Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia
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China will ‘take off the gloves’ if Trump continues on Taiwan
January 15-31, 2017
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
Publisher: Li Wong Account Manager: Adrian West Contributors: Andrian Putra, May Lee, Mark Ho Photographer: Ben Hioe
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All Rights Reserved: including those to reproduce this printing or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from Georgia Asian Times. Established in 2004, the Georgia Asian Times is published by Asiamax Inc. All facts, opinions, and statements appearing within this publication are those of writers and editors themseleves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, endorsements by Georgia Asian Times or its officers. Georgia Asian Times assumes no responsibility for damages from the use of information contained in this publication or the reply to any advertisement. The Publisher will not be liable for any error in advertising to greater extent than the cost of space occupied by the error and will only be made for a single publication date. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any ad or articles submitted for publication that may not be in good taste for a free publication.
GAT Calendar of Events GAT welcome submission of announcement pertaining to community related events. Please email event, date, venue, and time to gat@gasiantimes.com. GAT does not guarantee insertion of event announcement and has the right to deny any posting.
17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade Celebration Organized by United Ebony Society of Gwinnett County Date: Monday, Jan 16, 2017 Time: 11:00 am Venue: 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville GA 30046 For more info: www.gwinnettmlkparade.com Atlanta Tet Festival Date: January 22, 2017 Time: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Venue: Space Ballroom, 6100 Live Oak Parkway, Norcross GA 30093 Admission: $5.00 adult, children under 4 feet - free For more info: www.atlantatetfestival. com 2017 Tet Lunar New Year of Rooster Festival Organized by Vietnamese American Community of Georgia Date: Sunday, Jan 29, 2017 Time: 10:00 am-10:00 pm Venue: Space Ballroom, 6100 Live Oak Parkway, Norcross GA 30093 For more info: www.vac-ga.org
2017 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival Date: Jan 28 & 29, 2017 Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Venue: Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Culture Office in Atlanta Admission: $5 adult, children Free 5303 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee NACA Chinese New Year Gala Date: Saturday, Feb 4, 2016 Time: 6:00 pm Venue: Canton House For more info: www.naca-atlanta.org Lunar New Year Spring Reception Organized by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York Date: Thursday, Feb 16, 2016 Time: 6:30 pm -8:30 pm By invitation only. “One Belt, One Road� Forum Guest speaker: John Rice, Vice Chair, GE Energy Organized by Hong Kong Association, Carter Center Date: March 2, 2016 Venue: Carter Center
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
METRO ASIAN NEWS
Partnership Gwinnett’s $3.75 million campaign to improve economic development in Gwinnett County Duluth, Jan 13, 2017 — Community leaders in Gwinnett County officially launched a $3.75 million campaign to allow Partnership Gwinnett, the county’s economic development agency to continue its efforts to improve Gwinnett County’s economy.
challenges, we must not only continue the work we’ve done, but do more to improve the economic landscape of Gwinnett County,” said Nick Masino, Partnership Gwinnett’s Chief Economic Development Officer at the breakfast campaign kickoff.
Partnership Gwinnett (PG) is undertaking the capital campaign to fund a three-pronged economic development initiative centered on three goals:
Campaign Co-Chair Don Swift added, “Partnership Gwinnett’s success depends on businesses and other organizations that have a stake in Gwinnett’s strength and prosperity to step up, engage, and exercise financial leadership by investing.”
Goal 1: Business Development: Recruit, retain and expand businesses. Goal 2: Talent Development: Create, retain and attract the skilled workforce area businesses need. Goal 3: Community Development: Support efforts to improve quality of place and quality of life. “Since Partnership Gwinnett’s inception in 2007, it has assisted in the creation of 18,000 new jobs and more than $1.3 Billion in capital investment, but because of competition and other
Former Georgia’s Commissioner of Economic Development, Craig Lesser provided the keynote addres at the breakfast meeting. The campaign will seek private sector investors to fund PG’s activities through 2021.
Annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast kicks off 2017 Legislative Session Atlanta, January 11, 2017 – Over 2300 participants attended the annual annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast at the Georgia World Congress Center on Tuesday morning. State and federal lawmakers, business leaders, and guests gathered for the kick-off of the 2017 session of the Georgia General Assembly. In opening remarks, 2017 Georgia Chamber Chairman Bill Linginfelter focused on “Georgia 2030”, the Chamber’s strategic plan to meet the next decade’s challenges. According to Linginfelter, his priority for the year ahead would be, “to continue to work with our elected leaders to protect the positive, pro-business reputation of Georgia.” Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark described his vision for 2017. Clark cited early engagement in the 2018 election cycle, protecting and improving Georgia’s legal environment, and using the GeorgiaLeads program to strengthen Georgia’s workforce, as a few of his top priorities. Furthermore, Clark unveiled plans to expand the Chamber’s footprint in rural Georgia and take the their strategic
plan statewide with the newly chartered “Authentic Georgia” initiative. “We are excited to announce that for the first time in our history, the Chamber will open a regional office in Tifton, Georgia in 2017,” said Clark. Attendees at the 2017 Eggs & Issues Breakfast were thrilled to welcome U.S Senator David Perdue via video address. Perdue elaborated on new opportunities to advance pro-business policies in our nation’s capital. Perdue told guests, “There is a sense of urgency in Washington to get things done and I’m excited to get to work.” Governor Nathan Deal also outlines his plans for 2017 legislative session at the Eggs & Issues. In their addresses, both Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Speaker David Ralston pledged to continue keeping Georgia open for business while addressing needs for education reform and transportation investment, respectively.
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
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NATIONS
Lunar New Year Stamp Rings in 2017 - Year of the Rooster Newest Addition to Stamp Series Seattle, Jan. 5, 2017 -- The U.S. Postal Service dedicated the Year of the Rooster Forever stamp, the 10th of 12 stamps in the Celebrating Lunar New Year series during a First-Day-of-Issue ceremony at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Considered the most important holiday of the year for many Asian communities around the world, the Lunar New Year is celebrated primarily by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan and Mongolian heritage. In the United States and elsewhere, the occasion is marked in various ways, including parades featuring enormous and vibrantly painted papier-mache dragons, parties and other special events. Vendors at outdoor markets sell flowers, toys, food and other items. Musicians play drums to celebrate a time of renewed hope for the future. Many families present red envelopes (hongbao), like the one depicted in the stamp art, containing money to children and loved ones. “Today’s event is important, not only because it’s our first stamp dedication
of the new calendar year, but also because it gives the Postal Service a chance to reinforce our commitment to celebrate America’s great diversity through our stamps,” said Greg Graves, vice president, Western Area Operations, who dedicated the stamp. “The beautiful Year of the Rooster Forever stamp is a sterling example of the Postal Service’s mission to issue stamps that demonstrate our country’s deep regard for its rich, multi-cultural heritage.” Graves was joined at the stamp dedication by Yibo Lu, director, Chinese Radio Seattle’s CRS Office; Beth Takekawa, executive director, The Wing Luke Museum; Ron Chew, chief executive officer, Chew Communications; and Assunta Ng, founder and publisher, Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly. The Postal Service introduced this Celebrating Lunar New Year series in 2008 and will continue the series through 2019 with stamps for the Years of the Dog and Boar. This is the second series honoring Lunar New Year. The first ran in 1992 to 2007.
Year of the Rooster is being issued as a souvenir sheet of 12 self-adhesive Forever stamps. The public is asked to share the news of the stamp using the hashtag #LunarNewYear. Art director Ethel Kessler worked on the series with illustrator Kam Mak, a Hong Kong-born artist who grew up in New York City’s Chinatown and now lives in Brooklyn. The artwork focuses on some of the common ways the Lunar New Year holiday is celebrated. For the Year of the Rooster, the illustration — originally created using oil paints on panel — depicts a colorful rooster emblazoned on a red envelope. The color red symbolizes luck in Chinese culture, while rooster imagery is often used to ward off evil spirits. The characters at the top of the envelope form a common Chinese greeting of celebration and wish for prosperity and good fortune, used most frequently during Lunar New Year. Kessler’s stamp design also incorporates two elements from the previous series of Lunar New Year stamps: Clarence Lee’s intricate cut-paper design of a rooster and the Chinese character for
“rooster,” drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun. Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks Customers have 60 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to: Year of the Rooster Stamp Fulfillment Services Cancellation Services 8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210 Kansas City, MO 64144-9998 After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by March 5, 2017.
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
BUSINESS Nutella maker fights back on palm oil after cancer risk study Alba, Jan 11, 2017 — The $44 billion palm oil industry, under pressure in Europe after authorities listed the edible oil as a cancer risk, has found a vocal ally in the food sector: the maker of Nutella. Italian confectionery firm Ferrero has taken a public stand in defense of an ingredient that some other food companies in the country are boycotting. It has launched an advertising campaign to assure the public about the safety of Nutella, its flagship product which makes up about a fifth of its sales. The hazelnut and chocolate spread, one of Italy’s best-known food brands and a popular breakfast treat for children, relies on palm oil for its smooth texture and shelf life. Other substitutes, such as sunflower oil, would change its character, according to Ferrero. “Making Nutella without palm oil would produce an inferior substitute for the real product, it would be a step backward,” Ferrero’s purchasing manager Vincenzo Tapella told Reuters. He features in a TV commercial aired in Italy over the past three months that has drawn criticism from some politicians. Any move away from palm oil would also have economic implications as it is the cheapest vegetable oil, costing around $800 a ton, compared with $845 for sunflower oil and $920 for rapeseed oil, another possible substitute. Ferrero uses about 185,000 tons of palm oil a year, so replacing it with those substitutes could cost the firm an extra $8-22 million annually, at those prices. The company declined to comment on these calculations. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said in May that palm oil generated more of a potentially carcinogenic contaminant than other vegetable oils when refined at temperatures
above 200 degrees Celsius. It did not, however, recommend consumers stop eating it and said further study was needed to assess the level of risk. The detailed research into the contaminant – known as GE – was commissioned by the European Commission in 2014 after an EFSA study the year before, into substances generated during industrial refining, identified it as being potentially harmful. EFSA does not have the power to make regulations, though the issue is under review by the European Commission. The spokesman for Health and Food Safety, Enrico Brivio, said guidance would be issued by the end of this year. Measures could include regulations to limit the level of GE in food products, but there will not be a ban on the use of palm oil, he added. The World Health Organization and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization flagged the same potential risk that EFSA had warned of regarding GE, but did not recommend consumers stop eating palm oil. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also has not banned the use of palm oil in food. The issue became a hot consumer topic in Italy after the largest supermarket chain, Coop, boycotted palm oil in all its own-brand products following the EFSA study, describing the move as a “precaution”. Italy’s biggest baker, Barilla, also eliminated it and put “palm oil-free” labels on its wares. The retailers’ decisions followed pressure from activists, including Italy’s main farming association Coldiretti and online food magazine Il Fatto Alimentare, which called on all food firms to stop using palm oil. High temperatures are used to remove palm oil’s natural red color and neutralize its smell, but Ferrero says it uses an industrial process that combines a temperature of just below 200C and extremely low pressure to
