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July 16, 2024
 

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Amy Chavez

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Amy Chavez
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 21, 2010
Pen mightier than samurai sword
You've probably heard that Japanese people are shy to speak English because they are afraid of making mistakes. Every night before I go to bed, I pray that this English language phobia will spill over into English writing. As one visitor to Japan said to me, "You could spend your life correcting all...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 14, 2010
Vinyl forever — it really sticks (to your legs)
"Dozo, please take a seat," said the guy at the city hall. "Thank you," I said, not making a move. He rounded up some papers and came back to the table, "Dozo, please take a seat." But I just stood there, while he sat down.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 7, 2010
Why not ride the sushi train to work?
It is not the fault of the Seto Inland Sea islands themselves that they are suffering from declining populations. It's the glossy brochures put out by local governments that are to blame.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 31, 2010
Ogijima, man-tree island of art
One of the greatest opportunities to visit the Seto Inland Sea is from now through Oct. 31. During this time, the Setouchi International Art Festival beckons you to discover up to six islands in Kagawa Prefecture and one in Okayama Prefecture.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 24, 2010
The art of sweating in Japan
Visit Japan — come join the sweating masses!
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 17, 2010
At post offices in Japan, it's case by case
"Hello, this is the city post office on the mainland," came the voice on the other end of the phone. "Um, about that international package you sent from the island today . . ."
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 10, 2010
Why I like Japanese soccer fans
The rainy season is my favorite time of the year. I just love to walk out the door and see the flowers in my garden wearing those big huge grins. But that's not the only reason I like the rainy season — it's a great excuse to stay inside and watch sports. The fact that the World Cup always falls...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 3, 2010
Meet the party gods on our small island
I've always gotten along well with my neighbors on the island. This is especially important because my neighbors are all gods: the Mountain God, Kompira-san, Juichimen Kannon, Senju Kannon and Myoken-sama. I have to put up with a few loud parties every now and then, but overall, we get along extremely...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 26, 2010
Big birds have big fun
With the evening breeze, the water laps against the heron's legs
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 19, 2010
An unconventional BBQ — grill them all
The cool spring has definitely cut into the barbecue season here on the island. I'm not resentful, just peeved. Mother Nature obviously doesn't eat meat.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 12, 2010
Returning favors is indeed a thorny issue
I look out my door in both directions before I leave the house. Once I am out of the house, I go straight to where I am headed and come straight back. No stopping to talk to neighbors. I don't even answer the door anymore. I'm hiding — from gifts.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 5, 2010
Haishima — abandoned islands
It's springtime on the island and the fishermen have their boats up on stays above the water. During high tide, they can drive their boats onto the stay and tie it down. As the tide goes out, the boat is left on the stay, exposing the bottom of the boat for cleaning. As they scrape off the fuzzy green...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 29, 2010
Exploring the Inland Sea for the tree of knowledge
During the nice spring weather, I like to explore the Seto Inland Sea by boat. I have been wanting to visit a certain island in the Shiwaku Island chain in Kagawa Prefecture for some time now.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 22, 2010
The Island of Heavenly Fields
I live next to a heavenly field. So do lots of other people on my island.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 15, 2010
Are we Kobo Daishi freaks?
"You're wearing a Kobo Daishi T-shirt," the Buddhist priest observed.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 8, 2010
The era of the 'small woman' is gone forever
Japanese people are definitely getting taller, along with the people of other countries around the world.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 1, 2010
Cat's guide to attaining enlightenment
After so many years in Japan, I have come to realize that it is not so hard to achieve enlightenment. As long as you're a cat.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 24, 2010
How you reclaim land here: Just say, it's mine!
If you think Japan is small, imagine how small it used to be. You may not be aware of this, but Japan is a lot bigger than it used to be, thanks to a phenomenon called landmass growth.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 17, 2010
You know you live in the countryside when . . .
Okayama Prefecture is considered Japan's inaka (countryside). When I first came to teach at a university here, my students, who were all from the local small towns, would introduce themselves as being from inaka, and then laugh as if this was the funniest thing in the world. To me, the word "countryside"...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 10, 2010
Navigating the Seto Inland Sea ferry services
Someone wrote to me and, rather emphatically, told me to give them the ferry schedule for Matsuyama (population 420,000), Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku to Shiraishi Island (population 659) where I am. I was sorry to have to tell him that swimming would be faster.
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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