Latest news with #Yoshimoto
Kyodo News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Marugame Castle festival delights with lively performances
The Shikoku Shimbun - May 27, 2025 - 15:04 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism, Arts The 76th Marugame Castle Festival took place earlier this month, bringing vibrant energy to the historic city of Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture. Blessed with fine weather, many families attended the last day of the two-day festival on May 4 and enjoyed a wide variety of events, including traditional lion dancing, impersonations and a comedy performance by comedians from the Yoshimoto Kogyo Group. The lion dance was performed by 24 groups from inside and outside the city, beginning at 10 a.m. simultaneously on the moat-side stage and civic square. Performers dressed in striking lion costumes, ranging from black and white fur to vividly patterned fabrics, moved majestically to the sound of bells and the rhythm of drums. Children wearing traditional Japanese "happi" jackets and beating drums were also seen at the venue. "It was fun to get rowdy and raise our voices together," said Niko Mori, a member of a youth lion dance troupe from the nearby city of Mitoyo. "I want to keep my local tradition alive," the 11-year-old added with a smile. On a stage set up in Marugame Castle, impersonator Seiko Maneda passionately sang songs by famous Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda. She stepped off stage to shake hands with the crowd, prompting many to clap and sing along, while some teared up. Street performances and action hero shows took place at various locations, while a comedy show by five groups of Yoshimoto comedians, including Moody Katsuyama and the Biscuit Brothers, whose member Kin-san hails from Marugame, brought laughter to the venue as the festival came to a joyous close. The Shikoku Shimbun Related coverage: Setouchi Triennale art festival opens in western Japan Kids at island in Kagawa learns to make sushi from former sushi chef Dog lovers gather at canine-friendly shrine event in Kagawa
Kyodo News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Marugame Castle festival delights with lively performances
The Shikoku Shimbun - less than a minute ago - 15:04 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism, Arts The 76th Marugame Castle Festival took place earlier this month, bringing vibrant energy to the historic city of Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture. Blessed with fine weather, many families attended the last day of the two-day festival on May 4 and enjoyed a wide variety of events, including traditional lion dancing, impersonations and a comedy performance by comedians from the Yoshimoto Kogyo Group. The lion dance was performed by 24 groups from inside and outside the city, beginning at 10 a.m. simultaneously on the moat-side stage and civic square. Performers dressed in striking lion costumes, ranging from black and white fur to vividly patterned fabrics, moved majestically to the sound of bells and the rhythm of drums. Children wearing traditional Japanese "happi" jackets and beating drums were also seen at the venue. "It was fun to get rowdy and raise our voices together," said Niko Mori, a member of a youth lion dance troupe from the nearby city of Mitoyo. "I want to keep my local tradition alive," the 11-year-old added with a smile. On a stage set up in Marugame Castle, impersonator Seiko Maneda passionately sang songs by famous Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda. She stepped off stage to shake hands with the crowd, prompting many to clap and sing along, while some teared up. Street performances and action hero shows took place at various locations, while a comedy show by five groups of Yoshimoto comedians, including Moody Katsuyama and the Biscuit Brothers, whose member Kin-san hails from Marugame, brought laughter to the venue as the festival came to a joyous close. The Shikoku Shimbun Related coverage: Setouchi Triennale art festival opens in western Japan Kids at island in Kagawa learns to make sushi from former sushi chef Dog lovers gather at canine-friendly shrine event in Kagawa
The Star
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Cambodia proposes Japanese Special Economic Zones investment
Chea Vuthy, secretary-general of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB), presents a copy of the 'Investment Law of the Kingdom of Cambodia' to the visiting Japanese/Chinese delegation. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Cambodia has encouraged the leadership of giant Japanese automotive supplier Yazaki group to explore the possibility of investing in special economic zones (SEZ) to help attract more Japanese investors to the Kingdom. In the first four months of 2025, trade between the two nations equalled more than $832 million. Yoshimoto Ito, deputy CEO of Yazaki, met with Chea Vuthy, secretary-general of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB) under the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), on May 12. The delegation led by Yoshimoto, also included representatives from Guangdong Dongfang Investment Co., Ltd., a joint investment partner in the group's production base, in China's Guangdong province. Vuthy expressed his appreciation to the company for its existing operations in Cambodia and its intentions to further expand its investment. He recommended that the company identify a suitable location for its investment expansion and consider establishing an SEZ to attract more Japanese investors to the Kingdom. 