A Japanese port town few foreign tourists know of: Onomichi’s oysters, old temples and Ozu’s Tokyo Story

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The smaller, seaside Sumiyoshi temple, where the stone lantern from the movie’s opening scene was displayed, was where I made my first stop. After that, I made my way northwards in the direction of the hills, arrived at a few of the film’s vantage points, and finished my walk at Jodo-ji temple, where some of the film’s most significant scenes involving a death were shot. I had fun comparing what I saw to screenshots of the movie on my phone; I even tried to imagine where Ozu might have positioned his camera ( the director was a master of the static shot ).

To mark the 120th celebration of Ozu’s delivery, Hideki Ono, Onomichi City Hall’s area commander of social development, claimed the city held a tour of the Tokyo Story trail and a screening of the film at the neighborhood cinema on December 9th, 2013.

” I think Jodo- ji is the most important spot]in the film road ]”, he added. ” It was where they filmed in public, and the area was also depicted in the show’s poster”.

EXPLORING TEMPLE Roads

Jodo- ji, which features a tower, is also one of the 25 temples in Onomichi’s recognized church walk, a road that takes you across the plains town. Do n’t try to visit all 25 temples in a day (you may get temple burnout, too ), it’s best to skip some or stop by those that catch your fancy. The majority of people begin the church move at the nearby Jiko-ji church before climbing some steep stairs to reach Senko-ji, a church perched close to the top of the 144m-high Mt. Senkoji.

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Global talent race: As people flock to Hong Kong’s elite visa scheme, questions emerge on criteria and diversity

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According to a report from China Daily, Hong Kong government had received 72 000 uses for the TTPS as of February 1st, 2018. Around 59, 000 have been approved.

In contrast, Singapore has approved about 4, 200 applications under its own aristocracy card structure- the Overseas Networks &amp, Experience Go ( ONE Pass )- as of Jan 1 this year, one year since it was launched.

Somewhere in Asia, Thailand’s Long- Word Resident visa programme, which seeks to get rich individuals and/or talented professionals, has attracted 1, 600 applicants since it opened in September 2022, according to an East Asia Forum article published in January next year.

Experts contend that the gap in figures, especially between Hong Kong and Singapore, is a significant result of the different criteria. Mr Kenneth Peh, Director of Global Employer Services at Deloitte Hong Kong, pointed out the “relatively less restrictive” needs for the TTPS compared to Singapore’s ONE Pass.

Singapore’s ONE Pass is aimed at talents from any business who earn a monthly wage of S$ 30, 000 and over, or have “outstanding achievements” in the areas of science and engineering, arts and culture, analysis and academia, or sports.

As for Hong Kong’s TTPS, people with annual taxable employment or business income of at least HK$ 2.5 million, working out to about S$ 36, 000 monthly, are eligible to apply. However, this is only one of three categories under which they may apply.

Graduates with at least three years of recent work experience and a list of eligible universities- the top 100 under four designated world rankings- are also eligible to apply for the scheme. &nbsp,

Under the terms of an annual quota set at first-come, first-served, eligible individuals also have less than three years of work experience.

In essence, this means graduates with little or no work experience could obtain what Hong Kong labels as a visa for top talent. The city does not disclose the classification that TTPS applicants applied to. &nbsp,

The TTPS takes a “unique approach” in the region, Mr Tang said. He cited Hong Kong’s “remarkably low” unemployment rate of 2.9 % between November 2023 and January 2024, which, he explained, makes it particularly challenging for businesses to find new employees, especially if they are attempting to increase the workforce.

Mr. Tang said the TTPS aims to attract people with strong academic backgrounds and more than three years of relevant work experience, which is “ideal” for filling crucial mid-management vacancies, in contrast to some programs that focus solely on senior-level professionals and entrepreneurs and or specific communities.

