This is interesting, since just this year the government of Japan declared that it was going to stop at nothing to get the population educated in English. More teacher were hired this year than in any other, but now what?

Crown Princess Masako will make her first official trip outside Tokyo later this month to attend the opening ceremony of a cultural festival in Tokushima Prefecture, western Japan, since taking part in a greenery ceremony in Nagano Prefecture in June, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.

The princess will accompany her husband, Crown Prince Naruhiro, on a three-day trip to Tokushima Prefecture from Friday, after the agency staff consulted her doctor, an agency official said.

Crown Princess Masako has relinquished many of her official duties since 2003. She was diagnosed in 2004 with adjustment disorder, a mental condition attributable in part to pressures resulting from her life in the palace.

Japan's smoking rate, one of the highest in the industrialized world, has fallen to a new low amid rising health awareness and tighter regulations, according to a survey released Wednesday.

Somehow it never seems like it, but this is good news for the health of Japanese people.

Emptiness again? Is anyone really surprised. I'd be surprised if Mr. Bush ends up accomplishing anything worth while during his two terms as President. But now, if he can just quit dragging the image of America through the mud for 2 more years, maybe our next leader can salvage something of our long held reputation.

US forces deployed a mobile missile-tracking station in Japan for the first time Friday, officials said, as part of efforts to defend against a potential attack from North Korea.

Today's opening day for the San Diego Asian Film Festival and it looks to be even better than last years festival. The list of films (found here) is an impressive one, with something for everybody.

There are offerings from nearly every country that you've ever considered 'Asian', along with others from places that might surprise you. But always from, by, or for Asian, although this lineup will appeal to most people. Countries represented include: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Macao, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK, to name a few.

Take a look at the list in the link above and find one (or a few) that interest you, and stop by. Beyond the movies, this is just a great event.

C'ya there.

And this was the culture that prided itself on taking care of the elderly. I hope the children only see this as a last resort. It's great technology, but what about the human touch?

Well, sort of ;-)

Well both sexes here just keep getting fatter . . .

Tokyo promotes disaster prevention as key to surviving major earthquake

Scientifically, it's almost a sure thing — Tokyo is awaiting a catastrophic earthquake. In fact, it's long overdue. The same thing could be said for San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and just about any other city on the Ring of Fire. So this story is relevant to us all.