National Dec 28, 2018
Shibuya Ward calls for safe New Year's countdown after disruption at Halloween
by Ryusei Takahashi
About 60,000 people came to Shibuya’s countdown event in 2016, and more than 100,000 descended on the area in 2017.
National Dec 7, 2018
Japan's year-end and New Year travelers projected to hit record high, JTB says
The number of people in Japan who will take overnight or longer trips during the year-end and New Year holidays is projected to hit an all-time high for the first time in three years, major travel agency JTB Corp. said Thursday. The number of people ...
World / Social Issues | FOCUS Dec 30, 2017
From #MeToo to rape laws, women's rights advanced despite adversity in 2017
by Nellie Peyton
Pink hat-wearing protesters marched in the millions, celebrities called out their abusers as "pigs," and countries from Chile to India passed pro-women legislation, making 2017 a momentous year for women's rights despite setbacks, activists said. Beginning with the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who ...
Our Lives | BLACK EYE Dec 17, 2017
What the world needs right now is more Kwanzaa
by Baye McNeil
Although the celebration was designed as a Pan-African affair, its seven principles could benefit every one of us.
Asia Pacific / Social Issues Feb 7, 2016
Year of the Monkey inspires kung fu, predictions of fire, disease
by Louise Watt
The new Chinese year is the one to go bananas over. On Monday, the zodiac calendar was to enter the Year of the Monkey — the ninth of 12 animal signs. Plastic monkeys are adorning shopping centers and office buildings, and government departments have ...
Commentary / World Dec 29, 2015
by Gwynne Dyer
For most people, in most places, 2015 has been a pretty good year.
Issues | THE FOREIGN ELEMENT Dec 23, 2015
Much jaw-jaw about war-war: the year 2015 in quotes
by Debito Arudou
The past year has seen a number of tugs-of-war, as conservatives promoted past glories and preservation of the status quo while liberals lobbied for unprecedented levels of tolerance.
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Dec 23, 2015
On a Christmas visit, expat thoughts turn to 'going home'
by Nicolas Gattig
Reconnecting with home can be a cause for reflection: Where have I been, and where am I going? Is there another life to return to?
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Dec 21, 2015
Germans to spend less on Christmas presents and more on charity amid refugee crisis
Germans are expected to spend less on Christmas presents this year and instead open their wallets to charities as the country faces a record influx of refugees.
Language | BILINGUAL Dec 14, 2015
Avoid offense by heeding these nengajō do's and don'ts
by Peter Backhaus
A recent survey revealed quite a few inconvenient truths about what people like and don't like when it comes to New Year's cards.
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Dec 14, 2015
This year's most memorable buzzwords in Japan were recently announced, with the words "bakugai" and "toripuru surii" jointly taking home the top honors.
Language | BILINGUAL Dec 7, 2015
From 'faboru' to 'sanoru,' words define what people said, read and bought in 2015
by Mark Schreiber
A closer look at the Japanese words that have made headlines and become part of the lexicon over the past year.