'I would like to encourage the company's leadership to consider investing in the development of an SEZ to help draw more Japanese investment to Cambodia,' he said. Yoshimoto shared his gratitude for the CDC's support of Yazaki's investment expansion plans in Cambodia and committed to exploring the feasibility of establishing an SEZ. According to the CDC, Yazaki has operating an electric wire component factory in the Neang Kok Koh Kong SEZ, in Koh Kong province, for more than 10 years, and has had a presence in Guangdong, China, for about 40 years. The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that from January to April, trade between Cambodia and Japan totalled $832.29 million, an increase of 29.7% over the same period last year. Cambodia exported $523.49 million to Japan (up 19.8%), while imports stood at $308.8 million (up 50.6%). Based on these figures, Cambodia has a trade surplus of $214.69 million, compared to $231.81 million in the same period of 2024. Sam Soknoeun, hairman of the Board of SAM SN Group, told The Post on May 13 that SEZs play a vital role in attracting more investment to the Kingdom. Japanese investors, he explained, usually conduct thorough studies before deciding where to invest and prefer locations where fellow Japanese nationals are already present. Therefore, if Yazaki, led by Japanese executives, invests in a new location, it would help encourage other Japanese investors to follow. 'If Japanese companies or investors come to SEZs in Cambodia, I believe it will attract even more Japanese investment into the country,' he said. He added that investing in Cambodia offers high potential returns due to the country's political stability, investor-friendly laws, strong transport infrastructure and access to international markets. According to Soknoeun, Japanese investment in Cambodia currently spans several sectors, including construction, real estate, hotels, tourism, automotive assembly, agricultural product processing, agro-industry, food, crop cultivation, electronic and electrical components, and supermarkets. The Ministry of Commerce stated that from January to November 2024, 88 Japanese companies/enterprises registered in Cambodia — an increase of 20.55% compared to the same period in 2023. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Cambodia proposes Japanese SEZ investment
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has encouraged the leadership of giant Japanese automotive supplier Yazaki group to explore the possibility of investing in special economic zones (SEZ) to help attract more Japanese investors to the kingdom. In the first four months of 2025, trade between the two nations equalled more than us$832 million. Yoshimoto Ito, deputy CEO of Yazaki, met with Chea Vuthy (pic), secretary-general of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB) under the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), on May 12. The delegation led by Yoshimoto, also included representatives from Guangdong Dongfang Investment Co., Ltd., a joint investment partner in the group's production base, in China's Guangdong province. Vuthy expressed his appreciation to the company for its existing operations in Cambodia and its intentions to further expand its investment. He recommended that the company identify a suitable location for its investment expansion and consider establishing an SEZ to attract more Japanese investors to the kingdom. 'I would like to encourage the company's leadership to consider investing in the development of an SEZ to help draw more Japanese investment to Cambodia,' he said. Yoshimoto shared his gratitude for the CDC's support of Yazaki's investment expansion plans in Cambodia and committed to exploring the feasibility of establishing an SEZ. According to the CDC, Yazaki has operating an electric wire component factory in the Neang Kok Koh Kong SEZ, in Koh Kong province, for more than 10 years, and has had a presence in Guangdong, China, for about 40 years. The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that from January to April, trade between Cambodia and Japan totalled $832.29 million, an increase of 29.7% over the same period last year. Cambodia exported $523.49 million to Japan (up 19.8%), while imports stood at $308.8 million (up 50.6%). Based on these figures, Cambodia has a trade surplus of $214.69 million, compared to $231.81 million in the same period of 2024. Sam Soknoeun, chairman of the Board of SAM SN Group, told The Post on May 13 that SEZs play a vital role in attracting more investment to the kingdom. Japanese investors, he explained, usually conduct thorough studies before deciding where to invest and prefer locations where fellow Japanese nationals are already present. Therefore, if Yazaki, led by Japanese executives, invests in a new location, it would help encourage other Japanese investors to follow. 'If Japanese companies or investors come to SEZs in Cambodia, I believe it will attract even more Japanese investment into the country,' he said. He added that investing in Cambodia offers high potential returns due to the country's political stability, investor-friendly laws, strong transport infrastructure and access to international markets. According to Soknoeun, Japanese investment in Cambodia currently spans several sectors, including construction, real estate, hotels, tourism, automotive assembly, agricultural product processing, agro-industry, food, crop cultivation, electronic and electrical components, and supermarkets. The Ministry of Commerce stated that from January to November 2024, 88 Japanese companies/enterprises registered in Cambodia — an increase of 20.55% compared to the same period in 2023. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Asahi Shimbun
