Language | BILINGUAL Sep 29, 2020
Japan has finally come to its census
Japan undergoes a census every five years and 2020 happens to mark the questionnaire's 100th anniversary.
Shaun Mckenna
For Shaun Mckenna's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Language | BILINGUAL Mar 31, 2020
The Japanese words used to encourage self-restraint
As concern over the new coronavirus increases so does a Japanese learner's vocabulary. Get to know the words that are most commonly being used in news stories about the outbreak.
Stage Feb 27, 2020
Werq the World: Bringing the queens of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' to Tokyo is nothing less than a crowning achievement
When Tom Hall had the idea to take monthly "Drag Race" viewing parties and turn them into performance events he found an unlikely partner in Ni-chome impresario Yuta Furukawa.
Language | BILINGUAL Jan 21, 2020
The great (and not-so-great) escapes of 2020
Whether it's Carlos Ghosn escaping the country, Prince Harry and Meghan escaping the royal family or someone trying to escape a bad party, there are a lot of ways to describe getting out of a situation in Japanese.
DEEP DIVE Dec 24, 2019
Episode 33: Have yourself a merry little podcast!
Japan Times contributor Julia Bergin and editor Shaun McKenna join Oscar Boyd for a holiday special full of KFC, mulled wine and Christmas cheer.
DEEP DIVE Jul 24, 2019
Episode 20: Fear and loathing on Mount Fuji
On this week's episode, Oscar Boyd takes Shaun McKenna to the top of Japan to see what it's like to climb the fabled Mount Fuji.
DEEP DIVE Feb 13, 2019
Episode 7: Kim-Trump — what's next?
On this week's episode, Japan Times staff writer Jesse Johnson discusses what the next meeting of the U.S. and North Korea might mean for Japan, and features editor Shaun McKenna talks us through some of Japan's biggest summer music festivals. Hosted by Oscar Boyd.
TV Nov 23, 2017
'Home Sweet Tokyo': Fresh-off-the-boat narrative has room to grow
Among the English-speaking community in Japan there has been a long-running debate over whether to use the word "foreigner." Personally, I prefer using "non-Japanese." The word "foreigner," I feel, implies difference, exclusion and an inability to assimilate. Having said that, Bryan Jenkins is a foreigner. ...
Language | BILINGUAL Oct 30, 2017
Some Japanese to scream at the screen this Halloween
Before you binge-watch a bunch of scary films, learn a few Japanese words and phrases to practice shouting at the screen.
Food & Drink Aug 12, 2016
California roll creator Hidekazu Tojo's continuing quest to broaden palates overseas
A namigai (geoduck pronounced gooey-duck) is not a pretty creature. Native to North America's west coast, it looks like a beige slug that has outgrown a clam shell. Hidekazu Tojo is about to convince an audience to eat it. The Kagoshima-born chef is leading a ...