Nicolas Cage with Dr.Handa ! --- Tokyo Art Foundation's Christmas Events (3)

   On Dec.20, American actor, director and producer Nicolas Cage spoke with reporters shortly after 6 p.m. prior to talk show with Dr.Handa.

   When asked how he would like to change the world, as a person active on the world stage, he said, “I have hope, but I don’t think I can change the world. I think it takes many people collectively over time to make a difference.”

    He went on to say that the greatest hope is of course for a peaceful world. He said, “What I believe is that world peace begins at home.” He explained that efforts to keep peace at home eventually go through the world, making it a happier place.

    He also referred to the importance of the role of education in attaining world peace. He said, “It is important for young people to learn and enjoy each other’s culture. I think the world would be a very boring place if everyone ate the same things, spoke the same language and listened to exactly the same music.”

    He said, that the world will be a better place if children grow up enjoying what they can learn from various countries in the world. He said, “To not be afraid of doing so, but to celebrate it------it is where education can help.”

    After the press interview, Cage and Dr.Handa’s talk show took place in the hall where Handa Watch World’s watches and jewelry, as well as Handa’s paintings, were displayed. The two were received with enthusiastic applause.

    Dr.Handa introduced Cage as an outstanding actor who can play an angel in one film and a helpless alchoholic in another. In the recent movie released in November in Japan, “Mandy”, he acts as a vengefully manic logger.

    Also, in the forthcoming film “Prisoners of the Ghostland”, Cage is collaborating with Japanese director Sion Sono and will play the main character in the post-apocalyptic action thriller. Cage said, “Sono is a highly-regarded filmmaker and it is the wildest story I have ever read.”

    Since childhood, thanks to his late father August Coppola, Cage had been exposed to many works of Japanese film and literature. Miyamoto Musashi’s “The Book of Five Rings”, a book about Japanese swordsmanship and martial arts, was one of the most inspiring books he read in his youth.

    Besides, Cage was greatly inspired by films such as “Rashomon” and “Yojimbo”, directed by Akira Kurosawa who was also friends with his uncle, director Francis Ford Coppola.

   Cage said, “I am also a great fan of ‘Brave Raideen,’ a Japanese super robot cartoon series, the Godzilla series and Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films.”

   Dr.Handa and Cage also talked about Handa’s and Cage’s father’s work with the visually impaired. Dr.Handa has been hosting blind golf events for the last 30 years while Cage’s father built the Tactile Dome museum where visitors navigate and experience exhibitions in total darkness, relying on their other senses.

    Cage said, “He also blindfolded himself for three months and wrote a novel based on the experience. It is about a ballerina and a returned soldier who decided to live together in total darkness.”

    Dr.Handa and Cage also discussed their common interest in supporting individuals through sports and the arts.

Nicolas Cage talks with Tokyo Art Foundation Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa 

on stage at The Westin Tokyo on Dec. 20.

TAF

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, December 29, 2018）

Katherine Jenkin attended the event ! ---Tokyo Art Foundation's Christmas Events (2)

  On the same day, Katherine Jenkins, a Welsh mezzo-soprano singer and songwriter, attended the event and spoke with reporters.

  She said, “I’m thirilled to be back here in Japan. I love people, culture and heritage you have here, history. I enjoy very much the cuisine. I also especially love the love of music. I think people here really appreciate classical music, orchestra and good performance.”

  The first time Jenkins met Dr.Handa was after he invited her and other famous singers to perform at one of his concerts in Tokyo a few years ago.

   She added, “I don’t think you really appreciate his big heart and personality until you meet him(Dr.Handa). I think he is wonderful and obviously incredibly talented. He is passionate about everything he does.”

  She has also been involved with charitable activities. Her charities include work that supports cancer patients and Tusk, which works to protect endangered animals. Tusk is also one of the charity organizations supported by the International Sports Promotion Society that Dr.Handa chairs.

  When asked if there is any possibility of working with Dr.Handa in philanthropy, she said, “That’s a great idea. I believe when you do charity, you should choose things that are very close to your heart. I think it requires Dr.Handa and I sit down and have a conversation.”

Mezzo-soprano singer and songwriter Katherine Jenkins talks with 

Tokyo Art Foundation Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa 

after singing together at The Westin Tokyo 

on Dec. 19.

