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May 18, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
For Akemi Tanahashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 21, 2015
It's time to hit the books and study 'benkyo'
Introducing some of the uses of u52c9u5f37 (u3079u3093u304du3087u3046), meaning 'to study.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 14, 2015
Going places or staying put with particles 'ni' and 'de'
Introducing the proper use of two particles, u306b and u3067, that are used to indicate places.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 7, 2015
Joining the dots in a narrative with 'suru to' and 'so shitara'
Introduce the proper use of two conjunctions, u3059u308bu3068 and u305du3046u3057u305fu3089.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 23, 2015
Variations on '-te ii': asking and granting permission in Japanese
Introducing the proper way to ask and give permission, with varying levels of politeness.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 16, 2015
Refrain from using 'enryo' and you might come across as a bit of a boor
Introducing the proper use of u9060u616e(u3048u3093u308au3087), which means to refrain from doing something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 9, 2015
Offering up examples and even-ifs with 'tatoeba' and 'tatoe'
This week we introduce the two adverbs u305fu3068u3048 and u305fu3068u3048u3070.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 2, 2015
The time has come to sneak up on 'sorosoro'
Introducing the proper use of u305du308du305du308d, an adverb that can be used to show both time and movement.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 26, 2015
Thinking about the difference between 'omou' and 'kangaeru'
Introduce the two verbs u304au3082u3046 and u304bu3093u304cu3048u308b, which mean 'to think.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 19, 2015
Offer up examples with 'to iu yona' and other such expressions
This week we introduce the expression Xu3068u3044u3046u3088u3046u306aY, which offers up examples.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 5, 2015
The more you study 'sureba suru-hodo,' the better you'll speak
Today we introduce the proper use of Xu3070Xu307bu3069Y, which means 'the more X, the more Y.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 28, 2015
Much more to learn in regard to 'ni tai shite'
Today we will explain u306bu5bfeu3057u3066 in a bit more depth.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Sep 21, 2015
Don't get mixed up between 'ni totte' and 'ni taishite'
Watashi-ni totte Nihon-no okāsan-mitaina mono-desu. (She is like a Japanese mother to me.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 14, 2015
Get superlative in Japanese by making the most of 'sai'
Various kanji attach to u6700 (u3055u3044, most) to form a number of compound words. Today we will introduce some of these.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 7, 2015
Keep on keepin' on with the help of 'mama'
Today we will introduce the pattern Xu307eu307e, which expresses a continuing state.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 31, 2015
Don't confuse the homonyms of 'aki' (autumn)
Today we introduce three homonyms of the noun 'aki,' which can mean 'autumn,' 'vacant' and 'to get bored of something.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 24, 2015
Make it a rule to use 'koto' for scheduled events and personal habits
Today we introduce two expressions using the noun u3053u3068 (matter/thing).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 17, 2015
How hot is it?: Let me count the ways to say it in Japanese
Today we introduce three different u3042u3064u3044 (atsui) adjectives.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 10, 2015
The eyes have it: Japanese expressions that start with your peepers
Today we will introduce various expressions that use the noun u76ee (u3081, eyes).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 3, 2015
No student should be without the Japanese double-negative
The pattern X-nai+noun wa nai/inai expresses that, in fact, everyone is/does X.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 27, 2015
Just because you think you know itte-mo, you shouldn't rest on your laurels
Today we introduce two expressions that use the verb iu — u3068u3044u3063u3066u3082 and u3068u3044u3063u3066
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.
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 billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
Japan’s economy contracts as consumers and firms cut spending
Japan's gross domestic product shrank at an annualized pace of 2% in the three months through March.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.
Unraveling the Japanese prose of Yukio Mishima
Author Yukio Mishima accepts the Arts Festival Award in the drama category at the 20th Arts Festival Award Ceremony on Jan. 22, 1966.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.
Japanese billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
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.
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.

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

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.
How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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

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