Latest news with #OsakaPhotoandVideoDepartment
The Mainichi
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Myaku-Myaku, other mascots show off moves at Osaka Expo dance event
6375151122112@brightcove OSAKA -- Visitors to Osaka Expo were treated to a dance recital by mascot characters from various countries in a recent event organized by the Australian pavilion to entertain guests. The June 30 dance event at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, was joined by 20 mascots including those from Australia, the United States and the European Union. On the Australian pavilion stage, they jumped up and down, showed off their moves to the song "Hot Potato" by The Wiggles, a children's music group from the country. Osaka Expo's official mascot Myaku-Myaku also made an appearance, exciting the audience as they called for an encore. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department)
The Mainichi
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Retro Japan: Meiji-era school building in Okayama Pref. popular among cosplayers
TAKAHASHI, Okayama -- A wooden Meiji-era (1868-1912) building at a former elementary school in this western Japan city is a popular photo spot among cosplayers. Alarming notices, such as "regarding swords that can be drawn" and "firearms that can be brought in," appeared on the website of a certain event. What were they about? The notes were precautions for a cosplay event held at the former Fukiya Elementary School. While the "swords" and "firearms" in question referred to replicas and toys, restrictions were placed on what could be brought in to ensure safety. The wooden school building has been featured in TV dramas, movies and anime, making it a popular photo spot among cosplay enthusiasts. The event has been held at the site three times in the past. The east and west wings of the school were completed in 1900, and the main building was finished in 1909. Until its closure in March 2012, it was considered the oldest wooden school building still in use in Japan. This is an example of "pseudo-Western" school architecture representing the late Meiji era. The main building, with its clapboard siding, is symmetrically flanked by the east and west wings. The wide hallway on the main building's first floor also served as a gymnasium. Above it is a triangular truss structure framework, a distinctive feature of the pseudo-Western style. After the school closed, the building underwent preservation and repair work, and it has been open to the public since 2022. (Japanese original by Masashi Mimura, Osaka Photo and Video Department) * * * The Japanese version of this article was originally published on June 1, 2025. * * * This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
The Mainichi
19-06-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Syrian man in Osaka uses Arabic coffee to help his homeland
OSAKA -- A man from Syria has opened an online coffee store in Osaka. The store sells special Arabic coffee. This coffee has a different taste from Japanese coffee. It is mixed with a spice called cardamom and boiled. This gives the coffee a fresh smell and unique flavor. People drink it from small cups. The man's name is Baraa Fuji, and he is 31 years old. Fuji came from Damascus, Syria, and he moved to Japan in 2017. He studied in graduate school in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, then moved to Osaka for work. There was a war in Syria for 13 years. Fuji felt sad for the people there and wanted to do something to help. So he decided to open an online coffee store called "Qafua Shop." "Qafua" means coffee in Arabic. Fuji opened his store in March this year. Each time he sells coffee, he sends some money to help Syrian people. The money goes to a group that helps people who need medicine, food, and education after the war. Fuji lives in Osaka with his family. His wife Eman, 32, came to Japan while Fuji was studying. They now have two children, Adam who is 6 and Basema who is 4. Both children were born in Japan and started school here this spring. Last year, Fuji became a Japanese citizen. He chose the name Fuji from Mount Fuji. He said, "I want to live as a Japanese person, not as a foreigner." Last December, the war in his country finally ended, and the leaders changed. Fuji was very happy when he heard this good news. He said, "Many people in Syria are having a difficult life after the war. Syria needs help. I want to help them through coffee." (Japanese original by Rei Kubo, Osaka Photo and Video Department) Vocabulary Arabic: language and culture of Arab countries in the Middle East spice: something you put into food or drinks to make them taste better or different unique: special or different from others graduate school: special school you finish after university citizen: a person who officially belongs to a country and has that country's passport donate: give something (usually money) to help people who need it
The Mainichi
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Osaka Expo mascot 'Myaku-Myaku' now popular with visitors
OSAKA -- The official mascot of Expo 2025 in Osaka has become very popular. At first, many people did not like its strange look. Now, visitors often take pictures with the mascot. The mascot's name is "Myaku-Myaku." It is a mysterious character made of cells and water. Myaku-Myaku is everywhere at the event. There is even a special "Myaku-Myaku House" where people can meet a moving Myaku-Myaku. At the Expo, there are also Myaku-Myaku designs on manhole covers, playgrounds, and statues, using its red and blue colors. No one knows exactly what Myaku-Myaku really is. Its form changes often, and right now it looks like a human. People like it because it is strange and interesting. Inside Myaku-Myaku House, one visitor wrote, "I am sorry I first said you looked scary. I really like you now." A 25-year-old Osaka woman said, "I didn't like the mascot at first. But when I saw it moving, I became a fan." Another visitor, 55, from Kobe said, "At first, I wasn't sure about it. But now I think it's cute. I'm not sure why!" Many visitors now enjoy seeing Myaku-Myaku in person. The Osaka Expo will continue for six months. Organizers think about 28 million people will visit. Myaku-Myaku likes meeting people. Maybe the mascot can bring even more visitors to the event. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department) Vocabulary mascot: a character or animal used to represent an event or group mysterious: strange, hard to understand cells: very small parts that all living things are made of manhole cover: a round metal cover on roads that leads under the ground organizer: a person or group that plans an event
The Mainichi
01-06-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Retro Japan: Elegant Kobe College architecture designed to influence students
NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo -- Standing in style, Kobe College buildings in this western Japan city were designed to inspire class among its students in the early Showa era (1926-1989), and they still retain their dignity. Passing through the reddish-tiled main gate and ascending a slope, one is greeted by the refined school buildings of Kobe College. The campus harmonizes with its natural surroundings and still retains 12 buildings designed by William Merrell Vories (1880-1964), who left behind many renowned architectural works. Under Vories' design philosophy, which posited that the grace of buildings positively influences students, the college was completed in 1933. Near the center of the campus is the cream-colored Administration Building, constructed in the Spanish Mission style. It is connected via interior corridors to the auditorium and chapel, forming a single structure with three functions. The auditorium features semicircular arch that separates the stage from the seating area, creating a space with a sense of grandeur. The chapel's windows use amber-colored glass, which bathes the interior in golden light. This seems to reflect Vories' architectural spirit aimed at distinguished architecture that nurtures a loving heart. The campus architecture is open to the public several times a year on an irregular basis. During these times, trained students act as "tour meisters" to explain the charm of the buildings. (Japanese original by Maiko Umeda, Osaka Photo and Video Department) * * * The Japanese version of this article was originally published on Feb. 5, 2023. * * * This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
