Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Events Outside Tokyo Feb 4, 2011
Yokohama's Chinatown community marks lunar new year
Yokohama’s Chinatown district is ready to get the party hopping. Feb. 3 marks the beginning of the new year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, as the Japanese already know, is the year of the rabbit. Boasting one of the biggest Chinatowns ...
Lifestyle Nov 4, 2010
CrossFit pushes exercise buffs to their limits
The grunting gets louder the further I walk down the path. It’s somewhat synchronized, and suddenly I hear a buzzer and everything is quiet — for 10 seconds. Four men of various body types — all soaked in sweat — have squeezed into a ...
CD Review Nov 27, 2009
Various Artists "Tokyo Suite Selected by Nigo"
As the setting for Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film “Lost In Translation,” Tokyo’s Park Hyatt Hotel was immortalized. The long takes of a jet-lagged Scarlett Johansson staring dreamily out onto a neon-lit metropolis lent themselves well to the shoegazer soundtrack. Nigo takes a different view ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Apr 1, 2008
Do you believe in UFOs and extraterrestrial life?
Mamiko Sato Japanese teacher, 31 I think it’s difficult to believe that humans are the only species curious enough to visit other planets. There has to be other species intelligent and curious enough to have visited Earth. Ben Tutcher Teacher, 34 (English) It’s possible ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Feb 19, 2008
Should Japan's teachers stand up for the national anthem?
Kinue Watanabe ‘Izakaya’ ownerI’m not sure, but I wouldn’t stand. Students and teachers shouldn’t be forced to stand. We shouldn’t think it’s wrong that teachers don’t stand for a song with so much history. Nobutaka Gappa Sales representative, 32It depends on the person. If ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Jan 29, 2008
Are you concerned about the current financial turmoil?
Helen Hedger Speech therapist, 26 (U.K.)If I go back to my home country I think things with money will be very tight, but I may be in a better situation than friends who own their homes and/or have families. Mariko Fukuda Book import company, ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Jan 15, 2008
In the wake of recent grisly crimes, is Japan still a safe place to live?
Atsuko Fukuda HomemakerRecently there have been some grim crimes, and I’m afraid Japan is changing for the worse. This is because the wealth gap is widening, and if you are poor it’s difficult to change your situation. Imma Romano Teacher, 30 (Italian)I think Japan ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Dec 18, 2007
What was the biggest foreign news story of 2007?
Reiko Shimizu Office worker, 29 (Canadian)Global warming has been the biggest story this year, which people are just starting to take seriously. It affects everyone no matter where you live and has made me adjust many of my habits. Natsuki Ando HousewifeGlobal warming, because ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Dec 11, 2007
What was the biggest domestic news story of 2007?
Sayaka Kamata Student, 21The elections were a turning point for the opposition. They showed that if politicians focus on personality, and their opinions are shallow, they won’t win. Change won’t come soon, but I think it has started. Melky Nainggolan Ex-teacher, 24 (Australian)The protests ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Nov 27, 2007
Does fingerprinting foreign arrivals help Japan in its "war on terror"?
Masaharu Ito Salesman, 42From the point of view of foreigners’ human rights, I cannot accept this system. However, it’s a fact that foreign crime is increasing, so for national security I think the system is necessary. Yumi Oguri Student, 22I had to get fingerprinted ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Nov 13, 2007
Have you ever been "gaijin-carded"?
Alun Thomas Teacher, 34 (English)I was asked by a policeman standing outside a “koban” to show my gaijin card. However, I feel like being English and white I don’t have the problems other foreigners must have. Shannon Johnston Teacher, 24 (Australian)I was stopped by ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Nov 6, 2007
Are you into social networking sites like Facebook or Mixi?
Aiko Tanaka Film editor, 28I’ve been invited to join those kinds of sites but I don’t use them — they’re too much trouble. Sometimes strange people will try to contact you. MySpace is good for hearing bands and DJs, though. Tomohisa Hirano Ring-tone programmer, ...