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June 01, 2025
 

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Reader Mail
Nov 6, 2008
Teacher can't swim in a pool
I studied at Oita University as an exchange student. One thing that was very disappointing about my stay was that I visited many onsens only to be turned away. I couldn't even swim in the local pool. Why? Because I have tattoos. After getting a grant from Japan's government to study in Japan, I was still...
Reader Mail
Nov 6, 2008
The right to express oneself
The effigy of Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin hanging by the neck at a West Hollywood home as a Halloween display, though somewhat tasteless, was checked out by the U.S. Secret Service and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. And according to The Associated Press, two...
Reader Mail
Nov 2, 2008
Money declaration a key tool
M.J. Issott's Oct. 30 letter, "Another dumb immigration rule," states that it is stupid for foreign residents to declare money upon re-entry to Japan. Japan might have adopted this rule recently, but it has been used in the European Union, United States, Canada and other countries for decades now. Financial...
Reader Mail
Oct 30, 2008
Internet can save people
Regarding Jun Numayama's Oct. 19 letter, "Internet crisis of communication": Numayama says the Internet worsens young people's ability to communicate, and that this is connected with loneliness in real life and suicide. I disagree. I think the Internet is saving young people. Japanese people are shy....
Reader Mail
Oct 19, 2008
Lucky millennium celebration
The three articles Oct. 12 on the "1,000 years of 'Genji' " by Eriko Arita are absorbing and delightful. I've read Waley's, Seidensticker's, McCullough's and Tyler's versions -- the latter I don't know how many times. I've yet to tackle the very first version, and those by Jakucho Setouchi and Donald...
Reader Mail
Oct 16, 2008
The challenge of compassion
I want to congratulate The Japan Times for the good points and observations made in the Oct. 12 editorial "Refugees in Japan." I live in Canada and have been involved with social and religious organizations on behalf of migrants and refugees for a number of years. I believe that, when it comes to humanitarian...
Reader Mail
Oct 16, 2008
Re-entry ban should be rescinded
Regarding the Oct. 10 article "Held despite acquittal, now barred from re-entry, woman slams legal system": Since the legal system in Japan has, by banning her from re-entering Japan for five years, punished Klaudia Zaberl for the crime of overstaying her visa, the Chiba District Court, Immigration,...
Reader Mail
Oct 16, 2008
Win the vote and lose a war?
Win the vote and lose a war?
Reader Mail
Oct 12, 2008
Keeping public parks safe
Regarding the Oct. 9 letter "Kids don't feel right in park," B.K. Cottle says his daughter has told him she doesn't enjoy the park because of "these people" -- who, according to Cottle, are "the prostitutes, their clients, the drunks, smokers and pedophiles." While the drunks might be obvious, I previously...
Reader Mail
Oct 5, 2008
Tourists swim against the tide
Regarding the Oct. 1 article "New tourism agency to act as policy 'control tower' ": If Japan wants to attract more tourists, city officials can begin by putting their international tourist information offices in easily accessible public places and making information signs VERY clear.
Reader Mail
Sep 25, 2008
Generalization doesn't work
Comments by Wyndham Miles in his Sept. 21 letter, "Shameful response to gropers," are based on a misunderstanding of Sumire Shigehara's Sept. 14 letter ("Women-only train cars are shameful"). Shigehara was not implying that molested women are dishonest or that Japanese people ignore gropers. Her point...
Reader Mail
Sep 21, 2008
People need to challenge LDP
Hisahiko Okazaki's Sept. 15 article, "End the yearlong gridlock," is a metaphor for what's wrong with Japanese politics today. Okazaki puppets the party line -- that Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda can judge himself objectively -- questions the patriotism of anyone who opposes the policy of the Liberal Democratic...
Reader Mail
Sep 21, 2008
'Effective' education lacking
The information in the Sept. 10 article "Japan's education system cost-effective" is grossly misleading. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development may claim that Japanese students "perform" well, but on what is this "performance" based? Scores from standardized multiple-choice exams that...
Reader Mail
Sep 18, 2008
System allows for cheating
Companies screwing around with food such as meat, rice etc. seem to know that the high prices on those items make for easy cheating. The government allows for tough import restrictions to protect farmers and to line the pockets of politicians who go along with the restrictions and tariffs.
Reader Mail
Sep 14, 2008
Same word for English, Spanish
