Pierre Leblanc and Joachim de Villiers

Modern Tokyo Times

President Hollande of France is gradually implementing the second stage of supporting the nation of Mali. This applies to reducing the armed forces of France in the knowledge that Islamists have been forced back to the margins. At the same time, France played a major part in obtaining enormous funds for Mali and helped to push the United Nations (UN) to provide a very adequate peacekeeping force. Also, it is clear that a contingency of French troops will remain until the job is completed.

Therefore, Malians witnessed many military vehicles pulling out of a base near the capital of this nation. Apparently they left the base on the outskirts of Bamako and headed for the Ivory Coast. This follows on from some French troops leaving in April and it is believed that by September the forces will be dwindled down to 2,000 soldiers from the height of 4,000.

The role of France throughout the region remains clear because French Special Forces helped Niger to quell a hostage crisis. Events in Niger will be watched closely and the same applies to other regional nations. After all, Islamists are known for hit and run tactics after they flee a major military offensive.

It must be remembered that while you have genuine issues related to certain ethnic groups, notably the Tuareg; the Islamist terrorist threat was all too real. Islamist forces, just like in Somalia, began to attack traditional indigenous Islam by destroying Sufi shrines and notable black African Islamic architecture in Timbuktu. This destruction took place alongside brutal Islamic Sharia law punishments by individuals not fit to apply any code of law given their brutality.

France took a very responsible position towards the crisis in Mali despite being hypocritical when it comes to Syria. However, in Mali this nation responded quickly because Islamists had threatened to move further south in order to control the country. If France had not intervened alongside other nations which participated in the early period, notably Chad before pulling forces out; then one can only imagine the bloodletting and carnage which would have befallen Mali.

During a powerful donors conference to obtain economic support for the nation of Mali the BBC mentioned past issues related to international support that went pear-shaped. Modern Tokyo Times counted this by stating that “In the BBC article they are relating Mali to similar donor support which happened in Afghanistan and Somalia. However, this is not valid in many ways, after all the vast majority of people in Mali share similar values of pluralism and religious tolerance. Also, unlike in Afghanistan and Somalia the French led forces were welcomed with open arms by the overwhelming majority of Mali people. This reality means that providing the Islamists can be crushed then economic support can genuinely make a difference providing “the heart of the government is sincere.”

The BBC also comments about the support given by France to the people of Mali. This applies to stating that “Within weeks of launching their offensive, French and Malian soldiers, backed by fighter jets and helicopters, forced the rebels out of urban areas. However, some fighters retreated to hideouts in the mountains and desert, from where they have launched isolated attacks.”

“The BBC’s Alex Duval Smith in Bamako says the French intervention has been immensely popular, and most Malians have dreaded the beginning of the withdrawal.”

Islamists will continue to pose a threat to parts of Mali and it is always dangerous to predict the long-term reality of any conflict. However, it is clear that France and the people of Mali must be pleased by the impact of international forces in quelling the Islamist threat in the short-term. Despite this, recent events in Niger and the current failed state of Libya means that many serious issues remain throughout the region. Therefore, it is clear that France will continue to play a powerful role within Mali and regionally for the foreseeable future.

Lee Jay Walker gave guidance to both main writers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22664484

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Tomoko Hara and James Jomo

Modern Tokyo Times

It is noticeable that the current Japanese government under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is focused on reinvigorating the economy of this nation and working closely with the Bank of Japan. Therefore, it is hoped that the terrible events of March 11, 2011, will also equally receive serious attention. This notably applies to providing greater support towards the elderly of this country which reside in areas that are prone to natural disasters. After all, the figures released by the Japanese police provide disturbing findings. These findings clarify that the elderly suffered greatly during the following hours and days after the potent earthquake triggered a brutal tsunami.

Of course, it is abundantly clear that no national government in the world knows when and where a brutal natural disaster will strike. In saying this, it is clear that you do have major fault-lines whereby certain areas are prone to devastating events caused by the power of nature. This fact means that greater precautions can be taken in certain areas in order to reduce the number of deaths after a potent earthquake, tsunami, typhoon or other major natural event occurs.

The findings by the Japanese police pinpoint to the reality that elderly citizens need greater support mechanisms during times of danger after a natural disaster strikes. This relates to areas which are prone to be hit by the ravages of nature. If various local governments and the national government don’t issue new powerful guidelines then sadly history will repeat itself. Costs must not become a major issue because the same Japanese government irrespective of the prime minister will pump vast sums into the economy and support the banking sector when needed. Other appropriate agencies also must look into ways of improving support to the most vulnerable in society.

It is known according to the police of Japan that over 90 per cent of people died because of drowning after the tsunami followed in the wake of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake. This statistic was clearly expected because many videos show the speed of the brutal tsunami which killed so many people. However, one major source of information which relates to this article is that approximately 65% of all people killed were over the age of 60. Therefore, when the brutal tsunami began to destroy many things that were in its path it is abundantly clear that many elderly people were unable to reach areas of safety based on a variety of factors.

The issue related to drowning was clearly expected to be the main cause of death. Similarly, most individuals believed that the elderly death ratio would be high. However, the final statistic stating 65% of all deaths related to people being over 60 years of age was not expected by most people. After all, this figure is extremely high and clearly the central government of Japan and various local governments must focus on this staggering statistic.

Modern Tokyo Times comments in another article about this topic that “In the future, certain measures should be taken from these findings and this applies to greater attention being given to the most vulnerable.  This could apply to early back-up systems being enhanced; emergency transport located in special areas of high density places where the elderly reside; zones of housing to be further away from the coastline for elderly residents and people who are disabled.”

One other interesting issue is what happened to the hamlet of Aneyoshi because people in this place escaped the ravages of the brutal tsunami which was triggered by the potent earthquake. It is known that local people took note of very old stone tablets which warned about the destruction caused by past tsunamis. Therefore, with this knowledge the people of this hamlet planned the infrastructure based on past history. The final outcome of this was that people escaped the clutches of death while other hamlets and villages close by were swept away.

One stone tablet in Aneyoshi states that “High dwellings are the peace and harmony of our descendants” and another stone tablet says “Remember the calamity of the great tsunamis.”

