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LIFE

Language

Get the rubber gloves and cleaning supplies out. This is the time of year when we should clean our homes and prepare them for the upcoming rainy season.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Apr 11, 2024

Dust off your tidying vocabulary with a refreshing spring clean

By Cassandra Lord

While most Japanese households take part in a big clean at the end of the year, it doesn't hurt to tidy a little as the weather changes.

As they enter the workforce, the young employees who grew up texting one another have their own rules for communicating.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Apr 2, 2024

Fear of a full stop? Young Japanese say drop the period in your texts.

By Yuko Tamura

In addition to "maruhara," or "period harassment," younger employees want to cut down on the unnecessary emails that are a part of work culture.

A shogi board game with human pieces is played out in Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture, last year.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 29, 2024

The vocabulary of shogi can help you make moves in your conversations

By Yuko Tamura

The world of shogi, a game that is often described as a form of Japanese chess, has given us much more than just checkmates.

Sayaka Murata uses inventive language to bring the character of Keiko to life in "Convenience Store Woman."

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 22, 2024

'Convenience Store Woman' and the 'normal' in life and literature

By Eric Margolis

Author Sayaka Murata's use of marked and unmarked language provides new layers to a commentary on modern society.

The Japanese word "hanami," literally means “flower viewing.” But, a hanami gathering is more than that: It can be a picnic, a drinking party or an occasion to read poetry.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 15, 2024

We invite you to get ready for this year’s cherry blossom parties

By Cassandra Lord

Asking people to a party is made easy in Japanese with a few basic sentence structures. Taking your leave from a party is just as simple.

Demonstrators hold a banner as they take part in a march to call for gender equality and protest against gender discrimination as part of an International Women’s Day march in Tokyo in 2021.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 8, 2024

Recognizing the vocabulary surrounding International Women’s Day

By Yuko Tamura

Many of the terms describing issues women are facing in Japan have a string of complex kanji. Knowing the basics can go a long way in aiding understanding.

In many cases, the return gift that shows your appreciation should be worth half of what was originally given to you.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Mar 1, 2024

Japan's return-a-gift culture isn't just for White Day

By Yaeko Kabe

If you received a gift on Valentine's Day, White Day is your chance to return the kindness. Learn the verbs for giving with grace.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.

The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima

Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima

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