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Tokyo 2020, everything you need to know about the Olympics

The new year has finally arrived and there are only a few months to go before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The Olympics are always a time when the whole world comes together. It is the moment when we all become experts in fencing, discus throwing and weight throwing. In the end, the whole world is like a small town, but the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are shaping up to be a breathtaking show.

All the details on Tokyo 2020

Less than a year after opening, the first official news and programs begin to come out. The opening ceremony will be held on July 24, 2020, and the closing ceremony on August 9, while the Paralympics will take place from August 25 to September 6 of the same year. You can find a complete program of all competitions on the official website.

Where the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will take place

For this occasion, Tokyo has prepared more than 40 places and buildings around the city. The last summer games hosted in this city date back to 1964, the first Olympics in Asia. However, the capital of the rising sun has twice hosted the winter Olympics, in 1972 and 1998.

The logo

Throughout history, the checkered pattern has become very popular in several countries and for various reasons. In Japan, this formally became known as "ichimatsu moyo" in the Edo period (1603-1867). This checkered design in the traditional Japanese colour of indigo blue expresses a refined elegance and sophistication that exemplifies Japan.

Made of three varieties of rectangular shapes, the design represents different countries, cultures and ways of thinking. It incorporates the message of "unity in diversity". It also expresses that the Olympic and Paralympic Games seek to promote diversity as a platform for connecting the world.

Where to find tickets for Tokyo 2020

At the moment, unfortunately, and as expected, the tickets are all sold out. However, a new wave of tickets will be available in the spring.

The new sports

As it often happens with every Olympiad, there are also new competing specialities for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite missing the London and Rio edition, Baseball and Softball officially entered the competition thanks to the strong popularity in Japan. Five nations will compete with the hosts for the gold medal on the diamond field.

Together with these, we can also find Karate, climbing, surfing and skateboarding. In the same wave, basketball adds three-on-three tournaments for eight nations. Rugy seven will not be less, a variant involving only 7 players per side. In addition, golf returns after its debut in Rio.

The medals

Not to be overlooked are the medals that athletes will win during these 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. In fact, for this occasion, Tokyo has created a special project to make these Olympics a little greener. This special project, the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project, will have the task of collecting more than 80,000 tons of mobile phones and small electronic devices to be recycled throughout Japan. These will then serve to create the wonderful medals of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Games.

The project's website said over 6 million mobile phones from a two-year-long national donation were used.

Sport and technology together for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The 2020 Summer Olympics are already shaping up to be spectacular, but the surprises don't end here. Japan is famous for being at the forefront of research and development in various technological fields. In fact, during the opening ceremony, Sky Canvas, with the help of the research company ALE, will illuminate the night sky. The two companies will launch "the ingredients for a shooting star" into the atmosphere using a small satellite device.
In addition, we know that fireworks are very important in Japan and for this occasion, the city plans to create its own controlled meteor shower.

But curiosities continue. Inside the Olympic village, humanoid robots will be available to provide information on nearby accommodation and attractions. However, Japan is not satisfied yet and wants to do things big. In fact, a technology that will allow holographic updates of events inside the stadium is also being developed.

Tokyo 2020 transportation

In terms of transport, Tokyo is known to be one of the most advanced and connected cities in the world. For these 2020 Olympics there will be special measures in place. In fact, to go to your hotel, you can use only one magnetic card for trains, hotel room and taxi without a driver. That's right, a driverless taxi whose road tests are already underway in Tokyo.

But the news regarding transportation in Tokyo 2020 does not end here. In fact, the city will once again introduce the fastest train in the world. Although it will not operate until 2027, Maglev will make its debut at the Tokyo Olympics. This train has broken all ground speed records and is capable of reaching speeds of around 600 km/h.
These futuristic trains operate thanks to the principle of magnetic levitation, allowing the trains to remain suspended on the tracks. It is the absence of friction that allows trains to reach these speeds, while continuing to comply with strict Japanese safety standards. In short, a taste of that science fiction future that until now we have only seen in movies.

Shinkansen N700s Supreme

During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the new Shinkansen N700S series, also called Shinkansen Supreme, will debut.
Completely redesigned in a more intelligent and silent mode, this train will operate on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. Being 11 tons lighter than the previous generation, it will consume less energy and will run between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.

The new station of the Yamanote line

In honor of this event, the Yamanote line will also inaugurate a new station: Takanawa Gateway Station. Located between Shinagawa and Tamachi stations, the new one will offer access to Haneda Airport Monorail and the JR Keihin-Tohoku line. Designed in the eki naka style, the Takagawa Gateway station will rise on 4 floors with a public area that will host a great shield for watching the 2020 Olympic Games.

We are very much looking forward to these Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and you?

Sources: olympic.org, mainichi.jp, kyodonews.net, timelapsetokyo.com, japan-forward.com

by erikaswan

Akira Isogawa: Japanese Australian legend

Japan is famous and attractive not only to Italy’s eyes but also worldwide and Akira Isogawa’s work is an example. With the opening of Japan to the world, Japanese people have travelled and moved to different countries. Akira Isogawa is now Australia’s most famous Japanese resident.

Who is Akira Isogawa

Born in Kyoto, Japan in 1964, he emigrated to Australia in 1986 and he is now one of the most famous Fashion Designer in the land down under. He studied fashion at the East Sydney Technical College drawing inspiration from contemporary Japanese design. By the late 1990s, he was known internationally together with his womenswear label Akira. His clothes appear under his own label and are sold in Australia and New Zealand, and 10 other countries. As of now, he is one of the few Australian designers to exhibit and sell his clothing in Paris.

The Australian Legend

In 2005, caught by surprise, he became an “Australian Legend” and he was invited to appear on a commemorative postage stamp. This honor is just one of the many awards received by Isogawa for his achievements in over 25 years of career

He told The Japan times “To be honest, I had no idea that Australia Post was so progressive and innovative in their marketing,” he says, laughing. “I thought you had to be dead to appear on a postage stamp, let alone working actively in your field. I still have so much yet to do!”

Life in Australia

Australia and its fashion scene have embraced Akira Isogawa as one of their own. He feels very closed to his adoptive home, also thanks to a maternal cousin living in the New South Wales town of Mittagong.
The government launched a Working Holiday visa program that gave Isogawa the chance to realize his ambitions of studying and working in fashion.

Arrived in Australia in the mid-80s and having some difficulties in the first weeks of his stay, things got better after the city’s groundbreaking RAT (Recreational Arts Team) dance parties were born. Here Isogawa could connect with like-minded people and let his talent flourish.
After enrolling in a fashion course at the East Sydney Technical College, he opened his first shop using all his savings.

“Sydney is my base,” Isogawa says. “Growing up in Kyoto, I always felt as if I belonged elsewhere. I don’t think I can behave ‘typically’ Japanese and follow societal rules. I understand how such rules are necessary and help Japan to function as efficiently as it does. But I’m a rule breaker, and that’s permitted here in Australia. It’s a real relief.”

However, everyone always misses the homeland. Akira Isogawa too admits a nostalgic longing for the tranquil Kyoto of his childhood. He refers to the Japanese art of “reading the air,” where things are understood, but not necessarily said.

The 1990s

However, it’s in the 90s that Isogawa’s work and his label Akira exploded and was known all over the world. After his debut show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia in 1996, this now became a regular outlet for his work, but not only. In fact, these runways were just the beginning and he landed a spot in Paris fashion shows. Here he caught Joan Burstein’s eye, the international fashion buyer who helped launch names such as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano in the U.K.

Another pivotal moment was Naomi Campbell wearing Akira’s kimono-inspired dress on the cover of Vogue Australia in 1997.

“That cover was a turning point in my career; it can’t be understated. It was amazing,” reminisces Isogawa. “I’m also very grateful to the media, everyone who supported me. But at the same time, it was so stressful. I couldn’t handle everything and ended up with a receptionist, among 25 other full-time staff.”

After the Fashion Madness

In 2004, he met with CEO of Australian Wool Innovation and Isogawa became the ambassador for Australian Wool. The institute was looking for a designer who could update wool’s image so in 2005, Akira Isogawa created a new kind of fabric. A featherweight, fine wool gauze inspired by silk georgette.

“I wanted (the textile) to be light. I wanted wool to be reinterpreted as transeasonal,” he says. “The wool gauze is quite fragile, beautifully soft and 100 percent Australian merino. I still have it in stock.”

Akira Isogawa Today

Now that life is a little bit calmer, Isogawa is free to explore new visions and different outlets for his work. In fact, we can see him collaborating on artistic projects, such as costume design for the Sydney Dance Company.

The Akira womenswear brand is famous for mixing elements of East and West in both terms of textiles, techniques and design. The freedom afforded to Akira’s work and life as an Australian immigrant helped him develop his own personal style.
As a firm believer in slow and sustainable fashion, Akira Isogawa’s garments transcend time, oblivious to trends, and they are to be worn again and again.

Source: japantimes.co.jp
Photos: japantimes.co.jp

by erikaswan

2019 Kanji of the year: 令

2020 is finally here and like every year, Japan has elected the “Kanji of the year” and for 2019 the choice was very logical.

December and January always force us to do some retrospectives on the year that just passed and the choice for Kanji of the year is not less worthy.
Administered by the Kyoto-based Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, a single Japanese character is chosen by open ballot. The final choice is meant to embody a deep significance for the year as it comes to a close.

This yearly tradition is announced by Seihan Mori, the head abbot of Kyoto’s historical Kiyomizudera Temple. This is not a normal announcement, in fact, the head abbot writes the kanji with a giant calligraphy brush while standing on the temple’s balcony.

This time, 216,325 votes were cast, and the winner kanji of the year is 令 pronounced rei.

Rei means “order” (in the sense of orderly control), however, in some contexts it can also mean “beautiful”. This kanji has become famous during 2019 not just as the winner choice, but also when Reiwa, Japan’s new imperial era, was announced. The Japanese government clarified that the meaning of this new era is “beautiful harmony”

令/rei received 30,427, roughly 14% of the total votes. Considering that the Japanese language has more than 2100 regular-use kanji, this is still a very important result for any single character. Second-place was occupied by 新/shin, meaning “new,” and third-place 和/wa, which means “harmony” and is the second kanji in Reiwa.

2019 was a very important year for Japan since it marked the change in the imperial era since 1989. The selection of 令/rei isn’t much of a surprise. However, it reflects a happier mindset than the Kanji of the Year in 2018 (“disaster”), 2017 (“north,” in reference to North Korean missile launches) and 2014 (“tax,” the result of an unpopular sales tax increase that year).

Hopefully, 令和/rei will be not just a reminder of the significant changes of 2019, but also a ray of hope that more beautiful things are coming in 2020.

And with this, we want to wish a Happy New Year to all our readers, your families and loved ones. 明けましておめでとうございます。

Sources: ©SoraNews24
Images ©SoraNews24, japon-secreto.com

by erikaswan