Latest news with #Great
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago arts commissioner touts increased grants for artists, defends against criticism
As Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events gears up for another highlight-packed summer, its leader is laying out her vision for the city's arts community as she responds to criticism that has been simmering since she took office. A contentious exhibition, staff complaints and public flak from some arts leaders have tailed DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth since her March 2024 appointment by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Addressing the controversies in an interview with the Tribune for the first time, Hedspeth said she has reflected, but pushed back against much of it as unfounded. 'I think I did walk into a hostile situation,' she said. Meanwhile, Hedspeth is doubling down on a top focus to get artists more money. The department has earmarked an extra $500,000 for grants to artists, in addition to the $7 million allocated by the City Council last fall, she said. 'As much as we talk about water services, as much as we talk about infrastructure, this is the same. This is on par,' Hedspeth said of direct payments to artists and small arts organizations. 'This is vital. This is a service to be able to provide people with funding to create and capture who we are as a city.' Hedspeth is proud of having secured the extra money, given Chicago's thorny fiscal outlook. Johnson and the City Council budgeted $7 million for the grants, $1 million more than the year before, but less than the $10 million allocated in former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2023 budget, when the city's coffers were bolstered by a massive influx of federal COVID-19 funding. But she says the fund is far larger than pre-pandemic spending on such payments. Because it comes from the city, it is also now more stable, despite the fact federal support is becoming increasingly unreliable. Hedspeth pointed to the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration as inspiration for her vision to increasingly pay artists directly and praised the federal government's pandemic stimulus spending on arts. 'It was not even enough then, but it was more than what we usually do,' she said, adding she believes the business community should 'absolutely be providing support too in a different way.' 'The goal is always to increase funding, sustainable funding, always.' To tack on the additional $500,000, Hedspeth found 'basic' cuts, such as using city services in place of outside contractors, but said she has not cut at what might be the department's crown gem: its always ambitious summer schedule, headlined by events, including Taste of Chicago, the Air and Water Show and, next week, the Chicago Blues Festival. As the new commissioner has zeroed in on a vision for her department, she has also faced a range of controversies and criticism in recent months. DCASE employees have submitted five formal complaints to the city's Inspector General's Office and Department of Human Resources accusing the commissioner of unfair treatment obtained by the Tribune via records request. Meanwhile, over 20 employees have left the department since Hedspeth's appointment, though the department's headcount has recently risen to levels near where it was when she took office. Hedspeth was summoned to the City Council for a tense hearing in January regarding a pro-Palestinian protest puppet displayed in a broader puppet exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center, where she defended free expression and the process for selecting art against some aldermen who called the piece offensive and wanted it removed. And some arts industry leaders have publicly criticized the commissioner, arguing she has left a void in Chicago's arts community by not meeting with them and effectively communicating her plans. In April, the group Artists for Chicago sent a letter to Johnson signed by more than 200 arts and culture workers further faulting Hedspeth's leadership. Johnson has defended Hedspeth, his longtime friend. In April, he said he would 'take the feedback seriously' when asked about the letter. 'You know, look, there's a lot more engagement in government these days, and I welcome that,' Johnson said. 'Arts are incredibly important to me.' Asked about the criticism, Hedspeth pinned the hostility she has encountered in part on miscommunication that arose as she took office. She defended herself against most of the pushback and said she has discussed it with others. 'I reflect on, 'Oh, is there something there?'' she said. 'I would say, almost 85% of it, I'm like, 'No.'' She declined to discuss specific allegations made in the several formal employee complaints. They include accusations she cursed out employees in public, sought a retaliatory 'witch hunt' against mayoral critics and micromanaged the office. Human Resources staff determined investigations into each complaint should not go forward because of the absence of violations in protected categories and speculative allegations. 'But I will say,' Hedspeth said. 'I do wear a lot of black, but I am not a witch.' 