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Angela Jeffs
After 26 years in Japan, Angela is currently test driving the Scottish winter. Describing herself as a “people person,” she wrote weekly profiles and features for The Japan Times between 1987 and 2011. For writings since 3/11/2011, see www.embrace-transition.com/. Her first book, "Chasing Shooting Stars – A South American Paper Trail into the Past," was published in paperback in January 2013.
COMMUNITY
Dec 20, 2003
Over 4,000 babies delivered and still counting
Dr. Hideki Sakamoto is late for the very best of reasons. "I had an emergency at the hospital, but am happy to be able to say that mother and baby are both doing well."
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 9, 2003
Inheritance, noise woes and pet travel
More on death tax More now on inheritance or death tax. Alastair had heard that "death tax" is very high in Japan and was wondering if this was the case.
COMMUNITY
Dec 6, 2003
Folktales of days gone by fly off the gallery walls
There is so much energy bouncing around Ginza's Gallery Yougen that just to step inside is uplifting. There are the images on the walls -- 17 woodcut prints created to illustrate the book "Tales of Days Gone By," stories selected from 1,000 folktales compiled in the 12th century for the classic literary...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Nov 29, 2003
Modern feng shui offers clarity in work, at home
Mark Ainley has the coolest Web site. Simple, clear and concise, it is designed (by Spin the Moose Media) in three sections: Clear Space (about feng shui), Clear Body Mind (a one-brain system based on the ancient belief that body and mind are connected) and Clear Spirit (the inspirational and meditative...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Nov 25, 2003
Bank loans, student grief and cremains
More house info F. is responding to "Buying a house" in Lifelines, Nov. 11, in which the article states that "You have to have at least an 'eijyuuken' (permanent residency) to qualify for a bank loan as a foreigner."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Nov 22, 2003
Gardener puts down roots for budding business
As a highly qualified gardener and horticulturalist, Bernd Kestler has a great idea: collaborating with homeowners who want outdoor spaces designed to suit their lifestyles, or established gardens maintained, in much the same way a personal trainer works with individuals who want a new body image or...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Nov 15, 2003
Importing sake to U.K., Asahi beer back here
Lynfa Phillips is still feeling overcome by her welcome to the Tokyo headquarters of Asahi Beer. "Crossing Izuma-bashi bridge, I saw flags hanging limp at the approach to the building. One was the company flag, the next the Rising Sun, and then I saw a hint of white, red and green."
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Nov 11, 2003
Lease rights, house-buying and classes
Contract issues On the subject of Amy's renewal of lease (Lifelines; Oct. 12), Robert writes in that under the "old" contract system, if the landlord wants her to move, he/she should offer to pay for the costs related to same, including agent commission, etc.
COMMUNITY
Nov 8, 2003
Walking labyrinth satisfies hunger for the divine
"Since May 1999, many hundreds of people at the International Christian University in Mitaka, Tokyo, have taken the time to walk a labyrinth, a meditational route painted onto canvas and placed temporarily on the floor of the campus church."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Nov 1, 2003
Writer fills niche with new yakuza movie book
Mark Schilling is feeling a bit bleary-eyed. His son -- a freshman in media studies at Glasgow University, unused to the time difference between Europe and Japan -- had rung from Scotland around 5 a.m.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Oct 28, 2003
Skin care, leases and illegal tax
Skin problems NWW asks "where can I find an English-speaking dermatologist or specialist clinic in Tokyo area?"
COMMUNITY
Oct 25, 2003
Palette mixes people of every color and capacity
Naoko Taniguchi is a pioneer in bringing mentally handicapped individuals into the community. Thirty years ago, when she began volunteer activities, families still regarded the disabled as a source of shame. She says the situation is improving, "though there will be no major shift until companies hire...
COMMUNITY
Oct 18, 2003
Archaeologist turns west to save Siberian culture
Kazuo Morimoto made history in the early 1980s when he discovered a large Paleolithic site at Narita, north of Tokyo. Now his attention is balanced between digging up the past and preserving the future -- the future of a once-nomadic tribe in Siberia.
COMMUNITY
Oct 11, 2003
Find your writer's voice via the Amherst method
As a break from academia in 2001, American-born Ella Rutledge decided to try her hand at creative writing.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Sep 23, 2003
Science fiction or science fact and culture
J-culture In response to Simone returning home to France (Lifelines; July 22) more readers have come up with great information on English-language magazines about J-culture.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Sep 9, 2003
Scootering, start-ups and an update
Scooter licenses Maynard never learned to drive in Canada before moving here in 1972 ("yes, 31 years ago, sigh"). Living and working in Tokyo's Yoga district, he has had no need to drive a car, and is put off by the 250,000 yen starting price for local driving schools.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 6, 2003
Antiques enthusiast tracks treasures to the source
Spring 2000, and Hiroko Kido is poking around in one of the gigantic warehouses in Beijing where the antique remnants of China's past lie rescued but in sadly in cultural limbo. Suddenly she spots a stack of 10 tall narrow doors, covered in dust. Told they came from a 1920s cafe or restaurant, a hotel...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Aug 30, 2003
Scones, fresh lemon curd and cream teas, anyone?
Glen Taylor is on a mission. He wants to help dispel the notion that English food is terrible. "Forget any negative image. I'm out to prove it's easy to make, tastes terrific and is very healthy."
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Aug 26, 2003
Publishing, futons and more motors
Budding author Z. has written a book he thinks is ready for publication. "Can you give me guidance or advice as to how to go about getting published?"
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Aug 23, 2003
Imagine! Project approach child care in Japan
"I visited Japan for the first time three years ago," says Tina Peterson, director of the Imagine Child Development Center on the 13th floor of Yokohama's Landmark Tower. "I came to Landmark then, because the building's the highest in Japan. If anyone had predicted, 'In 2003 you will be working here,'...

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