Last November 12 was the Emperor of Japan’s 20th anniversary on the throne (I mentioned it on this post).
A special ceremony was held to mark the occasion. The Emperor gave a speech at the ceremony…he said, among other things, that he hopes that the younger generations won’t forget the horrors of WW2 and repeat the mistakes.
The Japanese Emperor & Empress at the ceremony to mark the Emperor's 20th anniversary on the throne.
And U.S. President Obama was in Tokyo yesterday and today. He met with Japan’s Prime Minister and also with the Emperor of Japan.
U.S. President Obama meeting the Emperor of Japan.
If you’re in Japan this weekend, you may notice children who are three, five and seven years old dressed in kimono and visiting shrines with their families.
That’s because it’s now the time of the 「七五三」 (“7-5-3 Festival“).
As I wrote on my main website’s FAQ page, on or around November 15, girls aged 3 and 7 and boys aged 5 are dressed up (girls in kimono, boys in kimono or suit) and go to a shrine with their families for blessings for a long healthy life.
Afterwards, they are given special candies and are often brought by their parents to a photo studio to have their portrait taken.
And also, Quintin Tarantino and Brad Pitt were in Tokyo together recently to promote their new movie “Inglourious Basterds“.
Brad Pitt and Quintin Tarintino promoting "Inglourious Basterds" in Tokyo.
This movie will premiere in Tokyo on 20 November…the same time that the new TV commercial for the Japanese cell-phone company “Softbank” will air.
Quintin Tarintino will appear in this new commercial.
Last year, Brad Pitt was in the Tv commercials for Softbank…but then Softbank began making a commercial “series” that showed the adventures of the “White Family“.
The father in the “White Family” is a dog! The son is an African-American. The wife and daughter are regular Japanese though.
They’re kinda funny commercials.
And now in the newest Softbank commercial, Quintin Tarintino will play the White Family’s uncle, “Tara-chan“!
Still from the new "Softbank" commercial featuring Quintin Tarntino.
Tokyo Five 
What do you think of Obama’s bow? It’s caused an uproar in the USA. Personally, I think it looks uncomfortable. I would have simply bowed my head as the emperor did.
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Yes, I was surprised to hear that it’s such big news in America.
Here in Japan, the only news regarding it is what a big deal it is in America.
To most people here, even though Obama’s bow wasn’t actually done properly…it’s appreciated that he tried.
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Alot going on! I saw that Obama visited Japan. Did he go to Tokyo?
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>Did he go to Tokyo?
Yes. In Japan, only Tokyo.
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That commercial looks funny. Terintino loves Japan.
Even with Obama bowing, you can see how much taller he is than the Emperor.
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Yes, the Emperor is short.
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