minimize contaminants. The process takes longer and costs 20 percent more than high-temperature refining, Ferrero told Reuters. But it said this had allowed it to bring GE levels so low that scientific instruments find it hard to trace the chemical. “The palm oil used by Ferrero is safe because it comes from freshly squeezed fruits and is processed at controlled temperatures,” Tapella says in the TV ad, which was filmed at the firm’s factory in the northern town of Alba and was accompanied by full-page ads in newspapers carrying the same message. EFSA declined to comment on the possible risks of refining palm oil at lower temperatures. ITALIAN SALES HIT Ferrero is by no means the only big European food firm to keep using palm oil in its products since the EFSA report. The likes of Unilever and Nestle use it in products including chocolate, snacks and margarine. The two companies said they were monitoring the contaminant issue and were working with their suppliers to keep GE at lowest possible levels. Ferrero is the only big European food company to mount such a public defense of the use of the ingredient in its products following the EFSA opinion. The company told Reuters it carried out “hundreds of thousands of tests” on contaminants in both the palm oil it uses and finished products. Retail sales of Nutella in Italy fell by about 3 percent in the 12 months to the end of August, which Ferrero partly blamed on rivals promoting products as palm oil-free. To address consumer concern the company launched its advertising campaign in September and says it is now showing results. Nutella sales in Italy rose 4 percent
in the last four months of 2016, said Alessandro D’Este, the head of Ferrero’s Italy business. Global Nutella sales have been unaffected by the EFSA opinion and are growing at 5-6 percent annually, the company said. Family owned Ferrero, which is not publicly listed, did not disclose its sales for Europe outside its home market. The group ended its fiscal year to August with total revenue of 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion), of which around 2 billion euros came from Nutella sales. ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS EFSA’s 284-page study comes on top of environmental concerns that have dogged the palm oil industry for several years. Green groups have accused the industry of causing deforestation. Several firms using the ingredient, including Ferrero, say they buy palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, which works with producers to reduce the negative impacts of cultivation on the environment. Tapella told Reuters that Nutella had contained palm oil since its creation in the 1960s and that the group relied only on palm plantations certified as sustainable. Ferrero’s advertising campaign has drawn some political fire. The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, which is running neck-and-neck with the ruling Democratic Party in opinion polls, has asked the Italian advertising authority to block Ferrero’s campaign and fine it for misleading consumers on both health and environmental risks. A spokeswoman for the advertising authority said it had yet to decide whether to reject the 5-Star complaint or take measures against Ferrero, adding that the process could take several more weeks.
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
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BUSINESS
Businesses can unlock $12 Trillion via key development goals, according to Davos study Davos, Jan 16, 2017 — Companies could unlock at least US$12 trillion in market opportunities by 2030 and create up to 380 million jobs by implementing a few key development goals, according to a study by a group including global business and finance leaders. The report, released today by the Business and Sustainable Development Commission, said pressure on business to become a “responsible social actor” was likely to grow. The group was launched at the Davos 2016 World Economic Forum to encourage businesses to take the lead in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Members include the chief executives of multinational firms such as Edelman, Pearson, Investec, Merck, Safaricom, Abraaj, Alibaba and Aviva, alongside academics, environmentalists, trade union leaders and philanthropists. The study said businesses have a key role to play in achieving the United Na-
tions’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to end poverty and protect the planet. “Achieving the global goals opens up an economic prize of at least US$12 trillion by 2030 for the private sector and potentially 2-3 times more,” the study said, adding this could be achieved by action in just four areas energy, cities, agriculture and health. The US$12 trillion — made up of business savings and revenue gains — would be equal to a tenth of forecast global economic output while 90 per cent of the new jobs would be in the developing world, the study said. Progress has been slow, however, and the study said businesses are still balking at longer-term investments, preferring instead to sit on cash or return it to shareholders via buybacks and dividends. The 17 SDGs, adopted in September 2015, include targets on such issues as climate, clean water, gender equality and economic inequality.
The last of these has grabbed attention in recent years, bringing to prominence populist and nationalist politicians, especially in the West, as anger has grown over stagnant wages, migration, high CEO salaries and corporate tax evasion. “We anticipate much greater pressure on business to prove itself a responsible social actor, creating good, properly paid jobs in its supply chains as well as in its factories and offices,” the report said, adding that paying taxes transparently was key to rebuilding social contract. Other steps it urged include pricing pollution via carbon trading and reducing food waste, a step that by itself could be worth up to US$405 billion. The cost of achieving these goals by 2030 will likely require US$2.4 trillion of additional annual investment, however, especially in infrastructure, the study found. The group recommended “innovative
financing” from public and private sector sources to raise this amount, adding: “The global finance system needs to become much better at deploying the trillions of dollars of savings into the sustainable investments that ... the world needs.” — Reuters
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
LIFESTYLE
Ringling Bros circus closing show after 146 years Washington DC, Jan 15, 2017 — Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced yesterday it will host its final show in May, ending “The Greatest Show on Earth” after 146 years. Company executives cited high operating costs and declining ticket sales after the American circus retired its elephants — a main draw — as some of the factors that triggered its downfall.
Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of show producer Feld Entertainment, said he and his family came to the “difficult” decision to end the circus “after much evaluation and deliberation.” “Nearly 50 years ago, my father founded our company with the acquisition of Ringling Bros.,” he said in a statement on the group’s website.”
“The circus and its people have continually been a source of inspiration and joy to my family and me, which is why this was such a tough business decision to make.” The final “Circus XTREME” show will take place at the Dunkin’ Donuts Centre in Providence, Rhode Island on May 7, while the group’s “Out Of This World” tour will take place May 21 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. In May 2015, the circus retired its performing elephants after major criticism from animal rights groups, including widely circulated videos from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that showed a male handler hitting elephants with an ankus, or pointed stick. The Ringling Brothers herd was the largest in the western hemisphere for Asian elephants, listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which says 40,000-50,000 exist in
the world in highly fragmented populations. “It is sad. You feel it is the end of an era,” said long-time trainer Trudy Williams at the time. Ringling Brothers was also embroiled in a 14-year lawsuit in which animal rights groups alleged the circus was mistreating its herd. The case was eventually thrown out after a lead witness was found to have been paid for his testimony by animal rights groups. By 2014, the plaintiffs, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society, had been ordered to pay the circus $25 million to reimburse its legal fees.
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
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FEATURE
China will ‘take off the gloves’ if Trump continues on Taiwan, state media warns Beijing, Jan 16, 2017 — China will “take off the gloves” and take strong action if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump continues to provoke Beijing over Taiwan once he assumes office, two leading state-run newspapers said on Monday. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Friday, Trump said the “One China” policy was up for negotiation. China’s foreign ministry, in response, said “One China” was the foundation of China-U.S. ties and was non-negotiable. Trump broke with decades of precedent last month by taking a congratulatory telephone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, angering Beijing which sees Taiwan as part of China. “If Trump is determined to use this gambit in taking office, a period of fierce, damaging interactions will be unavoidable, as Beijing will have no choice but to take off the gloves,” the English-language China Daily said.
The Global Times, an influential state-run tabloid, echoed the China Daily, saying Beijing would take “strong countermeasures” against Trump’s attempt to “impair” the “One China” principle. “The Chinese mainland will be prompted to speed up Taiwan reunification and mercilessly combat those who advocate Taiwan’s independence,” the paper said in an editorial. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the United States was clearly aware of China’s position on “One China”. “Any person should understand that in this world there are certain things that cannot be traded or bought and sold,” she told a daily news briefing. “The One China principle is the precondition and political basis for any country having relations with China.”
Hua added, “If anyone attempts to damage the One China principle or if they are under the illusion they can use this as a bargaining chip, they will be opposed by the Chinese government and people. “In the end it will be like lifting a rock to drop it on one’s own feet,” she said, without elaborating. TAIWAN MAY BE “SACRIFICED” The Global Times said Trump’s endorsement of Taiwan was merely a ploy to further his administration’s short term interests, adding: “Taiwan may be sacrificed as a result of this despicable strategy.” “If you do not beat them until they are bloody and bruised, then they will not retreat,” Yang Yizhou, deputy head of China’s government-run All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, told an academic meeting on cross-straits relations in Beijing on Saturday. Taiwan independence must “pay a cost” for every step forward taken, “we must use bloodstained facts to show them that the road is blocked,” Yang said, according to a Monday report
on the meeting by the official People’s Daily Overseas Edition. The United States, which switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, has acknowledged the Chinese position that there is only “One China” and that Taiwan is part of it. The China Daily said Beijing’s relatively measured response to Trump’s comments in the Wall Street Journal “can only come from a genuine, sincere wish that the less-than-desirable, yet by-and-large manageable, big picture of China-U.S. relations will not be derailed before Trump even enters office”. But China should not count on the assumption that Trump’s Taiwan moves are “a pre-inauguration bluff, and instead be prepared for him to continue backing his bet”. “It may be costly. But it will prove a worthy price to pay to make the next U.S. president aware of the special sensitivity, and serious consequences of his Taiwan game,” said the national daily. - Reuters
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
TECH
Microsoft rolls out new Windows 10 ‘Creators Update’ to testers San Francisco, Jan 13 — Although the next major Windows 10 update (“Creators Update”) is expected in spring 2017, Microsoft has released a new and improved version of its operating system (Build 15002) for testers signed up to the Windows Insider programme.
Finally, this update brings its share of corrections, fixing brightness settings issues, improving Coraina popups in Edge, and fixing crashes when browsing folders on the OneDrive cloud storage facility.
It features a host of improvements and new features, notably for the Cortana intelligent personal assistant and the Edge Internet browser.
Note that this version doesn’t bring any major changes to interface design and doesn’t yet integrate any elements of “Projet Neon,” a fresh and streamlined redesign that uses transparency and blurring.
Microsoft just can’t leave the “Start” menu alone, it seems. This latest update lets users create custom folders filled with the tiles of their choice. The Cortana intelligent personal assistant gets a host of new functions in the update. It can, for example, start playing a radio station or a movie, search for recipes, and handle recurring time-based reminders (“every month” or “every year”), which can be handy for paying bills or remembering birthdays. The update also brings Touchpad improvements, adding audio volume controls and greater flexibility in touch settings and controls.
Installation media (ISO) for Build 15002 should be made available in the week beginning January 16 to members of the Windows Insider programme, allowing interested users to try out the update before it rolls out to consumers. Sign up to the Windows Insider programme: insider.windows.com.
Samsung will confirm battery was main cause of Note 7 fires, source claims Seoul, Jan 16, 2017 — Samsung Electronics Co Ltd’s investigation into what caused some Galaxy Note 7s to catch fire has concluded that the battery was the main reason, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters today. The world’s biggest smartphone maker will likely announce the results of the investigation on January 23, a day before it announces detailed fourth-quarter earnings results, said the person who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter and declined to be identified. The firm will also announce new measures it is taking to avoid a repeat of the product safety failures in its future devices, the person said. A Samsung spokesman declined to comment. After the one of the biggest product safety failures in tech history, the company is keen to reassure that its devices are safe ahead of the launch of flag-
ship Galaxy S8 smartphones expected sometime in the first half of this year. Investors and analysts say it is critical for Samsung to provide a detailed, convincing explanation on what went wrong with the Note 7 phones and how it will prevent such problems from recurring. The source told Reuters that Samsung was able to replicate the fires during its investigation and that the cause for the fires could not be explained by hardware design or software-related matters. Samsung was forced to scrap the Note 7 smartphones in October after failing to fix the problems following an initial recall, dealing a 6.1 trillion won blow to its operating profit over three quarters. — Reuters
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
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ENTERTAINMENT
Ed Sheeran breaks Spotify records with new music NEew York, Jan 14, 2017 ― Pop singer Ed Sheeran yesterdaybroke alltime records on Spotify as fans rushed to hear two songs from his upcoming album. The British singer-songwriter’s Shape of You”became the top song ever for a single week on the world’s largest streaming website, with 52,359,013 listens through Thursday. Shape of You shattered the previous record for a single week set by Canadian rapper Drake’s One Dance in May. Sheeran’s track also broke the record for streams in a first week set in 2015 by Adele with her ballad Hello. Both Shape of You and Sheeran’s other new track, Castle on the Hill, topped previous feats for first-day streams when he released them on January 6. Shape of You, a minimalist dance tune about picking up a woman at a bar, and the rockier Castle on the Hill will both feature on Sheeran’s upcoming third album, Divide.
The album, which like Sheeran’s previous two albums is named after a mathematical symbol, will come out on March 3. The 25-year-old singer and guitarist saw his career rise rapidly after initial struggles. He moved to Los Angeles in 2010 with little set plan, initially playing at open-microphone nights in bars and cafes.
Top DJ David Guetta’s Mumbai concert gets go-ahead Mumbai, Jan 14, 2017 — French DJ David Guetta will take the stage in Mumbai tomorrow, organisers said, a day after his fans were left deflated when authorities cancelled his show over logistics and security issues. The Grammy-award winning dance music producer was scheduled to perform in Mumbai yesterday as part of a four-city India tour.
“David Guetta will be doing two shows on Sunday in two different cities. We are complying with all the regulatory requirements as prescribed by the authorities,” they said in a statement posted on Twitter. “The existing Mumbai tickets will be valid for the show on Sunday.” Guetta, best known for hits like Titanium and When Love Takes Over, has a sizeable following in India with thousands expected to attend tomorrow’s concerts.
Within a few years Sheeran had landed a record deal and was taken under the wing of pop superstar Taylor Swift before he found global stardom with his ballad Thinking Out Loud.
But police abruptly called off the concert, saying organisers had not complied with certain formalities and had not shared their security plan with officials.
He won Song of the Year at the Grammys in 2016 with Thinking Out Loud, which broke an earlier Spotify record and remains the service’s fifth most-streamed song ever.
The Mumbai-based promoter Sunburn confirmed the cancellation as fans started gathering outside the concert venue.
The 49-year-old musician was supposed to kick-off his India tour in the IT hub of Bangalore on Thursday but authorities cancelled the gig, saying it clashed with a local election and that security would be a problem.
But hours later Sunburn and police managed to iron out their differences, paving the way for a Sunday afternoon performance in Mumbai that will be followed by another show in New Delhi that evening, the organisers said late yesterday.
“(Bangalore) cancellation has been completely out of my control and I just feel very sorry for all the fans that were looking forward to attend,” Guetta had said in a statement posted online.
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
FASHION
Zegna’s relaxed, classical-inspired looks open Milan’s men fashion Milan, Jan 14, 2017 - Italy’s high-end tailor Ermenegildo Zegna launched Milan’s menswear fashion show yesterday with a relaxed yet sophisticated collection inspired by classical looks from the 1940s and 1950s. From Cashmere suits to vegetable-leather overcoats, Zegna’s ‘Crafting Modernity’ collection blends exquisite tailoring with the fast-paced needs of the modern globetrotter, while the influence of sportswear brings a new look to formality. The show is the first of just under 40 catwalk runs in the Italian fashion capital that will showcase designs for autumn and winter 2017/2018. But some top brands including Kering’s Gucci and Bottega Veneta and Calvin Klein will be missing, shunning the men’s shows and opting instead to present combined collections at the more high profile women’s week. Also off the calendar is Italian fashion group Roberto Cavalli, whose creative director Peter Dundas left in October and has not yet been replaced.
Zegna presented the first full season by Alessandro Sartori, who returned to the family-owned firm as artistic director in June. The fashion house has moved away from three distinct brands - Z sportswear, classic Ermenegildo Zegna, and couture - opting for a single brand with thre lines sharing colour palette, styles and shapes, but keeping their own label. “Our clients can mix pieces from the different lines more easily and freely,” Sartori told reporters ahead of the show. He said his clothes transcended generations and were for the consumer with an “interesting personality”. Models yesterday evening walked through ‘The Seven Heavenly Palaces’ installation of German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer in a section of the Pirelli HangarBicocca, a former locomotive factory, on the outskirts of Milan.
Karl Lagerfeld and Swarovski to create a new collection of fashion jewelery Paris, Jan 13, 2017 — Karl Lagerfeld is partnering with Swarovski for his own jewelery collection, reports WWD. The designer’s own namesake label will work with the jewelery house to create two collections of jewelery per year, including necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.
Atelier Swarovski has already collaborated on capsule collections with a range of luxury fashion brands including Christopher Kane, Lanvin, Maison Martin Margiela, Jean Paul Gaultier and Viktor & Rolf.
The collection will launch in September at Swarovski Crystal Worlds retail locations, Karl Lagerfeld stores, the karl.com web site and select retailers, with prices ranging from €50 to €250.
The models wore over 250 new pieces, in 46 different full outfits, many of which inspired by the shapes, styles and details of the post-war years. They wore Casentino coats, reinterpreted in alpaca cashmere, and suit ensembles made in cashmere jersey. Formal 2-button jackets were downplayed by padded sleeves and classical-cut trousers were made more sporty by cuffed hems. Derbys were reinterpreted with lightweight materials to make them look like sneakers and brogue shoes made
sturdier with silicone soles. Outfits were prevalently in wool white, melange grey and vicuna beige, dotted with browns, greys, petrol blue a pond green. Milan’s menswear shows close on Tuesday with veteran designer Giorgio Armani. - Reuters
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
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SPORTS
Chelsea axe Costa after £30 million China link London, Jan 14, 2017 — Diego Costa’s future at Premier League leaders Chelsea was plunged into doubt on Friday after their leading scorer was dropped for Saturday’s away match with champions Leicester. The 28-year-old Spanish international, who has scored 14 goals in 19 games this season, is believed to have had a bust-up at the club over the level of his fitness and has not trained all week. The bombshell news came after the Brazil-born, naturalized Spaniard was reportedly linked with a lucrative salary offer from a Chinese club worth a mind-boggling £30 million a year. Only last month Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had been singing the player’s praises saying he was a reformed character from the one who had sulked his way through the previous unhappy campaign. Many fans blamed the temperamental striker for causing Jose Mourinho’s sacking. “I’m happy for him because he is showing great passion. In every game he is showing great commitment and work rate to help the team,” Conte said. “It’s fantastic and it’s important to continue this way. Diego for sure is a great striker. “He is enjoying playing his football. Now he is showing his passion in the right way.”
