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November 22, 2024
 

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Ray Franklin

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Ray Franklin
Ray Franklin is from Colorado, USA and has been teaching English in Osaka for over 20 years. After dabbling in journalism on his high school and college newspapers, he has been revisiting his hobby with Views from the Street contributions to The Japan Times since 2011.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Sep 16, 2013
Osaka: What on Earth should be done about the deteriorating situation at Fukushima No. 1?
As Tepco plays 'whack-a-mole' with myriad problems at the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, readers offer their advice to the utility and Abe's government.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Aug 5, 2013
Osaka: What was your dream job as a child, and would you still like to do it now if you could?
As a little girl I dreamed of being a flight attendant, because my aunt was one for Cathay Pacific airlines, and I always thought she looked so beautiful and sophisticated in her uniform. And of course the international travel sounded very appealing. I definitely would do it today if I could, but I think it's not possible now that I have tattoos.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
May 28, 2013
Osaka: What do you make of Mayor Toru Hashimoto’s comments about “comfort women” and his suggestion that U.S. forces in Okinawa use local brothels?
He's a perfect example of why 'diapers and politicians should be changed often, and for the same reason'! He's too incompetent for Osaka, and should be 'promoted' to national government. I've lived here for 30 years; I miss the old days when mayors and governors concentrated on administering Osaka and stayed out of the limelight. Hashimoto should take his showboating to Tokyo and leave Osaka under the radar.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Apr 2, 2013
Osaka: If you could live in any city outside Japan, which would it be?
Amsterdam comes to mind, but on second thoughts, I would choose to live in Maastricht, the Netherlands, because I love the pastoral atmosphere there. It has many of the same benefits as the more famous capital — canals, nice people, coffee shops — but without the tourists, and combined with a wonderful countryside feeling, so for me it is the best of both worlds, combining city and country life.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 1, 2013
Osaka: What are your hopes for yourself, Japan and the world in 2013?
I argue with my husband a lot, so I hope that diminishes next year! And I hope everyone stays healthy, especially my four grandkids and new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, since he previously quit for health reasons. I worry about Japan's conflicts with our neighbors, and hope that the country can use its brainpower and high-tech knowhow to figure out ways to solve the various island disputes. Can't we all just get along nicely?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Nov 6, 2012
Osaka: Who will win the U.S. presidential election, and what changes will that bring?
Erkki Hietalahti, 53University professor (Finnish)Obama should be re-elected, because he saved a bad situation, even though many initiatives were blocked by the Republicans. Obama is a better choice than Romney, who seems to flip his opinions, so who knows what he'd do in office? Obama cares about people,...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Aug 14, 2012
Osaka: What are your plans for the Obon holidays?
Etsuko Nomura
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jul 24, 2012
Osaka: Which sports or athletes will you be following during the London 2012 Olympics?
Shoki Kanemoto
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jun 5, 2012
Osaka: What do you think of Mayor Toru Hashimoto's latest crackdowns on political activities by Osaka employees — and on those city workers with tattoos?
Kim Mangialaschi, 47
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Feb 15, 2011
Osaka: What are your thoughts on the decision to cancel the Osaka sumo tournament due to the match-fixing scandal?
Atsuko Fujimoto
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

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