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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 2019)
ASIA / PACIFIC August 19, 2019 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Japan’s ex-Empress Michiko has early-stage breast cancer By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press OKYO — Former Japanese Empress Michiko has breast cancer and will have an operation, according to palace officials. The Imperial Household Agency said doctors found Michiko had early-stage breast cancer in a regular health check in July. Michiko, 84, received the title of empress emerita after her husband, Akihito, abdicated on April 30. Their son, Naruhito, ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. Doctors also found in June that Michiko has a minor heart problem that needs monitoring, though she has continued to make private outings. Michiko also had cataract operations in late June. Doctors said Michiko has lost weight in recent months, presumably because she was busy preparing for and attending events related to Akihito’s abdication, palace officials said. They said she needs to regain her stamina before having an operation, which is expected some time after September. Michiko is to travel to Karuizawa in central Japan, where she and Akihito first met at a tennis match, in late August, and to the hot springs resort of Kusatsu as part of their annual vacation plans. Michiko is the first commoner to become T EARLY DETECTION. Japan’s Empress Michiko attends the award ceremony of the Midori Academic Prize in Tokyo, in this April 26, 2019 file photo. Japa- nese palace officials say former Empress Michiko and her doctors discovered in a regular health check that she has early-stage breast cancer. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool, File) empress in modern Japanese history. Catholic-educated Michiko Shoda and Akihito married on April 10, 1959, after what is known as their tennis court romance. They broke with traditions and brought many changes to the monarchy. They chose to raise their three children them- selves, spoke more often to the public, and made amends for war victims in and outside Japan. Their close interactions have won them deep affection among Japanese. K-pop superstar group BTS will take “extended” break SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — K-pop superstar group BTS is taking an extended break to “enjoy the ordinary lives of young people in their 20s, albeit briefly,” their agency said. Big Hit Entertainment said a concert in Seoul was the group’s last scheduled performance before the seven members take “vacations” for the first time since their 2013 debut. The agency didn’t say when BTS will perform again. According to the company’s website, BTS is scheduled to perform in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Seoul in October. “Should you have a chance encounter with a member of BTS while they are on vacation, we ask that you show considera- tion for their need to rest and enjoy their private time off,” the agency said. BTS has a large international following 10 NEW BALIS. Tourists visit Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The Indonesian city of Yogyakarta and its hinterland are packed with tourist attractions, including Buddhist and Hindu temples of World Heritage caliber that rise like dark giants from the countryside. Yet many tourists still bypass congested Yogyakarta and head to the relaxing beaches of Bali, the archipelago’s most popular destination. (AP Photo/ Slamet Riyadi) Not just Bali: Indonesia hopes to develop more tourism sites By Karin Laub and Niniek Karmini The Associated Press Y OGYAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian city of Yogyakarta and its hinterland are packed with tourist attractions, including Buddhist and Hindu temples of World Heritage caliber that rise like dark giants from the countryside. Yet many tourists still bypass congested Yogyakarta and head to the relaxing beaches of Bali, the archipelago’s most popular destination. Recently re-elected President Joko Widodo wants to change this dynamic by pushing ahead with “10 new Balis,” an ambitious plan to boost tourism and diversify Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Key to the plan is to upgrade provincial airports and improve access to outlying destinations, such as Lake Toba on Sumatra island, more than 800 miles from Jakarta, the capital. NEEDED BREAK. South Korean boy band BTS performs on ABC’s “Good Morning America” at Rumsey Playfield/SummerStage in Central Park, New York, in this May 15, 2019 file photo. The agency for K-pop superstars BTS says the singers will take an extended break from showbiz to rest, relax, and “enjoy the ordinary lives of young people in their 20s, albeit briefly.” (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File) and was the first K-pop act to debut atop the Billboard Album chart last year with “Love Yourself: Tear.” Subscribe to The Asian Reporter! See page six for subscription options and an order form.
