Ken Joseph Jr. - The Japan Times

May 01, 2024

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Ken Joseph Jr.

For Ken Joseph Jr.'s latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Aug 19, 2003

Biculturalism, accessories and recession

Greetings from Baghdad. It is a good place to appreciate all the blessings of Japan -- peace, freedom, safety -- all the things we take so for granted.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Aug 5, 2003

NHK fees, will-writing and shipping

The NHK man Dear Lifelines: Recently my wife, who is Japanese, answered the door to an NHK rep. She was warned that not paying the monthly fee of 1,000 yen could wind her up in court. She paid.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jul 15, 2003

Scooter worry, motorcycles and doctors

Motor scooter We own a Honda Today motor scooter here in Tokyo which we'd like to bring with us back to the U.S. next year. How can we find out if we can do this? -- Tokyo Jack

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jul 1, 2003

Auto English, penguin suits and frugality

Driving in English Dear Lifelines: I would like information on driving schools in Tokyo that give instructions in English. -- Lalila

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jun 17, 2003

Pensions, immigration and health

Hello again from Baghdad. It is definitely hot -- apparently 33 C the other day. Things here are settling down and the city is beginning to work again. What do you say about a 7,000-year-old-city? It just slowly gets on its way.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Apr 29, 2003

Overstaying visas, noisy neighbors and DIY trading

Visa overstaying I'm a Ukranian Citizen now in Japan. I have overstayed my tourist three-month visa. If I would like to go back to my country, what should I do? Can I buy an air ticket without a visa? Do they have money or other kinds of penalties for this type of case? -- Tokyo Don

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Apr 1, 2003

Many Iraqis see war as their only escape route

The older man sitting beside me at a simple meal to welcome peace activists to Baghdad sounded me out cautiously.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Mar 18, 2003

Taking issue with a visa 'investigation'

"Dear Lifelines; I am a Hong Kong citizen with a British passport. I married a Japanese national in 1992 in Hong Kong. Three years ago, my husband was transferred back to Tokyo and so I came to Japan on a spouse visa, which is valid for three years.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Mar 4, 2003

Homesickness, toll-free numbers and money orders

Greetings Greetings from London, England, where my fellow Assyrians are making me feel at home with their sweet hospitality, wonderful food, but also making me homesick for Japan.

COMMENTARY / World

Feb 27, 2003

Persecuted for centuries, Iraq's Assyrian Christians once again wary of their future

LONDON -- Iraq's 1.2 million Assyrian Christians -- remnants of the Assyrian empire and the only people who still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ -- are once again the victims of circumstances beyond their control. Unlike the Kurds, the Assyrians are all but ignored in discussions over Iraq's future.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Feb 18, 2003

A kind word, visa sponsorship and tax refunds

A kind word I was sitting in the NTT Telephone shop waiting to have a telephone repaired and a bit discouraged.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Feb 4, 2003

Refunded cash for working at home and a sumo day out

Greetings Greetings from 10,000 meters -- I am beginning this week's column from somewhere high over the Pacific Ocean on United Flight 897 bound for Tokyo.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jan 21, 2003

Leaving Japan, getting organized and cash refunds

Being thankful Hello from Tokyo. For all of our complaints, isn't it wonderful to be in Japan? With war, hunger and strife rampant in the world, Japan, with all its problems, is an oasis. It's a good time to be thankful, as we enter the new year, for the simple blessings of peace, trains that run on time and telephones that work.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jan 14, 2003

Pension posers, recycling visas, and a re-entry tip-off

New year, new faces Happy New Year from Tokyo. Congratulations to two new leaders in the community; Mr. Lance Lee, the new president of The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and Mr. Larry Blagg, the new president of The Tokyo American Club. They don't come any better. We wish them the best. Also, a big "otsukaresama" to Don Kanak and Dr. Fred Harris -- Fred after 21 years serving on the board at The Tokyo American Club.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jan 6, 2003

Navigating Japan health insurance

Deciding which I have lived in Japan and worked for the same company for six years. During this time the company has provided health insurance and paid all of the premiums. However, I will soon leave the company and thus lose my coverage.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Dec 31, 2002

Don't pay extra for shipping when you move to Japan

Belated greetings

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Dec 17, 2002

Getting cash reimbursed for medical costs

We lost one of the anchors of the international community with the sudden and unexpected death of Corky Alexander, longtime Tokyo resident, editor of The Tokyo Weekender and a dear friend.

COMMUNITY

Dec 10, 2002

One of the real good guys

How do you describe one of the real "good guys." For those of us 'kids' growing up in Tokyo there was one very special person.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Dec 3, 2002

Can tourists get themselves working visas?

There is a Japanese saying that goes "when you stand in front of the lighthouse you often miss the light."

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Nov 15, 2002

Visa rules and looking for a dream job

More health concerns Dear Lifelines; As I understand it, anyone one with a visa for a year or more can enter National Health Insurance. But is the sheme compulsory? And once entered, are you able to leave it if you can find private health cover with an overseas firm? -- Reader in Kansai

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

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Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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