Tag: Nippon

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 161

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 161

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Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring reaction videos – I can hardly believe it has been almost 25 years since The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was first released in cinemas. The first time I saw it (the first part of a cinematic trilogy) was during its final week of showing at the local cinema and I ended up being very engaged by it. Since then, the Peter Jackson-directed fantasy movie (and its two follow-ups) was released in different editions on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray formats, ultimately offering movie buffs and J.R.R. Tolkien fans a lot of choices. Considering its great cinematic quality, in-depth storytelling and memorable characters, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is arguably the greatest cinematic fantasy spectacle ever made. As such, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring itself was featured many times in reaction videos by YouTubers, and posted below are the ones I enjoyed watching. Go watch the videos below.

#2 Islamic Slave Trade examined – When it comes to the disturbing topic of slavery, not too many people want to discuss the Islamic slave trade which started from 7th century and even persisted in various forms into the 20th century. When compared to the transatlantic slave trade, Islamic slave trade happened across North Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Southern Europe and South Asia. There were women who were trafficked as domestic laborers or concubines, there were men who were recruited into specialized elite slave militaries, and there were others who subjected to brutal physical labor in various forms in different regions. The Islamic slave trade was indeed twisted and cursed, and it should never be revived. To find out more, watch the in-depth video below.

#3 The impact of Super Castlevania IV remembered – Released in December of 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in America, Super Castlevania IV was easily one of the most anticipated new games of that year given the fact that the Castlevania game series was already wildly popular with gamers. Considering its American release date, it was also the most pursued SNES game during the Christmas season. As such, its impact with gamers during the season was memorable and the YouTube video below by My Retro Life captured the game’s impact.

#4 Skipjack tuna’s impact in Japan – If you are fond of eating tuna, are you familiar with skipjack tuna? Skipjack tuna (also referred to as Katsuwonus pelamis) is a medium-sized, streamlined pelagic fish in the tuna family of Scombridae. It is the one tuna species that got heavily fished and chances are, you canned tuna you ate came from it. In Japan, there was a surplus of skipjack tuna which not only brought down prices but also made an impact on customers through the restaurants and groceries. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 The history of Tron – If you have seen the classic sci-fi movie Tron from 1982, were you able to play the official video games about it? Back then, there were video games of Tron released in the arcades and on game consoles of the time. Having seen the movie first, I remember wanting to play the Tron video games whenever I saw a print ad or a poster about the games. To learn more about Tron and its impact on video gaming, watch the video below from the late PatmanQC.

#6 Bill Clinton’s immorality, lying and sex scandal revisited – It has been almost thirty years since the Bill Clinton – Monica Lewinsky scandal first rocked the world resulting in massive news media coverage, legal implications, political debates and even a successful impeachment of Clinton. If you set aside the politics and media coverage, Bill Clinton’s sex scandal alone was essentially embarrassing and tarnished the Office of the President of the United States. I personally know Democrats who had trouble defending their immoral and dishonest President Clinton, and they are still worshipping both Bill and Hillary to this day. Recently, a comprehensive look back at the late-1990s sex scandal of Bill Clinton was released on YouTube and I encourage you to watch it now. Learn from history and never ever follow the evil Clintons.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts 19.5 Million Foreign Visitors in First 10 Months of 2026

Vietnam Attracts 19.5 Million Foreign Visitors in First 10 Months of 2026

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As of the end of October, Vietnam’s 2026 count of foreign visitors reached 19.5 million, according to a news report by VnExpress. This puts Vietnam in a good position to overtake its 2025 grand total of 21.2 million foreign visitors although it has yet to be seen if it can attract 25 million this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam received 19.5 million international visitors in the first 10 months of 2026, a 13.8% increase from a year earlier.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 4.3 million visitors, accounting for about 22% of the total, according to the General Statistics Office.

South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.3 million visitors, or 17.3%. Russia ranked third with 1.2 million, followed by Taiwan (1.07 million) and the U.S. (808,000).

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (787,000), Japan (757,000), India (744,000), the Philippines (579,000) and Australia (542,000).

