1. Iva Toguri D'Aquino, who received a presidential pardon in 1977 for her coerced contributions to Japanese propaganda during WWII, passed away in Chicago last month. Although colloquially known as "Tokyo Rose," what was Toguri's actual broadcasting moniker? Orphan Ann (short for "Announcer")
2. In September, The World Economic Forum released its Global Competitiveness Report, 2006-2007. Japan rose to 7th place worldwide. What was its rank in last year's report? 10th
3. The Japanese Imperial Family saw the birth of its first male heir in more than 40 years when a son was born to Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. The boy was named Hisahito and given the umbrella pine as his personal symbol in a formal naming ceremony. How many days after his birth was the ceremony held? Seven

1. Japanese quadriplegic Seiji Uchida came within 500 yards of reaching the summit of Briethorn mountain in Switzerland with the help of his friend, Takeshi Matsumoto, and a Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL).
2. Japan will scrap its current bar exam for lawyers in 2011 and replace it with an easier version expected to have about a 50% pass rate. The current bar exam has a pass rate of about 3%.
3. During his recent visit to Kazakhstan, PM Koizumi signed a development agreement with Kazakh President Nazarbayev for Uranium.

1. Takeru Kobayashi captured the 2006 Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest by eating 53.75 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. How many consecutive years has Kobayashi won the contest? 6
2. Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana, was runner up in the 2006 Miss Universe contest held on July 23. How many languages does Chibana-san speak? 4 (Japanese, English, Spanish, and French)
3. A Japanese cargo ship warded off a pirate attack in the Strait of Malacca using what make-shift deterrent? Firehoses

1. Which celebrity's home did Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush visit during the former's recent visit to the United States? Elvis Presley 's
2. Japanese experts in the latest “toilet technology” will travel to which country to train professional toilet cleaners in an effort to boost their wages? Singapore
3. Which Japanese watch company partnered with Microsoft to develop a wristwatch capable of displaying news and stock quotes sent via FM radio waves? Citizen

1. Japanese 7-11 stores introduced canned oxygen to their product line-up. Initially, the gas will come in what two scents? Strong mint and Grapefruit
2. Japanese restaurants are searching for replacements after China stated it would eventually eliminate exports of what ubiquitous restaurant item? Waribashi (disposable wooden chopsticks).
3. According to a Save the Children report released in May, Japan ranks as the country with the lowest infant mortality in the world with a rate of just how many deaths per thousand? 1.8

1. As part of Dove's "Campaign for Real Beauty," the company covered which Japanese exhibition hall with huge photo panels of Japanese models? Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall
2. Which massive retailer opened its first store in Japan after pulling out of the country 20 years ago? Ikea
3. Former Japanese soldier Ishinosuke Uwano was reunited with his family after more than 60 years. Where had Iwano been living? Zhitomyr, Ukraine

1. Trying to meet Kyoto Protocal obligations, Japan's Environment Ministry dictated that lights in the Ministry must be out by what time? 8 pm
2. Japan defeated Cuba 10-6 in the World Baseball Classic. Which Japanese player was named MVP for the tournament? Daisuke Matsuzaka
3. A recent report by an internet security company ranked countries in terms of spam as a percent of email received. Where did Japan rank on this list? This question was withdrawn due to numerous conflicting sources

1. A Tokyo court convicted a founder of what terrorist group for her role in a 1974 attack on the French Embassy in The Hague? Fusako Shigenobu was a founder of the Japanese Red Army
2. What was the nickname of the satellite launched into orbit from the Uchinoura Space Centre in southern Japan? Akari
3. It was reported that 4-year-old Japanese princess Aiko is particularly fond of which sport? sumo

1. What aspect of Japanese culture is Miami Heat coach Pat Riley hoping will improve Shaquille O'Neal's game? Sumo wrestling
2. Kabuki actor Kotaro Hayashi recently adopted what prestigious kabuki stage name? Tojuro Sakata
3. What was the theme of this year's Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)? Smile (Emi)

1. New software for managing data in cell phones will include characters from what long-running Japanese anime series? Mobile Suite Gundam
2. Japan has lifted the 2-year ban on US beef, allowing cattle of what age to enter Japanese markets? 20 months or younger
3. The Japanese Supreme Court recently ruled that expenditures by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government relating to a certain event in 1990 amounting to roughly 50 million yen were not unconstitutional. To what event were these expenditures linked? Emperor Akihito's coronation

1. Japanese company Koyo is expanding production in Hawaii to keep up with demand of what "nutritious beverage?"
   desalinated water pumped from the sea floor
2. Japan narrowly lost its bid to host the 2011 world championships of which sport?
   rugby
3. What gift did President Bush present to PM Koizumi during his November visit to Japan?
   a Segway scooter

1. Japanese scientists Tsunemi Kubodera and Kyoichi Mori made news with their exclusive photos of what reclusive animal?
   giant squid
2. What is the name of Nissan's concept car that features a body capable of rotating 360 degrees in order eliminate ever having to back up?
   Pivo
3. What places did Japanese runners Masako Chiba and Eri Hayakawa take (among women) in the Chicago Marathon?
   3rd and 5th, respectively

1. Which Japanese manufacturer unveiled in September the first motorcycle equipped with an airbag?
   Honda
2. A Japanese baby returned home 9 months after undergoing a a six-organ transplant at a Miami hospital. The operation had to be done outside Japan because of a law that prohibits people under what age from being organ donors?
   15 years
3. Which Japanese hockey player recently signed a 2-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings?
   Yutaka Fukufuji

The objects you describe (very accurately) are ishi-doro, or stone lanterns. As you say, they are used widely on the grounds of temples and shrines, commonly along footpaths. However, they are NOT generally used for burning incense, but for housing candles in order to light paths or grounds. Many are lit only on special occasions. Ishi-doro have also been adopted for use in secular contexts, notably in tea gardens.

The lanterns are usually made of granite or syenite (similar to granite, but with very little or no quartz) and come in many different shapes and sizes. The most prized examples appear quite weathered, with lichen or moss growing on them.

Miyako Island (Miyakojima) is among the largest of the roughly 160 islands - including Okinawa Island - that make up Okinawa Prefecture. On Miyako and throughout the prefecture, the fundamentals of life are essentially the same as life on the four main islands of Japan. They speak the same language, eat many of the same foods, live in basically similar houses, and wear quite similar clothes.

However, there are also many subtle distinctions. Although they speak the same language, there is a local Okinawan dialect. While rice and seafood are prominent in their diet, these can be prepared with different flavors, and supplemented with Okinawan vegetables. The houses are Japanese houses, adapted to a subtropical climate. And the clothes, well... Japanese usually wear very western-style clothing anyway; Okinawa is no different. In many ways, Okinawa Prefecture is to Japan as Hawaii is to the United States. Obviously, Hawaii has some unique features: "Aloha," pig roasts and taro root, lanai on which to enjoy the beautiful beaches and weather, and grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts. But they also speak English, cook burgers, watch TV, and wear shorts and t-shirts. There are distinct aspects to Okinawan culture, and I encourage you to learn more at the official Okinawa Prefecture website, but in terms of daily life, it's very similar to Japan.

However, there are some stereotypes about Miyakojimans that may be of interest. They are said to be very warm-hearted and hospitable people who enjoy taking care of others. This is often a trait associated with Japanese people in general, so when Japanese people apply it to Miyakojimans, it may be wise to prepare to be smothered in hospitality. Miyakojima is also famous (in Japan) for a sake-like fermented rice drink called Awamori. Originally from Thailand, many Japanese breweries still use Thai rice to make it. Related to this hallmark product, the people of the island are considered to be the strongest drinkers in Japan. In fact, there is a custom called otori, which seems rather like an entire evening of toasts. People in a group simply take turns making very brief remarks and then drinking shots of Awamori.

Of course, like all stereotypes, these should be regarded as gross generalizations with many exceptions. But it may provide an interesting starting point for your experience.

According to the Academy Awards website, five feature films of solely Japanese production have won Academy Awards.

1. Rashomon (1951), for Best Foreign Language Film (Honorary)
2. Gate of Hell (1954), for Best Foreign Language Film (Honorary) and Costume Design
3. Samurai, the Legend of Musashi (1955), for Best Foreign Language Film (Honorary)
4. Ran (1985), for Best Costume Design
5. Spirited Away (2002), for Best Animated Feature Film

Regarding the highest-grossing Japanese film, it's difficult to say what qualifies as a "Japanese" movie. Many films are made "in association with" movie studios from different countries and include producers of various nationalities. But even discounting these joint productions, should we count films such as "Pokemon" as Japanese films? They may be based on Japanese characters, but the writers and directors are not Japanese? It's a difficult question, so rather than answer it outright, I will simply report the top 5 films (not counting joint productions) and let you, the readers, decide if they are really "Japanese" or not...

1. Pokemon 2000: $43.7 million
2. Pokemon 3: The Movie: $17 million
3. Spirited Away: $10 million
4. Shall We Dance?: $9.6 million
5. Howl's Moving Castle: $4.7 million

Data comes from www.the-numbers.com.

Raw fish is not unique to Japan, but appears in most all cuisines where supremely fresh fish is available. The practice of eating raw fish in Japan probably predates history. However, there are a couple of ways that eating raw fish resonates with other Japanese cultural values.