'There's going to be complaints in any kind of organization,' she said. 'I value all of the staff. I think we are all human, we are all going to make mistakes. I also think there should be some accountability when we are not being responsible.' The commissioner said that she is 'happy to meet' with arts leaders and others in response to criticism that she is unresponsive, but added that some have been unwilling to meet with her, especially when she started the job. The cold reception she said she got may well have been a sign of the popularity of her predecessor, Erin Harkey, now CEO of the D.C. nonprofit Americans for the Arts, who was fired by Johnson. Hedspeth described her treatment since taking office as 'very political,' and in part a product of pre-existing employee frustrations in addition to miscommunication. 'I walked in without even a transition document,' she said. 'I've reached out to people, and they weren't interested in talking to me.' She also said a 'number of people' who signed the Artists for Chicago letter told her the published version appeared different than what they signed and cast doubt on the connections of some signees to the arts industry. A spokesperson for the group, who asked to remain anonymous, denied the letter changed as people signed it and criticized Hedspeth for discrediting the critical letter instead of addressing the issues it raised. Claims the department has not made payments to artists and organizations in a timely manner or that she is unresponsive are 'just not true,' Hedspeth said, adding that the arts community is understandably angry and anxious about funding amid federal pullback. Some arts leaders have called for Hedspeth to share how she will fight President Donald Trump's budget cuts. Her department has appealed the National Endowment for the Arts' decision to terminate grants awarded to the city. One lesson learned from the recent controversies is that she must be 'a little bit more forceful in getting support' from connections in the arts and government spaces she has worked in, Hedspeth said. 'I've learned to bring in my network more. I've learned to continue to talk directly with people, regardless of others saying maybe that might not be a good idea. Being OK with that I won't be perfect at everything, I've learned that, and managing expectations with interest groups,' she said. 'And I think bringing people in, just critics in general, to have a direct conversation and say, 'OK, this is the problem that you see, what are your some of your thoughts?'' In the last decade, Hedspeth led curation at the DuSable Black History Museum, then worked as Johnson's legislative director at the Cook County Board of Commissioners before becoming a Phillips Auctioneers specialist. At the city, she has found government can be frustratingly slow, but the gig is a 'deep honor' that allows her to combine experiences in policy, museums and commercial art, she said. 'I get to build off of work that was already done, good work, and serve the city and serve artists that I know have not been at the table or been in the room and aren't part of the larger conversation,' said Hedspeth, who was raised by art collector parents in Seattle and collects rare books herself. While Hedspeth said she wants to build upon long-running and beloved DCASE efforts such as summer programming, she also wants to build new efforts in the department. 'There's a lot more ideas on the table,' she said. The increased grants for artists and small organization should come with greater 'giveback,' including longer-term relationships and more support from the city to connect artists with everything from collectors to lawyers to bolster their careers, she said. And she hopes to make sure that funding goes to a greater variety of artists and groups. That includes 'ensuring the large organizations understand, this partnership looks good, but it can look even better. And maybe you need to not take funding and utilize it for operational purposes, maybe it should actually go out directly to the artist,' she said. Speeding up the department's processes is another top goal, the commissioner said. She touted a push to quickly install art at Midway International Airport and efforts to waive fees for smaller organizations at the Chicago Cultural Center as bids to cut 'red tape' and bring the arts to more Chicagoans. Hedspeth also highlighted a new effort to have staff visit places such as ward offices and parks to help Chicagoans speed through paperwork, including grant applications. She similarly wants to streamline the film permit process to help foster the city's revenue-winning filming economy, echoing long-heralded hopes also aired by Gov. JB Pritzker. The goal on film is 'making sure we are not competing with Toronto, we should be the place,' she said. Hedspeth's film office appears to have been leaderless since December, when its head, Jonah Zeiger, left the job. He was in part tasked with recruiting films, shows and commercials to work in the city. She is also leading an effort to digitize the city's art collection and is 'leaning in on' sister agencies, such as Choose Chicago, to make sure taxpayers are getting more 'robust' offerings, she said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump says steel tariffs will double to 50% while touting Japanese investment in U.S. Steel
