JAPAN'S ROLE IN JOINT DRILLS BOOSTS PHILIPPINE, UNITED STATES DETERRENCE - MANILA

JAPAN'S ROLE IN JOINT DRILLS BOOSTS PHILIPPINE, UNITED STATES DETERRENCE - MANILA

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MANILA

The full-fledged participation of Japanese forces has given this year's large-scale military exercise between the Philippines and the United States a new dimension and is helping create stronger regional security amid common threats, according to military officials and analysts.

In recent years, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces have either observed the annual Balikatan exercise, which is co-hosted by the Philippines and the United States, or taken part in one of its drills designed for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

"It's important that we train with them (Japan Self-Defense Forces) in terms of military tactics and strategies because we are looking at addressing threats in the region not as individual countries, but as a collective group," Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, told reporters after the exercise on May 8.

In the most recent Balikatan exercise, which lasted 19 days, Japan sent 1,400 personnel, three ships, and two aircraft, as well as its Type-88 guided missile system. The Japanese contingent was among the approximately 17,000 participants from seven countries.

The move came after the Philippines' Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan, which enables faster troop deployment and facilitates joint drills, took effect last year.

During the closing ceremony, Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr., chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, described this year's exercise as "a strategic evolution from a bilateral exercise to a full-scale multinational mission rehearsal for the defense" of the Philippines, and one that "reflects the dangerous security environment we live in."

For such exercises, the Japanese forces' participation "should generate the deterrent effect needed to counter China's regional ambition, if well nurtured," Philippine Navy ex-vice commander Rommel Ong said.

He also asserted that the SDF's full participation is key to forming an alternative regional security framework that does not solely rely on the United States but includes "middle powers" such as the Philippines and Japan.

Middle powers are regarded as countries that can exert influence in global affairs.

From April 24 to 28, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ships Shimokita, Ikazuchi and Ise participated in the Balikatan maritime drill inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, practicing maneuvers and formations at sea with the Philippine, U.S., Canadian, and Australian navies and coast guards.

The Japanese contingent also took part in anti-submarine warfare, gunnery and deck landing drills. Chinese ships and air assets were monitored from a distance although they did not interfere.

"After World War II, Japan has been our partner. Japan is showing how committed it is to regional peace and security," said Capt. Paul Michael Hechanova, commander of the participating Philippine Navy frigate Miguel Malvar that hosted journalists from Kyodo News and local media during the maritime exercise.

On May 4, during a live fire exercise at a counter-landing along the coast of Ilocos Norte in the northwestern Philippines, some 40 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force personnel from the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, based in Nagasaki Prefecture, demonstrated their combat skills alongside their Filipino and American counterparts.

"This was extremely meaningful as it covers training subjects that are difficult to complete domestically," the regiment's commander, Col. Sho Tomino, told reporters afterwards. "We want to continue utilizing opportunities like this to strengthen multilateral joint deterrence."

Admitting there were language barriers and cultural differences, Tomino said, "We need to consider how much adjustment is necessary for understanding."

Two days later, Japan tested its Type-88 missile system from an adjacent town as part of a maritime strike drill. The missile hit a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship from a range of 75 kilometers offshore.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, observed the activity onsite. Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. watched via live video feed at the Philippine military headquarters in Manila.

Ong, a professor of Praxis with the Ateneo School of Government and a non-resident fellow at the Stratbase Institute think tank in the Philippines, regards the anti-ship missile demonstration as "most noteworthy" among the SDF capabilities, as the Philippines is also developing this "critical capability."

Recognizing the capabilities of the SDF, Paparo said that U.S., Australian, Japanese, and Filipino troops are exercising together more and more and "building our forces' interoperability" to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

The various drills, along with Japan's full participation, did not sit well with China.

Beijing has criticized the overseas deployment of SDF personnel and the firing of missiles. Its Foreign Ministry said that some of Japan's "policies and moves have gone far beyond the scope of self-defense" and that Tokyo should "reflect deeply on its history of militarist aggression."