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Commentary: A humbled Yoon must future-proof Seoul’s alliances

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DIFFICULT TO BUILD LASTING Relationships

The meeting’s frantic geopolitics, as well as its attempt to repair ties with its neighbor without making a face-saving new round of applause for the war, was a difficult choice with little benefit for Yoon himself. The US empire is highly regarded by the North Korean people, but it is more wary of growing ties with Japan. &nbsp,

But, South Korea had only look to Washington to see which way the wind is blowing. As the US distances itself from China, it is quickly moving inevitably closer to Japan, which is quickly emerging as one of its most significant international allies. Japan is becoming a more outspoken presence on the international stage in addition to being carefully located in any possible conflict with China. &nbsp,

The possibility of a poor Yoon presidency is already concerning supporters at a time when the multilateral relationship needs to be widened to counter never simply China, but also a North Korea that has deemed the South its “principal enemy.” The leader does not need political approval for international policy initiatives, but he must move forward even though his domestic agenda will be hampered. &nbsp,

International partners&nbsp, usually express concern about the pain in South Korea’s foreign plan when the president changes hands, as it often does in Seoul. Although in part this reflects the state of politics in the once-dictatorship, it makes it challenging to form long-lasting relationships. &nbsp,

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South Korean singer Park Bo-ram, known for Reply 1988 song, dies at 30

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Park Bo-ram, a South Korean singer, confirmed in a statement that she passed away at the age of 30 on Thursday ( Apr 11 ).

When she went to the bathroom, Park was reportedly drinking with two of her companions at one of their homes. Her friends checked her on her and discovered her unconscious around 9:55pm ( South Korean time ) when she refused to leave. &nbsp, Park was taken to the hospital but died around 11: 17pm.

” We at Xanadu Entertainment are seriously depressed and profoundly saddened by the passing. Delivering unexpected information to Park Bo- ram supporters is even more painful, according to the agency.

Xanadu Entertainment further stated that funeral arrangements will be made after her family has been advised, and that the general public should refrain from making theoretical information.

According to South Korean media, Korea JoongAng Daily, an autopsy will be conducted on Saturday ( Apr 13 ) to determine the cause of death, and an investigation into her death is ongoing.

The singer made her official album with the music Beautiful in 2014 after appearing on the Mnet interview present Superstar K2 in 2010.

Some of her music include Sorry, Celepretty and Dynamic Love. Notably, she was also in the OST for the 2015 K- drama Reply 1988 with the song&nbsp, Hyehwadong ( Or Ssangmundong ).

Before her passing, she apparently had been getting ready to make do with her return to honor the tenth anniversary of her album.

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Indonesia denies claims of normalising ties with Israel for OECD membership

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Prior to the Oct. 7 Hamas assault in Israel and the subsequent war against Hamas in Gaza, President Joko Widodo’s office last month denied press reports that Jakarta and Tel Aviv intended to normalize relationships in October 2023.

ISRAEL A State FOR OECD MEMBERSHIP DIPLOMATIC TIES?

According to a number of influential Jewish news sources, Indonesia has agreed to normalize ties with Israel as a prerequisite for joining the OECD.

According to them, the foundation for this arrangement was laid during three weeks of covert conversations between Jakarta, Tel Aviv, and OECD secretary-general Mathias Cormann.

According to the reports, Indonesia has agreed to a provision requiring that it build diplomatic ties with Israel before the organization approves its account.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the Council has publicly agreed to the explicit and clear early conditions that require that Indonesia establish diplomatic relations with all European member nations before any decision is made to confess it to the organization, Mr. Cormann wrote in a letter to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz two weeks ago. The text was officially approved by Indonesia.

In his reply to Mr Cormann on Wednesday, Mr Katz welcomed the discovery. I anticipate that this process may lead to full diplomatic ties between all parties, as I anticipate a positive change in Indonesia’s policy toward Israel, particularly abandoning its angry plan toward it.

In light of the ongoing anti-Israel sentiments caused by its military activities in the Gaza Strip, the normalization of relationships between Indonesia and Israel would be important, according to an unknown Jewish standard.

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