Latest news with #Aoki
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former USC star pitcher Caden Aoki commits to Georgia
Former USC star pitcher Caden Aoki commits to Georgia Last week, USC baseball ace Caden Aoki made headlines when he surprisingly announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. On Monday, Aoki made his new home official: He will play for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2026. After spending his freshman year at Notre Dame in 2022, Aoki transferred to USC prior to the 2023 season. He emerged as the Trojans' top starting pitcher over the better part of the past three seasons. In 2025, he went 6-4 with a 3.99 ERA. However, it was the NCAA Tournament where Aoki forever etched himself into Trojans lore. In USC's tournament opener against TCU, Aoki allowed just one run over eight innings, throwing 114 pitches. For his performance, he was named to the all-Corvallis Regional team. Despite being a senior this past season, Aoki was granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA. However, it appears he will spend that year in Athens, Georgia, rather than in Los Angeles. USC's lacked significant pitching depth behind Aoki in 2025. The Trojans will need to improve on that front next year if they want to have any chance of making it further in the postseason.
The Mainichi
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Dole Japan transforms imperfect bananas into charcoal to combat food waste
TOKYO -- More than 60 companies in Japan are utilizing imperfect bananas, which would otherwise be discarded, to combat food waste. Fruit and vegetable producer and vendor Dole Japan Inc., the initiative's leader, has now added "banana charcoal" to the lineup. The latest product has gained attention not only for its visual impact but also for the easy use of charcoal and its wide range of applications in other items. Japan imports approximately 1 million metric tons of bananas annually. According to Dole Japan, which handles between 200,000 and 250,000 tons of bananas a year, around 20,000 tons get thrown out in landfills annually in the Philippines, a major banana producer, due to not meeting market standards. Blemishes on peels, being too small or too large or having irregular shapes are among some of the reasons. In addition, bananas typically grow in bunches of 15 to 20, but Japanese supermarkets usually sell them in smaller bunches of four to six. As a result, leftover bananas, even if they meet standards, are sometimes discarded. In response, Dole Japan launched the "Mottainai Banana" project in 2021. The Japanese term "mottainai" means regrettable wastefulness. More than 60 companies in the confectionery, bakery and other industries have joined, processing imperfect bananas into products such as juice, ice cream and sweets. In fiscal 2024, about 2,000 tons of these bananas were reportedly transformed into such items. Banana charcoal, newly commercialized by Dole Japan in April, draws inspiration from the practice in the Philippines of carbonizing imperfect bananas for fertilizer. Although its burn time is relatively short at about 30 minutes, it is lighter and easier to ignite than typical charcoal, making it suitable for starting barbecues. It is also easy to break up and dispose of after use, making it user-friendly. Retaining the original shape Despite being pitch black, the charcoal retains the banana's original shape, giving it a unique appearance. Hiroshi Aoki, president of Dole Japan, stated, "We hope people use banana charcoal during family barbecues or school camps and it prompts them to learn about food waste." Banana charcoal has been available in limited quantities on the flea market website Mercari Shops since April 1, priced at 3,300 yen (about $23) for a 2-kilogram box, including tax. Dole Japan is also considering sales at home improvement centers and supermarket chains. The company also plans to develop new products using banana charcoal, such as toilet deodorizers and T-shirts designed with banana charcoal ink. Aoki, who has tried using banana charcoal on a home grill, noted, "You can light the charcoals using about one-third of the usual amount of fire starter." Applications in food industry Starbucks Coffee Japan offered limited-time items in 2024 featuring Mottainai Bananas, including Banana Brulee Frappuccino, rice flour banana muffins and rice flour banana Swiss rolls. In addition, Dole Japan is also promoting the "Office de Dole" initiative, which delivers Mottainai Bananas to companies to support employees' healthy habits while reducing food waste. Currently, about 60 businesses participate in regular purchases. Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp. began distributing some 2,000 bananas monthly to its Tokyo headquarters staff starting May 13.
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC baseball ace Caden Aoki granted extra year of eligibility, enters transfer portal
USC baseball ace Caden Aoki granted extra year of eligibility, enters transfer portal On Monday, USC baseball's season came to an end in the NCAA Tournament. After making their first postseason appearance in 10 years, the Trojans fell to Oregon State in the final of the Corvallis Regional. On Wednesday, the Trojans got more tough news when it was reported that their top pitcher, Caden Aoki, will be entering the transfer portal. Aoki was a senior this past season, but was granted an additional season of eligibility by the NCAA. However, it now appears as though he will spend that season elsewhere. After spending his freshman year at Notre Dame in 2022, Aoki transferred to USC prior to the 2023 season. He emerged as the Trojans' top starting pitcher over the better part of the past three seasons. In 2025, he went 6-4 with a 3.99 ERA. However, it was the NCAA Tournament where Aoki forever etched himself into Trojans lore. In USC's tournament opener against TCU, Aoki allowed just one run over eight innings, throwing 114 pitches. For his performance, he was named to the all-Corvallis Regional team. While the Trojans were likely expecting to lose Aoki anyway, seeing him hit the transfer portal would be a tough loss. Given that USC lacked pitching depth behind Aoki in 2025, it will be critical that head coach Andy Stankiewicz address the position this offseason.
Fashion Network
01-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Craft and innovation meet in Loewe's 2025 Prize for Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki
Spanish luxury brand Loewe has announced the winner of its annual contemporary art and craft award. For the 2025 edition of its Craft Prize, Loewe—through its foundation established by the founding family—has honored Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki for his work 'Realm of Living Things 19.' . Created in 2024, the award-winning piece earned Aoki a €50,000 prize. The sculpture was crafted using anamorphic terracotta and various innovative force-application techniques. It underwent a smoking process and was finished with decorative earth-based materials and pencil markings. The work was recognized for its artistic merit, technical complexity, and innovation, particularly in its interpretation of traditional coiling methods. Aoki was selected from a pool of 30 finalists by a jury of 12 professionals from the worlds of design, architecture, journalism, criticism, and museum curation. Notable jurors included essayist and architect Frida Escobedo, architect and industrial designer Patricia Urquiola, architect Wang Shu, and Olivier Gabet, director of the decorative arts department at the Louvre Museum. In addition to the main prize, the jury also honored Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello for his work TM Bench with Bowl, crafted from recycled aluminum and inspired by globalization and power dynamics. Indian studio Sumakshi Singh was also recognized for Monument, a life-size reinterpretation of a 12th-century Delhi colonnade created with copper zari. 'As we celebrate the eighth edition of the prize, I am amazed by the incredible display of ingenuity, beauty, and craftsmanship shown by the finalists. To me, the magic of the prize lies in witnessing the ability of craft to surprise, innovate, and evolve year after year. It is an honor to see how the prize helps keep the craft alive and relevant,' said Sheila Loewe, president of the Loewe Foundation. All finalist works from the latest edition of the international competition—launched by the Loewe Foundation in 2016 in tribute to the house's roots as an artisanal workshop—will be on display from May 30 to June 29 at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. A digital exhibition of the entries will also be available online for public viewing. Founded in 1846 in Madrid, Loewe is a globally renowned luxury house, owned by French conglomerate LVMH, known for its craftsmanship and original creations. In March, Loewe's creative direction was handed over to design duo Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández of Proenza Schouler, following the departure of Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson. Anderson stepped down to take on the role of menswear design director at Dior, another house within French businessman Bernard Arnault 's luxury portfolio.
Fashion Network
01-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Craft and innovation meet in Loewe's 2025 Prize for Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki
Spanish luxury brand Loewe has announced the winner of its annual contemporary art and craft award. For the 2025 edition of its Craft Prize, Loewe—through its foundation established by the founding family—has honored Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki for his work 'Realm of Living Things 19.' . Created in 2024, the award-winning piece earned Aoki a €50,000 prize. The sculpture was crafted using anamorphic terracotta and various innovative force-application techniques. It underwent a smoking process and was finished with decorative earth-based materials and pencil markings. The work was recognized for its artistic merit, technical complexity, and innovation, particularly in its interpretation of traditional coiling methods. Aoki was selected from a pool of 30 finalists by a jury of 12 professionals from the worlds of design, architecture, journalism, criticism, and museum curation. Notable jurors included essayist and architect Frida Escobedo, architect and industrial designer Patricia Urquiola, architect Wang Shu, and Olivier Gabet, director of the decorative arts department at the Louvre Museum. In addition to the main prize, the jury also honored Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello for his work TM Bench with Bowl, crafted from recycled aluminum and inspired by globalization and power dynamics. Indian studio Sumakshi Singh was also recognized for Monument, a life-size reinterpretation of a 12th-century Delhi colonnade created with copper zari. 'As we celebrate the eighth edition of the prize, I am amazed by the incredible display of ingenuity, beauty, and craftsmanship shown by the finalists. To me, the magic of the prize lies in witnessing the ability of craft to surprise, innovate, and evolve year after year. It is an honor to see how the prize helps keep the craft alive and relevant,' said Sheila Loewe, president of the Loewe Foundation. All finalist works from the latest edition of the international competition—launched by the Loewe Foundation in 2016 in tribute to the house's roots as an artisanal workshop—will be on display from May 30 to June 29 at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. A digital exhibition of the entries will also be available online for public viewing. Founded in 1846 in Madrid, Loewe is a globally renowned luxury house, owned by French conglomerate LVMH, known for its craftsmanship and original creations. In March, Loewe's creative direction was handed over to design duo Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández of Proenza Schouler, following the departure of Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson. Anderson stepped down to take on the role of menswear design director at Dior, another house within French businessman Bernard Arnault 's luxury portfolio.
