Latest news with #Seto
Asahi Shimbun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Craftmanship fused with expo mascot proves a popular mix
A lacquerware doll of the official Myaku-Myaku mascot of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo. A pair of these dolls cost 1.65 million yen ($11,300). (Provided by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten) The bizarre appearance of Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, has turned heads. Now, the multiple-eyeballed creature is helping a crafts maker turn a profit. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, a long-established sundry designer and vendor headquartered in Nara, has created several products themed on Myaku-Myaku for the international event. The company primarily handles practical crafts, so its artisans faced as challenge using Myaku-Myaku as a 'model.' Its unexpected strong sales at the expo have provided encouragement for artisans of old-style craftworks. All formally licensed products of the expo have been developed under the concept of 'Myaku-Myaku meets craftsmanship.' Measuring 25 centimeters tall, a Myaku-Myaku statue made of Nabeshima porcelain from Imari city, Saga Prefecture, carries a price tag of 550,000 yen ($3,790), including tax. Brisk sales of the sculpture since the expo opened on April 13 led to Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten's decision to ramp up production. A public relations representative of the company said the statue's detailed pattern was drawn carefully stroke by stroke. 'Our customers may find the creation not only cute but also novel and attractive,' the official said. A pair of 25-cm-tall lacquerware dolls of Myaku-Myaku are available for a tax-inclusive 1.65 million yen. One of the limited-edition items was bought within a week of its release. The other is expected to be sold through a lottery by the end of May. The many eyes of the lacquer-processed doll are inlayed with mother-of-pearl and have undergone 'rankaku-bari,' a skill in which finely crushed eggshells are applied to the surface before being coated with another layer of lacquer. The doll's body sections were finished through different painting techniques, such as colorful 'kawari-nuri' and blacking 'shin-nuri,' giving the creation a luster and unique presence, according to the company. Tiny plates of renowned Arita ware porcelain, characterized by subtle Myaku-Myaku designs, have also been popular. They cost a tax-inclusive 2,750 yen each. A small 'o-mikuji' oracle statue, crafted from famed Seto ware and priced at 1,650 yen after tax, is named O-myaku-ji. It dispenses random fortunes on strips of paper when the string at its bottom is pulled. These goods have drawn crowds at the official souvenir store on the expo's venue, according to the company. 'Our artisans are delighted that the international fair offered them an opportunity to not only take advantage of their skills but also refine their techniques,' a publicity official of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten said. For details of the crafts, visit the Japanese website of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten at (
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
Japan's Seto Wins Int'l Critics Award at Cannes
News from Japan Society Culture May 25, 2025 14:03 (JST) Cannes, France, May 24 (Jiji Press)--Japanese director Momoko Seto's animated film "Dandelion's Odyssey" won the International Federation of Film Critics' award at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on Saturday. In the French-Belgian production, Seto from Tokyo presents the story of dandelion seeds that travel the universe after surviving a nuclear explosion. The dialogue-free film was the closing work of the Critics' Week, held in parallel with the film festival. "We chose this film for the great editing and the use of particular techniques of image that combine classic and modern animation forms," said the federation, known as Fipresci. The federation also awarded two other films. Meanwhile, this year's Palme d'Or went to Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi's "Simple Accident." Director Chie Hayakawa's "Renoir," the only Japanese nominee, missed out on the top prize. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
CBS News
05-03-2025
- CBS News
Brooklyn EMS lieutenant's death sparks investigation into 911 call response
An EMS lieutenant dedicated his life to saving New Yorkers. But when he needed help during a medical emergency last month, critics say, first responders left him behind. As the FDNY reviews this tragedy, CBS News New York Investigates is looking into what's supposed to happen when you call 911. Lt. Nelson Seto's 911 call For more than a decade, EMS Lt. Nelson Seto responded to medical emergencies across the city. On Feb. 17, friends say, he had finished a 12-hour shift. The 42 year-old was off-duty and back at home in Brooklyn, when he called 911. In 911 records, the dispatcher states the caller is having "difficulty breathing" and "can't speak in full sentences." At 12:10 p.m., EMTs quickly arrive on the scene. Seto didn't answer the door, which prompted EMTs to ask dispatch to call him. Just four minutes after their arrival, EMTs marked the call unfounded and left. His body was later discovered by relatives. "It's something I can't get out of my head, what if he heard them leave," FDNY EMS Lt. Anthony Almojera said. Almojera, who was Seto's contact in the union, said he heard the 911 call in which Seto said, "'I can't breathe. I'm having trouble breathing.' And he could barely say that." Investigative reporter Mahsa Saeidi was told that Seto identified himself as a member of EMS on that 911 call. If dispatch had noted that, an EMS officer would have been sent to Seto's home as a sign of respect. That could've prevented this, but it didn't happen. Saeidi also learned the dispatcher was suspended without pay for five days and that the responding EMTs will be re-trained. "The protocol was broken" On Monday, in Brooklyn, family and colleagues came together to honor the life and service of Lt. Seto. "You know, he never shortchanged a job. He always gave it 110%, and that's why I just, I just can't believe it," FDNY EMS Lt. Ronald Wolfe said. The department said it is mourning the loss and that there will likely be changes to FDNY protocols, as a result of Seto's death. But, CBS News New York Investigates asked what the current protocols are and if they were followed. The FDNY would only say it's "under investigation." Almojera, however, said, "The protocol was broken," referring to a procedure in place since 1999. According to the operational guide, EMTs must "make every attempt to gain access" before asking dispatch to call FDNY, and "The ranking Fire Officer has the authority to force entry." It also says the call should not be closed unless you get access and "no patient is found." "Breaking down doors is every day almost, every day," Almojera said, adding when asked how the responding EMTs didn't know that, "I can't get into their heads. I don't know how they absorbed information. The dispatcher, who I'm told has experience, should've known." "I couldn't picture being in the department without him" Wolfe was Seto's closest friend, and former partner. "I just wish I could've been there to help. Like that's the thing. When he needed somebody the most, I wasn't, I wasn't able to be there, and that bothers me. That just plays in my mind," Wolfe said. As the years passed, Wolfe says their bond grew. "Like, when we met, we became partners. I didn't think, I'll be honest with you, I didn't think too much of it and then, as we worked together more, and then our bond grew and then it was just like ... I couldn't picture being in the department without him," Wolfe said. They were side by side at every stage, from EMT to paramedic. "I remember saying 'Nel, the list numbers came out for medic. I don't know if we're going to be in there together. I hope so.' And I remember him saying, 'Ah! We gonna be there together. Don't worry about it. Just trust. We gonna be there together.' And sure enough, that was the case," Wolfe said. "You know, the same thing for lieutenant. God saw fit to put us together again and I'm very thankful for that, very thankful for that." Following Seto's death, Wolfe would accompany him a final time. "He was a consummate paramedic," Wolfe said. "He spent nights, days, studying to perfect his craft, to make sure that when he got that call, that he wouldn't let anybody or their family down, and I want every New Yorker to know that." And what he wants his best friend to know, "I will never forget the ride that we had together. I'll never forget that ride. I'll never forget it."
