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Japan Forward
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Exclusive: Retired Star Satoko Miyahara Still Seeking Future Path
Satoko Miyahara took time from her busy tour schedule to discuss her illustrious career, current work, and thoughts about the future in an exclusive interview. Satoko Miyahara dazzles during her performance in one of the 2025 Rock Stars on Ice tour stops. (©TRI NGUYEN) SAN JOSE, California ― Three years removed from her competitive career, Satoko Miyahara is just entering the prime of her life and the possibilities going forward are limitless. The 27-year-old Miyahara recently completed a grueling month-long tour of Canada and the United States with "Rock Stars on Ice." This marked the fourth year that the four-time Japan champion has skated with the group, which included the likes of two-time world champion Ilia Malinin and fellow world titlist Alysa Liu. Miyahara took time out from the busy tour schedule for an exclusive interview with Ice Time, where she discussed her illustrious career, current work, and thoughts about the future. Ice Time asked the two-time world medalist how she came to be the only Japanese skater with the Stars on Ice troupe. "When I retired from competition, I really wanted to do shows overseas," Miyahara stated in a quiet room inside the SAP Center before a Sunday afternoon show. "I was skating as a guest skater in Stars on Ice Japan. That was the very first connection. My agent contacted the producer of SOI and asked if I could join the Canadian tour, and the answer was positive." Satoko Miyahara in a recent file photo. (SATOKO MIYAHARA/via INSTAGRAM) Renowned for her beautiful line and edge on the ice, I wondered whether she enjoyed competitions or show skating more. "I think I like shows better, but I really like the training process toward competitions," Miyahara commented. "So it's hard to decide which. Just talking about the actual performance, I like to perform in shows. "I think at competitions I pressure myself too much and I never thought that I did my best programs at competitions. But when it comes to shows, it is more about how you perform, and you can do the programs you really want to do." Satoko Miyahara (JACK GALLAGHER) Her successful career has brought her a legion of fans in various parts of the globe, and along the way she has earned several nicknames. Ice Time wanted to know which one was her favorite. "I adore them all," Miyahara remarked. " 'Satopi' is from (former training partner) Ayaka Hosoda and it's my oldest nickname. 'Satton' comes next because one of my friends who trained with me gave me that name. "It's so funny, to say our nicknames in Western Japan, it's a very Kansai nickname. The pronunciation is Sat-ton, but the people in Kanto cannot really pronounce it right. Even between skaters we always have fun talking about that." The final moniker is believed to have been originally bestowed upon her by foreign fans. " 'Tiny Queen' I love because my fans gave me that name and it always brings me the feeling that I should be honored about myself and be like a tiny queen. I tend to shrink and feel like I am not good enough. 'Tiny Queen' brings the feeling that I should be proud of myself and show my best." Satoko Miyahara Added Miyahara, "I don't know if it was foreign fans or Japanese fans who came up with the nickname, but everybody knows it means me." Satoko Miyahara competes in the women's short program at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. (©SANKEI) When one has had as decorated a career as Miyahara has, I was interested in hearing her memories of the Pyeongchang Olympics, where she came in fourth in 2018. "I was very, very, very happy with both the team event (Japan finished fifth) and my individual event," Miyahara proclaimed. "Both were a great result. For me, the Olympics were the biggest goal, so I was so happy that I was able to get that opportunity to participate in the competition. The whole event felt like I was in a wonderland. That is my biggest memory." Ice Time was in Pyeongchang and vividly remembers Miyahara's outstanding performance, where she finished behind Russians Alina Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva, and Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond. From left, runner-up Satoko Miyahara, gold medalist Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and third-place finisher Elena Radionova in the women's singles competition at the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai. (DAVID W CARMICHAEL/CC BY-SA 3.0/via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) Miyahara, a two-time Grand Prix Final medalist, considers the 2018 Games to have been the pinnacle of her career, but also cited a couple of other competitions as being high on her list of favorites. "The Pyeongchang Olympics was my highlight," Miyahara recalled. "Also, the very first worlds (2015), where I got the silver medal, those were my two highlights, thinking of the results. "But program-wise, the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona (where she placed second in 2016)," she continued. "I really felt like I was doing my programs without any doubts, [and] I felt really free. Program-wise, performance-wise, that was my best." Rock Stars on Ice performer Satoko Miyahara has participated in its shows in North America since 2022. (JAMES BENNETT) After addressing the glorious moments of a career that earned her seven medals at the Japan Championships, Ice Time wanted to know if she had any competitive regrets. "I don't have any competitions that I regret, but if I can say one, the very last season of my career," Miyahara remembered, referring to her fifth-place finish at the 2021 Japan Championships. "It was the selection competition for the Olympics. I fell on my [triple] lutz and, I don't know, but if I landed it, I might have been selected for the Beijing Olympics." Miyahara continued: "I still question if I had landed it, but it is what it is and I don't regret it at all. I'm so happy right now, so I have no regrets." Satoko Miyahara in 2018. (ⒸSANKEI) To call Miyahara's family successful is a bit of an understatement, as both of her parents are doctors. Ice Time asked for specifics on their fields of practice. "My mom is a hematologist and my father is a lung surgeon," Miyahara noted. Growing up around that high level of professional achievement, I wondered if she felt any anxiety about life after skating. "I don't feel any pressure, because my parents really respect my opinions," Miyahara commented. "They say, 'You should do whatever you want to do.' " She then said, "They support me a lot. Maybe a tiny bit they would like me to attend medical school. I don't know. This is my guess. They really respect me and I respect them." Miyahara, who won the Four Continents Championships in 2016, confessed that she does not have a firm plan about her future path at this time. "I actually do not know what I want to do," Miyahara remarked, adding, "I just want to experience whatever I can. Whatever comes along my path, I would like to try everything and see what I want to do and what I don't want to do. I am searching for what I want to do." Added Miyahara, "I just have to see what I want to do in the future. I think because I don't know what I want to do after skating, that is making me feel worried a little bit." Satoko Miyahara (front row, center) and other members of the 2025 Rock Stars on Ice tour. (SATOKO MIYAHARA/via INSTAGRAM) As she continues her career as a professional skater, Miyahara has begun to dabble in choreography, including creating a new exhibition program for three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto. Ice Time wanted to learn the origin of that arrangement. "I recently started to work with some kids and I did one show program with a senior girl, Miyabi Oba," Miyahara stated. "She's my great, great friend. Because I did that a lot of skaters thought, 'Oh, you do choreography?' Kaori was one of the skaters, and she just texted me, 'Is it OK if I ask you to make my exhibition program?' "I was like, 'It is such an honor, but are you sure that you want me to make your exhibition program?' Miyahara recalled. "And she was like, 'I would love you to.' " Miyahara admitted she had some trepidation about the task. "I was a bit nervous, but I wanted to take on that challenge," Miyahara said, adding, "I really love Kaori, so I accepted it." While she enjoys doing choreography, Miyahara isn't considering it as a primary vocation looking ahead. "I don't see myself doing choreography as a main job in the future. But as a life experience and to bring it to my next career," Miyahara stated. "I think it is going to be a great opportunity and experience. For now, I really enjoy working on choreography and studying about it. It could be a side job in the future." The 152-cm Miyahara was coached by Mie Hamada for her entire career. Ice Time asked for her thoughts on the legendary mentor, who is still going strong. Mie Hamada (KYODO) "She started coaching me when I was seven and a half," and "basically brought me to the Olympics. Baby to the Olympics. She taught me all the basic skills and skating skills, and how to practice, how to train, how to train off ice." Satoko Miyahara on mentor Mie Hamada Added Miyahara, "She brought me to all the amazing choreographers overseas, jump coaches, spin coaches. [And] she took me everywhere that we could go. I think that made me a good skater. I really appreciate her." Having learned under a prominent coach for so many years, the question of whether Miyahara would someday like to coach herself was broached. "Not for now," Miyahara stated. "I have been thinking about if I really want to coach after finishing competing. But so far, I never felt that I wanted to be a coach. It is very difficult." One new assignment that Miyahara has taken on is that of a director for the Japan Skating Federation, which she assumed in September 2024. I asked how that opportunity came about and what it entails. "Ito-san (JSF chief Hidehito Ito) called me and he asked me if I would like to try or not," Miyahara