author

 
Menu
Search
 
December 11, 2023
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Alyssa I. Smith
For Alyssa I. Smith's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
The incoming and outgoing presidents of Johnny & Associates, Noriyuki Higashiyama and Julie Keiko Fujishima, bow at a press conference on Sept. 7.
PODCAST / deep dive
Sep 14, 2023
Johnny’s talent agency has admitted to a past of abuse. What next?
Karin Kaneko joins the show to update us on how the story is unfolding.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 18, 2023
Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke found collapsed after suspected suicide attempt
Ennosuke’s parents were also found collapsed and both were later confirmed dead. The incident came the same day a report alleged Ennosuke harassed staff at his theater collective.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Mar 23, 2023
The cherry blossoms are here and business is blooming
Kathleen Benoza explains what"s at stake during the hanami season, while Thu-Huong Ha and Alyssa I. Smith discuss the science, symbolism and culture of sakura in Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2022 in Review
Dec 31, 2022
Japanese stories captivated overseas audiences in 2022
This year marked increased recognition for female Japanese authors, while Japan-based stories provided the inspiration for Hollywood adaptations such as "Bullet Train" and "Tokyo Vice."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Dec 29, 2022
Answers in 2022 encouraged activism, recommended books and provided advice
The 20 Questions section discusses people's experiences of Japan in their own words. As we emerge from the pandemic, an underlying theme in 2022 was fighting for change.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 21, 2022
Culture in 2022: Good books, outdoor art and 'Tokyo Vice'
Culture editor Alyssa I. Smith talks to culture critic Thu-Huong Ha about the books they read, the festivals they went to and how Japanese stories are currently capturing Hollywoodu2019s attention.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Dec 11, 2022
Yuki Tejima: 'Women have always had a place in the literary world, but now there’s a new generation with really strong voices'
Yuki Tejima runs the Instagram account Book Nerd Tokyo. She uses the platform to discuss books and cafes she loves u2014 a simple formula that has proven very popular.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 6, 2022
Fuji Rock offers escapism once again
The summer music festival's 2022 edition marks a return to an event resembling 'normal.'
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Jan 26, 2022
From 'Spirited Away' to 'Demon Slayer': The meteoric rise of anime
Since 2002, Japan’s anime industry has doubled in size to become worth over ¥2.4 trillion annually.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 29, 2021
So long, 2021
We hear from listeners about their high points in 2021.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Oct 11, 2021
Maxwell Powers: 'You have to be competent, yet invisible'
According to his bio, Maxwell Powers is the "voice guy in Tokyo." He explains a few of his roles and the perks of being widely heard.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Aug 17, 2021
Mary Fujishima, J-pop matriarch of Johnny & Associates, dies at 93
Johnny & Associates Inc. announced today that its honorary chairperson, Mary Yasuko Fujishima, sister of music mogul and company founder Johnny Kitagawa, died of pneumonia at a hospital in Tokyo on Aug. 14. She was 93 years old.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 24, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 4: Rebuild
Two anime films u2014 u201dDemon Slayeru201d and u201cViolet Evergardenu201d u2014 offer a dash of optimism to end 2020, as Japanese pop culture moves towards the beginning of a new era.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 23, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 3: Adapt
Pop group NiziUu2019s u201cMake You Happyu201d became the song of this very strange summer and the government changed its tone from stay home to Go To.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 22, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 2: Isolate
When COVID-19 brought about a stay-at-home spring, Animal Crossing provided us with a digital island escape.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 21, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 1: Collapse
In Episode 1 of Recultured, we look at how 2020 ground to a halt through the lens of "Terrace House," and hear from stars of the show about its dramatic ending amid the arrival of COVID-19.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Jun 5, 2020
Episode 52: Can 'Terrace House' continue after Hana Kimura's death?
Alyssa Smith and Tom Hanaway have been writing recaps of "Terrace House" and join Deep Dive to discuss Kimura's death, and what it might mean for the show going forward.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
May 29, 2020
Seeking kindness after a 'Terrace House' tragedy
The death of 'Terrace House' star Hana Kimura gives new impetus to discussions about cyberbullying.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
May 16, 2020
Ep. 41 'Life-Threatening Date'
After announcing that production on “Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020” was going on hiatus and then going quiet on us for a few weeks, Netflix released a brand new episode like a gift from the television gods offering some small relief from the current pandemic.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
May 1, 2020
'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' best moments so far
After 40 episodes, “Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020” has gone on hiatus to protect the cast and crew amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s still unclear when, if or even how the show will return, but we’re filling the “Terrace House” void by looking back at this season and selecting some of the most memorable moments from the show, whether they delighted or shocked us.
Shohei Ohtani to join Dodgers on record-breaking deal
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani ended his free agency on Saturday by announcing his decision to play for the Dodgers.
Tokyo Disneyland apologizes for Minnie Mouse skirt-lifting incident
The operator of Tokyo Disneyland on Friday apologized after clips of Minnie Mouse having her skirt lifted by another character during a recent Christmas parade went viral on social media.
Japanese associate professor killed in U.S. college shooting
Law enforcement officers head into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, campus amid a mass shooting on Wednesday.
Actors say sexual abuse is a structural problem in Japan’s film industry
Actress Midori Suiren (center), filmmaker Kenzo Kaga (right) and cinematographer Shin Hayasaka attend a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
No appeal by Japan after 'comfort women' ruling: South Korea
Former South Korean "comfort woman" Lee Yong-soo with a statue symbolizing "comfort women" at the Seoul Comfort Women Memorial
Japan-born U.S. national Yuri Kondo continues dual citizenship fight
The day after the Fukuoka District Court dismissed her lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of Japan's dual nationality law, Yuri Kondo, 76, was in high spirits as she drove to see family and friends.
Kishida walks tightrope after new funds allegations against Matsuno
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attend a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
Actors say sexual abuse is a structural problem in Japan’s film industry
Actress Midori Suiren (center), filmmaker Kenzo Kaga (right) and cinematographer Shin Hayasaka attend a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
'Oppenheimer' to screen in Japan next year after nuclear controversy
A sign for "Oppenheimer" at a movie theater in Los Angeles. The film will open in Japan next year.

Podcast

The Climate Action Network holds an event at the venue of the U.N. climate change conferences in Dubai on Sunday to give its 'fossil' award to countries including Japan.
Feeling anxious? Wastewater, heat and Japan’s year in climate

Longform

Tokyo Healthcare University professor Takayuki Mifune explains how he is trying to re-create bonito broth from 1,300 years ago.
The quest to re-create what the Japanese ate 1,300 years ago
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 30: Living legends face demolition
Vol. 30: Living legends face demolition

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER