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Sudoku singularity by puzzle master Maki Kaji

TOKYO (TR) – With their 81 stacked squares, sudoku puzzles might appear ordinary, but they have become a seemingly boundless phenomenon. Found in the pages of books, magazines and newspapers and on mobile phones and the Internet, sudoku boast more than 100 million devotees across the globe.

In light of such success, the game’s founder, Maki Kaji, could be excused for feeling a degree of self-satisfaction. On the contrary, the 58-year-old president of publisher Nikoli is now attempting to preserve his original ideal for the numeric brainteaser.

“It has been more than 20 years since sudoku was established,” says gray-whiskered Kaji during an interview at his office in Tokyo’s Taito Ward. “Since then, it has been refined into various forms. Because of this and its immense popularity, people in the US and the UK are responding by asking us to produce classic sudoku puzzles.” Read the story »

Architect Kengo Kuma looks back in remaking Tokyo’s Nezu Museum

TOKYO (TR) – Boxy concrete apartment buildings have come to symbolize Japan nearly as much as sushi and sumo. Following the end of World War II these garish and drab structures began springing up in large numbers along the outskirts of the nation’s larger cities to meet the surging demand of a growing population.

Yet it’s these uninspiring blocks that have perversely inspired renowned architect Kengo Kuma. Proof of this can be found in his work on the recently reconstructed Nezu Museum in Tokyo. “I wanted to create a huge roof,” Kuma says. “I attempted to connect people and the ground once again with the roof.”

Much like a farmhouse, an arched roof rises up to the height of two floors and extends roughly 50 meters laterally over the length of the museum’s main building, which occupies part of a long block in the swanky Minami Aoyama area of the city and is home to a substantial collection of traditional Japanese and Asian works of art. Read the story »

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Sports tabloid Daily Sports to offer digital edition

The newspaper industry in Japan appears to be readying itself for the electronic era . Tabloid Daily Sports reported last week that it would begin a special digital newspaper service today.

The sports paper said that most Japanese newspapers rely on advertising for revenue, a contrast to the U.S. model that is based on subscription fees. However, the global wave of readers accessing written publications online is forcing Japanese newspaper companies to make a move before it is too late.

A part of the Kobe Shimbun group, the paper is known for its extensive coverage of the Hanshin Tigers. This new service, in which readers will be charged 1,890 yen per month, coincides with the commencement of spring training activities for all 12 professional ball clubs. The content of the digital edition will duplicate that of the conventional paper.

The paper is offering a one-month trial period that is accessible at this link. Use the following access information. ユーザーID: “dailysports” and パスワード Password – “denshi” (K.N.)

Hanshin Tigers ready to roar in 2010

With the Year of Tiger now underway, the owner of Kansai’s Hanshin ball club, conveniently bearing the same nickname, is already on the prowl for the Central League crown, reports tabloid Daily Sports (Jan. 4).

Shinya Sakai, the 61-year-old president of Hanshin Electric Railway, the team’s parent, said that on his first day of work this year (Jan. 4) that he visited shrines in the Kobe area on January 1, during what is referred to as hatsumode, or first visit, to pray for a Tiger title.

“Nagata, Ikuta, Minatogawa — I took the train to visit all of them, situated along the rail line,” said the club’s “general” in charge. Read the story »

Hideki Matsui museum drawing crowds on heels of World Series MVP

The museum dedicated to former New York Yankees star Hideki Matsui attracted an unprecedented number of visitors over the New Year holiday as a result of the designated hitter winning the Most Valuable Player award during last year’s World Series, reports tabloid Daily Sports (Jan. 4).

The Matsui Hideki Baseball Museum, located in his hometown of Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, welcomed 650 fans on January 3, this year’s first day of operation. That attendance figure is triple the number of an average day.

Heavy snow was not a deterrent. Masai Matsui, the ballplayer’s father, who is the managing director of the museum, was delighted. “I saw cars lined up 20 minutes prior to the opening,” the elder Matsui beamed. “Did the MVP have an effect? I believe so.” Read the story »

Williams’ return to Tigers possible at midseason

Sports tabloid Daily Sports reports that the Hanshin Tigers are investigating the possibility of bringing back left-handed reliever Jeff Williams at mid-season next year.

A fan favorite since joining the Tigers in 2003, Williams, who hails from Australia, had arm surgery after the 2008 campaign and returned this year in a limited role before another operation at midseason. Should the club determine that it will be difficult for him to return as a player, they are also looking at offering him a position as U.S.-based scout.

Williams shared indicated to the tabloid in November that his doctor believed that he should be able to pitch again in May. A senior manager from the Tigers office explains: “We want him to contribute to Hanshin one way or the other. While the language barrier may exist, he has been a role model in our bullpen.” (K.N.)