Shinji Mizushima, a famed baseball-themed manga artist known for such works as “Dokaben” and “Abu-san,” died of pneumonia on Jan. 10, his management office said Monday. He was 82.
A native of the city of Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast, Mizushima debuted as a cartoonist in 1958 when he was 18. He gained popularity after he published a baseball series in 1970.
One of his most popular works, “Dokaben,” depicting high school baseball players competing in national tournaments, ran for 46 years, and “Abu-san,” a story about a heavy-drinking slugger in a professional baseball league, also ran over four decades.
Sadaharu Oh, Hall of Fame slugger and chairman of Japanese professional baseball team Softbank Hawks, issued a memorial message, expressing appreciation to Mizushima for featuring his team’s predecessor clubs Nankai Hawks and Daiei Hawks as well as their players in the Abu-san series.
Famed baseball manga artist Mizushima dies at 82
Nikkei – Jan 18
Shinji Mizushima, a famed baseball-themed manga artist known for such works as “Dokaben” and “Abu-san,” died of pneumonia on Jan. 10, his management office said Monday. He was 82.
Japan’s Pet Otter Obsession
aljazeera.com – Jan 14
Pet cafes are popular tourist destinations in Japan where visitors pay to play with otters and other exotic creatures.
Japan firefighter punished for YouTube side hustle
gulf-times.com – Jan 12
A Japanese firefighter moonlighting as a gaming YouTuber had cold water poured on his career by public officials, who uncovered the secret side hustle by identifying his voice in the lucrative videos.
Lower age of majority won’t affect ceremonies
NHK – Jan 11
An NHK survey has found that most major municipalities across Japan will stick with the tradition of allowing people around 20 years old to take part in coming-of-age ceremonies even after the national legal age of adulthood is lowered later this year.
Man arrested after holding “yakiniku” restaurant manager hostage
Kyodo – Jan 10
Police on Sunday arrested a 28-year-old man who held the manager of a “yakiniku” grilled meat restaurant in Tokyo hostage and claimed he had planted a bomb in the establishment, later telling police he wanted to eat grilled meat before being nabbed, investigative sources said.
Meet Japan’s very busy “Do Nothing Rent-a-Man”
CBS – Jan 08
Throughout his 38 years, Shoji Morimoto had become accustomed to being told by family, classmates and co-workers that he was a “do-nothing” — the kind of guy who stood back and let others take the initiative.
Transgender woman referred to prosecutors for using Osaka ladies room
Kyodo – Jan 07
A transgender woman was referred to prosecutors Thursday for suspected trespassing after using the ladies room in a commercial facility in Osaka, in a case an expert on LGBT issues fears might lead to more prejudice and discrimination against sexual minorities.
