DRUM TAO

This issue’s cover photo is of DRUM TAO. TAO has taken the art of taiko drumming to a whole new level. Over 7 million people in 500 cities have been blown away by these musicians, who are also highly trained athletes that are dressed to kill. Their spectacular costumes were designed by Tokyo Journal contributor and world-acclaimed fashion designer Junko Koshino.

Peace and Compassion

Peace and compassion is a recurring theme in Issue #278, beginning with the feature story on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday celebration and the Global Compassion Summit. Special guests from the four-day celebration discuss the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Buddhism, peace and compassion. Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman shares his memories of Muhammad Ali, who was not only known as one of the greatest fighters of all time but was also known for his efforts to promote peace outside the ring. The Beach Boys’ Mike Love tells how his love for transcendental meditation comes from his hope that it could provide a better way of life for humanity. Finally, the Harlem Globetrotters’ “Buckets” Blakes talks about performing in a historic exhibition of goodwill for North Korea’s Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jong-Un. We will be giving peace more attention in our next issue with interviews with guest speakers from the Rotary World Peace Conference 2016.

Noteworthy Achievers

Tokyo Journal interviewed 19-year old mountaineer Marin Minamiya, who is not only Japan’s youngest person to conquer Mount Everest, but is also the youngest Japanese to complete the Seven Summits, having climbed the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. Also, Nobel Prize Laureate Takaaki Kajita talks about the importance of his discovery in the field of particle physics.

Hokkaido

Tokyo Journal treks to the northernmost area of Japan in this issue — Hokkaido, and recommends places to see, things to do and food to eat. We look at why the Windsor Hotel TOYA Resort & Spa is perhaps the most exclusive high-end resort hotel in Hokkaido. Actress Charlotte Kate Fox also talks about her experience shooting the NHK drama Massan in Furano, Hokkaido. The beautiful backdrop of this issue’s editorial page is Sapporo’s Hoshioki Falls.

Welcome and Farewell

I am pleased to welcome two new contributors to Tokyo Journal. Former Megadeth guitarist and television host Marty Friedman begins to share his insight into what’s hot in Japan through his “Big in Japan” column. Also joining TJ is fashion designer Kimura U, who is the Japanese Harajuku Fashion Representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Finally, it is with great sadness that we say farewell to my mother, who was Tokyo Journal’s parenting columnist, Lorraine Al- Jamie. She passed away at the age of 81 on August 30, 2016. She left behind five children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild with two more on the way. This issue’s article on “Living Vicariously Through Your Children” will be her last contribution to Tokyo Journal. One of my favorite quotes from Lorraine was, “War is good people killing good people,” and this issue, with its large focus on peace and compassion, is dedicated to her memory. tj

The original article can be found in Issue #278 of the Tokyo Journal. Click here to order from Amazon.