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April 29, 2024
 

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JAPAN LITE

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Dec 27, 2013
Japan should take English lessons from Philippines
English is an official language of the Philippines but this does not mean that everyone understands or speaks English. However, it does mean that exposure to the language is so widespread that those who do speak it can communicate quite fluently.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Dec 13, 2013
Bike-riding bureaucracy may threaten the classic 'obāchan dismount'
The new regulation decrees that bicycles must be ridden on the left side of the road, in the direction of the flow of traffic. Seems logical, doesn't it? But no one has said how this will prevent accidents or make anything safer; we're just presuming it will.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Nov 29, 2013
Islanders must think bigger to thrive, not just survive
As a resident, may I be so bold as to suggest that we don't need an NPO to save our island from aging and depopulation. What we need is for an NPO, or anyone, to save our island from itself!
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Nov 15, 2013
A war of words over butchered English
The student wanted to make a brochure in English, aimed at attracting foreign tourists to Shiraishi. The English title of her presentation was “Come on my Island!”
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Nov 1, 2013
Seven Unlucky Gods sowing misery across Japan
I have a theory about the conspicuous absence of the Seven Lucky Gods: They each have an evil twin.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Oct 18, 2013
Shōchū and the art of conflict resolution: an islander's insight
If you don't drink shochu, you're bound to have problems adjusting to island life. It's like moving to Okinawa and not partaking in awamori: It's a part of the local culture.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Oct 11, 2013
A really long name — as long as the Mississippi
Small islands in the Seto Inland Sea such as mine are visited periodically by health care boats with doctors, nurses and medical equipment on board to offer health exams for islanders. The boat makes the rounds of all the small islands that belong to Okayama Prefecture, making it possible for even the elderly and bed-ridden to take advantage of certain medical services.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Oct 4, 2013
How enlightened are you? — it doesn't have to be religion
We've all heard of enlightenment: awakening to the ultimate truth of life, usually achieved by relief from suffering. With the stresses of modern life — careers, love, family, Facebook — all that mental and physical pain, who wouldn't want to suffer a little less? Who wouldn't want enlightenment?
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Sep 27, 2013
FYI: Agricultural World Heritage status
After our 3,776-meter-tall friend Fuji-san won the coveted UNESCO World Heritage status this year, many people are wondering what site will win the status next? Only one Japanese site per year can be nominated for the award, and recent reports have said the government is considering a steel works, a dockyard and a coal mine for nominations in 2015, as these facilities represent Japan's industrial revolution in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Hmmm, I wonder, though: Aren't cows more interesting?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Sep 20, 2013
The ancient pilgrimage routes and the local community
As I headed out the door to do some trail running in the national park behind my house, I was surprised to make it only a few hundred meters before I was stopped dead in my tracks. The dead part was a tree that had fallen over the trail over a month ago and had yet to be removed. No problem. I went back home, got a hand saw, cut up the tree and cleared the trail. Now run!
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Sep 13, 2013
The dysfunctional family of Mother Nature
"From now on, I will carry my own water bottle," I promised Mother Nature. She had just scolded me as I came around the corner by presenting me with an angry beach covered with garbage. And this was not the first time she has told me off. Hundreds of beaches in the Seto Inland Sea are inundated with garbage that washes up.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Sep 6, 2013
The big and small of it — slippers that fit the feet of Hibagon
I live with Bigfoot. Don't tell anyone though, or the media will be all over it.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 30, 2013
Investing in global group home — while telling kids to 'smile'
As part of the Liberal Democratic Party's "national resilience plan" to protect against natural and made-made disasters, I noticed one obvious natural disaster missing from the list: aging.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 23, 2013
'Senior moments' for foreigners — they could start in your 20s
"How do you know if you have Alzheimer's?" said the front of the pamphlet. The answer inside was: "If you can't remember what you ate for lunch, you don't have Alzheimer's. If you can't remember whether you ate lunch or not, that's Alzheimer's."
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 16, 2013
What being a minority allows us to see
Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before — many times. Someone called your child hafu (half) and you take offence. Or your contract is only one-year renewable, whereas your Japanese coworkers have "lifetime employment." Or maybe someone called you a gaijin as you walked by. I've heard these stories dozens of times and while having myself been in some of the same situations, and while I can empathize, I also feel these "victims" are missing the point.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 9, 2013
Sounds that stem from quietude — when a tree falls down
Perhaps the best thing about living on a small island in Japan of just 583 people (258 men and 325 women) is that you can walk out your door and kiss the online world goodbye. Here, most people don't walk around glued to their cellphones, the majority don't even have smartphones, and very few take pictures of their food and upload them to the Internet.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 2, 2013
The yellow flag outside the door — life or death
One thing is as sure as death: You will receive mail long after you die. My mother, who passed away three years ago, still gets direct mail ads and catalogs in the mail even though I'm pretty sure she's not going to buy anything.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 26, 2013
Tall tales among the bamboo — where do babies come from?
"Please fill out this information sheet," said the nurse. It had been several years since I had been to this hospital for a check-up. I noticed, with glee, they had done away with the plastic slippers at the genkan, where the masses had to leave their shoes in a locker and step into slippers before proceeding to the reception. Japanese people think nothing of putting their feet into slippers that millions of other feet had occupied over the years. Foreigners tend to think about all the foot fungus cultures growing happily in warm, dark, sweaty, plastic environments. Talk about multi-cultural slippers!
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 19, 2013
The influence of sports on meditation
"Running meditation." It's almost a cliché. Many people describe their running activity as a form of meditation. There are even articles that will teach you "how to meditate while running."
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 12, 2013
The difference between rules and manners on the beach
Here on the beach at Shiraishi Island in the Seto Inland Sea, there are few rules. You may swim year-round, even before umibiraki (the opening of the sea ceremony). You may have a bonfire on the beach at night, no problem. You may camp on the beach for free. And by all means, set off fireworks and have a BBQ!
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

Podcast

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

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

A young restaurant leads the way in Karuizawa
A young restaurant leads the way in Karuizawa

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