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Japanese anime pop star Mai Mizuhashi skirts nationalism to build Chinese fan base on Ride the Wind reality show

May 29, 2023 (scmp.com) - A Japanese singer’s explosive popularity in China after appearing on a top Chinese music show proves that Chinese audiences can separate culture from geopolitics, despite international tension and growing online nationalism, according to analysts.

Mai Mizuhashi, known by the stage name MARiA, was the breakout star of the latest season of Ride the Wind, a female-centred reality competition show formerly called Sisters Who Make Waves that invites public figures over the age of 30 to take part in pop idol format competitions.

The 31-year-old Ibaraki native debuted earlier this month with a high-energy performance of her 2016 hit “Gokuraku Joudo”, a widely popular anison, or anime song, among Chinese fans of Japanese anime, comics and games (ACG). ...continue reading

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Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No.6) was located about 50 kilometers south of Izu Oshima at 1:00 p.m. on June 3rd and was moving east at 45 kilometers per hour as it made its closest approach to the Kanto region, leaving a trail of flooding, transport disruption and powerfully gusting winds across eastern Japan while forecasters warned that the strongest winds may still be ahead for some areas.

[updated 6:00 p.m.] Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) continued to disrupt transport across eastern Japan on June 3rd even after moving offshore east of the Kanto region, with nearly 900 flights canceled, multiple railway lines suspended, highway bus services halted and expressway operators warning that strong winds and safety inspections could prolong disruption into the evening and overnight.

Flooding was reported around the popular tourist district of Oharai-machi in Ise City following the passage of Typhoon No. 6, with some businesses forced to clean up after floodwaters overflowed from a nearby river during the early hours of June 3rd.

A breaking weather alert was issued for the Izu region of Shizuoka Prefecture early Wednesday morning, after the formation of a linear rain band, a phenomenon capable of producing prolonged and extremely intense rainfall over the same area. Authorities warned that the risk of disasters has risen sharply as heavy rain continues to fall, increasing the likelihood of flooding, landslides, and other weather-related emergencies.

[updated 03:30 a.m.] Authorities issued a Level 5 Flood Occurrence Information alert for the Kuwano River and the Naka River tributary in Tokushima Prefecture, warning that flooding may already be underway and urging residents to take immediate action to protect their lives.

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Former XG producer SIMON, whose real name is Junho Sakai, received a suspended prison sentence on June 1st after being convicted of using cocaine.

This week, the explore Kawatake Mokuami's 1881 sewamono drama Kiwametsuki Banzui Chōbē ("The Renowned Banzui Chōbē"), revised in 1891 by his student, Kawatake Shinshichi III. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Ryoji Yamaguchi, the former coach of the Fushimi Technical High School rugby team who led the school to national glory and became known nationwide as the "Crying Teacher," the inspiration for the television drama School Wars, has died at the age of 83.

Unfinished dreams, midnight errands. Televisions murmuring in the background of a Tokyo hotel in 1990. (TRNGL)

Osaka Shochikuza, the historic theater in Osaka's Dotonbori entertainment district, held its final performance on May 26th, bringing down the curtain on 103 years of history as actors and audiences bid an emotional farewell to one of the city's most celebrated cultural landmarks.

Today, we have a look at the wonderful art of the late actor Ichikawa Danjūrō XII. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Nintendo's game console 'Nintendo Switch 2' will become 10,000 yen more expensive from May 25th.

Tao Okamoto and French actress Virginie Efira won the Best Actress award at the Cannes International Film Festival, for their performances in Ryusuke Hamaguchi's film 'Suddenly, I Feel Sick', marking the first time a Japanese actress has received the honor.