To all fan and staff,

It's almost been three weeks since we performed at
Anime Expo and how are
you guys doing?
Well, we just can't calm ourselves down from the
excitement we had few weeks
ago.
We're not exhausted, but instead, we're motivated
and started on working on
our next project.

Before we flew to US, we were unsure how everyone at
Anime Expo would react
to us, or if our music will ever touch people's
hearts.
Everything was new to us. we had mixed feelings of
both being excited and
anxious at the same time.

You don't know how much we were touched when we
heard you guys cheering out
loud as the show started.
Without all the beautiful audiences like you guys,
we couldn't have put on a
wonderful show.
We had so much fun meeting each and everyone of you
at the autograph
sessions and we really had a great time at the panel
discussions.
We are so grateful to music which brought us
together across the boundaries.

As many of you have asked us to come back for more
gigs, we definitely hope
to do so whenever we have an opportunity.
Last but not least, we also want to thank our staff
who have supported us.

What a terrific experience this had been for us.
We'll never forget the moments we had with you at
Anime Expo.

Thank you from bottom of our hearts.

Take care.

from Manami and Yoshiaki Dewa.

What I can say: I am really glad that you were that excited and fulfilled after your tour and hopefully, it does motivate you to release new singles as there are lots out there waiting for more to arrive. ^^,

It is really impressive how your music crosses geographical and linguistic boundaries because Jyukai's music really is heart-touching and really soulful. We hope you continue to provide us your best. ^^,

This one's taken from J-Music Ignited:

Thank you for this interview. This is your first time at Anime Expo. How has your experience been so far?

Manami: It's our first time here. I'm really surprised by the turnout. The cosplay is very kawaii. I wish I brought a costume too.

What has been your most memorable experience so far?

Manami: Of course at the live, we were worried, but when we saw everyone we felt much better. They had a lot of energy that helped us perform.

At the concert, the fans seemed very receptive to your performance. What type of reaction have you personally received from these fans?

Manami: Throughout the autograph sessions we were surprised and pleased by the turn out. Many wrote Japanese messages. We are surprised by how many fans knew who we were and came to see us.

Many of your songs have been featured in animes like Ah! My Goddess. What process did you go through to enter the anime industry?

Manami: The label, Geneon, that releases our music is very into the anime genre and gave us the opportunity. At the time, we weren't aware of the anime scene.

In the future, do you think you will continue to feature your songs in animes?

Manami: Of course. If there's a chance, we'd like to participate in anime music.

In Japan, many famous artists are now featured on anime songs. What do you think about this?

Manami:There are many artists that work in anime titles like Shokotan who's an idol, and many mainstream artists. They are still able to maintain their identity while doing this at the same time.

As a musician, what are the most important things to consider when creating a song?

Dewa: I prefer to make music that can move myself as well. So if it still moves me after a week, it is good.

Are your families supportive of your musical careers?

Manami: Dewa's family runs a music store and his dad and brother are musicians. I come from a very normal family, but they're supportive of me.

Dewa, you have mentioned that X-Japan? was a major inspiration. What was it about their music that interested you?

Dewa: I like their fast songs and there's a difference between their ballads and upbeat songs. The ballads are very emotional and upbeat songs have a good tempo. The difference between the two brings out different aspects of the band's character.

Besides Jyukai, have you been involved in any other bands?

Dewa: I have been in four different bands that played different genres.

If you could collaborate with any other group or artist, who would you choose?

Manami: I'd like to work with Sailor Moon. I'd like to play a guitar and sing with Sailor Moon.

Dewa: Yoshiki from X-Japan!

What advice could you give to aspiring musicians?

Manami: More some than whether they are good or not, it's about the person and their personality. If they experience or have something in their life that they can bring out, that's what is most important.

Dewa: For guitarist, live with your guitar, sleep with your guitar, and you'll succeed. In high school I slept with my guitar every night.

What are your plans for Jyukai in the future?

Manami: Being able to come to the United States was a great experience. We want to go international and perform outside of Japan. I also want to study English more and perhaps sing some English songs.

Do you have a final message to send to your fans?

Manami: We are moved very much by the fans out here and hope to come back in the future. We are grateful for all of the support for the band.

My thoughts: I would like to personally quote Dewa on this: "if it still moves me after a week, then it's good." OMG! I super agree!!! Now that's what I've been looking for a music. Even though I've been listening to their songs for more than a year now, I'm still touched by the melody, the music, and the lyrics. Amazing...

And this quote's taken from Manami: "More some than whether they are good or not, it's about the person and their personality. If they experience or have something in their life that they can bring out, that's what is most important." OMG again! That inspired me a lot! Exact thoughts! Music definitely should be coming from the heart and not from the mind (that's what I think), and it is, because of this, that makes Jyukai's music pierce through anyone's hearts. ^^,

This one's taken from The-O Network Online:

T-ono: How was performing at Anime Expo?

Jyukai: Before the concert started, we were very nervous about the crowd’s reaction. The audience’s loud cheers made us very happy and relieved.

T-ono: What are your future goals (duets, tours, and singles)?

Jyukai: Jyukai works as a duo and go solo (in the future). We will always be together, just separate work.
In the near future, we might release a few singles of our own work, but Jyukai has always been a duo since the beginning and will always be.

T-ono: What did you guys do before you met each other?

Manami: I was a regular high school girl that had no relationship with music.

Dewa: I started playing music in middle school.  During middle school, I have established many bands.  Eventually the band, Jyukai, was formed.

T-ono: How did you know that you wanted to do music for a career?

Manami: I was always influenced with music ever since kindergarten and elementary school, but a music career never came up in my mind.  From high school, I thought about what I wanted to do in the future, but I could not see myself as a hair stylist.  Instead I found that I had more passion for music than anything else.

Dewa: At first I hated music because I was forced to learn the piano as a kid.  Learning the piano resembles a girly thing, but X Japan persuaded me to love music.  I went to an X Japan concert one day and fell in love with their music.  Their type of music influenced me to be in the music industry.

T-ono: How were you discovered by your label record?

An agency found us when we were composing music. The agency introduced us to Geneon and hence the present agency.

T-ono: What is your personal favorite song (out of your own songs)?  Why?

Manami: That’s hard to say because each song held different feelings for me.  If I had to choose one, the best song would be Hoshi Akari.  Hoshi Akari is my favorite because it was made for the fans.  Without the fans, Jyukai would not have existed.  So, the music was made for the fans to show her gratitude.

Dewa: My personal favorite is Anata ga Ita Mori.  Before our debut song, there were many others that were unheard, but Anata ga Ita Mori was the first.  There were a lot of emotions put into the song because it was the first song that went to the fans.

T-ono: What music artists do you listen to (in any language: English, Japanese, etc)?

Manami: When I listen to music I listen to the lyrics instead of the beats, but I listen to mainly Japanese rock singers.  I listened to Shiina Ringo a lot because she influenced me a lot in my music.

Dewa: Sixpence None the Richer.  The singer is number one.

Manami: What about me?

Dewa: You’re number two.

T-ono: Which promotional video (PV) was your favorite to film and why?

Manami: The most memorable was my second single song because it was filmed in Los Angeles.  During the filming, a lot of problems have occurred that made it frustrating, but in the end the promotional video came out great.

Dewa: In the majority of the promotional videos, I am only seen about a third of it.  Sakasete wa Ikenai Hana was my favorite video to film because the vibe was very deep and the video had a worldly effect – it has its own world.

T-ono: What is your favorite anime?

Manami: I love Sailormoon the most.   Ever since I was young, my friends and I would role-play as sailormoon characters and I always ended up being Sailor Jupiter.

Dewa: My favorite anime is Dragonball.  To be exact, I love the third comic book where everyone trained and illustrated how everyone gained their own strength.  I read it many times.  [laughing].

Alice: What do you like most about USA?

Manami: If I had to pick one, I would say the dry and clear skies.  In Japan, the humidity is very high.  (I think they mention about how the weather affected their body and health??)

Dewa: I like the people the most because they are friendly and open.  We can get along with them very easily, whereas in Japan, people tend to keep to themselves more.

T-ono: What were your inspirations in music?

Manami: I was deeply influenced by rock music.  It is like the female rocks singer’s power.

Dewa: Classical music inspired me the most because it never gets old and I learn new things every time.

T-ono: What was your favorite concert that you’ve attended?

Manami: L’Arc En Ciel was the best!

Alice: They’re one of my favorite bands too.

Manami: Oh, you and I are very much alike! We have so many things in common [laughing].

Dewa: X-Japan concert that happened the first time in March of this year.

T-ono: In recent years, there has been an explosion of Japanese artists discovered or becoming popular from anime music.  Can you comment on this recent trend?

Manami: I feel that there is a downside with music.  It’s hard to pull out music that’s not related to anime, but we hope that we can incorporate anime music with others.  We don’t want to be famous because of the anime music we sang.  Even though we sang anime music, we are still Jyukai.  Nothing is going to change, we still have our own style of music.  I hope that together with anime and bands that we can help each other giving the music a boost.

Dewa: Before coming to the United States, I didn’t realize that anime made a huge difference.  I always felt that Japan was the ones that bought over anime.

T-ono: Thank you very much and we hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.

Jyukai: Thank you.

My thoughts: And I quote again from Manami: "When I listen to music I listen to the lyrics instead of the beats" This is so true. No wonder your lyrics were very endearing and eternal. Very beautiful. ^^,

If you'll ask me what's my favorite song(s) if I were to pick my most favorite ones among them all, I think it will be Shintouka from their album Harvest. I really like it the most because it possesses such emotion with the composition, the arrangement, the melody and the tempo, the lyrics, the voice, the everything. You have to hear it. Really magnificent, heart-captivating song. ^^, I can listen to it the whole day and I will still be amazed by this great song.

Download their interview and thank you video HERE.

Interview Translation Taken from The-O Network Online

Manami: Hello everyone
Dewa: Hello
Manami: Nice to meet you, this is Jyukai. I am the vocalist Manami.
Dewa: I am the guitarist Dewa Yoshiaki.
Manami: This is the second time we're in America. No matter how many times we come to this city, it is a wonderful place. We would like to spread more and more of Jyukai's music to this city, and to this country. So I hope that everyone listens to more of our music. One, two...
Both: America is AWESOME!
Manami: yay, bye bye!

Arigatou gozaimasu Jyukai.

I'll still be waiting for your upcoming singles and albums and I certainly hope there's more to come. ^^,

HOW I WISH I WAS HERE. I'D DO ANYTHING.... T_T

Apparently, the people taking the video are also Filipino >.< (Judging by the language of their comments. T_T. Holy cow! How I wish I was there. I'd really do anything to be in their next concert and to buy their 2 album, Wild Flower and Harvest. Damn. . .

Can somebody tell me where this is from? I can't understand Japanese language sorry. I've been dying to find out what they are writing out there. T_T..

Anyway, here I go again as I plead for their next single... I'm in desperate need of more of their songs..

SINOPSIS: Neo-Tokyo reúne tres historias cortas dirigidas y escritas cada una por tres de los directores de animación japonesa más reconocidos del sector: Katsuhiro Ôtomo (Akira, Steamboy), Rintaro (Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis) y Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, Demon City)

Si quieres verla online:

NEOTOKYO, LABERINTO DE HISTORIAS

NEC Display Solutions przedstawia dwa nowe projektory DLP, NEC NP100 oraz NEC NP200, zaprojektowane specjalnie z myślą o małych i średnich przedsiębiorstwach, jak również sektorze edukacyjnym. Kluczowymi zaletami nowych produktów są niska cena oraz koszty użytkowania, a także doskonałe parametry wyświetlanego obrazu. Projektory charakteryzują się bardzo wysoką niezawodnością oraz niskim zużyciem energii, wynoszącym zaledwie 228 watów. Oba modele są jedynymi w swojej klasie urządzeniami, oferującymi czas pracy lampy wynoszący 3500 godzin (4000 godzin w trybie ekonomicznym). Dzięki wysokiej jasności 2000 ANSI lumenów (NP100) i 2100 ANSI lumenów (NP200) oraz rozdzielczości SVGA (NP100) i XGA (NP200), projektory gwarantują doskonałą jakość obrazu. Dysponują unikalnym sposobem zabezpieczenia przed nieautoryzowanym dostępem. Pilot zdalnego sterowania projektorem został zintegrowany z obudową. Po jego usunięciu, projektor pozbawiony jest jakichkolwiek klawiszy do sterowania, w związku z czym, może być obsługiwany tylko przez uprawnione do tego osoby.

Podczas podejmowania decyzji o zakupie nowego sprzętu, dla wielu średniej wielkości firm niezwykle ważnym aspektem są zarówno koszty użytkowania, jak i cena zakupu konkretnego modelu. Nowe projektory NEC Display Solutions NP100 oraz NP200 zaprojektowane zostały z myślą o spełnieniu tych wymagań. Urządzenia są wyjątkowo energooszczędne, zużywają podczas pracy jedynie 228W energii oraz zaledwie 7W w trybie czuwania. Dodatkowo użytkownicy mogą korzystać z projektorów przez długi okres dzięki czasowi pracy lampy, który wynosi 3500 godzin w trybie standardowym oraz aż 4000 godzin w trybie ekonomicznym. Wymienne lampy do obu projektorów dostępne są również w bardzo korzystnej cenie około 600 zł.

Nowe projektory NEC NP100 oraz NP200 gwarantują obraz najwyższej jakości nawet w bardzo jasnych pomieszczeniach i sprawdzają się znakomicie w takich miejscach jak małe biura, klasy szkolne czy niewielkie sale konferencyjne. Znakomita jakość obrazu osiągalna jest dzięki wysokiej jasności 2000ANSI lumenów (NP100), 2100ANSI lumenów (NP200), a także wysokiemu współczynnikowi kontrastu 1200:1 w modelu NP100 oraz 1300:1 w NP200. Oba projektory są w stanie wyświetlać obraz z odległości od 1,2 metra do nawet 12 metrów. Doskonała reprodukcja kolorów osiągana jest dzięki pięciosegmentowemu (NP100) oraz sześciosegmentowemu (NP200) kołu barwnemu, niedostępnemu w konkurencyjnych rozwiązaniach budżetowych. NEC Display Solutions wyposażył swoje nowe projektory segmentu podstawowego w wiele praktycznych funkcji zapewniających komfort podczas codziennej pracy. NEC NP100 oraz NEC NP200 posiadają manualną korekcję efektu trapezowego w pionie, w zakresie do 40 stopni, a także optyczny zoom. Pozwala to na swobodę wyboru miejsca ustawienia projektora. Ponadto oba projektory wyposażone są w analogowe wejście oraz wyjście sygnału wideo, a także złącza audio.

Niewielkie wymiary oraz waga, to cechy szczególnie pożądane w przypadku projektorów do niewielkich biur oraz sektora edukacyjnego. Ważące jedynie 2,3 kg, NEC NP100 i NP200 mogą być bez przeszkód przenoszone z jednego miejsca w inne, niemniej jednak istnieje możliwość zainstalowania ich na stałe przy pomocy opcjonalnego uchwytu. Dla dodatkowej ochrony, pilot zdalnego sterowania został zintegrowany z obudową projektora. Po jego usunięciu projektor pozbawiony jest przycisków, co skutecznie zabezpiecza urządzenie przed nieautoryzowanym dostępem.

Dostępność i gwarancja
NEC NP100 oraz NEC NP200 są już dostępne na rynku. Sugerowana cena modelu NP100 wynosi 1410zł netto, natomiast modelu NP200 wynosi 1780zł netto. W zestawie z projektorem dostarczany jest kabel zasilający, kabel D-SUB, pilot zdalnego sterowania, osłona obiektywu, instrukcja obsługi oraz płyta CD z dokumentacją. NEC Display Solutions udziela na projektory trzyletniego okresu gwarancyjnego w systemie door-to-door.

Krótka specyfikacja techniczna:

O NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation, NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd. i NEC Display Solutions, Ltd. doszły do porozumienia w sprawie połączenia NEC Display Solutions, producenta monitorów, z NEC Viewtechnology, dostawcy projektorów, w nową firmę, która od 1 kwietnia 2007 r. działa na rynku monitorów LCD, monitorów plazmowych oraz projektorów. Nowa spółka, której właścicielem 100% udziałów jest NEC Corporation, ma siedzibę główną w Tokio w Japonii i działa pod nazwą NEC Display Solutions, Ltd. Jej prezesem został Yoshiaki Tsuda.

NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH z europejską siedzibą w Monachium w Niemczech jest odpowiedzialna za działania firmy na obszarze EMEA, podzielonym na cztery regiony sprzedaży: Europę Północną, Europę Zachodnią i Południową, Europę Środkową oraz Europę Wschodnią wraz z Bliskim Wschodem i Afryką. Dzięki korzyściom biznesowym, jakie niesie za sobą dostęp do wiedzy i technologii NEC Corporation oraz własnemu działowi badawczo-rozwojowemu, firma jest jednym z czołowych światowych dostawców technologii wyświetlania obrazu w zakresie monitorów LCD, monitorów plazmowych oraz projektorów. Firma posiada szeroką ofertę monitorów, od podstawowych do profesjonalnych i specjalistycznych, takich jak np. wielkoformatowe monitory do zastosowań reklamy cyfrowej (technologie LCD i plazma) oraz monitory plazmowe dla kina domowego. Oferta projektorów obejmuje produkty do różnych zastosowań, od lekkich przenośnych projektorów, poprzez projektory biznesowe aż urządzeń do pracy ciągłej (np. prezentacje w miejscu sprzedaży) i cyfrowych projektorów kinowych. Dyrektorem zarządzającym europejskiej centrali jest Bernd Eberhardt. Więcej informacji można uzyskać na stronie: www.nec-display-solutions.pl

NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) to jeden ze światowych liderów wśród dostawców Internetu, sieci szerokopasmowych oraz rozwiązań dostosowanych do specyfiki działania dużych korporacji, jak również uwzględniających specjalistyczne potrzeby konsumentów na całym świecie. NEC dostarcza zindywidualizowane rozwiązania dla kluczowych segmentów rynku komputerowego, sieciowego oraz urządzeń elektronicznych poprzez wykorzystanie własnych doświadczeń na rynku IT i rynku sieciowym, a także poprzez dostarczanie zaawansowanych rozwiązań półprzewodnikowych oferowanych przez NEC Electronics Corporation. Grupa NEC zatrudnia ponad 150 000 osób na całym świecie. W celu uzyskania dalszych informacji, proszę odwiedzić strony korporacyjne NEC pod adresem www.nec.com

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 AIKO - FILHO DO AMOR.

 AKIRA - O INTELIGENTE.

 DAICHI - PRIMEIRO NETO.

 HAJIME - COMEÇO, PRIMEIRO FILHO.

 HAYATO - ÁGIL, RÁPIDO, VELOZ.

 HIDEAKI - MANEIRAS, MODOS.

 HIDEKI - ÁRVORE MARAVILHOSA.

 HIDETAKA - PRÓSPERO, RESPONSÁVEL, EXCELENTE.

 HIROÍTO - HOMEM GRANDE.

 HIROKI - ALEGRIA DA PROSPERIDADE, DA ABUNDÂNCIA.

 HIROSHI - GENEROSO.

 ICHIRO - PRIMEIRO FILHO.

 ISAO - CORAJOSO, DE MÉRITOS.

 KANJI - SAUDÁVEL, SEGUNDO FILHO.

 KATSUO - CRIANÇA VITORIOSA.

 KAZUAKI - PAZ AGRADÁVEL, BRILHANTE.

 KAZUMI - PAZ AGRADÁVEL.

 KAZUO - PRIMEIRO, PACÍFICO.

 KEN - SAUDÁVEL, IDEAL.

 KENICHI - SÁBIO, MODESTO.

 KENJIRO - MODESTO SEGUNDO FILHO.

 KENTARO - SAUDÁVEL GRANDE HOMEM.

 KENTO - CRESCENTE, PRÓSPERO.

 KIICHI - FELIZ PRIMEIRO FILHO.

 KOJI - EXPANSIVO E CONTROLADOR.

 KOTARO - FILHO GRANDE E BRILHANTE.

 RAIDEN - HERÓI DA MITOLOGIA JAPONESA.

 RIKI - O PODER.

 RYOTARO - FILHO ESPLENDIDAMENTE VIGOROSO.

 SATORU - ILUMINADO.

 SEIJI - SINCERO, RELIGIOSO.

 SHINICHI - QUE AJUDA NO CRESCIMENTO DA FÉ.

 SHUICHI - ESTUDIOSO, APLICADO.

 SUSUMO - PROGRESSO.

 TAKAFUMI - EXALTADO.

 TAKASHI - NOBRE ASPIRAÇÃO.

 TAKESHI - BAMBUZAL.

 TATSUO - SÁBIO, LÚCIDO.

 YACHI - CENTENÁRIO.

 YASUHIKO - PRÍNCIPE PACÍFICO.

 YOKO - CRIANÇA POSITIVA.

 YOSHIAKI - BRILHANTE E CORAJOSO.

Alguns nomes masculinos modernos terminam com o sufixos "ichi" (Jun-ichi, Ken-ichi, Ryuichi) ou "kazu" (Masakazu, Toshikazu), que significam "o primeiro filho". 

Já os sufixos "ji" (Eiji) e "zo" (Senzo) significam respectivamente "o segundo filho" e o "o terceiro filho". 

A maioria dos nomes femininos modernos terminam com o sufixo "ko" (Keiko, Masako, Naoko, Yoko), que significa "criança". 

Outros comuns nomes femininos terminam com o sufixo "mi" (Harumi, Naomi, Yumi), que significa "beleza".

Quer mais?

A JBC lançou recentemente o Dicionário de Nomes Japoneses, com significado de mais de 800 nomes, além da explicação sobre os nomes dos principais personagens de mangá, das celebridades e da família imperial.

Quer saber mais sobre os sobrenomes japoneses? Aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui e aqui tem! 

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/editorial/20071215TDY04305.htm

The Japanese government must lobby other governments to persuade them not to follow in the footsteps of the European Parliament in adopting a resolution that sullies Japan's standing.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning Japan over the "comfort women" issue. The resolution calls for the government to apologize, saying the Imperial armed forces coerced young women in Asia to work as "sex slaves" before and during World War II.

The latest development resembles the resolution adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives over the comfort women issue in July. This matter has now spilled over to Europe. The parliaments of Canada and the Netherlands also have adopted similar resolutions.

However, interest in the comfort women issue has not necessarily been high in Europe. The European Parliament's resolution was advocated by the minor Green Party and fewer than 10 percent of the members of parliament attended the voting.

===

Moves behind the scenes
However, Amnesty International, an international human rights organization, has organized hearings of former comfort women, including Dutch women, at various places, and is lobbying many governments to adopt resolutions on the issue. Anti-Japanese organizations with ties to China and South Korea are orchestrating such moves behind the scenes.

When Japan controlled Indonesia during World War II after ousting the Dutch military, detained Dutch women were taken by Japanese soldiers and forced to become comfort women against their will. However, Japanese military headquarters in Jakarta closed down the comfort station immediately after learning of the incident, and released the women.

This was indeed an unfortunate incident, but the story provides "counterevidence" that sinks allegations that the Japanese military systematically coercively recruited women into sexual service.

Officers and soldiers involved in the incident were sentenced as Class-B and Class-C war criminals by a war tribunal in the Netherlands after the war.

The German military had more than 500 "comfort stations" in East Europe and other occupied areas, yet we rarely hear a peep about this. A number of documents verify this fact, including a report by an official of the Catholic Church to the then pope, saying Nazis took Jewish women to serve as prostitutes for German soldiers.

===

Kono statement to blame
The Green Party that advocated the adoption of the latest resolution has many German members. We wonder if they intend to keep silent over what happened in their own country many years ago.

One reason why Japan has been repeatedly dragged over the coals regarding the comfort women issue is the 1993 statement issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono. The statement suggested that Japanese officials systematically and coercively recruited women to be comfort women.

However, there is not one single document or a shred of evidence that substantiates this. Nobuo Ishihara, deputy chief secretary at that time, later said the Kono statement was issued to deflect pressure from South Korea, which had been pressing Japan to acknowledge it had carted off comfort women.

The government must review the Kono statement, which has become a source of misunderstanding in the international community.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2007)

(Dec. 15, 2007)