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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2014)
ASIA / PACIFIC August 18, 2014 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno stars in Manila WARM FILIPINO WELCOME. Cast members from the Japanese film Rurouni Kenshin — from left, Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, and Munetaka Aoki — ges- ture prior to the premiere screening of the film at a mall cinema in Mandaluyong city, east of Manila, the Philippines. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is the second live action film and the first to be premiered outside Japan. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) By Teresa Cerojano The Associated Press ANILA, The Philippines — Japanese lead actor Takeru Satoh of the hit movie Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno thanked Filipino fans for a warm welcome, saying he hopes the film will pave the way for more Japanese movies to be shown in the Philippines. The stars and director of the movie travelled to the Philippines for the film’s Asian premiere earlier this month. Satoh said it was difficult to think of what film to make next. But he said he hopes to “create some great movies” again with Keishi Otomo, the director of the Kenshin trilogy. Filipino fans loudly cheered Satoh, actress Emi Takei, actor Munetaka Aoki, and Otomo as they arrived on the red carpet before the screening at SM Megamall. Satoh told a news conference that the M everyone can appreciate it.” But he said the movie also shows the intricacies of Japanese culture in hopes that people will appreciate and understand them. Satoh, who practiced three months prior movie about Kenshin Himura, a legendary assassin-turned-conflicted-hero during Japan’s Meiji era, may have appealed to Filipino and other Asian fans because action movies have “one language, to shooting his intense sword-fighting scenes, said he was injured many times during the filming. Aoki said he lost a tooth but did not mind it. The fast-action film by Warner Bros. Japan begins its regular run in the country on August 20. It is the first of a two-part finale of the franchise based on the hit Japanese comic, or manga, called Rurouni Kenshin. The action and drama film is about a once-feared swordsman during the turbulent fall of Japan’s shogunate in the 19th century who adopts a peaceful life after the arrival of Japan’s “new age.” It has captivated fans in the Philippines and other parts of Asia. q Nearly 5 million signatures collected in support of changing Myanmar charter YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The party of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has collected nearly 5 million signatures in support of changing Myanmar’s military-drafted constitution and chal- lenging the military’s dominance in parlia- ment. An article in the 2008 constitution requires 75 percent parliamentary approval to amend major chapters of the charter, but with the military occupying 25 percent of the seats, any major constitutional change will be a hurdle. Another clause prevents Suu Kyi from becoming president. Her party’s campaign to change the article requiring the 75 percent approval garnered 4,941,998 signatures from May 27 to July 19. National League for Democracy (NLD) party spokesman U Nyan Win said the campaign for signatures was successful despite pressure and intimidation by authorities to those who signed, as well as difficult access to villages in the rainy season. “Being able to garner nearly 5 million AVAILABLE NOW In-Town moves from w TRUCKS $19.95 w TRAILERS w HITCHES w AUTO TRANSPORTS Plus Mileage 503-538-2008 RESERVE one now First United Engineering signatures was a success. Even some government servants and soldiers participated in the campaign,” Nyan Win said at a news conference at the party’s headquarters. Suu Kyi said the current constitution needs to be amended to meet democratic norms and that the constitutional amendment is essential for a free and fair 2015 election. The Nobel peace laureate called for a meeting with President Thein Sein, commander in chief, and parliament speaker Thura Shwe Mann to discuss the constitutional amendment, but all parties have shown little interest in the process. Prominent student activist Ko Ko Gyi said the campaign was “the first step toward charter amendment” and hoped “the parliament will take into consideration the aspirations of five million people.” The party will submit the list of signatures to parliament. Most members of the committee tasked with amendments belong to the military-allied party so it is unclear how the NLD’s campaign will succeed.