TAF

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, December 29, 2018）

Hiroshi Fujioka appeared in the talk show ! ---Tokyo Art Foundation's Christmas Events (1)

 The Tokyo Art Foundation(TAF) held a four-day Christmas event which were co-sponsored by Misuzu Corp, and Tachibana Publishing Inc. at The Westin Tokyo in Tokyo from Dec.17 to 20.

  The venue, which was a few minutes’ walk from Ebisu Station, was filled with beautifully decorated illuminations. The Westin Tokyo, one of the luxurious hotels in Tokyo was full of guests who had gathered to enjoy the Christmas celebration and various entertainment. The show roster included samba dance, magic, and talk shows with notable guests.   

  Also in the venue, Misuzu Corp exhibited timepieces from about 70 watchmakers, jewelry and perfumes of various brands for an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Misuzu, one of the co-sponsors runs Handa Watch World which is a retailer with five stores across Japan. The fifth store has just opened in November in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

  Dr.Haruhisa Handa, the chairman of TAF and president of Misuzu and Tachibana Publishing, performed his artistic talent in opera, noh, drama, painting and calligraphy. He also sang live and displayed his paintings in the venue hall.

  Hiroshi Fujioka, a famous Japanese actor and martial artist who starred in TV commercials for Handa Watch World, appeared in the talk show with Dr.Handa on Dec.19.

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, December 29, 2018）




Dr.Handa's News File

Hiroshi Fujioka attended the ceremony !

  One of the special guests are Hiroshi Yamada, a member of the House of Councilors who used to be the mayor of Suginami Ward where the flagship store of Handa Watch World is situated. Yamada expressed his hope that the new shop will contribute to the vibrancy of the city just as the main store did in Suginami Ward.

 

  Hiroshi Fujioka, actor and master of martial arts who starred in TV commercials for Handa Watch World, also attended the ceremony. Dr.Handa said, “The new commercial featuring the shop in Sendai will be aired by 21 broadcasters in the Tohoku region.”

  Dr.Handa joked that Fujioka and Handa himself look so much alike that it is hard to tell one from the other. But appearance was not the only area in which the two are similar.

  Fujioka has visited lots of conflict areas and refugee camps around the world to provide aid and support over the years. And Dr.Handa has also been active on the philanthropic front through his contributions as the chairman of Worldwide Support for Development, which holds a variety of summit meetings on global welfare.

  Prior to the opening ceremony, a concert was held at the Koyo Grand Hotel, a five minitues’ walk from the new shop, on Nov.25.

  Dr.Handa, also known as an opera and jazz singer, sang more than 20 songs. Fujioka joined him for the first two songs which were the theme songs of “Kamen Rider”(“Masked Rider”), a famous superhero TV program. Fujioka starred on the show in the 1970s.

  After the concert, Dr.Handa and Fujioka rejoined the audience and held a discussion.

  Misuzu also arranged an exhibition of watches at the hotel from Nov.23 through 26.

The Handa Watch World Sendai Tanabata Watch Shop offers a large, colorful selection.

Misuzu

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, December 7, 2018）

Handa Watch World Sendai Tanabata Watch Shop opened !!!

Misuzu Corp, a trading company who deals in high-end watches, celebrated the opening of the Handa Watch World Sendai Tanabata Watch Shop on Nov.26 at the store in the Clis Road shpping arcade.

  Clis Road is one of the well-known shopping streets in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, because it is the venues of the famous Sendai Tanabata Festival which is held every July.

  Misuzu is the only authorized distributor in the Tohoku region for about 35 of 71 brand watches which were showcased in the shop. Also, Misuzu is the exclusive importer in Japan of some coveted international brands, such as Hysek, Roberto Cavalli, Catorex and Candy Time.

  Dr.Handa, Misuzu President as well, also serves as the president of Swiss luxury golf watchmaker Jaermann & Stubi. Jewelry pieces featuring diamonds and other gems produced by Misuzu are also showcased along with brand watches.

  The opening ceremony was held in front of the store before the official opening at around 11 am in the morning. Lots of TV crews, journalists as well as customers gathered and celebrated the opening.

  The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by about a dozen special guests, including representatives of the local merchants’ association and experts in diverse fields, such as politics, sports, arts and entertainment.

  Dr.Handa said, “Today, we have politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, professional wrestlers, actors and writers, in addition to the leaders of the shopping arcade. It means a lot to build connections among various people to contribute to the regional society collectively.”

Watch trader Misuzu President Dr.Haruhisa Handa

along with others, including Lower House member Ichiro Ozawa, pose before the ribbon cutting ceremony 

for the Handa Watch World Sendai Tanabata Watch shop

on Nov.26.

