September 16, 2024

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LIFE

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Ami Yuasa performs in the b-girls breaking competition final during the Paris Summer Olympics earlier this month. She won gold in the event.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Aug 21, 2024

The victories, viral moments and vocabulary of Paris 2024

By Yaeko Kabe

When following the Olympics in Japanese, knowing all the buzzwords that spring up could be a competition of its own.

Japan is divided into many different regions, sometimes distinguishing areas of the country by old borders or climate.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Aug 16, 2024

When it comes to Japan, do you know your 'Kanto' from your 'Kanto-koshin'?

By Eric Margolis

Japanese people tend to travel to their hometowns around this time of year, and asking where they went is an easy conversation starter.

A boy skateboards past Yanaka Cemetery in Tokyo’s Taito Ward. A perfectly peaceful spot the rest of the year, it becomes a place children may test their courage during the Bon holidays.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Aug 8, 2024

Japanese cities turn into ghost towns during the Bon holiday period

By Yuko Tamura

As people return to their hometowns to pay their respects to their ancestors, children may try to test their nerves with a "kimodameshi."

Two people in Tokyo walk past a poster meant to evoke a cooling feeling the summer heat.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Jul 31, 2024

Sunscreen bans, UV-cuts and the language of summer skincare in Japan

By Yaeko Kabe

Get to know Japanese terms for products that will help you protect your skin in the scorching sun.

A child gets a break from the heat thanks to a cooling mist machine at Sensoji temple in Tokyo.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Jul 24, 2024

Whether it's the pool or the park, teach your kids how to be safe this summer vacation

By Yuko Tamura

Your children are likely to sneak out of the house for some fun while school is out. Make sure they know the importance of "squid sushi."

From left: Kan Kikuchi, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Muto Chozo and Nagami Tokutaro

LIFE / Language

Jul 19, 2024

Dive into Akutagawa's world of creepy 'kappa' and prewar kanji

By Eric Margolis

In order to read Japanese works written before the war, you'll need to watch out for the different roles hiragana play in addition to unfamiliar kanji.

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale returns this weekend and features works by artists such as Yayoi Kusama.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Jul 13, 2024

Got somewhere to be and need a friend? Better learn how to ask.

By Yuko Tamura

If you live in Japan long enough, you're bound to receive an invitation sooner or later. Make sure you know how to respond or how to ask in return.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

A store clerk tries to cool things down in front of their shop by spraying a hose.

Is extreme weather changing the way Japan shops?

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Sasakawa works for a sustainable blue economy

Sasakawa works for a sustainable blue economy

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