Naomi Koshi, Otsu’s new woman mayor

Otsu’s mayoral election was held on January 22, 2012 with Naomi Koshi (越 直美) defeating two-term (8 years) incumbent Mayor Makoto Mekata (目片信) by almost 10,000 votes. The 36-year-old Koshi… Read more

Shiga Kenjinkai (滋賀県人会)

Updated April 2, 2023 Shiga Kenjinkai (滋賀県人会) is a group or association of people outside Shiga who have ties to Shiga Prefecture. Kenjinkai literally means “native people of the prefecture.” Most… Read more

Shiga Lakestars Head Coach Ishibashi fired

Ishibashi Takatoshi (石橋貴俊) has been fired as the head coach of the Shiga Lakestars, one of the bj league’s pro basketball teams in the Western Conference. The team announced the… Read more

Sumo wrestler Nionoumi from Shiga

The January 2011 Hatsu Basho grand sumo tournament saw a newly-promoted Juryo wrestler named Nionoumi (鳰の湖). Nionoumi is from Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. His ring name (shikona) means Lake of the… Read more

NHK Taiga Drama: Go–Himetachi no Sengoku

This is to help you better understand the historical background of Go–Himetachi no Sengoku (江〜姫たちの戦国〜) which I translate as “Go–Noble Ladies of Feudal Japan.” The TV series will be broadcast on… Read more

Funeral held for Heiwado founder

Natsuhara Heijiro (夏原 平次郎), the founder of the Heiwado supermarket chain, passed away on June 19, 2010. He died of pneumonia at age 91. A funeral was held at Hikone-shi Bunka Plaza… Read more

Governor Kada Yukiko reelected in landslide victory

Voters went to the polls in droves on July 11, 2010 to reelect 60-year-old Kada Yukiko for her second term as governor of Shiga Prefecture. She pulled in a record 419,921… Read more

Shiga Governor Kada running for 2nd term

Shiga Prefecture’s Governor KADA Yukiko announced on Feb. 16, 2010 that she will run for a second term as governor of Shiga. She made the announcement at Shiga Prefecture’s legislative… Read more