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May 03, 2024
 

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Haruka Murayama
For Haruka Murayama's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 20, 2020
A crash course in the language of driving
If you're going to get your driver's license in Japan, knowing the language is par for the course.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 4, 2020
How to get a driver’s license in Japan
COVID-19 giving you second thoughts about taking the train? You're not alone. Here are several ways you can get a Japanese driver's license.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 8, 2020
Take notes: This is the stationery lesson
September reminds us all of heading back to school even during a pandemic. Hit the local stationery story with the correct Japanese.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 11, 2020
Finding the right words for a solemn occasion
As Japan marks some war anniversaries, certain vocabulary tend to pop up again and again.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jul 14, 2020
The word 'werewolf' gets new life during the COVID-19 pandemic
Every month, publishers Shogakukan make a list of words and meanings that aren't in the dictionary yet, but are being used more often.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 23, 2020
Don't be 'giri-giri' when it comes to applying for your coronavirus cash
In order to get your pandemic-related cash payment from the government, you're going to have to know some key Japanese terms.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 26, 2020
'Kowai,' 'fuan' and language in the 'new normal'
The words people are using to express their anxieties reflect the sense of desperation that they are feeling.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 5, 2020
Looking for the right words during the pandemic
Many English-speaking leaders have been using war terminology when discussing the coronavirus, but politicians in Japan have their own way of speaking to the public.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 14, 2020
Outlook uncertain for Japanese-language exams
Japanese-language exams are in an uncertain state due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus around the world. Your Japanese study doesn't need to stop, though.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Mar 17, 2020
Looking for luck in Japanese amid a pandemic
It's St. Patrick's Day and with the spread of coronavirus taking place it's a good time to talk about lucky charms.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 7, 2020
Divining fortunes and reading blood types in the Year of the Rat
It's the Year of the Rat and writer Haruka Murayama dips into the language of the zodiac.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Oct 21, 2019
The Ceremony of Accession offers a chance to use some high-ranking vocabulary
Earlier this year we were treated to the use of Japanese that is used exclusively with the emperor. As enthronement celebrations continue, so do our opportunities to use such royal language.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Sep 28, 2019
A creamy dollop of Kiwi and Japanese pride
With the kick-off of the Rugby World Cup, New Zealand's Harajuku Cookie Time outpost is celebrating with a Pavlova shake that comes with all sorts of Kiwi flair.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 23, 2019
Ramen is the way to go for your post-pub grub
Looking for a bite to eat after celebrating your team's rugby win? Ramen is worth a try.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Sep 21, 2019
Three unique, autumnal takes on the dorayaki pancake
Although the dorayaki pancake is almost always on convenience store shelves, Lawson, Seven-Eleven and FamilyMart have each rolled out new flavors for the fall.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Sep 14, 2019
Give a hoot: An owl-shaped cake so cute you won't want to eat it
Animals are taking over confectionary store Juccheim, with adorable flying squirrel, hedgehog and owl cakes arriving just in time to gift relatives for Respect for the Aged Day.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Sep 7, 2019
Fujiya's Aomori-inspired Bright Red Apple Cake is as good as the real thing
To kickoff the fall, Fujiya has just announced a new apple-shaped cake that comes with a secret filling.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Aug 31, 2019
A taste of the U.K. is just a microwave minute away with Seven-Eleven's fish and chips
Seven-Eleven's packaged fish and chips may be a little too light and soft, but makes for a great U.K.-inspired snack when paired with a beer or two.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 26, 2019
Focus, breathe and learn some Japanese
With modern life getting ever more hectic, yoga and meditation are popular ways to unwind, and knowing the terminology will help you de-stress.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Apr 22, 2019
Kōshitsu yōgo: Terminology that's fit for an Emperor
With the Emperor's abdication approaching you may be hearing some interesting Japanese vocabulary that is used only on royal occasions.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Number of vacant homes in Japan hits record high of 9 million
A vacant house in Tokyo is seen demolished in January 2020.
'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.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same 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.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
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.

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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