Lifestyle
The economics of dating in Japan: Who pays the bill?
The guy goes first. He gets a nice Moleskine notebook and a fancy ballpoint pen. He thanks her. The girl goes next. She opens a small box to find a Swarovski earring and necklace set. She thanks him. They finish lunch, they get the bill at the table, and… he… Read
What it’s like to join a Japanese festival and carry a mikoshi around Tokyo for a day
Japanese festivals occur throughout the year around the country, bringing people and communities together to pray for bountiful harvests, celebrate special holidays, and honor local deities. At the center of many festivals is the mikoshi, a portable shrine that gets paraded around the area on carts or on the shoulders… Read
Staff magnets: Developers, innovators offer new office options
Defying predictions, Japan’s economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.1 percent in the January–March quarter, up from an expansion of 1.6 percent in the previous quarter. The rise underlines both the strength and potential of the nation’s economy, and makes it clearer to many foreign companies—large and small—that a physical presence in Japan is… Read
Tired of looking for The One? Try Japan’s new DNA matchmaking service and maybe you’ll find them
Dating is hard, and in Japan, some young people hate it so much that they are giving up on it entirely. Yet, still, marriage is often the optimum goal for many young people. So what’s a person to do when they don’t want to date, but still want to get married? Why, try… Read
How much do you need to earn every month for a 'normal' life in Kyoto? Here’s a sample budget
Spend much time on the Internet, and you’ll meet plenty of overseas Japan fans who’re dreaming of moving to the country. It’s an understandable ambition, since Japan is, in many ways, a pretty awesome place to live. Of course, you can’t live off awesomeness alone. You’ll still need enough money… Read
A child and pet friendly home: THE PRUDENTIAL TOWER RESIDENCES
THE PRUDENTIAL TOWER RESIDENCES are located on the upper floors of an urban complex, which is also home to retail facilities and offices. A resident family from this modern apartment building shares their experience of the comfort and peace of mind that come with living here. “Our apartment is located… Read
Schools reckon with social stress: 'I'm on my phone so much'
High school biology teacher Kelly Chavis knew smartphones were a distraction in her class. But not even her students realized the psychological toll of their devices until an in-class experiment that, of course, was then spreading on social media. For one class period, students used a whiteboard to tally, in… Read
Tokyo’s new rental umbrella service is perfect for sudden showers, staying dry on the cheap
Ah, June in Japan. The season of warm weather, early sunrises, and sudden guerrilla storms that come out of nowhere, soak you right down to the underpants, and then leave you steaming in your soggy drawers for the rest of the inexplicably bright day. Naturally, in ultra-prepared Japan, it’s easy to… Read
Nappies? No thanks, say most men with few still taking full paternity leave
Fewer than half of fathers take all the paternity leave on offer while most men still see changing nappies as a woman's job, according to a report that highlights how the wage gap between men and women starts at home. About 90 out of 187 countries now offer statutory paid… Read
Online survey reveals what young Japanese people think about their country
The unique blend of traditional culture and contemporary makes Japan one of the most fascinating countries in the world, and so it is no small wonder that many older Japanese people are proud to be its citizens. But what about the younger generation? How does Japan stack up against the world in… Read
