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Hiroko Tabuchi
JAPAN
May 11, 2006
Transsexuals gain freedoms but still face barriers
To most people, Takafumi Fujio -- with cropped hair, thick arms and deep voice -- is a typical, middle-aged salaryman. But until four years ago, when the food company worker started on a range of hormonal treatments, he was a woman, a housewife and mother of two.
JAPAN
Mar 21, 2006
Huts of homeless win architectural kudos
Like many Zen-inspired structures, Okawara's hut is a monument to simplicity. The size of a large tool shed, the wooden building blends seamlessly with the surrounding park. His door opens to a full view of Tokyo's Tama River.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2006
Tokyo talent sings about kids rights in U.S. debut
Agnes Chan wears many hats -- singer, actress, child-rights activist, academic, and mother of three.

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.