Louise George Kittaka - The Japan Times

November 21, 2024

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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 FOREIGN ELEMENT

May 19, 2014

From Fukushima to Syria, CWAJ supports scholars

The College Women's Association of Japan awards a variety of annual scholarships in higher education, backing, among others, women from abroad studying in Japan and Japanese women getting an education overseas.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

May 7, 2014

Iwate: Do you think the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will have any positive effect on Tohoku?

Interviewees in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, are divided on the whether any of the promised 2020 Tokyo Olympic feelgood factor will touch Tohoku.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT

May 5, 2014

English morris dancing hits Japan, with all the bells and whistles

The English form of folk dancing known as morris dates back to the Middle Ages and involves costumed groups of dancers stepping in time to music. Barely seen in Japan before, this traditional art can now be experienced in the most unexpected of locations: Shikoku.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE

Apr 6, 2014

Read up on ways that can help us learn English

Public libraries are important community resources across Japan, but while English is taught from fifth grade, those hoping to find a ready stash of English-language reading material may be disappointed.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE

Mar 23, 2014

Hiroshima International School and Think Global School students mix it up in Multiculturalism 101

With the weak economy resulting in fewer families coming to Japan, international schools here are exploring new ways to attract students.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Mar 16, 2014

Tone it down, don't upstage the graduate

Spring is just around the corner, and for teachers and parents with kids who are moving on to the next stage in the Japanese education system, that means graduation season.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES

Mar 14, 2014

Dahl still drawing on the joys and absurdities of expat life

For over 20 years, Roger Dahl has been making Japan Times readers laugh — and think — with his Opinion Page political cartoons and “Zero Gravity” comic strip, which pokes gentle fun at the foreign experience in this country.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Feb 16, 2014

All's fair when it comes to NHK's fare

In a country where TV fare typically involves panels of posturing personalities oohing and aahing over each other's exploits, Japan's two national NHK channels are a welcome beacon of quality programming.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Feb 9, 2014

Getting the colors clear when filing taxes in Japan

Filing a tax return isn't easy at the best of times, but doing it in another country can be particularly challenging. Fortunately, if you work for a company and that's your sole source of income in Japan, they will take care of everything for you. However, those who are self-employed or have multiple...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Feb 2, 2014

Parents of mixed kids look abroad for high schools

College preparation for bicultural young adults may include seeking out international as well as domestic opportunities. Some youngsters, however, are heading abroad much sooner — for high school or junior high school.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jan 26, 2014

No time for free reading? You can make it up at university

I hope 2014 has started well for all our readers. Lifelines kicks off the Year of the Horse with an email from overseas reader Hannah, who has several questions about the Japanese education system:

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives

Jan 10, 2014

Educator with a mission sends out support from Hiroshima

Some people seem to have a knack for turning their hand to anything that comes along and, moreover, making a success of it. This is certainly the case with Hiroshima-based Adam Beck. Over the years, the American has been a children's theater director, an English teacher, a newspaper columnist and the...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT

Dec 30, 2013

In Fukushima, abandoned pets are multiplying

'Sterilization is the most practical and humane way to curb the growing population of feral animals, and research backs this up,' says Hiro Yamasaki of the Animal Rescue System in Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture. 'Unfortunately, our clinic is the only one providing this kind of service. The local vets and bureaucrats have not responded adequately to the situation. Something had to be done.'

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Dec 22, 2013

Beauty, shoes and music to round up 2013

Lifelines is playing catch-up this week, with some feedback from previous columns and a reader hoping for a little bit of Christmas magic to help him reconnect with his musical past in Japan.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES

Dec 20, 2013

Cook, writer, TV host, actress and more: Briton toasts eventful half-century in Japan

Civil servant, cook, columnist and TV personality are among the hats Jill Sinclair Ito has worn during her 50 years in the country.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES

Dec 6, 2013

Writer inducted into intricacies of country life shares her story

Home for Rebecca Otowa is a 350-year-old farmhouse nestled on the edge of a tiny village in Shiga Prefecture, where generations of her husband's family have lived. It is a lifestyle she has grown to cherish since arriving in rural Kansai as a bride more than 30 years ago.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Dec 1, 2013

With the JLPT now over, get ahead in studying for next year

The latest round of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) was held yesterday — congratulations to the test takers! A couple of readers wrote to us about the exam after last week's Community Page published an article by Jun Hongo titled "Is the JLPT really worth it?"

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Nov 24, 2013

Do New Year's the right way this time

With the yearend rush fast approaching, Dave has a very timely question about Japanese New Year cards:

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Nov 17, 2013

Rikuzentakata: How to get there and help

A reader from overseas, KM, contacted Lifelines after reading a recent article about Rikuzentakata. The city, located in Iwate Prefecture, gained international attention after it was nearly wiped out by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. Amya Miller, global public...

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Oct 27, 2013

MasterCard debit card holders shouldn't panic

A reader from Australia, JF, contacted Lifelines with a question about using her MasterCard debit card here. She is coming to Japan soon and was concerned about a notice she had seen on MasterCard Japan's website, indicating that certain types of cards issued overseas could not be used in ATMs here:...

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.

A boom for business tourism in Japan?

By Kathryn Wortley

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world

mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world

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