author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 16, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Amy Chavez

Meta

Twitter

@JapanLite

Amy Chavez
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 30, 2013
Investing in global group home — while telling kids to 'smile'
As part of the Liberal Democratic Party's "national resilience plan" to protect against natural and made-made disasters, I noticed one obvious natural disaster missing from the list: aging.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 23, 2013
'Senior moments' for foreigners — they could start in your 20s
"How do you know if you have Alzheimer's?" said the front of the pamphlet. The answer inside was: "If you can't remember what you ate for lunch, you don't have Alzheimer's. If you can't remember whether you ate lunch or not, that's Alzheimer's."
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 16, 2013
What being a minority allows us to see
Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before — many times. Someone called your child hafu (half) and you take offence. Or your contract is only one-year renewable, whereas your Japanese coworkers have "lifetime employment." Or maybe someone called you a gaijin as you walked by. I've heard these stories...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 9, 2013
Sounds that stem from quietude — when a tree falls down
Perhaps the best thing about living on a small island in Japan of just 583 people (258 men and 325 women) is that you can walk out your door and kiss the online world goodbye. Here, most people don't walk around glued to their cellphones, the majority don't even have smartphones, and very few take pictures...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 2, 2013
The yellow flag outside the door — life or death
One thing is as sure as death: You will receive mail long after you die. My mother, who passed away three years ago, still gets direct mail ads and catalogs in the mail even though I'm pretty sure she's not going to buy anything.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 26, 2013
Tall tales among the bamboo — where do babies come from?
"Please fill out this information sheet," said the nurse. It had been several years since I had been to this hospital for a check-up. I noticed, with glee, they had done away with the plastic slippers at the genkan, where the masses had to leave their shoes in a locker and step into slippers before proceeding...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 19, 2013
The influence of sports on meditation
"Running meditation." It's almost a cliché. Many people describe their running activity as a form of meditation. There are even articles that will teach you "how to meditate while running."
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 12, 2013
The difference between rules and manners on the beach
Here on the beach at Shiraishi Island in the Seto Inland Sea, there are few rules. You may swim year-round, even before umibiraki (the opening of the sea ceremony). You may have a bonfire on the beach at night, no problem. You may camp on the beach for free. And by all means, set off fireworks and have...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jul 5, 2013
Japan's national obsession with the color pink
If the cherry blossom is Japan's unofficial national flower, then it should be no surprise that pink is Japan's de facto favorite color. Yet I still have a hard time with this national obsession with the color pink.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 29, 2013
Exploring Japan's ancient past through pilgrimage
I've been running pilgrimages in Japan since 1997. So far, I've run the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, the Mount Hiei Kaihogyo route in Kyoto (of the Tendai-shu monks), and tens of other smaller pilgrimages in Japan. If you are a runner in Japan, you should be running pilgrimages. If you're a hiker, you...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 22, 2013
To be or not to be? — they simply can't decide
Japan is often criticized for the time it takes to make decisions. The government drags on making decisions from natural disasters to nuclear power and whether to allow gambling casinos.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 15, 2013
A feline confessional — for those who can't resist abusive pets
You often hear about animals being rescued from abusive owners, but I wonder, is there any help for pet owners who have been abused by their pets?
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 8, 2013
Encouraging, not comparing, accomplishments
Aging Japan. We hear this phrase all the time. The question is, what are they talking about — the infrastructure? The people? Four Roses whisky?
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 1, 2013
Everyone's own path to enlightenment
What is Buddhism?
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 25, 2013
English education and English sheepdogs
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to globalize Japan's workforce and says that Japan must become more competitive in the English language. This has touched off a debate among native English teachers, Japanese who teach English, Japanese speakers who don't speak English, and English sheepdogs owned by both...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 18, 2013
Taking care of an aging smartphone — until the end
I thought I had bought a smartphone, but I ended up with a dumb phone instead. It's probably my fault for not asking for documentation showing it had passed an IQ test.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 11, 2013
There are plenty more fish jokes in the sea
The Go Fish! Foundation is an international organization for the protection of fish, their parents, family and friends. Go Fish! rescues, rehabilitates and gives sanctuary to fish in need.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
May 4, 2013
Off on a spring tangent on the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage
This week 14 years ago, I finished a five-week, 1,350 km journey running the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage. One of the axioms of the pilgrimage is: "You will, and must, get lost." I envision the great master Kobo Daishi, the patron saint of the pilgrimage, with a huge map of the pilgrimage in front of...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 27, 2013
Welcome to the Japan Jalapeno Hotline
It's April, which means new recruits in companies across Japan. And as the new school year starts, new foreign English teachers all over Japan are settling into their positions in Japanese public schools, getting shocked out of their socks. The newbie English teacher social media chatter has begun! Statements...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 20, 2013
Doraemon trumps Hello Kitty for Olympic Games ambassador
Japan's most lovable anime character, el gato cosmico (the cosmic cat) has been chosen to be Japan's ambassador in Tokyo's bid for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games. It's the first time Japan has chosen an anime character for an Olympic ambassadorship. Congratulations Doraemon!
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.
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.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
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.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Omron helping firms achieve carbon neutrality
Omron helping firms achieve carbon neutrality

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER