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May 01, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
For Akemi Tanahashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 11, 2020
Have you heard? 'Rashii' can help you with your office gossip
The term 'rashii' is used when you've heard about something and want to talk about it without using assertions.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 4, 2020
It looks like your Japanese is improving with 'sō da'
The 'su014d da' structure can help convey hearsay and conjecture in Japanese.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 28, 2020
Since you're studying, why not study 'gatera' while you're at it?
The 'gatera' structure is often used in formal situations and points out that you will do one action because you're already doing another.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 21, 2020
And before you know it, you'll be using 'itsu no ma ni ka'
A good way to express surprise is to use the common Japanese term, 'itsu no ma ni ka.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 14, 2020
Use 'tame' in order to show intent in Japanese
You'll hear the word 'tame' pop up a lot in Japanese conversation. Pay attention to the verb that comes before it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 7, 2020
Try using the 'miru' verb stem when attempting something improbable
Adding 'miru' to the te-form of a verb will suggest to others that you're willing to give whatever your doing a try.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 30, 2020
Don't get panicked when learning how to use 'oro-oro'
The words 'oro-oro' and 'atafuta' are used in a panic, but the former is used when you're at a loss of what to do.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 23, 2020
Pointing out things that run counter to a situation with 'X-ta tokoro de'
The 'X-ta tokoro de' structure can help you out even if you don't have too much time on your hands.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 16, 2020
Whether it's 'ni shite mo' or 'ni shiro,' this structure has you covered
Two structures handle the idea of 'whether this or that' in both casual and formal situations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 9, 2020
Look on with awe at the versatility of the 'mono da' structure
The structure 'mono da' can be shortened to 'mon da' in conversation, though women tend to use 'mono ne.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 2, 2020
Totally express yourself in Japanese with 'shimau'
The verb ending 'shimau' and 'chau' patterns help to express things that have been done totally and completely.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 26, 2020
Tell people your hopes and wishes using 'kana'
Stating your desires in Japanese can be done using a number of different structures.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 19, 2020
It would be great if you could master 'to ii'
A grammar lesson looks at the structures 'X to ii' and X-ba yokatta no ni' as was of suggesting an outcome would be good.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 12, 2020
The adjective 'hoshii' is something you'll want to remember
Adding 'hoshii' to a verb can help you express an informal request or wish in a different way than the '~tai' form.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 5, 2020
We can't say you don't have to learn 'nakute mo ii'
The structures 'nakute mo ii desu' and 'hitsuyu014d wa arimasen' let people know they're not obliged to do something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 28, 2020
'Nashi ni' and 'nuki de' will help you do without
The 'nashi ni' structure can sound somewhat formal, so you wouldn't necessarily use it when you want to hold the bacon on a pasta dish. That's where 'nuki de' comes in.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 21, 2020
You can count on 'zutsu' to help with dividing up your Japanese study tasks
A grammar lesson goes over each and every aspect of the particle 'zutsu,' which is used to indicate both quantity and degree.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 14, 2020
Expressing a sense of degree with 'kurai'
The particle 'kurai' is very helpful in trying to illustrate the degree of something happening, though translating it isn't as straightforward as you'd think.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 7, 2020
What to do when a Japanese word shows signs of needing 'meku' attached to it
Attaching the verb 'meku' to certain Japanese words can emphasize the idea of showing signs of something or appearing to look like something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 24, 2020
Pointing out the family with 'ni ataru'
Mari-chan wa Nana no obasan ni ataru. (Mari is Nana’s aunt.)
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Yen rebounds strongly after first slide past ¥160 since 1990
The yen dropped to ¥160.245 per dollar on Monday before heading into the other direction to ¥155.01 amid speculation of an intervention by Japanese currency authorities.
JAL cancels international flight after captain gets drunk at Dallas hotel
A Japan Airlines' flight from Dallas to Tokyo was canceled last week after its captain got drunk at a local hotel.
Golden Week crowds greeted with high temperatures as holiday period kicks off
The departure lobby for domestic flights is crowded with travelers at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Saturday, the first day of this year's Golden Week holidays.
India seen overtaking Japan in nominal GDP in 2025
The skyline of central Mumbai's financial district
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.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.

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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