Shrunali Ranade moved to Japan in 2015 and has carved a niche for herself as both an engineer and a cricket player.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Oct 9, 2025
Shrunali Ranade: ‘Stepping back isn’t failure but another form of strength’
As an engineer and member of the women’s national cricket team in Japan, Shrunali Ranade has carved out her own niche over the past 10 years.
Thales is 10 years old, but has the vigor and good cheer of a much younger dog.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Oct 7, 2025
Chipper Yorkie-Maltese mix still young at heart
Ten-year-old Thales, named after a Greek philosopher, is decidedly unserious and will make an energetic companion for the right household.
Kashata will most likely settle in well in a home with another cat companion.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Sep 30, 2025
Scaredy-cat Kashata is searching for a friend
Believed to be around 3 years old, Kashata is a shy fellow in need of some love and attention.
Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Linda Joyce moved to rural Tochigi Prefecture in 2024 for a career shift from teaching to hospitality and sustainable tourism.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Sep 25, 2025
Linda Joyce: ‘We hope people recognize the benefits of exploring rural areas’
Former teacher Linda Joyce shifted careers to the tourism industry in 2024 and now works at a historic property in rural Tochigi Prefecture.
Bronte is no featherweight at 16 kilograms, but his personality and energy are buoyant indeed.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Sep 24, 2025
A friendly Kai ken dog with a big heart
Three-year-old Bronte has remained a happy-go-lucky fellow despite the adverse conditions of his upbringing.
"Shake hands with Lima-chan," a statue that shares the name of the Peruvian capital looks in the direction of Peru, where a sister statue, "Sakura-chan," is located. Erected in Yokohama's Rinko Park in 1999, it commemorates Peruvian-Japanese friendship.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / Longform
Sep 22, 2025
The journey of Peru’s Nikkei: Finding identity in Japan
From sugar plantations in Peru to factory floors in Japan, the Nikkei story is one of migration, resilience and identity.
Melos Han-Tani is a game designer of eclectic interests whose upcoming releases, Angeline Era and Danchi Days, are set in alternate-history Ireland and a public housing complex in Japan, respectively.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Sep 12, 2025
Melos Han-Tani: ‘Figuring out what you value is valuable for any artist’
A designer, programmer and composer, Han-Tani draws inspiration from a wide range of sources and channels his creativity through games, music and writing.

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.