Retired woman makes international splash with photos of Japan

At age 62, Hiromi Fujita decided to try something new and took up photography as a way to enjoy her retirement years. Now the 75-year-old woman's photos of Japanese landscapes and traditional art performers have been displayed at exhibitions in France, Russia and Germany, among other countries. Last fall, she published a collection of her work in a book titled “Osozaki Demo Hana wa Saku,” (Flowers Will Bloom Even If They Are Late). “There must be many people who think they are too old to start something new,” Fujita says. “I meant (the title of the book) to show that no matter how old you are when you take up something, you will eventually be rewarded in your own way."

Robot built to explore nuclear plant

The Yomiuri Shimbun - A Tokyo company has developed a small, highly mobile robot that will be sent into the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant to take photos inside reactor buildings and measure radiation levels. Topy Industries Ltd. said the "Survey Runner" robot will be used to help with repair work at the plant after checking its performance and other details. The Survey Runner is expected to be able to maneuver around areas where other robots could not. It can even go up and down steep, wet stairs--an essential feature because coolant water has been injected into the reactors since the crisis at the plant began--and can turn around in a space just 70 centimeters square.

Toyota Prius hybrid remains top seller

Kyodo - Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid topped the February sales rankings in Japan, retaining first place for the ninth consecutive month, with its sales nearly doubling from a year earlier to 35,875 units, industry bodies said Tuesday. Honda Motor Co.'s Fit subcompact came in second with sales of 24,973 units, up 48.0 percent, followed by Daihatsu Motor Co.'s mini vehicle Mira, which posted sales of 22,023 units, marking a 3.2-fold year-on-year increase, according to data compiled by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association. Toyota's Aqua hybrid, which was released in December, rose to fourth place with sales of 21,951 units. Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20120307a5.html

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 2

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Hobbies ·         Tell me about any hobbies you have now or had in the past. ·         Do you feel you have enough free time for hobbies? Why? Why not? ·         How important is it for people to have hobbies at different ages? ·         If you had the chance to take up a new hobby, what would it be? Why?

How to spot a yakuza front company

Shukan Taishu Venus (Feb. 22) sets about determining what commoners can do to protect themselves from unknowingly associating with crime syndicates. There are thousands of yakuza front companies operating in Japan, says the tabloid. “I used to work at such an organization,” confesses a freelance writer. “Many other employees did not know, however, that a gang group was behind it.” To avoid working for such a firm, the writer suggests research. “You should at least check the company’s name on the net,” the source says. “While it is important to see what users on bulletin boards say, what’s crucial is to know the number of years it has been in business and its history.”

The Weekend Xbox Japan Conquered Akihabara

On a chilly afternoon this past weekend, well over 100 people waited in line in Akihabara to see Microsoft’s “Xbox 360 Kansyasai in Akiba” (Xbox 360 Festival of Thanks in Akihabara). The event was a joint effort between Microsoft and Capcom, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Japanese release of the original Xbox (February 22nd, 2002), and to promote some of the upcoming titles to the Xbox 360. Aside from game demo machines, the event included a raffle, on-stage interviews, and demonstrations for Dragon’s Dogma, Crimson Dragon, Diabolical Pitch, Biohazard Operation Raccoon City and Steel Battalion.

Subsidy eyed to promote study abroad

  40 universities could receive 5-year grants

The Yomiuri Shimbun - The education ministry plans to establish a new financial support system for universities encouraging students to study abroad, it has been learned. The ministry aims to promote the idea of studying abroad to Japanese students, who are often regarded as being introverted, to foster human resources who will be motivated to actively participate in the nation's domestic and international affairs. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry is targeting about 40 universities and plans to grant from 100 million yen to 200 million yen in annual subsidies to each institution.

Hiroshi Hoketsu, Japanese equestrian qualifies for London Olympics at age 70

TOKYO — Japanese equestrian Hiroshi Hoketsu qualified for the London Olympics at age 70, although it’s not yet clear if he will actually compete. The oldest Olympian in history is Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn. He won a silver medal at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics at 72, his sixth medal in three games. Hoketsu qualified by winning an international dressage meet in France on Thursday. Japanese equestrian officials said Sunday an announcement will be made soon on whether he will ride in London. Hoketsu will turn 71 on March 28.

Doll displays celebrate Japan's girls

Japanese families have traditionally used dolls to decorate their homes ahead of March 3 Girls' Day celebrations. Known as the hina matsuri (doll festival) it's a time to pray for the health and welfare of the nation's daughters. If you don't have hina dolls in your home, don't worry. You can still take part in the tradition if you head out to Konosu, Saitama Prefecture. Konosu, which has a history as a doll-making center that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867), vows to impress visitors with its gigantic set made up of a 31-step, red-carpeted staircase decked with 1,807 traditional ornamental dolls. The 7-meter-tall pyramid, placed inside City Hall, includes figures of the Emperor, Empress, servants and musicians, among others. While this would no doubt be the biggest draw of the annual Konosu Bikkuri Hina-matsuri, there's more. In the city, 7,000 to 8,000 dolls are currently on show at storefronts, schools and public halls.

Okada to pursue casino project in Philippines

Billionaire Kazuo Okada, accused by Wynn Resorts Ltd. of making improper payments to Philippine gambling regulators, said he will "vigorously" pursue his casino project in the country. "I intend to vigorously continue my $2 billion investment," the Japanese businessman said in a statement read to lawmakers in Manila on Monday. "Rest assured that I will be able to prove that all of the accusations are baseless and are lies that have been blown out of proportion." The Las Vegas-based casino company has accused Okada of giving more than $110,000 in payments and gifts to Philippines officials, including chief gambling regulator Cristino Naguiat. Universal Entertainment Corp., where Okada is a chairman and owned a 20 percent stake in Wynn Resorts, said in September it would open a casino and hotel in Manila by December 2013. Wynn forcibly redeemed Universal's stake on Feb. 19 and its Macau unit ousted Okada from its board for his "unacceptable conduct" on Friday.