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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 / Q&A
Jan 29, 2014
Flu menace again reaching peak
While this year's influenza season is predicted to peak around early February, anybody of any age group, sex or nationality is at risk of infection all the way through March.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 16, 2014
Tsukuba team uncovers asthma-intestine mechanism
A team of researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture has found a mechanism in which bad bacteria within mice intestines exacerbates asthma, fueling hope it can lead to a treatment for asthma in humans.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT ENGLISH
Jan 3, 2014
Immersion tactics come with risks and benefits
Some parents opt to immerse their children at a young age in a multilingual environment, hoping they will become not only bilingual but also have new avenues of opportunity open up.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 30, 2013
Simple tests fill health-check gaps
Although health checkups are often mandatory for corporate or institutional employees, some segments of society, including housewives and the self-employed, may not have this option.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2013
Book showcases foreigners, Japanese affected by 3/11
The earthquake and tsunami that hit the Tohoku region on March 11, 2011, left more than 18,000 people dead or missing, including 30 non-Japanese.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 2, 2013
Serbian diplomatic officer expresses hope for better relations with Japan
Nenad Glisic, charge d'affaires at the Serbian Embassy since September, expressed hope of strengthening his nation's relations with Japan, whose ties started with diplomatic contacts more than 130 years ago.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Nov 29, 2013
Prolific Swedish ambassador indulges passion for haiku
Over the years, Swedish Ambassador Lars Vargo has published 15 books related to Japan, but for the past decade, his love affair with the country has largely been told in one literary form: haiku.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Nov 28, 2013
Ethiopia's traditional rhythms are about to dance across the nation
The Ethiopian National Cultural Troupe is in Japan from Nov. 30 to hold performances, workshops, and dance nights at eight different venues across the country. Offering a variety of dance performances from different ethnic groups of the east African country, this is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn more about dance or Ethiopian culture.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2013
Kids create Tohoku ornaments
Students from an international school participated Thursday in a Christmas-season fundraising event by a Tokyo hotel that is supporting children in the Tohoku region affected by the March 2011 disasters.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Oct 23, 2013
Tokyo: Do you feel safe while out and about in Japan?
Women in the capital give their views on the safety — or otherwise — of Japan's streets.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 7, 2013
Deliveries boost convenience stores' cachet
The nation's convenience stores have been in a constant state of evolution, starting by offering small snacks and drinks and basic daily goods like newspapers, magazines and toiletries.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Oct 7, 2013
Spanish envoy celebrates 400-year relationship
Spanish Ambassador Miguel Navarro is eager to turn the eyes of Japanese to the lesser known historical footnotes that connect Japan and his country as the 400th anniversary of bilateral exchanges is celebrated.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Sep 30, 2013
Beninese ambassador brings TV star power to diplomacy
Beninese Ambassador Zomahoun Rufin says — half-jokingly — his dream is “to become the next Japanese prime minister.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / LIGHTING THE OLYMPIC FLAME
Sep 24, 2013
Tokyo puts Tohoku on games map, but will it be enough?
As Tokyo wrapped up its winning bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, one speech during the final presentation resonated with members of the International Olympic Committee.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2013
Photographer 'faces future' with portraits of centenarians
The idea of getting old scares most of us. We don't want to think about getting wrinkles, becoming bedridden or succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. Still, we must come to terms with the fact that growing old is a reality for all of us lucky enough to live long lives.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 27, 2013
3-D imaging technology helps bring the past to life
Imagine standing in the middle of Angkor Thom in Cambodia, located next to Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, and seeing the ancient capital come to life in its entirety in front of you in three dimensions — the way it looked back in the 12th century.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / MIXED MATCHES
Aug 19, 2013
Mitaka pair find flexibility key in navigating values
Almost 33 years since their first encounter in 1980, Bill Achilles, who hails from Geneva, New York, and his wife, Michiko, from Tokyo say they share more or less the same values — by merging Japanese and American cultures.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Aug 5, 2013
Young Ethiopia envoy brings new ideas, energy
Ethiopian Ambassador Markos Tekle Rike, 34, says he has always felt a special connection between his country and Japan, although he did not have any personal interest in this country before he arrived here 2½ years ago.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHO'S WHO
Jul 22, 2013
Peruvian offers lifeline for Spanish-speaking expats
Sonia Romero de Hara was surprised years ago when she was woken by a phone call late at night from a Peruvian-Japanese friend living in Fussa, western Tokyo.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2013
Bangladesh envoy calls for closer economic, cultural ties
While Bangladesh remains grateful to Japan for its continued support over the last four decades as a leading development partner since its 1971 independence from Pakistan, the two countries can further strengthen ties both economically and culturally, said Masud Bin Momen, Dhaka's ambassador to Japan since November.
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.

Podcast

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

Longform

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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