|  The
Sleepy Trains of Tokyo
As I was taking the train this morning I was dumbfounded
by the fact that on my particular carriage every single
person was sleeping, or at least was pretending to.
Admittedly it was morning, but this was just slightly
depressing. My line seems to be one of the most sleep-encouraging
of any I have ever ridden in my six years in Tokyo.
...
|
 Let’s
Enjoy Japanese-English
‘Japanese-English’
is a phenomena that has invaded all levels and encompasses
all walks of Japanese life, from bags and packaging
to advertising, buildings, Japanese pop music, and particularly
clothing. ... |
 Jesus
in Japan: Is the True Tomb of Christ in Aomori?
1935 was an interesting year in world history. Over
in the U.S., Babe RUTH hit his 714th home run, while
in Europe storm clouds began to gather as Adolf HITLER
violated the Versailles Treaty and announced Germany
was rearming. In Japan, something less well known occurred
... |
 The
Woes of the Western Woman in Japan
The ‘western woman’ – what does that
mean? I am often referred to as one although technically
I am a little too antipodean to actually be named as
western. New Zealand is definitely not west of Japan,
in fact it couldn’t be further from it. I am also
often mistaken for being American and I guess it’s
the white thing. ... |
 A
Little Mystery in a City
Soon after I came to Japan, I arranged to meet my Japanese
friend at a coffee shop near a large train station.
I saw a young girl distributing plastic-wrapped packs
to people walking by in front of the station. I was
curious as to what was inside them. ... |
 Japan
Chronicle of European High School Students - To Them,
it's Still a Wondrous Zipangu!
In a big public hall in Tokyo, high school exchange
students from many European countries gave speeches.
These students came to Japan to stay with host families
for 5 months, and their faces still show naivety. For
great occasions like this, the teachers from their schools
and their peers came to cheer for them. ... |
 You
can't communicate what is in your heart even if you
can with your language
Reporting Japan's cross-culture frontline by reviewing
Hiragana Times 20th year You will often hear the phrase,
"You can communicate what is in your heart even
if you can't with your language." This is often
true during superficial exchanges between people traveling
overseas. ... |
 SHE
CHAMELEON
While women seem to be on the lookout for “marriageable
material,” men seem more interested in having
a “little bit of fun.” I know I am. In fact,
for that purpose I even hint that I may be interested
in marriage. Also, as this true story shows, it’s
not just the men who are dishonest. ... |
 International
Gestures - Opening the Door to Understanding Other Cultures
In Japan, and especially in Tokyo, there are many expatriates
from all over the world. I'm sure all of us find it
interesting but at the same time challenging to live
in a different culture. ... |
 Japanese
-The Most Religious People in the World
During my first year in Tokyo, I was frustrated and
bemused at the wall of silence I crashed into every
time I asked a Japanese person about religion or indeed
anything 'mysterious. ... |
 Small
incident that I felt illustrated Koreans' thoughts against
Japanese
I recently had a phone call from a reader who has read
a copy of Hiragana Times for the first time. He is a
hotel owner and praised the magazine. ... |
 English
Teachers, Are you being Spied on?
The life I found as an English teacher in Ibaraki was
shocking. The regime turned my life into sleepless nights,
and was the cause of a dull pain in my stomach. ... |
 Japanese
Parents - Minefield for Foreign Spouses?
For the benefit of readers who are either considering
entering or already involved in an international relationship,
Hiragana Times offers some valuable tips to help secure
your relationship. ... |
 Angry
foreigner sick of racist Japanese Journalism
Today I read a headline in the Mainichi Shinbun Online
that stated ‘Shoplifting foreigner struck dead
by train while escaping.' Why did they specify it was
a foreigner? ... |
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