Damian’s notes

New EC President / Predicting the weather gets better by a day per decade / More bears in Japan now more people love in cities

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  In like a Leyen: the European Commission’s new president — The Intelligence — Overcast Ursula von der Leyen has a tough task ahead, pressing a broad agenda in a fragmented European Parliament. We take a look at the vast international collaboration that is weather prediction, where it’s heading and how climate change could make it harder. And, why the villages of Japan are where to head if you love getting close to bears.

Hiroyoshi Chinzei, a fourth-generation traditional paper maker, creates washi with a unique purpose that may help revive interest — both at home and abroad.

(Via Eugen (@Gargron@mastodon.social))

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  Skin deep: Japan's washi paper torn by modern life | The Japan Times Once an indispensable part of daily life in Japan, washi paper was used for everything from writing and painting to lampshades, umbrellas and sliding doors

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  Japan Aesthetics on Twitter “Totoro”

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  Japan Aesthetics on Twitter “Japan 🇯🇵”

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  The life and reign of Emperor Akihito – in pictures After 30 years on the throne, Emperor Akihito is to abdicate on 30 April and his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will officially accede on 1 May. The 85-year-old emperor is the first in two centuries to stand down. His reign began on 7 January 1989, following the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito