AKITA--A “maiko” apprentice geisha who trained in classical ballet is set to make her official debut in the local geisha community here in late May, making her the first newcomer in four and a half ...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Then again, time seems to be almost suspended here — both in the modernity-shunning customs followed at Saku ...