Ayako Hirayama

Nov 21, 2024 | japannews.yomiuri.co.jp | Ayako Hirayama

Violinist Yasunao Ishida is not to be deterred. A decade ago he formed a string ensemble, and on Nov. 10, they performed at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, achieving their long-cherished goal. It is rare for a string ensemble to perform alone at such a large venue, and one that some call a “holy ground for rock.” For years at concerts, Ishida voiced this ambitious goal for his group, Ishida Gumi, but at first he was met with laughter from audiences. People apparently thought he was joking.

Sep 26, 2024 | japannews.yomiuri.co.jp | Ayako Hirayama

An exhibition about the life and legacy of Otto von Habsburg — the last crown prince to the defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire — is being held at the Minato City Local History Museum in Tokyo. Otto von Habsburg (1912-2011) is known to have helped thousands of prosecuted people from Austria, many of whom were Jews, flee the Nazis during World War II by using his diplomatic connections to issue visas and make other arrangements.

Jun 24, 2024 | japannews.yomiuri.co.jp | Ayako Hirayama

YOKOHAMA — Igor Kholodylo was told he would never run again, but now finds himself on a treadmill in Japan, far from the Ukrainian battlefield where he suffered injuries caused by Russian shelling. “It was a miracle,” the 57-year-old Kholodylo told The Japan News during a recent interview. “In Ukraine, my traumatologist told me, ‘Forget about running. You can live without running.’” Kholodylo, despite his advanced age, was serving as a combat medic when he was badly injured.

Jun 19, 2024 | boredpanda.com | Yanjun Chen |Ayako Hirayama |Marshall Harris |Daniel Mckinley

Discover the finest creative artworks that triumphed at the 2023 London International Creative Competition (LICC). In the Create (Art) category, both professional and non-professional creatives are encouraged to submit their work, including Abstract Art, Contemporary Art, Digital Art, Mixed-Material Art, and more.

Feb 2, 2024 | japannews.yomiuri.co.jp | Ayako Hirayama

Nerima, one of Tokyo’s 23 wards, is generally considered a residential area, but the municipality is gearing up efforts to attract foreign visitors with its unknown charms. In June last year, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo — The Making of Harry Potter, a theme park based on the Harry Potter film series, opened in the ward, attracting visitors from home and abroad. The municipality hopes to take advantage of this opportunity to boost local tourism.