recalled. "He asked if it was OK if he selected me as a director. I had no idea at that time what I could do. [And] I thought it might be a good chance to contribute to the skating world. So I thought I would like to try it." Miyahara then gave a brief description of what her role with the JSF is. "There are a few faculties in the JSF," she noted. "I am in the headquarters. There are meetings and I attend those meetings. We talk about events and how the event went. We discuss how we can make things better. That is what I am doing now. I am still learning about how it all works. We meet once a month, in Tokyo or online." Miyahara's popularity among the skating public and her fellow skaters is well known. Her sublime skating skills, dedication to her craft, and ability to interact with her fellow competitors through the years have made her a highly respected figure in the sport. Kaori Sakamoto (left) and Satoko Miyahara are seen at the Fantasy on Ice show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on May 31. (KYODO) Ice Time queried Miyahara on who she considered her best friends in skating after all these years. "That is such a hard question," Miyahara replied. "In Japan, probably Kaori, Wakaba [Higuchi] and Rika Hongo. Those three are the closest. Of the boys, Kazuki [Tomono] and Koshiro [Shimada]. I am pretty close to them." Miyahara then said, "I grew up competing with Shoma [Uno], so I know a lot about him. I am very close with [coach and choreographer] Stephane Lambiel, [and] I am also close with the Stars on Ice family members." From left, Japanese skaters Yuzuru Hanyu, Satoko Miyahara, Akiko Suzuki and Takahito Mura are seen in this commemorative photo at a Noto Peninsula reconstruction charity performance in September 2024 in Kanazawa. (©Toru Yaguchi/via SANKEI) Miyahara said she has enjoyed the annual multi-city tours of Canada and the United States with the SOI team. "It's really fun because I like to travel and see the city," Miyahara commented before adding, "it's very interesting to see all the places. I don't really know exactly on the map which city is where, but it's so amazing that I can see all the places and skate there. It's hard to say which city is the best." Miyahara mentioned that the evening performances give her a chance to explore the different stops on the tours. "It's amazing because I get to see all the different venues and rinks," she noted. "We have the shows. Usually Sundays are matinees. Weekdays it is from 7 PM, so I have time during the mornings to walk around." Having spent so much time outside Japan for training, competitions, and shows in her career, Ice Time wanted to know if she was interested in living abroad at some point in the future. "I would like to have the chance to live overseas someday," Miyahara replied with a smile. Author: Jack Gallagher The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page , and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan .
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India enhances competitiveness and made manufacturing sector attractive to investors: S&P Global
New Delhi [India], May 19 (ANI): India has made notable progress to improve its competitiveness and made manufacturing sector more attractive to investors, according to a report by S&P Global. An analysis of S&P Global Market Intelligence's Strategic Opportunity Index (SOI) over time indicates that India has taken significant steps to enhance its competitiveness. It said 'India has made notable progress in enhancing its competitiveness and making its manufacturing sector more attractive to investors'. The report also noted that India can benefit from the growing trend of trade protectionism across the world. Although rising protectionist policies pose challenges, they can also support supply-chain diversification, which may work in India's favour in the long term. India's dependence on external trade for growth is moderate. This provides the country with some protection from global trade disruptions and changing tariff policies. However, it is still not completely shielded from the effects of increasing trade protectionism. Currently, manufacturing accounts for just 17.2 per cent of India's real gross domestic product (GDP). To strengthen this, the government has taken several steps to build domestic manufacturing capabilities and increase India's participation in global supply chains. One of the major initiatives has been the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, launched in March 2020. These schemes have supported the growth of several sectors, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles, by boosting production and exports. The report stated that a key highlight is mobile phone exports, which were valued at zero in 2016. By 2024, they had risen sharply to USD 20.4 billion, marking a 44 per cent jump from 2023. This growth was largely driven by Apple shifting part of its mobile phone manufacturing from China to India. The private sector is also optimistic about India's manufacturing future. High-frequency HSBC PMI data, compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, showed that India's manufacturing sector has remained strong even during recent global challenges. For the past 12 months, India's headline manufacturing PMI readings have consistently stayed above global averages. This resilience has been supported by strong domestic demand, increased hiring, and inventory build-up. S&P Global Market Intelligence added that India could use the threat of higher US tariffs on other Asian economies, such as China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and Bangladesh to its advantage. This may help India boost its manufacturing growth and raise its share in global exports. (ANI)
Buzz Feed
10-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
This Device Is A 'Must-Have' For Anyone With A Handbag
As a city dweller, I've always found a big bag to be non-negotiable. You never know when you'll need an extra layer, umbrella, bottle of water, a trusty paperback, your iPad, or a spare reusable shopping bag. However, for all its pros, it can admittedly be hard to find things in a bigger bag. Sure, you have everything you need, but where is it all? Be it keys, lip gloss or an errant Advil, the thing you need the most is always lurking at the bottom. Recently, after fumbling around in my bag for an embarrassingly long time on a fruitless pen hunt, a friend put me on to this gadget that has the potential to change the game. The SOI is a purse light with a sensor that detects movement, so every time you reach into your bag it will automatically pop on for 10 seconds. No fumbling for your phone flashlight or straining to see — this little light makes finding things a snap. In fact, one customer, Jessica, said in a review that 'every dark satchel and backpack needs one of these!' I couldn't agree more. She explained that 'it lights up only once you reach to search the dark depths' adding that 'this light will lower the stress in your life!' At just under three inches in diameter, it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, or as the case may be, at the bottom of your bag. Beyond handbags, this battery powered light is great for travel, camping, desk drawers or anywhere else you need a little extra illumination. This light 'would be the perfect [gift] for my friend-who-has-everything' wrote CDW in a review, adding that 'aesthetically, the design is just ubercool — smooth edges and white translucent shell make it a fine gift. Even the packaging could be a gift box on its own.' Gift it, stash it in your bedside table drawer, keep it in your car, your bag, your suitcase — just know that however you end up using this smart doo-dad, it's sure to brighten up your day. Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
Mint
23-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Infosys to Astral - Jay Thakkar suggests three stocks to buy for short-term in F&O segment
Stock market today: The Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Wednesday, bolstered by optimism surrounding a potential trade agreement between India and the US, ongoing foreign investment, and encouraging economic indicators. As of 12:06 IST, the Sensex gained 214.05 points or 0.25 percent, reaching 79,792.32, while the Nifty 50 rose by 47.90 points or 0.18 percent to 24,210.50. Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, emphasized that while terror attacks may succeed in causing loss of life, they cannot significantly alter our economy or markets. He noted that Pakistan's political instability and struggling economy are unlikely to adversely affect the Indian economy and markets. Today, the markets are likely to convey this message as the underlying factors remain favourable. Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy On the F&O segment, technical analysts highlighted that for the ongoing monthly expiry, open interest is dispersed, with the highest concentrations at the 24,000 Put and 24,500 Call strikes. The long-short ratio remains steady at 32%. Considering the strong buying momentum observed in recent sessions and the consolidation seen yesterday, analysts maintain a positive outlook on the market. Market Outlook by Jay Thakkar, Vice President & Head of Derivatives and Quant Research, ICICI Securities Nifty 50 Nifty 50 has broken out of 24,200 levels as well which is quite positive in the near term. Nifty has posted a positive close for six consecutive days and now as we move towards the monthly series F&O expiry the probability of short covering from current levels until the expiry is expected. Now, the base on the lower side has been shifted to 24,000 from 23,800 levels, so now until 24,000 levels are not broken the short-term trend is bullish for the targets of 24,500 to 24,800 levels. The sectors which had seen higher short built up was Nifty IT has now shown some signs of trend reversal today and early indication of short covering, so if the short covering continues then Nifty 50 will further inch higher until 24500 to 24800 levels. The Nifty Bank so far has led the rally and the Nifty Bank to Nifty IT ratio has reached to last