Before moving to Japan, I visited the country on two separate occasions. During those trips, few things were more enjoyable than marveling at Japanese television after a long day of non-stop sightseeing. Like many things in Japan, the shows and commercials were strikingly different from what I was used to. Each night, my hotel-room televisions…
How Strange “Japanese English” Is Confusing Me
Aside from writing articles on Kokoro Media, I am also involved in consulting jobs, which has led me to discover the world of business in Japanese. Over the years, I have been learning business words in Japanese, some of which are related specially to my field, and some seem to be reflecting the local trends….
Don’t Overlook These 3 Things When Choosing a Tokyo Neighborhood
When it comes to home hunting in Tokyo, certain considerations, such as price and access to public transportation, are obvious. However, in dealing with the usual and unexpected challenges of finding a place to live in Tokyo, it’s easy to overlook a few basic things that can have a major impact on your health and…
Living and Working with Nendo, the Japanese Fiscal Year
When does a new year in Japan really start? The obvious answer would be January 1, just like many cultures throughout the world. However, there’s another “New Year’s Day” in Japan, and that’s April 1. When spring is in full swing, cherry blossoms bloom and life begins anew. Introducing the Japanese Fiscal Year: Nendo (年度)…
Meiwaku: The Threat to Japanese Harmony
Last month, a Japanese website raised criticism: its principle was that users could submit meiwaku noise information about their neighborhood. Most of the time, users complained about the sounds of children playing, and the word “meiwaku” was heavily used in the comments. “Meiwaku” can be translated in several ways: trouble, annoyance, annoying. In Japanese, spam…
No N2? No Problem: 3 Tech Tools for Working in Japanese
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to achieve a certain test score or receive permission to start using Japanese on the job. Of course, if you’re serious about a long-term, Japan-related career, it’s important to study hard and learn as much Japanese as you can. The more you know, the better your chances for…
Asking Japanese People – Online Services
The pandemic has changed many of our habits, especially how we buy things and our media consumption. Like many people, I have started buying online more, and I am also watching Netflix more than I used to. This got me wondering about the preferences of the Japanese people around me, and I have decided to…
My Japanese Learning Goals for 2021
I often write about the latest technology, applications, and software for learning Japanese. However, as many in my network are quick to point out, we shouldn’t let rote digital flashcard use overshadow practical learning methods. Eventually, we have to take your Japanese out into the real world by reading books, giving presentations, writing emails, and…
Basic Tips to Read Books in Japanese
As I mentioned earlier this year, one of my objectives for 2021 is to read in Japanese more and expand my vocabulary. Since last December, I have finished reading two fictional books and one poetry book, and I am halfway reading a collection of suspense short stories. In the process, I reflected on a few…
The Top 3 Travel Destinations I’d like to Revisit in a Post-COVID-19 Japan
I was never much of a traveler until I started visiting Japan. Traveling in Japan magically combines adventure, safety, and convenience, with natural beauty and exciting experiences dotted throughout the country. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, COVID-19 has halted carefree travel throughout the country. For now, I’ll have to settle for reminiscing about…