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Vol.06

Autumn 2014

At a luncheon held at the prime minister’s official residence for the female ambassadors to Japan of 14 nations. The occasion was a great opportunity to exchange opinions in anticipation of the WAW! Tokyo 2014, an international symposium held September 12-13 with the aim of creating a society in which woman shine.

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Feature

The Shinkansen, Japan’s High-Speed Rail, Is Full of Miracles

History of the Shinkansen

Shinkansen (lit. new trunk line), Japan’s high-speed rail, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2014, having opened for service between Tokyo and Osaka in 1964. Over the past half century, the made-in-Japan technology behind these sleek trains has continued to evolve. Top speed has risen from 210 km/h (130 mph) to 320 km/h (200 mph), and ridership is now 1 million passengers per day.

Infrastructure Development Aid to Myanmar

Strengthening Ties Between Japan and Myanmar

Japan and Myanmar have enjoyed diplomatic relations since a bilateral peace treaty was concluded 60 years ago, and the two countries have remained important partners. Due to political problems, Japan had to temporarily suspend bilateral ties with Myanmar, but when the civilian government was installed in 2011, the restrictions were lifted and ties between the two nations were renewed.

Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge

The photograph to the left is of the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge (KB Bridge) in Palau, an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the main artery connecting the country’s two main islands: Koror Island, home to the former national capital (also called Koror), and Babeldaob Island, the largest island in the archipelago, where the airfield, power station, and other major facilities are located.

Moments of Prime Minister Abe in Summer/Autumn 2014

Welcoming India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at the Kyoto State Guest House. After touring the ancient city of Kyoto, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to Tokyo for summit talks. (August-September 2014)

Speeches of the Prime Minister
The Open Forum, World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2014)

Excerpts from the Opening Speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Delivered in Tokyo, September 12, 2014

“Creating a society in which women shine” has consistently been one of my highest-priority issues since the launch of my administration in December 2012. I reshuffled my Cabinet on September 3.

Speeches of the Prime Minister
The Sixty-Ninth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations

Excerpts from the Address by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Delivered in New York, September 25, 2014

“Creating a society in which women shine” has consistently been one of my highest-priority issues since the launch of my administration in December 2012. I reshuffled my Cabinet on September 3.

Japanese People Contributing Worldwide

Growing Trees and Friendship

Mr. Kunio Takami has been working on greening and afforestation projects in China for 23 years. He spends around 100 days a year in Shanxi Province, busily checking progress to ensure that cooperation with Chinese partners goes smoothly and to help Japanese volunteers on study tours.

Japanese People Contributing Worldwide

Bringing Medical Treatment from Japan to Myanmar

Dr. Hideto Yoshioka achieved great results in providing free medical care to poor children and supporting the training of local medical staff, in Cambodia, Laos, and particularly in Myanmer.

The Road to Revival

Immediate Aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake By Rob McNeil

One thing I’m extremely proud of is that the family of emergency service workers and firefighters across the world, no matter where they are from, have an amazing ability to come together with professionalism, empathy, friendship, and trust during the worst of times to deliver humanitarian aid to those who need it most.

Providing Clean and Reliable Water for Everyone

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has a population of over 13 million. It is one of the largest cities in the world, full of life and activity, day and night.

Japan’s Regional Power

Fukuoka—One of the Most Livable Cities in the World

Encouraging foreign companies to invest in Japan plays a crucial part in Abenomics—the economic program advocated by Prime Minister Abe’s Cabinet. 

Yutaka

The character 豊 in the title above is read yutaka and means “abundance.”

Song of Autumn

Japan is blessed with four seasons, which Japanese people celebrate and mark with f lowers and poems appropriate to the time of the year. 

Friends of Japan
Kyudo and the Balanced Life

Two years after reading Eugen Herrigel’s classic book Zen in the Art of Archery, Jerome Chouchan began practicing kyudo (Japanese archery)—“the Way of the Bow.” 

Friends of Japan
A Whole World of Culture in a Kimono

Ms. Philippa Clark is a student of Asian studies and music at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. She has loved Japan since she was a child.

Japanese Fast Food—Quick, Reasonable, and Delicious

When traveling, you want to eat the local delicacies. Japan is perhaps most famous for sushi and sukiyaki, but they are fairly expensive, and you cannot eat expensively at every meal.

The JET Programme:A Great Way to Experience Japan
Reaching for Higher Goals

My time as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET Programme) in Fukuoka Prefecture so far has been enriching and inspiring.
 
 
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