The Philippines' defense chief, Teodoro, brushed off the remarks, citing China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea and its "improper references to history."

"China's attempt to evoke memories of World War II is an obvious attempt to sow division and create resistance against an emerging regional security arrangement and prevent Japan's active participation in such undertaking," said Ong.

Maj. Gen. Toshikatsu Musha, commander of the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, witnessed the May 4 counter-landing live fire exercise and recognized the broader implications of Japan's participation in the Balikatan exercise.

"We will send (a) bigger" contingent for the Balikatan gradually from next year, he added.

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UNITED STATES TEST FIRES MOBILE ROCKET SYSTEM NEAR MOUNT FUJI IN RAPID 'SHOOT AND SCOOT' DRILL - GOTEMBA, SHIZUOKA JAPAN

UNITED STATES TEST FIRES MOBILE ROCKET SYSTEM NEAR MOUNT FUJI IN RAPID 'SHOOT AND SCOOT' DRILL - GOTEMBA, SHIZUOKA JAPAN 

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GOTEMBA, Shizuoka

U.S. Marines test fired a dozen rockets from a mobile launcher on Wednesday at a range in the foothills of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, in an exercise to keep sharp on weapon that is a growingly important component of the American military's arsenal.

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a launcher mounted on the back of a military truck that can be rapidly brought out from concealment, fire its rockets, then move quickly to a new location to avoid counter-battery fire. The so-called “shoot and scoot” tactics are becoming increasingly important with the proliferation of drones over the battlefield, which make static positions more vulnerable.

The system has been used by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently U.S. Central Command said it was employed in the opening attack on Iran where it launched a new precision-guided rocket that could reach targets hundreds of miles away.

That is particularly meaningful in the Pacific, where the U.S. hopes to deter a possible Chinese invasion of the island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own and has not ruled out taking by force. HIMARS systems with the latest missiles could easily reach targets in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and mainland China, if deployed on Japanese or other islands nearby.

The HIMARS is generally equipped with shorter-range rockets, however, and the exercise at the U.S. military's Camp Fuji, about a two-hour drive from Tokyo, involved only dummy projectiles.

The exercise, only the second time the HIMARS was tested at Camp Fuji, was done in close coordination with Japanese military forces. A public road that ran between where the rockets were fired and where they landed was closed as a precaution during the exercise.

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PREMIUM HOKKAIDO MELONS FETCH RECORD YEN 5.8 MIL AT SEASON'S 1ST AUCTION - SAPPORO JAPAN

PREMIUM HOKKAIDO MELONS FETCH RECORD YEN 5.8 MIL AT SEASON'S 1ST AUCTION - SAPPORO JAPAN

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SAPPORO

A pair of premium melons grown on Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido fetched a record 5.8 million yen ($36,500) at the year's first auction on Friday, beating the previous all-time high of 5 million yen in 2019.

This year's successful bidder for the pricey cantaloupes, a signature product of the city of Yubari, was Futami Seika Co, a Kushiro-based fruit and vegetable wholesaler. The melons were later sold to Keio Store Co, which plans to display them at one of its supermarkets in Tokyo until Sunday.

"I hope the people in Tokyo will enjoy these Hokkaido melons," said Hirokazu Okubo, Futami Seika's head of sales who was involved in the successful bid at a wholesale market in Sapporo.

Known for their juicy orange flesh and sweetness, Yubari melons are often sent as gifts in Japan.

According to Yubari's agricultural cooperative, local farmers plan to ship 3,086 tons of melons worth around 2.12 billion yen this year, with peak harvesting expected in June and July.

Premium fruits often fetch very high prices at first auctions in Japan, with buyers using successful bids for promotional purposes.

