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Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors

Nov 17 (JapanSocietyNYC) - Highlighting the early efforts of now-established contemporary filmmakers, the second ACA Cinema Project series Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors takes an intimate look at six of Japan’s most well-known directors: Naomi Kawase, Miwa Nishikawa, Shuichi Okita, Junji Sakamoto, Akihiko Shiota and Masayuki Suo.

Pairing each debut with a recent work, the series presents two distinct facets of each filmmaker’s career—encouraging dialogue and interplay as well as tracking the development of their signature voice. By drawing parallels and contrasts between past and present, Flash Forward illuminates the importance of these pivotal early works within each artist’s career. Co-presented by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, in collaboration with Visual Industry Promotion Organization.

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The torch to be used in the relay for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics has been unveiled for the first time at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue.

An 80-year-old man who calls himself an Expo enthusiast was arrested on April 14th for obstructing operations at the entrance gate of the Osaka-Kansai Expo after falsely claiming that he had a bomb in his backpack.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has released its latest population estimate, showing that Japan's total population, including foreign residents, stood at 123,802,000 as of October 1st last year, a decrease of 550,000 from the previous year. This marks the 14th consecutive year of population decline.

The Osaka-Kansai Expo drew large crowds on its second day under clear skies, with countries launching their 'National Day' events, and a highly anticipated flying car demonstration that had been canceled due to bad weather on April 13th.

While Kyoto is often crowded during sakura season, Katsuryuji Castle Park in Nagaokakyo offers a more tranquil alternative. As a cherished local spot, it allows visitors to appreciate the cherry blossoms at a relaxed pace.

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A group of teenagers were taken into custody by police in a late-night sweep in Tokyo's Kabukicho district, including a runaway girl who had traveled from Hyogo Prefecture.

A total of 72 people reported symptoms of food poisoning after eating boxed lunches from a catering shop in Tochigi Prefecture, with one person confirmed dead. Local authorities have identified the cause as a norovirus outbreak.

Cherry blossom season is drawing to a close in Ise, Mie Prefecture, but this year, the picturesque scene around the city's famed Isuzu River is missing a key element: water.

Kyoto’s scenic Philosopher’s Path has become the center of a growing debate, as local residents remain divided over whether the gravel trail should be fully paved.

Police have arrested the president of Kanetanaka, a prestigious kaiseki restaurant regarded as one of Japan’s top three ryotei, on suspicion of possessing stimulants and marijuana.

The 1970 Osaka Expo, a major symbol of Japan’s postwar economic growth, drew enormous nationwide attention—culminating in chaotic scenes as massive crowds overwhelmed the site just days before its closing.

Japan’s largest crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi, based in Kobe City, has announced it will end its long-running feud with rival groups.

With just three days until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, a photo taken during a trial run showing a row of children's toilets without partitions and a wide, exposed space—including a visible men's urinal—has drawn widespread attention on social media.