National
NRA makes new reactor safety regimen official
The Nuclear Regulation Authority officially approves new safety requirements for reactors aimed at preventing disasters like the catastrophe at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant.
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Jun 18, 2013
Finnish diplomat pushes child-rearing for dads
by Mami Maruko
For Finnish diplomat Mikko Koivumaa, being an ikumen (men who take an active role in ikuji, or child rearing) comes naturally. Hailing from a country known to have a high level of gender equality, Koivumaa says ikumen is standard practice in Finland. “In Finland, ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO May 14, 2013
Czech promoter sings way to cultural identity
by Mami Maruko
For singer Eva Miklas Takamine, who also has been head of the Czech Center in Tokyo since March, singing both Czech and Japanese songs is a way of expressing her identity. The Czech-born Miklas, 52, who began her career as a professional singer only ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Feb 19, 2013
Journey to Kenya turns writer's life on its head, spurs Africa fascination
by Mami Maruko
It was a single visit to Kenya in 1972 that completely changed Michio Hiraiwa’s philosophy on life. He fell in love with the country, and visited there 150 times over the past 40 years. Once a workaholic, Hiraiwa says he now leads a stress-free ...
Profile | WHO'S WHO Jan 14, 2013
Canadian has English-language rakugo dream
by Mami Maruko
Katsura Sunshine wants to spread the world of rakugo (traditional comic storytelling) to people all over the world, including his home country Canada, by delivering English-translated versions. The 42-year-old Slovenian-Canadian, who was given the stage name from his master, Katsura Bunshi, after three years ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Jan 8, 2013
Online English studies benefit Japanese, Filipinos
by Mami Maruko
Mohammad Moin tries to realize what he calls “intellectual fair trade” through his operation of an online English conversation school for Japanese — all taught by Filipino teachers. The inexpensive English lessons are offered to Japanese students via Skype, while at the same time ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Nov 27, 2012
Expert laments Japan's limits on craft beer culture
by Mami Maruko
Ry Beville’s love of craft beer has developed into an occupation in which he publishes Japan’s only bilingual craft beer magazine. With the quarterly Japan Beer Times launched in 2010, Beville, 37, from Richmond, Virginia, says he wants to help spread the microbrewing culture ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Nov 6, 2012
Violin maker brings traditions of Italian masters to Tokyo
by Richard Solomon
Born in Nebraska, Louis Caporale started playing the violin at the age of 4. By 14 he was building violins. At 18, he was the youngest student enrolled at the Chicago School of Violin Making. In time, he became a respected maker as well ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Sep 11, 2012
Hotelier sees disaster bring out best in Japanese
by Mami Maruko
As a veteran of the tourism and hotel industries in Japan for more than two decades, Tony Virili says he will “never forget” what took place at one of his firm’s franchise hotels in Sendai on March 11, 2011. The 60-year-old Italian-Australian calls last ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Aug 28, 2012
American photojournalist combines traditional with modern in daily life
by Mami Maruko
Everett Brown’s lifestyle is a reflection of his philosophy on life. The American photojournalist, who has lived in Japan for 24 years, says that the Japanese people should re-create their traditions by fusing classical ideas with modern technologies or ideas to lead happy, comfortable ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Jul 10, 2012
Scholar urges fresh look at rich Ainu heritage
by Mami Maruko
Shunwa Honda, a renowned scholar of indigenous ethnic groups, emphasizes that the Japanese people need to create a stage for the nation’s indigenous Ainu, who “still suffer from not having their voices heard properly in society.” Though he looks Caucasian and uses the pen ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO Jun 26, 2012
British drama coach Gavin Bantock at top of his game; casts take a bow
by Edan Corkill
If drama were a sport, then the name Gavin Bantock would probably be known throughout Japan. Transposed into the baseball universe, for example, Bantock might occupy a position similar to that of Fumiya Tsuta, who through the 1970s and 1980s led the students of ...
Our Lives | WHO'S WHO May 15, 2012
Olympus fiasco was 'lost opportunity'
by Mami Maruko
Waku Miller, a resident of Tokyo for over 30 years and a veteran translator who recently served as a spokesman for Michael C. Woodford — former president and CEO of Olympus Corp. — said he found it odd how indifferent major Japanese shareholders were ...