Documentary "Okinawa Rhapsody" Teaser Released, Features Yukio Hatoyama

"Okinawa Rhapsody": A Glimpse into the Island's Story in New Documentary Teaser

TOKYO, Jan 15 (News On Japan) - The trailer for the documentary film "Okinawa Rhapsody" has been released on YouTube.

The film, directed by Takafumi Ota, who is known for works such as "Documentary Battle of Okinawa: The Untold Memories of Sorrow" and "The Battle of Okinawa for Maidens - The Record of the Shirakaba Student Corps," delves into issues faced by Okinawa, including the Henoko base, the International University helicopter crash, and the concerns and crashes associated with the Osprey aircraft.

The trailer features footage of the Osprey and includes words from former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who engaged in a dialogue with Ota. "Okinawa Rhapsody" will begin its nationwide release starting February 3rd at Tokyo's K's cinema and other theaters. The narration for the film is provided by Tomoko Saito and Toshiyuki Kubaba.

Source: Natalie

Japanese Food Companies Strip Down Packaging to Save Ink

The “ink shock” caused by tensions in the Middle East is beginning to spread across Japan’s food packaging industry, prompting manufacturers to simplify designs and reduce ink usage as concerns grow over naphtha supplies and rising printing costs.

Japanese Cinema in Cannes Spotlight

The Cannes Film Festival opened this week with three Japanese films nominated for the festival’s top prize, the Palme d'Or, including 'Sheep in the Box' directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, 'Nagi Notes' directed by Koji Fukada, and 'Suddenly Feeling Unwell' directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.

Japan Greenlights Coverage for iPS Parkinson’s Treatment

Japan has approved the application of public health insurance to a regenerative medicine product using iPS cells to treat Parkinson’s disease, marking the world’s first practical use of iPS cell-based regenerative medicine.

Chinese Buyers Drive Property Surge in Japan’s Luxury Districts

Foreign acquisition of Japanese land has become a growing topic of debate in recent years, and now the trend is reaching Ashiya, one of the Kansai region’s most prestigious residential areas, where soaring property prices are increasingly being linked to demand from wealthy Chinese buyers.

Azerbaijan Crude Oil Arrives in Japan

A tanker carrying approximately 45,000 kiloliters of crude oil from Azerbaijan arrived in Japan on May 12th, marking the first time Azerbaijani crude has reached the country as the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Japanese Hospitality Principles Event Planners Can Learn From

Japanese hospitality has a reputation for being almost mystically attentive, but the principles behind it are practical and teachable.

Curtain Falls on Osaka’s Beloved Theater

The Osaka Shochikuza theater, which has entertained audiences in Osaka’s Dotonbori district for more than a century through films, kabuki and live performances, will close in June 2026 due to aging facilities and the high cost of renovations.

Sturgeon Biting Keeper’s Arm Sparks Online Frenzy

A video of a giant fish biting a keeper’s arm at an aquarium in Hokkaido has surged in popularity, racking up 60 million views online and sparking widespread curiosity about the unusual performance.

Three Living National Treasure Puppeteers Share the Stage!

Today we turn out attention to the magical world of the puppet theatre! (Kabuki In-Depth)

Mizuno Makes Full-Scale Entry into Esports Market

Mizuno has made a full-scale entry into the esports market, unveiling gaming controllers and chairs that draw on its expertise in sports equipment, as the company seeks to establish a new source of revenue in the rapidly growing sector.

Shiki Theatre Company Unveils New Nagoya Venue

A new theater operated by the Shiki Theatre Company was unveiled on May 1st in Nagoya’s Atsuta Ward, replacing the former Nagoya Shiki Theatre that closed in February, with the new MTG Nagoya Shiki Theatre increasing seating capacity by about 100 while prioritizing clear stage visibility from every seat.

Anime to Watch on Netflix May 2026

Dorohedero Season 2, Dandelion, The Ramparts of Ice, and SPY x FAMILY Season 3. (Netflix Anime)

Kabuki Returns to the Oldest Theatre in Japan!

We round up our coverage of the April kabuki performances by having a look at the show at the Kanamaru-za theatre in Konpira! (Kabuki In-Depth)

< 2 3 4 5 >