Latest news with #Takeuchi
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Chinese online literature is winning hearts in Japan
File photo for illustration purposes OSAKA, Japan (July 21): 'Translating Chinese web novels has become my favorite way to unwind as it brings me a sense of fulfillment,' said Hikaru Takeuchi, a Japanese screenwriter and director who has become an unlikely ambassador for Chinese online fiction. Takeuchi is an avid fan of the Chinese web novel Apocalyptic Forecast, a fantasy fiction about a disillusioned young man who gains mysterious powers and is drawn into a hidden world of supernatural conflict and secret societies. Although she studied classical Chinese literature in school, she had little exposure to the online genre. That changed when work introduced her to Apocalyptic Forecast, which, in her words, 'opened up a whole new world.' She was especially struck by the multidimensional characters and the emotional complexity of the protagonist, whose joy and struggles resonated with her. When the novel ended, Takeuchi felt compelled to write a letter to its author, Feng Yue. The cross-border fan mail became a symbolic bridge between cultures. Speaking with Xinhua in a recent interview, she expressed her hope of introducing more Japanese readers to the rich and emotional world of Chinese web literature. Now Takeuchi is not just a fan, but also a translator and grassroots promoter of Chinese web literature. Over the past three years, the 50-something creative has translated more than 200 chapters of Apocalyptic Forecast into Japanese and shared them with friends. As Chinese online literature expands abroad, a growing number of overseas readers are becoming not just consumers, but translators, creators, and even co-developers of new intellectual properties. She is now planning to participate in the 'Fiction Formula' contest — a joint initiative by WebNovel, a platform under China's Yuewen Group, and Japan's CCC Group, which owns the Tsutaya bookstore chain, to try her hand at original writing. 'Japan still relies heavily on cash payments, but through Chinese novels, I've learned about mobile payments and everyday life in Chinese high schools. It's fascinating,' Takeuchi said. For many Japanese readers, Chinese online literature offers a blend of novelty and relatability, a fresh yet accessible lens into contemporary Chinese society. The success of Apocalyptic Forecast in Japan is far from isolated. Other Chinese web novels, including Joy of Life, The King's Avatar, and Battle Through the Heavens, have also gained loyal followings through localized publishing, anime adaptations, and manga spin-offs. The King's Avatar has been downloaded over 30 million times in Japanese, and its animated film was screened in nine countries and regions, including Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore. Its manga version has received nearly 8 million likes on the Piccoma platform. Takeuchi also praised the anime adaptation of Dragon Raja, a Chinese fantasy novel by Jiang Nan, calling it high-quality and widely loved in Japan. She believes that as more Chinese novels evolve into anime, films, and comics, their cultural influence in Japan will deepen. According to Yuewen Group, by the end of 2024, its international platform WebNovel had launched around 6,800 translated works, supported 460,000 overseas authors, and released roughly 700,000 original stories globally. With nearly 300 million users across over 200 countries and regions, the platform is quickly becoming a dominant player in global online storytelling. The Japanese market stands out, with a 180-percent user surge in 2024 alone, ranking among the top five growth markets alongside Spain, Brazil, France, and Germany. Shinichiro Kamaura, executive director of CCC Group, voiced optimism about building a new cross-cultural IP ecosystem in partnership with Chinese firms. He emphasized the potential of blending cultural elements and shared values to inspire a new generation of Japanese creators. Yuewen Group CEO and President Hou Xiaonan added that web fiction, now a leading force in China's 'new cultural exports,' is entering a new phase of global co-creation. In Japan, he noted that traditional Chinese cultural themes, such as the Three Kingdoms, already provide common ground. To truly succeed abroad, he said, Chinese stories must be localized — not just translated — in ways that resonate with new audiences. – Xinhua China Japan literature translation web novels
Tokyo Reported
09-07-2025
- Tokyo Reported
Suspect in girl's bar stabbing dined with victim two days before incident
SHIZUOKA (TR) – At around 1:00 a.m. July 6, Ichiro Yamashita had a knife in each of his hands as he attacked two female employees at a so-called 'girl's bar' in Hamamatsu City. In the end, female manager, 27-year-old Tomoka Takeuchi, and 26-year-old employee Rin Ito sustained more than 10 wounds each to their upper bodies, police later revealed. Both Takeuchi and Ito were unconscious upon transport to a hospital. Several hours later, they were both confirmed dead. The cause of death was loss of blood, police said. Upon his arrest on suspicion of attempted murder over the stabbing of Takeuchi, Yamashita, who lives in Fukuroi City, admitted to the allegations. The charges were later changed to murder. As police try to understand a motive for the crime, it has been revealed that suspect Yamashita seemingly had a more than friendly interest in Ito. In fact, he dined with the victim just days before the incident, reports site News Post Seven (July 9). Tomoka Takeuchi (X) 'Murderous intent' Girl's Bar NaNa is located in an entertainment district about 500 meters from JR Hamamatsu Station. Just before the incident, Yamashita brought Ito, who was not working, to the bar in his car. According to police, the suspect was in possession of two curved kukri knives with 20-centimeter-long blades in each hand and stabbed the two women one after the other. As soon as they entered the bar, he stabbed Takeuchi, who was working, multiple times. He then attacked Ito, who was trying to escape. A reporter for a major newspaper tells News Post Seven that a kukri knife is known to be used by the Nepalese military. 'This knife is highly lethal and is rarely used in general,' the reporter says. 'Investigators believe that the man planned to use the weapon for murder and committed the crime with murderous intent.' Two days after the crime, investigators searched the apartment of the suspect for evidence and clues as to the suspect's motive. The aforementioned reporter continues, 'It seems that some police officials believe that the suspect may have had feelings for Ito. There may have been some kind of problem between the two, and the manager, Takeuchi, may have been caught up in it.' Yamashita was a regular customer at the bar. He had dinner with Ito two days before the incident, which suggests that she was a personal favorite of the suspect. However, his relationship with Takeuchi remains unknown. 'A dead person can't say anything' Takeuchi's husband opened Girl's Bar NaNa in December 2023 after the completion of a renovation of another establishment he had run since 2016. Referred to as a girl's bar, such an establishment provides services similar to those on offer at a hostess club. On Tuesday, Takeuchi's husband agreed to an interview with News Post Seven at his home. 'I don't know anything about the cause of the incident either,' he said. 'I want to know. One thing I can say is that a dead person can't say anything, and once they're dead it's all over! You're the same, aren't you? You can eat good food because you're alive, right?' He went on, 'There's no way there's a reason. It's hard to answer questions about the cause.' At first, Takeuchi's husband was tight-lipped, but gradually he began to reveal what was on his mind. He also spoke angrily about Yamashita. 'I've had drinks with the suspect, too,' he said. 'He was a customer. But would you think that your family would be killed by a regular customer? Would you think that your house would be set on fire by someone you met yesterday? I don't think you would. I've always looked at these kinds of news and incidents as if they were someone else's problem, and I'd talk about them, but how would you feel if you were in this position?' He added that cannot watch the news at all. 'Today, three friends were with me from morning to night, so I'm somehow able to keep my cool,' he said. 'But if they weren't, I don't know what I would do. That's how bad the situation is.'
Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Straits Times
Two women fatally stabbed at bar in central Japan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The two victims were the bar manager and an employee. HAMAMATSU, Shizuoka - Two women in central Japan have died after being stabbed by a man at a bar in Chuo Ward in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, early on July 6 . The Shizuoka prefectural police arrested Ichiro Yamashita, 41, at the scene on suspicion of trying to kill the bar's female manager. Yamashita said he is unemployed and from Fukuroi in the prefecture, and the police are investigating his motive and other matters. According to the police, the two victims were bar manager Tomoka Takeuchi, 27, and Ms Rin Ito, 26, an employee. An emergency call was made at about 1.55am on July 6 , stating that a man had stabbed two women with a knife. According to firefighters and others, the two women were unconscious and in a critical condition when they were taken to hospital by ambulance. Yamashita is believed to be a regular customer of the so-called girls bar, where female employees serve drinks. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch Singapore Woman on SMRT bus 190 injured after bottle thrown at vehicle leaves hole in window Singapore Over half of 106 new MRT trains added to North-South, East-West lines; fleet completion by 2026 Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds He allegedly stabbed Ms Takeuchi in the back and is quoted by police as saying: 'It is correct that I stabbed her.' According to the police, Yamashita entered the bar with Ms Ito and then stabbed Ms Takeuchi twice in the back. After that, he stabbed Ms Ito several times. He carried two knives with 20cm blades. He reportedly did not try to run or resist when police arrived at the scene. There were other customers and employees in the bar at the time of the incident. The prefectural police are investigating the relationship between the three, among other matters. The crime scene is in a downtown area about 500 meters west of JR Hamamatsu Station. THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Olympus pledges prompt response following FDA import block
This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. Olympus on Friday said it intends to promptly address concerns that led the Food and Drug Administration to issue import alerts blocking some of the company's endoscopy devices from entering the U.S. The FDA, in its letter to healthcare providers last week, said it was preventing future shipments of the products, manufactured at Olympus' Aizu facility in Fukushima, Japan, until further notice, due to ongoing quality system violations. Providers currently using the devices without problems can continue to do so, the agency said. The Tokyo-based company said the bronchoscopes, laparoscopes, ureterorenoscopes and automated endoscope reprocessors subject to the import alert generated about 1% of its consolidated revenue in the fiscal year ended in March. While Olympus reiterated its commitment to addressing the issues raised by the FDA and said it aims to meet the highest quality standards for its products, the agency has continued to raise concerns with the device maker. Import alerts allow the FDA to detain shipments without having to examine the devices and are used to protect consumers from products with a history of regulatory violations. Olympus has been working to improve quality assurance in Japan in response to FDA notifications over the past three years. The agency's latest action follows three warning letters sent to the company from November 2022 to March 2023 as part of its work to reduce infection risk associated with reprocessed endoscopes. Inspectors found Olympus was noncompliant with current best practices in manufacturing requirements. Former Olympus CEO Yasuo Takeuchi said in May that the company expected to complete its commitments to the FDA by the end of its fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2026. Takeuchi, Olympus' board chairperson, assumed CEO duties after Stefan Kaufmann resigned in October following allegations of illegal drug purchases. The company has since hired former Medtronic executive Bob White as CEO. White, a former president of Medtronic's medical surgical portfolio, took up the CEO post at Olympus on June 1. With some Olympus products restricted, endoscopy rival Boston Scientific could benefit, at least in the near term, J.P. Morgan analyst Robbie Marcus wrote in a research note Wednesday. KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Brett Fishbin told clients that Olympus' problems with the FDA could boost competitor Steris' market share positioning. For Olympus' devices currently in use, the FDA advised providers to follow instructions for proper cleaning and reprocessing, not to use devices that are damaged or have failed a leak test, and to discuss with patients the benefits and risks of procedures involving the devices. Olympus said that based on its initial evaluation, the FDA's action does not impact the import of its devices into any other countries globally. Recommended Reading FDA stops Olympus devices from entering the US Sign in to access your portfolio
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Maruti Suzuki plans 1,500 EV ready workshops, hits record 24.5 lakh services in May
The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara is expected to be launched in Spetember 2025. (REUTERS) Notify me Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Maruti Suzuki) plans to add 1,500 EV enabled service workshops covering over 1,000 cities with specially trained manpower and special equipment to extend all EV related support by financial year 2030-31, confirmed Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited. The announcement came as the carmaker announced to have serviced over 24.5 lakh vehicles in a single month, the highest ever in its history. The record was achieved in the month of May, and entails paid service, free service as well as running repairs. Takeuchi further added that the 1,500 EV enabled service workshops will be a part of the planned 8,000 additional service touchpoints that the carmaker aims to establish by FY31. The carmaker currently has 5,400 service touchpoints. He added that even before the company started mass sales of vehicles in India, the focus was on building a robust service network, a foundation that continues to support us as it expands its business further. The carmaker claims that over the years through its dealer partners, it has introduced several innovative and industry-first service formats, to address the smallest query to full-car service needs. Also Read : Swift celebrates 20 years, contributes to over 10% of Maruti Suzuki sales These range from traditional brick-and-mortar workshops to mobile workshops providing service at customer's doorstep. Additionally, a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) provides emergency on-road assistance across the country. This vast service network becomes immensely significant to support customers during a natural calamity. To enhance service operations, Maruti Suzuki has implemented AI-driven chatbots and voice bots. Alongside, the workshop personnel are trained on latest technologies as well as soft skills. To minimize downtime, and quick service turnaround, the Company ensures quick availability of parts. The high level of localization supports in making the parts easily available and affordable. Maruti Suzuki e Vitara launch According to recent reports, Maruti Suzuki has slashed near-term production targets for its maiden electric car, e-Vitara, by two-thirds owing to the ongoing rare earth magnet shortages. The Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara electric SUV, which is the carmaker's first-ever electric car, is slated to be launched in India in September 2025. Also Read : Maruti Suzuki Escudo: Another compact SUV on card to grab bigger chunk of most sought-after market pie. What to expect? Ahead of that, the carmaker previously revealed its plan to make 26,500 units in the first and second quarters of this fiscal, between April and September. However, with the ongoing supply chain crisis, Maruti Suzuki has slashed the target significantly to 8,200 units. This comes as the latest sign of disruption to the Indian auto industry owing to China's export restrictions on rare earth magnets. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 25 Jun 2025, 11:01 AM IST
