Latest news with #MyNeighborTotoro
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Japan to create digital archive of manga, anime and games
Studio Ghibli has produced iconic anime films like My Neighbor Totoro. Japan seeks to digitise such cultural treasures and add them to a database, thereby boosting Japan's soft power. - Studio Ghibli TOKYO: The government is set to launch a new 'digital archive strategy' aimed at preserving and promoting Japan's trove of such cultural assets as manga, anime and video games, which are immensely popular among young people worldwide. The initiative seeks to digitise these cultural treasures and add them to a database, thereby boosting Japan's soft power and attracting people from all over. The government also aims to promote the online distribution of local arts and cultural properties, with the goal of fostering regional revitalisation. The strategy is the first of its kind to be formulated by the government. It outlines a framework and policy for initiatives over a five-year period, from fiscal 2026 to 2030. Work on the strategy began when an expert panel was established in March last year. Two key areas are prioritised. Namely, 'media arts,' which include manga, anime and video games and which have added to Japan's soft power thanks to their global acclaim; and 'regional resources,' which encompasses cultural properties and works of art with a high tourism potential. Within the media arts domain, the strategy outlines the establishment of a national media arts centre, which will be tasked with collecting and preserving original manga drawings and animation cells and creating a comprehensive database for these items. In recent years, anime and manga fans have increasingly sought to visit the real-world settings of their favorite stories. The government wants to boost tourism in regions that have these connections by encouraging fans from around the world to visit. To improve the digital preservation and distribution of regional resources, the government will collaborate more closely with local municipalities using Japan Search. This portal allows users to search the materials held by libraries, museums and other institutions nationwide all at once. The strategy emphasises that local communities should lead the decision-making process for preserving local cultural and artistic works, with municipalities playing a central role in expanding and utilising digital archives. This initiative is expected to have a spillover effect, encouraging domestic and international enthusiasts to, after seeing the digitised version of a digital cultural asset, pay a visit to wherever the asset is located. Furthermore, the government aims to document cultural properties as a safeguard against large-scale disasters, ensuring their preservation for future generations. The strategy mirrors efforts by the European Union, which has been developing platforms for cultural assets for some time. 'We want to have a system on par with Europe's in the next ten years,' said a Japanese government official. - The Japan News/ANN
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Orange Cats Have Long Been a Genetic Mystery. Scientists Have Finally Solved It
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: The gene that causes orange coloration in cats had been pondered for years, but never actually found—until now. Cats with orange coats get them from a deletion (meaning a missing segment) mutation in the noncoding region of a gene associated with both neuroendocrine tissues and pigmentation. There are more male orange cats than females because this gene is located on the X-chromosome, which males only have one copy of. Females are more likely to be tortoiseshell or calico because they have two X chromosomes, and therefore have more genetic coat color options to 'choose' from. Garfield might be the most iconic orange tabby around, but Hollywood has seen quite a few leading cats of the same color—Heathcliff, Oliver, Hiyao Miyazaki's adorably terrifying Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro, and Morris from those retro cat food commercials all come to mind. Like most celebrities, they have so far refused to give up their most guarded beauty secret—how did they get those fabulous golden auburn coats? Hiroyuki Sasaki—a cat enthusiast and geneticist at Kyushu University in Japan—was determined to identify the elusive gene that carries the orange mutation in Felis silvestris catus (the domesticated cat). He and his research team analyzed DNA in skin tissue from cats with and without orange fur, and found a mutation to the ARHGAP36 gene. This was a type of deletion mutation, meaning that a segment of a gene is missing. In orange cats, the missing segment is located on an intron, or noncoding region, of the ARHGAP36 gene, which is also in neuroendocrine tissues (especially the hypothalamus), adrenal glands, and pituitary glands. The location of the mutation on this particular gene also explains why there are so many more male orange cats than female ones. ARHGAP36 is known as X-linked, meaning that it is located on the X chromosome. In female cats (and all female mammals), one of the two X chromosomes in each cell is randomly switched off in a process known as X chromosome inactivation, so even if the mutation is present, it is unlikely that it will be expressed by every cell and appear as an even (or even semi-even) orange coat. To be orange, a female cat must have the orange gene on both X chromosomes, so no matter which one is deleted, the orange gene still dominates. Male cats, on the other hand, only have one X chromosome, and are therefore much more likely to evenly express that mutation. Whether orange or not, all fur pigmentation genes are X-linked. Calico and tortoiseshell coats also come from different combinations of activated X chromosomes—both with and without the deletion that results in orange—which explains why most of them are female. For this to happen to a male cat, there would have to be two X chromosomes present next to the Y chromosome in order for random inactivation to result in mottled fur. Sasaki and his team found that ARHGAP36 was most active in melanocytes (cells in the skin which produce pigment) found in the orange patches of calicos and tortoiseshells. Genes promoting melanogenesis, or the production of melanin in melanocytes, suppress ARHGAP36 and are upregulated in brown, black, and gray patches. These colors are associated with the black or brown pigment known as eumelanin, which is also the most common form of melanin. Sasaki believes that when a mutated ARHGAP36 is expressed as orange fur in cats, the missing part of the gene would have suppressed orange coloration had it been present. In cats, mutated ARHGAP36 was shown to suppress other genes involved in the production of eumelanin so that it could instead produce a different type of melanin called pheomelanin, which is the reddish-yellow pigment in orange fur. Found only in mammals and birds, pheomelanin is also behind red hair in humans and flashy red feathers in some bird species. It seems that high ARHGAP36 activity is, in general, associated with reduced activity in genes involved with the production of eumelanin. Sasaki is convinced that this gene's takeover may somehow shift pigment production to pheomelanin instead—though, how exactly it pulls this off is still unknown. And because ARHGAP36 also has significant importance in the brain, there is even speculation as to whether there are true associations between fur color and personality (the confirmation of which could either prove or silence all the orange cat memes out there). 'Although it is not fully understood how the identified deletion switches the pigment species, the variation likely dominates the cat population with orange coat color,' the researchers wrote. Somewhere, Garfield is smugly beaming next to a tray of lasagna. You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen
SoraNews24
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Japanese traditional Ghibli gift set lets you give Totoro teatime to a fellow fan…or yourself
Even the bundle of this three-piece bundle is a treat for fans of the anime icon. There's quite a bit of gift-giving that goes on in My Neighbor Totoro. Mei's desire to deliver a present to her mom in the hospital kicks off the Studio Ghibli anime's final-act crisis, and Mei and Satsuki cement their friendship with Totoro by giving him an umbrella while they're waiting for their buses in the rain. But perhaps the most memorable gift is the one Totoro gives them in return for the umbrella, a packet of maybe-magical seeds wrapped up in a mambo leaf. And if you'd like to give someone in your life a little Totoro magic, or at least some Totoro -themed warm fuzzy feelings, Ghibli specialty store Donguri Kyowakoku is offering a charming Totoro Gift Set. Instead of an actual bamboo leaf (which would be too small), the bundle comes wrapped in a furoshiki, a Japanese decorative wrapping cloth which can also be used like a bag or sling, depending on how it's tied, or, alternatively as a tapestry or other interior decoration. The all-cotton furoshiki's pattern features a number of Soot Sprites hiding amongst the greenery, and in the corner is a Small/white Totoro, positioned such that when the gift set is bundled up, the forest spirit will be standing up at the top of the knot. The furoshiki is beautiful by itself, but there are more gifts inside. This cylindrical container, wrapped in traditional washi paper with illustrations of Totoros walking through the forest, is a tea case. Inside are eight tea bags of Donguri Kyowakoku's special-blend Donguri Tea. While donguri is the Japanese word for 'acorn,' the tea is actually a blend of kuromame (black bean) and genmai (brown rice) teas with jujube and quercus salicina leaf. And because the can is made of sturdy stainless steel, you can use it to store other things long after you've drunk your last cup of the tea that comes inside it. Ah, but what to pour that tea into? Simple: the Totoro teacup that makes up the third part of the Totoro Gift Set. This is what's called a yunomi in Japanese, meaning a teacup with no handle. The gently rounded sides of this particular design help make a heartwarming mental association with Totoro's chubby cuddliness. The bundle is priced at 5,280 yen (US$36) and can be ordered here through the Donguri Kyowakoku online store, where they describe it as a way to 'give a soothing, relaxing time with Totoros,' and we say there's nothing wrong with giving that present to yourself. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku, Studio Ghibli ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
It's too easy for foreigners to buy property in Japan
A cottage industry has spun up in Japan in the last few years offering abandoned houses, known as akiya, to foreigners. Many countries have stock of underused housing, though Japan is certainly one of the worst offenders. Since the post-pandemic reopening, there's been a surge of interest in akiya among those priced out of their markets at home. Buyer beware: Living in poorly insulated, socially isolated dwellings in the countryside can often be less My Neighbor Totoro and more torturous. But the boom has highlighted how easy it is for those outside to buy property here. Indeed, the lack of restrictions or even disincentives borders on the absurd. And it's becoming a political issue. While abandoned houses in rural areas aren't much of a concern, in Tokyo and other major metropolitan centers where property prices are surging, some are pointing an accusatory finger at international buyers suspected of triggering the rise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crossout 2.0: Supercharged Crossout Play Now Undo ALSO READ: Mass destruction for Japan? Tourists cancel plans after a psychic's 'real catastrophe' warning (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) In the capital, the average cost of a new apartment has topped ¥100 million ($700,000) for two years running. In the most central areas, the price of a second-hand, 70 square meter (750 square foot) apartment has doubled since before Covid, according to real estate consultancy Tokyo Kantei Co. , a