(Kyodo News)Rafu Wire Service ReportsJapanese musician and film director Yoshiki was honored at a special ceremony in Hollywood to unveil a cement tablet displaying his hand and footprints on Jan.

Theres probably no starker contrast between the two cultures of Japan and Cuba.Its a place that has withstood the extremes of enormous wealth and poverty.

we marveled at Cubans fascination with Japan.you would think that the Cubans would hate Americans.In spending eight days in Havana with two friends from Tokyo who are used to immaculate streets.

but just the opposite was true.left there because of crumbling buildings and scant trash service.

——————–Sharon Yamato writes from Playa del Rey and can be reached at sharony360@gmail.

I received smiles and buenos dias in return.who was first to point to the long gas lines that stretched for blocks and could last for days.

efforts to back the unpopular Batista and later to assassinate Fidel Castro.Obama is revered in this country for easing regulations on American tourism in 2016.

the restrictions on tourism that were lifted by Obama in 2016 were reinstated in 2021 for seemingly incomprehensible reasons.Streets overflow with pulsating music.