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HEAD TEMPLE AT MOUNT KOYA URGES SUMMER VISITORS TO AVOID REVEALING ATTIRE - HASHIMOTO, WAKAYAMA JAPAN

HEAD TEMPLE AT MOUNT KOYA URGES SUMMER VISITORS TO AVOID REVEALING ATTIRE - HASHIMOTO, WAKAYAMA JAPAN

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HASHIMOTO, Wakayama

A leading Buddhist temple at Mount Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in western Japan, is asking visitors to refrain from wearing revealing clothing when visiting its holy area as summer approaches.

Setting up bilingual signboards in Japanese and English, around 30 employees and monks handed out leaflets to tourists in early May at Kongobuji temple in Wakayama Prefecture, amid a growing number of visitors wearing shorts, short skirts and tops exposing the shoulders or back during the warmer months.

The temple installed three signboards around the premises including at the entrance to Okunoin, a sacred site where the mausoleum of Kukai, the ninth-century founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, is located. Its doctrine says he remains in eternal meditation there.

Staff may approach visitors wearing inappropriate clothing and ask them to comply with the temple's request or suggest purchasing outerwear.

"We ask visitors to please make an effort to dress appropriately," said Hogen Yabu, head of the temple's religious affairs office. "We would be grateful if this leads to a greater movement across the country."

The request comes as other major Japanese tourism spots have urged people to dress suitably.

Last year, Yamanashi Prefecture, near Tokyo, announced that hikers climbing Mount Fuji, which is also a World Heritage Site, would be required to wear appropriate climbing gear, including warm clothing and footwear. Access to a local trail may be denied for noncompliance.

The announcement for Japan's tallest peak is designed to address the issue of dangerous climbing, such as in light wear and with insufficient equipment, amid a rise in foreign visitors and concerns about overcrowding.

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RUSSIAN MAN ATTACKED BY BEAR IN WESTERN MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF TOKYO - TOKYO JAPAN

RUSSIAN MAN ATTACKED BY BEAR IN WESTERN MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF TOKYO - TOKYO JAPAN 

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TOKYO

A Russian man was attacked by a bear on Sunday in a town in the mountainous far-western region of Tokyo, authorities said.

According to local authorities and the fire department, the man, who is in his 30s, suffered injuries to his arm and face and was airlifted to a hospital by helicopter. He was seriously injured but remained conscious.

An emergency call was made around 12:10 p.m. reporting a bear attack in Okutama.

The man was hiking alone in the mountains when he encountered the bear and was not carrying a bear repellent bell, the authorities said.

Members of the local hunters' association and police searched the area but have not yet found the bear. The town has set up a cage to capture the animal.

Around 40 bear sightings have been reported near the site of the attack since April.

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GIANT COCROACH STATUE BRINGS NEW LIFE TO SHRINKING NARA VILLAGE - NARA TOKYO JAPAN

GIANT COCROACH STATUE BRINGS NEW LIFE TO SHRINKING NARA VILLAGE - NARA TOKYO JAPAN 

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NARA

A giant bronze cockroach with muscular arms and a sumo wrestler's stance is drawing tourists to a shrinking mountain village in western Japan, where the bizarre temple statue has become an unexpected tourist draw.

Installed more than 25 years ago at Rinsenji Temple in the village of Kamikitayama, Nara Prefecture, the towering "Gokiburiten" -- a cockroach deity -- was originally built as a memorial for pests.

Today, the figure attracts curious visitors from across Japan and overseas, helping bring new attention to a rural community struggling with depopulation.

Kamikitayama sits about a two-hour drive south of the city of Nara, tucked into a forested region. At the entrance to Rinsenji Temple, visitors are immediately confronted by the statue: a 170-centimeter bronze cockroach resembling a human form with six limbs -- four powerful arms extended outward and two legs with feet firmly anchored to the ground.

Its creator, sculptor Hiroo Amano, 72, from Mizunami in Gifu Prefecture, said he wanted to challenge expectations of how such a creature might be represented.

"I wanted to create a powerful-looking cockroach," Amano said.

He drew inspiration from the dramatic "mie" poses of Kabuki, as well as the ritualistic energy of sumo wrestling's ring-entering ceremonies. The result is a figure frozen in a theatrical stance, more symbolic than realistic.

Amano also embedded a miniature human city within the statue's abdomen, a detail he said reflected a reversal of points of view.

"When creating this memorial statue, I decided to reverse the roles and depict humans as parasitic on the cockroach," he said.

Although the word for cockroach, "gokiburi," is not usually written in kanji characters, he chose to do so to give it a sacred tone while preserving its layered meaning.

The statue was commissioned by Sono, an Osaka-based building maintenance company that has worked in pest control for more than 30 years, carrying out more than 2,000 cockroach extermination jobs annually.

Its founder, Ryozaburo Minamisono, 84, said the idea was born from a desire to create something out of the ordinary.

"I wanted to create something off the wall," he laughed.

Minamisono had a long-standing personal connection to the temple. He and the former head priest of Rinsenji were childhood classmates, a relationship that eventually led to the statue being installed at the temple in November 2000.

Since then, the bronze figure has steadily taken on a life of its own.

Groups of young people now visit regularly to see the unusual landmark. International tourists, including travelers from China and Poland, also make their way to the remote village, turning the statue into an unexpected point of cultural curiosity.

For residents, the attention has brought both surprise and a sense of connection.

Miho Kojima, the wife of the temple's former head priest, has lived alongside the statue since its installation. Over the years, she has watched as visitors from outside the prefecture arrive in increasing numbers, transforming the quiet temple grounds into a place of interaction.

"This statue is a source of strength for me," Kojima said.

The statue has also helped create bonds between locals and outsiders, offering moments of conversation and exchange that are increasingly rare in a village facing demographic decline.

More than 25 years on, its surface has grown smoother and more lustrous, polished by time and by the hands of those who stop to examine it closely.

Kojima encourages visitors to approach the statue freely and hopes they will enjoy it "as a work of art."

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MAGNITUDE 6.3 EARTHQUAKE JOLTS NORTHERN JAPAN - TOKYO JAPAN

MAGNITUDE 6.3 EARTHQUAKE JOLTS NORTHERN JAPAN - TOKYO JAPAN 

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TOKYO

An earthquake with a preliminary ‌magnitude of ⁠6.3 ⁠hit ⁠northern ‌Japan ⁠on Friday, the ⁠Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The ⁠epicenter ⁠of the earthquake, which hit at 8:22 p.m., ‌was off the ‌coast of Miyagi prefecture at a depth of ​50 kilometers, ‌the agency said, adding that ‌no tsunami ⁠warning ⁠had been ​issued.

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JAPAN URGES PUBLIC NOT TO HOARD TRASH BAGS AMID NAPHTHA SHORTAGE - TOKYO JAPAN

JAPAN URGES PUBLIC NOT TO HOARD TRASH BAGS AMID NAPHTHA SHORTAGE - TOKYO JAPAN

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TOKYO

Japan's Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara called Friday the public not to stock up on household trash bags more than necessary amid a naphtha shortage caused by the Middle East situation.

"We have secured the necessary supply of garbage bags. Please remain calm and avoid panic buying," Ishihara told a press conference, noting that some municipality-designated plastic trash bags have been in short supply due to stockpiling.

Garbage bags are often made from polyethylene derived from naphtha. Many local governments in Japan require residents to use designated trash bags, which are commonly sold at convenience stores, supermarkets and other retail outlets.

According to the Environment Ministry, while major manufacturers' shipment volumes in April were 1.1 to two times higher than the previous year, some regions have seen purchase volumes surge by up to three times.

Some local governments have allowed residents to dispose of household garbage in bags other than those designated.

According to a survey by the ministry, the supply of garbage bags is expected to remain at last year's levels.

