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LIFE

Language

As they enter the workforce, the young employees who grew up texting one another have their own rules for communicating.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Apr 2, 2024

Fear of a full stop? Young Japanese say drop the period in your texts.

By Yuko Tamura

In addition to "maruhara," or "period harassment," younger employees want to cut down on the unnecessary emails that are a part of work culture.

A shogi board game with human pieces is played out in Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture, last year.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 29, 2024

The vocabulary of shogi can help you make moves in your conversations

By Yuko Tamura

The world of shogi, a game that is often described as a form of Japanese chess, has given us much more than just checkmates.

Sayaka Murata uses inventive language to bring the character of Keiko to life in "Convenience Store Woman."

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 22, 2024

'Convenience Store Woman' and the 'normal' in life and literature

By Eric Margolis

Author Sayaka Murata's use of marked and unmarked language provides new layers to a commentary on modern society.

The Japanese word "hanami," literally means “flower viewing.” But, a hanami gathering is more than that: It can be a picnic, a drinking party or an occasion to read poetry.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 15, 2024

We invite you to get ready for this year’s cherry blossom parties

By Cassandra Lord

Asking people to a party is made easy in Japanese with a few basic sentence structures. Taking your leave from a party is just as simple.

Demonstrators hold a banner as they take part in a march to call for gender equality and protest against gender discrimination as part of an International Women’s Day march in Tokyo in 2021.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 8, 2024

Recognizing the vocabulary surrounding International Women’s Day

By Yuko Tamura

Many of the terms describing issues women are facing in Japan have a string of complex kanji. Knowing the basics can go a long way in aiding understanding.

In many cases, the return gift that shows your appreciation should be worth half of what was originally given to you.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 1, 2024

Japan's return-a-gift culture isn't just for White Day

By Yaeko Kabe

If you received a gift on Valentine's Day, White Day is your chance to return the kindness. Learn the verbs for giving with grace.

What would you do if you received a juicy piece of gossip at work, do you know the Japanese for how you'd respond?

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Feb 23, 2024

Rumor, gossip and misinformation with neither roots nor leaves

By Yuko Tamura

Areas hit by the New Year's Day earthquake find themselves subject to damaging misinformation as they try to focus on reconstruction.

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

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.

For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on

By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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