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April 30, 2024
 

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@ericdmargolis

Eric Margolis
Eric Margolis is a writer, book editor and translator from Japanese who is based in Nagoya. His writing has been published in The Japan Times, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Slate, The New Republic, Tokyo Weekender and elsewhere.
For Eric Margolis's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Dec 10, 2020
Rabbi Shmuel Vishedsky: 'Hanukkah reminds people that miracles do happen'
While it can be hard to observe Jewish practices anywhere there isn't a large Jewish population, the Jewish community in Kansai supports each other.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 1, 2020
I'm sorry, but I think you can complain a little bit better than that
Japanese is well-known for being an indirect language, but that doesn't mean you can't make your dissatisfaction with a situation clear to others.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Nov 26, 2020
Yosakoi gets a second chance during Kochi hero’s birthday celebrations
There is no place that loves Sakamoto Ryoma like Kochi.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 17, 2020
An abundance of grammatical gratitude
As we approach a time of giving thanks, whether it's Thanksgiving or the year-end holidays, brush up on your ability to show gratitude in Japanese.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Nov 16, 2020
An outsider's look at the problems plaguing rural Japan
When new people come to town they bring a flurry of new ideas with them. In the small town of Nakatsugawa, this has meant an exciting cultural exchange.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 7, 2020
The publishing industry can't get enough books on supernatural Japanese stories
While this year alone saw the release of well over 100 English nonfiction books about Japan, ranging from accounts of the atomic bombings, to memoirs, travelogues and countless explorations of Japanese culture, one trend in particular stands out from the rest: books on Japanese myths and legends, covering yūrei (ghosts), yōkai (monsters), folklore, unsolved mysteries, haunted places and more.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 31, 2020
Literary magazine Monkey serves up a full meal of delights
Monkey's inaugural volume features a who's who of contemporary Japanese literature, with a food theme to tie the contributions together.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 13, 2020
No need to tiptoe around religion in Japanese
Talking about religion can be a great opportunity for a cultural exchange, especially since it isn't such a taboo topic among friends in Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 10, 2020
What are the stories we’re reading about Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
This year's releases on the atomic bombs run the gamut of perspectives, proving that historical events are very much what we make of them.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 10, 2020
‘One Love Chigusa’: A hellish future seen through reconstructed eyes
Soji Shimada's knack for mystery is apparent in his psychological sci-fi novella about a man whose world looks different after a horrific accident.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 10, 2020
‘People From My Neighbourhood’: Bite-sized stories about the mysteries of small-town Japan
Hiromi Kawakami's collection of interlinking vignettes is a satisfying mix of neighborhood drama, folk mythology and magical realism.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Oct 4, 2020
Japan Writers Conference and revival of Monkey magazine make for a literary October
Translated works from Japanese authors and original English-language writing has never been more plentiful or inspirational.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 3, 2020
Brazilian food culture is the fragrant heart of Nagoya
Nikkei Brazilian culture manifests in food, and its growing popularity suggests recognition of Japan as a multiethnic country may be on the horizon.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Sep 29, 2020
Let's discuss Japanese name order
A Japan Times article looks at the idea of putting last names first for Japanese people in English media.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 15, 2020
A debate on name order highlights an old translation issue
Last name, first? Some Japanese people would like to see their linguistic traditions better reflected in English-language media.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Sep 7, 2020
A field guide to anti-racist organizations in Japan
Groups fighting for equality in Japan focus on the rights of immigrants, refugees, Ainu and Zainichi residents.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 1, 2020
Talking about your (un)productive COVID-era hobbies
A lot of us took up new hobbies during the pandemic, but not all of have stuck with our activities.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 18, 2020
Talking about the weather is increasingly extreme
As the weather gets more extreme we will no doubt be talking about it a lot more. Get a start on your climate vocabulary so you can join the conversation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 4, 2020
Talking politics in Japanese as the U.S. election heats up
A lot of people are talking about the upcoming U.S. election, so it's time to brush up on your campaign vocabulary.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Aug 1, 2020
Step into another world with isekai, the fantasy subgenre ruling the manga market
In recent years, the manga and light novel market has been inundated with 'isekai,' a subgenre in which protagonists are transported to a fantasy world.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
'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.
Raising kids in Japan as a single parent? It takes a village.
Making things work as a foreign, single mother in Japan isn't easy, but these tips and tricks can help you through the hardest parts.
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.
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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