Ancestors knew full well the power of tsunamis and how you need to understand the destructiveness of nature. Therefore, another stone tablet states that “If an earthquake comes, beware of tsunamis.” However, this ancient advice by caring ancestors was ignored by many and the old stone tablets, some which date back 600 years, should have been heeded.

One brutal fact that came out of several findings is that many Japanese nationals went back to their homes after the earthquake hit Japan on March 11, 2011. It is known that tsunamis often follow such potent earthquakes along coastal areas. Also, people are informed in Japan that you have a certain time gap between the earthquake and the triggered tsunami. Yet it appears that many people believed that the worse was over but in actual fact the nightmare was only just beginning. Sadly, many people perished after returning home despite knowing the possibility of a tsunami being triggered given the power of the brutal 9.0-magnitude earthquake.

Yotaru Hatamura is a scholar with great knowledge about the old stone tablets and he also believes that history was ignored.  Yotaru Hatamura comments that “People had this crucial knowledge, but they were busy with their lives and jobs, and many forgot.”

Modern Tokyo Times in another article about the death rate of the elderly also pinpoints other factors. In a past article it is stated that “Turning back to the high rate of elderly people dying because of the tsunami then it is clear that other factors are involved.  This applies to the younger generation being at work and many will have been out of town because of this reason.  Also, a higher number of younger people will have had their own transport and obviously the mobility factor is a clear advantage and many elderly people will have been alone.”

It also must be stated that in northeastern Japan where the tsunami hit it is abundantly clear that many villages have a high proportion of citizens which are elderly. This is not only unique to this part of Japan but also applies to many areas in the countryside throughout this nation. Therefore, many of the younger generation relocate to major cities throughout Japan and this notably applies to Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. Within northeastern Japan then cities like Sendai also have enormous pulling power.

In the video highlighted below this article then people can witness the speed of events and how unpredictable and dangerous tsunamis are once they are triggered. In the last few minutes of the video the speed of the tsunami is unbelievable. Images also show that elderly citizens were vulnerable. Also, right at the end of the video it is extremely harrowing because a disabled person is threatened by the onrushing tsunami.

Therefore, it is essential that the findings of the Japanese police are scrutinized to the full and that new polices are enacted in order to protect elderly people during times of crisis. Videos of the brutal tsunami also must be studied closely in order to understand other areas of human weakness. Likewise, the reality of what happened to Aneyoshi must also be taken into deep consideration because stones dating back 600 years managed to protect this hamlet. It is therefore imperative that various local governments, the central government and agencies related to natural disasters all work together in order to protect the most vulnerable in society.

Lee Jay Walker gave guidance to both main writers

http://mashable.com/2011/04/17/japan-tsunami-video/　

(This video is harrowing in the last few minutes – but it does show how the elderly and disabled were victims of the tsunami)

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com　

Helmut Joachim Schmidt and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The intelligence agency of Germany, the BND, appears to be realizing that the Syrian government and the armed forces are not in the process of being overpowered. This is a remarkable turn-around because previously the BND hierarchy had predicted the end of the government of Bashar al-Assad. However, times are changing because now this intelligence agency believes that the government position is stronger now than it was last year.

All articles written by a syndicate of writers from Modern Tokyo Times have repeatedly gone against the grain in terms of ignoring the propaganda against the government of Syria. This applies to never predicting the demise of the armed forces of Syria alongside highlighting the enormous spin by so-called experts and major media outlets. Therefore, futile predictions and focusing on made-up mass desertions of the Syrian armed forces and the majority of the populace being against Bashar al-Assad were totally ignored.

Indeed, if the government of Bashar al-Assad does collapse then it will be nothing to do with the so-called “revolution.” If anything, the real “revolution” is that the majority of Syrians are standing firm against the enormous array of enemies which seek to weaken independent Syria based on various different factors. Simply put, the conflict only reached this level because of untold numbers of international jihadists, mercenaries and covert operatives entering Syria and being supplied by military means by countless different nations which care little about this nation. This reality means that the so-called “revolution” is “a puppet” of the CIA, MI6, DGSE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Al-Qaeda and other outside forces which are working closely with the governments of America, France and the United Kingdom.

Spiegel Online reports that the head of the BND, Gerhard Schindler, did a major about-turn because he had predicted that the government of Bashar al-Assad would collapse by early 2013. Of course, many predictions by the leader of America and a host of others, including the BND, had stated that the government of Syria would collapse much earlier than this. Yet now Gerhard Schindler and the BND in general are rethinking such naïve forecasts.

Spiegel online states that “Since then, however, the situation has changed dramatically, the BND believes. Schindler used graphics and maps to demonstrate that Assad’s troops once again possess effective supply lines to ensure sufficient quantities of weapons and other materiel. Fuel supplies for tanks and military aircraft, which had proved troublesome, are once again available, Schindler reported. The new situation allows Assad’s troops to combat spontaneous rebel attacks and even retake positions that were previously lost. The BND does not believe that Assad’s military is strong enough to defeat the rebels, but it can do enough to improve its position in the current stalemate.”

Therefore, it is clear that powerful media agencies, foreign governments and so-called specialists have all been caught by their own propaganda. After all, many new dimensions are now taking shape internally whereby government supporters are playing a more powerful military role in unifying logistics with the national army. At the same time, the Russian Federation and Iran have refused to budge because both nations, and many others, understand that the internal situation is very complex. Political elites in Moscow and Tehran also understand the need to crush Al-Qaeda affiliated groups and other terrorist organizations and to quell sectarian forces which threaten the entire region.

It is also clear that all major religious leaders in Syria are opposed to outside meddling because hostile foreign nations are fueling terrorism, sectarianism and sedition against independent Syria. Iraq is also disillusioned with the role of major Gulf and Western nations. Likewise, Tunisia is also waking up after a major secular leader was brutally murdered by Islamists in this country. After all, many terrorists in Syria come from North African countries which include Libya and Tunisia. The Russian Federation is also deeply worried about the Chechen and Caucasus Islamist angle because Moscow fully understands that this reality will endanger the national security of this nation.

