Re: Ｐ＊Ｆ＊Ｊ

Long-life comics of Japan

■Sazae-San

"Sazae-San" is a comedy the every day which a Japanese traditional family weaves, and is one of the four-frame strip cartoons representing Japan.The author is Machiko Hasegawa.

Series are newspapers, such as Asahi Shimbun, and will be performed over 6477 times in 1946-1974, and 86 million or more parts of books sell.

From 1969, the television animation version is broadcast and broadcast continues for 37 years till the present. An audience rating records the 39.4 highest% in 1979, and is always maintaining 20% order still now. From the height of the popularity, it is called the "national program."

Daiwa Institute of Research (Japan) announced that correlativity is in the share index of Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the audience rating of animation "Sazae-San."

"Sazae-San" drops an audience rating, when business is good, and when business is bad, it is said that an audience rating increases.

It is because Sazae-San is broadcast on Sunday in the evening, so people's dining out will increase if business is good, and people will be in a house more often if business is bad.

■Doraemon

"Doraemon" is SF comics full of gags dealing with the cat type robot which came from the 22nd century in the present age, and a tool wonderful for the convenience of the future. The author is Fujiko F Fujio.

The series was started in 1969, and 1345 talks were drawn until the author passed away in 1996. 130 million or more parts of books sell in the world.

Animation is also popular all over the world, broadcast will be started in 1974 and the 3rd series is broadcast from April, 2005 in Japan.

Especially the 2nd series broadcast for 26 years from 1979 to March, 2005 was large-hit, and 25 movies were broadcast. The audience rating exceeded a maximum of 30%.

■Kochira Katsuhsika-ku Kamearikoen-mae Hashutsuzyo

"Kochira Katsuhsika-ku Kamearikoen-mae Hashutsuzyo ("Kochi Kame", in English, "Here is the police box in front of the Kameari Park") " is the thrilling comics full of gags which made the downtown area in Tokyo the stage and drew an unprecedented policeman's wayward every day.The author is Osamu Akimoto

A series will be started in the "weekly JUMP" paper in 1976, and it will become the 30th anniversary of a series in 2006.

This work has record of no not being published, over 1400 times or more, and 148 volumes and 130 million parts or more of a book sell well, and let it be the monumental work of boys' comics.

Animation was also broadcast from 1996 to 2004 and won popularity.

■GOLGO 13

"GOLGO 13" is a full-scale action graphic novel to which GOLGO which is a cruel sniper receives a request of the organization of each country, and shoots down a target. The author is Takawo Saito.

A series will be started in 1968 and it is under series still now. Since there is no stop of publishing, it may be admired in "the author itself is GOLGO."

The peculiar view of the world which surround a cool hero is supported, and it has become the comics work which continues for a long time in Japan.

■ Abusan

"Abusan" is baseball comics which Shinji Mizushima who is the authority of baseball comics draws.

It is the feature that the story of creation is developing based on actual professional baseball. It is serialized from 1973 and counted by the active-service long-term series 3 on a par with "GOLGO" and "KochiKame".

December 23, 2005

Red and White Singing Contest

There is a program of NHK Red and White Singing Contest　(KOHAKU UTAGASSEN). This is a large-scale music program that NHK is broadcasting on the New Year's Eve of every year. It counts 56 times this year.

The singer who represents one year divides into man and woman's team, it sings, and the judge decides the match in this program. At this time, a man is called the white team and the woman a red team.

Most Red and White Singing Contest is a program whose audience rating is the highest in Japan every year. The highest audience rating in the past of this program is 81.4%(1963). The audience rating in recent years changes by 40-50%. It is one of the most popular programs in Japan though recent popularity tends to slackness.

June 18, 2005

Shinjuku Stn.

Shinjuku Station is a station crowded most in the worlds.

This station is a huge terminal with the JR line, Odakyu line, Keio Line, Keio New Line, Seibu line, the Tokyo metro, and Tokyo under metropolitan management subway. The number of getting on and off guests is 3.5 million people, and is the best in the world.

JR Shinjuku Station is a center of the Shinjuku terminal. It consists of 14 railway tracks with seven platforms at a huge eminent station also in Japan. It is a traffic strategic location on which the main routes of Yamanote Line, Chuou Line, Soubu Line, Saikyou Line, and the Shonan Shinjuku line (Toukaido Line, Yokosuka Line, Utsunomiya line, Takasaki Line, and Narita Express). The number of users during a day exceeds 1.5 million.

Odakyu Shinjuku Station is a huge structure. This station where JR exists soon on the west side are two stories that set up four platforms and three platforms under the soil on the ground. "Deluxe coach" of a deluxe special express runs here. Users during a day are 500,000 people.

Keio Shinjuku Station is on the west side of JR Shinjuku Station, too. This station has three platforms under the soil by the effective use of space with a narrow city. However, it was not possible to finish dealing with the user, and another "Shinjuku Station" was made. Another "Shinjuku Station" that exists on the fifth floor in the underground has one platform, and goes directly with the under metropolitan management subway Shinjuku line. For the user during a day, Keio Line is 680,000 people, and Toei Shinjuku Line is 230,000 people.

There are two Shinjuku Stations of the under metropolitan management subway Oedo Line. Because the Shinjuku terminal is too huge, the station is two or more and is necessary. One is Shinjuku Station. Another is "Shinjuku Nishiguchi" in which another one is made in the west of Shinjuku Station. Because the ground and the underground are full of the structure the surrounding of Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku Station of Oedo Line is built by the "seventh floor" in the underground. Users during a day are 100,000 people per two station.

Shinjuku Station of Tokyo subway Marunouchi line is a simple structure though are a lot of users. This station is in the subbasement, and 260,000 people a day are using it.

There are Shinjuku Stations of Seibu Railway in an east side of the Shinjuku terminal and a place a little away. A lot of trains arrive and depart though the station is compact. Users during a day are 200,000 people.

- Station surrounding

In the west gate, there is the bus terminal.And, Shinjuku high-rise complex and Japanese various places composed by the Tokyo agency and the skyscraper street are connected.

In the eastward exit, there is "STUDIO ALTA", the popular talk show broadcast in daytime is collected. Here is famous as the meeting spot. And there is "Shinjuku electric street" that follows Akihabara, too. Moreover, the amusement center whichi is the top of Japan, Kabukicho are also near. It connects it with Shinjuku-sanchome Station when a huge underground shopping center's where east and west is connected passing.

A huge pavement where the railway track is stepped over is connected with the south entrance, and a fashionable station building and a lot of building place eaves in a line. "Southeast entrance" and "New south entrance" are made because there are a lot of users. There is a huge furniture shop in "Southeast entrance". "New south entrance" includes glazed and big department store "Takashimaya Times Square", and other huge General Store and bookstore exist. Moreover, there is a bus terminal of JR (16 routes), too.

Besides this, the exit of 26 is made through the underpass.

December 24, 2004

A public holiday of Japan

●1/1　Ganzitsu （New Year's Day）
The day which celebrates the beginning of a year.

There are various events and customs in the New Year...

・Hatsu-Hinode （Sunrise on New Year's Day）
We worship the sun out of which it comes at the beginning of a year. We carry out the oath for one year to the sun, or pray stability.

・Hatsu-Moude （First visit in the year to a shrine or a temple）
We visit a shrine or a temple at the beginning of a year. We appreciate for the safety last year there, and safety this year is prayed or we take an oath.

・Otoshidama (New Year's present）
Persons of their superiors, such as parents and a relative, give persons (child etc.) at present pocket money.

・Osechiryouri （Dishes for the New Year）
We eat auspicious food and pray the health for one year.

・Toso
Alcohol which drives off a vicious thing, and wishes and drinks the prolongation of life. There is a custom of drinking sequentially from a junior in this.

・Ozouni (Rice cakes in soup)
Soup containing the rice cake offered in a congratulatory seat.
　

*Many companies are closed from the end of the year to the beginning of the year.

●the 2nd Monday in January　Coming-of-Age Day
The day which blesses the grown-up youth.

In each self-governing body, in order to bless an adult, a "coming-of-age ceremony" is celebrated. Incidentally, a legal "adult" is 20 years old.

It was on January 15 before. Even this day was made into the New Year and this day was called "Koshigatsu（Japanese New Year）."

●2/11　National Foundation Day
The day when the first Emperor Jinmu founded Nippon.

