Transport authorities launched a full-fledged investigation Sunday into the derailment of a bullet train on the Akita Shinkansen Line in Daisen, Akita Prefecture, on Saturday afternoon.
It's a dangerous, unpredictable world. Twice in January Chinese warships in the East China Sea challenged Japan's Maritime Self Defense Forces patrols in a manner deemed threatening. And on Feb. 12 came North Korea's nuclear test.
Here's an open secret: Japanese men have a bad international reputation on the romance front.
SELLING WOMEN: Prostitution, Markets and the Household in Early Modern Japan, by Amy Stanley. University of California Press, 2012, 282 pp., $49.95 (hardcover) In the vast cultural landscape, Japan fascinates the mainstream with manga and anime, the martial arts, Zen and kimono. Of course, ...
Kenta Maeda shook off worries about his form with five shutout innings as Japan beat China 5-2 in first-round Pool A of the World Baseball Classic on Sunday at Fukuoka Dome. Japan improved to 2-0 following a tough win over Brazil in Saturday evening’s ...
Charles Lewis has lived in Japan since 1977 where he has been an editor, writer, teacher, carpenter, fisherman, importer, wholesaler and retailer. His is a founding member of Shonan Press, a forthcoming epublisher. He contributes to Eye-Ai magazine and has written for The Japan Times since 2010.
For Charles Lewis's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Doi Real estate agent, 28 (Japanese) I think a dog would be the ideal pet. I’ve never had a dog, but if I was going to get one, I think I would want a big dog. I am big so a big dog would ...
Isabelle Provost Human resources, 32 (French) I didn’t watch it that much but I watched some men’s and women’s judo. I was impressed by the faces of the athletes, like when (Kaori) Matsumoto got the gold; she had so much determination on her face. ...
Neil Shapiro English teacher, 42 (American) No, I certainly don’t want the government to raise the tax on cigarettes — because I smoke. Takanari Ishii Student, 18 (Japanese) It’s right that the government taxes tobacco. People bought lots of cigs before they raised the ...
It can be tough teaching English in Japan. The chain school grind of late hours, noisy kids and boring middle-aged office workers takes its toll. Uppity teachers at public schools treat ALTs with contempt and all English instructors feel the humiliation of being looked ...
Tatsuya Akizuki, 50s Public employee (Japanese) Something has changed in my mind because of the disaster, but I can’t really explain it. I haven’t changed my habits much except for drinking more. Mark McVicar, 37 Language school owner (Canada) I use less electricity and ...
Yoshihara, 45 Company employee (Japanese) It would be convenient, but I wonder if it is really necessary. The current system seems to be working and I don’t have any complaints about it. If they started this, I would be worried about security and the ...
The first day of elementary school, a milestone in a child’s life, brings a mix of emotions for parents. The pride and joy of seeing their child taking his first steps into the world are tempered with feelings of anxiety in moms and dads ...
Mattia CimolaiStudent, 23 (Italian)Change. I’m from Italy and this year a lot of things have changed there, like the government and so on. Tomoko TakeshitaMasseuse, 33 (Japanese)Change. After the disasters we were forced to reevaluate things that we used to take for granted. Marco ...
Matt PiaggiStudent, 22 (New Zealander)Some American relatives came over and did Thanksgiving for us. My uncle stood up in front of us and said that it was about giving thanks for the family we’ve got. I loved the turkey we ate. Clare LackEducator, 51 ...
Tsubasa Masabuchi Part-time worker, 28 (Japanese) I like Korean TV dramas and pop music. I never watch Japanese dramas. I like Korean dramas because you don’t have to think much. My favorite Korean bands are Shojojidai and Kara. Greg Pratt Starbucks staff, 32 (American) ...
