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August 31, 2025
 

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Eric Margolis
Eric Margolis is a writer, book editor and translator from Japanese who is based in Tokyo. His writing has been published in The Japan Times, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Slate, The New Republic, Tokyo Weekender and elsewhere.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Dec 28, 2020
Anne Frank and Sadako Sasaki: Two girls that symbolize the horrors of war
The 75th anniversary of the end of World War II came amid a pandemic. We take a moment to look back to remember two people in particular who died in that global crisis.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2020 in review
Dec 19, 2020
Our critics’ favorite books published in 2020
As 2021 approaches, six Japan Times book reviewers look back on their top reads released in English this year.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 15, 2020
Cook up a sweet Japanese lesson … and some good food at the same time
Following a recipe in Japanese can be a language lesson all on its own. Get some grammar, add some vocabulary and serve fresh.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
Philippine bid to acquire used Japanese warships gains steam
Tokyo is looking to transfer Abukuma-class vessels to the Philippines as part of broader efforts to boost the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors amid growing Chinese military assertiveness in the region.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
Top Japan trade negotiator canceled U.S. trip over rice, report says
Ryosei Akazawa
Most Japanese teens struggling with school find end of summer ‘painful’
Some 93.1% of Japanese teenagers who struggle with school life said they felt like they “wanted to disappear from the world" at the end of summer vacation ahead of the start of a new term, according to a recent survey released by Yokohama-based nonprofit Daisan Kazoku.
Most Trump tariffs are not legal, U.S. appeals court rules
Workers hang a large poster of U.S. President Donald Trump on the facade of the Department of Labor headquarters building in Washington on Wednesday.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
Japan is warming up to tattoos — just not permanent ones
Tattoos have a complex history in Japan, but new types of temporary ink are letting locals curious about body art experiment without the commitment.
YouTube Music Weekend is where Japan’s internet-born performers go global
Headlining the second day of YouTube Music Weekend is Vocaloid artist Kikuo, who, with 1.46 million YouTube subscribers, is one of the most popular artists in the genre.
Japan looks to build drone ‘shield’ in record defense budget request
A group of Ground Self-Defense Force service members discuss drone operations and capabilities at a joint static display during the Orient Shield 24 opening ceremony at the Yausubetsu Training Area in Hokkaido in July last year.
Can anime carry the memories of World War II?
Many schools in Japan show "Grave of the Fireflies" as educational material to tell the emotionally grueling story of a boy who has no means to prevent his sister from starving to death.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past
By Alex K.T. Martin

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