Latest news with #Yamazaki
The Star
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Cultural displays on Penang streets
THE peoples of Penang and Japan share a strong and enduring friendship, fostered in part by vibrant cultural exchanges. These include public celebrations that attract thousands of visitors and see streets coming alive with joyful medleys of dance, music, costumes, games, cuisine and more. At least three such occasions are lined up this year, namely the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025, Penang Bon Odori 2025 and Penang Aki Matsuri 2025. First in line will be the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025 that will be held on June 21 from 5pm. Yosakoi meaning 'come at night', started in 1954 in Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It was originally meant to uplift spirits in the post-war gloom and spur economic activities locally, but has since spread to over 200 locations across Japan as well as more than 30 countries worldwide. The Ioriya Tokiwa Yosakoi Team from Nagoya, seen here during a performance in Japan, will enliven the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025. Event co-organiser Pink Hibiscus Club president Emi Yamazaki said the festival would return to the Esplanade in George Town after several years at a different venue. The 10th edition, which is themed 'Inspired by Japan, Uniquely Penang' would also witness several 'firsts', she said. For the first time, the parade will feature two Japanese professional Yosakoi troupes, namely SoftBank Yosakoi Team One from Tokyo and Ioriya Tokiwa Yosakoi Team from Nagoya. 'They're highly regarded in Japan and will be joined by last year's open category winner from Singapore and a 65-strong ensemble from Thailand. 'It's also the first time we're having four international groups. Besides adding excitement, it'll allow Malaysian school teams the chance to experience a genuinely international Yosakoi event without having to travel abroad,' Yamazaki told StarMetro. (Front row, from left) Former Japanese consul-general in Penang Yoshiyasu Kawaguchi, Wong, Miss Penang Yosakoi 2024 Jessie Lim Yie Yie and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim dancing the Penang Sakura Ondo to kick off the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2024. This will bring the overall tally to 30 teams, including 26 local ensembles from Penang, Kedah, Perak, Johor, Perlis, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur with over 1,200 dancers combined, she said, adding that it would surpass pre-Covid-19 pandemic records. Yamazaki recalled Penang Yosakoi Parade starting in 2013 with just three teams. It was initiated by Japanese expatriates as a gesture of gratitude towards Penangites for their solidarity and support in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The event, she said, proved popular and was held at the Esplanade annually until 2019, with participation growing year upon year. It had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but returned in 2022 with a new venue, Karpal Singh Drive, where it continued until 2024, she added. 'The parade faced many challenges over the years but the passion and resilience of everyone involved paved the way for its growth. Participating groups showing off their well-choreographed routines and costumes during Penang Yosakoi Parade 2024. 'Organising teams worked diligently to guide Malaysian participants in movement and choreography, which later expanded into creating original songs, unique costumes and props. 'It raised standards significantly. We also encouraged teams to infuse elements of their own cultural identities into routines so performances resonated on a deeper level. 'This meaningful fusion of cultures very much reflects Penang's diversity,' she said. Yamazaki said the event would also see the world's first Yosakoi Awards, which was described as the parade's equivalent of the Oscars. Teams who meet certain performance criteria, she said, would be bestowed gold, silver or bronze awards by the Penang government in an effort to celebrate talent, creativity and innovation. Children enjoying traditional Japanese games like yo-yo tsuri (water balloon fishing) during the Bon Odori festival last year. Complementing the main parade, she said, would be a plethora of fun and engaging activities for visitors of all ages, right up until midnight. There will be cosplay performances, merchandise sales and photo-taking sessions, she added. Yamazaki said families could have fun at the Japanese Matsuri game stalls or Yosakoi Food Street brimming with all sorts of snacks and beverages. As this year's event coincides with Penang's durian season, local vendors will also be present, allowing visitors to indulge in the thorny delight. Another first is the Japanese idol concert featuring all-boy and all-girl groups and a dynamic rock band formed from the Japanese reality competition show Produce 101 Japan. Fans from across South-East Asia will be able to meet their idols live. The concert will close out the event alongside a spectacular lights and fireworks finale. Colourful performances from Penang Yosakoi Parade 2022 held in Karpal Singh Drive. For the latest updates, follow or visit Lights of festivity The second festival, Penang Bon Odori 2025, will start at 5pm on July 19. It will also take place at the Esplanade and feature an equally inclusive array of cultural performances, activities and workshops, as well as fun games and delicious food. Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the event would be themed 'Akari Bon Odori' this year. Akari means lights or illumination, and here, it refers to the captivating decorations that will include over 300 glowing lanterns, as well as symbolic Daruma dolls and Taiko drums. 'This year's Bon Odori will illuminate visitors' hearts with a fusion of Japanese culture, mesmerising displays and vibrant performances. 'One can look forward to traditional showcases that include martial arts, singing and dancing, some of which the public can join in,' said Wong, who is also the event organising chairman. Thousand of revellers filling up the Esplanade during Penang Bon Odori 2024. These include the Soran Bushi folk number that never fails to get everyone going. There will also be stalls offering traditional games like water balloon fishing and goldfish scooping, as well as origami, handicraft and calligraphy workshops. Regulars of the event often come dressed in yukata (casual version of the kimono). But fret not if you do not own one, as they are available for rent so visitors can get into the spirit. As is customary, there will also be a food street and a grand fireworks finale. The Bon Odori here began in the 1970s as small gatherings organised by the Malaysian Japanese Association at Penang Youth Park (known as Penang City Park now). It became a state-level event in the 1990s during the tenure of former Penang tourism committee chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen. Yamazaki says the quality and atmosphere of the parade in Penang is on par with that in Japan. The third festival scheduled for the later part of the year is Penang Aki Matsuri 2025 or autumn festival. Its date and venue will be announced later. Wong said such events reflected the state government's commitment to embracing diversity and showcasing the richness of various cultures. 'These vibrant cultural celebrations demonstrate that Penang is more than just a destination, it's a community that welcomes the world with open arms. 'We aspire to be a truly international city that attracts visitors with a melting pot of celebrations and experiences,' he added. With limited parking around George Town, those planning to attend are advised to carpool, utilise public transport or use e-hailing services to get to the venue. Strong partnership These activities will not have been possible over the years without strong support of the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang, which was established in 1978. Its mission is to deepen mutual understanding and promote goodwill between Japan and Malaysia through cultural exchange. Machida: Yosakoi Parade and Bon Odori in Penang are some of the biggest outside of Japan. Consul-General of Japan in Penang Shinya Machida said the Yosakoi Parade and Bon Odori in Penang were some of the biggest outside of Japan. He attributed this to the close friendship shared by people of the two countries and their mutual willingness to learn about each other's customs and traditions. 'The events are growing in popularity every year with bigger crowds attending. 'Younger generations love it because of elements like dance, music and costume. 'For the Yosakoi, flexibility is also part of the appeal. Participants can infuse performances with their own spirit. This shows the open nature of Japanese culture. 'It's a joy seeing teams coming together to parade down the streets in the spirit of friendly competition,' Machida said. Yamazaki similarly espoused the virtues of cultural exchange in relation to personal growth and mutual understanding. 'Immersive experiences like these transcend mere observation through screens or social media. 'It fosters greater appreciation for our differences and similarities. 'For example, during preparations, performers often reflect on their presentations, which lead to better appreciation of not only their own identities, but also that of others,' she said. Yamazaki said she returned to Japan last year to attend several Yosakoi events and realised the quality and atmosphere of the parade in Penang were on par. 'While we may not match the sheer number of teams seen in Japan, the event here does not lack in spirit or vibrancy. 'It's an occasion enjoyed by thousands every year and that has really put Penang on the map as an alternative destination for Yosakoi,' she added. Wong said he hoped these events would continue to strengthen friendship between the two countries and highlight shared values of community, respect and harmony. Currently, there are over 100 Japanese companies in Penang with about 3,500 Japanese expatriates calling the state home. Japanese restaurants are present in almost every mall and neighbourhood. 'Penang continues to be a popular destination among Japanese travellers, who are among the top 10 nationalities among arrivals at Penang International Airport,' Wong added.
The Mainichi
15-05-2025
- The Mainichi
4 arrested after Uzbek man allegedly impersonates Japanese nat'l for delivery service
TOKYO -- Three Japanese men and an Uzbek man have been arrested on suspicion of fraudulently obtaining commissions by having the Uzbek impersonate a Japanese national to work for a food delivery service, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced May 15. The MPD's International Crime Division arrested Kotaro Yamazaki, 50, a company executive from Tokyo's Nakano Ward, Kimihiro Sano, 35, an unemployed man from Tokyo's Chuo Ward, Takuma Shimada, 32, a self-employed man from Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, and Mamatkodirov Iskandarbek Rejabboy Ugli, 24, an Uzbek national of unknown address and unemployed. They are suspected of fraud and unauthorized creation of electronic or magnetic records, among other allegations. Yamazaki and his associates allegedly recruited more than 150 Uzbek and Vietnamese nationals, including those who were on short-term visas and not permitted to work, to serve as deliver staff for the Demaecan food delivery service, and took a portion of their wages as commissions. The MPD believes Yamazaki has earned approximately 54 million yen (about $369,000) in profits from the scheme since 2022. The four are specifically accused of conspiring to obtain a Demaecan account and earn illicit revenue by applying for a business consignment contract with the delivery service around Oct. 21, 2023, under the pretense that Shimada would be a delivery person. All four have reportedly admitted to the allegations, with Yamazaki quoted as telling investigators, "We had people who were not actually going to work register as delivery people, and then we lent their accounts to foreigners in exchange for a commission." According to the MPD, Yamazaki and his associates gathered Japanese individuals willing to lend their names to create Demacan delivery staff accounts, then provided the ID, password and other information to Mamatkodirov to make deliveries. Mamatkodirov is believed to have earned between about 100,000 and 190,000 yen (some $680-$1,300) per month from Demaecan deliveries, deposited into a bank account under a Japanese name. Yamazaki and his associates allegedly took a portion of the funds paid to Mamatkodirov and other delivery workers as a commission. Mamatkodirov entered Japan on a short-term visa and, after being denied refugee status, was placed on "provisional stay," which prohibits employment. In September 2023, he was involved in a traffic accident while delivering on a moped. During the accident investigation, police discovered that he was logged into the Demaecan app for delivery staff using an account registered under the name of a Japanese national.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘The place you want to be': How a Melbourne teenager went from watching YouTube to a New York stage
New York: When Anna Yamazaki was starting high school in Melbourne, clips from the Essential Ellington jazz program in New York City started popping up among her YouTube suggestions. The competition attracts the crème de la crème of school jazz bands from across North America, who gather at the Lincoln Centre in Manhattan to play Duke Ellington tracks and other big band standards. For budding jazz musicians around the world, it's the north star. 'I've watched Ellington for years and years, and it's always been a 'what if' thought,' says Yamazaki, 17, who is now in year 12. 'I never thought it would become a reality.' Yamazaki and 19 other students from Blackburn High School, a public school in Melbourne's east, will perform in the Big Apple this week after being selected as finalists for the competition's special 30th anniversary instalment. They are one of just three international school bands invited, the others being from Japan and Spain. In total, 30 schools will compete over four days, starting with the first round on Friday, local time. The Blackburn High band will play three pieces – Ellington's Cotton Club Stomp and Blues for New Orleans, as well as Every Day I Have the Blues, a blues standard popularised by Memphis Slim and B.B. King. If successful, they will be among just 10 bands to advance to round two, where they will add Ellington's The Mooche to their repertoire. Only three bands will compete in Sunday's final. Jason Ziino, Blackburn High's director of music, says Essentially Ellington is the most prestigious contest of its kind in the world. 'It's the pinnacle of jazz band performance and competition,' he says. 'If you're going to be a good big band or jazz ensemble, this is the place you want to be.' It also means playing in one of New York's hallowed music rooms, the Rose Theatre at the Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts. 'You don't get to book that,' says Ziino. 'Schools can book Carnegie Hall and play there. You only get to play in that hall [the Rose] if you're good enough and get invited.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Godzilla the Ride Film to Be Directed by Academy Award-Winning Takashi Yamazaki
