author

 
Menu
Search
 
May 17, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Hitomi Tashiro
For Hitomi Tashiro's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 8, 2015
Though you may think you don't need to know mono-no, you do
Today we will introduce the proper use of 'Xu3082u306eu306eY,' which is used to connect contrasting phrases.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 1, 2015
Zuibun is more useful than you could have possibly imagined
Today we will introduce some uses of the adverb 'zuibun,' which is used when the speaker wants to say that the degree of something is higher than they were expecting.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 25, 2015
Courteous keigo is about showing respect to the listener
'Courteous expression' utilizes such verbs as mairimasu, itashimasu , zonjimasu and orimasu.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 18, 2015
When it comes to you and your group, keep your verbs humble
Introducing another kind of keigo, known as 'humble expression.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 11, 2015
Polish up your honorific verbs and show some respect
Today, we will introduce the proper uses of honorific expression, one of the forms of keigo.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 4, 2015
Introducing goto, the go-to suffix for each and every time
Today we will introduce the proper use of the suffix u3054u3068, meaning 'every' or 'each.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 27, 2015
So many "you" and "I" words, but best used sparingly
Today we will introduce the proper use of 'you' and 'I' in Japanese.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 20, 2015
Whether or not to use ka-dō-ka
Today we will introduce the proper use of Xu304bu3069u3046u304bY and Xu304bY, which mean 'Y whether or not/if X (or not).'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 13, 2015
Getting in the mood with kibun
Introducing the proper use of u6c17u5206uff08u304du3076u3093), which means feeling, mood or sentiment.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 6, 2015
Make it 'narubeku' short and 'dekirudake' snappy
Today we will introduce uses of the adverb u306au308bu3079u304f and u3067u304du308bu3060u3051.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 30, 2015
Hang on, did you say 'kakeru'?
Today, we will introduce the meanings and ways of using the verb u304bu3051u308b (literally, to hang) when it is attached to another verb (X), forming a compound verb (Y).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 23, 2015
Don't go easy on 'assari'
Today, we will introduce the adverb u3042u3063u3055u308a(simply/easily, etc.) and its related expressions.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 16, 2015
Learn 'nantoka' any way you can
Today, we will introduce the adverb u4f55uff08u306au3093uff09u3068u304b (in any way) and some related expressions.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 9, 2015
If you're going to do it, do it wazawaza
Today, we will introduce the meaning and ways of using the adverb u308fu3056u308fu3056 ([doing] deliberately/on purpose) and its antonym u3064u3044u3067 ([doing] on one's way).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 2, 2015
Get things done faster with 'mo'
Today, we will introduce various ways of using the adverb u3082u3046 (already/no more).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 23, 2015
It's time to learn how to use 'mada'
Today, we will introduce various ways to use the adverb u307eu3060 (not yet).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 16, 2015
The magical word that means 'hello' and 'sorry' and 'thank you'
Today, we will introduce various ways to use the adverb u3069u3046u3082, which is difficult to translate into English.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 9, 2015
Teach yourself to master the word 'sensei'
Today, we will introduce various ways of using the noun u5148u751f uff08u305bu3093u305bu3044uff09, which means teacher, as in u9234u6728uff08u3059u305au304duff09u3055u3093u306eu304au7236 uff08u3068u3046uff09u3055u3093u306fu3001u5c0fu5b66u6821uff08u3057u3087u3046u304cu3063u3053u3046uff09u306eu5148u751fuff08u305bu3093u305bu3044uff09u3067u3057u305f (Ms. Suzuki's father was a teacher at an elementary school).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 2, 2015
Understanding the survival of the fittest with tsuyoi and yowai
Today, we will introduce various meanings and usages of the adjective u5f37uff08u3064u3088uff09u3044 (strong) and its antonym u5f31uff08u3088u308fuff09u3044 (weak).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 26, 2015
Thanks to okage, it's easier to explain yourself
Last week, we introduced how to use u305bu3044 to express the cause of something (especially something bad) in negative way. Today, we will introduce how to use its antonym u304au304bu3052 (owing to).
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

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER