London Market Opens in Ginza
Dover Street Market Comme des Garçons was launched in Ginza, media reported on 18 March.
Established by Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo in London in 2004, it has a cult following.
London’s Metro quoted Kawakubo as saying “I want to create a kind of market where various creators from various fields gather together and encounter each other in an ongoing atmosphere of beautiful chaos: the mixing up and coming together of different kindred souls who all share a strong personal vision”.
The six-floor, 2,500m2 Dover Street Market Ginza, twice the size of its London counterpart, is in the west wing of Ginza Komatsu and will stock 95% of the London store’s brands.
Latest Global University Rankings
Britain came second and Japan third in the latest global university rankings, the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings reported on 15 March.
Harvard University was first in the top 100, which had 44 US and 10 British establishments.
According to the survey, The University of Tokyo remains Asia’s best, in eighth position and up from 30th place in 2011, while Kyoto University ranks 20th. The standings are based on a worldwide poll of 17,554 scholars across a range of disciplines.
Lottery Funds Veteran’s Grave Visit
A 90-year-old former navy fighter pilot is making a pilgrimage to Japan to visit the grave of his WWII comrade, the Kent News reported on 11 March.
Flt Cmdr Keith Quilter, from Tenterden in Kent, was on HMS Formidable when fellow pilot Walter Stradwick was killed.
Quilter had survived two kamikaze crashes, but was later shot down while attacking a destroyer in a Japanese harbour.
Quilter said: “I want to go and pay my respects to my cabin mate. I found out where his grave is and I’m going to leave a wreath there. I’m also hoping to somehow trace his family. I’m going to take a photograph of his grave and would like them to be able to see it.”
The trip in May, which will include a visit to the Yokohama War Cemetery, is thanks to a £3,700 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Veterans Reunited programme. Launched in 2004, its Heroes Return 2 scheme provides funding to WWII veterans, their wives or husbands, widows or widowers and, where needed, accompanying carers, enabling them to visit the overseas areas where the veterans saw active service.
Welsh Nuclear Protest Marks 3/11 Quake
On the first anniversary of the Fukushima disaster, campaigners protested on the island of Anglesey, off north-west Wales, against a new nuclear power station the Daily Post reported on 12 March.
People Against Wylfa B (PAWB) said: “As part of the International Day of Action, PAWB held an event with support of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Greenpeace, CND Cymru and the Bangor and Ynys Môn [Anglesey] Peace Group to show solidarity with the thousands who have suffered following the disaster”.
Dylan Morgan, coordinator of PAWB, said: “Whilst earthquakes of the magnitude of the one in Japan are not likely here, human error, mechanical or technological failure or even terrorism could bring a similar crisis on Ynys Môn”.
Londoners See Glasses-free 3D TV
Britain’s first glasses-free 3D TV went on sale for £7,000, the Daily Mail reported on 3 March. The Toshiba ZL2 uses incredibly powerful computer processing to beam 3D visuals to each viewer—who can ditch the specs one has to wear with other 3D TVs.
The telly went on sale exclusively at the flagship John Lewis store in Oxford Street, while Harrods started taking pre-orders a week later.
Japan Imports 40% of Harris Tweed
Japan has helped turn around an industry by becoming the biggest importer of Harris Tweed, local media reported in March.
According to the Harris Tweed Authority, about 40% of the hand-woven fabric exported is sold to Japan. Orders include requests for particular patterns and bright colours. Pure wool is made into yarn at three mills and then woven by 130 artisans on the Outer Hebrides.
