NEWS

No.70 IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER

Sangenjaya, Setagaya district, Tokyo © Eric Rechsteiner   Social housing architecture in Japan has not changed much over the years, as testified by these buildings in Sangenjaya, to the west of the capital. On the right, these buildings built in the 1970s will be demolished and their inhabitan[...]

No.69 IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER

Kato Shrine, Kumamoto city © Eric Rechsteiner To devote an issue to Kumamoto Prefecture without mentioning Kumamon would be like talking about Paris without referring to the Eiffel Tower. Created in 2010 to promote the Kyushu Shinkansen in Kyoto, this mascot rapidly became the emblem of the Kumamot[...]

No.69 [PRESS] A daily in close touch with reality

Almost half the households in the prefecture subscribe to Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun.   Well-established in the region, the Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun vigorously defends its local roots. Situated around twenty minutes from Kumamoto station, the headquarters of the Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun,[...]

No68 [IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER］Shibuya, Tokyo

Since they were launched in 1995, the popularity of purikura hasn’t waned. These “Print Clubs” developed by Altus and Sega continue to attract numerous fans, particularly young girls, who often use them to have their picture taken with their friends. These booths, which can be found almost eve[...]

No67 [IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER] Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture

© Eric Rechsteiner Night has fallen and people are gathering in this carpark to take part in a nocturnal game of petanque. This sport is increasing in popularity in the archipelago, and is even giving gateball – a game that’s very popular with Japanese people of a certain age that needs to [...]

No66 [IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER] Toyosu Market, Tokyo, Koto district

the world-famous tsukiji Fish market has closed down to make space for redevelopment linked to the olympic Games. it has moved into more modern premises in the new location of toyosu. this move was not without difficulties due to the numerous delays as a result of work to remove contaminated soil fr[...]

No65 [SERIES] Mayumi is a hope builder

After arriving in Niigata as a volunteer a few days after the tragedy of 11 March 2011, Nishimura Mayumi decided to live here. The tsunami that followed the earthquake on 11 March 2011 did not only destroy buildings. The region’s inhabitants were dispersed, and communal life almost fell apart. Whe[...]

No65 [IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER] Tokyo Korean School, Kito district

The detente between North and South Korea since the beginning of 2018 has aroused contrasting reactions in Japan. though the Japanese government remains very suspicious of North Korea, maintaining that it should be fully de-nuclearised and also return all the Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang,[...]

No64 [IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER] Goto Islands’ brewery, Nagasaki Prefecture

Mr Tateishi, president of the Tomie chamber of commerce, proudly displays a bottle of the Goto Islands’ only Toraku (島楽), whose production is largely due to his efforts. This beverage is produced with locally cultivated rice, of course, and, unusually, uses a yeast culture made from the camell[...]

No63 [IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER] The Isumi line, Chiba Prefecture

While in some regions, notably Hokkaido, railway lines that are considered unprofitable are being closed down, elsewhere there are attempts to keep them going. Such is the case for the Isumi Railway company, which maintains a 26.8 km stretch of line between Isumi and Kazusa Nakano, in Chiba Prefectu[...]