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 Louise George Kittaka

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Louise George Kittaka
Originally from New Zealand, Louise George Kittaka is a bilingual writer based in Tokyo. She contributes to a wide range of news and information media, as well as Japan’s educational publishing sector. When she isn’t at her computer, Louise loves exploring waterfalls, going to cake buffets and collecting anything related to the Aliens movie franchise.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Mar 5, 2013
Juku: an unnecessary evil or vital steppingstone to success?
For the past year, Tokyo sixth-grader Manami has had dinner at home an average of four times a week. The rest of the time she has had to make do with a juku-ben, a boxed dinner prepared by her mother and consumed between classes at juku, or cram school.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Mar 2, 2013
Teacher cultivates more bilingual education opportunities for children
As international marriages rose in Japan in recent years, the number of bicultural families increased, and many children of such families are being raised to speak the languages of both parents. American Mary Nobuoka, director of the Bilingual Special Interest Group (B-SIG) and parent of a bicultural son, devotes much of her time and energy to helping other families in their journey of language and discovery.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 11, 2012
Childbirth in Japan: Plan, prioritize for a smooth delivery
Emotions during pregnancy and childbirth run the gamut, from excitement and trepidation to joy and even fear. Foreign women who find themselves pregnant in Japan may experience additional stress as they cope with cultural differences, language issues and being away from their own families. Add in talk...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / LIGHT GIST
Sep 25, 2012
Grab your bentō, mat and a prime spot: It's undōkai
For the next few weekends all over Japan, mothers will be up at dawn preparing elaborate bentō, while fathers toting plastic mats will set off to school to claim a prime spot (or perhaps vice versa in some households). It's undōkai season!
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Aug 25, 2012
Conductor-composer hits right note with Tokyo children's choir
Steven Morgan creates instant harmony with the wave of his hand. For 15 years, he has been conducting some of Tokyo's leading English choirs, bringing the pleasure of choral music performances to both singers and audiences alike.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jan 14, 2012
Globe-trekker devotes self to kids needing special attention
German Birgit Zorb-Serizawa has lived and worked on four continents in her career in special education, and she has spent many years providing opportunities and support for international families in Japan with special-needs children.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 29, 2011
What do you do when the kids think Colonel Sanders is Santa?
Foreign parents in Japan are faced with the task of trying to reconcile their own childhood memories of Christmas with the different take that Japan has on the holiday season.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / THE PARENT TRIP
Oct 4, 2002
More than just child's play
Until I became a mother, I had never heard of a playgroup. Three babies later, I can say that establishing a thriving playgroup has been one of my greatest achievements in recent years.
LIFE / Language / THE PARENT TRIP
Jul 5, 2002
Equal but different
My 18-month-old daughter, Marin, was involved in a tug-of-war over a toy with a little friend a few months older. The boy gave my daughter a small shove and won possession of the coveted toy, and Marin promptly burst into noisy sobs. The other mother hurried over. Handing the toy back to Marin, she scolded...
COMMUNITY / THE PARENT TRIP
Oct 26, 2001
If it's Tuesday, it must be . . . swimming?
No doubt about it, life in Japan is busy -- and even small children have a "schedule." All of my son's first-grade friends at Japanese elementary school have at least one after-school activity, if not two or three. An informal survey revealed that piano and ballet are tops with the girls, that the boys...

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