Giant Robot Store and GR2 News

Gordon Hirbayashi, a fighter, pioneer and was the last surviving trio of Japanese American Internment Camp protestors who fought the government on the Constitutional values of the internment and refusing to get imprisoned. All were overturned. The others Fred Korematsu and Minoru Yasui passed away in 05 and 96. He’s a great historical figure and this little bit of text does no justice to his life. There’s a rich history in his accomplishments. (New York Times – Gordon Hirabayashi)
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It’s January 1st or “oshogatsu”. Thanksgiving, Christmas and even birthdays have nothing on this day for Japanese families. My photos are of food, but know that the annual feast that’s cooked mainly by my mother but also my aunt and uncle, is for a family get together. We don’t have a shrine to visit as many do in Japan, so we have a special meal that we don’t forget for the rest of the year.

Like any special day, whatever it may be, one would hope it wouldn’t take a date on a calendar to make it come back. I know life can’t be Disneyland everyday, but once a year isn’t often enough. Twice would be nicer, right? Then you have to think: work is maybe 5 days a week, for almost every week and a special day is just one day. It doesn’t make much sense. Hopefully we’ll all figure out how to make this happen one day soon and value things that are really important.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Happy New Year. There are additional photos at the end in the set.

 

 

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  Wendy’s Japan CEO Ernest Higa gets interviewed about Wendy’s Japan’s relaunch. “When I did Domino’s, I thought it was very critical to adapt it for the Japanese market. I did a lot of brand repositioning and product adaptation and added Internet ordering. How you adapt and what you adapt for the local market are crucial. There is no manual for that.” This holds true for all brands in Japan whether it’s food, clothing or toys. You can’t just turn on the ON button and it works. (Japan Today – Wendy’s)
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When George Takei speaks, people listen. He is advocating for people to vote against 1253. Could it happen again? Maybe not in mass, but who knows. “Now a bill proposed in the U.S. Senate, S. 1253 (McCain/Levin) would authorize a similar sweeping authority, granted to the President, to order the detention–without charge or trial–of any person even suspected of being associated with a “terrorist organization.”  I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw that we hadn’t learned from the terrible lessons of the past.” (allegiancemusical – Takei)
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It’s Downer Saturday. This man, Akira Hoshizaki was about to get a Congressional Gold Medal for his service in World War II. It’s a long tale and journey for a man who was interned in a Concentration Camp, then went to serve for the US who imprisoned him and was to get a medal decades later. But he died just hours in his hotel room before the ceremony in Washington DC. His family got hold of the medal and put it in his hand. (Sun Times – Akira Hoshizaki)
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