Some foreigners get fed up with how we’re portrayed in Japan’s media. Either we’re figures of fun or we’re almost completely invisible. It’s rare to see a foreign character in a Japanese film or TV show. When we do show up, we’re normally portrayed in a fairly stereotypical way. This is an awfully narrow perspective. …
Unruly, exotic and strange. Is that the Japanese view of foreigners? Read More »
Two major sporting events, Japan Rugby 2019 and Tokyo 2020 are just around the corner, with the Osaka World Expo following in 2025. It’s the ideal time to get your brand noticed not just by Japan, but by the whole world. It is a market watched globally for its trends and technological innovations, that is …
North Korea still scares Japan but maybe less than before There’s even relief Trump and Kim stopped talking Japan has long lived in fear of an attack by North Korea. But when President Trump started direct talks with Kim Jong-Un there was mixed feelings. Japanese conservatives worried it could legitimise Kim and lead to another …
Trump and Kim have stopped talking, so things may be safer for Japan Read More »
Why are the two countries so different emotionally? People from China often seem puzzled by the emotions of the Japanese and regard them as rather strange. They wonder why the Japanese usually seem very restrained but then suddenly burst into exuberant displays of anger or joy. Chinese people have a more balanced way of their …
“Why don’t we even have the simple choice of whether or not to get married?” asks Yoko Ogawa, who has been in a partnership with a woman for 25 years. Her view is that the law must be changed so that same-sex marriages are legally accepted. A campaign is underway to make that possible. But …
Gay marriage challenges Japan’s view of love and law Read More »
The relationship between Japan and its neighbour South Korea is in a mess. Politicians from the two countries are still disputing events which date back to the first half of the last century, when Japan occupied the Korean Peninsula. Japan says it’s apologised enough for past misdeeds. South Korea disagrees. Find out what lies behind …
Japan’s Emperor called upon to apologise to South Korea Read More »
When the Chinese stage an official event they want everyone to see their smiling, friendly side. That’s not always true for the Japanese. They’re prepared to present their problems to the world, including their anger. That’s a surprise for those foreigners who think of Japan as a quiet calm country without much confrontation. In this …
Decluttering guru Marie Kondo has become the most recognisable Japanese woman in the world. A series showing how she helps Americans to tidy their homes has turned out to be a big hit on Netflix. One client told her: “You may be cute on the outside, but inside you really mean business.” In this week’s …
Japan’s labor laws are vastly different from other countries. Unlike places like the U.S. where employees are sometimes famously fired at-will and without cause, Japan’s laws are designed to protect the employees, making it very difficult for a company to fire an employee without cause and ample amounts of evidence. In order to determine your …
Tidying guru Marie Kondo has become even more famous since the start of her Netflix series. Some people see connections between religion and her healthy attitude towards material goods. What does her approach tell us about Japanese faiths like Zen and Shinto? Are they superstitions which lack much theology? Or is there something inspirational about …