Costa signed a five-year deal on his arrival in July 2014 for £32million from Atletico Madrid which leaves twoand-a-half years to run on his contract and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is believed to be unwilling to sell him. The striker had wanted to leave at the end of last season — although he insisted it wasn’t because of Chelsea but for family reasons — and was linked with a return to Atletico before changing his mind. “Did I want to go? Yes, yes, I was about to leave,” he said earlier this month. “But not because of Chelsea.” “There was one thing I wanted to change for family reasons but it wasn’t to be, and I continue to be happy here.” His goals have been instrumental in Chelsea going on a 13 match winning run in the Premier League which was brought to an end by a 2-0 defeat at the hands of fellow London side Tottenham Hotspur just over a week ago. In his absence on Saturday, Belgian star Eden Hazard could replace him up front as he did against Bournemouth when the Spaniard was suspended. However, regardless of Abramovich’s determination not to offload him, one English bookmaker cut the price of his leaving in the January transfer window to 2/1.
Serena’s tough tennis draw in quest for Australian Open No.7 Melbourne, Jan 15, 2017 — Six-time champion Serena Williams was handed a tough draw Friday at the Australian Open, while defending champion Angelique Kerber has a slightly easier route towards another final. The American powerhouse, bidding for a 23rd Grand Slam crown at the tournament starting in Melbourne on Monday, faces dangerous former world number seven Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the opening round. Second seed Williams, who lost the top ranking to Kerber last year, could then encounter in-form Briton Johanna Konta in the fourth round and Slovak sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova in the quarters. She could potentially then meet her US Open conqueror Karolina Pliskova in the semi-final of the bottom half of the draw. Williams’ drop to world number two was triggered by her shock defeat to Pliskova at Flushing Meadows last year, which also denied her the chance to better Steffi Graf’s 22 Grand Slam victories. Pliskova is seeded to meet two-time Melbourne Park semi-finalist Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter-finals. World number one Kerber is seeded for a last eight clash with Spanish sev-
enth seed and French Open champion Garbine Muguruza in the top half of the draw. Kerber, who beat Williams to win the first of her two Grand Slams last year in Melbourne, starts with a first-round clash against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko. Winning the Australian Open in 2016 sparked a memorable season for the German, who followed it up by claiming the US Open. She has two potential testing opponents early in her campaign with a re-match against Russian teen Daria Kasatkina, who upset her in this week’s lead-up Sydney International. The 19-year-old Russian, ranked 26, shocked Kerber 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in a second-round match played in sweltering conditions. Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, who rediscovered some form at the Sydney International in reaching the semi-finals, is another potentially in Kerber’s way. Romania’s world number four Simona Halep opens with a match against American Shelby Rogers and could face a quarter-final against either Ukraine 11th seed Elina Svitolina or experienced Russian eighth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.- Reuters
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
SPORTS
Malaysia joy at FIFA goal of the year award Kuala Lumpur, Jan 10, 2017 - Malaysian football fans were elated Tuesday to wake up to the news that their countryman had won FIFA’s goal of the year award for his extraordinary swerving free-kick. Midfielder Mohamad Faiz Subri’s cracker for Penang state in the Malaysian Super League in February, reminiscent of the swerving thunderbolt by Brazil’s Roberto Carlos against France in 1997, received almost 60 percent of the global vote on the FIFA website. Dressed in a tuxedo, the footballer thanked his coach, team and his family as he accepted the accolade at the star-studded FIFA awards ceremony in Zurich on Monday night, the first Asian to win the famous Puskas Award. “Honestly, it never crossed my mind that I would arrive at this level and be able to stand tall among world class footballers in this amazing place,” he said. There was a light-hearted moment when the player fumbled with his phone on stage as he searching for his speech. Co-host Hollywood star Eva Longoria playfully quipped: “He’s checking his text” to laughter from the crowd.
On Instagram, Faiz posted a picture of himself together with Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson and tweeted another with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Malaysian fans took to Twitter to congratulate Faiz and said he had made the country proud. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak led the tributes. “Congratulations… your success in winning the award will bring inspiration to Malaysian footballers,” he wrote on his Facebook page. Footage of the 29-year-old’s extraordinary goal from 35 metres went viral last year, making him a sensation in football-crazy Malaysia. Ten FIFA Puskas Award 2016 finalists, chosen from thousands of goals scored around the world between September 2015 and September 2016, were revealed in November. A month later, FIFA announced that Brazil’s Marlone and Venezuela’s woman footballer Stephanie Roche were joining Faiz on the three-goal shortlist, with the Malaysian’s outrageous freekick garnering more votes than the other two goals put together.
Japan striker Miura signs to play into his 50s Tokyo, Jan 12, 2017 — Former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 50 next month, has renewed his contract with Yokohama FC, stretching his record as the oldest Japanese to play professional football. The forward, dubbed “King Kazu” by Japanese media and fans, will take his career into a remarkable 32nd season after agreeing a one-year deal, the J-League second-tier club said. “I was able to renew my contract for the 2017 season,” Miura said in a statement. “I am determined to continue fighting with all of my strength together with people who have supported me — club staff, team mates, and fans.” The former Genoa and Dinamo Zagreb player, who will turn 50 on February 26, attracts immense public admiration and broke his own mark as the J-league’s oldest goalscorer after netting at the age of 49 in June last year.
Miura’s lengthy career began with a move to Brazil at age 15 before he made his name in the early 1990s when he was Asia’s best-known footballer, helping to build Japan’s football culture after the professional J-League was launched in 1993. He blazed a trail for Japanese players when he joined Italy’s Genoa in 1994 and, despite scoring 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, was famously axed from the Japan squad before the country’s first World Cup appearance in 1998, sparking a national debate. Miura finally got his dream to play for Japan in a World Cup at 45 — albeit in the futsal version in Thailand.
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
Page 15
HEALTH Red meat link to common bowel disease The findings do not constitute evidence that meat is what causes the ailment, researchers said, but ought to be considered in designing healthier diets. Diverticulitis is a common condition which occurs when small pockets lining the intestine — called diverticula — become irritated. It accounts for some 200,000 hospital admissions every year in the United States alone, at an annual cost of about $2 billion. New cases are on the rise, especially among young people. About four percent of those affected develop severe or long-term symptoms, such as piercing of the gut wall, abscesses, and fistula, the abnormal joining together of hollow spaces within the body.
Despite its prevalence and impact, little is known about what causes diverticulitis, though previous research found links to smoking, obesity and chronic use of anti-inflammation drugs. A lack of fibre in the diet has also
been a suspect, but other possible food-related causes have remained untested.
tended to eat a lot of red meat.
For the new study, published in the journal Gut, researchers led by Andrew Chan at Massachusetts General Hospital combed through 26 years of medical records for 46,500 men in the United States.
But after these other disease risks were taken into account, the meat-eaters were nearly 60 percent more likely to be afflicted by the condition than men who ate the least amount red meat, the study found.
Every four years, the men were asked to detail their intake of fish, poultry and red meat.
But the evidence may be useful as “practical dietary guidance” for people at risk of diverticulitis, the authors said.
They also smoked more, exercised less, and took more painkillers than others in the trial, the study found.
The link was purely observational, meaning that no cause-and-effect can be shown, and that something else may be to blame.
Over the 26-year period, 764 men developed diverticulitis. This group
Scientists link binge drinking to binge eating than usual. A similar mechanism could be at work when humans drink alcohol, the study suggests.
To understand how heavy drinking sessions could cause people to overeat, the scientists carried out an experiment on mice. The rodents were injected directly in the abdomen with doses of alcohol over a three-day weekend, mimicking the effect of a large intake of alcohol in a short period of time, commonly known as binge drinking.
Specialists warn that this kind of behavior carries various risks and could contribute to obesity in young people, which is on the rise worldwide. Note that excessive alcohol consumption damages the liver and can lead to other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.
The “intoxicated” mice had a significantly increased food intake compared to control mice, particularly on the second day. The mice appeared to mirror behavior seen in humans. The scientists suggest that this is due to changes in the brain caused by alcohol, which disrupts the action of “AgRP” neurons, located in the hypothalamus, which regulate voracious eating.
Previous studies, not involving alcohol, found that these neurons were activated when mice felt stomach cramps. When the neurons were
activated, the mice continued to eat even with full stomachs. Here, the researchers found that when AgRP neurons were blocked before injecting alcohol, the mice no longer ate more
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
Misc Asia
Japan fish exorcists’ bizarre ritual hit by animal abuse claims Tokyo, Jan 13 — A religious ceremony in Japan where carp are plied with alcohol before being returned to a river has left animal rights activists feeling green around the gills.
China confirms one more human death from H7N9 bird flu Shanghai, Jan 14, 2017 - A man in China’s central Henan province has become the latest person reported to have died this winter from H7N9 bird flu, the state news agency Xinhua said today citing local health authorities. The 36-year-old roast duck salesman developed a fever and a cough around Dec. 25 in coastal Zhejiang province, near Shanghai, and returned to Henan in early January, Xinhua said. He was diagnosed with H7N9 on Jan. 10 and died the next day. Bird flu is most likely to strike in winter and spring. In recent years, farmers have stepped up cleaning regimes, animal detention techniques, and built roofs to cover hen pens, in their efforts to prevent the disease.
China’s last major outbreak killed 36 people and caused more than US$6 billion (RM26.7 million) in losses for the agricultural sector. The H7N9 strain does not seem to transmit easily among people, and sustained human-to-human infection has not been reported, the World Health Organisation says. The danger is that any such virus mutates and acquires genetic changes that could boost its pandemic potential. - Reuters
The rural festival, held every January in snow-swept Toyama prefecture, central Japan, sees revellers pouring rice wine into a fish’s mouth in a “Carp Releasing Exorcism” said to purge people of evil spirits. But the bizarre Shinto ritual has become entangled in controversy after featuring on national television earlier this week, with images of the flapping carp triggering an online backlash from upset viewers, many accusing organisers of animal cruelty. Many of those who tweeted or posted to online chatrooms called for an end to the “abusive practice” and accused organisers of “intoxicating wildlife.” During the ceremony, said to date back to the early 19th century, men and women hoping for a karmic boost are blessed by a priest. The men then each hold a carp — a sacred fish in Japan — while a woman pours the purifying alcohol into the creature’s mouth before it is released back into the water.
But after Japan’s Asahi TV aired coverage of the event, a Twitter storm suggested many viewers disapproved of putting the fish’s health in peril. “It just seems like abuse,” wrote one, while another called it “harassment” of the fish. Organisers acknowledged to the news site J-Cast that they had received several complaints from the public. The ceremony’s defenders insisted it was part of Japan’s cultural heritage, with one online comment complaining: “People are too uptight these days.” TV Asahi’s Morning Show interviewed a fish expert who claimed that alcohol does not harm the animal as the toxic liquid escapes through the gills. The outcry is the latest in what looks like a fledgling movement to protect the rights of fish in Japan. Last November a Japanese skating rink that froze 5,000 dead fish under the ice as an attraction for visitors was forced to close after receiving a barrage of criticism.
Georgia Asian Times January 15-31, 2017
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Misc Asia
Japanese government looks at steps to allow Emperor’s abdication Tokyo, Jan 11, 2017 — Japan’s government is planning legal steps that would allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate and his son to ascend the throne in two years, media reported today, potentially setting the stage for the first abdication in two centuries. Japanese Emperor Akihito, 83, hinted in August that he wanted to abdicate, saying he worried that age might make it difficult for him to carry out his duties fully. Abdication is not possible under current Japanese law. However, media reports said the government was considering steps that would allow Akihito to abdicate and for 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito to ascend the throne on January 1, 2019. The abdication itself would take place on December 31, 2018, or January 1, some reports said.
