to the city's cultural property protection division, a floorboard of a wooden corridor outside a large hall on the second floor of Rinkokaku's annex was damaged. The incident occurred at around 8 a.m. on April 23, during equipment setup. One of the lighting units overheated, melting a blue tarp laid on the floor, apparently after the power wasn't turned off. This was the second filming session since April 16. Though another session was scheduled for the end of this month, the municipal government has revoked permission following this incident until safety measures can be assured. The city plans to report the incident to the Gunma Prefectural Government and the Agency for Cultural Affairs and discuss repair plans. Rinkokaku was built during the Meiji era (1868-1912) as a guesthouse and was designated as a national important cultural property in 2018. (Japanese original by Sakae Kato, Maebashi Bureau)
