Yoko Hani - The Japan Times

August 15, 2024

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Yoko Hani

COMMUNITY

Dec 16, 2001

Wright's modern masterpiece comes back to life

All too often in this country, modern buildings of architectural and historical value are bulldozed to make way for new commercial development. The "lucky" ones may be granted a stay of execution, if only to survive as unused and lifeless monuments.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Nov 18, 2001

The long road to a barrier-free Japan

Compact size. Lightweight. High-speed. Extra new features. Appealing design. Competitive price. Manufacturers have long focused on criteria like these in their quest for successful product lines. In the single-minded pursuit of profits, though, consumers unable to adapt themselves to standardized products...

COMMUNITY

Oct 28, 2001

Kazuo Ishiguro: In praise of nostalgia as idealism

Kazuo Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki in 1954, and at age 5 he moved with his parents to London, where he has lived ever since. In 1986, his second novel, "An Artist of the Floating World," was nominated for Britain's leading award for fiction, the Booker Prize. Three years later, his next and arguably...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Oct 21, 2001

Aerobics: Work that body blow!

At more and more gyms across Tokyo, women's workout classes are beginning to resemble action-packed scenes from "Tomb Raider." Lara Croft, the students are not -- though the best could probably give her a run for her money. This is because the exercise programs today's women are signing up for are more...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Oct 14, 2001

Easing the way for U and I

For rural areas suffering from depopulation, it can only be good news if city-folk want to move to the country.

COMMUNITY

Sep 16, 2001

Your future dished up at fortunetelling pub

If this taste for new uranai has left you hungry for more, then izakaya uranai may be just the thing. A virtual Japanese pub found on the Web not only defines your personality type, but also your drinking habits and even your "lucky izakaya dish" -- all on the basis of your selections from an izakaya...

LIFE

Sep 16, 2001

In touch with your inner squid

Aquarium uranai (book; Magazine House) uses your birth date and blood type to determine your token "sea creature" from a list of 16, including sea bream, blowfish and jellyfish. Your personality type and behavioral patterns are defined, as is your compatibility with other sea creatures.

COMMUNITY

Sep 16, 2001

Fortunetelling traditions thrive on indecision

Runes, tea leaves and chicken innards. A strange group, perhaps, but all have a place in fortunetelling tradition as aids to seeking insight and resolving indecision. Now, though, soothsaying aids are growing even more motley, with recent additions including Shinjuku Station, koalas, eggplants and squid...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Sep 9, 2001

Old before their time

From the mummies of ancient Egypt to the philosophers' search for the legendary Fountain of Youth to modern-day cryogenics, humankind has always longed for eternal life and everlasting youth. But has our fear of aging gone too far?

COMMUNITY

Sep 2, 2001

What's off the menu?

Types of vegetarians and definitions, according to the British-based International Vegetarian Union:

COMMUNITY

Aug 26, 2001

Millions stranded with no way home

A major earthquake hits. Just as you've practiced in disaster drills, you evacuate. Making it to a safe place, you let out a small sigh of relief.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Aug 12, 2001

Somewhere in the march of progress, we lost sight of our feet. Though there are cutting-edge running shoes incorporating space technology for maximum performance, many of us gladly choose low-tech gear in the name of style. We are willing fashion victims, but the damage can be more serious than many...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Jul 29, 2001

Nursing your house back to health

What can you do to protect yourself from sick-house syndrome?

COMMUNITY

Jul 29, 2001

The makings of a home, sick home

Air pollution isn't restricted to areas with factories and heavy traffic. Though it may nestle in a rural idyll, your home itself could be a potent source of potentially harmful chemicals.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Jul 22, 2001

The song remains . . .

One of the biggest smash hit songs of the year, bellowed in karaoke rooms across the nation, is "Ashita ga Arusa."

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Jul 22, 2001

Cheers and tears for souvenirs

Akihisa Shirota, 36, clearly remembers the evening of Oct. 14, 1974.

JAPAN

Jun 15, 2001

Basics must still precede computer skills: teachers

While the government is actively promoting education on information technology starting in elementary school, some teachers question the wisdom of getting children started on computers at such an early age.

JAPAN

May 31, 2001

New curriculum sees parents push English for infants

Second of two parts Staff writer Yukiko Wada left her Tochigi home at 8 a.m. one Saturday with her 2-year-old daughter, Hinami. While their journey to Tokyo's Eifuku-cho in Suginami Ward seemed a bit long, it became worthwhile when they encountered an American acquaintance near their destination.

JAPAN

May 30, 2001

Elementary school teachers to run English gantlet

Offering English language education in an entertaining, communicative way sounds just fine. In theory.

JAPAN

May 6, 2001

All is not lost with youth, beautician, 90, reminds women

The trouble with Japanese women in their understanding of beauty, according to one veteran beautician, is their obsession with youthfulness -- true beauty shines through regardless of age.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.

In search of the ‘Japanese dream’

By Thu-Huong Ha

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

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