Yamagata documentary festival enlightens global audiences

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival began in 1989 as an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment...

Yamanashi inn Esoto offers supreme sake and views

MAIKO MURAOKA Contributing writer

In the quiet neighborhood of Hakushu, in the Yamanashi Prefecture city of Hokuto, surrounded by mountains, rivers and rice fields,...

Uchiko mayor discusses preservation and development

MAIKO MURAOKA Contributing writer

Uchiko is a town of 14,000 people encompassing what once were three towns that merged 21 years ago, making it...

Ministry of the Environment gives seventh ESG Finance Awards Japan

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

The Ministry of the Environment announced the 35 recipients of the seventh ESG Finance Awards Japan on Feb. 16. The...

Yamagata Symphony Orchestra plays part in community synergy

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Yamagata, the city selected in 2025 as the first Destination Region — a Japanese municipality The Japan Times wishes to...

Originator Profile advances tech against misinformation and fraud

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Companies and organizations involved in technologies to reduce misinformation online presented their achievements at an event organized by the Ministry...

Forum promotes using ‘social IP’ to help solve social challenges

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

A forum exploring the potential to transform social challenges into opportunities for creating new value was held in Tokyo’s Shibuya...

Professor propels new networks to revive rural Yamagata ways

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Go Matsumoto is an anthropologist and professor specializing in Peruvian archaeology at Yamagata University in Yamagata, the city selected in...

Fukushima coast rebuilds toward an innovative future

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

In the Hamadori area along the Pacific coast of Fukushima Prefecture, which suffered immense damage from the Great East Japan...

Pioneers in vision care, food win Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards

Maiko Muraoka Contributing Writer

On Nov. 27, Veuve Clicquot, a champagne house under the LVMH Group, held the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award 2025...

Yamagata art university tackles challenges of community decline

Maiko Muraoka contributing writer

In 2025, the city of Yamagata was selected as the first Destination Region — a Japanese municipality that The Japan...

New Logistics Consortium baton to accelerate trucking efficiency

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Japan’s logistics industry is facing pressing challenges, including accelerating labor shortages and increasing need for addressing environmental issues. According to...