author

 
 

Meta

Mami Maruko
Staff writer Mami Maruko writes stories about the international community in Japan, including profiles of Tokyo-based ambassadors and international marriages. She received education in Japan, England and the U.S. She graduated from Goldsmiths College, University of London, with a masters degree in Theater Arts.
JAPAN / Q&A
Jan 29, 2014
Flu menace again reaching peak
While this year's influenza season is predicted to peak around early February, anybody of any age group, sex or nationality is at risk of infection all the way through March.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 16, 2014
Tsukuba team uncovers asthma-intestine mechanism
A team of researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture has found a mechanism in which bad bacteria within mice intestines exacerbates asthma, fueling hope it can lead to a treatment for asthma in humans.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT ENGLISH
Jan 3, 2014
Immersion tactics come with risks and benefits
Some parents opt to immerse their children at a young age in a multilingual environment, hoping they will become not only bilingual but also have new avenues of opportunity open up.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 30, 2013
Simple tests fill health-check gaps
Although health checkups are often mandatory for corporate or institutional employees, some segments of society, including housewives and the self-employed, may not have this option.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2013
Book showcases foreigners, Japanese affected by 3/11
The earthquake and tsunami that hit the Tohoku region on March 11, 2011, left more than 18,000 people dead or missing, including 30 non-Japanese.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 2, 2013
Serbian diplomatic officer expresses hope for better relations with Japan
Nenad Glisic, charge d'affaires at the Serbian Embassy since September, expressed hope of strengthening his nation's relations with Japan, whose ties started with diplomatic contacts more than 130 years ago.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Nov 29, 2013
Prolific Swedish ambassador indulges passion for haiku
Over the years, Swedish Ambassador Lars Vargo has published 15 books related to Japan, but for the past decade, his love affair with the country has largely been told in one literary form: haiku.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Nov 28, 2013
Ethiopia's traditional rhythms are about to dance across the nation
The Ethiopian National Cultural Troupe is in Japan from Nov. 30 to hold performances, workshops, and dance nights at eight different venues across the country. Offering a variety of dance performances from different ethnic groups of the east African country, this is a great opportunity for anyone wanting...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2013
Kids create Tohoku ornaments
Students from an international school participated Thursday in a Christmas-season fundraising event by a Tokyo hotel that is supporting children in the Tohoku region affected by the March 2011 disasters.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Oct 23, 2013
Tokyo: Do you feel safe while out and about in Japan?
Women in the capital give their views on the safety — or otherwise — of Japan's streets.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 7, 2013
Deliveries boost convenience stores' cachet
The nation's convenience stores have been in a constant state of evolution, starting by offering small snacks and drinks and basic daily goods like newspapers, magazines and toiletries.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Oct 7, 2013
Spanish envoy celebrates 400-year relationship
Spanish Ambassador Miguel Navarro is eager to turn the eyes of Japanese to the lesser known historical footnotes that connect Japan and his country as the 400th anniversary of bilateral exchanges is celebrated.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Sep 30, 2013
Beninese ambassador brings TV star power to diplomacy
Beninese Ambassador Zomahoun Rufin says — half-jokingly — his dream is “to become the next Japanese prime minister.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / LIGHTING THE OLYMPIC FLAME
Sep 24, 2013
Tokyo puts Tohoku on games map, but will it be enough?
As Tokyo wrapped up its winning bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, one speech during the final presentation resonated with members of the International Olympic Committee.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2013
Photographer 'faces future' with portraits of centenarians
The idea of getting old scares most of us. We don't want to think about getting wrinkles, becoming bedridden or succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. Still, we must come to terms with the fact that growing old is a reality for all of us lucky enough to live long lives.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 27, 2013
3-D imaging technology helps bring the past to life
Imagine standing in the middle of Angkor Thom in Cambodia, located next to Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, and seeing the ancient capital come to life in its entirety in front of you in three dimensions — the way it looked back in the 12th century.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / MIXED MATCHES
Aug 19, 2013
Mitaka pair find flexibility key in navigating values
Almost 33 years since their first encounter in 1980, Bill Achilles, who hails from Geneva, New York, and his wife, Michiko, from Tokyo say they share more or less the same values — by merging Japanese and American cultures.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Aug 5, 2013
Young Ethiopia envoy brings new ideas, energy
Ethiopian Ambassador Markos Tekle Rike, 34, says he has always felt a special connection between his country and Japan, although he did not have any personal interest in this country before he arrived here 2½ years ago.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHO'S WHO
Jul 22, 2013
Peruvian offers lifeline for Spanish-speaking expats
Sonia Romero de Hara was surprised years ago when she was woken by a phone call late at night from a Peruvian-Japanese friend living in Fussa, western Tokyo.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2013
Bangladesh envoy calls for closer economic, cultural ties
While Bangladesh remains grateful to Japan for its continued support over the last four decades as a leading development partner since its 1971 independence from Pakistan, the two countries can further strengthen ties both economically and culturally, said Masud Bin Momen, Dhaka's ambassador to Japan...

Longform

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