The Sept. 10 article "JICA textbook project helps kids learn 'Guatematica' " states that matematica is the Spanish word for arithmetic. That is incorrect. Matematica means math (mathematics). In Spanish, arithmetic is aritmetica. The words in both English and Spanish have the same Latin and Greek origins....
Reader Mail
Sep 11, 2008
Shortsighted approach to hazard
It is claimed in the Sept. 6 article "Maker admits using non-edible rice in food" that the health ministry "said there have been no reports of health hazards" in connection with the situation. But isn't the health ministry being a little shortsighted? If any of these products contain carcinogens, as...
Reader Mail
Sep 11, 2008
No more than temporary workers
Regarding the Sept. 3 editorial, "Premier case of deja vu": It is absolutely amazing that two successive prime ministers suddenly and irresponsibly resigned from their post without rhyme or reason after less than a year in office. In all probability, the next prime minister will also be in power for...
Reader Mail
Sep 4, 2008
India deserves special status
Although arguments in the Aug. 29 editorial, "India's nuclear access," appear to be quite fair on their face, they do not take into account some realities on the ground. Considering the blemish-free record of India as a responsible and dependable member of the world community and its desperate need for...
Reader Mail
Sep 4, 2008
Shift to younger leadership
Instability at the top in Japan is a reflection of the changing nature of Japan. The old ways of thinking are not going to work. What is being done about the declining population (especially people of working age) and the ballooning government deficits? How will Japanese technology retain its edge? How...
Reader Mail
Aug 31, 2008
Responsibility for 'doing right'
Douglas Robb, in his Aug. 10 letter, "Japan has a responsibility," presents the credentials of one who, at first glance, appears to have come to terms with the evils of nuclear weapons. He speaks sympathetically of the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in admiration of their denunciation of these...
Lessons from India-Pakistan war: Were China's arms overrated?
A Chinese J-10B fighter jet is put on display at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China, in October 2016. The short May conflict between India and Pakistan became a live trial for Chinese arms, exposing vulnerabilities in its fighter aircraft and air defense systems.
Former Japanese princess Mako gives birth to first child
Mako Komuro (right), the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, left the Imperial Family after marrying Kei Komuro, a former schoolmate at International Christian University in Tokyo, in October 2021.
Chinese parents are fueling Tokyo’s education race
More Chinese families are clustering in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, a district renowned for having the finest educational environment in Japan.
Trump to hike steel tariffs to 50% to aid Nippon-U.S. Steel
U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Steel Corporation Irvin Works facility in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, on Friday
Japanese customers brave the rain to line up for cheap stockpiled rice
Iris Ohyama began sales of government-stockpiled rice at a home center location in Chiba Prefecture on Saturday morning.
Atsuko Okatsuka brings big 'dad' energy to new special
Atsuko Okatsuka tries out some of the jokes from her new special, “Father,” at the Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya in January.
How ‘hikikomori’ shut-ins ‘start to have dreams for the future’
Located in Nagano Prefecture, Samurai Gakuen tries to help young and old individuals who have withdrawn from society rediscover their places out in the world.
Halt of U.S. visa process puts Japanese students' futures in question
People hold up signs during a rally in support of international students at the Harvard University campus in Boston on Tuesday.
Mateusz Urbanowicz: ‘Miyazaki inspired me to put the audience first’
Mateusz Urbanowicz’s recent book “Imaginary Storefronts” collects his illustrations of the mundane Japanese street scenes that have given him immense inspiration.
Songs, stars and strategy: Japan debuts its newest awards ceremony
Rock band Mrs. Green Apple performed an emotional rendition of hit song “Darling” on the final night of the Music Awards Japan.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction equipment sits idle in a park near Shiba Toshogu shrine in Tokyo's Minato Ward. While Japan has a history of treating its trees with reverence, green coverage is said to be lacking in most of the major cities.
Do Japan's trees no longer occupy the sacred space they used to?
By Eric Margolis

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after
Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

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