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Ansel Swindells
For Ansel Swindells's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Hiruzen Kougei employee Moeko Hirao, craft brewer “Sugichan” and furry friend Tsubu help out with the tomato harvest at 6:37 a.m.
LIFE / Travel / Longform
Oct 16, 2023
The farmer's intern: A month in the Japanese countryside
Escaping the chaos of Tokyo for a month, our writer heads to rural Okayama Prefecture and discovers the delights of natural farming.
Japan Times
People / 20 QUESTIONS
Jun 23, 2023
Alexis Sato: ‘We want to make music a reason for people to travel to Japan’
Some chance meetings led Alexis Sato to some of the best summers of his life. Now he wants to provide that summer vibe to everyone.
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
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Nov 27, 2022
Stephanie Crohin: 'Public baths are a force for good when it comes to body positivity'
When you enter a public bath, you leave your phone in a locker and the outside world behind. It's like stepping into a new world, and Stephanie Crohin is your ambassador.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Oct 22, 2022
Peter Liedberg: ‘It’s rare for businesses in Japan to even know about sign painting’
A Swedish graphic designer and sign painter finds that if you have a genuine interest in what you're doing, then it's less painful trying to become better at it.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Sep 25, 2022
Ray Masaki: ‘Being earnest and not overdoing things — that’s what resonates’
Ray Masaki moved from America to Japan to gain a better understanding of his heritage. Today, he continues to navigate his cultural identity both in his design work and his own life.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 11, 2022
TELL brings back a classic fundraiser for a month of mental health awareness activities
Whether you sign up for the Tokyo Tower Climb or the more personal Step Up Challenge, the nonprofit TELL is appreciative of your support.
EDITORIALS
May 16, 2011
Volunteer force declines
During the Golden Week holidays from April 28 to May 8, a total of some 78,000 volunteers worked in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, which were devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, according to "disaster volunteer centers" set up by local governments in the prefectures.

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