Midori Ito (伊藤 みどり, Itō Midori, born August 13, 1969) is a former Japanese figure skater. She was the first Asian world champion in the sport. She is a graduate of Tokai Women’s University near her hometown, Nagoya.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (長渕剛, Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi), born September 7, 1956 in Hioki, Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese musician, and actor.
The first Kirin beer factory was established in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama in 1907 with help from Thomas Glover, the Scottish trader. It is still there today. The brewery had originally been founded as Spring Valley Brewery in 1870, by the Norwegian-American William Copeland, but he went bankrupt. Under the name Japan Brewery Company the company continued and combined with Meiji-ya to market Kirin Beer for the first time in 1888.
Zuiikin’ English or officially Eikaiwa Taisō Zuiikin’ English (英会話体操 Zuiikin’ English, Eikaiwa Taisō Zuiikin Ingurisshu) is a Japanese television series originally aired in 1992 by Fuji Television. Eikaiwa, Taisō and Zuiikin mean English conversation, gymnastic exercises and voluntary muscles respectively. The series is a spoof borrowing the formats of both English conversation lesson and gymnastic exercise programs. The series consists of 12 episodes.
Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method developed by Dr. James J. Asher, a professor of psychology at San José State University, California, USA, to aid learning foreign languages. The method relies on the assumption that when learning a second or additional language, that language is internalised through a process of codebreaking similar to first language development and that the process allows for a long period of listening and developing comprehension prior to production. Students respond to commands that require physical movement. TPR is an ESL/EAL behaviourist minded teacher’s main tool.
Aerobics is a particular form of exercise. Aerobics classes generally involve rapid stepping patterns, performed to music with cues provided by an instructor.Group exercise aerobics can be divided into two major types: Freestyle Aerobics and Pre-choreographed Aerobics. In the eighties, aerobics fashion trends were over-sized off-shoulder sweaters, tights, leg warmers, headbands, crimped hair, and sports bras.
Table tennis is very popular in East Asia and is the most popular sport in the world in terms of player numbers, as well as one of the newest of the major sports. 卓球 (Takkyu) is the official name for the sport in Japan as well as Taiwan(zuo-chiou).
Both men and women often wear yukata at traditional Japanese hotels, especially ones with their own onsen. After checking in, people often change into the yukata provided by the hotel. Many go for walks outside, to the public baths, and even to dinner and breakfast (taken in a communal dining room) in their yukata.
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. (アサヒビール株式会社 Asahi Bīru Kabushiki Gaisha) TYO: 2502 is the 2nd largest beer brewery in Japan and soft drink company based in Tokyo, Japan. The company originally led the Japanese craze for dry beer with Asahi Super Dry in 1987, leading to its dramatic turnaround in business performance, and surprassing former 2nd ranker Sapporo Breweries in sales and profits.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (松坂 大輔, Matsuzaka Daisuke, born September 13, 1980 in Tokyo, Japan ( often rendered as “DICE-kay” or “DICE-keh”), nicknamed The Monster in Japan is a Japanese professional baseball player who became a member of the Boston Red Sox on December 13, 2006. It is widely anticipated that he will be a starting pitcher. He previously played for the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (新日本プロレス, shin nihon puroresu) is a major professional wrestling federation in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it is the largest wrestling promotion in Japan and one of the largest in the world.
Terrence Gene “Terry” Bollea (born on August 11, 1953) is an American actor and semi-retired professional wrestler better known as Hulk Hogan. He currently stars on the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best.
André the Giant (May 19, 1946 – January 27, 1993) was a professional wrestler and actor, born André René Roussimoff in Coulomiers, France. He was at least 208 cm (6 feet 10 in) tall and believed by many to have been over 213 cm (7 feet) at his tallest. His great size was a result of excessive growth hormone, a condition known as pituitary gigantism, and led to him being dubbed “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Pepsi-Cola, commonly called Pepsi, is a soft drink produced and manufactured by PepsiCo. It is sold worldwide in stores, restaurants and vending machines. The drink was first made in the 1890s, by pharmacist Caleb Bradham. The brand was trademarked on June 16, 1903. There have been many Pepsi variants produced over the years, including Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Pepsi Samba, Pepsi Blue, Pepsi Gold, Pepsi Jazz and Pepsi Next (available in Japan).
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 17th staging of the World Cup, was held in South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 30. The two countries were chosen as hosts by FIFA in May 1996. For the first time in its history, the World Cup was organized by two countries. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the first held outside Europe or the Americas. The tournament was won by Brazil for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2-0 in the final.
Roberto Carlos, full name Roberto Carlos da Silva (born April 10, 1973, Garça, São Paulo), is a Brazilian-Spanish football wingback who has played for Real Madrid since 1996. He has been a member of the Brazil national team in three World Cups, helping the team reach the final in the 1998 edition and win the 2002 tournament. He is one of only five players to have appeared 100 times in the UEFA Champions League as of February 2007.
Bowing is the act of lowering the head, or sometimes the entire upper body from the waist, as a social gesture. This is common around the world, but is especially prominent in Oriental cultures especially in China, Korea, and Japan. Different cultures have placed varying degrees of importance on bowing, and have used bowing in a variety of ways. to show the highest degree of politeness, you bend your head and waist about 45 degrees. Common courtesy to most people is shown by bending your head and waist about 15 degrees. In a very casual meeting with a person about your age, nodding your head would be enough. People often bow while shaking hands with one or both hands.