President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at the US Steel-Irvin Works on May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. President Trump visits the steel factory after greenlighting the long-proposed merger between U.S. Steel and Tokyo-based Nippon Steel.(Photo by) President Donald Trump said he plans to double tariffs on steel imports Friday as he promoted a proposed $14 billion Japanese investment in Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel that he said would save the company and thousands of jobs. Speaking at U.S. Steel's Irvin Plant in West Mifflin, a week after he announced the partnership with Japan's Nippon Steel, Trump criticized the Biden administration for relaxing steel industry protections in 2021. 'The exemptions that they gave allowed foreign competitors that come in and steal our industry, steal our jobs and bring them back home and bring them home by the boatload,' Trump said standing in front of steel mill workers in orange, reflective coveralls and hard hats. Some held signs reading 'Make U.S.S. Great Again.' Trump said the 25% tariff on foreign steel he reinstated at the start of his second term would increase to 50% to 'even further secure the steel industry in the United States.' 'Nobody is going to get around that,' he said. Nippon began courting U.S. Steel in December 2023 with a $14.9 billion offer, which was approved by shareholders. Political opposition to the sale centered on the national security implications of selling one of America's largest steel companies to a foreign corporation. The deal was stranded for most of last year as President Joe Biden awaited a recommendation from the Council on Foreign Investment in the United States. Like Biden, Trump also initially opposed the sale, but announced May 23 in a post on Truth Social that the deal was back on. He described it as a 'planned partnership' between the Japanese and American companies that would bring $14 billion of investment in a matter of months. The domestic steel and aluminum industries have long been a focus of Trump's trade policy. He reintroduced the 25% tariff on imports of the metals even before he announced his broad duties on products made overseas that he said would bring manufacturing back to American shores. 'When I came into office eight years ago, I proclaimed a simple but truly important principle, if you don't have steel, you don't have a country,' Trump said. 'A strong steel industry is not just a matter of dignity or prosperity and pride, it's above all, a matter of national security.' In his hour-long speech, Trump also touched on his administration's immigration policy and recognized Pennsylvania elected officials in the audience, including Rep. Dan Meuser (R-9th District), a likely GOP candidate for governor next year. 'If you run, you've got my support,' Trump said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Trump's remarks, however, focused on the long-delayed merger but provided few additional details for anxious investors. Nippon and U.S. Steel have not officially disclosed terms of the rumored transaction. Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) said the merger would be subject to a 'national security agreement' under which the U.S. government would appoint some of the company's directors. Trump, instead, highlighted how he said it would benefit the Monongahela River Valley, where three of U.S. Steel's plants employ nearly 4,000 workers. Nippon would invest $2.2 billion to increase production in the Mon Valley Works and $200 million in the company's Advanced Technology Research and Development Center in nearby Munhall. The post-merger U.S. Steel would also maintain all of its currently operating blast furnaces at full capacity for a minimum of 10 years. 'We have that as a commitment,' Trump said. And Trump promised there would be no outsourcing work or layoffs and that every U.S. Steel worker would receive a $5,000 bonus. 'You've gone through a lot, it's closing. It's not closing,' Trump said to the crowd. He brought several union leaders to the microphone, including Jason Zugai, vice president of USW Local 2227, and a third-generation steelworker. Zugal thanked elected officials including McCormick, Mueser and state Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Dauphin) for their concern as the sale took shape. 'These investments are life changing for all the men and women here today and for our communities,' Zugai said. USW International President David McCall said in a statement Friday evening that the union remains concerned about the effects the merger will have on national security, its members and the communities where they work. 'We have not participated in the discussions involving U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel, and the Trump administration, nor were we consulted, so we cannot speculate about the meaning of the 'planned partnership' between USS and Nippon or the 'golden share' that some politicians have claimed will be issued to the federal government,' McCall said. McCall said the union's only concerns are the long-term viability and sustainability of the current U.S. Steel facilities to safeguard the employment and retirement security of its members. So far, he said, the union has seen only public relations and not commitments in writing. 'Issuing press releases and making political speeches is easy. Binding commitments are hard,' McCall said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Middle managers, beware: The Great Flattening layoff trend has moved beyond Big Tech and into retailers like Walmart
Middle managers in Big Tech, and now at Walmart, have faced major layoffs. Recession fears and tariff uncertainty are driving companies to cut costs. The trend, known as "The Great Flattening," is spreading. It's a tough time to be a middle manager. Companies are looking for ways to cut costs, and mid-career employees' jobs are increasingly on the chopping block. Earlier this year, Big Tech giants like Google, Intel, and Amazon announced their plans to lay off thousands of workers, mostly managers. Last week, the trend hit Walmart, which said it will "remove layers and complexity" by reducing its labor force by 1,500 people, many of them in midlevel corporate roles. Retailer Wayfair also recently laid off managers, and some companies like fintech firm Block are moving managers into non-management roles. The latest manager purge is partially a symptom of a US economy rocked by recession fears and federal tariff whiplash. Several companies — including Walmart — have begun to raise prices because President Donald Trump's proposed levies are hiking their overhead costs. Reducing higher-paid, midlevel employees is another way for them to save money and streamline corporate bureaucracy. What's more, workplace efficiency is en vogue at the federal level, with Elon Musk and the White House's DOGE office spearheading a widespread staff reduction at government agencies. It's all adding up to 2025's " Great Flattening." The 'Great Flattening' is a management philosophy and a way to cut costs CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in 2023 alongside a bout of Meta layoffs that " flatter is faster." "I don't think you want a management structure that's just managers managing managers, managing managers, managing managers, managing the people who are doing the work," he said. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy similarly said in 2024, "Having fewer managers will remove layers and flatten organizations more than they are today." Daniel Zhao, lead economist at the job-search platform Glassdoor, told Business Insider that this flattening isn't a random financial fluke, but the result of yearslong labor market trends. He said companies across industries opted for "rapid headcount growth" in the early pandemic years. To accommodate a slew of new hires, many of these companies needed more middle managers to train young talent. Zhao added that some companies were primed to " hand out promotions into the management ranks to attract and retain high performers during the labor shortages era" of the early 2020s. With recent hiring slowdowns, Zhao said that this inflated middle management tier is becoming less necessary. "When the economy shifts into a lower gear, companies start looking for where they can cut workforce costs, often looking at high-salaried managers," he said. "And as companies slow down hiring, the need for onboarding and training new workers diminishes." Despite this trend, the labor market is still strong on paper, and overall, layoffs are low. And, while "The Great Flattening" is ramping up, it also isn't new. Big Tech's layoffs of early- and mid-career workers have been happening on and off for years. Walmart's recent announcement signals that the strategy is gaining broader appeal. Middle managers are feeling the heat Gallup reported that overall employee engagement dropped to its lowest level in a decade last year, and Glassdoor's Employee Confidence Index shows that less than half of midlevel employees have a positive business outlook about their employers as of April, the lowest figure since the job-search platform began measuring employee confidence in 2016. Glassdoor data published in November also shows that laid-off middle managers often have to take lower-seniority or lower-salaried positions to break back into the workforce. Those who aren't laid off and remain managers could find themselves with an overwhelming amount of direct reports. BI has heard from over 750 Americans of all ages about their experiences with the job market. Some are boomeranging back to old employers, while others are left empty-handed despite hundreds of applications. Many job seekers have become so frustrated by rejections and ghosting that they're taking whatever roles they can find. Zhao said the flattening is likely to impact more than just managers. Each industry hit by layoffs could disrupt its traditional career ladder, especially for young people. As Zhao put it: "This trend also creates bunching down at the bottom of the career ladder as former managers compete for roles that traditionally would be opportunities for entry-level or experienced hires to move up the career ladder."