Misuzu

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, December 7, 2018）

“Sports bring peace, equality and happiness.” --- Handa Watch World Cup 2018 (2)

  Paula Creamer, who joined the tournament, had a hard time last year because she injured her left wrist and underwent surgery. She changed coaches. 

  Minjee Lee from Australia won the second day and runner-ups were Lydia Ko from New Zealand, Charley Hull from England and victor Dubuisson from France. 

  At the beginning of the awards ceremony on both evenings, Dr.Handa appeared on the stage, dancing and leading a group of samba dancers to welcome and celebrate all people who attended the event ceremony. 

  After introducing the patrons, guests and major players, Dr.Handa said that he was delighted to see ties and friendships expand through golf. He said, “Sports bring peace, equality and happiness.”

  He added that professional golf players are diplomats on lawns, referring to the friendly ways that lots of top players interact with their fans and other players.

  He hoped that younger players learn from how would-class players behave in international ambience, which would give them broader choices in the future, leading to the promotion of sports as a whole. 

  He explained that some of the participants from overseas shared the same impressions of Japanese galleries: polite and respectful. 

Chun In-gee from South Korea, Lexi Thompson from the U.S. and 

Naomichi Ozaki from Japan, who tied for first place in the ISPS Handa/Handa Watch World cup,

hold their award certificates alongside international Sports Promotion Society

Dr Haruhisa Handa on Nov.5

ISPS

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, November 16, 2018）

 

The fourth ISPS Handa/Handa Watch World Cup --- Handa Watch World Cup 2018 (1)

 On Nov.5 and 6, The fourth ISPS Handa/Handa Watch World Cup was held at the Toyosato Golf Club in Ibaraki Prefecture, sponsored by ISPS, the International Sports Promotion Society.

 During the tournament, both professional and amateur players go hand in hand to play golf and communicate with each other.  The total prize money was 15 million yen per day, and the first place was awarded 3 million yen.

  Both days were blessed by the weather. 48 male and 29 female amateur players started playing 18 holes with 34 professionals. 

 On day one, Chun In-gee from South Korea, Lexi Thompson from the United States and Naomichi Ozaki from Japan tied for first placce.

 On day two, the whole 99 players including 29 professional golfers enjoyed playing before large galleries. However, the match was halted on the 11th hole due to heavy rain. 

 Paula Creamer from the US, teamed up with ISPS Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa,  Hong Kong artist Yuen Biao, ISPS UK patron Peter Mark Andrew Phillips, said in a press interview after the match, "The bad weather conditions are part of golf and she enjoyed the game, as well as the encouragement from the galleries and cheerleaders."

 Ms.Creamer, philanthropist and charitable fouder in the US, said "I am honored to be part of the activities of ISPS to bring happiness to the world through sports.Golf is a small, but big sport turough which we can have connections with the world."

Competitors at the fourth ISPS Handa/HandaWatch World Cup in Ibaraki Prefecture

ISPS

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, November 16, 2018）

    

The noh event was ended with "Kusanagi" performed by Dr.Handa himself

  After Dr.Handa's lecture, three plays were performed: "Hagoromo"(The feather mantle), "Busu"(The delicious poison) which is a kyogen, oe short comedic drama, and "Tsuchigumo"(Ground spider).

  The noh event was ended with shugen shimai (closing ceremony dance) titled "Kusanagi"(The sacred sword), performed by Dr.Handa himself, who is a noh performer as well.

   After the event, Dr.Handa commented that he hopes to continue the noh event next year and beyond.


(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, October 6, 2018）

Dr.Handa explained about "jo", "ha" and "kyu" in the noh play

 Before the noh performance began, Dr.Handa gave an hour-long lecture on the three key points of noh.

 The first point is that the noh performance is an art of simplification and symbolism.
 He said, "It is the origin of kabuki and classical Japanese dance, but it is more contained and plainer than any other theatrical arts."

 Generally in the noh play, except the costume worn by the shite (lead actor),  there are no exagerrated movements and no ostentatious expression of feelings or showy costumes.
 Among others, simplisity can be found in the masks worn by shite actors. A shite wears only one and the same mask throughout the play. The actors express feelings by a subtle movement of the mask: the face appears happy when the mask is looking up, and sad when looking down. 
 Such facial expressions are also supplemented by body movement, while the tone of voice represents the character's feelings.

