Matthew Hernon - The Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?

Nov 25, 2017

Nobuhiro Seki: Espousing the spirit of craftsmanship abroad

'The Japanese manufacturers need new business opportunities from overseas, but are reluctant because they can't negotiate in English or any other language,' says Seki.

CULTURE / Film

Nov 15, 2017

Known for seeking thrills on TV, Daisuke Miyagawa goes for laughs in 'The Stand-In Thief'

Need someone to chase pigs in Thailand? Daisuke Miyagawa's your man. How about punching watermelons in Australia? Miyagawa's your man.

LIFE / Style & Design

Sep 26, 2017

'Genderless' model Satsuki Nakayama cashes in on androgyny trend

With the encouragement of her mother, Satsuki Nakayama began modeling when she was just 12 years old. Her first break came with a shoot for Pichi Lemon, a style magazine for girls. She loved wearing dresses, she loved her long hair — but that changed when she caught a glimpse of a Korean model named...

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Aug 21, 2017

Podcasts for learning Japanese on the go

We spoke to the founders of two successful, but hugely contrasting podcast shows for Japanese learners.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Jul 3, 2017

Tips for nailing that Japanese interview

You've found the right job, sent off your u5c65u6b74u66f8 (rirekisho, resume) and now it's time for the u9762u63a5 (mensetsu, interview).

CULTURE / Film

Jun 6, 2017

High infidelity: Ayumi Ito reprises her role in 'Hirugao'

A Japanese drama that instigated a nationwide debate about female infidelity and societal values, "Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon" has been made into a heart-wrenching movie that aims to have audiences reaching for the tissues.

JAPAN / Crime & Legal

Mar 18, 2017

False sense of security? Experts weigh the threat that terrorism poses Japan

Widely regarded as a safe place to live, Japan currently sits in ninth position on the Global Peace Index's list of the most peaceful nations on the planet. The East Asian nation is generally believed to be an orderly society that has incredibly low homicide and assault rates, and it certainly doesn't...

CULTURE / Film

Mar 5, 2017

Actress Haruka Abe balances others' expectations and her own dreams

It can be tough to catch a break in the world of acting, but Haruka Abe got a boost when cellist Grace Chatto of British dance-pop act Clean Bandit sent her a message over Facebook.

CULTURE / Stage

Feb 19, 2017

Eddie Izzard proves an irresistible force on tour

To many fans of comedy, the first thing that comes to mind when you mention Eddie Izzard is his cross-dressing. However, if you dig deeper you will find one of Britain's most intelligent comedians.

CULTURE / Stage

Jan 8, 2017

Mugi Kadowaki's manga musical tackles love in the time of AI

As an actress, Mugi Kadowaki has been asked to step outside of her comfort zone more than once. Maybe that is how she has found herself currently starring in her first-ever musical.

COMMUNITY

Dec 17, 2016

Charity in Japan begins at home

Domestic nonprofit organizations face a number of obstacles in their attempts to make a difference in people's lives.

CULTURE / Film

Dec 8, 2016

Ishizaki switches guitars for scripts in his on-screen debut

Making his on-screen debut in Daigo Matsui's multistranded, disorderly and, at times, moving film "Japanese Girls Never Die" ("Azumi Harako wa Yukie Fumei"), singer Huwie Ishizaki admits that he was nervous prior to stepping in front of the cameras. The 32-year-old solo artist is used to putting on intense...

CULTURE / Film

Oct 3, 2016

Takumi Saitoh: Growing up with film

As a former model and in-demand actor, it's no surprise that Takumi Saitoh has a sizeable fan base. A Google image search of the Tokyo native produces a large number of photos in which his smoldering gaze locks eyes with the viewer.

CULTURE / Film

Sep 8, 2016

Actress Nanami weighs the pros and cons of going it alone

It has been estimated that around 1 in 10 actors are working at any given moment. For the other nine, that can make for a constant hustle — a Woody Allen character once described the film industry as being "worse than dog-eat-dog, it's dog-doesn't-return-other-dogs-phone-calls."

CULTURE / Music

Jun 19, 2016

Yuya Uchida on music, media and Madonna

Strolling in late for our meeting, his shoulder-length white hair lightly flowing, trademark cane in hand and sunglasses on, Yuya Uchida may now be in his mid-70s, but he still carries himself with the air of a rock star.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Jun 6, 2016

Trilingual actress Yuho Yamashita proves that sheer drive can bring fluency

Yuho Yamashita, who has acted in Japanese, English and German during her career, talks about her approach to learning languages.

CULTURE / Film

May 19, 2016

Japan's 'gatekeeper to Hollywood' Yoko Narahashi brings a playwright's final tale to the big screen with 'Hold My Hand'

Yoko Narahashi might just be the most powerful Japanese woman in Hollywood thanks to her work in casting blockbusters such as "The Last Samurai" and "The Wolverine." Her new film as a director, however, shuns special effects and battles, and focuses on a more intimate story.

CULTURE / Music

Mar 6, 2016

Silent Siren delivers a dose of idol-pop pep on 'S'

With a proliferation of idol-pop groups in the music scene these days, getting a start in the industry isn't always easy — even for a band made up of former models.

CULTURE / Stage

Mar 3, 2016

Ryohei Suzuki beefs up for a kingly role in Mishima-penned play 'The Terrace of the Leper King'

Ryohei Suzuki's body has been put to the test over the past 12 months.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives

Feb 5, 2016

Chiaki Hara reaches out to cancer survivors

Things were looking good for Chiaki Hara at the start of 2005. She was an accomplished actress, having starred in the 1997 tragic romance "Shitsurakuen" ("Lost Paradise") and 2002' drama "Aiki," and her profile as a social commentator was also on the rise. Then, at the age of 30, she was diagnosed with...

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