In recent weeks the armed forces of Syria are continuing to make inroads in many areas. At the same time, more brutal massacres by Islamist forces are further alienating the population. Indeed, in areas under the control of Al-Qaeda affiliated groups it is more than apparent that they are ruling by fear. This applies to openly killing people based on whimsical charges and clearly religious minorities and mainstream Sunni Muslim leaders fear the draconian Salafi militants.

The BND to the embarrassment of America, France and the United Kingdom also makes it clear that various anti-government militias don’t recognize the so-called “political leadership” outside of Syria which is meant to be on their side. This is also further evidence that it is outside nations which are pulling the strings and even Saudi Arabia and Qatar are at loggerheads. For these two feudal monarchies have different agendas and while Saudi Arabia is worried about the long-term rivalry of the Muslim Brotherhood if the Obama administration and Qatar get their way; it is clear that Qatar cares little apart from paying anyone who is willing to kill Syrians on behalf of the “outside funded revolution.”

It is hoped that Guido Westerwelle, the German Foreign Minister, will keep Germany from a distance. After all, no nation which supports morality should be caught-up in supporting terrorist and sectarian groups which behead, chop Syrian soldiers up, train children to kill Syrian soldiers, kidnap Christian bishops, kill pro-Syrian government Sunni Muslim clerics, kill journalists, do car bombings and brutally murder Alawites and Shia Muslims. Of course, this reality doesn’t concern America, France, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. However, many European nations are worried about the mass brutality of various Islamist factions in Syria alongside many barbaric forces within the so-called Free Syria Army.

Of course, danger still exists for the government of Syria because you always have the threat of future “false flags.” Indeed, this is the reality – if the Syrian government is overpowered it will only happen because of the work of multiple outside nations working in tandem with terrorists, covert operatives, mercenaries, sectarian forces and because the same ratlines will have destroyed the economy from head to foot.

IMAGE - CIA document on early talks to create the “Bundesnachrichtendienst” in 1952

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-intelligence-believes-assad-regime-regaining-lost-power-a-901188.html

http://www.bnd.bund.de/EN/_Home/home_node.html

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Michel Lebon and Hiroshi Saito

Modern Tokyo Times

Odaiba in Tokyo really stands out because of the unique architecture, the stunning Rainbow Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, relaxing walkways by the sea, the unusual site of a beach, colorful boats which light up the area at night and you also have a host of tourist attractions to enjoy. Indeed, if you visit by monorail then images of the film Blade Runner will spring to mind. Therefore, this part of Tokyo is extremely unique and provides another fascinating angle to this ultra-modern city.

Another noticeable feature of Odaiba is the romantic angle and this especially applies to the night time period. This notably applies to the amazing backdrop of Rainbow Bridge, ample dining areas to enjoy and the refreshing night time view. Also, you have nice walkways along the beach and much further afield. Given all these features, then you really do have a powerful romantic area for couples at night.

Despite the romantic feature of Odaiba at night this does not mean that individuals, friends, groups, relatives and single tourists can’t enjoy the amazing atmosphere. On the contrary, Odaiba is a charming place to relax and unwind irrespective of the situation. After all, the graceful Rainbow Bridge at night is a true wonder to behold and well worth a visit alone without the countless other attractions.

Until major regeneration began Odaiba was a backwater and the tourist angle would have been difficult to imagine. However, with so many ideas coming together to create a vibrant new part of Tokyo, then by the middle of the 1990s everything began to change. Yet despite the growing power of Odaiba and its attractiveness to internal and external tourists, you still have many new projects in the pipeline and this is the beauty of this part of Tokyo because nothing remains static.

The fashion angle to Odaiba also continues to develop. Therefore, you have ample boutiques and stores to visit in several parts of this ultra-modern part of Tokyo. Alongside this you have many entertainment choices and a wide array of restaurants to enjoy scrumptious food. The modern architecture is another amazing feature and ongoing developments continue to boost the area.

Odaiba is a very intriguing man-made island which made the most of Tokyo Bay and the state of the art technology which blesses Japan. Major landfills have altered the landscape but development was patchy at one point. Also, the “bubble economy” several decades ago impacted greatly until changes gradually altered the scene in the middle 1990s, like previously mentioned. The elevated train line, new shopping malls and several astounding hotels backed this renaissance which is continuing in 2013.

Decks Tokyo Beach and Aquacity Odaiba provides a stylish fashion angle to this lovely part of Tokyo. Boutiques on show cater for international fashion lovers and stylish Japanese brands. Within both shopping complexes you also have many other features. For example, in Aquacity Odaiba you have a very large cinema complex to enjoy the latest films on show in trendy Tokyo. Outside of the same complex you have relaxing wooden decks to stroll about and at night the view of Rainbow Bridge is simply amazing.

Venus Fort also caters for fashion and the architecture is designed like a town in South Europe several centuries ago. Within the shopping complex you have many boutiques and restaurants. Therefore, when this is fused with the architecture, then Venus Fort  is a truly relaxing place to visit and shop around for new clothes.

Tourists are literally spoilt for choice because you many unique attractions to enjoy your stay. This notably applies to Telecom Center Area; Odaiba Seaside Park; Daikanransha Ferris Wheel; Museum of Maritime Science; National Museum of Emerging Science; Ariake Colosseum; Palette Town; Leisureland; Toyota Mega Web; Oedo Onsen Monogatari; Panasonic Center; Zepp Tokyo; and Tokyo Big Sight is a huge exhibition and convention center which is blessed with bold architecture.

The Fuji TV Building is certainly iconic and is a well-known landmark which really boosted Odaiba during the growing period. Even today this iconic building continues to bless this amazing part of Tokyo. Also, Fuji TV is  one of the largest private television stations which is based in Japan and clearly many people visit this amazing building which is graced by stunning architecture.

Of course the most iconic aspect of Odaiba is the amazing view of Rainbow Bridge which is the jewel in the crown of this fantastic district. During the day this bridge clearly stands out but the romantic equation applies to the night time. It is difficult to envisage Odaiba without Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV Building and the elevated railway system.

