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(December 4, 2002)
On September 29, 1972, Japan and China signed a joint declaration normalizing
their diplomatic relations. This year the nations marked the thirtieth
anniversary of that historic moment. |
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(November 5, 2002)
Kamen Rider (Masked Rider) is a superhero
fantasy that has been popular with children since the first television
series based on the comic was released in 1971. |
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(October 25, 2002)
With just a license, musicians, pantomimes, and other artists can now
perform in specially designated public locations without first receiving
permission from the police and local government. |
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(September 3, 2002)
Recently, a new generation
of Japanese actors and actresses has been appearing in foreign movies,
and it seems that the world of movie stars is undergoing globalization. |
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(August 5, 2002)
For a movie to be seen by 12,000 viewers in the week
after it opened would be quite a poor performance for a major film shown
in Tokyo. In a provincial town with a population of 37,000, however, it
is quite a feat. |
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(July 16, 2002)
The trend for drawing on popular comic books for
movie plots can be seen both in Japan and the United States. |
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(July 3, 2002)
A decade since its creation, a hit song by the popular Japanese band The
Boom has become a bestseller in Argentina. |
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(June 14, 2002)
Public baths have been a fixture of Japanese life
since the mid-sixteenth century. Now that most people have bathtubs
or showers in their own homes, however, public baths are a less common
sight. Recently these baths have been enjoying
something of a revival, appearing in books, photographs, movies, and even
plays. |
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(March 25, 2002)
The tsugaru shamisen, a traditional Japanese
instrument, is now the height of "cool" and has made stars of some young
players. |
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(March 15, 2002)
Mariko Mori has been distinguishing herself in the
New York art world since the mid-1990s and is now a superstar of the American
and European pop-art scene. From January 19 through March 24 she is having her first
major solo exhibition in Japan, a retrospective titled "Pure Land." |
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(March 14, 2002)
Recently Japanese and South Koreans have been getting
better acquainted with each other's cultures. Personal interchanges are also growing, and the upcoming 2002 FIFA
World Cup will provide an opportunity for many more. |
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(February 1, 2002)
For Japan's classical music fans, it was a triumphant beginning for the
New Year as Seiji Ozawa conducted the Vienna Philharmonic on January 1. |
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(January 24, 2002)
In contrast to energetic young female pop stars like Hikaru Utada
and Ayumi Hamasaki, who have dominated the charts in recent years, lately
the Japanese pop music scene has seen the arrival of a new corps of young
male vocalists boasting a smooth, melodic, soulful style. |
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(December 10, 2001)
Gagaku, or imperial court music, one of Japan's traditional arts,
is quietly gaining in popularity as more and more people are discovering
the soothing qualities of its elegant tones. |
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(December 4, 2001)
Japan's love affair with dance never seems to end. Recently,
the dance scene has been getting a colorful new infusion in the form of
folk dances from around the world. |
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(November 6, 2001)
What is a theremin?
Most readers may have never heard the word, but to answer the question,
a theremin is a musical instrument that originated in Russia. It is known as the father of electronic musical instruments. |
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(October 30, 2001)
An increasing number of Japanese television programs are being packaged and exported overseas, including their concept (format), presentation, art, and production know-how. |
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(October 4, 2001)
Making things from paper is a craft that Japanese people have long excelled
at and a hobby that brings pleasure to many. The Internet and personal
computers have made it possible for all kinds of people to enjoy this
activity, raising the profile of paper crafts among both young and old. |
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(September 5, 2001)
The French techno duo Daft Punk has been enthralling fans--particularly
those in Japan--with their collaboration with manga (comic) and
anime (animation) legend Leiji Matsumoto in the production of their
music video clips. |
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(July 25, 2001)
Hieroglyphics are enjoying a quiet boom in Japan.
Young people feel that the decorative designs of hieroglyphics allow them
to express feelings that are not easily conveyed with words alone, and
they have been using these symbols in letters and even on business cards. |
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(April 6, 2001)
"Transformation" Services a Hit |
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(March 22, 2001)
Japan's Doll Festival |
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(March 9, 2001)
Universal Studios Comes to Japan |
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(February 27, 2001)
Japanese Women Star in International Exhibitions |
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(February 23, 2001)
Interest in Voice Acting Grows |
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(February 13, 2001)
Takashi Murakami Drives Otaku Culture into the Mainstream |
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(February 2, 2001)
Prizes in Chocolate Eggs Lure Adults |
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(February 1, 2001)
Once an SF Dream, Now a Reality |
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(January 16, 2001)
Strangers Act Out Love Scenarios on TV Show |
Copyright (C)2007 Web Japan. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.
