Masamitsu Miyamoto
Opera Singer

GOODMy daughter, born at the end of last year, has become the center of my life. Just her smile, her eating, her crawling... every single one of her actions is a seed of happiness. Thanks to her, I find myself thinking more about my parents, wondering if I was also loved so much as I grew up. But I'm too embarrassed to say "thank you" often.

BADLate last year, I went to a copy center to pick up sheet music I'd requested for binding. Since I was just picking it up, I parked my car on the street in front of the shop. However, the staff were unexpectedly slow. When I came out, a parking enforcement officer was there! I hurried over, but at that moment, I was thrown to the ground. I'd tripped over an unseen obstacle at my feet (fracturing a rib, requiring one month to heal). As I lay groaning on the street, a civilian parking attendant approached and said, "Oh, is that your car? I won't ticket you," before disappearing into the night.


Baritone Masamitsu Miyamoto Interview

Kayoko Higashino
Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Harper's Bazaar

GOODGood things? I can't think of many, but privately, perhaps taking a substantial summer vacation for the first time in 20 years... Also, this year marked my "50th birthday!?" (my age is revealed), and I was surprised with a party to celebrate. It was a small gathering, but it made me so happy that I feel I have the energy to live to 100.

BADA colleague from work passed away. They sat right in front of me, were around my age, and we used to smoke together. They fell ill last autumn and were gone in the blink of an eye. Perhaps because of this, I've recently stopped putting things off, thinking, "I'll save this for later" or "I'll wear that later." The excuses I used to make for my spending, jokingly, have become a reality. "If my back bends, I won't be able to wear trendy clothes! If I get neuralgia, I won't be able to wear high heels! If my stomach weakens, I won't be able to eat delicious food!" So, I should indulge myself while I can.

Akira Shimada
Editor

GOODMaking many good friends (again this year). Meeting inspiring people like Kiyosaku of Mongol 800, N.Hoolywood's Mr. Obana, and visvim's Mr. Nakamura, who bring me new inspiration, has created a situation brimming with the potential for something to grow and lead to the next stage. This is my greatest harvest this year.

BADNot being able to meet the Dalai Lama (again this year). Although the Dalai Lama visited Japan after a long time, I missed the chance to meet him due to conflicting schedules. I've been sending him my regards for a long time, but it's still unrequited love (laughs). That's why this is my 'X' for the year.


Series | Life is Edit. ~Encounters are Joyful~

Eiichi Yoshimura
Writer/Editor

GOODIt became a year where environmental protection activities, like more trees, started in a very natural way. The signature campaign against the restart of the Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant also saw many people signing and sending messages in a natural way, without political overtones. On a personal note, the reunion and live performance of the Yellow Magic Orchestra truly made me happy.

BADIt's two sides of the same coin as the GOOD events, but I feel that environmental and social conditions have been pushed to a critical point where we must act immediately. The shady movements surrounding copyright were also a 'bad.' On a personal level, despite my confidence in my health, I had to be taken to the emergency room late at night during the busy year-end period. I caused a lot of trouble for many people.


OPENERS x dictionary Roundtable: "Facing the 'Inconvenient Truth' Within Us"
Unplug Kashiwazaki-Kariwa | Goodnight, Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant

Pantarhei
Creative Director Akihito Koori

GOODThe 12 billion yen rookie, our country's Daisuke Matsuzaka, becomes a world champion!! As someone involved in manufacturing, I've always wanted to showcase Japanese quality to the world, so seeing a Japanese person achieve greatness on the global stage made me incredibly happy. This year, I think the biggest highlight was the 100 million dollar rookie, Matsuzaka, leading the Red Sox to a world championship! It was a great way to show the world, 'Japan is amazing.'

BADIf you compare the price at a gas station in some rural area around 2004, just three years ago, with the price in Shinjuku this November, you'd want to exclaim, "How much!?" What's more unsettling is that back then, futures contracts for gasoline somehow came my way! They said, "If you have 5 million yen, it can become 25 million." Thinking futures were dubious, I completely ignored it. If I think about how I might be a "gasoline celebrity" now, it makes me feel a bit happy (crying).


Selection: Pantarhei's Masterpiece Condom Case "A.Y.O.R"
rumors "Pantarhei"