Odaiba is clearly a major tourist attraction because of the unique angle to this part of Tokyo. Therefore, irrespective if you are a tourist or a Tokyoite, it is abundantly clear that Odaiba is a place to enjoy and relax.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html

http://www.aquacity.jp/en/shop/fashion01_2.html

http://www.venusfort.co.jp/multi/index_e.html

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Ogata Gekko was a very individualistic artist who had a rich style which was based on his upbringing.  This applies to mainly being self-taught but this can be over-played because his free spirit was from within. Also, times were changing very quickly during his lifetime therefore Ogata Gekko needed to transform himself in order to meet the changing nature of Japanese society and culture.  This article however is mainly focused on the images of Japanese women by Ogata Gekko during a rapidly changing Japan.  After all, Ogata Gekko witnessed the changing nature of Japan because he was born in 1859 and died in 1920.  Therefore, this amazing Japanese artist was only a small child during the final years of the Edo period and this reality means that he belongs to the dynamic period of Meiji (1868 to 1912) and the early liberal years of the Taisho era which began in 1912.

Without a shadow of a doubt Ogata Gekko and other artists were influenced by the inward changes taking place throughout Japan irrespective if they supported modernity or were traditionalists. Alongside this was new technology which also impacted greatly on the world of ukiyo-e. Therefore, elements of rigidity during the Edo period would soon be on the wane during his childhood. However, while this led to freedom for many, it also led to chaos for other Japanese nationals because of internal convulsions. These internal issues also led to conflicts throughout Northeast Asia and it must be remembered that geography is complex when describing this region.

After all, while Japan is deemed to be firmly in Asia it must be remembered that Japan’s closest neighbor is the Russian Federation which is often seen outside of Asia and belonging to a “European home.” In many ways, Japan’s political elite and dress sense in the Meiji and Taisho periods resemble a Western imperial power. Given this reality, the “sleeping Japan” of the Edo period was now an expanding power and China – which had been the backbone of Japanese cultural influence – was now seen negatively and open to exploitation. Therefore, China now viewed Japan to be hostile because this nation was one of many imperial powers which had designs on China’s wealth. The other nations being European powers and while America may not belong to the traditional imperial club, it is true to say that America also desired a foothold in China.

Artists were also caught between tradition and modernization alongside rapidly changing cultural influences from Europe.  The interaction was not one way because Japanese artists also influenced European artists. However, for artists like Ogata Gekko they were bound to be influenced by all this confusion and mayhem.

Natsume Kinnosuke, who lived between 1867 and 1916, sums up the cultural reality of Japan during this period of Japanese history. This applies to the fact that this important Japanese novelist was a composer of haiku, Chinese-style poetry and a deep scholar of British literature.

Kobayashi Kiyochika who was born in 1847 was firmly within the traditional ukiyo-e orbit but this individual who died in 1915 changed alongside the changing nature of Japan.  He, like Ogata Gekko, understood the need to adapt while still preserving the best of Japanese traditions.

Richard Lane stated in Images from the Floating World, The Japanese Print, on page 193, that Kobayashi Kiyochika was “…the last important ukiyo-e master and the first noteworthy print artist of modern Japan… [or, perhaps] an anachronistic survival from an earlier age, a minor hero whose best efforts to adapt ukiyo-e to the new world of Meiji Japan were not quite enough.”

Ogata Gekko was part of this changing world and he would express this reality through his art.  Therefore, Ogata Gekko provides a glimpse into the cultural changes that were taking place in Japan during his lifetime.

In his images of Japanese women related to this article it is clear that you get a sense of ambition, identity and continuity alongside cultural changes.  The images show Japanese women looking elegant, refined and clearly the embroidery and color schemes show a stunning richness. Of course these images will mean different things to each individual and my own interpretation is that it shows a confident Japan and women coming out from the shadows.

The onrushing of change is clearly happening but at the same time the exquisite nature of the past is being preserved.  Ogata Gekko is therefore expressing the richness of design, fashion and embroidery during this period in Japan. Also, the females in his images show confidence and a real zest for life within a natural simplicity despite all the social upheavals caused by modernization. Therefore, the real power in these images, I believe, applies to simplicity and how space, time, cultural richness and modern Japanese women were being portrayed. Indeed, the ideal image in a sense can still be seen in modern Japan when ladies dress in traditional styles. This can be seen clearly because a lot of thought, high quality materials, color schemes and other important areas are connecting with the images which Ogata Gekko is showing.

Of course the cultural context is very different alongside the huge time difference. Also, despite these images not focusing on the political and working reality of Japan during the Meiji and Taisho period; they do highlight a culture which is confident, stylish but within the traditions of Japan. This reality means that you can sense a political angle if you look hard enough despite this being distant and hidden by the natural feel of the images produced by Ogata Gekko.

If you think about Coming of Age Day for Japanese ladies in modern Japan then all the symbolic images of tradition can be seen by stunning clothes which show the richness of Japanese tradition.  Therefore, just like the images by Ogata Gekko, you can see an ideal beauty within the Japanese psyche and while this form of dress is preserved for special occasions in modern Japan, you can still feel the connection of the past and how tradition is important.

Ogata Gekko expresses this elegantly and with a passion.

http://www.ogatagekko.net/

http://www.ogatagekko.net/BMA.html – Stunning images from this website

http://www.ogatagekko.net/FFZ.html – Fantastic set of images which show the grace of Ogata Gekko

http://shogungallery.com/index.php?cPath=21_24_153

http://woodblockprint.com.au/44.html

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Hiroshi Saito and Lee Jay Walker 

Modern Tokyo Times

It appears that aspects of the media in Japan are beset by Western “gilt trips” and the trappings of “multi-cultural apologetics.” This certainly applies to the English speaking media on a whole in Japan. However, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is highlighting a growing confidence within the body politic of Japan. Therefore, if nationalism follows this within the Japanese framework then this should help the nation emerge from several decades of self-defeatism.

China, India and other nations in Asia are continuing to focus on military modernization. At the same time, the United States is faced with a growing debt issue and military cutbacks. Indeed, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq highlight the limited power of America on the ground even when many nations supported the policies of Washington. The Libya debacle was prompted by France and the United Kingdom and increasingly it looks like America relies on many players in order to approach serious foreign policy issues. This reality means that Japan needs to focus on exporting both soft power and in the long-term being able to provide hard power during times of crisis.

America and the European Union don’t have a mighty China in their respective backyard but for Japan the nation of China is a reality. It is therefore essential that political elites in Tokyo focus on building greater bridges with Beijing but not from weakness – but from being equals. If China did lock-on to Japanese vessels in the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu) area then no country can tolerate such provocations indefinitely. After all, if China is so concerned about the rights and wrongs of disputed areas then surely this nation should focus on the Tibetan issue and other areas of this country.

It is not in the interest of China and Japan to be at loggerheads because both nations need to focus on stability and strengthening past cultural realities. In history scholars from China and Japan visited each other in order to obtain greater knowledge and understanding. Nobody doubts the influence of Confucianism, Daoism and other ideas emanating from China which influenced Japanese culture. Similarly, Buddhism entered China and the Korean peninsula first before penetrating Japan. Therefore, regional nations need to move on in order to create a powerful economic bloc in Northeast Asia which is based on favorable trade agreements.

Nationalist tendencies within the Abe government don’t have to be destructive. On the contrary, it means that Japan is joining the club because nobody doubts the nationalistic tendencies of China, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan within Northeast Asia. Indeed, for far too many decades the nation of Japan remained hidden by the American umbrella and the constraints of the constitution. However, America now needs greater input from allies because of internal economic weakness and because of past military debacles. Nobody can claim that America’s military defeated Vietnam in the distant past and more recently Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have led to even greater instability after the intrigues of Washington. Afghanistan and Iraq are now blighted by terrorism, Islamist militancy, sectarianism and other negative forces. Likewise, Libya is now a failed state and all these realities highlight the limitedness of America and other major powers like France and the United Kingdom. This reality means that Japan needs to share the burden of America in Northeast Asia by playing a more active geopolitical and military role because the power of Washington is on the wane. Of course, America is still blessed with many aces but clearly the Cold War era is dead and regional players throughout the globe have their own geopolitical agendas therefore greater mutual understanding is needed between powerful nations in the modern world.

Kumi Yokoe, a senior visiting fellow of the Heritage Foundation, comments that “With amazing consistency, U.S. media have portrayed Abe as a fringe character — typically, as a “hawk” unsuited to pacifist Japan. Yet this supposedly “out-of-step” politician won an electoral landslide in December and enjoys a 71 percent approval rating today.”

Kumi Yokoe continues by stating that “Abe’s views differ sharply from those of the earlier generation. He wants to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and enhance his country’s military capabilities. This arises not from “hawkishness,” but from the great sense of confidence that characterizes the generation of Japanese forty – and fifty somethings now taking the reins of power.”

“…Prime Minister Abe is the voice of this generation. That is why he so roundly condemned the successful nuclear test by North Korea last week. That is why he insisted that China apologize for locking weapons-targeting radar on a Japanese warship and promise that it would not do so again. Politicians of the Dankai generation would have eschewed such responses as too “hawkish.” But for Abe’s generation, confrontation is not synonymous with belligerence. Rather, it is a sign of confidence and realism.”

Abe is also progressive when it comes to the Trans-Pacific Partnership which the current leader in Washington supports. The growing power of China is a reality and the Russian Federation can play many strings in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Northeast Asia. Therefore, it is time for Japan to play a more constructive role and broaden relations with all regional powers based on “normality” and not being “subservient” to the whims of any one single nation. Indeed, with the Obama administration implementing defense cutbacks then it makes sense for Japan to play a more powerful role within the geopolitical interest of both Washington and Tokyo. At the same time, Abe and future Japanese governments need to make increasing overtures to China and the Russian Federation based on mutual interests.

http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2013/2/shinzo-abe-voice-of-a-new-generation

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

By toshidama

There is a long tradition of puppetry in Japan that stretches back to the seventeenth century. Puppet theatre predates kabuki theatre and informed much of the style, dramas and conventions that kabukiadopted and made its own. Not only does puppet theatre (bunraku) have an important place in Japanese culture but so do its close relatives: the extraordinary lifelike tableaux of life size dolls, called Iki-Ningyo, that were the craze in Edo Japan in the nineteenth century. These staggeringly naturalistic creations are pictured in woodblock prints by Kuniyoshi and other ukiyo artists, although in most cases there is little way of telling that the figures acting out popular melodramas are in fact not human.

Traditional Japanese puppetry requires three active participants: the puppeteers, dressed in black robes identifiable on ukiyo prints by the mysterious black veils over their faces; the storytellers who narrated stories of modern melodrama and tragedy or else legends of heroic samurai; and the shamisen players – the shamisen being a plucked, stringed instrument like a long double bass. Bunraku reached its peak of sophistication in the coming together of these elements and the technological advances of the puppets themselves. These became larger in the eighteenth century and required three puppeteers to operate them. The heads were exquisitely and realistically carved, often with moveable features, elaborate costumes and articulated fingers and thumbs. Typically the stage of a bunraku performance is wide and narrow with the puppeteers quite visible; as in the kabuki theatre, there would be costume and scene changes and also head changes to some puppets to show aging or dramatic changes in expression. The puppeteers were highly skilled taking up to ten years to master the complex and lifelike movements. The bunraku plays really got going under the writing skills of the great playwright Chikamatsu  (1653 – 1724). His domestic dramas that brilliantly captured the loves, lives and often suicides of contemporary Edo people tended to be more popular than the conventional epic dramas and so began the long tradition of scripts passing back and forth between the puppet theatre and the kabuki theatre. Inevitably with the phenomenal rise of kabuki  in the nineteenth century, bunraku was marginalised and finally found a specialist home in Osaka.

The figures were modelled with absolute attention to character and realism, from clothing to artefacts, as in these wrestling men to the left.  The performances proved so massively popular that they were quickly followed by outlandish tableaux of exotic figures (pictured above by Kuniyoshi) which showed what people of other countries might look like -  incidentally, this gives a good idea of how insular and isolated the Japanese were at this time. Perhaps more common were lifelike representations of popular heroes and men and women of courage, disaster, suicide and thwarted love. The print below by Kunisada shows the housewife Mayazumi who contributed to the disaster relief fund of one of Edo’s many natural disasters. These figures with their glass eyes and individually set human hairs of ordinary people living their lives were not only popular in Japan; they were widely exported to the big international exhibitions all over the world. Iki-ningyo became one of the early means for which Europe and America viewed the newly opened Japan. Sadly not many of these delicate sculptures survive but there is an interesting account of the ongoing restoration of one of them at the Victoria & Albert Museum London here.