●March about 21 Vernal Equinox Day
●September about 23　Autumnal Equinox Day

One week centering on this day is called Higan (equinoctial week).
It considers as the period when an ancestor returns from Heaven, and a visit to a grave is performed briskly nationally. An ancestor is worshipped and the deceased is retrospected. In this week, Worship of a shrine or a temple is also prosperous.

★Golden Week
The period when a public holiday can take a substantial large-sized vacation continuously. From the end of April to the opening part in May.

This is one of the pleasure of people.

●4/29　Greenery Day
The day which is familiar with a nature. Moreover, the day for which We appreciate the benefit of a nature.

It is Emperor Showa birthday. While in life, Emperor Showa was strongly loved in green (the nature). Therefore, this public holiday is prepared. And, it is also the day which remembers Emperor Showa.

●5/3 Constitution Memorial Day
The day which commemorates enforcement of the Constitution of Japan in 1947. Development of a democratic state house is wished.

●"A national holiday" comes the weekday inserted into one public holiday and another public holiday. Therefore, May 4 is surely "a national holiday."
Incidentally, when a public holiday overlaps with Sunday, next Monday turns into a "substitute holiday."

●5/5 Children's Day
The day for which prays a child's happiness and it is thankful to a mother.
The root is traditional "Tango-no-Sekku (Boys*' Festival) ."

*There is the Hinamatsuri (Girl's Festival) on March 3.

●3rd Monday in July　Marine Day
In appreciation of a marine benefit, maritime nation Japan is congratulated on its prosperity.

●3rd Monday in September　Respect for the Aged Day
The old men and women who have devoted themself to society over many years is respected, and their long life is celebrated.
A holiday indispensable to Japan which is the No.1 country where many people live to an advanced age of the world.

●3rd Monday in October Sports Day
The day which was made into the sports and which permeates and cultivates healthy mind and body.

From the first, this day was on October 10 when the Tokyo Olympic Games opening ceremony was held.

●11/3　National Culture Day
The day when freedom and peace are loved on and culture is recommended.
The Constitution of Japan proclamation (1946) was commemorated. The start is Emperor Meiji's birthday.

●11/23　Labor Thanksgiving Day
The day which respects labor, and celebrates production and people suit in appreciation of each other.

The origin is an Imperial-Household event "the Niname festival" which celebrates and appreciates for the harvest of the year and is offered on multitudinous gods .

●12/23 The Emperor's Birthday
The day which celebrates the birthday of the His Majesty the Emperor which is the symbol of Japan and is the symbol of Japanese integration.

November 14, 2004

The home in Japan 2004

In a house, we takes off shoes.

The wash-toilet system is carrying out considerable grade spread.

What the man in the English area does not see are...
Fermented soybeans (that in which the soybean rotted), and soy sauce (that to which the soybean liquefied), a Japanese horseradish "Wasabi" (yellow-green hot paste).

There is green tea. A japanese teapot "Kyusu" is used to pour it out.

There is a rice cooker which cooks rice.

A robot dog is in each home (it is a lie).

October 31, 2004

Railway Guide in Tokyo

A railroad is the most convenient if you move in Tokyo...
Tokyo is one of the cities from which the network of railroads developed most in the world.

1) the System of Tokyo's Train

The following figure is the outline of the Tokyo's Train.

* if you Click the thumbnail, you can see more bigger map..

Yamanote Line goes on the center of Tokyo around, and connects many terminals. From each terminal, the trunks and commutation lines of JR and private lines are extended to the suburbs.

JR Chuo Line and Sobu Line run to the center of a circle.
The subway is fixed like meshes of a net at the center of the circle.

Although not described here, The Shinkansen (the bullet train) leaves from Tokyo and Ueno to the main cities in Japan.

2) JR-East Lines

There are 12 JR (East Japan Railway company) Lines in the Tokyo heart. In addition, JR was privatized from former JNR (Japanese National Railways).

a) Yamanote Line
Section: Osaki - Osaki [Roop line]
Headway: 2-4 min.
Note: The beltway which goes around the Tokyo heart. This is the main artery of Tokyo which is crowded all day long. It carries out 29 stations of there in a round about 1 hour. The confusion at the time of the rushes of this route is famous, and also has the vehicles with which all chairs are folded up.
This route is the main artery which connects terminals which millions of persons use on a day, such as Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Shinagawa.
What's the future of these terminals ?
- The Tokyo station is the front door in Tokyo. It is not only the starting point of a railroad of Japan, but there are many stops of expressway buses by which they came from all over the country. The satation is in the face of the Imperial Palace, and is nearest Marunouchi and Otemachi which is the center of business. So, the head offices of companies stand in a row near the sation.
- The Shinjuku station is the knot point of the traffic which a lot of JR lines, many private lines , subways, and highway buses accumulate, and is the greatest station in Japan which 3,200,000 or more people use on a day. Many department stores and multiplicity of commercial buildings stand in a row on the outskirts, and there is the "Shinjuku high-rise complex" which a skyscraper accumulates.
- The Ueno station is the front door for the man of the Tohoku district. Many long-distance trains had left from here once (it replaced the Shinkansen now). Vast "Ueno Park" spreads on the west of the station, and there are much cultural facilities, such as a zoo, Shinobazuike Pond, a national art museum, Science Museum. A downtown area spreads on the east side and there are many stores.
- The Ikebukuro station is the front door of the men of Saitama Prefecture. It is the huge station which 1 million or more people use at the knot point of traffic every day. Near, many department stores and shopping centers put eaves in a row.
- The Shibuya station is famous as a young man's town. They are the center of a young man's fashion. Here, the young men who came from the whole country are striding by their different appearance (there is also man who did novel appearance).
- The Shinagawa station is the office town of a littoral district. In recent years, redevelopment was remarkable and also opened the station of the Shinkansen.

b) Keihin-Tohoku Line
Section: Omiya - Tokyo - Shinagawa - Yokohama (- Ofuna on Negishi Line)
Headway: 2-5 min.
Note: This railroad connects from Omiya (Saitama Prefecture) to Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture) and runs through Tokyo.
This is parallel with Yamanote Line in the east half of it (from Tabata to Shinagawa) . In the daytime, this route carries out Rapid Service in this section. In this time, the train stops only at Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, Hamamatsucho, and Tabata.
By the way, Yokohama is a port city with a population of 3,500,000. Omiya (Saitama City) is a housing city with a population of 1 million. Two big cities are connected across Tokyo.

c) Sobu / Chuo Line (Local Train)
Section: Mitaka - Nakano - Shinjuku - Akihabara - Chiba
Headway: 2-6 min.
Note: This route crosses Yamanote Line.
It goes to Nakano and Mitaka (western part of Tokyo) from Chiba through Shinjuku, via Akihabara (a famous electric town) and Ryogoku (town of sumo).
By now, Chiba is a port and housing city with a population of 900,000. This is the main routes which connect Tokyo to bedroom suburbs Chiba.

d) Chuo Line (Rapid Service)
Section: Tokyo - Shinjuku - Nakano - Mitaka - Kokubunji - Tachikawa - Hachioji - Takao( --- Otsuki ------ Kofu ---- Matsumoto --------- Nagoya)
Headway: 2-6 min.
This line is Famous as a commutation route which is most crowded in Japan. This route connects Tokyo and Shinjuku which are the two major terminals of Tokyo.This is extended to the Tama area and the Takao mountain in western Tokyo.
This train is parallel with the local train of Sobu and Chuo Line from Ochanomizu to Mitaka. From Tokyo to Shinjuku, this train stops only at Kanda, Ochanomizu, and Yotsuya.

e) Saikyo Line and Rinkai Line
Section: Kawagoe - Omiya - Akabane - Ikebukuro - Shinjuku - Shibuya - Ebisu - Osaki (- Oimachi - Daiba - Ariake - Shinkiba on Rinkai Line)
Headway: 3-10 min.
This railroad connects from Omiya (Saitama Prefecture) to Rinkai Line (goes on Littoral district of Tokyo). It is the route which carries out terrific confusion at the time of rushes.
This train is parallel with Yamanote Line in the west half of it from Ikebukuro to Osaki. In this section, the train stops only Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu, and Osaki.
This train goes to Rinkai Line direct from Osaki.

f) Keiyo Line
Section: Tokyo - Maihama - Kaihin-Makuhari - Soga
Headway: 2-14 min.
This route runs the bay area of Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture from Tokyo to Soga (Industrial area).
It connects Tokyo Disneyland (TDL) and the Makuhari new urban core.
Some train connects directly with the Musashino Line from Nishi-Funabashi, which goes half round the edge of the city area in Tokyo.

g) Tokaido Line
Section: Tokyo - Yokohama - Odawara - Atami (---- Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Gifu, Ktoyo, Osaka and Kobe... )
Headway: 3-10 min.
This route connects Yokohama, Odawara, and Atami (hot spring resort) from Tokyo.
The railroad opened first in Japan. This is a trunk which has taken the lead in industrial prosperity of the nation. In addition, some trains extend their trip to a famous tourist resort Izu peninsula.

h) Yokosuka Line
Section: Tokyo - Yokohama - Ofuna - Kamakura - Zushi - Yokosuka - Kurihama
Headway: 5-18 min.
This line has connected Yokohama, and the Miura peninsula as scenic spot - Kamakura (once there was the Kamakura shogunate here), Zushi, and Yokosuka from Tokyo. This route connects directly with the Sobu Line (Rapid Service) .

i) Sobu Line (Rapid Service)
Section: Tokyo - Kinshicho - Funabashi - Tsudanuma - Chiba ( - Narita on Narita Line, Kashimajingu on Narita and Kashima Line/Naruto on Sobu Line / Kisaradu on Uchibo Line / Kazusa-Ichinomiya on Sotobo Line)
Headway: 3-12 min.
This route connects Tokyo to Chiba Area (Boso peninsula) . It goes to Yokosuka Line direct from Tokyo.
The "Narita Express (NEX) " which connects Narita Airport to Tokyo, Shinjuku and Yokohama runs in this line.

j) Tohoku(Utsunomiya)/Takasaki Line
Section:Ueno - Akabane - Omiya ( - Takasaki - Maebashi on Takasaki Line / Utaunomiya on Tohoku Line )
Headway: 3-10 min.
This route connects from Ueno and Ikenbukuro (Shinjuku, Yokohama, and Yokosuka) to Omiya (Saitama Pref.) and Utsunomiya (Tochigi Pref.) , and Takasaki and Maebashi (Gunma Pref.). They are the important trunks to the Tohoku district.

k) Joban Line (Local/ Rapid Service)
Section: Ueno - Nippori - (Ayase on Joban Line Local) - Matsudo - Kashiwa - Toride (end of the Rapid Servise Train and Local Train via Subway Chiyoda Line) - Tsuchiura - Tomobe - Mito -------- Sendai
Headway: 3-12 min.
This line connects from Ueno to Toride and Tsuchiura (Ibaraki Pref.).
Rapid Service and the trunk train have started from Ueno. The local train is connected with subway Chiyoda Line from Ayase.

l) Shonan-Shinjuku Line
Section: Omiya - Ikebukuro - Shinjuku - Shibuya - Yokohama - Ofuna
Headway: 10-15 min.
This route connected Tohoku(Utsunomiya) / Takasaki Line and Tokaido / Yokosuka Line with the Shinjuku station which does'nt carry out the Tokyo course, and has short-circuited Omiya and Yokohama. And yet, this is parallel with Yamanote Line in the west half of it from Ikebukuro to Osaki.
From Ikebukuro to Osaki, which is this train stops only at Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ebisu.

For details, please refer to the following link places.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/

3) Subways

The subway of Tokyo is managed by two companies.
One is "the Tokyo metro (former "Eidan Subways (TRTA- Teito Rapid Transit Authority )" was privatized in it.)", and another is "the Toei Subways (managed by the Transportation Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government).

There are 13 subway lines in Tokyo. Tokyo Metro has 9 lines and Toei has 4 lines.

Most subways which run a metropolitan area freely are connected with the private lines which go from the terminal station in Yamanote Line to the suburbs.

In addition, Please be careful there...
+Otemachi which is the terminal of a subway network adjoins the Tokyo station.
+Since the Tokyo metro and Toei Subways are separate routes, fares differ in a subway network.