06-05-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Digital disability certificates replace vexing paper versions
Toshiya Kakiuchi, president of Mirairo Inc., an Osaka consulting firm, is behind the development of a smartphone app for disability certificates. (Ryuta Sometaya) A free app developed by an Osaka company is steadily helping more disabled people around Japan avoid potential aggravations and delays when they seek special benefits and services. The app was developed by Mirairo Inc., a consulting firm for universal design led by a president who has experienced such inconveniences himself. To receive government services and discounts for disabled people, the applicants generally must show a disability certificate issued by local authorities. However, disabled people have had many problems with the paper certificates, including how easily they can be damaged and the time-consuming process of replacing lost certificates. Mirairo's app was developed in 2019 as a solution to such troubles by digitizing the certificate process. Although a number of kinks need to be ironed out, more than 300 local governments have authorized the Mirairo app for use as valid ID when disabled users apply for certain administrative services or discounts at public facilities. In addition, more than 4,000 businesses offer Mirairo app users discounts on such things as train tickets and admission to zoos and sports events. Yuta Yoshimoto, a 32-year-old company employee in Osaka Prefecture, said the app has made his life easier. 'I can be recognized as a disabled person right away by just waving my smartphone,' he said at a payment machine in a parking lot in Higashi-Osaka. The machine scanned the QR code on Yoshimoto's Mirairo ID app and charged him a discounted fee offered to disabled people. It took him less than a minute to finish the transaction after waving his phone. 'The app is so convenient for me because I have a problem with my hand,' he said. When he was 24, Yoshimoto fell at a construction site, leaving his lower body paralyzed and reducing his right-hand grip strength to zero. Before turning to the app, he had to contact a call center to prove his disability status. 234 KINDS OF CERTIFICATES Under Mirairo's system, disabled people take pictures of their disability certificates and then sign up for the app. The company creates QR codes containing information about the certificate holders after confirming the authenticity of their disabilities. This is done through inquiries to local authorities and the use of artificial intelligence to detect fakes. The 47 prefectural governments and cities with a population of 200,000 or more are responsible for issuing the official certificates to people with physical, intellectual and mental disabilities, including schizophrenia patients. According to Mirairo, these local governments issue 283 kinds of disability certificates. They vary in shape, size, format and content. Holders are required to apply for a new certificate whenever they relocate. Mirairo believes its app can ease confusion and trouble from the start. 'I am hoping that the app will help disabled people feel more comfortable about going out,' Mirairo's president, Toshiya Kakiuchi, 35, said. 'Just showing their smartphones will come in handy.' Kakiuchi has faced difficulties showing the paper version. Born with an incurable disease that makes his bones prone to fractures, Kakiuchi has used a wheelchair his entire life. He recalled feeling uncomfortable about showing his disability certificate to receive discounts or services. 'It became my habit to apologize whenever I was required to present the certificate,' he said. 'I did not want anybody to see my disability certificate because I felt bad about being given special treatment.' RECOGNITION GROWING There are still hurdles that need to be cleared. Disabled people and companies that accept the digital certificates need to be familiar with the app to avoid trouble. In Kawasaki, where the Mirairo ID app is accepted, a bus driver in August prevented a disabled man from boarding when he tried to gain a discounted fare by showing the app on his smartphone. The would-be passenger displayed the wrong information. The driver was also not familiar with the app, so he could not help the man. Mirairo has acknowledged that some problems have occurred due to a lack of knowledge of the app. Although the number of local governments that recognize digital certificates is growing, it still represents only half of the country's total. One reason is that many public offices have reservations about actively promoting a product created by a private sector company. 'We, as a local government, find it difficult to recommend the service of a specific firm,' a local official in Kanagawa Prefecture explained. Wataru Fujii, an associate professor of welfare for the disabled at Nihon Fukushi University, gave Mirairo credit for helping to lower barriers faced by people with disabilities. He noted that digitizing information still has a long way to go in the world of welfare services. But he said digitizing certificates should not be the sole goal in efforts to enhance the well-being of disabled people. Fujii said many disabled people have not obtained the certificate partly because they feel stigma about being verified. 'The acceptance of the digital certificate should lead to discussions on the existing setup involving complicated procedures for dealing with disabled people and of the way the disability status is verified.'
