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 […]
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 […]
Future Dreams of Japanese Children
Japanese Children's Dreams By D. McCaughan Japan is a place where a lot of time is spent reflecting on the past. I have lived here for nearly 10 years, and nearly every piece of research I have seen, all the reports on the state of economy, all the books and articles on Japanese society seem […]
Ways to Boost One’s Mood During the Rainy Season in Japan
Soak in a relaxing hot bath, Drink coffee, tea or herb tea, Drink alcoholic beverages, Go on drives, Eat out at restaurants, Do exercises such as stretching or yoga, Go to health-oriented spas or for massage, Prepare elaborate meals, Other, Nothing in particular Source: DO HOUSE Inc. survey of 1,199 males and females ages 25~69 […]
Japan as the World’s Most Rapidly Aging Society (1) Elderly Business
Japan, the country with the most aged population The Japanese economy averaged a 9.1% increase in real GDP from FY 1956 to FY 1973. In 1968, it overtook West Germany to become the world’s second largest economy in terms of GDP, and while it maintained an average growth rate of about 5% through the 1980s, […]
Machikon: Revitalizing Local Economies and Raising the Birth Rate in Japan
What is "gokon"? By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer “I haven’t had a chance to meet a romantic partner since I started to work full-time,” is a common complaint heard from young businesspeople. They try friends’ introductions, social events and gatherings, parties, various online and offline match-making services, social-networking services and so on. They use many […]
What Is Your Image About Japan? SUSHI, ZEN and TOTO
What Is the Image About Japan? Mention a country’s name and I bet stereotypes come to mind. When I ask Japanese friends what they think of my native Australia, they think “lots of space” followed by koalas and usually the thought that I must love beer. Try it yourself. Think of another country and we […]
Food Education in Japan: Delicious School Lunch (Shokuiku)
Food Education in Japan: Delicious School Lunches The Secret of the Nation of Health and Longevity Is in Its School Lunches One of the local wards of Tokyo, Adachi City, is in the spotlight for serving school lunches that are so tasty that children ask, “Mom, the lunch I ate at school today was yummy. […]
5 Things You Shouldn't Do in Japan in Front of One's Partner
Things a wife should not do in front of others (according to husbands) Make noise while eating Pick nose Break wind Belch Leave food unfinished Things a husband should not do in front of others (according to wives) Make noise while eating Pick nose Haggle over small change when splitting the check at a restaurant […]
What is Menko?
めんこ Menko Menko is a children’s game which dates back to the early 17th century. The rules are simple. Players place their cards on the ground and take turns trying to flip the other players’ cards over by throwing another card at them. One of the cards may be flipped by a gust of wind […]