News On Japan

Shiuba Mizukan: A Journey Through a "Heavy and Vivid" Life in Her First Photo Essay

TOKYO, Feb 06 (News On Japan) - Shiina, a member of the musical group Wednesday Campanella, will release her first book, "POEM," on March 15. This photo essay captures heavy and vivid memories that Shiina has never spoken of before. She writes candidly about why she cherishes "love" and the reason behind the piercing in her mouth, sharing fragments of her life that connect to her present self.

The text is accompanied by a collection of photos taken in Taiwan and various places in Japan, with photography handled by Masato Yokoyama, Shinpei Nakagawa, and Karin Noguchi, whom Shiina trusts.

Shiina commented on her book, saying, "I have written candidly with all my heart about the life I have led up to my activities with Wednesday Campanella. I hope it reaches many people." Following the book's release, Wednesday Campanella will hold their first performance at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan with Shiina as a member on March 16.

Shiina expressed her joy at publishing "POEM" in conjunction with the significant event at Nippon Budokan. The photos, themed around the "discomfort" she values in her activities, showcase Shiina's charm through the perspectives of three photographers—Masato Yokoyama, Shinpei Nakagawa, Karin Noguchi—and three stylists—Meisa Ishibashi, hao, and Himetsuki Kubota—with hair styling by Misaki Ishiwata and her own makeup. Shiina has poured her life's story into the book, revealing why she values "love" and the story behind her lip piercing. The book is filled with heavy and painful stories, not just happy ones. It is a part of her life that leads to the present. She meticulously crafted the book with the help of everyone involved, from the photos and words to the layout and design. Shiina hopes this precious volume, filled with great love, will reach many people.

Source: Natalie

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has notified Japan Post of its intention to revoke the company’s license for freight transportation, following the discovery of improper safety checks at postal branches across the country. The ministry had conducted a special audit in April after finding that approximately 75% of post offices responsible for mail collection and delivery failed to conduct legally required checks, such as confirming whether drivers had consumed alcohol before duty.

Legionella bacteria have been detected in multiple locations at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, prompting health and safety measures. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, seawater collected on June 3rd from the Water Plaza, where water shows are held, was found to contain Legionella bacteria at 20 times the guideline limit.

The number of babies born in Japan in 2024 fell below 700,000 for the first time since recordkeeping began in 1899, highlighting the nation’s accelerating demographic crisis. According to population statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 4th, the number of births dropped to 686,061—down more than 40,000 from the previous year.

Three major convenience store chains will soon begin selling government stockpiled rice in small packages of 1 to 2 kilograms. FamilyMart will start selling rice harvested in 2021—classified as old stock—at 20 locations in Tokyo and Osaka starting June 6th. The rice will be priced at 360 yen per kilogram, excluding tax, with plans for a nationwide rollout.

Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and other institutions are moving to revise rules on the use of safe deposit boxes following a string of thefts, with the Japanese Bankers Association now working toward a ban on storing cash in these boxes.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

The Nintendo Switch 2 was released on June 5th, drawing large crowds and reigniting concerns over scalping, as demand far outstripped supply and resale prices soared to more than double the retail value.

Hana Sugisaki appeared at the 62nd Galaxy Awards ceremony held in Tokyo on June 2nd, where she was honored with the Individual Award in the television category. The accolade, presented by the Broadcast Critics Association, recognized her performances in the dramas "Unmet: A Neurosurgeon's Diary" and "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea."

Nocturnal Traces of 1980s Japan, Echoes of a Bygone Era: This refractive visual text is composed of 35mm excerpts from footage shot in Japan during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s restored in 1080p digital format. Some of these clips capture real everyday life, others come from documentaries and films, but all reflect the country's reality at the time, as confirmed by our Japanese distribution partners. (TRNGL)

The film Frontline is a powerful dramatization based on true events, portraying the individuals who took on Japan’s first major COVID-19 outbreak. Featuring an ensemble cast including Shun Oguri, Tori Matsuzaka, Sosuke Ikematsu, and Yosuke Kubozuka, the story centers around the events of February 2020 at the Port of Yokohama, where an unknown virus had begun to spread.

Kabuki actors including Kankuro Nakamura took part in a traditional boat procession in Fukuoka on May 31st to promote next month's Grand Kabuki performances at the Hakataza Theater.

After seeing her wedding kimono for the first time, Miyo can't help but get a little emotional. (Netflix Anime)

This week we continue our exploration of the fascinating state of kabuki in 1925. (Kabuki In-Depth)

The film Detchiage is set for nationwide release on June 27th and revolves around the devastating consequences of false accusations, particularly those made by minors.