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May 03, 2024
 

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Mami Maruko
Staff writer Mami Maruko writes stories about the international community in Japan, including profiles of Tokyo-based ambassadors and international marriages. She received education in Japan, England and the U.S. She graduated from Goldsmiths College, University of London, with a masters degree in Theater Arts.
For Mami Maruko's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 13, 2014
Egypt is back on track toward stability, ambassador assures Japan
Hisham El-Zimaity, the Egyptian ambassador to Japan since 2011, expressed hope in changing Japanese people's "negative" view of his country into a much more "forthcoming" one, now that Egypt is striving to restore economic and social stability following the recent turmoil.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Jun 10, 2014
Blue-eyed Austrian finds calling at shrine
Walking through the torii, or gateway, to the quiet and serene Konnoh Hachimangu Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward — minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya's main "scramble crossing" — and being welcomed by a blond and blue-eyed Shinto priest seems almost surreal.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2014
Jikei to build special perinatal unit
To address a shortage in medical care for mothers and babies in Tokyo, the Jikei University School of Medicine plans to build a new hospital complex by fiscal 2017 that will specialize in perinatal medicine and pediatrics.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 2, 2014
Middle road sought for health food labels
In an attempt to cash in on consumers' growing interest in healthy eating, new varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables — each touting enhanced health-boosting properties — are making their way to supermarkets nationwide.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GENERATIONAL CHANGE
Jun 1, 2014
NPO Fathering Japan shows men how to be better dads
Tetsuya Ando, founder of the nonprofit organization Fathering Japan, wants to do everything he can for dads in Japan to encourage present and future fathers to play a more active role in child-rearing.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 16, 2014
Teen female athletes suffering stress fractures
An increase in stress fractures linked to weight-conscious teenage female athletes who stop menstruating spurs an educational campaign on the problem.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 14, 2014
Nagoya hosts works from one of the largest collections in the U.S.
For Malcolm Rogers, the Ann and Graham Gund Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), visiting Japan in mid-April had a special resonance. The MFA this year celebrates its 15th anniversary of ties with what is not only its very first sister museum, but also its sole sister museum in Asia: the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts (N/BMFA).
JAPAN
May 1, 2014
Medical mishaps hit highest since 2005
Japanese hospitals recently reported the most medical near misses and blunders since 2005, but the tally didn't include private practices.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 1, 2014
A-bomb survivors tell stories
Documentary filmmaker Shizu Azuma wants to send a message through her latest film, "Utsukushii Hito": Just as we should never forget those who lost their lives in the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we should not forget those who survived, either.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2014
TOEIC, TOEFL axed as route to U.K. visa
Two of the most popular English-language proficiency tests in Japan can no longer be used to obtain student visas to Britain due to fraud in the test-taking process.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Apr 8, 2014
Envoy living out his childhood dream
Although it was his childhood dream to become his country's ambassador to Japan, actually doing so was not an easy task for Abdulaziz Turkistani.
JAPAN
Mar 26, 2014
Families with young kids eligible for one-time handouts
The government will give out a special child benefit of ¥10,000 to households nationwide with children aged 15 or younger to help offset the consumption tax hike to 8 percent.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 25, 2014
English translation tells tales of 100 Miyagi tsunami survivors
It was the inspiration and eagerness of Hitomi Nakanishi, an Australia-based Japanese scholar, that led to the publication of an English-language book with recollections and photos of the experiences of 100 survivors of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in and around Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2014
Spelling ace Bostrom wins 2014 bee
Michaella Bostrom has been crowned winner of the 5th Japan Times Spelling Bee after besting 37 other students from around the country, booking a ticket to the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on her third try.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 17, 2014
After-school clubs falling short as more moms work
Working parents in Japan not only face long waiting lists when they want to enroll their children in day care centers, they also find themselves looking at equally long lists for "gakudo," or after-school clubs, when their children take the next step and enter elementary school.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Mar 7, 2014
Early joys, trials put potter on path to the simple life
Growing up with severe asthma, Australian Euan Craig was acutely aware of the fragility of life from an early age.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2014
Snow-clogged roads trigger food shortages, send vegetable prices surging
The heavy snowfall that hit the Kanto and other regions the last two weekends sends vegetable prices skyrocketing and causes shortages of some food types.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Feb 7, 2014
American tuna trader shares passion born in Tsukiji with the world
'I want to roll together the beauty of the history and culture of Japan into a quality tuna product and export that to the West,' says American David Leibowitz. 'I want the West consuming that and having it become part of them.'
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2014
Chronic fatigue plagues nursing staff nationwide
Over 70 percent of nursing staff suffer from chronic fatigue, and 75.2 percent thought about quitting their job, according to a nationwide survey of workers in the nursing field.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2014
Number of influenza patients rising rapidly
As the flu season approaches its peak the number of patients reaches 660,000 nationwide, almost doubling the tally from the week before.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Biden calls ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with rivals China and Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in Syracuse, New York, on April 25.
Number of vacant homes in Japan hits record high of 9 million
A vacant house in Tokyo is seen demolished in January 2020.
Harajuku strives to reclaim its former glory — and surpass it
Laforet Harajuku, which celebrated its 45th anniversary last year, has been a witness to the district's evolution over the years.
Saudi Arabia steps up Gaza-related arrests as Israel ties edge closer
The arrests for Gaza-related posts indicate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s regime will take a hard line against citizens not toeing the line when it comes to normalizing ties with Israel.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.

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