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May 17, 2024
 

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Hitomi Tashiro
For Hitomi Tashiro's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 4, 2016
Minding your manners and judging others' with 'shitsurei'
Introducing some ways of using u5931u793c (u3057u3064u308cu3044), meaning 'impoliteness.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 28, 2016
Learning the ins and outs of even-ifs using 'ni shiro'
Introducing the meaning and uses of uff5eu306bu3057u308d (even if), which is a more formal version of uff5e u306bu3057u3066u3082.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 21, 2016
A certain ratio: the relative strengths of wariai, wari to and wari ni
Introducing the meaning and adverbial uses of the noun u5272u5408 (u308fu308au3042u3044, ratio).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 14, 2016
Breathing a sigh of relief with tokoro datta
Introducing the patterns Xu3068u3053u308du3060u3063u305f and Xu306fu305au3060u3063u305f, which indicate what might have happened but in fact didn't.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 7, 2016
Don't miss an opportunity when kikkake comes knocking
Introducing u304du3063u304bu3051, which identifies a clue, trigger, motivation or cause to start something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 29, 2016
Ramming home the point with dokoro ka
Introducing the meaning and usage of the particle of emphasis u3069u3053u308du304b and its related expressions.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 22, 2016
Seeing the other side and defying expectations with 'han shite'
Today we will introduce the meaning and usage of the adverbial phrases Xu306bu53cd(u306fu3093)u3057u3066 (contrary to X) and Xu53cdu9762(u306fu3093u3081u3093) (on the contrary), which are mainly used in written language, formal speech, lectures or when talking about a rather serious theme. In the pattern X(noun/noun phrase)u306bu53cdu3057u3066Y(clause), X is usually a word like u4e88u60f3 (u3088u305du3046, anticipation), u671fu5f85 (u304du305fu3044, expectation), u4e88u6e2c (u3088u305du304f, prediction), u610fu5fd7 (u3044u3057, will) or u610fu601d (u3044u3057, intention), u6cd5u5f8b (u307bu3046u308au3064, law) or u30ebu30fcu30eb (rule), and Y is the result or fact that betrays the content of X. In Ms. Yamani's sentence in Situation 1, X is her and her staff's expectation that their product would sell better and Y is the fact that it is not. Its noun-modifying form is uff5eu306bu53cdu3057u305f, as in u5e38u8b58(u3058u3087u3046u3057u304d)u306bu53cdu3057u305fu884cu52d5(u3053u3046u3069u3046) (an action that defies common sense).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 15, 2016
Since we've come this far, it's time for 'kara ni wa'
Introducing X (phrase) u304bu3089u306bu306f/u304bu3089u3068u3044u3063u3066Y (clause).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 8, 2016
Living up to great expectations with 'dake atte'
Introducing the meaning and usage of Xu3060u3051u3042u3063u3066Y.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 1, 2016
Taking a stand and speaking from it with 'to shite'
Introducing various usages of the phrase Xu3068u3057u3066 (as/being X).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 25, 2016
Just passing through the domains of 'tori' and 'dori'
Introducing various meanings and uses of u901a(u3068u304a)u308a, the nominalized form of the verb u901au308b (to pass by/go through).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 18, 2016
Loving you for a long time with 'zutto'
Introducing various meanings and ways of using the adverb u305au3063u3068, which expresses greatness.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 11, 2016
Kakawarazu: a word worth knowing, whatever your level
Introducing phrases using u304bu304bu308fu3089u305a (nevertheless), which crops up in written, formal or bookish language.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 4, 2016
When it really means a lot, say it with 'sekkaku'
Introducing the adverb u305bu3063u304bu304f, which is used in a variety of ways to express the speaker's feelings about things.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 28, 2015
Unraveling 'so,' a versatile word that can express agreement or a 'Eureka!' moment
Introducing u305du3046 — its proper use and related expressions.
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.
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.
Man suspected of using smart glasses to cheat on Waseda University exams
The Waseda University campus in Tokyo. An 18-year-old male test-taker is suspected of using smart glasses to cheat during the university's entrance exam.
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.

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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