1st woman to head Japan Shogi Association

1st woman to head Japan Shogi Association

Professional shogi player Ichiyo Shimizu, 56, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on June 6, 2025, after being elected head of the Japan Shogi Association earlier in the day. A shogi pro in the women's category, Shimizu became the first woman to head the association, dating back over 100 years.

Hut with roof like straw hat for Awa Odori dance

Hut with roof like straw hat for Awa Odori dance

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - People in this undated photo take a break under a hut, built in the city of Tokushima, with a roof designed to look like a straw hat worn by women dancers in the local Awa Odori Festival. The hut was designed by architect Ichiyo Uta who designs rest huts for people taking part in "Shikoku O-Henro," or the Shikoku Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island.

New notes to be issued in Nov.

New notes to be issued in Nov.

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese Finance Ministry plans to issue three kinds of new notes in November using forgery prevention technology. The 10,000 yen note (top) features Yukichi Fukuzawa (1835-1901), educator, writer and propagator of Western knowledge in the Meiji period (1868-1912), the 5,000 yen note (middle) Ichiyo Higuchi (1872-1896), female writer of the Meiji period, and the 1,000 yen note (below) Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), bacteriologist.

Japan to issue 3 new bank notes in FY 2004

Japan to issue 3 new bank notes in FY 2004

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese government will introduce in fiscal 2004 new 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen bills with sophisticated anticounterfeit features, replacing the current notes which are almost 18 years old. The new 5,000 yen bill will carry the portrait of Ichiyo Higuchi (1872-1896), a Meiji-era novelist and poet, while the new 1,000 yen bill will feature Japanese microbiologist Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928). Yukichi Fukuzawa, a Meiji-era educator who founded Keio University, will remain on the new 10,000 yen bill.

Essay praising writer Higuchi by convicted militarist unearthed

Essay praising writer Higuchi by convicted militarist unearthed

Undated photo shows the prominent female writer Ichiyo Higuchi. An essay first published in 1942 by convicted Japanese military police officer Masahiko Amakasu expresses admiration for Higuchi and is evidence of "the relationship between literature and fascism in Japan," according to a literary critic who recently unearthed it in a rare publication. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Essay praising writer Higuchi by convicted militarist unearthed

Essay praising writer Higuchi by convicted militarist unearthed

Photo taken Nov. 3, 1926, by Japan Telegraphic Communication Co. shows convicted military police officer Masahiko Amakasu (C) attending a press conference in Tokyo to discuss his killing of anarchists. An essay first published in 1942 by Amakasu expresses admiration for the prominent female writer Ichiyo Higuchi and is evidence of "the relationship between literature and fascism in Japan," according to a literary critic who recently unearthed it in a rare publication. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New notes to be issued in Nov.

New notes to be issued in Nov.

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese Finance Ministry plans to issue three kinds of new notes in November using forgery prevention technology. The 10,000 yen note (top) features Yukichi Fukuzawa (1835-1901), educator, writer and propagator of Western knowledge in the Meiji period (1868-1912), the 5,000 yen note (middle) Ichiyo Higuchi (1872-1896), female writer of the Meiji period, and the 1,000 yen note (below) Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), bacteriologist. (Kyodo)