Tokyo-based photographer Lee Chapman is no stranger to change. The Manchester, England, native came to Tokyo in 1998, and through his photography, he has been shedding light on the overlooked backstreets of the city ever since. With work featured in the Guardian, The Japan Times, and The Economist, just to name a few, Lee’s portfolio…
Public Photography in Japan: Laws, Rules, and Etiquette
After more than two years of isolation, Japan is on the cusp of reopening, albeit ever so slightly, to international tourists. This means, barring any COVID-19 flareups, it’s only a matter of time before shutterbugs from around the world once again descend upon Japan, a paradise for photography lovers. However, before you dust off your…
Cynthia Usui: Taking the Road Less Traveled through Japan’s Hospitality Industry
Despite government attempts to increase labor mobility and gender equality, Japan’s labor market remains notoriously rigid. The lifetime employment system is still common and coveted. Obtaining the lauded status of seishain (permanent/regular employee) at an established organization means following a well-trodden path with little room for detours. Deviate from the status quo, for whatever reason,…
Guy Perryman: Positivity, Persistence, and the Power of Music
For those of us living in Japan, Guy Perryman, the omnipresent radio DJ, voice actor, event producer, and writer needs little introduction. Since 1990, Guy has been sending good vibes over Japan’s airwaves via interfm radio programs and commercial narration work for major brands such as NHK, Uniqlo, Sony, and Honda. Even if you live…
Japan on the International Stage: A Brief Explainer
From economic sanctions to meetings with NATO, Japan’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been making headlines. This has spawned international curiosity about Japan’s role as a global power, especially when it comes to geopolitical conflict. In this brief Q&A, I’ll answer three common questions about Japan’s relationship with global powers and organizations….
Dating in Japan: Tips for Finding Love in the Land of the Rising Sun
An endless parade of books, advice columns, blogs, and apps are constant reminders that the search for a significant other is rarely easy. Looking for love in a foreign country adds an extra layer of complexity comprised of language barriers, unfamiliar customs, and countless cultural differences. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the isolation that came with…
A Quick Guide to Public Holidays in Japan (2022 Edition)
Despite the country’s reputation for long hours at the office, Japan has 16 annual public holidays—more than any other G8 nation. Whether you’re a new resident or an aspiring tourist, it’s important to know at least a little about Japan’s public holidays, as they can have a significant impact on your experience. For some holidays,…
Manabu Goto: Improve Your Japanese with Japan’s Senior Citizens
“All we have is the knowledge passed on to us by our elders, experiences we inculcate and hardly negate. But to bridge the generation gap, one needs to adapt to the new while retaining the goodness of the old.” This quote from Indian actress Sonali Bendre best represents my conversation with Manabu Goto, founder, and…
Is Willpower Now the Most Important Trait for Achieving Japanese Literacy?
When I moved to Tokyo in 2009, learning Japanese was an entirely different experience than what we know today. Electronic dictionaries were more common than smartphone apps. Digital flashcards had yet to go mainstream, so tangible ones, homemade or prepackaged, were the primary way to learn kanji characters. Before the prevalence of handwriting recognition and…
Life After Japan: The Lasting Impact of Living and Working Abroad
For those with more adventurous personalities, taking advantage of the opportunity to live abroad is an obvious choice. For many of us, however, the idea of living in a new country, with all the language and cultural differences that come with it, is a difficult decision, even for an incredibly appealing country such as Japan….