RUNNING Culture in Japan
The country has always had a strong tradition in distance running. Long before I moved here I noticed when watching the Olympics coverage, very disciplined Japanese runners were among the leading packs in the distance races. Years ago, I became fascinated with the uniquely Japanese ekiden (long‐distance relay road race) culture, more of which is […]
Transforming Closed Schools into Data Centers in Fukushima, Japan
Utilizing Abandoned School for PC Education By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer Nestled on a forested hillside about 100km distant from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the former Akasawa primary school in Aizumisato Town, Fukushima Prefecture, no longer resonates with the lively voices of children. Instead, a bank of computer servers emits hums from […]
Interview with Manuel M. Lopez, Former Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Japan
Profile: Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez presented his credentials as Philippine Ambassador to Japan to H.M. Emperor Akihito on April 7, 2011. He used to be Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) from 2001 to 2010. He holds many important business posts, including chairmanship of the Lopez Holdings Corporation. Can you […]
Growing Delicious Vegetables in Japan
How to grow delicious Japanese vegetables? Strengthening Produce with Unfavorable Conditions An old man sits alone by the open French windows on the south side of his room. Before him is a view of a garden bathed in bountiful sunlight. Hearing this, you may well think that this is a man who is whiling away […]
Japan's Aquaculture Technology
Kinki University Fisheries Laboratory’s Attempt to Solve a Food Issue of the 21st Century The Kinki University Fisheries Laboratory is both a pioneer and leader in the field of aquaculture. The research into aquaculture methods undertaken by the laboratory over the past 43 years has prompted a great turnaround in the fishing industry from a […]
Tobita-kun Goes Abroad from Shiga, Japan
What is Tobita-kun? “My name is Tobita Tobidashi. Please drive carefully.” The figure of a small boy was created in Shiga Prefecture 40 years ago as a safety measure to alert drivers to watch out for children who might run out unexpectedly (called tobidashi or “pop out”) on the street. Up to the present, some […]
A Costumed Marathon in Japan
On the second Sunday of each year, the Ansei Tooashi Samurai Marathon is held in Annaka City, Gunma Prefecture. This year the race was held for the 39th time, with 1,703 runners, dressed in unique costumes, taking part. Cheered on by the spectators, the runners race in two parts, a 28.97 kilometer section that transits […]
What Do You Do If Your Boss Asks to Be Friends on Facebook?
Source: Sanno University (Conducted among 421 newly hired men and women in April, 2018) When newly hired company employees who utilize social media were asked how they would feel if their boss requested to become a friend, 42.5% replied they would be unhappy. With females in particular that response reached nearly 60%. In a separate […]
Asking Japanese Teens What They Think about Their Fathers
Source: Nationwide survey of 963 teens by Lifemedia (June, 2013) Easy to get angryHe is inflexible (or stubborn)Won’t listen to meDoesn’t do household choresNothing in particularCares about our familyIs gentleCan depend on himWorks hardKnows lots of things When teenagers around Japan were asked what they liked most about their fathers, the most common replies were […]
John Manjiro (John Mung): Connecting Japan to the US
Manjiro was born in 1827 in the village of Nakanohama, near the cape of Ashizurimisaki, Kochi Prefecture. He was the second son of five siblings. His father, a fisherman, passed away when Manjiro was just nine years old. As his older brother was in poor health, Manjiro worked for the local village headman in order […]