(L-R) Filmmakers Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman.
photos courtesy of Christine Horstmann/Allied Advertising

(Note: The following is an expanded version of the article in our print edition)

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

The perception of World War II in this country is sort of a contradictory thing. Its image is as clean-cut as the dress and hair styles of the period, despite the fact that what are likely the two most famous atrocities of our time took place during said war:

SACRAMENTO — Applications for the 2008 California Civil Liberties Public Education Program (CCLPEP) grants are now being accepted. This year, there are two separate applications. Each application has their own unique deadline.

(Bay City News Service) — Suspended San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew, who faces criminal fraud and extortion charges in state and federal courts, announced Jan. 10 he is permanently resigning from his city post.

Jew said, "I have decided to resign from my position as supervisor because I feel it is best for my family and for my district under the current situation."

photo courtesy of Cedrick Shimo

Dear Editor,

To all, a great '08, global greening, good health, peace.

Thanks to the contribution of Martha Nakagawa to your New Year's Edition of the incredible story of valor, of standing firm to the principles of the Constitution by active duty Nisei and Kibei soldiers in the U.S. Army during World War II.

In 2006, Congress passed Public Law 109-441, authorizing a grant program to preserve sites that confined Japanese Americans during World War II so that "present and future generations may learn and gain inspiration from these sites, and that these sites will demonstrate the nation's commitment to equal justice under the law."

www.yosimiya.com

Asahi Shimbun

KITA-KYUSHU — Never mind the Tamagotchi electronic baby toy. With the Dakigokochi, you can actually cuddle your gift.

KYOTO (Kyodo) — A team of Japanese and U.S. researchers have successfully conducted an experiment in which a monkey's brain signals in the United States were transmitted over the Internet to maneuver a humanoid robot into walking in Japan, the Japanese team leader said Jan. 15.

Kyodo file photo

By TAKASHI MORIOKA
Kyodo News

PARIS — France has emerged as one of the latest major countries to warmly embrace manga or Japanese-produced cartoons.

In Paris, stores specialized in manga are making their debut where young people are sizing up works translated into French.

photo by Tim Shimizu/Nichi Bei Times

By April Elkjer
Nichi Bei Times

Sunhee Moon's clothing designs have been described as tailored, fitted and hip. Her style harkens back to a classic look with little whimsical touches in such things as a pearlized snap button or an asymmetrical hemline.