The idea of purity is prevalent in Japanese society and religion. Fish, in order to be eaten raw, must be pristinely clean and fresh, thus conforming to the notion of purity. Aesthetically, Japanese cuisine (and even art) places great importance on simplicity and revelation of true essences. Eating fish raw, then, allows one to experience the most natural tastes and textures of the food.

Anthony Bianchi, a native Brooklynite, was elected to the city council of Inuyama in Aichi Prefecture. (See his Japanese website here: www.bianchi-inuyama.com ). Another such story is that of Finnish-born Tsurunen Marutei (a Japanese version of Turunen Martti). Marutei-san is the first openly foreign-born member of the Japanese Diet (a Korean had served, but presented himself as Japanese).

In fact, the true story is perhaps sadder than the movie. The second daughter was actually killed by two friends of the son, who was indicted for bodily injury resulting in death. The court found that the two friends were mainly responsible for the murder, so they were taken to a reformatory. The son was placed in a school for physically and mentally handicapped children, but it is unclear what has happened to him. The mother was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The two girls were initially sent to the same school as the son, but after her release from prison, the mother regained custody of them. Beyond this, we're not sure what happened.

As most people are aware, the Chinese zodiac consists of an endlessly repeating cycle of 12 years, each named for a certain animal. But, this can also be combined with a system of 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). Multiplying the 12 years by the 5 elements yields a 60-year rotation - or "sexagenary cycle." For example, 2006 is a Fire-Dog year, while the previous Dog year (1994) was associated with the element Wood.

Now, in addition to representing years, the zodiac can also represent a cycle of 12 days, and with the 5 elements, a cycle of 60 days. Certain of these days (combinations of animal and element) have been considered to be more or less lucky. In particular, days when the monkey and metal coincide - called koshin - are considered especially unfortunate. That's where the ritual comes in. In Taoist traditions based on the Zodiac calendar, on the eve of a Koshin Day, three worms believed to dwell in the human body escape from the body while the host sleeps and visit the Court of Heaven to report on the sleeping person's sins. Depending on this report, the court might decide to shorten that individual's life. To prevent this, people stayed awake all night on the eve of a koshin day so that the worms could not escape. This practice eventually became known as the koshin wake.

At one time, it was very common to try to divine the future based on the zodiac, and I can only assume that there have been many more such rituals in the centuries-long history of the zodiac. However, they are certainly not common in Japan today.

Perhaps the most obvious example of the cute phenomenon is Sanrio's Hello Kitty, which debuted in 1974 on stationery products. Today, Hello Kitty appears on everything from women's handbags to men's neckties, and from toasters to sub-compact automobiles. The appeal of this character seems to transcend gender, age, and class boundaries.

But the question is, why the fascination with things cute? The truth is, I'm not really sure. Sociologists have tried to find specific causes for this "cute" effect, including passive rebellion (regressing to cuteness as a way of rejecting adult social structures) and harnessing the sympathetic appeal of the weak and innocent. But none of these explanations encompasses the entirety of the trend. Perhaps there were specific reasons for the cute appeal during its flowering in the 1970s, but now it is simply trendy and popular and has taken on an intrinsic power of its own. To be sure, this is a topic that could accommodate much more investigation.

The tree known as sakura is not just one tree, but several species of flowering cherry trees in the genus Prunus, including both natural and cultivated varieties and hybrids. In fact, the term sakura includes some 300 different kinds of trees. Among the most famous and widely planted varieties in Japan are the Yamazakura and the Somei Yoshino. Certainly some of these varieties have fruits that can be eaten, but for all practical purposes, sakura refers to ornamental flowering trees, the fruits of which are not very much fun to eat.

Interestingly, though the fruits are not eaten, the leaves and blossoms of certain varieties often are. Some leaves are pickled and salted and wrapped around mochi (rice cakes) to make... sakuramochi . And the blossoms can be salted and steeped in hot water to make an infusion called sakura-yu . However, care must be taken because many members of this genus produce poisonous cyanide compounds; so, please don't try to sample any part of a sakura tree yourself. Except, that is, by viewing it.

The Toukasan on the other hand, is not an article of clothing, but an annual festival held in Hiroshima over three days - the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in June. The festival - also known as the Yukata Festival - is supposed to mark the time of year to begin wearing yukata, or lightweight summer kimono. It's sort of like the fashion guideline about wearing white only after Memorial Day. Except this is a huge festival - one of the 3 largest festivals held in Hiroshima each year. It is so big and famous, in fact, that it even has its own official website: www.toukasan.net/contents/toukasan.html (Scroll down the menu on the left of the site for a link to the English version).