They’re just a bunch of scaremongers Raising alarm wherever they can And drinking their fill all the while fern fronds and clouds the world is that cold and dark But before they know it These fellows Rot all on their own Are washed away ...

Strong in the rain Strong in the wind Strong against the summer heat and snow He is healthy and robust Free from desire He never loses his temper Nor the quiet smile on his lips He eats four gō of unpolished rice Miso and ...

Ever since Japan opened to the outside world in the middle of the 19th century after some 250 years of isolation imposed and enforced by its ruling shoguns, the Japanese language has been widely regarded as a kind of code. Foreigners, it is generally ...

As of today, Roger Pulvers takes leave of Counterpoint, for which he has written weekly since its inception on April 3, 2005. In his final three columns, he set out to consider in turn Japan in the past, present and future. This is the ...

Roger Pulvers leaves Counterpoint at the end of this month after writing the column weekly since April 3, 2005. In his last three Counterpoints he has set out to consider in turn Japan in the past, present and future. This is his penultimate contribution. ...

At the end of this month, Roger Pulvers will be leaving Counterpoint. In his last three columns since his inaugural weekly Counterpoint on April 3, 2005, he will consider in turn Japan in the past, present and future. Let us take the year 1890 ...

There are now three Tohokus … and there have been since the afternoon of March 11, 2011. One part of that region of northeastern Honshu comprises districts not directly affected by that day’s Great East Japan Earthquake or the huge tsunami it triggered. A ...

How long will English last as a major world language? The answer must be: a very long time. How long will English remain dominant worldwide as a second language in schools and universities? I believe it will be for one more generation — max. ...

They're funny, finicky and feisty, not to mention being full of wicked mischief, with their own way of talking, too. Outside of Japan, think of Liverpool, not London; or Munich, not Berlin; or Mumbai, not Delhi. I'm talking about the people of Osaka.

Calling all those readers who in their heart of hearts have always wanted to be British! Well, you’ve got your chance now, you presumptuous Penny-Laners and putative Pythons. That chance comes courtesy of a test known as “The Stonehenge Plunge,” which last year 150,000 ...

“They were remarks made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. But since then we have welcomed in the 21st century."