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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 / How-tos / LIFELINES
Aug 21, 2016
Teens' reproductive health rights are at doctors' whim
Japan has no laws regarding age limits or parental consent when it comes to advice on reproductive health care advice and obtaining contraception.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Aug 14, 2016
Some schools in Japan need educating about the dangers of heat stroke
A 'Concerned Mum' writes in regarding the risks of heat stroke at Japanese schools.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Aug 3, 2016
Foreign wives provide insight into temple lives
Japan's temples are an integral part of the country's traditional culture. For the majority of us, visits are usually limited to specific events such as New Year's Eve, or perhaps as part of a sightseeing agenda if the temple is a famous one. The lives of some Japanese, however, still revolve around...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 31, 2016
Difficult questions for Japan's animal-loving city dwellers
This week's column deals with two queries that highlight cultural differences in attitudes to animal welfare.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 10, 2016
Ailing parents outside of Japan can end up dividing families
Care for a sick or elderly parent is an issue that many adult sons and daughters will have to confront sooner or later. What about when mom and dad live overseas?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 3, 2016
Tired of government inaction, activist works to make Japan rape crisis center a reality
Victim once known only as 'Jane' is now raising funds for a long-sought rape crisis center in Tokyo equipped with a 24-hour hotline.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jun 29, 2016
How to address the foreign elephant in the room — in Japanese?
For some long-term residents, how they are referred to in Japanese is a bone of contention.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jun 5, 2016
Landmark dyslexia event in Yokohama aims to educate and inspire
The Asia Pacific Dyslexia Festival & Symposium in Yokohama will be the first major event focusing on dyslexia ever held in Japan.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
May 1, 2016
Fathers seek advice about visas for divorced dads and scholarships for dual-national kids
This week's column deals with two inquiries from American fathers of bicultural children.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Apr 3, 2016
Seeking Japanese courses for mature students; reconnecting with a lost mother
A British reader is keen to come to Japan and learn the language, and a woman in the U.S. hopes to get in contact with her Japanese birth mother.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Mar 13, 2016
Saga of lost Rikuzentakata tsunami boat forges pan-Pacific friendship
A new children's book recounts events following the 3/11 disasters that have led to a forging of bonds and cross-cultural exchange between young people in Tohoku and the U.S. West Coast.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 5, 2016
Explaining the unexplainable to children with 'The Extraordinary Voyage of Kamome'
This month marks the fifth anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. A number of books aimed at children and young adults have appeared in the ensuing years based on those tumultuous events. In "The Extraordinary Voyage of Kamome," a bilingual picture book suitable for children...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Feb 17, 2016
Developing confidence in English through Skype and scarecrows
Innovative classes in Shikoku hone students' cultural sensitivity as well as their communication skills.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 31, 2016
Bank remittance case suggests My Number may be tough to opt out of
A reader asks about the relationship between the My Number registration system and sending money abroad.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jan 27, 2016
Simulated patients pitch Japan's medical students cultural curve balls
An innovative program matches foreign volunteer 'patients' with Japanese medical students for role-play.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Jan 17, 2016
Bringing art — and Super 8 — to students in the sticks
An American teacher seeks to bring out students' creativity and help keep Super 8 medium alive through project at university in Tochigi.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jan 13, 2016
Mothers want a word with the LDP's old guard over paternity leave slap-down
After LDP bigwigs took a young politician to task over his intention to take paternity leave, mothers vent their anger.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 3, 2016
Readers hoping for a reunion in the new year
Does anyone have any information that might help these readers reconnect?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 20, 2015
More on pensions: what to expect and when you can get it
Following up on the Lifelines special on the Japan pension system, here are some more questions from readers.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 2, 2015
Life after work in Japan: tackling readers' pension questions
Among the questions that Japan Times readers send to the Lifelines column, a perennial topic is navigating the Japanese pension system. Here are some answers.

Longform

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