FanimeCon Announces Guest Hirokatsu Kihara

4869726F6B61747375204B6968617261Hirokatsu Kihara (Chief Production Officer/Author) is a highly accomplished industry veteran, with a career spanning several decades. During his time at Studio Ghibli, he worked closely with Miyazaki and played an integral role in the production of several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Mr. Kihara opened a new chapter in his career as an author of horror stories. He has written many stories that have been adapted into TV series and movies. Mr. Kihara’s most significant project in recent years is a collaboration book with horror manga artist Junji Itoh, titled Mimi-no-Kaidan. This is the first time Kihara has been a Guest of Honor at FanimeCon. FanimeCon happens Memorial Day weekend May 26–29, 2023.

Source: FanimeCon

The Future of Social Tech: Nurturing Skills and Markets for Social Impact Innovation

Join the Japan Program and the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) of Stanford University for a live streamed conference on February 23, 2023.

A gathering of Japanese and American entrepreneurs, investors, content creators, and educators to share lessons and best practices to accelerate innovation for social impact, or “social tech.” Attendees will have the opportunity to tap into environments optimal for developing skills and markets for social tech through the lens of movers and shakers in the fields of technology, music, business, research, and education.
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THE LAST ROCKSTARS Debut 2023 Concert Tour – Hollywood Palladium


YOSHIKI, HYDE, SUGIZO, and MIYAVI have formed a new band called “THE LAST ROCKSTARS.” On February 10, 2023, they ended their 2023 debut tour with a sold-out concert at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The formation of this band is a historic event, as these four accomplished musicians with impressive individual sales records and past successful collaborations with global artists have united to usher in a new era of rock.

Source: THE LAST ROCKSTARS