“We who have witnessed the obscenity of war and experienced its horror and terrible consequences have an obligation to rise above our pain and suffering and turn the tragedy of our lives into a triumph.”–Ron Kovic The 1945 firebombing of Tokyo by U.S. warplanes is the single most destructive bombing raid in human history. In…
Want to Work in a Japanese NGO? Read This.
Are you interested in getting a job or an internship at a Japanese NGO? While there are a lot of similarities with NGO work in other countries, there are also aspects that are very Japanese. I worked for one year at a human rights NGO in Tokyo and am here to share my experience with…
Ben Shearon: Investing and Saving for Retirement as a Foreign Resident in Japan
Investing and saving for retirement is an intimidating prospect, even in your home country. Add in the layers of complexity that come with retiring as a foreign resident abroad, and you may be tempted to give up on the endeavor entirely. That would be a grave mistake, as Ben Shearon, founder of RetireJapan, explains in…
How to Deal With Workplace Harassment in Japan
Are you or a friend subject to workplace harassment in Japan? Although I have never experienced this, I found myself at a loss when it happened to a friend. Recently, I have seen many people seeking help in various support groups and on social media. So, I have decided to write this summary regarding power…
The Silent Disappearance – About the Phenomenon of Hikikomori
They sit in their tiny rooms, in front of their computers, and lie on their beds during the day. They only go outside at night, and only if they can’t avoid it. Out into life? No, not at all. For these young people, life takes place in a few square meters. It is a life…
Richard Katz: Inflation, Startups, and Japan’s Economic Future
The longer you live abroad, the more vested you become in the economic stability and success of the country you now call home. Having lived in Japan since 2009, my livelihood is firmly rooted here, and I can’t help but be intrigued by Japan’s unique economic situation. After briefly exploring how the current wave of…
What is the Status of Abortion in Japan? An Overview of Women’s Reproductive Rights
The US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in June has turned the spotlight on reproductive and women’s rights worldwide. Under Roe v. Wade, access to abortion was a constitutional right in the US, even if only in theory. Since the draft of the decision was leaked in May, protests across the US erupted…
Japan’s 2022 Inflation Situation: A Brief Explainer
This past January, after spending a month outside of Japan, I was eager to get back into my usual routine, and that included dining at my favorite Tokyo restaurants. Be it a quick and affordable B-kyu gurume meal between meetings or a more expensive lunch with friends or colleagues, one thing soon became apparent: meal…
Changing Perceptions of Marriage in Japan
On June 14, 2022, Japan’s Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office published a new report under the theme “Marriage and Family in the Age of 100 Years of Life: How to Face the Changing Shapes and Challenges of the Family.” The results, based on a governmental survey with responses from 20,000 people, have gathered the attention…
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,…