pace of increase practically unheard of in a market once synonymous with flatlining prices. In 2022, I wrote about the affordability of Tokyo property. Just three years later, many are feeling priced out. ALSO READ: Japan fast-tracks global education push; eyes 4,00,000 international students by 2033 Live Events There's a raft of potential culprits. New apartments are in short supply, with many prime plots already redeveloped in advance of the Tokyo Olympics. Inflation is contributing to increasing construction costs, and there's a worker shortage thanks in part to a crackdown on overtime hours. The rise of the 'power couple,' dual-income households of well-paid professionals, is also a factor as more women join the workplace and, in turn, the property market. ALSO READ: Japan tourism hits record high in April as 3.9 million visitors drive 28.5% surge But increasingly, the spotlight is falling on foreign buyers, particularly wealthy Chinese, seeking a safe place for their capital and drawn by Japan's political stability and social safety net. Lawmakers and commentators have been raising the lack of restrictions on property in parliament in recent weeks, as well as in the media. Former international soccer-star-turned-investor Keisuke Honda summed up what many think when he recently tweeted that he thought foreigners should not be allowed to buy land here. One thing that clouds the conversation is the lack of reliable data on transactions. Japan does not keep records of the nationality of buyers. One recent survey of developers by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp. suggests that 20% to 40% of new apartments in central Tokyo were being purchased by foreigners. Authorities are now, belatedly, beginning their first-ever survey to establish the facts, NHK recently reported. Amazingly, it was only this decade that Japan first began making it harder for foreigners to buy properties even in sensitive areas next to military bases or nuclear plants. Beyond that, it's open season: Buyers don't even have to be resident in the country, there are no additional taxes or stamp duties for foreign purchasers, nor are there extra levies for second or holiday homes. Japan is an outlier in the region. Singapore doubled its stamp duty on foreign buyers to 60% in 2023 as part of a series of disincentives, while Hong Kong only recently removed a similar curb in an effort to breathe life into the property market. Elsewhere, Australia announced a two-year outright ban on foreigners buying some homes, a step Canada last year extended. To be clear, Japan is nowhere near needing to take such radical steps. Indeed, it's ironic that this conversation is happening at all, given the frequent complaints about stagnant property prices. But with the secret now out about Tokyo's international attractiveness as a place to live, it's a good time for lawmakers to get ahead of the conversation — before it fuels further public discontent. In an increasingly globalized and unequal world, residents — whether Japanese or foreign — should surely be given priority above speculative buyers looking for a rarely used second home. If nothing else, a government that needs to boost its coffers should be maximizing its tax revenues. Given the shortage of supply, it should also discourage owners from holding properties that are rarely occupied, at least in Tokyo's central areas. And it's not unreasonable for Japanese to be upset about the ease with which Chinese investors can buy in Japan, when the reverse transaction isn't even possible. Japan's remarkable stability during its economic lean years was in large part due to the availability of basic services such as housing, something many Western economies have failed at, fueling popular discontent. As Tokyo re-emerges, it should take care not to repeat others' mistakes.
SoraNews24
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Totoro log plushie pouches, clear-tummy bags are here to adorably hold your most important stuff
Whether you're spending time at home or headed out for the day, Totoro can help keep your belongings organized. Between its cute creature designs and detailed depictions of lush forests and peaceful farmland, the art of every scene in My Neighbor Totoro is a joy to look at. And while we haven't found any Totoros living in our local parks (not that we've given up looking, though), we're always on the lookout for ways to add some of the Studio Ghibli anime classic's 'adorable nature' aesthetic to our daily lives. That brings us to what looks like a plushie…tree stump? Yeah, that's clearly meant to be a rendered-in-cloth log cross-section, with Totoro on top and Soot Sprites on the side. But from the angle of the above photo you can also see a zipper, because this is, in fact, a pouch. Measuring 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) in diameter, the Totoro Log Pouch is part of specialty shop Donguri Kyowakoku's line of Ghibli-themed household goods that's just practical enough to make it a totally reasonable purchase, and smile-inducingly eye-catching enough to make it an easy pick over a plainer pouch. ▼ The leaf-shaped zipper pull is an especially nice touch. But while the Totoro Log Pouch works great as both an at-home storage space and interior decoration, what if you've got outdoor, or at least out-of-the-house, adventures to go on? Totoro can still help you hold your stuff, as Donguri Kyowakoku is also offering what it calls the Totoro Heading Out Pochette. Modeled after the Medium/blue Totoro, this shoulder-strap pouch works best if a travel-light philosophy is applicable to whatever you've got planned for the day. It is big enough, though, to hold essentials such as your phone, keys, or candy (yes, of course snacks are essential). ▼ Totoro's tummy is clear, but the back of the bag is entirely fuzzy, complete with a little tail. Both bags have recently been restocked at Donguri Kyowakoku and can be ordered through the store's official online shop, with the log pouch available here for 1,980 yen (US$13.65) and the 3,630-yen pochette here. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