 The second point is that there are three kinds of rhythm, namely "jo", "ha" and "kyu" in the noh play.
”jo", "ha" and "kyu" mean 'beginning', 'breaking' and 'fast' each. 

 Stories of noh generally start with a slow pace, and then get faster toward the end. He said, "This rhythm is found even withing a song." That is why the songs in noh are not monotonous, but have highs and lows. 

 The third point is that noh actors have to be able to play any role, whether is is an old man or young lady, monster or goddess, just by changing the mask according to the story. 

 He said, "When a skilled noh performer is playing the role of a princess, he looks and sounds like a princess and nothing else, even if his voice is actually deep and hoarse. It is fascinating."

International Foundation for Atrs and Culture Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa 

gave an hour-long lecture on the three key points of noh play. 

IFAC

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, October 6, 2018）

the 17th Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh 2018

 The International Foundation for Arts and Culture, or IFAC, organized the “17^th Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh.” The event was sponsored by the Agency for Cultural affairs and Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The event was a chance for the general public, including foreigners, to watch a noh performance for free in an open-air environment at the Toyo Citizen’s Plaza in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku Ward on Sept.23.

 With the exception of 2011 when the Great East Japan Earthquake hit Japan, the event was held annually until 2014, then due to the Tokyo Citizen’s Plaza renovations beginning in 2015, the 17^th Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh was put off until this year.

 Noh or Nogaku prospered in the 14^th century Japan. It is one of the major traditional arts in Japan. It maintained its presence to present day.

Actors perform noh at the Tokyo Citizen's Plaza 

in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

in Shinjuku Ward, Sept.23.

IFAC 

 Nogaku is a musical drama where only male actors perform. They portray various actors including masked ghosts and goblins on top of the regular male and female roles.

 Also, the Noh was added to the representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designated by UNESCO.

 For non-Japanese speakers to understand and fully immerse themselves in the performance, simultaneous interpretation into English was offered throughout the event. The pamphlet, printed in both Japanese and English, were handed out to the 4,177 people who gathered to watch the classical Japanese theatrical art.

 The event was livestreamed on YouTube as well.

  IFAC Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa said in the opening remarks, “I was glad to be back to the Tokyo Citizen’s Plaza, a perfect venue to experience noh, to restart and continue the tradition of the event.”  



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, October 6, 2018）

The 45th anniversary; Bruce Lee (2)

  TAF and Misuzu also hosted “Bruce Lee Festival Eve”, with Yuen to honor Lee, at the Kichijoji Dai Ichi Hotel, Tokyo, on July 29.

  In Lee’s unfinished film “Game of Death”, Yuen was chosen to play Lee’s double. Yuen said that he had intended to establish his own style while incorporating Lee’s way of performance.

Action Star Yuen Biao (left) and Bruce Lee impersonator Ryuhei Imai
give a demonstration as Dr.Handa looks on
in Tokyo on July 29.

TAF

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, August 10, 2018）

The 45th anniversary; Bruce Lee(1)

  In commemoration of the 45^th anniversary of the death of Bruce Lee, TAF also hosted actor Donnie Yen and action star Yuen Biao, who were both much inspired by Lee, in discussions about the legendary martial artist. The event was to celebrate the launching of sales for the Bruce Lee tourbillion watch to which Misuzu Corp., imported watch seller, holds exclusive Japanese sales right.

 TAF and Misuzu also hosted the “Bruce Lee Festival” with Donnie Yen to honor Lee, at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo on Aug.1. Dr.Handa and Yen talked about various topics, including Yen’s Hollywood and Hong Kong projects that include “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”, Disney’s “Mulan” remake, and “Ip Man” series, where Yen plays Ip Man, a legendary martial artist who was Lee’s master in real life.

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, August 10, 2018）

The opera “Yuzuru” (3)

 Soprano Hiroko Onuki played Tsu, an injured crane who is saved by the farmer Yohyo,  acted by tenor Naoki Tokorodani. Tsu transforms herself into a human secretly and becomes Yohyo’s wife. She weaves a beautiful cloth from her feathers for him.

Baritone Masanobu Shibayama played Sodo, a greedy villager. He persuades Yohyo to let Tsu weave more luxurious cloth in order to make a fortune. Tsu accepts Yohyo’s wish, on condition that Yohyo never visits her while she weaves.

 However, tempted by villagers peeping into Tsu’s weaving place, Yohyo also goes to look, and he finds there a crane. Tsu, knowing Yohyo breaks his promise, leaves him and tranforms back into a crane.   

