Taiwan using Japan-like station names to lure Japanese tourists

Taiwan using Japan-like station names to lure Japanese tourists

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese "gagaku" ancient court musician Hideki Togi (C) and Taiwan officials pose at a press conference in Tokyo on March 10, 2014, to promote tourism in the territory. Taiwan is using in its publicity blitz the names of 32 of its train stations that have identical Chinese characters as station names in Japan.

World's longest bench debuts at flora expo in western Japan

World's longest bench debuts at flora expo in western Japan

KOBE, Japan - A bench, claimed to be the world's longest at 555 meters, is unveiled to the public June 21 at the Japan Flora 2000 expo now underway in Awajishima Island in Hyogo Prefecture. The ''555 Bench'' can seat more people than the 460.9-meter bench in Togi, Ishikawa Prefecture, the current record-holder for the longest bench in the Guinness Book of Records.

World's longest bench debuts at flora expo in western Japan

World's longest bench debuts at flora expo in western Japan

KOBE, Japan - A bench, claimed to be the world's longest at 555 meters, is unveiled to the public June 21 at the Japan Flora 2000 expo now underway in Awajishima Island in Hyogo Prefecture. The ''555 Bench'' can seat more people than the 460.9-meter bench in Togi, Ishikawa Prefecture, the current record-holder for the longest bench in the Guinness Book of Records.

Traditional Japanese flute player collaborates with diamond shop

Traditional Japanese flute player collaborates with diamond shop

Hideki Togi, a player of the traditional Japanese flute "sho," speaks with the instrument in his hand at a promotional event for diamond shop "DIADDICT" in Tokyo on March 17, 2015. Togi improvised music inspired by diamonds during the event. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo