Lifestyle
Politician wants workers across country to have option for 3-day weekends every week
Overall, I think we’re all in agreement that the coronavirus pandemic has been a net negative. If you squint, though, you might be able to spot a silver lining around the gigantic corona-cloud, and part of that is Japan finally rethinking some of its work culture norms. We’ve already seen many… Read
Tokyo’s latest plan to boost birth rate: Pay people 100,000 yen per baby they give birth to
Japan’s birth rate has been in decline for a long time, and the coronavirus didn’t make the situation any better in 2020. It’s hard to decide to take your relationship to the “let’s get married and start a family together” level during a pandemic, and while couples cohabiting ostensibly had more time… Read
Shinjuku arcade breaks Guinness World Record for having the most crane games
Crane games – Japan loves them, needs them, and sometimes breaks them. And on January 7, 2021, the Sega Shinjuku Kabukicho arcade in donwtown Tokyo officially received a certificate saying they broke the Guinness World Record for having the most crane games, also lovingly referred to as UFO catchers in Japan, in a… Read
What will 2021 mean for Valentine’s Day in Japan? Survey asks teens their chocolate plans
Christmas and New Year’s are in the bag, which means Japan is getting ready for the next big holiday – Valentine’s Day. Shops have already ditched their festive decor as piles of sweet treats are taking the forefront. Whether it’s homemade chocolate or just something you bought at the store to make your… Read
Japanese workspace service proposes 'new workstyle' linking telework & all-you-can-drink wine
Japanese telework space sharing app Telespe テレスぺ, operated by Telework Technologies Co Ltd, has teamed up with the Shinjuku branch of Wine Bar ESOLA to offer a unique and potentially attractive opportunity to those who are looking for a place other than home to conduct telework during these pandemic times.… Read
Generation COVID: How the young are working round pandemic-hit job market
Adesola Akerele had just landed an internship at a television production company in London when the coronavirus hit and her dream job was gone. But as the pandemic halted studies and wiped out employment opportunities for millions of young people around the world, the 23-year-old graduate found a silver lining… Read
Parents of bullied teenage girl who committed suicide commission portrait to 'attend' Coming-of-Age Day ceremony
Last weekend, Coming-of-Age Day ceremonies, or Seijinshiki, were held across Japan. Well, not everywhere, as many have been canceled, postponed, or turned virtual because of Tokyo’s state of emergency. Still, in Arao City in the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, the ceremonies were held as scheduled, but an unusual occurrence is causing a stir. One… Read
AI chatbot introduced to tackle alarming rise in coronavirus-related suicides
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has urged people who are struggling with depression to “have the courage to consult someone” in response to an alarming spike in the number of suicides in the capital. Two hundred and fifty-six people committed suicide in October 2020, a rise of 50% over the figure… Read
6 types of English conversation students and how to handle them
In Japan, eikaiwa, or English conversation schools, are different from regular schools. Teaching here is not the same as being an ALT (assistant language teacher) at a public school or a university. The students are often taught individually, and they can review your lessons or even request to have (or not have) you as… Read
Tango therapy brings joy to seniors and unites generations
NPO Tango Therapy Association started out with a clear mission: encouraging intergenerational exchanges and sharing the benefits of Tango Therapy with the elderly in Japan. While many may have heard of the Argentine tango dance, not as many are aware of its use for rehabilitation purposes. What is tango therapy… Read