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Have some shame': Travis and Jason Kelce spark fan backlash over hosting Wayne Gretzky on New Heights podcast
Travis and Jason Kelce's "New Heights" podcast faces backlash for featuring NHL legend Wayne Gretzky (Getty Images) Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother, recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, are no strangers to entertaining fans with their popular 'New Heights' podcast. But their latest guest announcement—NHL icon Wayne Gretzky—has triggered a wave of criticism from longtime listeners, many of whom are questioning the podcast's direction. Fans push back as podcast shifts away from NFL-centered content The Kelce brothers have built a strong following by delivering candid football commentary, player stories, and behind-the-scenes insights from the NFL. However, their decision to feature a sports legend from outside of football has stirred up controversy. The backlash began almost immediately after the guest announcement, with fans taking to social media to vent their frustrations. 'This is a football podcast, not a hockey show,' one disappointed fan wrote. Another added, 'I tune in for football insights, not interviews with hockey players.' Another wrote, 'So Trump went after Taylor and your answer is to invite a big trumpie guy who is friend with him ?!? Have some shame.' While Gretzky's legacy as "The Great One" is undeniable in the hockey world, many listeners believe that his appearance strays too far from what originally made 'New Heights' compelling—its deep NFL focus and the chemistry between the Kelce brothers. The Kelce brothers respond to criticism and defend the decision Despite the criticism, both Travis and Jason Kelce have stood by their decision, defending the value of cross-sport dialogue and the broader vision for their podcast. "Wayne Gretzky is a legend, and there's always something to learn from the greats, no matter the sport," Travis Kelce said, underscoring Gretzky's relevance as a universally respected athlete. Jason added, "It's about broadening perspectives and bringing fresh content to our listeners." Their comments reflect a clear intention to evolve the show beyond its NFL roots and embrace voices from other areas of sports and life. As Travis continues preparations for OTAs with the Chiefs and Jason transitions into his post-playing career, the podcast represents an important outlet for both. But the Gretzky episode has highlighted a key challenge: maintaining authenticity and connection with a loyal football audience while trying to grow creatively. Also Read: The Kansas City Chiefs' jersey number no one dares to wear — and the heartbreaking reason why The Kelces may be betting on the long-term benefits of diversity in content, but this moment shows how quickly fan sentiment can shift when expectations are disrupted. Whether the gamble pays off may depend on how well they balance sports legends like Gretzky with the football stories that built their podcast in the first place. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
The Ghibli Golden Route: Japan's most accessible destinations for fans and first-time visitors
By Laura Payne Since the 1980s, Studio Ghibli has produced globally acclaimed films. These movies have captivated both children and adults because while the studio's animated worlds are full of whimsy and adventure, they are also not afraid to feature universal themes and realities such as romance, grief, war and coming of age. In June 2025, the studio will commemorate its 40th anniversary. Fans traveling in Japan will find no shortage of ways to mark this occasion as the country is full of Ghibli-related destinations. Among these, some of the most famous are situated along the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka 'Golden Route' — an itinerary recommended for first-time visitors in Japan due to features such as convenient access. The Ghibli Golden Route — like Ghibli movies themselves — invites visitors to find beauty in everyday items, explore fantasy worlds and reflect on real-life tragedies. From museums to movie settings, here are some key highlights of the Ghibli Golden Route. Tokyo: Ghibli Museum and real-life inspirations Besides its gorgeous main building, the Ghibli Museum is known for its themed cafe, special exhibitions and screenings of original Ghibli short films. Image: MARODG/Pixta With international flights arriving at Haneda and Narita airports daily, Tokyo is where many Golden Route travelers begin their journey. After arriving, local trains and buses can bring travelers to the first Ghibli Golden Route destination: the Ghibli Museum. Rather than passively consuming curated displays, this museum designed by director Hayao Miyazaki encourages visitors to create their own unique experience by freely exploring a building that looks like a Ghibli setting. Many exhibits at the Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum feel like something from a Ghibli movie because they come from the same time period as certain films' settings. Image: Ryozo/Pixta The Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is another Ghibli-related site that lies about 50 minutes away from the Ghibli Museum via public transportation. The architectural museum is home to more than two dozen historic buildings — used by Ghibli animators as references when creating movies such as 'Spirited Away' (2001) Studio Ghibli's connection to the architectural museum is also clearly seen in the institution's caterpillar mascot, Edomaru, who was created by Hayao Miyazaki. Visitors who become fans of this little-known Ghibli character should stop by the museum gift shop as it carries souvenirs featuring Edomaru. Besides the museum and other memorials, Yokoamicho Park features a children's play area. Image: mandegan/Pixta While the Ghibli Museum and the architectural museum evoke wonder, other sites in Tokyo are powerful reminders of harsher incidents depicted in Ghibli movies. Yokoamicho Park, for example, is home to the Great Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum. In 1923, this earthquake and subsequent fires became one of Japan's deadliest disasters, claiming thousands of lives. Studio Ghibli portrayed this earthquake in the 2013 film 'The Wind Rises.' Inside the memorial museum, visitors can view photos and artifacts from the disaster's aftermath. The surrounding Yokoamicho Park is home to even more memorial structures for victims of the earthquake and the Great Tokyo Air Raid of 1945. Air raids have been depicted in multiple Ghibli films such as 'The Boy and the Heron' (2023), 'Grave of the Fireflies' (1988) and even the fantasy film 'Howl's Moving Castle' (2004). Scenes like these are just one way Ghibli has sparked reflection on conflict's consequences. Nagoya: Explore Ghibli Park and Showa-era attractions The Toromon Gate stands between Ghibli's Grand Warehouse and Dondoko Forest — two of five areas inside Ghibli Park. Image: kunami/Pixta Although not traditionally part of the Golden Route, Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture is an easy addition since it is accessible from Tokyo via shinkansen (bullet train). Nagoya is also an essential destination for Ghibli fans as it serves as the gateway to Ghibli Park. Located inside Moricoro Park (Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park), Ghibli Park is a place that brings the studio's best-known and lesser-known films to life. In the park's five areas, visitors can enter iconic scenes and settings from their favorite movies such as the bakery from 'Kiki's Delivery Service' (1989) or the antique shop from 'Whisper of the Heart' (1995). Some small rides such as a carousel are available, but like Tokyo's Ghibli Museum, most of the fun at Ghibli Park comes from exploration and discovery. Ghibli Park is accessible in about one hour by train from Nagoya station. Spending at least one day exploring the park is recommended, though visitors who hope to enjoy every detail of all five areas may need two days. Another smaller attraction that Ghibli fans in Nagoya should consider visiting is the Showa Era Lifestyle Museum. Ghibli films such as 'My Neighbor Totoro' (1988) and 'Only Yesterday' (1991) take place during Japan's Showa Era (1926 - 1989), and this museum exhibits thousands of everyday items from this period such as cars, toys and advertising signage. Hiroshima: Ghibli inspiration and wartime reflection Hayao Miyazaki is just one famous figure who has traveled to Tomonoura in the town's long history. Other notable visitors include actor Hugh Jackman and the samurai Ryoma Sakamoto. Image: まちゃー/Pixta Take a bullet train to Fukuyama station, and from here a local bus whisks visitors to Tomonoura — one of the most historic port towns in Hiroshima Prefecture. Hayao Miyazaki is known to have stayed in Tomonoura for about two months, and it is believed that his time here inspired the setting of the movie 'Ponyo' (2008). Stop by the Tomonoura Tourist Information Center upon arriving, and you can find information about places in town with ties to the movie. Besides Ponyo-related sites, Ghibli fans should also stop by Onfunayado Iroha — a restaurant and ryokan (traditional-style inn) that was renovated using sketches by Miyazaki. Tomonoura's long history also means that there are countless other local wonders to explore that are not related to Ghibli. Even if travelers cannot stay for as long as Miyazaki did, the sights and stories of Tomonoura are sure to stir the imagination. Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park was built near the hypocenter of the atomic bombing that destroyed the city on Aug. 6, 1945. Image: denkei/Pixta The final recommended stops on the Ghibli Golden Route are in Hiroshima City — about 20 minutes away from Fukuyama station by bullet train. Although they do not have direct connections to Ghibli films, travelers should visit Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and museum. Ghibli directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki were children during World War II, and both directors have explicitly portrayed the destruction caused by war in their movies. The year 2025 will be the 80th since atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As the anniversaries of these tragedies and the peace advocate Studio Ghibli coincide, perhaps now is one of the best times to remember the studio's real-world commentary. Beyond the Ghibli Golden Route Japan's most famous and accessible Ghibli-related sites are found along the Golden Route, but there are many more inspirations to explore. After traversing the Golden Route, countless other new worlds await. © Japan Today