[Tokyo Metro (former Eidan) ]

a) Ginza Line [Line Symbol: G]
Section: Shibya - Asakusa
Headway: 2-3 min.
Note: This route is the first subway in Japan. The Shibuya terminal, Omotesando(pretended shopping area), Akasaka-Mitsuke (Shopping and Operating area), the Ginza (the No.1 shopping quarter of Japan), Nihonbashi (wholesale district), the Ueno terminal, and Asakusa (the front of a gate in traditional Senso-ji town) are connected with this route.
The downtown area and the central part of Tokyo are tied up organically.

b) Marunouchi Line [M]
Headway: 2-4 min.
Section: Ogikubo / Hounancho - Ikebukuro
Note: The three major terminals in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and Shinjuku are connected with the character type of Contrary C.
There are the Shinjuku terminal, Kokkaigizido-mae (front the Diet Building), Kasumigaseki (central part of the national administration), the Ginza, the Otemachi terminal in Tokyo, Korakuen (TOKYO DOME), and the Ikebukuro terminal in this route.

c) Hibiya Line [H]
Headway: 2-5 min.
Section: (Tobu Dobutsu Koen (Zoo Park) on Tobu Isesaki Line -) Kitasenzyu - Nakameguro (- Kikuna on Tokyu (Tokyo-Kyuko) Toyoko Line)
Note: In this route, there are the Ebisu terminal, Roppongi (business district), Kasumigaseki , the Ginza, Tsukiji (town in the Central Wholesale Market called "kitchen in Tokyo" ), Akihabara (electric town), and a Ueno terminal.

d) Tozai Line [T]
Section: (Mitaka on JR Chuo Line [Local] -) Nakano - Nishi-Funabashi (- Tsudanuma on JR Sobu Line [Local] / Toyo Katsutadai on Toyo Kosoku Line)
Headway: 2-5 min.
Note: It is crossing Yamanote Line. In this route, there are Takadanobaba and Waseda (student town... Waseda Univ. is the most famous), the Iidabashi terminal (the subway of ground east and west and north and south joins), Kudanshita (near the Yasukuni Jinja shrine) , the Otemachi terminal, and Nihonbashi. A Rapid Service train is running in the suburb Area. From Toyocho - Nishifunabashi, the Train stops only at Urayasu.

e) Chiyoda Line [C]
Section: (Karakida on Odakyu Tama Line / Hon-Atsugi on Odakyu Odawara Line -) Yoyogi-Uehara - Ayase (- Toride on Joban Line [Local] / Kita-Ayase )
Headway: 2-6 min.
Note: There are Meijijingu-mae (there are Meiji-jingu and a young man's town Harajuku), Omotesando(pretended shopping quarter), Akasaka (the business and shopping district, and an area with many embassies), Kasumigaseki, Hibiya (operating area), the Otemachi terminal, Ochanomizu (university town), and Nezu, Sendagi and Machiya (downtown area) in this route.

f) Yurakucho Line [Y]
Section: (Shinrin koen on Tobu Tojo Line -) Wakosi - Shin-Kiba
Headway: 2-6 min.
Note: There are the Ikebukuro terminal, Nagatacho (a politician's town), and Tsuki-Shima (downtown area) in this route.

g) Hanzomon Line [Z]
Section: (Chuo Rinkan on Tokyu Denentoshi Line -) Shibuya - Oshiage (- Minami-Kurihasi on Tobu Isesaki Line and Nikko Line )
Headway: 2-5 min.
Note: There are the Shibuya terminal, Omotesando, Aoyama (boutique town), Kudanshita, and an Otemachi terminal in this route.

h) Namboku Line [N]
Section: (Musashi-Kosugi on Tokyu Meguro Line -) Meguro - Akabane-Iwabuchi (- Urawa-misono on Saitama Kosoku Line)
Headway: 4-6 min.
Note: This runs through Yamanote Line. There are Shirogane (uptown residential street), Azabu Jyuban (shopping area), the Iidabashi terminal, the University of Tokyo (it is the university of a distinguished family most in Japan), Komagome, and Oji (downtown area) in this route.

i) Yurakucho-Shin-Sen Line [No.13 Line]
Section: (Shinrin Koen on Tobu Tojo Line / Hanno on Seibu Ikebukuro Line via Yurakucho Line -) Kotake-Mukaihara - Ikebukuro
Headway: 9-19 min.
Note: The route which connects the three major terminals (Ikebukuro, Shinjuku-sanchome, and Shibuya) is under construction. Tobu Line and Seibu Lines, and Tokyu Line are due to be connected with future which is not a long distance.