two years high, so from here on in the immediate basis if the ratio reverses from hereon i.e. it is at 1.60 then probably Nifty IT may witness short covering has it has highest short built up despite in last few days prices had bounced back the OI didn't reverse but now with positive cues coming from the US there is a higher probability of a short covering which is witnessed in todays market start as well. Buy Infosys May futures in the range of ₹ 1,460 to ₹ 1,480; stop loss at ₹ 1,430; targets at ₹ 1,530 and ₹ 1,560 Infosys May futures has managed to hold on to its recent lows post its result as well and despite that the SOI had not come down but today with price moving above its previous high and overall Nifty IT reversing from down to up there is a higher chance of short covering, hence in the short term one can initiate longs from the perspective of short covering. Buy Astral May futures in the range of ₹ 1,370 - ₹ 1,390; stop loss at ₹ 1,335; targets at ₹ 1,460 and ₹ 1,500 Astral May futures has taken a pause in its downtrend and seems to have formed a base as the prices are not falling below 125 levels and slowly it has been rising forming a base around ₹1,250 levels. The stock has fallen from ₹2,430 to ₹1,250 levels approximately on account of short covering however now the prices have reversed, hence short covering from current levels can't be ruled out, hence the risk: reward is now better on the long side. Also Read | Sagar Doshi of Nuvama recommends these 3 stocks to buy today- 23 April 2025 Buy Colgate Palmolive (India) May futures in the range of ₹ 2,650 to ₹ 2,680; stop loss at ₹ 2,580; targets at ₹ 2,780 to ₹ 2,850 Colgate Palmolive (India) May future has witnessed good trend reversal as far as prices are concerned and it has witnessed short covering as well, as the OI has been falling now, so the overall bias turns positive in the short term for a bounce back from short covering point of view. Disclaimer: The Research Analyst or his relatives or I-Sec do not have actual/beneficial ownership of 1% or more securities of the subject company, at the end of 22/04/2025 or have no other financial interest and do not have any material conflict of interest.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
See it: Hidden ocean world revealed after Chicago-sized iceberg breaks away in Antarctica
ANTARCTICA – A Chicago-sized iceberg recently broke away from Antarctica, giving scientists the chance to explore a portion of the sea floor that may have been hidden for centuries. When an iceberg named A-84 broke off from the George VI Ice Shelf on Jan. 13, the crew of R/V Falkor (too) of the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) was already nearby and traveled to investigate the footprint the iceberg left behind. "Being right there when this iceberg calved from the ice shelf presented a rare scientific opportunity," said Schmidt Ocean Institute Executive Director, Dr. Jyotika Virmani. "Serendipitous moments are part of the excitement of research at sea – they offer the chance to be the first to witness the untouched beauty of our world." Over 200 square miles of seafloor were revealed, giving researchers a treasure trove of opportunities to learn about the geology, physical oceanography and biology of an area never before seen by humans, according to the SOI. Photos from their 8-day expedition show their discoveries, including large corals and sponges that were home to a wide range of animals, such as icefish, giant sea spiders and octopus. How To Watch Fox Weather The team may have also discovered several new species of organisms. "The discovery offers new insights into how ecosystems function beneath floating sections of the Antarctic ice sheet," SOI officials said. They noted that the expedition was the first detailed, comprehensive and interdisciplinary study of such a large area that had been hidden beneath a floating ice shelf. "We seized upon the moment, changed our expedition plan, and went for it so we could look at what was happening in the depths below," said expedition co-chief scientist Dr. Patricia Esquete of the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and the Department of Biology (DBio) at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. "We didn't expect to find such a beautiful, thriving ecosystem. Based on the size of the animals, the communities we observed have been there for decades, maybe even hundreds of years." The ability of these animals to survive in such a remote area is a point of curiosity for scientists, particularly how they can thrive despite having nearly 500 feet of ice covering them for hundreds of years and cutting them off from surface nutrients. So, they surmise that they are receiving nutrients from the sea. "Ocean currents also move nutrients, and the team hypothesizes that currents are a possible mechanism for sustaining life beneath the ice sheet," the SOI said. "The precise mechanism fueling these ecosystems is not yet understood."Original article source: See it: Hidden ocean world revealed after Chicago-sized iceberg breaks away in Antarctica