Like kabuki, the bunraku puppet theatre and the iki-ningyo died out during the period of Meiji modernisation in the late nineteenth century. Advanced technologies including film and photography became more popular and these extraordinary art forms died out. Japanese fascination for mimesis and technical excellence has continued however. The video below shows a contemporary automaton maker from Japan, continuing his family’s traditions of making extraordinary working models of people shooting arrows or drawing calligraphy for example. The incredible expertise that is used is in a direct tradition from the tableaux of Edo Japan in the previous two centuries.

To bring this tradition right up to date there are of course the contemporary Japanese sex dolls and companion dolls which although bleaker in their intended use, nevertheless retain the same demanding skills of realism and likeness that has been a Japanese obsession for so long. If you get the chance, look out for Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s 2009 film Air-Doll which tells the story of a man falling in love with his living doll and the doll subsequently coming to life. Using silicone and miniaturized motors instead of gofun and papier-mache, current Japanese robot and doll technology remains outstanding and continues to push the limits of art’s ability to mimic nature.

More Information about TOSHIDAMA GALLERY 

https://twitter.com/Toshidama

Please visit http://toshidama.wordpress.com and http://toshidama.blogspot.jp/ for more articles and information. 

Please visit http://toshidama-japanese-prints.com/  -   On our site you will see a wonderful selection of Japanese woodblock prints for sale. Ukiyo-e (the Japanese name for woodblock prints of the 18th and 19th centuries) are beautiful, collectible and a sound financial investment.

http://toshidama.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/mimesis-bunraku-puppets-and-living-dolls/

Paul Joseph Nzeribe and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The government of Nigeria is currently using helicopter gunships and fighter jets against the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram. At the same time, President Goodluck Jonathan is leaving a channel open by providing an amnesty for members of Boko Haram. Given the mass complexity of Nigeria in relationship to religion and ethnicity then clearly the Islamist threat is putting enormous strains on the people of north-eastern Nigeria, which is the epicenter of the crisis. Therefore, the current military offensive by the armed forces of Nigeria is being watched carefully because of the delicate situation.

Since the emergence of Boko Haram several thousands of people have been brutally murdered by a terrorist group which thinks nothing about attacking Christian churches and Muslim mosques. Islamist militants desire to rule the country by implementing Islamic Sharia law in its entirety. This reality means that indigenous Islam is also threatened because mainstream Muslim leaders are vehemently opposed to Gulf inspired Islamism, which is extremely alien to the usual way of life in Nigeria.

All Nigerians are deeply concerned about corruption, income disparity and the blatant abuse of natural resources which have been squandered in the past. Therefore, the Islamist leaders of the insurgency can easily manipulate disenfranchised Muslims to join Boko Haram. Christians and other faith and non-faith individuals also face the same issues related to poverty, corruption and income disparity. However, while ethnic disputes break out from time to time it is clear that only Boko Haram and the Islamist movement is a threat to the central nation state.

Overtures of a genuine amnesty have been flatly rejected by the leadership of Boko Haram. More problematic for the political leaders of Nigeria is that the term “amnesty” is worrying many religious figures. After all, countless massacres by Boko Haram have been beyond the pale and granting amnesty to terrorists and religious militants seems too weak. Despite this, it is clear that President Goodluck needs to quell the crisis and if he doesn’t look at all possible angles then he will be failing the people of Nigeria.

The president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Nigeria, Dr. Moshood Fashola, is skeptical about the amnesty. He comments that the “Amnesty presupposes that the one you grant amnesty to is ready to show remorse for his actions and is ready for peace…[and] to stop all this carnage…there is no such situation.”

Of course, it is clear that Islamists are anti-Ahmadiyya Muslim in other nations like Pakistan and Indonesia. Therefore, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is worried about Islamist militancy because they know that their community will suffer if the Boko Haram terrorist movement spreads.

Julius Babatunde Adelakun of Oyo, a retired Christian bishop, commented that it is “like granting amnesty to terrorists, it is unthinkable.” The Archbishop of Ibadan, Felix Alaba Job, shares similar logic. He states that Boko Haram are “…vandals of human souls and bodies” in reference to the murder of so many civilians by this terrorist organization.

Currently you have a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. However, the worry for the military is that Boko Haram may try to melt away and move to other parts of northern Nigeria – or move into regional nations which share a border with Nigeria. In this sense, it is essential that the military attack against Boko Haram makes quick inroads and causes disarray within this terrorist movement. If not, then hit and run tactics will become a reality and Boko Haram may try to spread discord to areas which have previously escaped bloodshed.

Militant groups are nothing new to Nigeria but Boko Haram is different because they want to usurp the nation state. The nature of the Boko Haram movement also means that fear is endemic therefore in such a climate the security forces are bound to overreact. This is what Boko Haram hopes for because they want to create a wedge between Christians and Muslims and to create divisions within the Muslim faith based on their draconian thought patterns.

http://www.americamagazine.org/issue/nigeria-new-fighting-amnesty-plan-boko-haram-provokes-outrage

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Jibril Khoury and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Several powerful feudal monarchy states in the Gulf region were the main culprits behind the Washington sanctioned non binding United Nations (UN) resolution. Once more feudal monarchs who despise all alternative political thought patterns can manipulate the UN. Not only this, the UN appears to care little about Qatar and Saudi Arabia sponsoring terrorism and sectarianism. This isn’t so surprising, after all the UN says little about Saudi Arabia enslaving women, allowing little girls of 8 and 9 to marry old men and where apostasy means the death penalty.

Sadly, the UN is once more shaming itself just like many media outlets which play around with language all the time. If a nation state opposed by America, France, Turkey and the United Kingdom was sponsoring terrorism to the same degree then this nation state would be warned and most likely invaded in a very short time. However, the “war on terrorism” under the Obama administration equates to supporting terrorist sponsoring nation states like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Iraq is disillusioned because now terrorists are once more destabilizing Iraq to a major degree thanks to the barbaric policies of major Gulf powers – which are protected by America, France and the United Kingdom.

The Russian Federation condemned the one sided non-binding resolution while non-democratic Gulf states played their “energy card” in order to bribe nations which sell themselves for a compliant life. It appears that the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist terrorist groups can kidnap UN workers; cut open Syrian soldiers; behead at random; do daily terrorist attacks; destroy holy buildings; kidnap Christian clergy; kill mainstream Muslim clerics; kill journalists; persecute minorities; and other barbaric realities. Indeed, the conflict in Syria is clearly showing the world that powerful nations can do anything they please and support barbaric terrorist groups from their wealthy homes and all in the name of democracy.

France is clearly confused because on the one hand this nation is fighting against al-Qaeda and Islamic jihadist groups in Mali. However, on the other hand this nation is supporting Gulf nations and Turkey which are openly providing assistance to various terrorist organizations against the people of Syria. The only consistency is the Russian Federation which understands the need to crush terrorism in Mali and Syria respectively. Yet nations which are supporting terrorism, sedition and sectarianism against Syria are openly manipulating terrorists for their own geopolitical means. It matters little that the FSA and various terrorist groups commit daily massacres because with the mass media in the Gulf and West being largely compliant when it comes to the “big players,” then anything is possible.

Even when the chemical false flag was raised and found to be wanting by the independent commission of inquiry by the UN then these findings were brushed under the carpet. After all, instead of the inquiry under Carla Del Ponte pointing the finger at the government of Syria she stated the opposite. Of course, if the outcome had stated that the Syrian government had been involved then the collective nations of America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom would have used this around the clock alongside the compliant mass media.

However, Carla Del Ponte stated that “investigators have been in neighboring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals and, according to their report of last week which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated.”

“This was use on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities.”

Only the UN could side with terrorist groups which have kidnapped UN workers on several occasions in Syria. This is the madness of Syria because the more the world is provided with clear evidence of Syrian soldiers being cut open by terrorists, people being beheaded, Christian bishops being kidnapped, Muslim clerics being killed and other barbaric realities; the more the axis of evil in America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom plots fresh false flags and garners more economic support for terrorists and sectarian forces.

The so-called opposition is divided and clearly outside nations are pulling the strings. If Saudi Arabia and Qatar are so concerned about human rights, democracy, rights of women and religious pluralism then clearly both nations should change their internal political mechanisms. However, it is abundantly clear that Saudi Arabia and Qatar care zilch about human rights and democracy but they can buy the mechanisms of the UN with their petrodollars.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Boutros Hussein and Walter Sebastian

Modern Tokyo Times

The country of Mali needs urgent economic input into the nation in order to start the process of restructuring areas plagued by international jihadists, to develop the infrastructure and to strengthen the central state. At a major conference to raise awareness and to obtain international funding the European Union announced that they will pledge an initial 520 million Euros ($673 million dollars). However, in time collective international support should provide much more economic assistance given the need to stabilize this nation.

Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, stated that this funding would help Mali to become “stable, democratic and prosperous.” It is widely reported that the government of Mali is hoping to obtain over 4 billion Euros given the severity of the crisis. This funding is needed for a plethora of important things which equally applies to developing the infrastructure and providing resources to strengthen all major institutions including the armed forces of this nation. After all, the threat from international jihadists which desire to crush indigenous Islam and turn this country into a Gulf paranoid Sharia state is all too real. Therefore, Mali is facing a war of civilization whereby traditional Mali Islam is threatened by alien and draconian versions of Islam which emanate from the Gulf region.

According to the BBC this funding is related to “rebuilding government institutions and the military, repairing damaged infrastructure, organizing presidential elections, holding dialogue with rebel groups in the north, and stimulating the economy.”

Of course this economic support from the European Union is extremely welcomed by the Mali government and people of this nation. Yet, it is essential that donors listen to the leaders of Mali and to people on the ground because sometimes foreign assistance can be based on lofty ideals. Therefore, while elections are essential in the long-term it shouldn’t be fostered on Mali until the situation is more secure given the military threat from international jihadists.

In the BBC article they are relating Mali to similar donor support which happened in Afghanistan and Somalia. However, this is not valid in many ways, after all the vast majority of people in Mali share similar values of pluralism and religious tolerance. Also, unlike in Afghanistan and Somalia the French led forces were welcomed with open arms by the overwhelming majority of Mali people. This reality means that providing the Islamists can be crushed then economic support can genuinely make a difference providing “the heart of the government is sincere.”

President Dioncounda Traore who is the interim leader stated that “I think that’s a good start…Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, in a week or in a month, it is clear that the international community, the European Union, will inject a lot more than that.”

The President of the European Commission commented that “the principal actors in this transition are the Malians themselves and their government.”

Given the severity of the crisis in Mali then officials from this country are working around the clock in order to prepare for the future of this nation. This reality can be seen by the Plan for the Sustainable Recovery of Mali. It is hoped that this difficult and complex plan will be rewarded by genuine international support in order to galvanize Mali and put this nation on the right path to prosperity. Of course the road will be hard and difficult but providing the political leadership in Mali remains vibrant and the international community is sincere; then hopefully Mali will set a positive precedent whereby international economic support provides “a new tomorrow” instead of a “false dawn.”

Lee Jay Walker provided assistance to both main writers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22535265  

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Olivier LeCourt and Joachim de Villiers

Modern Tokyo Times

The last few days have seen the combination of three scandals hitting the headlines in America whereby people want to know how deep the government was involved. This applies to the ongoing Benghazi saga which led to the deaths of Americans in Libya; the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) targeting political groups which are opposed to the policies of the Democratic Party; and now it turns out that the Department of Justice is involved in underhanded tactics in order to seize information from the Associated Press (AP). Therefore, President Obama is involved in damage limitation irrespective if he is involved in each respective issue because it is the perception of involvement which is the problem.