Vietnam has remained a popular choice for international travelers, supported by its safety reputation, favorable visa policies, stronger tourism promotion efforts and a wide range of travel experiences, GSO wrote.

In October, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 1.85 million, an increase of 4.9% from the previous month and 7% compared to the same period last year.

The tourism industry attributed October’s visitor growth partly to two concerts by South Korean music group BigBang in Hanoi on Oct. 24–25.

Vietnam eyes 25 million international arrivals by the end of this year.

Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy, Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management, RMIT Vietnam, told VnExpress International the target is within sight.

Vietnam needs about 7.3 million arrivals in the final quarter, an average of more than 2.4 million a month.

“That calls for a strong finish, and the fourth quarter is the start of the October–March peak tourism season,” she added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam has all the factors and momentum to successfully attract 25 million tourists from around the world by the end of this year? If you are planning to visit Vietnam, what are the three main reasons behind your decision to go there? Did any of your friends visit Vietnam and shared their observations with you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 48

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 48

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Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads from the 1980s to the 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s to the 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Broderbund British print ad

A colorful advertisement for Broderbund's video games featuring 'Lode Runner' and other titles, with a bright design that includes text promoting 'America's Favourite' and 'Big Value Choice.'
An American-themed promotion of games for the British market in the 1980s.

Back in the 1980s, home computer systems were already popular platforms for playing electronic games. The American company Broderbund was one of the dominant forces of home computer gaming back then with lots of hit games (a mix of their own productions and the publishing of ports of games from other companies) that entertained many. When it came to England, Broderbund was aggressive on marketing its games there and the above print ad is a fine example of it. They came up with an American theme on their ad promoting the Lode Runner games, Choplifter, Spelunker and Stealth to British computer gamers. The imagery of a burger and the display of the American flag made the ad eye-catching.

2. King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch Japanese print ad

Promotional advertisement for the video game King Kong 2 by Konami featuring a close-up of a gorilla's face, vibrant graphics, and game details in Japanese.
A print ad of King Kong 2 and two other Konami games for Japanese gamers.

Believe it or not, Konami had the license to create the 1986 adventure game King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch which was very loosely based on the 1986 movie King Kong Lives. To promote its release for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom), Konami came up with the above print ad that had an actual movie photo of King Kong, inserted two screenshots and showed some creative writings. Conveniently, Konami also inserted two of its other games for promotions.

3. Datsugoku Japanese arcade flyer

An intense illustrated scene featuring muscular characters in action, one wielding a gun while shouting. The background shows a prison-like setting with buildings and characters on the ground. The image includes bold Japanese text that translates to 'Escape' and hints at a theme of liberation and combat.
The front.
An advertisement for a video game featuring various characters in action poses, illustrating gameplay mechanics like combat and weapon usage. The text is in Japanese, explaining character controls and actions for different scenarios.
The rear.

In 1988, SNK released Datsugoku in Japanese arcades and it became a commercial success for them long before they transitioned to their Neo Geo hardware. As you can see in the Japanese arcade flyer, the game has a war theme about prisoners of war struggling to fight their way out of enemy territory. This is not surprising because of the popularity of Hollywood’s military themed action movies and the Cold War itself had influenced game designers. The arcade flyer has fine-looking art of war. This game was eventually released in other parts of the world under the title P.O.W.: Prisoners of War.

4. The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! North American print ad

A vintage advertisement for the video game 'The Punisher' featuring a muscular character in tactical gear and a machine gun, with Spider-Man appearing in the background. The ad highlights intense action against crime and showcases gameplay details alongside an image of the game cartridge.
The Punisher with Spider-Man in this action-oriented print ad.

In the early 1990s, Nintendo’s Game Boy was the dominant handheld gaming device and it was not surprising that a lot of companies released games on it. Along the way, the Punisher became one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters and there were two monthly comic book series about the character. Acclaim produced The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! for Game Boy featuring not only the Punisher but also Spider-Man (in the background) which was enough to get the attention of comic book fans. The descriptive text they came up with has this obvious anti-crime theme and it emphasized action. I saw this print ad in some 1991 comic books I read and it remains eye-catching until now.

5. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Japanese print ad

A promotional image for the video game based on 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,' featuring AT-AT walkers and various characters, with text highlighting the game's release.
This is one captivating print ad.

In the early 1990s, Victor/JVC published Star Wars games developed by Lucasfilm Games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Following the 1992 release of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on the NES in the West, they released a port of it for the Famicom in Japan in 1993. To promote the game, they made a print ad that highlighting the memorable Battle of Hoth (using art and one screenshot) as well as iconic photos of Luke Skywalker in Hoth and Dagobah (with Yoda). The ad makers strategically inserted screenshots showing the in-game Hoth and Dagobah settings plus two of Cloud City. I played the game myself and it was very punishing. Still, this ad looks great. It also motivated me to replay The Empire Strikes Back on home video back then.

6. Contra: The Hard Corps Japanese print ad

A vibrant video game advertisement featuring a male and female character armed with futuristic guns, set against a fiery background. The text highlights the game's themes of cyber action and features the game's title prominently.
This Contra: The Hard Corps print ad for Japan still looks exciting.

In 1994, gamers in Japan who owned the Sega Mega Drive (Sega Genesis in America) were highly engaged when Konami released Contra: The Hard Corps specifically for the said console. Konami aggressively marketed the game and one of the ads they made for Japan was the above 2-page print ad that had dynamic looking hand-drawn artwork that had strong anime aesthetics. They inserted two screenshots of the game and posted a text description to get gamers excited. Apart from bringing Contra excitement for Sega gamers and Contra fans who happened to own the Mega Drive, this print ad clearly shows Konami went all-in with doing business with Sega.

7. Skimaxx North American and British arcade flyers

Promotional image for the Skimaxx arcade game featuring a virtual water-skiing experience with a bright blue and pink design, showcasing the game machine and a player on a water-ski simulator.
Skimaxx arcade flyer for England. Does anyone know who the pretty model is?
Promotional image for SKIMAXX, an interactive water-skiing simulator featuring a player on a ski board, a colorful arcade machine displaying gameplay, and descriptions of features and pricing.
Skimaxx arcade flyer for North America.

I never played Skimaxx in the local arcades. Did you? Released in 1996 by Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Skimaxx is very notable for having a truly unique physical cabinet design featuring a pivoting hydraulic footboard which brings to players the simulation of rock motions, twists and more. Two arcade flyers – for North America and England – were respectively published and both featured a pretty blonde lady wearing a swimsuit playing the Skimaxx machine, highlighting the use of the footboard. Apart from the technical features, a Skimaxx machine can be linked with another machine for head-to-head competition. These arcade flyers are very cool and mesmerizing to look at and they contain enough details to make arcade operators interested.

8. Genso Suikoden II Japanese print ad

Promotional poster for the video game 'Gensou Suikoden II' featuring various vibrant scenes and characters from the game, with Japanese text and a price listed.
This is truly an epic-looking print ad promoting Genso Suikoden II. A lot of images were shown but they did not spoil the plot.

When Konami released the original Suikoden (Genso Suikoden in Japan) fantasy RPG on the PlayStation in the mid-1990s, the game achieved positive feedback from gamers and critics which boosted sales. In late-1998, the sequel Genso Suikoden II was released for PlayStation in Japan and Konami became aggressive on promoting it as it became aware of the many dedicated Suikoden fans. They came up with an epic-looking 2-page print ad that had a collage of official artworks, screenshots of in-game cutscenes, and some of the fancy looking visual effects to sell the game. The images and descriptive text informed gamers of the new conflict following the events of the original game. I played Suikoden II a lot and it is easily bigger and better than its predecessor. That said, this epic-looking print ad truly highlights the great stuff Suikoden II offered gamers and it made the Suikoden II print ads in America look inferior. Too bad Konami did not use the approach of the Japanese print ad in the Western markets because Suikoden II truly is epic fantasy.

9. Einhänder North American print ad

The 2-page print ad of Einhänder for North America.

Back in the late-1990s, SquareSoft became a more prominent game developer and publisher by releasing new games that not only had 3D polygonal visuals but also tackled gameplay styles beyond role-playing games (RPGs). In the case of their game Einhänder, they made a serious gamble on the shooter genre of gaming while moving forward with 3D polygons and some unique gameplay features of their own. In preparation for the game’s North American launch in 1998 for PlayStation, the company came up with a wide print ad with a dominant artwork that showed a planet with a huge part torn off and drifting into space. Even a small part of the planet’s core got exposed. This ad pounded hard on the expression of “Earth shattering”, and it showed SquareSoft was serious on making an impact on the shooter genre. When I saw this ad in a magazine, the planet caught my attention and then I focused on the right section which had the descriptive text and screenshots of Einhänder. This is still an engaging print ad to look at.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japanese Municipalities Step Up Measures Against Halloween Disruptions

Japanese Municipalities Step Up Measures Against Halloween Disruptions

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Let me start by saying that Halloween should never be celebrated as it is inherently evil and it makes the participating celebrants vulnerable to evil forces. Apart from the evil that comes with it, the celebration of Halloween also causes major disruptions such as overcrowding, littering, trespassing, bumping, noise pollution, theft, physical violence and more. Over there in Japan, Halloween is not a traditional festivity but rather an urban event that attracted a lot of people as participants. Because each Halloween celebration there resulted in many incidents, the Japanese municipalities have ramped up a series of measures against disruptions, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

With Halloween approaching, Japanese municipalities are stepping up measures against disruptive celebrations in major entertainment districts as larger crowds are expected this year with the event falling on a Saturday.

Halloween is not a traditional festivity in Japan, but has evolved into a major urban event in recent years, particularly in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, where revelers in costumes gather for street celebrations.

The festivities have increasingly become associated with public disorder, with revelers drinking on the streets, littering and causing disturbances. Concerns intensified after crowds overturned a small truck in Shibuya during Halloween celebrations in 2018.

Shibuya, which has introduced restrictions on street drinking and imposed a 2,000 yen ($13) fine for littering, also plans to deploy additional patrols. Elsewhere, Tokyo’s Shinjuku district as well as Nagoya and Fukuoka are also tightening restrictions such as on alcohol consumption or access to crowded areas.

The peak crowd around Shibuya Center-Gai, a popular shopping area near Shibuya Station and one of the main gathering spots for revelers, on Halloween fell from about 20,000 in 2024 to about 4,500 in 2025, partly also due to rain.

“I hope Shibuya’s Halloween fever is gradually dying down. This year is an important turning point,” Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe said.

Nagoya has blocked access to parts of a downtown commercial complex at night since 2021 after fights and thefts were reported there during Halloween celebrations. The city plans to implement similar measures this year.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the celebration of Halloween should be banned all over Japan? What do you think caused Halloween to gain a lot of popularity among the Japanese over the past several years? Do you think Halloween participants in Japan even know what exactly are they celebrating? If you have children, have you ever thought them to reject Halloween?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Foreign Visitors’ 2026 Spending in Japan reaches $45 Billion During First 9 Months

Foreign Visitors’ 2026 Spending in Japan reaches $45 Billion During First 9 Months

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Japan, which attracted over 42 million foreign tourists in 2025, counted 7.06 trillion Yen (US$45 billion) spent by foreign visitors during the first nine months of 2026, according to a recent news report by Kyodo News. The number of foreign visitors during the same time period has reached 30.73 million.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Spending by foreign visitors to Japan hit a record 7.06 trillion yen ($45 billion) in the nine months through September, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday.

The spending, which includes shopping and accommodation costs, rose 1.9 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Spending from July through September increased 3.2 percent from a year earlier to 2.2 trillion yen. By country and region, Taiwan topped the list with 382 billion yen, followed by China with 358 billion yen.

For the three months through September, average spending per visitor was 233,677 yen, up 6.1 percent.

The number of foreign visitors during the nine months, meanwhile, fell 2.9 percent to 30.73 million, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. It was the first decline for the January-September period since 2021, during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Visitors from China dropped 55.5 percent amid strained relations with Japan following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks in November suggesting that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a response by the Self-Defense Forces in support of the United States.

