Ryukyu Opera Premieres With Tale of Kingdom’s King and Queen

A new stage production in Okinawa has brought the rich history of the Ryukyu Kingdom to life through opera, captivating audiences with a dramatic portrayal of royal love and resilience. The performance, staged in Urasoe as part of celebrations marking the city’s 55th anniversary, centers on Queen Aoriya and the young seventh king of the Ryukyu Kingdom as they face the nation’s greatest crisis in 1609 the invasion known as “Satsuma,” which threatened the kingdom’s sovereignty.

Yakult Certified by Guinness as No. 1

Yakult has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling lactic acid beverage brand in 2024, marking a new milestone for the iconic probiotic drink. The certification, announced at a presentation ceremony, celebrates the brand’s success across domestic and international markets.

Chinese fleet ‘closest’ ever to Pag-asa island

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese maritime forces operated “very close” to Pag-asa (Thitu) Island over the weekend, deploying a flotilla to harass Sunday’s humanitarian mission for local fishermen, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said on Monday. That fleet, consisting of more than 15 Chinese maritime militia ships, five China