Daily Japan Headlines: Saturday, Jul 23, 2011

Written By: guyjin on July 24, 2011 No Comment

20110723
Photo Source: AFP.

AFP: Japan’s quake region holds samurai festival

Japan’s tsunami-hit Fukushima region has kicked off a thousand-year-old horse festival, with riders in samurai armour defying an ongoing nuclear crisis to take to the streets and vow recovery.
The “Soma Namaoi”, or wild horse chase, featured some 80 horses with riders in full samurai armour, and was dedicated this year to praying for those killed in the March disasters and for the reconstruction of local communities.

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AP: Utility executives big political donors in Japan

Executives from nine utility companies contributed 47 million yen ($595,000) to the Liberal Democratic Party in 2009, Kyodo News agency reported. That’s nearly three quarters of the nearly 65 million yen ($823,000) received in 2009 in total individual donations to the party.
Personal political donations are relatively rare in Japan, accounting for only about 5 percent of the LDP funding in 2009. The vast majority of the former ruling party’s 2.8 billion yen ($36 million) main operations fund comes from corporate donations.

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NY Times: In the Wake of Fukushima

In the wake of the disaster, this country’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission assembled a task force to look at what happened in Japan and to assess the United States’ ability to withstand a disaster of its own. This month the group issued thoughtful and common-sense recommendations. The five commissioners should quickly adopt them.

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Telegraph: Japan eyes $291 billion for reconstruction

In the first five years, the government would spend 19 trillion yen or more than 80 percent of the total 23 trillion yen necessary for reconstruction, according to major media, including Kyodo News and the Yomiuri Shimbun.
To pay for the various projects, the government was considering spending cuts, sales of public assets, new bond issues and tax hikes, the reports said.

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ABC News: Strong Earthquake Jolts Northeastern Japan

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-6.4 quake was centered 22 miles (36 kilometers) below the sea bed in the Pacific Ocean, 257 miles (414 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo — in the same area where more than 22,000 people were killed or went missing after the March 11 quake and tsunami.

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ESPN: Japan is the sports story of the year

They not only beat the Germans in the quarterfinals, but they shut them out for 120 minutes. Incredible. They trailed Sweden in the semifinals after their talisman, Homare Sawa, coughed up her only bad pass of the tournament. And in the final, they trailed the U.S. twice, and rallied again and again to gain the tie that would force the penalty-kick decider.

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Washington Post: Mongolian Harumafuji beats compatriot Hakuho to win Nagoya sumo tournament

Ozeki Harumafuji finished at 14-0, shoving Hakuho out after the grand champion attempted an arm throw at the edge of the ring. It was Harumafuji’s first Emperor’s Cup in two years. Hakuho dropped to 12-2.

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Washington Post: F1 officials say the March earthquake and nuclear crisis won’t affect October’s Japanese GP

Formula 1 officials say the March earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan will not affect the Japanese Grand Prix to be held Oct. 9 at the Suzuka track, and are urging fans to attend.
Masaru Unno, a representative of the Suzuka circuit, said Saturday that the Suzuka circuit’s distant location from Fukushima means it won’t be affected by any health threats stemming from the meltdowns.

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Bleacher Report: World Cup of Softball 2011: USA vs Japan Is Must Win for US After Loss to Canada

Now the pressure going into the game against Japan is exponentially heightened.
Three teams have solidified themselves in the running. Canada and the US each have a loss. Japan remains undefeated, which means a victory over the US could knock the Americans from 1st place contention entirely.

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CNN: What’s next in Japanese animation: Funimation speaks

If you care about Japanese animation, it’s likely that you already know the name Funimation. Founded in 1994, the company has made a major push in bringing Japanese entertainment to the United States for years.
Thanks to their efforts, fans can enjoy high quality releases with excellent English voice casts, and even enjoy simulcasts of Japanese television shows shortly after they air in Japan.

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