Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Aug 25, 2019
The subtleties that bedeviled St. Francis
by William Lang
There's a certain script that you need to follow when interacting in Japanese. It's a shame nobody told St. Francis Xavier.
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Aug 21, 2019
The odd blunder is OK at your local dad-to-be class
by Patrick St. Michel
Future fathers in Japan get lessons in caring for a baby at their local ward or city office. Yes, pregnancy suits are involved.
General Aug 18, 2019
Plan your response before taking on passive prejudice at the office
by Rochelle Kopp
What should you do when one of your Japanese colleagues makes a problematic comment? Sometimes it's best to keep things light.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Jul 21, 2019
Humanity is sure to come through for those on a modern pilgrimage
by Amy Chavez
As I made my way up the steep road to Kakurin Temple — aka Temple No. 20, I realized how foolish I had been to have bought a bicycle. Rising at dawn, I had ticked off temples 18 and 19 of the 88-temple Shikoku ...
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Jul 10, 2019
Tokyo is big, Kyoto is polite, but Osaka's for the Scots
by William Lang
Writer William Lang says the frankness and openness of Osakans is a common trait of the people he remembers from growing up in Glasgow.
How-tos | Age Wise Jun 26, 2019
Deal with clutter while the choice to toss is still yours
by Louise George Kittaka
A big part of retirement is spent organizing your home and your affairs, but tidying experts advise decluttering well beforehand.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Jun 23, 2019
A Buddhist priest reflects on growing up on Shiraishi Island during a time of war
by Amy Chavez
Living on an island that was too small to receive direct attacks didn't stop the people living there from having to take extreme measures.
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Jun 23, 2019
Cleaning toilets with a smile: The lessons you can learn from a convenience store side job
by Megha Wadhwa
Learning Japanese and want a bit of extra cash? Getting a part-time job in the service industry can teach you a lot more than the language.
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA May 12, 2019
Memoirs from a Japanese internet cafe
by Damian Flanagan
While some people pine for traditions from Japan's ancient past, it might actually be the more modern things that we'll truly miss.
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA May 12, 2019
The crush is coming: Make peace with the train
by Christopher Kunody
One false move on the Tokyo transit system can lead to a nasty lesson in survival of the slickest.
How-tos | Age Wise May 1, 2019
Stressing over finances? The community at RetireJapan is here to help
by Louise George Kittaka
Ben Tanaka wanted to take more control over his finances and launched RetireJapan.com to share what he has learned.
Language | BILINGUAL Apr 29, 2019
A few parting words in Japanese for when you retire
by Louise George Kittaka
Japan needed to pass a special law before the Emperor was able to "retire," but for the rest of us the process is a bit easier — as long as you know the vocabulary involved.