Latest news with #Takeuchi
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Snowboarding: 6-time Olympian Tomoka Takeuchi to retire after 1 more season
KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 16:51 | Sports, All Japanese snowboarder Tomoka Takeuchi, who has competed in the past six Winter Olympics, said Thursday she will retire at the end of the 2025-26 Olympic parallel giant slalom silver medalist at the 2014 Sochi Olympics has already met the qualifying standards set by the Ski Association of Japan for next February's Milan-Cortina Olympics. "In one last season, I want to go all out to win," the 41-year-old said at a press conference in Tokyo. The Hokkaido native made her Olympic debut in 2002 and moved her training base to Switzerland five years later. Takeuchi did not compete for about two and a half years after the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she was 15th in the parallel giant slalom. Related coverage: Baseball: Shohei Ohtani hits MLB-leading 20th homer in Dodgers' win Sumo: Onosato becomes yokozuna at record pace after 13 tournaments Golf: Chisato Iwai wins 1st U.S. tour title in Mexico
Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Snowboarding: 6-time Olympian Tomoka Takeuchi to retire after 1 more season
KYODO NEWS - 7 minutes ago - 15:41 | Sports, All Japanese snowboarder Tomoka Takeuchi, who has competed in the past six Winter Olympics, said Thursday she will retire at the end of the 2025-26 Olympic season. The parallel giant slalom silver medalist at the 2014 Sochi Olympics has already met the qualifying standards set by the Ski Association of Japan for next February's Milan-Cortina Olympics. "In one last season, I want to go all out to win," the 41-year-old said at a press conference in Tokyo. The Hokkaido native made her Olympic debut in 2002 and moved her training base to Switzerland five years later. Takeuchi did not compete for about two and a half years after the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she was 15th in the parallel giant slalom. Related coverage: Baseball: Shohei Ohtani hits MLB-leading 20th homer in Dodgers' win Sumo: Onosato becomes yokozuna at record pace after 13 tournaments Golf: Chisato Iwai wins 1st U.S. tour title in Mexico
The Star
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Chinese online literature is winning hearts in Japan
"Translating Chinese web novels has become my favourite way to unwind as it brings me a sense of fulfillment," said Hikaru Takeuchi, a Japanese screenwriter and director who has become an unlikely ambassador for Chinese online fiction. Takeuchi is an avid fan of the Chinese web novel Apocalyptic Forecast, a fantasy fiction about a disillusioned young man who gains mysterious powers and is drawn into a hidden world of supernatural conflict and secret societies. Although she studied classical Chinese literature in school, she had little exposure to the online genre. That changed when work introduced her to Apocalyptic Forecast, which, in her words, "opened up a whole new world." She was especially struck by the multidimensional characters and the emotional complexity of the protagonist, whose joy and struggles resonated with her. When the novel ended, Takeuchi felt compelled to write a letter to its author, Feng Yue. The cross-border fan mail became a symbolic bridge between cultures. In a recent interview, she expressed her hope of introducing more Japanese readers to the world of Chinese web literature. Now Takeuchi is not just a fan, but also a translator and grassroots promoter of Chinese web literature. Over the past three years, the 50-something creative has translated more than 200 chapters of Apocalyptic Forecast into Japanese and shared them with friends. As Chinese online literature expands abroad, a growing number of overseas readers are becoming not just consumers, but translators, creators, and even co-developers of new intellectual properties. She is now planning to participate in the "Fiction Formula" contest -- a joint initiative by WebNovel, a platform under China's Yuewen Group, and Japan's CCC Group, which owns the Tsutaya bookstore chain, to try her hand at original writing. "Japan still relies heavily on cash payments, but through Chinese novels, I've learned about mobile payments and everyday life in Chinese high schools. It's fascinating," Takeuchi said. For many Japanese readers, Chinese online literature offers a blend of novelty and relatability, a fresh yet accessible lens into contemporary Chinese society. The success of Apocalyptic Forecast in Japan is far from isolated. Other Chinese web novels, including Joy Of Life, The King's Avatar, and Battle Through The Heavens, have also gained loyal followings through localized publishing, anime adaptations, and manga spin-offs. The King's Avatar has been downloaded over 30 million times in Japanese, and its animated film was screened in nine countries and regions, including Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore. Its manga version has received nearly eight million likes on the Piccoma platform. Takeuchi also praised the anime adaptation of Dragon Raja , a Chinese fantasy novel by Jiang Nan, calling it high-quality and widely loved in Japan. She believes that as more Chinese novels evolve into anime, films, and comics, their cultural influence in Japan will deepen. According to Yuewen Group, by the end of 2024, its international platform WebNovel had launched around 6,800 translated works, supported 460,000 overseas authors, and released roughly 700,000 original stories globally. With nearly 300 million users across over 200 countries and regions, the platform is quickly becoming a dominant player in global online storytelling. The Japanese market stands out, with a 180-percent user surge in 2024 alone, ranking among the top five growth markets alongside Spain, Brazil, France, and Germany. Shinichiro Kamaura, executive director of CCC Group, voiced optimism about building a new cross-cultural IP ecosystem in partnership with Chinese firms. He emphasized the potential of blending cultural elements and shared values to inspire a new generation of Japanese creators. Yuewen Group CEO and President Hou Xiaonan added that web fiction, now a leading force in China's "new cultural exports," is entering a new phase of global co-creation. In Japan, he noted that traditional Chinese cultural themes, such as the Three Kingdoms, already provide common ground. To truly succeed abroad, he said, Chinese stories must be localised - not just translated - in ways that resonate with new audiences. - Xinhua
Tokyo Reported
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Tokyo Reported
Grand theft Aichi: Thieves increasingly targeting luxury vehicles in Japan's car-theft capital
AICHI (TR) – Car thefts have been on the rise in Aichi Prefecture this year, up by 60 percent over the first three months compared to the same period last year, reports Nagoya TV (Apr. 24). Given this situation, the network wonders: What kind of measures are effective during the long Golden Week holiday season, when people are more likely to be away from home? Footage captured by a security camera installed at a home the prefecture shows a person dressed in white clothes getting out of the back seat of a vehicle. He approaches the parking lot straight ahead, crouches down near the front wheel of a parked Toyota Land Cruiser and begins to work on something while shining a light on his hands. He also seems to be attaching something to the body of the car. He continues working for about two minutes, occasionally glancing around. The moment the light on his hands flashes green, the car's lights come on. The engine then appears to start. The person gets into the driver's seat and drives off. Topping the nation It is believed that a so-called 'CAN Invader' (Controller Area Network) device was used in the crime. The palm-size device allows thieves to bypass the latest anti-theft technology. With the device, a thief can hijack a vehicle's computer system that controls its engine, lights and other systems so that the doors can be opened and the ignition started. The device was developed to hack into popular models, such as the Lexus LX sport utility vehicle. Thefts targeting luxury cars and other vehicles have been occurring one after another in Aichi Prefecture. This year in particular, 292 cases have been confirmed in the three months through the end of March. The number of cases is the most in the country. Among all prefectures, Aichi Prefecture has the highest number of car owners, making it susceptible to car theft, according to police. 'The targets are Toyota Land Cruisers, Alphards, Priuses and Lexuses,' said Yuki Takeuchi, the head of the Community Safety Measures Office. 'There are many vehicles in Aichi Prefecture that are in high demand for criminal groups. We are concerned that the situation is favorable for crimes due to factors such as the well-developed transportation network.' 'Additional security systems' So, what can be done? 'First of all, I would like people to understand that genuine security alone is not enough,' Takeuchi continues. 'I would like them to take multiple measures such as additional security systems, alarm devices, and steering locks.' Autobacs is one retailer that sells such devices. Tomomi Ueno works at Autobacs Nagoya East Outlet. She tells the network that they are seeing a sharp increase in inquiries about anti-theft goods. She recommends the T-shaped Hornet Steering Lock LH-17R, which retails for 6,980 yen. 'It is a product that is attached to the top of the steering wheel and makes it difficult to turn the steering wheel,' she says. The K-TECT Steering Lock is a little on the expensive side at 49,500 yen, but it is so reliable that it is recommended by the Ibaraki Prefectural Police. 'It uses a strong metal called duralumin and a special key. Steering locks are often cut and cars are stolen, but duralumin is made of a metal that is strong enough to protect against cutting blades,' Ueno assures. These goods are not only effective in physically protecting cars, but they also provide a psychological deterrent to thieves. With the Golden Week holiday coming up, measures can be taken to decrease the likelihood of theft, says Ueno. 'Thieves don't like to waste time. Taking multiple security measures to buy more time is the way to go,' Ueno says. 'When you often go out and play, the risk of theft increases if you let your guard down. If you take simple security measures, such as locking the steering wheel before going out, you can protect your car and enjoy your long holiday.' License plate theft The theft of car parts is also on the rise. According to Aichi Prefectural Police, the number of car part thefts in 2024 was 1,517. Of these cases, the theft of license plates accounted for 812. Such thefts pose the risk of the stolen plates being attached to stolen cars. Aichi Prefectural Police are aiming to popularize special screws that prevent license plate theft, which will make them difficult to remove with commercially available tools such as screwdrivers. Police stations in Aichi Prefecture are also working with crime prevention associations and others to run a campaign to swap existing plates for new ones for free. 'We would like multiple measures to be taken, such as additional security systems, alarm devices and steering wheel locks,' says Takeuchi.
Japan Times
21-04-2025
- Science
- Japan Times
New method developed to make cultured meat thicker
A team led by University of Tokyo professor Shoji Takeuchi has developed a new method to make cultured meat as thick as about 1 centimeter. Cultured meat is produced by multiplying livestock cells. Conventional methods resulted in thin pieces of such meat because efforts to make the meat thicker caused the cells to die from lack of nutrients. By incorporating hollow fibers into the cell culture process, the team succeeded in creating meat that was about 1 centimeter thick and weighed about 11 grams. In the new method, the team poured chicken cells and culture solution into a cell culture device with many hollow fibers, each slightly thicker than a strand of hair. The inside of the cultured meat was also fresh, thanks to nutrients and oxygen seeping into the meat through the hollow fibers. As the cells lined up along the hollow fibers, the meat had a texture similar to animal meat, the team said. The flavor of the cultured meat is also believed to have improved as it contained a larger amount of amino acids. "The world has yet to establish an effective method for producing cultured meat that can be mistaken for real meat," Takeuchi said. "I think the new method will contribute to this field." The team's findings were published in an international biotechnology journal on Wednesday. Cultured meat, which is expected to help solve food shortages and reduce environmental burdens, has been approved for sale in Singapore, the United States and other countries. The latest technology for cultured meat is on display at the ongoing 2025 World Expo in Osaka.
