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3/19/2026 Music and Friendship
Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, music becomes an indispensable presence for us music lovers. Classical music in particular—even as the number of active performers is said to be declining—possesses a profound artistry and emotional depth that nourish the soul and stir our most delicate feelings. But the allure of music extends beyond stimulating individual sensibilities. It also has the power to foster friendships. I myself have met many friends and deepened my bon

Emi Igarashi / Editor


2/22/2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, A blog post from Japan
Here is a lightly polished version that keeps your voice, warmth, and reflective tone while smoothing flow and clarity: Hello from Kobe, Japan, Although Miho Takagi’s result in last night’s Milan–Cortina Olympics women’s 1500m speed skating was disappointing, I would like to close these two weeks by expressing my gratitude for the many dramatic and moving moments we witnessed. My applause goes not only to the medalists but also to those who did not reach the podium. I believe

Takeaki Iida


1/10/2026 Mr. Tsutomu Ando’s Solo Tenor Recital – Still Going Strong at 99
Now, in the alumni association of the company where I used to work, there is a gentleman named Tsutomu Ando, who will be celebrating his 99th birthday this year (according to the traditional Japanese age‑counting system). He holds a solo recital every few years as a hobby, and I recently received an invitation announcing that he will be giving a concert to commemorate his 99th birthday. I am once again amazed that there are such energetic elderly people. Although I worked in

Takeaki Iida
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