A panel of experts has been discussing the issue since late last year, with recommendations expected later this year. The government could submit a special law to parliament on abdication as early as this spring, the reports said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said yesterday he was not aware of any such situation. “The experts are prioritising lightening the Emperor’s burden in their discussions and things are still at a stage where no direction has emerged,” he told a news conference. Akihito has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer. He took the throne after the 1989 death of his father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought World War Two, and has worked to heal the wounds of the conflict. — Reuters
Korean foreign minister says ‘comfort woman’ statue outside Japan mission inappropriate Seoul, Jan 13, 2017 — South Korea’s foreign minister said on Friday there was nothing wrong with erecting a statue in memory of women forced to work in Japanese brothels in World War Two, but its location outside a Japanese consulate was inappropriate. The statue of the young “comfort woman” in the southern city of Busan has rekindled a feud over wartime history between South Korea and its past colonial ruler and prompted Japan to temporarily recall its ambassador. The term “comfort women” is a euphemism for girls and women, from South Korea, China, the Philippines and elsewhere, forced to work in Japanese military brothels. South Korean activists estimate that there may have been as many as 200,000 Korean victims. “The issue of a girl statue in Busan is unfortunate,” Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told lawmakers, referring to the
southern city. “Our government is not against the installment of a girl statue… but I think we need to pool our wisdom on the issue of location.” He did not say if the statue would be moved. The statue, which depicts a barefoot girl sitting in a chair, was erected near the Japanese consulate at the end of last year. Japan said the statue violated an agreement to resolve the issue. South Korean politicians, including expected presidential contenders, have called for renegotiation of the December 2015 agreement stating the comfort women issue would be “irreversibly resolved” if all conditions – including a Japanese apology and a fund to help the victims – were met. – Reuters
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January 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times
TRAVEL from these stalls and eat as you walk along the length of the market, this habit is frowned upon in Japan. It is best to eat the food you purchase either standing outside the stall or if there is space, take a seat inside to finish your meal before moving on. Alternatively, you could have your purchases packed to go; head over to the visitors’ centre in the middle of the market where there are ample seats to eat, drink and rest. It also has restrooms and beverage vending machines. Seafood, seafood and more seafood There are over 150 shops lining the whole length of the market and more shops are spread out around it too. A majority of these shops sell fish, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits and dried foodstuff. If you are a seafood lover, this is the place to be as you will get to have your fill of a wide variety of fresh seafood from snow crabs to sea urchins to yes, even the rare fugu delicacy.
Seafood galore at Kuromon Ichiba Market in Osaka OSAKA, Jan 14, 2017 — The Kuromon Ichiba Market, tucked away in the southern side of Chuo Ward in Osaka, Japan, is more than 190 years old and steeped in history and traditions. Locally, it is also known as “Osaka’s Kitchen” and is gaining prominence among tourists as the place to go to for fresh seafood. The market is also easily accessible as it is a mere two minutes’ walk from the Nippombashi Station. Though not a huge market, walking through the jostling crowd made up of mostly tourists is quite a challenge. Due to the many interesting food
stalls lining both sides of the market, a walk down the approximately 600 metre-long market can take hours especially if you stop to try out the food and drinks on offer here. The market starts early with most stalls open and ready from 8.30am onwards. Going to the market early is a good thing as it gives you more time to browse around as the crowd only starts gathering much later from 11am onwards. The best part is that you can check out the numerous fresh produce available while at the same time enjoy breakfast in this market. While it is tempting to buy food
This is the place to try out sashimi in all its sweet, plump, juicy freshness; best enjoyed with a smidgen of soy sauce and freshly ground wasabi. There are a lot of shops selling fresh raw fish and seafood from salmon to scallops so it is easy to stop at any of these shops to try out what they have on offer. Some shops have a few tables and chairs so you can pick your sashimi, pay for it and sit there to enjoy your meal too. There are a few tuna specialty stalls that are simply must-try due to the freshness of the fish and the simple way it is served. The tuna is either served up as sashimi or plain grilled, both equally delicious depending on your preference. For the adventurous, there are also a smattering of seafood shops that offer fugu, the poisonous puffer fish. The preparation of the fugu is one that requires skill to remove the
poison from the fish so caution is required when trying it out. Of all the common seafood and fish available, perhaps the ones that stand out most (other than fugu) have to be the black, spiky sea urchins and long legged snow crabs. Don’t be intimidated by the ugly outward appearance of the sea urchins, called uni in Japanese, because these are actually sweet, creamy and slightly briny. As for the snow crabs, as large as they appear, the flesh is soft and succulent. For meat-lovers, there are also shops selling yakitori, fried chicken and yes, even Kobe and Wagyu beef grilled or stir fried on the spot for you. Wagashi, snacks and souvenirs You must not miss out on Japanese wagashi such as the kushi-dango, rice flour balls on a stick coated with a sticky, salty and sweet sauce, a variety of mochi from daifuku to kusa mochi and a dizzying array of confectionary from sweet to savory. Though limited, there are several shops that sell Japan’s many different variety of manufactured snacks such as the well known Pocky by Glico that comes in a number of different flavours, kaki no tane (seed-shaped senbei rice crackers that are slightly spicy), senbei rice crackers, arare (a type of Japanese crackers made from glutinous rice) and the traditional Japanese flower-shaped candies called konpeito. Due to the increasing number of tourists thronging the market, more souvenir shops have also opened up in between the fish shops and fruit stalls. There are 100 yen shops, beauty product shops and shops selling a variety of household items and clothing too. Most of the shops in the market close at 5pm but there are also restaurants in the surrounding areas that open for dinner. To plan your trip to the market, full information on the stalls and a map are available on its website, kuromon.com.