By KENJI G. TAGUMA
Nichi Bei Times

SAN JOSE — As he moved through the crowds at the San Jose Obon Festival on July 15, Congressman Mike Honda, a San Jose Democrat, looked as ease.

Thus, it’s a bit difficult to imagine that the often jovial teddy bear of a person is now embroiled in an international debate that has made him the ire of right-wing politicians and pundits in Japan.

By TAKEHIKO KAJITA
Kyodo News

WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye reiterated in a recent statement submitted to the Senate his opposition to a resolution demanding an apology from Japan over the sexual exploitation of young women in Asia by the Japanese military during WWII.

By ALEC YOSHIO MacDONALD
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

OAKLAND, Calif. — When Kurt Suzuki of the Oakland Athletics talked with the Nichi Bei Times on Monday afternoon, he was an infrequently-used role player, a recent call-up from the minors still learning the big league ropes. But when the paper checked back in with him after that evening’s game against the Texas Rangers, the situation had changed dramatically: now he was the new A’s starting catcher.

LOS ANGELES — An Opening Ceremony that officially introduced the 2007 Nisei Week Court to the community, media, family and friends was held on July 15 at the Japanese American National Museum. The Nisei Week queen coronation will be held as part of the 67th Nisei Week Japanese Festival on Saturday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m., at the Japan America Theatre in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

On July 5, an Army Judge ruled that trying Lt. Ehren Watada, the Nikkei Army officer who refused deployment to Iraq on the grounds that he believes the war is illegal, does not constitute double jeopardy. The second court-martial will go ahead, though it has been rescheduled for Oct. 9.

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

Julia Kwan, writer and director of "Eve and the Fire Horse" and Vivian Wu, one of the film’s stars, act like old childhood friends. In town giving interviews for their fantastic coming-of-age film — winner of the coveted Special Jury Award for a Dramatic Film at the Sundance Film Festival — the two have undeniable chemistry, bouncing words backs and forth to each other like badminton birdies.

By KAZUO MIKAMI and CRYSTAL WONG
Kyodo News

NEW YORK — Taking advantage of the popularity of luxury tour packages in the United States, Japan is aiming to promote the high-end tourism sector in a bid to boost not only the number of foreign visitors to Japan but that of higher-yielding tours as well.

By MIWA MURPHY
Kyodo News

NEW YORK — When Lotte Co. launched its Yukimi Daifuku brand of ice cream encased in soft rice flour pastry in October 1981, the confectioner was said to be under pressure to create a year-round product to strengthen its foothold in Japan’s ice-cream market, long dominated by dairy companies.

RENO, Nev. — Tadd Fujikawa, a 16-year-old high school sophomore from Hawaii, is turning pro and will make his professional golf career debut at the Reno-Tahoe Open. The event will be held from Monday, July 30 to Sunday, Aug. 5 at Montr�ux Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nev.

By FRED OSHIMA
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

For you Northern Californians who haven’t been down to Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo for the past year or so — a somewhat of a surprise is waiting for you on your next trip.

Sleepy Little Tokyo, the nation’s single largest Japanese Town (followed by San Francisco, Seattle and San Jose) is finally awakening from a long slumber and is in the remarkable midst of a belated civic building boom transformation.