HANOI – Japan’s emperor arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a whirlwind tour that will include a meeting with families of Japanese soldiers who stayed there after World War II.

The emperor and empress were received by Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and guards of honour at the Hanoi airport, where national flags were displayed.

The 83-year-old Akihito and his wife, Michiko, are on their first visit to the country, the latest in a series of trips to former battlegrounds.

“It is our hope that our visit to Vietnam will contribute to the further development of the mutual understanding and friendly relations between our two countries,” Akihito said earlier at Tokyo’s Haneda airport.

Akihito and Michiko are scheduled to visit Hanoi and the former imperial capital of Hue, according to the official programme.

On Thursday they are set to meet family members of some of the Japanese soldiers who stayed in Vietnam after the end of Japan’s five-year occupation in 1945.

Many of the 700 soldiers joined forces with Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in his fight for independence from colonial ruler France.

They were ordered to return home by Japanese authorities after France was defeated in 1954, but the first wave was not allowed to bring their Vietnamese wives or children.

Their families were often left in poverty and faced accusations of treachery for setting up house with the former enemy.

“This is a very meaningful visit for both Japan and Vietnam as the emperor, who is expected to retire soon, shows his deep sympathy towards people who suffered from history, even if he can’t apologise,” Yuji Otabe, professor at Shizuoka University of Welfare and expert on Japanese modern history, told AFP.

358719

2016-12-23 19:44:36

Photo Gallery

Huge crowds cheer Japan emperor on 83rd birthday

Source:

AFP

Reuters

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

Japan is a leading investor in rapidly industrialising Vietnam and its top aid donor.

The countries have grown cosy in recent years as they wage separate maritime disputes with China.

The alliance is even more important since the election of US President Donald Trump which has thrown regional relations into question, according to Netherlands-based Vietnam analyst Jonathan London.

366448

2017-01-02 12:49:35

Photo Gallery

Japan’s royal family greets well-wishers

Source:

Reuters

AFP

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

“The election of Trump and all the chaos that that has and continues to generate has produced a profound destabilising element in the region,” he told AFP.

“Vietnam and Japan are keen to promote or project greater strength and certainty about their relationship.”

The pair fly on to Thailand on Sunday to pay respects to King Vajiralongkorn, who came to the throne after the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej in October.

The tour comes after Akihito suggested last year he is ready to step down, citing his age and increasing frailty.

379820

2017-02-23 13:43:47

Photo Gallery

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito

Source:

Reuters

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologised on Tuesday for failing to save an elderly German hostage who was beheaded by Islamic militants, but insisted ransoms should not be paid.

The Abu Sayyaf, a kidnap-for-ransom network in the southern Philippines that has declared allegiance to the Islamic State group, killed Jurgen Kantner, 70, on Sunday after its demands for 30 million pesos (S$840,000) were not met.

Addressing the German government and Kantner’s family, Duterte said he was “very sorry” about his death and that the military had stepped up an offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in an effort to save him.

“We really tried our best. We have been there. The military operation has been going on for some time already but we have failed. That has to be admitted,” Duterte told reporters.

“But it’s a matter of policy that we do not surrender to the demands of paying ransom. It will just increase the numbers,” he said, referring to the Islamic militants.

The Abu Sayyaf, established with seed money from Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network, have been kidnapping foreigners and locals for decades and holding them for ransom on its remote island strongholds in the southern Philippines.

Kantner’s vessel, the Rockall, was found drifting on November 7 off the southern Philippines with the body of his female companion, Sabine Merz, who had been shot. The Abu Sayyaf claimed credit for the kidnapping.

Military officials on Tuesday said they were still searching for his body, while vowing to “relentlessly pursue” the militants and rescue more than 20 other hostages.

Duterte on Tuesday emphasised that paying ransoms only fuelled the industry.

“If you give in and pay, there will be more victims and no end in sight,” Duterte said.

The Abu Sayyaf has earned many millions of dollars in ransom payments, and rarely releases a hostage unless money is paid, according to security analysts.

Relatives and employers of hostages typically pay, rather than governments.

Duterte also repeated Tuesday his request for China to help patrol regional waters to stop more kidnappings, saying Beijing had not given him a response.

Duterte specified he would like China to patrol the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes between the Malaysian peninsula and Indonesia’s Sumatra island.

Padang restaurants are available almost everywhere in Indonesia and loved by millions but this can mean that sometimes it’s a little bit hard to find authentic Padang restaurants.

Worry not, as these six simple tricks will help you identify the authentic ones among the sea of Padang restaurants across Indonesia.

Black tea

Most people in Indonesia order a drink before the meal, or during the preparation of the meal.

Therefore, an ice tea usually sits on your table before any dishes do.

The first way to identify an authentic Padang restaurant is by tasting the tea, because most authentic Padang restaurants use black tea instead of regular tea.

It’s darker, a little bitter but tastes stronger compared to regular teas.

The accent

The logic behind this point is basic, because if you are looking to eat authentic Padang dishes from an authentic Padang restaurant, you certainly want the dishes to be cooked by a Padang person.

Identifying the Padang accent is not too difficult either as is very distinctive, with many words ending in “-o” and sometimes a loud tonality.

Thick ‘gulai’

If you visit Padang restaurants regularly, maybe you have noticed that the gulai sauce served in some of the restaurants is thick.

The usage of different spices and coconut milk are certainly two of the factors behind the thickness of authentic Padang gulai.

Offal and its tenderness

Padang restaurants love to serve their meat at a perfect level of tenderness.

This is also another way to spot an authentic Padang restaurant: order a plate of offal, which is usually served with a thick gulai sauce as mentioned previously.

If it’s tender and melts inside your mouth, then there is a high chance you just had offal cooked in an authentic Padang restaurant.

Rendang characteristic

As the dish that brought Padang cuisine to stardom, rendang is an important element in every topic about Padang cuisine.

And in case you’re wondering, authentic rendang can be identified by several characteristics: it’s dry, tastes a little hot and spicy, also has a traditional smell of dried coconut milk, even though sometimes you may find rendang with a hint of sweetness and a watery sauce, which is not authentic at all.

‘Manatian piriang’

As soon as the waiters bring the food to your table, usually several plates at once, you can notice the style of plate-carrying used by authentic Padang restaurants waiters.

It’s called manatiang piriang and this style has always been entertaining.

TOKYO – A Japanese fan who stabbed a budding pop music star dozens of times in a frenzied attack at a concert was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison on Tuesday.

Tomohiro Iwazaki, 28, was arrested last year after stabbing Mayu Tomita, a young pop star and actress, in the neck and chest.

The Tokyo District Court ruled that Iwazaki be jailed for 14 years and six months, Jiji Press reported.

Read also: Japanese pop star attacked by knife-wielding fan

115226

2014-06-10 18:57:03

Photo Gallery

Girls-group AKB48 gets new leader

Source: AKB48

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

Prosecutors, who had demanded 17 years, argued the defendant had “a strong will” to murder Tomita in anger after she returned a gift he had sent her, Jiji said.

Female Japanese pop stars, known as “idols,” often cultivate a girl-next-door image, appearing at fan events and performing at smaller venues.

They attract large followings among mostly young men, though the devotion of some has turned violent.

In 2014 two teenage members of hugely popular girl group AKB48 were attacked by a man wielding a saw at one of its regular events where they mingle with fans.

Read also: Saw-wielding man attacks Japan girl group AKB48​

Fans vote for leader of girl-group AKB48 after saw attack

111196

2014-05-26 13:33:22

Photo Gallery

Japan girl group AKB48

Source: Anime Festival Asia, The New Paper, AFP,

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

DHAKA – A Bangladesh court handed down the death sentence on Tuesday for five Islamist militants found guilty of killing a Japanese citizen, court officials said.

Kunio Hoshi, 65, was gunned down in October 2015 by masked men on a motorcycle on his way to visit a grass farm project in the northern district of Rangpur.

The killing came less than a week after an Italian aid worker had been killed in a similar fashion in Dhaka’s diplomatic quarter.

Public prosecutor Rathish Chandra Bhawmik said the five had conspired to kill Hoshi to destabilize the government and the country.

Police said the accused were members of the banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh.

Read also: German hostage beheaded by Philippine Islamists: Govt

The court acquitted one defendant as charges against him could not be proved.

Attacks on foreigners are rare in Bangladesh.

But it has seen a rising tide of Islamist violence over recent years, in which at least six online critics of religious militancy were hacked to death, among them a US citizen of Bangladesh origin.

Since 2013, a total of 48 people, including 20 in cafe attack, have been killed or seriously wounded by Islamist militants.

Abul Hossain, defending, said he would appeal.

“We are not satisfied with this judgment and we will go to the Supreme Court after getting full copy of the verdicts,” he said.