The opera “Yuzuru”(2)

 Based on the Japanese folktale “The Grateful Crane”, “Yuzuru” is Japan’s most renowned opera which has been performed more than 800 times in and outside of Japan since its first performance in 1952.

 During his speech, Dr.Handa recommended that the audience enjoy soloist’s voices, as well as to take note of how they are able to project their voices to the back of the theater.

During the performance, the singers did not use microphones.

 Dr.Handa said, “Today’s cast represents the finest singers, with expressive voices that have performed ‘Yuzuru’ many times.”

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, August 10, 2018）

The opera “Yuzuru”(1)

 The Tokyo Art Foundation (TAF), in support of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC), hosted the opera “Yuzuru” (“Twilight Crane”) in Tokyo on Aug.1. About 1,700 ausience enjoyed the performance.

 Before the opera, TAF Chairman as well as music critic Dr.Haruhisa Handa, dressed in a formal men’s kimono that consists of a haori (half length jacket) and hakama (split skirt), talked about how to enjoy opera to the sudience.

Tokyo Art Foundation Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa (center)

and the "Yuzuru" opera cast greet the audience in Tokyo on Aug.1

TAF

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, August 10, 2018）

Opera Australia’s Broadway Musical performance (3)

This concert was collaborated by the IFAC and Opera Australia. The collaboration made it possible to hold “Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor”, an annual open air opera on a purpose-built stage at Sydney Harbor since 2012.

 Dr.Handa, whose repertoires range from opera, pops, Noh, has earned various degrees from music schools in and outside Japan, including Musashino Academia Musicae and Edith Cowan University’s Academy of Performing Arts. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Juilliard School of Music and was awarded the President’s Medal by the world­renowned institution. 

Dr.Haruhisa Handa and Julie Lea Goodwin 

perform a duet during the concert

on June 9.

IFAC


(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, June 20, 2018）

Opera Australia’s Broadway Musical performance (2)

Soprano singer Julie Lea Goodwin, tenor John Longmuir and bass Ben Mingay sang together with baritone Dr.Handa.

 They took turns singing 20 songs, including “Tonight”, “Maria” from “West Side Story”, “I Dream a Dream”, “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables”, “On the Street Where You Live”, “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “This Nearly Was Mine”, “The Hills Are Alive” from “South Pacific”, “All I Ask Of You”, “Music of the Night” from “The Phantom of Opera”, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” form “The Wizard of Oz”, “Tale As Old As Time” from “Beauty and the Beast” and other songs. 

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, June 20, 2018）

Opera Australia’s Broadway Musical performance (1)

The International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) held a concert featuring vocal performances by its Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa and soloists of Opera Australia, a world renowned opera troupe based out of Sydney Opera House, in Tokyo on June 9.

 The concert titled “Tokyo International Concert; The Evening of Musical” was cohosted by the Tokyo Art Foundation and Opera Australia. The singers sang popular numbers from famous musicals.

 At the beginning of the concert, Lyndon Terracini, the artistic director of Opera Australia, greeted the audience, saying, “Thank you all for coming. I hope you will enjoy this marvelous concert.”

Soloists, dancers and orchestra members greet the audience

at the "Tokyo International Concert;

The Evening of Musical"

in Tokyo on June 10.

IFAC

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, June 20, 2018）

Global Opinion Leaders Summit (2)

In a dialogue between Obama and Scannell, Obama spoke of his Hiroshima visit, North Korea, his ideal for denuclearization, the environment, Brexit and his experience as president.

 He said, “North Korea is a real threat. Our view has always been that we would prefer to resolve these issues peacefully…The country continues nuclear development and will conduct more nuclear experiments.”

 It should also be kept in mind that Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Also, he gave a memorial speech in Prague where he urged world leaders to work toward creating a nuclear arms-free world.

When speaking on his experiences as president, he said he enjoyed being surrounded by young people with selflessness and innovative minds for creating a better world.

Dr.Handa said John Key much contributed to making the summit a reality, since he was the first person to ask Obama to join the summit as part of Obama’s Asia-Pacific tour. 

WSD Honorary Advisor Brendan Scannell and Obama speak during the summit.

WSD

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, April 16, 2018）

Global Opinion Leaders Summit (1)

Worldwide Support for Development (WSD), a nonprofit organization holding summit meetings on global welfare, held the fourth Global Opinion Leaders Summit where former U.S. President Barak Obama spoke about denuclearization and world peace, in Tokyo on March 25.

