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Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Jun 24, 2017

Nobuko Kiyomiya: Judging a bookbinder in France by her covers

Kiyomiya is keeping alive a way of thinking about books that may be finding itself under threat in our world of Kindles.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 17, 2017

The extraordinary untold Japan story of 'You Only Live Twice'

On the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the fifth 'James Bond' film in Japan, we explore spy rings in Tokyo, a secretive Sherlock Holmes society and an Australian double agent behind 007's Japanese adventure.
Japan Times
LIFE / EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Jun 8, 2017

800 years of katana craftsmanship on display

People visiting Japan are often attracted to the beautiful and unique traditional arts, especially samurai culture.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
May 21, 2017

Having trouble wrapping your head around Japan? Help with mental health is at hand

Black Eye speaks with professionals trained to offer guidance to those struggling to cope with a new environment.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 9, 2017

Keeping up with the Joneses, Edo style

The Edo Period (1603-1868) is renowned for the flourishing of material culture — a time when major advances and innovations in Japanese folk crafts and design were prized by the burgeoning commoner class of Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Osaka.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Apr 30, 2017

First Japan House opens in Brazil

London, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo. There is little at first sight that seems to unite these three cities, which are diverse in geography and climate as well as architecture, cuisine and atmosphere.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 15, 2017

'The Social Life of Kimono': Innovation faces tradition in the fight to keep kimono relevant

In 1985, a 24-year-old art student from England visited Japan for a summer holiday, fell in love and never went home.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Apr 1, 2017

Etsuro Sotoo: Master sculptor in Spain found calling in a pile of rocks

Etsuro Sotoo cuts a distinguished figure on the Barcelona culture scene. As the Sagrada Familia's only official sculptor, he exudes old-world style in his felt fedora, flowing scarf and manicured goatee.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Mar 29, 2017

The psychological perils of a Japanese homestay

All the homestays I have done in my life — three of them — were psychologically traumatic in uniquely torturous ways.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Mar 26, 2017

The confessions of a Japanese-to-Hungarian translator

Over some Hungarian wine, a translator who does not wish to be identified spills the beans on the juicier bits of her job.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / EMBASSY PRESENTS ECO-FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE
Mar 23, 2017

Ceremony celebrates coffee

Ethiopia's own coffee culture has helped people relish slow living in the nation, with a unique ceremony providing people with lively communication, a lecturer versed in the Northeast African country explained to people at a recent seminar in Tokyo.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
Mar 19, 2017

Black Women in Japan group gears up for its first big bash

Back in the summer of 2015, I did a series of articles where I profiled black women married to Japanese men, discussing the highs and lows of building and maintaining such relationships, as well as the rewards and challenges of raising biracial children here in Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Mar 19, 2017

Brazilian YouTubers Prit and Lohgann are channeling their daily bread in Japan

Japan is a real wonderland when it comes to neat little toys, gadgets and fun candies — navigating the variety of Kit Kats alone could be its own article. If you're new to the country, it may be hard to tell which treats are worth your yen, and that's where YouTube helps.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Mar 11, 2017

Monocle raises its glass to 10 years in Japan

There are precious few publications standing against the accepted status quo that print media has had its day and the future is digital. Taking a stand among their ranks is lifestyle magazine Monocle, which even eschews social media, choosing to address those who seek its singular lens via a 24-hour...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 3, 2017

Why it matters when artists criticize Trump

It is often the arts, serious or satirical, that expose the tragic absurdity of repressive leadership. And the worse Trump behaves, the more demand there will be for artists who oppose him.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 2, 2017

Confucius blocks change in South Korea

At the 'chaebol,' Confucian reverence for the 'emperor' translates into obedience to company founders and their families, who are treated like royalty.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 24, 2017

Lessons Japan Inc. must learn from Ghosn

The CEO who revived an ailing Nissan showed an insular, change-averse Japan Inc. that there is another way.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Feb 22, 2017

CITA 'usher' points to need for a Japan theater shakeup

You won't be alone if you've never heard of the Tokyo-based International Centre for Theatre Arts, because few have seen any plays it has staged and anyway its focus is firmly on building a reputation outside Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 20, 2017

Overworked Japan slowly adopting fixed rest hours to put an end to 'karoshi'

Amid intense pressure to reform the country's work culture, the government and businesses are looking at mandating a "rest" period between the end of one workday and the start of the next.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 2, 2017

12 international students win Josai University poetry awards

The Josai University International Modern Poetry Center has awarded 12 prizes in an effort to recognize international students who have created original Japanese poetry works.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Jan 30, 2017

'Unpopular' Nagoya on hunt for catchphrase, logo to pitch its appeal to tourists

In an effort to become a travel destination instead of a mere transit point, Nagoya is asking the public to help create a slogan or catchphrase the city can use for tourism posters and websites to improve its appeal.
CULTURE / CULTURE SMASH
Jan 21, 2017

Japanese folklore meets anime in Kyoto

The colors were jarring. Beneath the vermillion torii gates of Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine and surrounded by the olive broadleaves of Tadasu Forest was a pool of furry, bright yellow ponchos, decorated with the brown facial features, rounded ears and bulbous oblong tails of the tanuki, or Japanese raccoon...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Jan 21, 2017

'Wrong About Japan': A travelogue from the home of anime, manga and 'otaku'

"Wrong About Japan" was not universally appreciated when it was first published in 2005, but time has proven it to be a small, highly original contribution to books on this country. In it, author Peter Carey, recipient of two Man Booker prizes, traipses through urban Japan in the company of his son Charley,...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 21, 2017

Chanoyu master Randy Channell Soei: The way of tea 'offers a whole other life'

Tea ceremony expert on the importance of guests.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 7, 2017

Entrepreneur Elio Orsara: 'Tokyo is the dining out capital of the world'

Restaurant owner on the magic of being involved in the hospitality industry.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 7, 2017

Japan tries to break away from workaholism

Putting in long hours might convince your boss that you're a diligent employee, but after a point it becomes self-defeating.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 14, 2016

Line seeks to shake up messaging business to spur growth

Line Corp. is planning to shake up its staff and business to build on the 20-plus percent share gain since the messaging company pulled off the tech world's biggest public offering of the year.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 12, 2016

Let's discuss Japanese festivals joining UNESCO's heritage list

Thirty-three traditional festivals from across Japan have been added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear