Sustainable Japan by The Japan Times

16/08/2025

💡 From Gas Lamps to Global Innovation 🌏

Founded in 1885 by Eiichi Shibusawa “the father of Japanese capitalism” Tokyo Gas has been driven by a mission to serve society from the very start. Its vision goes beyond Japan: from U.S. shale gas to LNG in Southeast Asia, renewable projects in Europe, and its new Igniture brand promoting energy efficiency, Tokyo Gas is shaping a sustainable, carbon-neutral future worldwide.

🚀 Read More: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/unraveling/39

Social responsibility is deeply rooted in Tokyo Gas Co., not only because the company supplies a resource that is important for...

15/08/2025

🌏🎓 40 Years, 6 Countries, Countless Impacts

From Australia to Asia, Europe, and North America, Robert Chaytor has spent four decades shaping young minds, nearly 20 of those years abroad. His leadership roles have taken him to mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Switzerland, Greece, Canada, and beyond.

A passionate musician and skier, Robert enjoyed many ski seasons in Japan before becoming principal at NIC, drawn here to be closer to his university-aged children. His journey reflects a lifelong dedication to education, culture, and community leaving a lasting mark everywhere he’s been.

Read More: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/lr/123

14/08/2025

🏆✨ World Cosplay Championship Grand Champions 🏆✨

From epic Naruto battles to showcasing Japan’s cultural heritage Team Japan’s Mamemayo (Naruto) and Mioshi (Sasuke) claimed victory at the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya, beating out teams from 36 countries. This win was more than cosplay, it was a masterclass in storytelling, craftsmanship, and cultural pride.

📸 Relive the WCS magic → https://sustainable.japantimes.com/wcs/02

Vibrant, true-to-character visuals and re-creations of iconic anime scenes — these are not the only things that are evaluated in the World Cosplay Summit Championship.

13/08/2025

🎥✨ From otaku to cultural bridge — meet Akidearest!

With over 2M YouTube subscribers, this American-born creator has taken her love of anime, gaming, and cosplay and transformed it into a career showcasing the real Japan. “Anime was my gateway,” she says, recalling her early days with Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and cosplay events. Now, her videos blend fandom with authentic cultural exploration, making her a go-to voice for Japan lovers worldwide.

🌏 Whether she’s diving into hidden gems or breaking down cultural quirks, Aki’s mission is clear: connect the world with Japan in all its depth and beauty.

Full Story Here: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/wcs/01

In the world of online Japan-related content, Akidearest stands out not just for her reach, but for her depth. With over 2million...

11/08/2025

🌿 Nature and spirituality intertwined

This bridge within Ise Jingu’s Inner Shrine is surrounded by lush forest, highlighting the shrine’s deep connection to its natural environment. The sacred grounds remain largely untouched, embodying centuries of sustainable reverence for nature.

📸 Ise Jingu sustainability captured in photographs: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-03

10/08/2025

🍚 A sacred daily offering

During the Niinamesai Festival at Ise Jingu’s Outer Shrine, a sacred meal is offered daily, aligning with the emperor’s ceremonial offering of new rice to the gods at the Imperial Palace. This ritual honors the harvest and expresses gratitude, embodying centuries of tradition and sustainable reverence.

Learn More: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-03

09/08/2025

🙏 Honoring the sacred ground

The Chinchisai Matsuri ceremony, held at Ise Jingu’s Inner Shrine in 2008, is a solemn ritual that pays respect to the gods of the site where new shrine buildings will soon be erected. This ancient tradition marks the beginning of renewal and reflects deep reverence for the spiritual foundation of the shrine.

🔗 https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-03

08/08/2025

🌾 Gratitude through tradition

Captured in 2005, this scene from the Niinamesai Festival at Ise Jingu shows a timeless act of reverence offering freshly harvested rice to the gods in thanks for the year’s bounty. Held every autumn, this sacred ceremony reflects Ise Jingu’s deep connection to the natural world and sustainable agricultural practices that have endured for centuries.

Discover More: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-03

07/08/2025

🍽️ A sacred ritual of nourishment and sustainability.

In the Outer Shrine of Ise Jingu, dried sea bream is carefully prepared as part of daily offerings a tradition that has continued every morning and evening for over 1,500 years. These sacred meals honor the gods and reflect Ise Jingu’s deep commitment to harmony with nature and sustainable practices.

📸 Ise Jingu sustainability captured in photographs.

https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-03

06/08/2025

🌲 Sustainability in sacred practice

At Ise Jingu, trees selected for the next shrine buildings are carefully laid out, capturing a moment in the cycle of renewal that has continued for centuries. These sacred trees will be transformed into shrine structures during the next Shikinen Sengu ceremony a powerful example of tradition rooted in sustainable practice.

📸 © MASAAKI MIYAZAWA

Discover More: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-03

A tree cut in the mountains for Shikinen Sengu is pulled to the Inner Shrine...

05/08/2025

🌅 During the month around the winter solstice, the rising sun aligns perfectly behind the grand torii gate on Ujibashi Bridge at Ise Jingu a breathtaking moment of harmony between nature and tradition.

What makes it even more special? The bridge is built using timber recycled from shrine pavilions dismantled in past Shikinen Sengu ceremonies, continuing the cycle of renewal and reverence.

Full Story Here: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-02

04/08/2025

🛕 What is Shikinen Sengu?

At Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture, the sacred tradition of Shikinen Sengu, the complete rebuilding of the shrine and renewal of its sacred objects has taken place roughly every 20 years for the past 1,300 years. Rooted in the concept of tokowaka (eternal youth through renewal), this ritual preserves not only the physical structures, but also the skills of Japan’s shrine carpenters and artisans.

📍 Discover the history behind one of Japan’s most powerful symbols of continuity and tradition here: https://sustainable.japantimes.com/magazine/vol50/50-02

The Ise Jingu Shikinen Sengu ceremony is said to be based on the idea of tokowaka, which means maintaining eternal youth through renewal...