Mariko Yasumoto - The Japan Times

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Mariko Yasumoto

For Mariko Yasumoto's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jun 26, 2008

Mother reforesting in China to fulfill late son's wish

Every spring, Yi Jiefang plants trees in China's Inner Mongolia in the hope of holding back the spreading deserts and sandstorms, because greening the area was the wish of her only beloved, late child.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jun 4, 2008

Japanese-Filipino kids await fate

The dream of Masami, 10, is to one day become a police officer to protect the people. But a major obstacle lies in her way — she doesn't hold Japanese citizenship, one of the requirements for the job.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 13, 2008

Widow fights on to clear tortured reporter's name

Maki Kimura's inexhaustible energy in seeking justice in the Yokohama Incident — a still ongoing case of repression of free speech dating back over 60 years — is a reflection of the strong bond she built with her husband during their six years of marriage.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jan 15, 2008

Unclaimed bicycles here are saving lives in other countries

Albertina Muloongo, a health-care service provider, had seen many people in Zambia suffering from malaria forced to walk or even stagger hours to see a doctor, as neither public transportation nor private vehicle ownership is very common in the country.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Nov 22, 2007

Ainu 'rebels' mix it up to get message across

Mina Sakai wanted to improve the status of her people and their self-esteem in a way that would also entertain ordinary people, not through a bookish history lecture that might lull them to sleep.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 27, 2007

Myanmar activists look to spread freedom via Internet

Over the past year, a Tokyo-based group of overseas Myanmar democracy activists has broadened its presence among peers back home via an audio news program broadcast over the Internet.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jul 17, 2007

Ainu candidate's political hopes hinge on controversial figure

As a member of Hokkaido's Ainu community, Kaori Tahara says, she has often felt the need to improve the lot of her indigenous ethnic group and other victims of discrimination, but it wasn't until a few years ago that she started thinking about running for the Diet.

BUSINESS

Feb 17, 2005

Vstone leader Yamato gears up for RoboCup

OSAKA -- Members of Team OSAKA bubbled over with excitement after their teammate scored a goal in a penalty-kick shootout, leading the team to victory in a sort of world soccer championship. The little goal-scorer is a 39-cm humanoid robot named VisiON.

Japan Times

Features

Feb 6, 2005

Calls for change as WHS status threatens one of Japan's gems

The breathtaking mountain landscape of the Kii Peninsula, and its ancient temples, monasteries and shrines have captivated the Japanese people for more than 1,000 years.

Japan Times

LIFE / Travel

Dec 10, 2004

Getting holy in Wakayama

Since ancient times, pilgrims have ventured into heavily forested mountains in Wakayama Prefecture to visit Koyasan, the headquarters of the Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism. This is regarded as one of the most sacred places in Japan, lying in an alpine basin at an altitude of about 800 meters, and it attracts more than 1 million worshippers and tourists every year.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jul 30, 2004

Teachers develop trilingual textbook

OSAKA -- English teachers from Japan and South Korea who are trying to deepen international exchanges in Asia through language education have together developed a unique textbook.

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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