Society

International Tokyo Toy Show delivers on the 'global' for 2018

Jun 08 (Kyodo) - The International Tokyo Toy Show 2018 opened to buyers and the media on Thursday with "global" being a keyword for Japan's largest toy industry showcase as it began a four-day residency at Tokyo Big Sight.

2018 marks the 57th edition of the annual toy show with organizers The Japan Toy Association (JTA) having gathered 51 foreign manufacturers to feature at the exhibition alongside 146 domestic brands, the largest number since its move to the current Tokyo Big Sight venue.

Among the some 35,000 toys on show at the event, those selected for their global appeal include the girls' collection, L.O.L Surprise -- a hit in over 90 countries and regions having already shifted some 500 million units. Organizers are also expecting toys from the Jurassic World movie franchise to create some buzz ahead of the summer release on these shores of the latest installment, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Moves Toward Vietnam, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 20th show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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Mako Komuro Appears in Six-Page Town & Country Feature

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