WEC Class Notes

  1  Pushing a walker through a television studio in central Tokyo earlier this week,  Tetsuko   Kuroyanagi  slowly climbed three steps onto a sound stage with the help of an assistant who settled her into a creamy beige Empire armchair. 2  A stylist removed the custom-made sturdy boots on her feet and slipped on a pair of high-heeled mules. A makeup artist brushed her cheeks and touched up her blazing red lipstick. A hairdresser tamed a few stray wisps from her trademark onion-shaped hairstyle as another assistant ran a lint roller over her embroidered black jacket. With that, Ms.  Kuroyanagi , 90, was ready to record the 12,193rd episode of her show. 3  As one of Japan’s best-known entertainers for seven decades, Ms.  Kuroyanagi  has interviewed guests on her talk show, “ Tetsuko’s  Room,” since 1976, earning a Guinness World Record last fall for  most episodes hosted by the same presenter.  Generations of Japanese celeb...

  The Plastic Tide: Southeast Asia’s Burden and the Global Waste Trade Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges facing our planet, particularly in regards to environmental protection. Amidst the picturesque coastlines of Labuan, western Java, lies a troubling narrative of environmental degradation that echoes across Southeast Asia. Otin, now a 42-year-old resident and housewife, reminisces about a childhood spent on pristine beaches, where the sand glistened under the sun. However, today, she stands amidst a landscape marred by the relentless invasion of plastic waste. The once paradisical shores have vanished beneath heaps of colorful plastic debris, washed ashore daily by the tides. Plastic items ranging from shopping bags to food wrappers now dominate the coastline, with the majority too weather-beaten to trace back to their origins. Otin points towards a nearby market, speculating it as a source of the garbage influx, but the...

Regarded as one of the best baseball players of our generation, Shohei Ohtani’s net worth is about to increase so much with his new contract. Ohtani is currently the pitcher, outfielder, and designated hitter for the MLB’s Los Angeles Angels. However, whoever will have him next on their team is about to spend a lot of money.  Born in  Ōshū, Iwate, Japan, Ohtani rose to fame after becoming the pitcher and outfielder for Japan’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 and earned the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year Award. He suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament that led him to have Tommy John surgery the same year. Nevertheless, he still persisted and was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 2021 and 2023. Ohtani announced that he would be a free agent once the 2023 MLB season is over. His season abruptly came to an end when he suffered from an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear in his right elbow. Ohtani was...

  Prosecutors Say Ohtani’s Interpreter Stole $16 Million From Star The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was charged with bank fraud, after prosecutors said he stole money to pay his gambling debts. April 11, 2024. Prosecutors said that the money taken by Ippei Mizuhara, left, came directly from an account where Shohei Ohtani’s baseball salary was paid. Richard Vogel/Associated Press Federal prosecutors said on Thursday that Shohei Ohtani had been the victim of a “fraud on a massive scale,” releasing a detailed complaint that claimed Ippei Mizuhara, the baseball star’s former interpreter, exploited his access and the fact that Ohtani did not speak English to steal $16 million from him to feed his gambling addiction. The account provided by the authorities largely confirms what Ohtani told the public in late March, shortly after reports first surfaced that $4.5 million had been transferred from Ohtani’s account to Mizuhara. At that time, Ohtani explained how he believed Mizuhara had stol...

  The Worldwide Charm of  Hello Kitty :  A Tale of Cultural Influence and Brand Evolution   1)  Hello Kitty, the emblematic figure of Japanese "kawaii" culture, has transcended its origins to become a beloved global icon. This article explores the strategic branding that propelled Hello Kitty from a local novelty to an international sensation, examining the character's widespread appeal, cultural impact, and the innovative approaches that keep the brand thriving in a dynamic global market.   2)  Sanrio's Strategic Brand Expansion Sanrio, the creative force behind Hello Kitty, has masterfully navigated the character's journey from a modest coin purse design to an international symbol of friendship and joy. By leveraging strategic licensing, seasonal merchandise, and a universal design, Sanrio has ensured Hello Kitty's presence in diverse markets and industries.   3)  The Power of Licensing Licensing has been a  cornerstone  of Sanrio...