Internally, the IRS scandal is extremely worrying because it appears that big government can manipulate proceedings by stealth. It also gives further credence to people who believe that the constitution is under threat from big government because the IRS debacle should never have happened in the first place. After all, it isn’t the business of the IRS to target political associations which are opposed to the ruling government.

In theory the IRS isn’t controlled by the central state because this agency is independent but this will cut little ice with many American nationals. Ron Bonjean who is a former political aide to the Republicans on Capitol Hill comments that “The public sees the IRS as part of the federal government, which the White House controls.”

The New York Times comments that “The Internal Revenue Service’s special scrutiny of small-government groups applying for tax-exempt status went beyond keyword hunts for organizations with “Tea Party” or “Patriot” in their names, to a more overtly ideological search for applicants seeking to “make America a better place to live” or “criticize how the country is being run,” according to part of a draft audit by the inspector general that has been given to Capitol Hill.”

Jim Carey, a spokesperson for the White House, stated that Obama “is concerned that the conduct of a small number of Internal Revenue Service employees may have fallen short” of “the highest levels of integrity.” These words however appear to be trying to soften the bigger issue because where did the idea come from in the first place? Was it really a spontaneous approach by a small number of employees – or, is this issue much more sinister?

Another issue to hit the headlines in America is the behavior of the Justice Department in relation to obtaining the records of editors and reporters at AP. It is known that the Justice Department obtained private information by obtaining the telephone records of workers at AP. This applies to two months of private telephone records and just like the IRS scandal it points in the direction of big government and political motives.

The Benghazi issue will just not go away because fresh information points a very negative finger at the Obama administration and the behavior of the intelligence community in America. Therefore, fresh information from whistleblowers is unearthing many inadequacies alongside political manipulation of the events which were unfolding at the time of the crisis.

The Investigative Project on Terrorism comments that “Three State Department whistleblowers told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Wednesday that bureaucratic wrangling led to the tragedy in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012 that left four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, dead.”

“The whistleblowers included Gregory Hicks, the former deputy chief of Mission and Charge d’Affairs in Libya; Eric Nordstrom, diplomatic security officer and former State Department regional security officer in Libya; and Mark Thompson, acting deputy assistant secretary for Counterterrorism.”

“Inadequate security, combined with substandard building requirements at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, resulted in the tragedy, Hicks’ testified.”

It is certain that many new developments will occur over all three issues. Currently the IRS and AP developments are still in the infancy period. However, the Benghazi debacle will just not go away. Of course, nobody is stating that Obama is at the center of all these three misdeeds. Despite this, the issue of big government overstepping the mark does appear to connect with how the current leadership is perceived in many quarters of the electorate. It also doesn’t look good internationally when you appear to have a biased IRS and whereby a powerful media agency can have its private information taped. Therefore, Obama will be kept on his toes for the following months because these three issues will certainly garner fresh information in the very near future.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to the main two writers

http://www.investigativeproject.org/4009/whistleblowers-high-level-bureaucratic-errors

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Sarah Deschamps and Michel Lebon

Modern Tokyo Times

Tokyo tourism provides an abundance of options because this highly developed city caters for so many tastes. This applies to amazing Japanese gardens, stunning art galleries, high octane fashion districts, a paradise for gamers, the beautiful Tenno palace, the beach of Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge, Meiji Shrine, mountain range of Takao, and so much more. Therefore, tourists who visit Tokyo are spoilt for choice in this amazing city.

However, in this article the emphasis is on Asakusa because this lovely district is famous for the stunning Buddhist temple called Senso-ji. This notable landmark in Tokyo is dedicated to the revered bodhisattva Kannon. Also, you have other beautiful temples in Asakusa and throughout the year you have various festivals which highlight the richness of Japanese culture.

The first temple on this site was built in 645 but prior to this the year of 628 is essential because of what happened according to legend. This applies to two fishermen who were fishing in the Sumida River when they suddenly found a statue of the revered Kannon (Goddess of Mercy). Hajino Nakamoto fully understood the importance of the statue and in time a temple was built honoring Kannon in Asakusa.

Sadly, during World War Two the vast majority of this temple was destroyed during carpet bombings. However, the rebirth of this temple mirrored the rebirth of Tokyo and Japan. Therefore, throughout the centuries this fascinating Buddhist temple played an important role in the history of Tokyo and political leaders throughout the ages respected the sanctity of this stunning place.

The Shinto shrine of Nishinomiya Inari Shrine is also located in the same part of Asakusa and this highlights the fusion of both faiths. Therefore, the Sanja Matsuri (Three Shrine Festival) incorporates this shared religious environment each year when approximately 1.5 million to 2 million individuals visit this festival. This highlights that while Tokyo is ultra-modern, it is also clear that the “old world” still survives during powerful festivals like the Sanja Matsuri.

During the golden period of Asakusa in the first five to six decades of the twentieth century, this district was famous for traditional Japanese theater, the highly regarded Denkikan cinema, and other forms of entertainment. Asakusa is also the oldest geisha district in Tokyo and you still have working geisha in modern times. You also have many traditional ryokan (guest houses) homes in this district and this further creates the cultural aspect of Asakusa.

The Kappabashi-dori is another intriguing place to visit because of the many Japanese kitchenware stores to be found. Many Tokyoites visit because of this factor and clearly Asakusa is a million miles away from the area of Shibuya which is famous for young fashion lovers. However, it is the richness of this diversity which makes Tokyo such a fascinating place to visit.

The Japan National Tourist Organization comments that “Numerous shops along Nakamise-dori Street, which runs along the approach way to Senso-ji Temple, carry a variety of small articles made of Japanese-style paper and other traditional goods such as folding fans. It is a lovely shopping street that attracts many foreign visitors.”

Overall, if you want to feel the richness of Buddhism and Shintoism in Tokyo then Asakusa enables this. At the same time, you can feel “old Tokyo” and envisage the power of the Buddhist faith, the Shinto faith, ukiyo-e, traditional Japanese theatre, geisha, and other powerful cultural traditions. Therefore, if you are going to visit Tokyo in the near future this part of Tokyo is highly recommended.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to both writers

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/tokyo/asakusa.html

http://moderntokyotimes.com