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Kaori Shoji
Kaori Shoji writes about movies and movie-makers for the Film Page, plus takes a turn at the Bilingual Column. Biggest mistake of her career: taking the very dignified Nagisa Oshima to McDonald's for an iced coffee.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Sep 19, 2020
Overcoming the terror of online meetings amid COVID-19
Not only are such meetings becoming more frequent, they're starting to get longer u2026
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Sep 15, 2020
Let's discuss (and remember) Toshimaen
A Japan Times piece looks at the fond farewells Tokyoites are saying as the amusement park Toshimaen shuts its doors.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Sep 12, 2020
Can micro-tourism save Japan's ailing travel industry?
Excursions to local destinations that are no more than an hour's drive from home lessen the anxiety of taking a short break.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Sep 5, 2020
Toshimaen fans bid final farewells to a 94-year-old Tokyo institution
'We loved Toshimaen because it was uniquely Japanese,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “Now it's going to be just another imported theme park.'
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Aug 29, 2020
Small luxuries offer some consolation amid COVID-19 pandemic
With more time on their hands, consumers are shopping online to make their home lives more comfortable.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 25, 2020
What bugs me most about the summer
It's summertime and that means the sounds of cicadas and the bites of mosquitoes.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Aug 15, 2020
COVID-19 ruins plans to spend time at the beach (among other things)
Going to the beach in Japan has never been so complicated.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Aug 8, 2020
Telework gives Japan's dads time to help kids with homework over summer break
In recent weeks, you may have noticed fathers standing with their children in your neighborhood inspecting the trees that sit beside the road with various nets in tow.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Aug 1, 2020
Struggling to cope with a protracted rainy season that took forever to end
Summer has been a damp squib so far this year for many parts of the country, with annual events canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on top of a protracted rainy season that seemingly took an eternity to end.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jul 25, 2020
Illustrator Tokyo Genso presents images of a deserted capital that have never looked more timely
The global pandemic has inspired some artists around the world to work on projects reflecting the anxiety and isolation of life under lockdown in recent months. Others, however, have found inspiration in the tranquility that descended on the country’s cities when businesses closed and people generally...
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jul 21, 2020
Japanese brewed with some tea-tinged idioms
Tea is such an important part of Japanese culture that it spills into the language on a regular basis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jun 27, 2020
Pandemic spurs some in Japan to reassess employment options
As the pandemic's toll continues to grow, employees are taking to social media to vent about company management and voice their desires to move on.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jun 23, 2020
Let's discuss the struggle of mealtime
An article by Kaori Shoji looks at how women are still taking on more of the burden when it comes to preparing meals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jun 13, 2020
Japan's parents are struggling with the never-ending cycle of preparing three meals a day
'It's the thought of having to deal with the next meal as soon as this one is over, in whatever shape or form that meal may take.”
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 9, 2020
Three 'powers' are helping the Japanese in the new normal
Tap into your communication skills and feminine side to succeed in a world coping with coronavirus.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 12, 2020
Nestling in the nest and other pandemic pastimes
People in Japan are 'nesting' during the global pandemic, which means some extra time for a few new hobbies. Is anyone up for some at-home yoga?
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
May 1, 2020
Japanese taiga drama 'Idaten' goes global with tale of Olympic struggle
For the first time ever, Japan's national broadcaster, NHK, will show a condensed version of its famous year-long period drama in English.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Apr 25, 2020
Seeking solace from COVID-19 in Showa Era nostalgia
As many across the country continue to spend an unprecedented amount of time at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, parallels are being drawn with another period in history that offered a similar social landscape.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 6, 2020
Cancellations, postponements, suspensions — words that define the times
March was a month of cancelled classes, postponed planes and sudden suspensions. Let's take a deeper look at the ways we express delays.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 3, 2020
Actress Aoi Mizuhara explores Asian family values in 'The Farewell,' her Hollywood debut
Japanese actress Aoi Mizuhara explores Asian family values in her debut Hollywood film, 'The Farewell,' which is set for release in Japan in April.

Longform

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