Just a fortnight before the massive tsunami devastated north-eastern Japan, nearly 300 passionate Japanese nationals in the City were enjoying themselves, exhibiting aspects of their cultural heritage and embracing elements of Indian mores.

The tsunami that has devastated the northeastern coast of Japan will be a chance, as with the Indian Ocean Tsunami, for American soft power to shine. The massive American military establishment will now be mobilized to save lives and provide aid.

This season, Mumbai’s fashion week is looking to add a little foreign flavour to the mix of designers showcasing. Joining hands with the the Japan Fashion Week (JFW), one of the shows will feature three Japanese designers as part of Tokyoeye — a unique cross-cultural exchange initiative by Japan’s Mi
nistry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) collections to buyers from India and all over the world.

This is not just wishful thinking. Japan’s corporations are regaining much of the self confidence and footing that they lost during the downturn, the result of many adjustments and strategic moves that Japanese businesses have made to expand to emerging markets. Japan, Inc. is going global again.

Continual policy dialogue through a wide variety of channels including lawmakers, business leaders and scholars in addition to government-to-government diplomacy is essential to buttress the Japan-U.S. alliance.

CPD Summer Institute '09 Alumna, Emily Metzgar, releases a survey through Indiana University on the Japanese Exchange & Teaching program.

While Indian women draped in bright kimonos tried their hand in making Japanese tea and turning paper pieces into origami art, their Japanese counterparts enjoyed the traditional Malayalam Thiruvathirakali dance and Chittara paintings of the Western Ghats.

Japan is rolling out a red carpet ahead of the arrival of much-awaited special guests from China: a pair of giant pandas. The two 5-year-old pandas are due to arrive at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on Monday. They'll be the zoo's first since the 2008 death of its beloved giant panda Ling Ling.