New Striker #31

Urawa Reds have signed Serbian striker Ranko Despotovic following the departure of Brazilian Edmilson to the Middle East.


The 28-year-old Despotovic has spent most of his career in the Serbian leagues, but last season he played in the Spanish second division at Girona, where he scored 18 goals in 34 appearances.

Ranko Despotovic is 185cm tall so that we can expect his powerful and tactful play in front of the goal post.



Welcome to Urawa, Ranko!! ＼(^o^)／

Tragedy like Juliet

The owner of Kimura Yakkyoku, which is a drugstore in front of Eigonoie, suddenly passed away las week.


And soon after his death, his wife also passed away as she followed him.



The owner's death was inevitable, but his wife seemed to commit suicide by throwing herself.

Before their death, I had seen them often through the window.

They were old, especially the wife's back was bent down with age and she doddered with her cart.




Perhaps she felt lonely after the owner's death and thought that she didn't want to bother anyone else around her.




Didn't she have any regrets on earth...?

Millionaire

I made it, at last!!


My savings now are over one million yen after receiving this month salary!!





Hurraaaaaaah!! ＼(^o^)／

New World Heritage in Japan

The ancient Buddhist temples and landscape of Hiraizumi have won approval as a World Heritage cultural site at the UNESCO meeting in Paris.


It follows the endorsement of the Ogasawara island chain soutth of Tokyo as the country's fourth natural heritage site.





Happy news on the Tohoku area!!


It's expected to boost tourism to the region, which is still reeling from the devastation left by 3.11.


Here is one of the most famous spot in Hiraizumi called "Konjiki-do".

If you're interested in this place, see more information about Chuson-ji Temple and Hiraizumi.

JIN final

I've just watched the final chapter of Sunday drama "JIN -仁-".


Soooo moved.


I don't watch dramas so much, but I think it was a good one.

Go Gaga Over Japan

"Never give up on the dream of Japan."


That was the message Lady Gaga wants to send to her Japanese fans.


She performed at the MTV Video Music Aid Japan in Makuhari Messe yesterday, that was a charity event to raise funds for the Japanese Red Cross.


Have a look at her performance → "The Edge Of Glory" & "Born This Way"





During the press conference on June 23rd, Gaga shared how she's heavily inspired by Japanese culture and felt an honor to appear in Japan.

She also shed tears for the devastated Japan and its people.

Lady Gaga was chosen as a top of the Time Magazine's list of  Most Influential People In The World.

It was helpful so much that such an influential person appealed to the world "...Come (to Japan) and enjoy the beautiful country."




Thank you for your kindness and love, Gaga!!

Edmilson sent off

Urawa Reds have agreed to transfer Brazilian striker Edmilson to Qatari club Al Gharafa.

The 28-year-old forward, who has scored 109 goals in 226 games inn the J-League first division since his 2004 debute, will fly to Qatar tomorrow and is expected to sign a three-year contract after a medical





A lot of media have criticized the loss of a fantastic striker, but if you're a real Urawa Reds fan, there is no doubt about the club executive's decision.


I don't like Edmilson as you know.




He is slow, can't jump high, and is not cool.

What's worse, his salary is much high.




Urawa's number 9 has a special meaning and the player who wear the number is called "Mr. Reds".


Edmilson must be unfit as Mr. Reds.





I admire him only when he scored a hat trick against Jubilo Iwata on November 21st, 2009.

Especially, he snatched a dramatic three points with a fine strike from the edge of the area in 89th minute.

Yeah, it was spectacle, but that's all for him.