Latest news with #culturalinstitution
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beloved San Francisco Icon Shuts Down After 40 Years
After 40 years of serving its community, a beloved cultural institution is shutting its doors. Japan Video and Media, a long-standing hub for Japanese and Korean media lovers, has announced it will close at the end of the month. Unlike many retailers grappling with sales slumps, inflation, and tariffs, this closure stems from a more personal reason: owner Takeshi Onishi is retiring, The Street reported. Onishi, who founded the store after moving to the U.S. from Japan, dedicated his business to introducing people to Japanese culture. Over the decades, the store became a go-to spot for Japanese and Korean videos with English subtitles, as well as anime collectibles and cultural merchandise. In 2020, Japan Video and Media was honored with legacy business status in San Francisco, a testament to its cultural significance and deep community roots. 'We have served over a million people,' Onishi shared in a heartfelt statement. 'We could not have done it without our loyal customers and our dedicated staff. We are grateful for each and every one of you.' While many small businesses have struggled in recent years—hit hard by the pandemic, economic shifts, and changing consumer habits—Japan Video and Media thrived thanks to its unique offerings and devoted customer base. Its closure isn't about declining demand, but rather Onishi's decision to step away and enjoy a well-deserved retirement. For longtime fans, the end of this chapter is bittersweet. The store's legacy lives on as a reminder of the power of cultural connection, community, and resilience. As Japan Video and Media prepares to close its doors, it leaves behind a story of dedication and impact that won't soon be San Francisco Icon Shuts Down After 40 Years first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
Washington Post
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
How uproar over a Māori haka, beloved in New Zealand life, sowed chaos and gridlock in Parliament
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The haka, a chanting dance of challenge, is sacred to New Zealand's Māori people but it's become a beloved cultural institution among New Zealanders of all races. Spine-tingling performances at sports events, funerals and graduations often go viral online, a non-partisan point of pride for the country abroad.
