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May 17, 2024
 

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Louise George Kittaka

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Louise George Kittaka
Originally from New Zealand, Louise George Kittaka is a bilingual writer based in Tokyo. She contributes to a wide range of news and information media, as well as Japan’s educational publishing sector. When she isn’t at her computer, Louise loves exploring waterfalls, going to cake buffets and collecting anything related to the Aliens movie franchise.
For Louise George Kittaka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Mar 14, 2014
Dahl still drawing on the joys and absurdities of expat life
For over 20 years, Roger Dahl has been making Japan Times readers laugh — and think — with his Opinion Page political cartoons and “Zero Gravity” comic strip, which pokes gentle fun at the foreign experience in this country.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Feb 16, 2014
All's fair when it comes to NHK's fare
In a country where TV fare typically involves panels of posturing personalities oohing and aahing over each other's exploits, Japan's two national NHK channels are a welcome beacon of quality programming.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Feb 9, 2014
Getting the colors clear when filing taxes in Japan
Filing a tax return isn't easy at the best of times, but doing it in another country can be particularly challenging. Fortunately, if you work for a company and that's your sole source of income in Japan, they will take care of everything for you. However, those who are self-employed or have multiple...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Feb 2, 2014
Parents of mixed kids look abroad for high schools
College preparation for bicultural young adults may include seeking out international as well as domestic opportunities. Some youngsters, however, are heading abroad much sooner — for high school or junior high school.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 26, 2014
No time for free reading? You can make it up at university
I hope 2014 has started well for all our readers. Lifelines kicks off the Year of the Horse with an email from overseas reader Hannah, who has several questions about the Japanese education system:
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Jan 10, 2014
Educator with a mission sends out support from Hiroshima
Some people seem to have a knack for turning their hand to anything that comes along and, moreover, making a success of it. This is certainly the case with Hiroshima-based Adam Beck. Over the years, the American has been a children's theater director, an English teacher, a newspaper columnist and the...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Dec 30, 2013
In Fukushima, abandoned pets are multiplying
'Sterilization is the most practical and humane way to curb the growing population of feral animals, and research backs this up,' says Hiro Yamasaki of the Animal Rescue System in Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture. 'Unfortunately, our clinic is the only one providing this kind of service. The local vets and bureaucrats have not responded adequately to the situation. Something had to be done.'
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 22, 2013
Beauty, shoes and music to round up 2013
Lifelines is playing catch-up this week, with some feedback from previous columns and a reader hoping for a little bit of Christmas magic to help him reconnect with his musical past in Japan.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Dec 20, 2013
Cook, writer, TV host, actress and more: Briton toasts eventful half-century in Japan
Civil servant, cook, columnist and TV personality are among the hats Jill Sinclair Ito has worn during her 50 years in the country.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Dec 6, 2013
Writer inducted into intricacies of country life shares her story
Home for Rebecca Otowa is a 350-year-old farmhouse nestled on the edge of a tiny village in Shiga Prefecture, where generations of her husband's family have lived. It is a lifestyle she has grown to cherish since arriving in rural Kansai as a bride more than 30 years ago.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 1, 2013
With the JLPT now over, get ahead in studying for next year
The latest round of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) was held yesterday — congratulations to the test takers! A couple of readers wrote to us about the exam after last week's Community Page published an article by Jun Hongo titled "Is the JLPT really worth it?"
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Nov 24, 2013
Do New Year's the right way this time
With the yearend rush fast approaching, Dave has a very timely question about Japanese New Year cards:
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Nov 17, 2013
Rikuzentakata: How to get there and help
A reader from overseas, KM, contacted Lifelines after reading a recent article about Rikuzentakata. The city, located in Iwate Prefecture, gained international attention after it was nearly wiped out by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. Amya Miller, global public...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Oct 27, 2013
MasterCard debit card holders shouldn't panic
...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Oct 20, 2013
Former member of military police battalion takes up the case of a missing statue
Lifelines was recently contacted by Jack Marquardt, who served with the United States Army's 720th Military Police Battalion in Tokyo from 1946-48. Jack, who still calls Tokyo home, is trying to locate a statue of significance to the battalion and its veterans. He shared the story of the battalion's...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Oct 4, 2013
Passion for swords led Briton to forge career as expert
Tucked away in a quiet residential street in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, the Japanese Sword Museum offers a glimpse into an era where men staked their honor and their lives on the blade.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Sep 30, 2013
Foreign iPhone fans, be aware of Softbank's two-year visa rule
Softbank requires that you have at least two years remaining on your visa if you wish to pay for a new iPhone handset in monthly installments rather than fork out for the whole lot up front.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Sep 23, 2013
The PTA: a survival guide for foreign parents
PTA — the mere mention of the three initials is enough to elicit a scowl from many a Japanese mother. So how do foreign women cope in such an environment?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Sep 9, 2013
Filmmaker revisits the children of Fukushima's 'Grey Zone'
Ian Thomas Ash has won acclaim and awards at film festivals around the world for 'A2-B-C,' the second of a pair of documentaries about children living in towns a stone's throw from Fukushima No. 1.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 9, 2013
A friend to kanji learners worldwide
Mary Sisk Noguchi helped readers unravel the complexities of Chinese characters, adding an element of fun to a process often fraught with frustration for many learners of Japanese.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
Kishida defends planned rule to revoke foreigners' residency
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a meeting of the Lower House Judicial Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
Human bone-like objects found at Nippon Steel plant’s molten iron pot, with one worker missing
Police believe it’s highly possible that human bones found in a molten iron pot at Nippon Steel's Oita factory belong to a missing male employee.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
Japan to review romanization system for first time in 70 years
An advisory panel to the education ministry will consider how the Japanese language should be transcribed into the Latin alphabet, including unifying different romanization styles currently in use.
Japanese rap creates its mecca in Pop Yours
Tokyo-based artist Jumadiba says he forgoes the label of simply “rap” for his music because the Japanese rap scene isn’t confined to a particular sound.
Who’s toughest on China? Biden’s tariff tactic ups ante as election looms.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about new actions to protect American workers and businesses from China's "unfair" trade practices, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
Ishin struggles to set itself apart from other parties
Nippon Ishin no Kai Secretary-General Fumitake Fujita (right) speaks beside Yui Kanazawa, the party's candidate in the Tokyo 15th district by-election on April 28. Nippon Ishin lost in this by-election as well as another in Nagasaki held on the same day.
In Japan, 68,000 people over 65 projected to die alone at home this year
As Japan grapples with its population's rapid aging, supporting people who live and age alone is looming larger on the policy agenda.

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

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How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

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Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there
Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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