The Personal and Economic Effects of Japan’s Declining Population
Japan's demographic crisis as more than just economic loss. It is loss of community and culture.
Why Japan is no longer a competitive in the tech industry
A Japan was the country known for technology…30 some years ago. Today, Japan’s technology sector continues to fall behind, even after the economic collapse in the 1990s. Why is that?
In Japan there is a holiday to celebrate becoming an adult
This holiday honors coming-of-age, in other words, became (or will become) an adult. 20 is the age at which people become adults in Japan.
An introduction to Japan's New Year's Eve Show: Kohaku Uta Gassen
Kohaku Uta Gassen 紅白歌合戦, NHK’s annual new years' singing competition show. It is a singing show, where it is the red team versus the white team. The white team is for men and the red is for women.
Why fall in Japan is extra special
It’s a special time in Japan when the colors of the leaves change – koyo. It’s not just fall. Beloved by Japanese people, it is almost a special season of its own defined by autumn foliage.
A married couple with different last names? In Japan this is a controversial idea
In Japan, married couples must have the same last name. While the couple does have the option to choose the women’s last name, due to social expectations and tradition the husband’s is chosen 96% of the time
The 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (日本百名山)
Many hikers across Japan strive to climb all 100, but it is no easy feat. How was the list created and what are the mountains like?
How Japan does city planning by not doing city planning?
A look at how Japan’s zoning laws and geography have contributed to what Japan’s urban landscape is today
Taking out the trash in Japan
In Japan, taking out the trash is a little… more of a “chore” if you will. You don’t simply have trash and recyclables. Nor is there simply “trash day”. It’s more like…well let me show you...
A look into Japan's rainy season, tsuyu
An introduction into Japan's rainy reason, or tsuyu. What tsuyu is like, how Japanese people feel about it, and a focus on the seasonal fruit ume, Japanese plums.