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Is it a sign of a full-fledged economic recovery or a looming catastrophe in the monetary making? Recent spikes in Japan’s long-term interest rate, represented by the 10-year government bond, have created a stir and roused a deep sense of alarm among investors and ...
Tonkatsu is comfort food, gourmand grub — not a gourmet delicacy. So what are those hearty, unpretentious deep-fried breaded pork cutlets doing in an elegant little bar-style restaurant above one of Ginza’s temples to high-end consumption? Katsuzen has come a long way from its ...
Life in Japan just seems tailor-made for certain foreign residents, who slip into the fabric of this society as smoothly as a hand slides into a glove. American Curtis Patterson, a professional koto player and music teacher, is a case in point. Not only ...
Disgusted by corrupt local leaders, an angry miner picks up a shotgun. A migrant worker returning home looks to armed robbery to escape a life of relentless bleakness. A pretty receptionist at a sauna is driven to the limit when a gangster tries to ...
David Beckham, whose curling free kicks, rugged good looks and celebrity marriage made him one of the most famous athletes in the world, is retiring from soccer. Whether striding on the grass, the red carpet or the fashion catwalks, Beckham transcended his sport and ...
Ben Olah Music editor, 32 (Aussie)Judging from the news, the amount of violent crime is definitely on the increase. I think Japan is still relatively safe compared to most countries but certainly a lot less safe than it used to be. Tomohiro Shimoda Student, ...
The day started like any other. The alarm clock rang at 7 a.m. and Laura Fitch, a Canadian then 28 years old, made her sleepy-eyed way to the shower to freshen up before brewing her first coffee of the day. About 10 minutes later, ...
Yakitori, “donburi,” “shabu shabu.” Pig feet, cow tongue, whale bacon. Even salads in Japan are usually topped with chicken, wee fishies or eggs. Despite Japan’s long and rich history of following a healthy and largely vegetarian diet, one can be hard-pressed these days to ...
Liam Morely Security, 25I think the government should spend money on any beautification kind of work and restoration of historical monuments. I also think more garbage bins should be installed around Japan. Ryo Takeyama Designer, 25I wish the government would hire more people to ...
Workers from all parts of the globe battled wind and rain Sunday to give speeches, performances and then trudge through the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, calling for job security and equality for all. “This march is about raising people’s awareness about the job situation ...
Martina Pechova Student, 25If someone came here from Europe, I think Akasaka is the best place I could take them because of the temples and traditional houses, etc. And Shinjuku, because it’s the total opposite. Andrew Crane Teacher, 25I’d go to Yokohama to see ...
Priscilla Berg Fashion designer, 34On a crowded train, one man noticed that another man had his eyes closed. “What’s the matter? Are you sick?” he asked. “No, I’m okay. It’s just that I hate to see old ladies standing.” Yuki Takemiya Club manager, 32A ...
The tools and rules of hygiene are generally cut and dry: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once, remember to bathe, and clip your nails to meet your own taste. But what about cleaning your ears? For some people, once every ...
‘When I was a child, I had a feeling I wasn’t satisfied with being a human being. To be a human being didn’t seem like a beautiful existence to me,” says Otojiro Toriyama. “When I realized I was a human being, it was a ...
Thomasina Larkin asks people whether they think Japan is a tolerant or intolerant society Jen Cramond Photographer, 29Japan is tolerant, but unaccepting. On the surface level, people seem to accept things, but on a deeper level there’s hidden aggression toward people who don’t fit ...
With each year comes the blending and hybridization of different types of music. African tribes team up with electronica DJs, an Asian influence infiltrates Western beats, and Indian or Latin tempos permeate through pop music. If crossover trends of the past few years are ...
Noriko O. Financial worker, 30My resolution is to concentrate on my job and my hobby. I want to make more money and I want to get better at what I do, and also I want to improve my tennis skills. Alfredo Ramires Scriptwriter, 29To ...