Glenn Newman - The Japan Times

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Glenn Newman

For Glenn Newman's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

A rally in support of Israel is held in Tokyo on Oct. 11 during which participants, including Israelis living in Japan, demanded the immediate release of all hostages captured by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

COMMENTARY / World

Oct 30, 2023

A primer on the Israel-Hamas war 

Japan's image of Israel is shallow and distorted, as many people fail to understand the existential threat that Hamas' aggression poses.

Japan Times

COMMENTARY / Japan

May 16, 2020

Bad English in Japan: A conspiracy theory

There is no rational reason why Japan's English-language education should be so woeful. Could something sinister be going on?

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA

Aug 19, 2018

Japanese and Israelis could make a killer yin-and-yang combo

Israel and Japan are the yin and yang of countries. And yet, despite — or maybe because of — their differences, they have much to offer each other.

Japan Times

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Apr 27, 2015

These tips for Japanese mastery go out to the muddlers

When it comes to learning Japanese, most of us muddle through. This article is for the muddlers.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT

Aug 26, 2013

Kaizen and the art of human wa maintenance

Kaizen here is organic, ubiquitous and attuned to the physical and psychological needs of human beings. At its best, this 'human-scale kaizen' eliminates or eases many of the mundane uncertainties, annoyances and embarrassments of daily life.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT

May 28, 2013

Want more out of Japan but face doesn't fit? Be TOFITR

I recently served as a "private sector representative" in a panel discussion before an audience of foreign graduate students at the University of Tokyo. Many of the students will soon be seeking employment in Japan; because I have spent 25 years living in or traveling to Japan, the last 10 or so running my own small, Japan-focused business, I was asked to speak about networking and building a reputation in Japan.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / LIGHT GIST

Nov 27, 2012

I have a dream: a 'young first' Japan that works for all

It is a political season. Barack Obama was recently re-elected president of the United States, China has anointed Xi Jinping as its new leader, and Japanese politicians are jockeying for position in advance of a general election to be held on Dec. 16.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jun 26, 2012

Japanese business isn't working: What would Shima do?

A Ponzi scheme. Alleged yakuza ties. Accounting scandals. Executive misuse of company funds for gambling. A record-breaking bankruptcy. Callous disregard of public health and safety.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jan 3, 2012

Japanese must tap their 'inner Israeli'

Aimless, Japan has been struggling to find a suitable vision, or model, for its future. Should it strive to be like Finland, small but prosperous? Should it de-emphasize economic growth and focus on sustainability and lifestyle? Should it look to the go-go '80s for inspiration? Or should it withdraw from active engagement with the world and into its own cultural comfort zone (neo-isolationism, or shinsakokushugi)?

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jul 5, 2011

'English interface' could be key to Japan's revival

Japan is not No. 1. After 20 years of stagnation-punctuated decline, it should not be news to anyone that Ezra Vogel got it wrong in his 1979 best-seller, "Japan as Number One: Lessons for America." Yet, in their endless navel-gazing and wheel-spinning (which, sadly, continues even in the face of natural and nuclear disasters of historic proportions — exhibit No. 1 being the political class's recent solipsistic no-confidence motion), most of Japan's governmental elite continues to behave in the same "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" way they did when Japan was top dog. Politicians talk today about the need for far-reaching and innovative policies. But talk is cheap and action has been meager.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Feb 15, 2011

Japan, be confident!

On the day of his departure from Hokkaido on April 16, 1877, at the end of his tenure as the first president of what later became Hokkaido University, William Smith Clark left his charges, and Japan, with a parting message: "Boys, be ambitious." For the next century plus, Japan was ambitious, creating the advanced, prosperous nation we all know today.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.

The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

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