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
FDNY probes EMTs response to 911 call where Brooklyn EMS lieutenant died
The FDNY is reviewing the response to a 911 emergency call made by an off-duty EMS lieutenant in cardiac arrest to see if more could have been done by the Emergency Medical Technicians who closed out the call when no one came to the door, the Daily News has learned. Critics charge that the EMTs — both of whom had less than a year on the job — should have called a supervisor or the FDNY to take down the door in the hopes of saving Lt. Nelson Seto, 47. Seto called 911 from his home in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, telling the dispatcher that he was having trouble breathing. The 911 dispatcher sent an ambulance that arrived within six minutes, but no one answered the door when they arrived, sources with knowledge of the incident said. When the EMTs told the dispatcher no one was there, the dispatcher called Seto back, but he didn't answer. The job was quickly closed and the EMTs were sent to another job, the source said. A few hours later, a relative showed up at Seto's house and found him dead. The FDNY said Wednesday they are reviewing how the EMTs handled the job to determine if current procedures regarding these responses need to be updated. 'The FDNY is mourning the loss of an EMS Lieutenant who passed away from a medical incident while off-duty,' an FDNY spokeswoman said in a statement. 'On Monday morning, FDNY EMTs responded to a call for difficulty breathing, and were unable to make patient contact. This incident is under review, and it is likely there will be changes to FDNY protocols as a result.' A source with knowledge of FDNY protocols said that there are 'several discretionary options' the EMTs could have used, including calling a supervisor and having the door taken down but 'none of those options were exercised in this case.' Union members said that the city's failure to keep city EMTs and paramedics — who often leave EMS after a few years to find a better paying job — created a perfect storm where both EMTs and the dispatcher who handled Seto's call had less than three years on the job combined. One EMT had only been working at EMS for a year, members claim. The other was a probationary EMT and had been on the job for six months. FDNY officials were also investigating if the dispatcher had informed the arriving EMTs that Seto was an EMS lieutenant. Regardless, the EMTs should have taken steps to make sure the person on the other side of the door was OK before leaving, said Vincent Variale, the president of the EMS Officer's Union. 'The city's lack of EMS retention, recruitment and staffing is literally killing New Yorkers and now it's claimed the life of one of our own,' Variale told the Daily News. Seto had been with EMS for over 10 years. He had just become a paramedic before he was promoted to lieutenant last year. When he needed help, he deserved a better response, Variale believes. 'Many members go to these type of calls and don't go away,' Variale said on WBAI Wednesday morning. 'You check to make sure that person is alive. If they need medical treatment, you provide that treatment. 'At the very least medical treatment should have been provided,' he said. The two EMTs who responded to Seto's home haven't been disciplined and were still responding to emergency calls Wednesday as the department looks into how they handled Monday's emergency, the spokeswoman said.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
Daly City man again pleads no contest to possession of child porn
(KRON) — A Daly City man who was previously convicted for the possession of child pornography in 2020 pleaded no contest Friday to new charges following a search of his computer, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. Richard Seto, 49, was charged on Nov. 3, 2020, with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. After initially pleading not guilty to the two charges, court records show Seto entered a no contest plea on Nov. 16, 2020, on the condition of dropping the distribution charge. Seto was sentenced to one year of county jail in the 2020 case, and two years of probation. Alleged Zizians leader was once declared dead in San Mateo County On Oct. 26, 2023, The Daly City Police Department conducted a sex offender registration check at Seto's home, the DA's office said. According to prosecutors, Seto allowed police to search the residence, where detectives seized his computer for analysis. Officials with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force searched Seto's computer, the DA's office said, and located more than 5,300 pornographic images involving children between the ages of 4 and 14. Seto was charged with possession of child pornography with a prior conviction. During Friday's trial readiness conference, Seto changed his not guilty plea to no contest, according to the DA's office, in exchange for receiving a maximum four-year state prison sentence. The imposition of sentencing is set for April 30. Seto remained in custody on a $50,000 bail as of Tuesday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