For details, please refer to the following link places.
https://www.tokyometro.jp/e/

[Toei (Subway of Tokyo gov.) ]

a) Asakusa Line [A]
Section: (Nishi-Magome / Misakiguchi on Keikyu (Keihin-Kyuko) Line / Haneda Airport on Keikyu Kuko Line -) Sengakuji - Oshiage (- Narita Airport on Keisei Line / Imba-Nihonidai on Hokuso Line)
Headway: 2-7 min.
Note: There are Mita (Bussiness area and Keio University), Nihonbashi, Asakusabashi (town of a Japanese form or a wholesale store), and Asakusa in this route.
Some trains for an airport carry out Rapid Service operation (Airport Kaitoku [Kaisoku Tokyku] ). From Shinbashi to Oshiage, the train is stop only at Asakusa, Higashi-Nihonbashi and Nihonbashi.

b) Mita Line [I]
Section: (Musasi-kosugi on Tokyu Meguro Line -) Meguro - Nishi-Takashimadaira
Headway: 2-6 min.
Note: There are platinum, Mita, the Otemachi terminal, Kudanshita, Suidobashi (bussiness ared and a student town [Nihon University] and TOKYO DOME), and Sugamo (called an old woman's "Harajuku") in this route.

c) Shinjuku Line [S]
Section: (Motoyawata -) Shinjuku (- Ssaduka on Keio Shin-Sen Line - Hasimoto on Keio Sagamihara Line)
Headway: 3-7 min.
Note: It is crossing Yamanote Line. There are Jinbocho (old bookstore town), Ichigaya (operating area), and a Shinjuku terminal in this route.
In this line , the express train is operated all along the route. A stop station is only Funabori, Ojima, Morishita, Bakuro-Yokoyama, Jinbocho, and Ichigaya.

d) O-Edo Line [E]
Section: Hikarigaoka - Tochomae (front Metropolitan Government Office) - Tochomae
* Although this route is a beltway, it is operated like the character of 6.
Headway: 3-7 min.
Note: The route which goes the central and downtown part of Tokyo around. There are the Shinjuku terminal, Aoyama, Roppongi, Azabu-Juban, Shiodome (new office town of a littoral district), Kachidoki and Tsukishima (down town area), Ryogoku, Kuramae and Okachimachi (downtown area), Hongo (town of University of Tokyo), and Nerima (downtown area) in this route.
In addition, "O-Edo" is meaning of "Big Edo." "Edo" is the name of Tokyo of the Edo period and the government (Edo castle) was assigned in the position of the present Imperial Palace. So, O-Edo Line can be interpreted as the "Big and Old Tokyo Line."

For details, please refer to the following link places.
https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/util/english/index.html

(4)Private Lines

In Tokyo, Seven major private railway companies are located. Each company is developing the area along the railroad line on the basis of a terminal.

From each terminal of JR Yamanote Line, many private lines is extended to the suburbs. Furthermore, many of these routes are carrying out mutual direct communication operation with the subway.

a) Tokyu Railways
Terminal: Shibuya
Area: The southwest part of Tokyo, and Yokohama

b) Tobu Railways
Terminal: Asakusa and Ikebukuro
Area: Northern part of Tokyo, Saitama, Gumma, Tochigi, and Nikko (known as historical tourist resort)

c) Seibu Railways
Terminal: Seibu-Shinjuku (Takadanobaba) and Ikebukuro
Area: Western Tokyo, Saitama, Kawagoe(there is a longtime building), and Tokorozawa

d) Odakyu Railways
Terminal: Shinjuku
Area: Western Tokyo, the Tama area, Kanagawa, Odawara, and Hakone (known as historical tourist resort)

e) Keio Railways
Terminal: Shinjuku
Area: Western Tokyo and the Tama area

f) Keisei Railways
Terminal: Keisei-Ueno and Nippori
Area: Eastern Tokyo, Chiba, and Narita Airport ( Train the Keisei Skyliner )

g) Keikyu Railways
Terminal: Shinagawa
Area: Southern Tokyo, Kanagawa, the Miura peninsula, and Haneda Airport

(5) Other Lines

There are convenient various railroads besides the above in Tokyo.

a) Tokyo Monorail Haneda Line
This route connects from the Hamamatsucho (business town) in Yamanote Line to Haneda Airport. This route passes along the institution of a littoral district, and connects an airport to center of Tokyo.

b)Yurikamome Line
This is the new transportation system of uninhabited operation.
This route connects from Shinbashi (business town) in Yamanote Line to the littoral district (Daiba and Ariake) of Tokyo.

c) Toden Arakawa Line
Toden is the meaning "the streetcar of Tokyo." That is, this is the streetcar which is carrying out only existing in Tokyo.
From the Waseda station with Waseda University, it goes to Minowabashi via the Otsuka station in Yamanote Line, the Oji station in Keihin Tohoku Line, and the Machiya station in Keisei Line. The tone as a life route is deep and runs through a downtown area slowly.