SINGAPORE, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toho Entertainment Asia, the Japanese studio's Singapore-based subsidiary, revealed that Takashi Yamazaki, director and Academy Award–winner of Best Visual Effects for Godzilla Minus One will write, direct and produce the VFX for a brand‑new Godzilla ride attraction. Director Takashi Yamazaki's first Godzilla ride attraction project, "Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monsters Ultimate Battle," which is currently showing at Seibuen Amusement Park, Japan, has earned global acclaim for its exceptional quality and epic scale, regularly seeing an outstanding audience satisfaction rate. The new experience will be distributed to additional locations via the iRide system developed by Taiwan's Brogent Technologies, Inc. "I'm thrilled to return to Godzilla's world from the passenger seat", said Yamazaki. "What powerful foes will emerge? Where will this ride take us next? As a ride enthusiast myself, I can't wait for my first spin - and I'm working day and night with our team to make this the most terrifying ride in the world." While there are few specifics about the content of the new attraction, the plan is for the scope and scale to surpass that of the original acclaimed theme park experience, offering fans once again an experience unlike anything they've ever witnessed featuring the King of the Monsters. The newly produced ride attraction experience will begin rolling out in Summer 2025. Featured venues will include leading theme parks and entertainment centers utilizing Brogent's iRide system. Exact locations and launch dates will be announced soon. Social Links Instagram: Facebook: Media Contact Company: Toho Entertainment Asia Contact: Sales Team Email: hello@
The Age
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Australian high school jazz band gets the ultimate call-up in New York
New York: When Anna Yamazaki was starting high school in Melbourne, clips from the Essential Ellington jazz program in New York City started popping up among her YouTube suggestions. The competition attracts the creme de la creme of school jazz bands from across North America, who gather at the Lincoln Centre in Manhattan to play Duke Ellington tracks and other big band standards. For budding jazz musicians around the world, it's the north star. 'I've watched Ellington for years and years, and it's always been a 'what if' thought,' says Yamazaki, who is now in year 12. 'I never thought it would become a reality.' Yamazaki and 19 other students from Blackburn High School, a public school in Melbourne's east, will perform in the Big Apple this week after being selected as finalists for the competition's special 30th anniversary instalment. They are one of just three international school bands invited, the others being from Japan and Spain. In total, 30 schools will compete over four days, starting with the first round on Friday, local time. The Blackburn High band will play three pieces – Ellington's Cotton Club Stomp and Blues for New Orleans, as well as Every Day I Have the Blues, a blues standard popularised by Memphis Slim and B.B. King. If successful, they will be among just 10 bands to advance to round two, where they will add Ellington's The Mooche to their repertoire. Only three bands will compete in Sunday's final. Jason Ziino, Blackburn High's director of music, says Essentially Ellington is the most prestigious contest of its kind in the world. 'It's the pinnacle of jazz band performance and competition,' he says. 'If you're going to be a good big band or jazz ensemble, this is the place you want to be.' It also means playing in one of New York's hallowed music rooms, the Rose Theatre at the Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts. 'You don't get to book that,' says Ziino. 'Schools can book Carnegie Hall and play there. You only get to play in that hall [the Rose] if you're good enough and get invited.'
