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November 22, 2024
 

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Alice Gordenker

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Alice Gordenker
Alice Gordenker writes the "So, What the Heck is That?" column, providing in-depth, carefully researched explanations of the things foreigners find so puzzling about Japan. Her work has been modified as a textbook for Japanese university students called "Surprising Japan" (Shohakusha, 2012).
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Feb 19, 2009
Tome ishi
Dear Alice, Recently I toured a beautiful traditional garden in Kyoto with a Japanese friend. At a fork in the path, I was about to turn to the right when my friend stopped me and said we were not supposed to go that way. I did as she said, but couldn't understand how she knew. She'd never been there...
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jan 22, 2009
Dekopon
Dear Alice,My husband attended a business dinner late last year at a very fancy traditional Japanese restaurant. At the end of the evening, as he was heading out the door, the kimono-clad proprietress presented him with a gift of a single piece of fruit. It was like a large orange but with a weird pear...
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Dec 16, 2008
Manhole covers
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Nov 18, 2008
Kokuwa (monkey pear)
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Oct 21, 2008
JR gestures
Dear Alice, Until recently I lived in Tokyo and commuted on the JR Chuo Sobu Line from Kameido Station. I made it a practice to ride in the last compartment of the train, just so I could enjoy the spectacle of the driver making those sincere hand gestures at each and every station. I've seen the same...
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Sep 30, 2008
Jitensha odantai
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jul 15, 2008
Tanuki genitals
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jun 17, 2008
Idling drivers
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
May 20, 2008
Anti-crime color balls
Dear Alice, I've spotted pairs of plastic Day-Glo orange baseballs sitting in polystyrene containers behind the counter at banks and convenience stores. My friend reckons they have them in police stations too. Can you please tell us what the heck they are?
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Apr 15, 2008
Kyodo bochi
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Mar 18, 2008
Pocket bells
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Feb 19, 2008
Chuhai
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jan 15, 2008
Bento grass
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Dec 18, 2007
Mistletoe
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Nov 20, 2007
Moles
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Oct 16, 2007
Sake barrels at shrines
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Sep 18, 2007
'Fierce scowl' stickers
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Aug 21, 2007
Pocket tissues
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jul 17, 2007
Wide-bottomed noh costumes
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jun 19, 2007
Small statue in Azabu Juban
Dear Alice,
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.

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