Economy
Fed to start tapering bond purchases this year: Bernanke
The Federal Reserve maintains its $85 billion-a-month asset purchase program, but says it could begin scaling back later this year.
How-tos | LIFELINES Dec 1, 2009
Scuba, shipping and 'Tachi' base memories
by Angela Jeffs and Ken Joseph Jr.
Scuba source In reply to the inquiry about scuba diving (Lifelines, Oct. 6), Matt writes on behalf of Mar Scuba, the oldest foreigner-run dive operation in Tokyo ( www.marscuba.com ). “Mar Scuba serves the foreign community by providing education and instruction in English, PADI ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Nov 24, 2009
The tale of K.M. and the missing koseki
by Angela Jeffs
An American by birth, K.M. found the inquiry in our Oct. 20 column about koseki tohon, or family registration, very interesting. “My case is not relevant to the one under discussion, as the young man is only 18 and is dealing with issues that ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Oct 20, 2009
Seeking some advice, a lost father, friend
by Angela Jeffs
Where is my father? Yovichi (Yoichi?) Perez is “Japinoy,” meaning of Filipino-Japanese ancestry. He saw a letter from a Japinoy like himself, also looking for his father, so he thought he would try his luck with us. Y was abandoned by his Japanese father ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Oct 6, 2009
Scuba, from Sado to Shikoku
by Angela Jeffs
Tim writes: “My girlfriend and I have snorkeled around the coast of Japan — Izu, Shikoku, Sado Island — and now plan to scuba-dive in Okinawa this autumn. “Up to now we have rented equipment, but are thinking to invest in some of our ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Sep 22, 2009
Lifelines lead back to World War II
by Angela Jeffs & Ken Josephs Jr.
Seeking an old friend Kevin Roop, writing to us from the U.S., is trying to find an old friend of his 85-year-old father, Vernon Roop, a veteran of World War II who after the war was based with his unit, the 5th AAF, at ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Sep 8, 2009
Cycling after drink may mean five years in clink
by Angela Jeffs and Ken Joseph Jr.
Riding under the influence C.F. in Hiroshima wants to know about the revised law on riding bicycles that went into effect in June 2008. He has heard that police can arrest anyone if they have had a few drinks and are caught riding a ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Sep 1, 2009
A license to drive: Readers take the wheel
by Angela Jeffs
Japan resident Dee wrote in our last column that she had lost her U.K. driving license and couldn’t get a new one from the British licensing authority because she is no longer living in the country. Many U.K. rental companies refuse to accept the ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Aug 18, 2009
Tax and driving licenses: The rub is in the residence
by Angela Jeffs and Ken Joseph Jr.
Tax and residency status Reader H.K. is wondering whether the granting of permanent residency will result in tax problems. “What are the tax implications if I have to work overseas — will I be taxed on my income outside of Japan?” We checked with ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Jul 7, 2009
Accommodation advice and visas
by Angela Jeffs and Ken Joseph Jr.
It’s good to be able to report some positive experiences regarding finding accommodation in Japan. Here are a couple of letters we received. Just a commute away Mike Turner reads The Japan Times online in Oak Harbor, Wash. A 30-year navy man, he spent ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Jun 16, 2009
Bug-killers, jet lag and rent down payments
by Angela Jeffs
Tackling jet lag Newly arrived in Tokyo, Neil is going to have to fly often in his new job, and wonders how best to handle jet lag. He knows about cutting down on food and alcohol, drinking a lot of water and exercising, but ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Jun 9, 2009
Easter answers; credit crunch
by Angela Jeffs and Ken Joseph Jr.
The letter published in April about Easter in Japan — or rather the lack of it — provoked quite a response. The general consensus appears to be that Easter is too hard to pin down on the calendar for commercialization. Here are a couple ...
How-tos | LIFELINES May 19, 2009
Going clubbing in the capital
by Angela Jeffs and Ken Joseph Jr.
New to Tokyo, T.B. is trying to make friends and wants to know if there are any clubs that he can join to meet new people and get involved with the international community. There are, but it very much depends on what kind of ...