 The speakers were Obama, WSD Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa, former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and WSD Honorary advisor Brendan Scannell.

More than 2,200 people attended at the meeting.

 The two years have passed since Obama visited Japan for the first time. During his first visit to Japan, he visited Hiroshima as U.S. president for the first time, and paid tribute to the victims of the WWII atomic bombing and their families.

 Dr.Handa said at the beginning of the summit, “I am very much honored to invite former President Barack Obama to Japan for the first time since he finished his second term.”

Former U.S.President Barack Obama and WSD Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa

shake hands during the Global Opinion Leaders Summit in Tokyo on March 25.

WSD

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, April 16, 2018）

Renewed contract with Tokyo Verdy

 The International Sports Promotion society (ISPS), whose aim is to foster charity and to improve society through sports, has renewed a corporate partnership contract with Tokyo Verdy, a soccer club in the 12 League, continuing as a uiform sponsor for the second year.

 Tokyo Verdy's uniform will continue to have a large "ISPS HANDA" logo across the front. The same logo will also be seen on club placards, billbords and other places.

 Dr.Handa, whose name is in the logo, is the chairman of ISPS. He supports many sports both in and outseide of Japan under the belief that sports contribute to global social welfare.

 Tokyo Verdy finished the season in fifth place last year, but it was a significant jump from 18th in 2016. 

 Dr.Handa said at a news conference at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, on Jan.14;"I don't like to set the goal of being promoted to the J.Leagues first division. That's too small. Let's aim for the championship of FIFA Club World Cup."

International Sports Promotion Society(ISPS)Chairman

Dr.Haruhisa Handa (center) 

is flanked by ISPS-sponsored Tokyo Verdy players 

as he speaks to audiences 

at a Tokyo hoel

on Jan 14.

ISPS

Christmas Performances 2017 (4)

 Misuzu recently bought Swiss luxury golf watchmaker Jaermann & Stubi and Handa also serves as the president of the Swiss watch company. Misuzu is also the exclusive importer in Japan of several other international brands such as Hysek, Roberto Cavalli by Frank Muller, Catorex and Candy Time.

Christmas Performances 2017 (3)

 On the evening of Dec.20, Grammy-Award winner Michael Bolton sang, while the following evening action movie star Jackie Chan made an appearance. 

 Both Chan and Bolton are ambassadors of Handa Watch World, the chain of watch shops operated by Miuzu, which in October opened the Handa Watch World Kichijoji Universe Watch Shop in Tokyo's Musahino Ward.

 Michael Bolton is a multi-Grammy Award  winner. He is famous for his songs including "How am I Supposed to Live Without You" and "When a Man Loves a Woman." Chan is a movie star, but he is famous as a philanthropist as swell.

  

Christmas Performances 2017 (2)

 The three-day event started with the master of ceremonies welcoming the audience and introducing the first performance, 8 cheerleaders dancing to modern tunes, including Taylor Swift's "Shake it off."
 Next, a professional samba dancers's performance as well as a facemask changing performance by Hiro, who self-studied traditional Peking opera performance, followed by a couple dancing the lambada.

 Then, Dr.Handa sang "Beame Mucho" and "Kurishmasu ibu"(Chiristmas Eve) by Tatsuro Yamashita.

 On the evening of Dec.19, TV personality Mika Kano had a discussion and eight profesional wrestlers, including Kenji Muto, Masahiro Chono, Bull Nakano and The Great Sasuke, made a surprise appearance.

Christmas Performances 2017 (1)

 TAF, the Tokyo Art Foundation organized festive event featuring watches, paintings,  concerts, panel discussions and other performances. Thousand people attended the three-day event. 

 The event, including Christmas Paintings, Concerts, Dance Explosion, Jewelry and Watch Exhibition, was held at the galaxy Room of The Westin Tokyo in Ebisu, Shibuya Ward on December 19, 20 and 21, which was co-organized by Misuzu Corp and Tachibana Publishing Inc.

  Dr.Handa, the chairman of TAF and the president of Misuzu Corp. and Tachibana Publishing, jokingly said to watch and jewelry merchants, "Don't sell seriously. Watches and jewelry are things you want to sell cheerfully." 

 The event showcased 48 brands of watches Misuzu deals in, as well as about 80 paintings and pieces of art Dr.Handa has produced which were also for sale. 

Tokyo Art Foundation Chairman

 Dr.Haruhia Handa dance with samba dancers 

on dec.19.

TAF