7月１７日は”絵文字の日”でした。絵文字は日本が代表する世界に広まった文化の一つですね。今では様々な絵文字がSNS,メール、テキストで使われ。言葉を使用しなくても絵文字という表現方法で相手に感情や状況を伝えることができます。
Japan in the News
The Embassy celebrated “one of Japan’s greatest-ever exports” on World Emoji Day, July 17. Shigetaka Kurita was the inventive engineer who first brought “picture character” 絵文字 emoji to Japanese phones in the late 1990’s. In 2016, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City added his original designs to their permanent collection, placing the 176 pixel pictures in the company of major works by groundbreaking artists. Read the article here to learn more.
2020年夏は東京で開催されるオリンピック。あと3年を切りましたが、日本の大使達も2020年に向けて各国の協力のもと準備が着々と進んでいます。
Tokyo 2020 Starts Three-Year Countdown
There are now less than three years to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and excitement continues to build for Tokyo residents who can’t wait to host athletes and guests from around the world. To celebrate the milestone, the exterior of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was transformed into a huge screen. Watch the Facebook Live video of the projection here to see memories from past Games and plans for the future.
Japanese Legislators Meet With U.S. Counterparts
A delegation of Japanese Diet legislators led by LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai visited offices across Capitol Hill in July, discussing issues of mutual interest and reaffirming strong Japan-U.S. ties. Meetings included sessions with Senator Orrin Hatch, House Democratic Party Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Armed Services Committee Chair Mac Thornberry and Senator Chuck Schumer. The Diet delegation also went to a meeting hosted by Representative Kevin McCarthy and attended by Congressman Ted Yoho, Congressman Dave Reichert and Congressman Brad Sherman.
日本が誇る古くからの技術をこちらの大使達が発信をしています。
Traditional Craftsmanship Can Be Pretty Metal
From a region renowned across Japan as a producer of beautiful, high-quality swords since the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333), the master craftsmen of the Bizen Otafune Museum in Okayama preserve the art of sword making for visitors and enthusiasts. Japanese swords fit into one of five distinct styles from different production regions, with Bizen swords featuring a unique clover-shaped pattern on the steel surface grain of the blade. Take a deeper look at the meticulous process used to create these remarkable works of art.
