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Jenny Uechi
For Jenny Uechi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 29, 2009
Brace for a possible spring shock
When spring approaches next year, many foreigners in Japan could be in for a rude awakening: From April 1, all those who apply to extend their visa in Japan will be asked to show proof of enrollment in one or other of Japan's main national health systems, the shakai hoken (social health insurance and pension) or kokumin kenko hoken (national health insurance).
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jul 28, 2009
New law: no dues, no visa
In your wallet or somewhere at home, do you have a blue or pink card showing that you are enrolled in one of Japan's national health and pension programs? If not, and if you are thinking of extending your stay here, you may want to think about a recent revision to visa requirements for foreign residents. The changes, which the Justice Ministry says were made in order to "smooth out the administrative process," may have major consequences for foreign residents and their future in Japan.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Mar 17, 2009
Canucks abroad fret over new curbs on citizenship
Citizenship can mean the difference between "belonging" and being just a visitor. Some people endure years of waiting in line and filing applications in a bid to change citizenship; others, by virtue of their birthplace and familial ties, begin their lives with the opportunity to be citizens of two or more countries. Citizenship can offer a free ticket out of a crisis, or even be a matter of life and death, as demonstrated by the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last year, in which attackers reportedly targeted those with British or American passports.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Nov 18, 2008
Prejudice among obstacles facing non-Japanese tenants
With a falling population, a shrinking tax base and a shortage of carers for its increasing number of elderly, calls are growing for Japan to allow in a large influx of foreign workers to plug the gap. The question is: When they come, will they be able to find a place to stay?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jul 29, 2008
Navigating the 'keigo' minefield
You've probably heard of blunders by Japanese businessmen in English, such as translating "hitotsu yoroshiku" as "one, please" instead of "I look forward to working with you." Less known, but no less common, are the slip-ups foreigners make in Japanese, especially when using that dreaded form of honorifics known as "keigo."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jul 1, 2008
Society's role in Kato's crime
'The clicking sound of my cell phone echoes emptily in my room. . . . If only I had a girlfriend, I wouldn't have to live so miserably.'
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
May 27, 2008
Is it easy for foreigners to integrate into Japanese society?
T. Mutoh Dentist, 49 I think it's easy; there's not much prejudice here. When you consider some places, where people of certain backgrounds won't even eat dinner together, Japan is almost like heaven, right?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
May 13, 2008
Team Japan faces huge hurdles on road to Homeless World Cup
Japan's collective image of homelessness is a fairly bleak one: Men in unwashed clothing, faces devoid of expression, hauling armfuls of flattened cardboard that will be their resting place for the night; rows of depressingly permanent-looking blue tarp huts in parks and beneath bridges, tucked out of sight and out of mind.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
May 6, 2008
Would you consider going on strike?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Apr 29, 2008
What are your plans for Golden Week?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Apr 15, 2008
Who benefits from Japan's ramped-up immigration measures?

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