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Under construction

a) Nippori-Toneri Line

b) Tsukuba Express Line

September 19, 2004

Professional baseball in Japan

In Japan, the YAKYU - the Baseball - is one of the most popular sports.
It is a historied sport in Japan that started in 1871. But it was still an amateur one.
In 1936, Japanese professional baseball organization was established.
Those who want to know detailed history need to refer to the following website.

*History of professional baseball (Japanese Language Site)
https://www.geocities.co.jp/Athlete/4950/main.html

Anyhow, the Baseball is very popular sports in Japan.
If it says whether which is popular.. Please read the following text..

Professional Baseball is one of a few sports which almost all games are relayed by television at golden time or the other time, and a game result is reported by news every day.
In addition, in Spring and Summer, "High-School baseball" is also popular. This is loved in the name of "Koshien (it is a stadium which is one of the traditional stadiums of Japan)." The Koshien is relayed all over the country on TV.
And, in Japan, many boy baseball teams are formed and there is also a member-of-society baseball team.
So, Yakyu is a "national sport" in Japan.

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The following is introduction of professional baseball of Japan.
(*An order different)
(*This data is as of September 20, 2004.)

Introductory notes;
+ a team name (the team location, a home ground of the team)

[Central League]
+Chunichi Dragons (Nagoya, Nagoya dome)
+Yakult Swallows (Tokyo, Jingu stadium)
+Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Hiroshima, Hiroshima-Shimin[citizen] stadium)
+Hanshin Tigers (Headquarter is in Hyogo Pref. , but not only Hyogo Pref. , but also Osaka...no, Kansai Area is its headquaters. , Hanshin-Koshien Staduium.. this is Koshien)
+Yokohama BayStars (Yokohama, Yokohama stadium)
+Yomiuri Giants[KYOJIN] (Tokyo, Tokyo dome)

[Pacific League]
+Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (Sapporo, Sappro dome)
+Seibu Lions (Tokorozawa [Saitama Pref.] , Seibu dome)
+Chiba Lotte Marines (Chiba, Chiba Marine stadium)
+Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes (Osaka, Osaka dome)
+Orix Blue Wave (Kobe, Yahoo! BB stadium)
+Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (Fukuoka[Hakata], Fukuoka dome)

-- 04/11/02
From now on, You'll look at each professional baseball team's management form.

"Chunichi" is the subsidiary of Chunichi Shimbun.
"Yakult" is the subsidiary, the major drink makers Yakult centering on a lactic acid article.
Although "Hiroshima" was the "citizen professional baseball team" currently once managed by civic investment, it serves as a self-support accounting type company now.
The major private railway company "Hanshin" in Kansai (Osaka - Kobe) manages "Hanshin."
"Yokohama" is a self-support accounting type company, and TBS which is the television station (national key office) in Tokyo owns it.
For a "GIANTS", the "Yomiuri Shimbun" which is proud of the No.1 circulation (morning-paper 12 million part) of the world is a parent company.
The subsidiary of "Nippon Meat Packers", the Nippon Meat Packers - major food processors.
The major private railway company "Seibu Railway" of the Tokyo northwest part manages "Seibu."
Lotte, major confectionery makers, manages "Lotte."
Kintetsu is a major private railway company which develops a route network in Kinki and Chubu District, and "Kintetsu" was managing it. But, for financial difficulties, it ages 2005, merges with "ORIX" and becomes a "ORIX Buffaloes."
A insurance company ORIX manages "ORIX."
The Daiei which is a major company supermarket manages the "Daiei."
In addition, it ages 2005 and "Tohoku Rakuten golden eagles" (the Rakuten which is the male of network shopping manages with the Internet venture) is born.

And more, the "Daiei" writes failure and is during corporate restructuring under instruction of an industrial revitalization mechanism. "Seibu" has caused the scandal to which it succeeds on management one another.