Tokyo population nears 13 million

The population of Tokyo stood at 12,942,366 people as of April 1, an increase of 33,510 over the previous month, according to a metropolitan government estimate.

According to the estimate, women significantly outnumber men, with 6,502,937 women in the area versus 6,439,429 men.

The estimate is based on increases and decreases in the Tokyo residency register as compared with national census figures from Oct. 1, 2005. The estimate pegs the population of Tokyo's 23 wards at 8,772,826, that of the cities at 4,083,610 and that of rural districts and counties at 58,540. The islands under Tokyo jurisdiction had an estimated population of 27,390.

The area with the greatest population increase as compared with both the previous month and the previous year was Koto Ward, a trend the metropolitan government said was related to a rapid increase in housing construction in the ward.

'Sushi expo' offers exotic cuisine

Sunday 26th April, 05:17 AM JST

SHIZUOKA —

Sushi chefs from around the world provided creative dishes with even pineapples and tacos among their favorite items as a ‘‘sushi expo’’ opened Saturday in Shizuoka. In an exhibition to show how sushi has become global, the opening-day program featured a competition attended by chefs from the United States, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Mexico and Russia.

‘‘Japanese food has grown popular among young women in our country,’’ said 32-year-old Czech chef Marek Hora, who served sushi with tuna dipped in Czech-brewed black beer, called ‘‘Prague-nigiri.’’ And his idea gained instant support from at least one ‘‘customer’’ from the host city on the Pacific Ocean, which boasts some famous mother ports for various sushi items. ‘‘It’s a little bit different from what I usually eat, but it tastes good and refreshing,’’ said the 67-year-old man, who attended the two-day event sponsored by a local commerce and industry association.

Title World Sushi EXPO in SHIZUOKA 2009

When April 25th (Sat.) - 26th (Sun.)

What Time 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where Granship ( 79-4 Ikeda, Suruga-ku)

How much Free

Inquiries Shimizu Sho-ko- Kaigisyo

Tel 054-353-3401 (Japanese only)

URL http://sushihaku.com (In Japanese)

For Japan's Young Families, a Little Good News

Next U.S. ambassador to Japan confirmed

Harvard University Professor and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye has been confirmed as the next U.S. ambassador to Japan, a senior Japanese government official has revealed.

Nye, 72, is known as an expert on Japan who has advocated strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, and his appointment to the post can be seen as a sign of the importance the administration of President Barack Obama assigns to Japan. Nye is expected to take up his ambassadorial duties sometime this summer. Read more....

Farming fad takes root in Japan

YAMANASHI, Japan

Hiromi Otake used to spend her weekends as a hobby farmer in the peach orchards of central Japan.

After retiring, she moved there to take up farming full time, joining a group of 24 women to set up an Internet farmers market selling high-quality produce online.

Not long ago, Japan's retirees were better known for shopping in Hawaii, relaxing in hot springs or toting cameras on group tours overseas. Read the article here.....

35 years of Shinjuku in 10 seconds (From July 1969 To July 2004)

Christians' Views on the Return of Christ

April 9, 2009

For many Christians, Easter is the most important religious holiday of the year - a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and look forward to the Second Coming. While nearly 80% of U.S. Christians believe that Christ will return to Earth someday, there is less agreement over the timing and circumstances of his return.

Tokyo tops list of cities for cutting-edge cuisine

NEW YORK - Tokyo is the hottest city for food lovers for a second consecutive year because of its abundance of innovative restaurants and superb ingredients, according to a U.S. food magazine.

Barcelona came in second, followed by Copenhagen, London and New York in Food & Wine Magazine's fourth annual list of top cities to go for cutting-edge cuisine and vibrant food scenes.

"Tokyo is the best food city hands down," Jen Murphy, the magazine's travel editor, said. "That's where chefs are going for innovations. There's also a history of food traditions. They are so far ahead of us." Story continues here

My encounter with John Lennon in Karuizawa

By Carol Fleenor, Turner, Oregon

September, 2008

The bicyclist pedaled closer, his face unshaven, his eyes hidden beneath round wire-rimmed glasses. Hair spilled from his wide-brimmed hat. His clothes fluttered in the breeze. "How you doing?" he shouted, waving hello. A hippie, I thought, dismissing him as I walked up the busy street with my family. He coasted past, vanishing down the road. Something about him seemed familiar. A minute later another bicycle raced by: a Japanese woman, with long, curly hair—and an unmistakable face. "That's Yoko Ono," I said to myself. Oh, my…That "hippie" had to be John Lennon. What are they doing here in Karuizawa? Read the whole story here…..

North Korean Missles?

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is transmitting the following information through the Embassy's warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in Japan. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other Americans you know.

North Korea has announced that it will attempt a rocket launch between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on one of the days during April 4-8, 2009 from a site in northeast North Korea. This possible event has received much media attention. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is monitoring the situation. The Japanese government has announced that it is highly unlikely that parts of the North Korean missile could fall on Japan and so people should continue daily activities as usual.

The Embassy will continue to monitor the situation. The United States is engaged in discussions with the Japanese government about this issue. We will continue to apprise the American citizen community of any important information via this email system and the Embassy websites at http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/ and http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-arch.html.

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom outside Osaka Castle.