- Groundbreaking pitcher Hideo Nomo retired today. The 39-year-old Nomo burst onto the scene with the Dodgers in 1995 and captured the National League Rookie of the Year award. Along the way he opened up the door for Japanese players to star in the major league and even pitched two no-hitters.
- Chicago Cubs all-star outfielder Kosuke Fukudome was nearly a member of the crosstown White Sox. But he ended up choosing the Cubs for a very unique reason. Here’s a hint: it’s not about money.
- Interesting insight on what it’s like being a Japanese Jew.
- Mountain View’s Obon Festival is one of the biggest in California. Kelsey Mesher of the Mountain View Voice says that this year’s festival will not disappoint.
- The polarizing dispute between Japan and South Korea over two islands in the Sea of Japan is heating up. The latest casualty? Japanese condom ads in Seoul.
- Japan’s Akutagawa Prize, which is awarded to rising young authors, is making waves in the press. That’s because foreigners are winning the award and, according to this editorial in the Daily Yomiuri, that’s a good thing.
