Tag - english

 
 

ENGLISH

LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 7, 2015
Joining the dots in a narrative with 'suru to' and 'so shitara'
Introduce the proper use of two conjunctions, u3059u308bu3068 and u305du3046u3057u305fu3089.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 30, 2015
From 'samurai' to 'Hello Kitty,' search data show how the world's view of Japan has changed
Analytics data suggest Japan is better known abroad as the land of Hello Kitty than as a country full of swaggering samurai and mincing geisha.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Nov 30, 2015
North Korea to offer flights over capital
North Korea will offer helicopter sightseeing tours of its capital, Pyongyang, tourist agencies have confirmed.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 30, 2015
Let's discuss prenatal screening for disabilities
An Ibaraki education board member has sparked online outrage after suggesting the prefecture back more prenatal screening to reduce the 'burden' on parents of having a disabled child.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 23, 2015
Variations on '-te ii': asking and granting permission in Japanese
Introducing the proper way to ask and give permission, with varying levels of politeness.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 23, 2015
Let's discuss the new Mitsubishi Regional Jet
Mitsubishi's new jet takes off on its debut flight from Nagoya, half a century after the country last introduced a new passenger plane.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Nov 22, 2015
Improv pioneers Pirates of Tokyo Bay plan big bilingual birthday bash
The Pirates of Tokyo Bay, who claim to be the capital's only bilingual comedy group, have been bridging cultures through humor since 2010.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 19, 2015
AI robot touted as future English-learning tool for Japanese kids
Japan has long been criticized for its low level of English, but children could soon become more proficient in the language just by chit-chatting with an artificially intelligent robot.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 16, 2015
Same-sex marriages? Japan's been there, done that, kind of
Japan may come off to the outsider as a repressive society, but on homosexuality, the country has consistently been fairly liberal and permissive.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 16, 2015
Refrain from using 'enryo' and you might come across as a bit of a boor
Introducing the proper use of u9060u616e(u3048u3093u308au3087), which means to refrain from doing something.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 16, 2015
Let's discuss Hotel Okura's auction
Fans of Tokyo's soon-to-be-demolished Hotel Okura are getting a chance to purchase memorabilia from the 1960s-era modernist masterpiece.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2015
Nationwide curriculum to end free-for-all in English teacher training
Fed up with the low English proficiency of the many educators who teach the language, the education ministry decides to standardize the curriculum for training courses in universities.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 9, 2015
Real, imagined and forgotten fears stalk Japanese phrases
A look at how fears and anxieties are expressed in daily conversation in Japanese.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Nov 9, 2015
Physical fitness of elderly is improving
The physical fitness of elderly people in Japan is continuing to improve both for men and women, a survey shows.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 9, 2015
Let's discuss Halloween in Japan
Retailers are hoping to further capitalize on an event that by one estimate will generate ¥122 billion in Japan.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 2, 2015
The time has come to sneak up on 'sorosoro'
Introducing the proper use of u305du308du305du308d, an adverb that can be used to show both time and movement.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Nov 2, 2015
EU agency declares bugs fine for feasting on
Houseflies, crickets and silkworms can be safe, nutritious and serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to chicken, beef or pork, researchers say.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 2, 2015
Let's discuss the tilting Yokohama condo scandal
An employee at the center of a data falsification scandal involving a tilting condo in Yokohama oversaw piling work at 41 projects in nine prefectures.
JAPAN
Oct 28, 2015
Koto Ward office building eyed for children's 'English village' learning center
The idyllic-sounding "English village" planned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a learning tool to help local children overcome their apprehension about speaking English may be erected in an office building in Koto Ward near the waterfront in 2018.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 26, 2015
Thinking about the difference between 'omou' and 'kangaeru'
Introduce the two verbs u304au3082u3046 and u304bu3093u304cu3048u308b, which mean 'to think.'

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan