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Edward Hoffman
For Edward Hoffman's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 15, 2020
Tears of joy in Japan
A pair of studies offer important guidance for maximizing personal well-being during this stressful time.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 24, 2013
Overcoming regrets before they overcome you
Research is converging on the notion that what you regret, how often you do so and with what intensity have a big impact on our mental and physical well-being.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 4, 2012
How waxing nostalgic can boost mental health
Do you indulge in sentimental memories? Do you enjoy perusing your photo collections? Do you like listening to "oldies" songs on the radio, YouTube, or other popular venues?
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 9, 2011
Beating the midlife blues
Are you feeling down about middle age? Do you find yourself thinking that time is hurtling and you'll never reach your goals — or, perhaps more distressingly, that they don't even fit who you are anymore?
COMMUNITY
Mar 10, 2011
Achieving happiness and well-being through positive psychology
Positive psychology is a hot topic these days. Books with "happiness" in the title are pouring out of publishers' lists, and studies on resilience, well-being and gratitude have made their way from academic journals to mainstream magazines. More than 200 colleges and universities in the United States, including my own, offer courses in this burgeoning field.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Mar 10, 2011
Zen psychology: Daisetz Suzuki remembered
Despite the gloomy global economy, the field of positive psychology is booming. Often described simplistically by journalists as "the science of happiness," it's actually a broad focus on our strengths and talents, virtues and peak experiences in daily living. The name for this specialty originated with Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania a dozen years ago. With amazing speed, it has spawned courses at hundreds of colleges, best-selling books, websites and workshops on topics like mindfulness, and wide-ranging research on the links between mood and wellness.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 5, 2010
Know them by their bliss
NEW YORK — What's the best way to really know someone? Is it to uncover their daily worries, hassles or fears? To discern what traits they most hide from others, and perhaps even from themselves?
COMMENTARY / World
May 16, 2010
Prized Japanese social values that withstand 'Westernization'
NEW YORK — Japan is a fascinating and beautiful country, but its culture can be baffling to Westerners. This seems especially true for Americans, with our long history of geographic and cultural isolation from Europe and Asia.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world