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WOMAN IN JAPAN BREAKS INTO HOME OF COMPLETE STRANGER JUST TO SLAP HIM IN THE FACE - TOKYO JAPAN

WOMAN IN JAPAN BREAKS INTO HOME OF COMPLETE STRANGER JUST TO SLAP HIM IN THE FACE - TOKYO JAPAN

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TOKYO

Sometimes, in his idle moments at home alone, a guy living by himself might think “Ya know, it’d be nice to have a girl here.” And if that happened to be the sentiment running through the mind of a 29-year-old man in Kagoshima City on Wednesday morning, the last day of Japan’s Golden Week holiday this year, then his yearnings were answered when a woman suddenly appeared in his house.

However, this woman was not a magical goddess sent to reward him for his pure heart, nor was it a childhood friend seeking to fulfil a promise they’d made to each other in elementary school, the spirit of the house’s previous occupant, or any other of the scenarios romantic comedy anime would lead us to expect. As a matter of fact, the man and the woman had never met before this unexpected encounter in his home at around 6:10 a.m., and while it’s definitely weird to just let yourself into the home of a complete stranger, what the woman did next was even stranger, as she slapped him in the face.

“There’s a woman I don’t know inside my house,” said the man as he placed a call to Japan’s 110 emergency police response number following the slapping. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the 54-year-old woman, herself a resident of Kagoshima City as well, still inside the man’s house. When questioned on the scene, she admitted “I slapped him.” Though the blow to the man’s face was not powerful enough to require medical treatment, the woman was still placed under arrest on charges of assault.

The woman made no attempt to steal anything from inside the house, so it appears she really was there just to slap the man, though the police are still investigating just why she’d want to do that. With no immediately obvious signs of forced entry, investigators are also trying to determine how she gained entry into the man’s home. Though the police have made no comment yet as to whether it was the case in this incident, it’s not incredibly uncommon for people living in Japan to leave their front doors unlocked if they feel like their home is in a safe neighborhood. But even in a country with very low crime rates, weird stuff can, and does, happen, so taking the time to lock your door is usually an effective way of keeping strangers out of your home and their palm off your face.

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JAPAN GENERAL WASTE OUTPUT HITS RECORD LOW IN FY2024 - TOKYO JAPAN

JAPAN GENERAL WASTE OUTPUT HITS RECORD LOW IN FY2024 - TOKYO JAPAN 

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TOKYO

Japan's general waste output fell to a record low of 38.11 million tons in fiscal 2024, a government survey showed Friday, due to a population decline and the spread of paid garbage collection that has helped change consumer habits.

The figure was about 70 percent of its peak of 54.83 million tons in fiscal 2000, the Environment Ministry said. The total has continued to mark record lows since fiscal 2012, with the government aiming to cut such waste further to around 37 million tons by fiscal 2030 through steps such as reducing food loss and promoting reuse.

General waste refers to household and business trash such as burnable garbage and bulky items that municipalities generally collect and dispose of. It excludes industrial waste which businesses must handle themselves.

While the output of general waste has declined, costs related to collection and incineration have continued to rise, totaling 2.45 trillion yen in fiscal 2024, up 6.9 percent from the previous year, according to the ministry.

Such costs have increased by about 500 billion yen over the 10 years through fiscal 2024, mainly due to higher labor and fuel expenses.

Japan's population has been declining since peaking in 2008, falling by more than 3 million by 2024, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

During this period, local governments expanded measures on how to dispose of garbage such as introducing the collection of bulky waste for a fee and designated garbage bags for burnable waste.

In fiscal 2024, household waste accounted for 26.37 million tons, or about 70 percent of the total, while waste from stores, offices and other businesses came to 11.75 million tons.

The Environment Ministry also cited the spread of secondhand goods trading on flea market applications and clothes-sharing services as factors behind the decline.

"People are becoming more conscious of making effective use of limited resources," a ministry official said.

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CHAOS MARKS VENICE BIENNALE AFTER JURY QUITS OVER ISRAELI AND RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION - VENICE, ITALY

CHAOS MARKS VENICE BIENNALE AFTER JURY QUITS OVER ISRAELI AND RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION - VENICE, ITALY

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VENICE, Italy

Geopolitical tensions spilled over into the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition, which opens its most chaotic and contested edition in memory Saturday with no Golden Lions after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation and loud protests outside their pavilions.

The jury limited its action to countries under investigation by the International Criminal Court for human rights abuses, but some say the U.S. should have been included. British artist Anish Kapoor cited “the politics of hate and war and all that that’s been going on now for too long.”

Visitors to the Giardini and Arsenale venues will vote for the best national pavilion, from 100 participants, and best participant in the main curated show, “In Minor Keys,” in Eurovision style. Winners will be announced closing day, Nov. 22.

Some places to start:

A towering red feathered sculpture with beaded embroidery greets visitors to the main curated show. Rooted in New Orleans Black Masking culture born from practices brought by enslaved Africans, the costume-like sculpture signals the show’s focus on minority perspectives.

The first African woman chosen to curate the main Biennale exhibition, the late Koyo Kouoh assembled 110 artists and artistic groups under a title meant to spotlight the overlooked, and five co-curators carried on her legacy after her death a year ago.

“She was someone who thought about making spaces for everyone to shine and we see it in her exhibition, we see it with ourselves,” said co-curator Marie Helene Pereira.

Lubaina Himid, a Turner Prize winner, explores what it is like to make a home in a new place in her exhibition titled “Predicting History: Testing Translation” for the British Pavilion, featuring brightly hued paintings of couples facing the dilemmas of newcomers.

In one, two architects are trying to decide where to build. “One of them is trying to decide, would we build a building here, that proves that we have contributed to the culture, and the other architect is saying ’No, no, no, no, no. Let’s build something that we can escape in tomorrow,” said Himid, who was born in Zanzibar and has spent more than 70 years in Great Britain.

The Vatican is offering spiritual respite from the world’s turmoil in the Mystic Gardens of Discalced Carmelite order next to Venice’s main train station.

Participants walk among the vineyards and pass a pomegranate tree and beds of herbs, wearing headphones that pick up music by the 12th-Century abbess, mystic and composer, St. Hildegard of Bingen, reinterpreted by artists such as Brian Eno and Patti Smith.

“Music also helps us delve into ourselves and understand, to use a phrase by Hildegard, the symphony that God has placed in our lives,” said Rev. Ermanno Barucco, prior of the Carmelite order.

A naked woman hangs from a bell outside the Austrian Pavilion, a human clapper making the performance art by Florentina Holzinger one of the hottest appointments in the Giardini. Inside, a nude rider swirls around on a Jet Ski inside a tank — emblematic of Venice’s relegation as an over-touristed amusement park.

A naked woman breathes through a scuba mouthpiece in another huge tank filled with water that has been flushed from nearby toilets and filtered multiple times. The presentation is called “Seaworld Venice.”

Inside Romanian-born artist Belu-Simion Fainaru's installation, water drips from suspended tubes into a pool, stopping in cycles for just 42 seconds, representing divine creative power in Jewish mysticism. Locks hung around the pavilion, like those placed by lovers on bridges around Europe, are engraved with the commandment “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” in Hebrew, and the hopeful exhortation: “This too shall pass.”

“I am against boycott, I’m for dialogue, and that’s a political statement,” said Fainaru, who called the jury's exclusion of Israel a form of discrimination.

Estonian artist Merike Estna will work throughout the Biennale on a huge wall painting inside a community center gymnasium that was once a church — the space's layered history mirroring her practice of spilling paint to build deeply textured surfaces over time. The act of daily painting represents the undervalued quotidian work of women.

Curator Natalia Sielewicz likened it to “the everyday feminism of sustaining life, of sustaining our planet.''

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