South Korea topped the list with 8.3 million visitors, up 21.6 percent during the three quarters from January, followed by Taiwan with 6 million, up 19.1 percent, China with 3.3 million, the United States with 2.5 million, up 5.2 percent, and Hong Kong with 2 million, up 7.7 percent.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan could attract at least 43 million foreign visitors by the end of the year? What do you think explains the higher spending of foreign visitors in Japan this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

America Proposes New Defense Cooperation Framework with ASEAN

America Proposes New Defense Cooperation Framework with ASEAN

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During the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting held here in the Philippines yesterday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth proposed a new US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework to guide regional partnerships for the next several years, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. It should be noted that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The United States on Wednesday, Oct. 28, proposed developing a new framework for defense cooperation with Southeast Asian nations as Washington seeks to strengthen military partnerships and maintain regional stability amid security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the proposal during the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, held on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN (chairmanship).

“Next year marks the 50th anniversary formally of US-ASEAN relations, an important milestone, and in recognition of this milestone, we propose that we work together to develop a US-ASEAN framework for defense cooperation, a practical framework that guides our cooperation over the next several years,” Hegseth said.

Details of the said defense frameworks have yet to be specifically discussed by ASEAN defense leaders and Hegseth although he said Washington was ready to begin work on the proposal with Singapore as it prepares to assume the ADMM-Plus chairmanship from the Philippines.

Hegseth described the US approach to regional security as “strong, quiet, and clear,” saying Washington wanted to deter aggression without provoking unnecessary escalation.

“Strong enough to deter coercion and aggression, quiet enough to avoid needless escalation or public theatrics, and to let our actions speak for themselves, but are clear enough that our friends, our partners, and potential adversaries understand precisely where the United States stands and that we will defend our interests and the interests of our allies and partners,” he said.

He said the approach was based on “peace through strength” and emphasized that the United States was willing to work with ASEAN members according to their circumstances, priorities and shared interests.

Hegseth identified maritime domain awareness, interoperability and cooperation among navies as key areas for practical collaboration.

“These are not symbolic things. They are concrete demonstrations of what serious partners do,” he said, adding that joint training and planning could build the confidence and competence needed to prevent conflict.

He also cited cooperation to sustain the ceasefire along the Cambodia-Thailand border as an example of regional coordination, saying ASEAN’s leadership had demonstrated what the bloc could achieve when it acted with purpose and resolve.

Valuable ally – Meanwhile, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the US engagement, saying a sustained American presence was necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific.

“We value the United States’ sustained engagement with the defense establishments of ASEAN as a robust US presence is necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader Indo-Pacific region,” Teodoro said.

The DND chief also thanked Washington for supporting ASEAN centrality and participating in ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ADMM-Plus, which brings together ASEAN defense ministers and their eight dialogue partners.

Teodoro cited the second ASEAN-US maritime exercise, in which the Philippine Navy participated in Indonesia in December 2025, and Washington’s support for the Philippines and Japan as co-chairs of the current ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security.

He also welcomed the participation of the US Navy and Air Force in a joint cooperative activity hosted by the Philippines in Subic last month. Teodoro said Manila hopes to build on these initiatives as he stressed the importance of freedom of navigation to regional security and prosperity.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you believe that the proposed new defense cooperation with ASEAN will lead to breakthroughs pertaining to regional stability and freedom of movement at sea? Do you think Communist China will feel the heat of America’s cooperation with ASEAN? What do you think US President Donald Trump will announce about regional cooperation when he attends the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 160

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 160

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Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Gone Girl reaction videos – When Gone Girl was released in local cinemas back in 2014, I never bothered to see it. Along the way, buzz about the movie spread like wildfire through North American entertainment websites and social media with assorted topics like toxic marriage, manipulation, dishonesty, defamation and betrayal discussed. I eventually saw Gone Girl via streaming just a few years ago and I can say it was a very intriguing movie to watch. That said, it is not surprising that a lot of movie reaction videos featuring it were posted on YouTube. Posted below are the more engaging reaction videos selected for you all.

#2 Why Manga Keeps on Triggering the Internet – It is a very sad fact that there are a lot of fake fans and phony intellectuals out there who seriously believe they are experts on entertainment. This explains why there are so many video essays or so-called analysis focused on established entertainment franchises and entertainment media. That said, there are a lot of fake fans, pretenders, larpers and online tourists who posted their distorted views about manga (Japanese comics) and misinterpret what the original creators did. To learn exactly why, go watch Ranting for Vengeance’s video below. Pay attention to the details.

#3 Maximum Carnage video game remembered – Back in the 1990s, I read the comic books of the Maximum Carnage crossover storyline but I never played the video game adaptation. Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage had a very ambitious marketing campaign that captivated many gamers, Spider-Man fans and comic book readers. There was this movie-like build-up that easily kept people thinking about the video game. When it was officially released, there were gamers who expressed disappointment after playing it. To examine what the video game’s quality and impact, go watch the video below.

#4 The Pizzerias in the Mountains of Japan – There is absolutely nothing like exploring the countryside and other nature spots of Japan. Deep in the mountains of Tokyo and Saitama are pizzerias that offer visitors food with unique flavors, homemade ingredients and the immersive closeness to the natural environment. I personally want to visit these food joints the next time I visit Japan. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 Totally Whatever reacts to Fast Times at Ridgemont High – It has been over forty years since Fast Times at Ridgemont High was first released in cinemas. To this day, a lot of film buffs considered it as one of the most defining movies Hollywood released in the 1980s, and also one of the most memorable American teen movies ever. Not only that, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The old movie continues to impress first-time viewers and you should see how it impacts Totally Whatever in their reaction video below.

#6 Castlevania games revisited – This year marks the 40th anniversary of the original Castlevania video game released on the Famicom Disk System in Japan. The classic horror-themed, 2D side-scrolling adventure game produced by Konami made a huge impact on gamers who enjoyed 2D adventure games and the success it achieved led to the release of many sequels and spin-offs across different platforms. There is a lot of creativity and inspiration behind the production of the original game. To learn more about the original Castlevania and how it grew into an enduring game franchise, watch the video below.

#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to Teen Wolf – When it comes to the 1980s, Michael J. Fox is often remembered for playing the teenager Marty McFly in Back to the Future and Back to the Future Part II. Speaking of teenagers, Fox was the star in the 1985 coming-of-age fantasy comedy movie Teen Wolf where he played a high school student who could turn into a werewolf. As it was released after Back to the Future, Teen Wolf emerged as a surprise commercial success grossing more than $80 million worldwide. This old movie was featured in several reaction videos on YouTube and Ashleigh Burton’s reaction is fun to watch. Watch the video below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam wins 2026 Asia’s Best Cruise Destination award

Vietnam wins 2026 Asia’s Best Cruise Destination award

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Have you been on a nice cruise within Asia over the past six months? During the recent 2026 World Cruise Awards, Vietnam won the Asia’s Best Cruise Destination award and ended the 2-year reign of Hong Kong, according to a news article by VnExpress. Vietnam also won another prestigious award.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam has won Asia’s Best Cruise Destination at the 2026 World Cruise Awards for the first time, ending Hong Kong’s two-year reign.

Vietnam beat nine other nominees, including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, according to the results announced at the sixth annual ceremony in Jamaica on Oct. 12.

Since the category began in 2021, Singapore has won twice, followed by the Philippines in 2023 and Hong Kong in 2024 and 2025.

Vietnam’s cruising experiences range from journeys through limestone islands in the north to river voyages through the Mekong Delta in the south.

In Ha Long Bay, passengers can spend the day sailing between limestone formations before anchoring overnight and waking up to views of the surrounding islands.

Itineraries often combine time aboard with kayaking and cave visits, while onboard activities can include cooking classes and squid fishing, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism’s official website.

Mekong Delta cruises offer a closer look at life along the waterways, the tourism authority says.

Boats pass palm-lined riverbanks and villages, with shore excursions allowing passengers to explore local markets and towns or sample tropical fruit.

Vietnam also won the World’s Best River Cruise Destination at this year’s awards. Ha Long Cruise Port was named Asia’s Best Cruise Terminal.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you were able to join a cruise in Vietnam, how was the experience and what are the things you enjoyed the most about it? Did you get a lot of value in return to what you paid for during the Vietnam cruise?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Selected as World’s 2nd Most Favorite Country for Tourists

Japan Selected as World’s 2nd Most Favorite Country for Tourists

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Japan, which attracted over 42 million foreign tourists in 2025, has been voted as the world’s 2nd Most Favorite Country for tourists in Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious list of the world’s twenty best countries, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the VnExpress news article. Some parts in boldface…

Japan was named the world’s second most favorite country after Greece in British magazine Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the world’s 20 best countries, amid tourism declines and visa fee changes.

The Asian country received a score of 97.01 points out of 100, according to the annual Readers’ Choice Awards’ survey that asks travelers to rate countries on factors such as culture, attractions, cuisine, and overall experience.

“A tourism boom is bringing more visitors to experience its celebrated food scene, soothing onsens, seasonal cherry blossoms and high-speed trains that glide through some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Yet even in a country steeped in heritage, there is always something new to discover, from futuristic attractions to fresh cultural experiences,” the magazine wrote.

Japan welcomed more than 27 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of 2026, down 2.7% from the same period last year, amid a steep decline from Chinese tourists, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The Japanese government raised the single-entry visa fee for foreign nationals fivefold, from 3,000 to 15,000 yen, marking the first increase since 1978 amid inflation and a weaker yen, Kyodo News reported.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? When it comes to world travel, is Condé Nast Traveller your main reference for information and updates? If you were able to visit Japan over the past twelve months, how was your trip? Did you visit many cultural sites in Japan?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 159

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 159

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Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 You Me and the Movies reacts to Wicked City – Having watched lots of anime feature films, OAVs and TV shows before, I never saw Wicked City. Released in 1987, Wicked City is a neo-noir cyberpunk horror anime movie directed by Yoshiaka Kawajiri. YouTuber You, Me and the Movies recently posted a reaction video about Wicked City which is entertaining to watch. That said, it is also their latest anime reaction video and I encourage you to see it.

#2 Nintendo’s Virtual Boy revisited – I never owned the Virtual Boy from Nintendo. Released in the mid-1990s, it was a table-top game console that displayed stereoscopic 3D graphics which ended up as a major failure for the company. Virtual Boy was designed by the late Gunpei Yokoi who was the same guy behind the Game & Watch and the original Game Boy. To learn about the history of the Virtual Boy and why it was approved for release, watch the video below.

#3 Tokyo’s midnight restaurants – In Tokyo, life does not simply stop when regular office hours are over. There are people who have unusual working schedules and there are those who are actually living as night-time persons. That said, there are restaurants in Tokyo that fully operate late in the evening. The good news here is that visitors and food lovers can find delicious Japanese meals, fine drinks and more. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#4 Punch-Out!! revisited – When you hear the title “Punch-Out!!”, do you think of the popular Famicom/NES video game that had Mike Tyson, the 1990s Super Punch-Out!! console game, or the original arcade game with the dual-monitor set-up that Nintendo first released in 1984? Indeed, Punch-Out!! went a long way and ultimately, it made video game boxing cartoony, wholesome and fun. To learn how the game franchise started and who exactly were involved, watch the comprehensive video from the late PatmanQC.

#5 When the Phoenix Suns had Charles Barkley – In 1992, NBA superstar Charles Barkley transferred from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns. During his first season with Phoenix, the Suns made it to the NBA Finals of 1993 facing off with eventual champion the Chicago Bulls. If you ask me, Barkley’s tenure with the Suns was memorable as he won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with them and really came close to winning an NBA championship. Nothing has been the same since Barkley left Arizona. For an immersive look back at Barkley’s days as a Phoenix Sun, watch the video below.

#6 Friday The 13th (1980) reaction videos – What can be said about the original Friday The 13th movie of 1980? Directed by Sean Cunningham, the slasher-horror film made almost $60 million worldwide on a negative cost of a few million Dollars, and it led to many sequels throughout the 1980s. The film was released at a time when many low-budget horror movies were made to cash-in on the success of John Carpenter’s Halloween. In my opinion, the movie itself is dull and it is actually one of the weakest of its franchise. Still, this old movie has impact on YouTubers who saw it for the first time ever. That said, go watch the reaction video below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco