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Buildings collapse, dozens injured & missing after 6.7 quake triggers landslides in Japan Video

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A large-scale rescue operation is underway on the Japanese island of Hokkaido after a powerful 6.7 earthquake triggered several landslides that swallowed a number of houses, injuring and trapping people inside.

The rural town of Atsumi has been partially devastated after a chunk of a mountain ridge slid and covered several houses, aerial footage by NHK broadcaster showed. At least 10 people were airlifted to the hospital while others remain missing potentially trapped in collapsed structures.

Besides Atsumi, a number of mudslides occurred along the Route 235, according to local media. So far two people have been confirmed dead, including a man in his eighties who died from cardiac arrest, NHK reports. Another 143 people have been injured, while 38 remain missing after a powerful 6.7 earthquake hit Hokkaido, causing widespread damage.

Japan: Epic rains leave dozens dead, scores missing

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Some areas have been hit by more than 1 meter (3.28 feet) of rain, forcing nearly 2 million people to evacuate their homes. The torrential rains have triggered flash floods and massive landslides.

Stranded in Japan

Japan has been inundated by torrential rains. People have waited hours to be rescued in the southwestern city of Kurashiki, 670 kilometers (415 miles) from Tokyo. Kurashiki lies at the mouth of the Takahashi River.

Japan deploys missile defense systems due to North Korea threat

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Due to the missile attack threat by North Korea, Japan has brought its missile defense systems to combat-readiness, reported RBC news agency of Russia. Such systems have been deployed in western Japan.

In addition, a cruiser, which is equipped with a system that can detect the launching of ballistic missiles, has been dispatched to the Sea of Japan.

According to a recent statement by North Korean authorities, if they were to launch ballistic missiles toward the American military base on the island of Guam, these missiles will fly over three Japanese prefectures.

Armenian Cellist Karen Ouzounian’s String Quartet Takes Top Prize in Osaka

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Armenian Cellist Karen Ouzounian’s String Quartet Takes Top Prize in OsakaOSAKA, Japan (The Strad)—The Aizuri Quartet (U.S), featuring Canadian-Armenian cellist Karen Ouzounian, has won first prize, worth 3 million JPY ($27,000 USD), in the string quartet section of the Ninth Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan.

The triennial event took place May 13-21 in the string quartet and wind ensemble categories, which ran alongside masterclasses, concerts, and an informal Festa, with no age or repertoire restrictions.

Second prize in the string quartet division, worth 1.5 million JPY went to the Ulysses Quartet from the U.S., while third prize, worth one million JPY went to the Viano String Quartet, also from the U.S.

This year’s jury was chaired by cellist Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and included violinists Martin Beaver, Kazuki Sawa and Levon Chilingirian; violists Yoshiko Kawamoto and Homggang Li; and cellist Paul Katz.

Third prize winner at the 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London, the Aizuri Quartet comprises violinists Miho Saegusa and Ariana Kim, violist Ayane Kozasa, and cellist Karen Ouzounian. The ensemble was Ernst Stiefel String Quartet in Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts from 2015 to 2016, and String Quartet in Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia from 2014 to 2016.

Described as “radiant” and “expressive” (The New York Times) and “nothing less than gorgeous” (Memphis Commercial Appeal), cellist Karen Ouzounian approaches music-making with a deeply communicative and passionate spirit. At home in diverse musical settings, she has become increasingly drawn towards unusual collaborations and eclectic contemporary repertoire.

In addition to her work with the Aizuri Quartet, Ouzounian’s commitment to adventurous programming and the collaborative process has led to her membership in the Grammy-nominated, self-conducted chamber orchestra A Far Cry, and the critically-acclaimed new music collective counter)induction. Highlights of Ouzounian’s recent and upcoming seasons include performances of the Elgar Concerto in Chile with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Santiago, tours with the Silk Road Ensemble and Mark Morris Dance Group, recitals at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts with pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute, a tour of Japan with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and tours with Musicians from Marlboro and Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute. Additionally she has performed with The Knights, Trio Cavatina, and as guest principal of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, IRIS Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Born to Armenian parents in Toronto, Ouzounian was a prizewinner at the 2012 Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank Competition. She holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, where she was a student of Timothy Eddy.

Glendale artist joins Armenia Culture Week in Japan

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Armenian embassy in Japan invited Glendale artist Srboohie Abajian to exhibit her art earlier this month during “Armenia Culture Week” that was held in Tokyo from May 9 to 14.

The artist showed video footage of her “Murals on the Sky” project that consists of five 9-foot-by-4-foot outdoor sculptures, depicting eyes, hands and faces that show human emotion expressed by people demanding their rights, Los Angeles Times reported.

Artist’s daughter Mayreni is currently an exchange student in Tokyo. She decided to share Armenian culture with Japanese children as part of a volunteer project organized by the embassy. There she said that her mother is an artist.

Others featured in the exhibition in Tokyo were artist Dana Walrath and the late French-Armenian painter Jean Jansem, both of Armenian origin.

Armenian parliamentary delegation conducts meetings in Japan

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As part of an official visit to Japan, a delegation of Armenian parliament members has conducted several meetings in the country.
On Monday, January 30, they received Tadamori Oshima, the speaker of the House of Representatives.
Greeting the Armenian lawmakers, the country’s top legislative official hailed the visit as a landmark moment in the development of the two countries’ inter-parliamentary relations.
For his part, Mr Sahakyan too, highlighted the importance of the cooperation between the two countries’ chief legislative bodies, noting that the current visit coincides with the 25th anniversary since establishing the bilateral diplomatic relations, reports the parliament’s press service.
The sides also addressed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Armenian Genocide, agreeing that the Armenian-Azerbaijani land dispute can find only a negotiated solution, with the condemnation of genocides being the only effective way towards preventing future atrocities against mankind.
Mr Oshima extended his condolences to the guests over the losses suffered in the four-day war.
The delegation also had meetings with Yasushi Akahoshi, the president of the Japan External Trade Organization, and Shinichi Kitaoka, the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, to discuss possible efforts towards developing the trade, economic and cultural dialogue. The sides highlighted specific programs to be implemented in the nearest future.
The delegation, led by Speaker of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan, includes three lawmakers from the ruling Republican Party, Vahram Baghdasaryan, Ruzanna Muradyan and Samvel Framanyan (Republican faction), a deputy foreign minister, Armen Papikyan, and Armenian Ambassador to Japan Hrant Poghosyan.

Japan will provide 41 vehicles to Armenia for firefighters and 15 million dollars in aid

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fire-trucksArmen Yeritsian, Minister of Emergency Situations said at the government meeting on the 2017 budget Monday, October 31 that Armenia will receive assistance from Japan of $ 15 million and 41 emergency vehicles. This material will be made available to firefighters parts of Chirag, Lori and Siyunik. “In our region the fire trucks were not very old. But they carried only 2 tons of water and when they arrived on the field of the fire, it was already too late … “” threw the minister who does not lack humor.

Krikor Amirzayan

Armenian IT degelation to take part in Tokyo seminar

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armenian-itOn Friday, Tokyo, Japan, will host a seminar entitled IT’s Armenia, which will present Armenia’s IT sector.

The event is supposed to stimulate Japan’s interest in expanding cooperation with Armenia and establishment of business contacts.

Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) Public Relations Department reports that the Armenian delegation includes Instigate, VOLO, Arminova Technologies, Leviathan, IUNetworks, VMWARE Eastern Europe, Granatus Ventures companies.

The UITE members will present the UITE-organized events and programs aimed at promoting Armenia’s IT sector.

The seminar organizers are Armenia’s Embassy in Japan in the person of Ambassador Hrant Poghosyan, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan foreign office, Japan-Armenia Business and Culture Initiative, Japan Association for Trade with Russia & NIS (ROTOBO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Armenia Drums, masks and flamenco: Performances of Japanese “Noh” theater in Yerevan

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japan-in-drumsYEREVAN. – Two performances of Hosho School presenting traditional Japanese “Noh” theater took place in Yerevan.

The Armenian audience enjoyed the performances on September 26 at Puppet Theater after Tumanyan and on September 27 in Komitas Museum-Institute. The idea of holding tours was realized thanks to the friend, Ambassador of Japan to Armenia Eiji Taguchi.

A group consisting of nine people was on stage: Masayuki Fujii, his eldest son Shuga Fujii, Manjirō Tatsumi, his eldest son Kazuma Tatsumi, Satoko Kashiwayama, Eitaro Okura, Kayu Omura, Takahisa Suda, Yoko Kamiyabu will please Armenian audience with their  performance.

Masayuki Fujii first delivered a lecture presenting traditional “Noh” theater that was followed by 10-15 minute performances:  “Benkey on the ship” and “Land Spiderman” musical instruments, a love story, performed in the form of flamenco. All this is accompanied by large and small drums, ancient Japanese guitars.

Noh (能) is a form of theater involving music, dance and drama, originating in the 14th century. The theater became widespread among the elite. The greatest playwright and theorist of Noh theater Zeami developed direction under the auspices of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and this art passed from generation to generation. Kabuki Theater also known as traditional Japanese theater, is founded much later, about 200 years ago, when Tokugawa Shogunate was dissolved and became popular among the ordinary people. The traditional Japanese theater “Noh” was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

In Noh theater actors perform in masks. There are masks that are over 200, 300, and even more years old.

The father, the grandfather of the leading actor and teacher of Hosho School of Noh Masayuki Fujii were actors. The son is an actor and the grandson, will be in the theater, too.

 

Tokyo: Sagamihara stabbings: ’19 dead and 45 wounded as knifeman goes on rampage at building for disabled in Japan’

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Sagamihara-stabbingPolice say they have arrested a 26-year-old man who was a former staff member and that he has confessed to the stabbings but details of the motive have not yet been released.

At least 19 people have been killed and 45 wounded in Japan after a knifeman went on the rampage, according to reports.

The attack happened in the city of Sagamihara, west of Tokyo, where locals saw a man dressed in black clothes holding a weapon in the grounds of the Tsukui Yamayuri Garden.

It is thought that the building includes facilities for disabled people.

Four of the injured are said to be in a serious condition.

Police say they have arrested a 26-year-old man who was a former staff member and that he has confessed to the stabbings.

The suspect reportedly escaped the facility but then turned himself in. Details of the motive have not yet been released.

Officers swarmed the scene after receiving a call from staff just after 2.30am local time.

The attack comes after Japanese pop star Mayu Tomita was left in a coma in May after a fan stabbed her dozens of times because she reportedly refused his gift.

Police found a three-inch folding knife at the scene in western Tokyo.

A bloodstained mask and a trail of blood were found on the stairs near where the star was due to give a concert.

Tomohiro Iwazaki, 27, confessed to stabbing Tomita in the neck and chest.

He claimed he “ambushed” the star because she returned a gift he sent her.

In March last year, five people were also stabbed to death in a knife attack on a Japanese island.

A man was arrested after the victims were discovered in two houses.

Media reports said those killed range in age from 60 to 80 and lived in homes set among farms in the city of Sumoto on Awaji Island.

We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.