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July 24, 2026
 

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Tadasu Takahashi
A map of western Japan shows the Nankai Trough and, to its north, the hypocentral region where the energy for an earthquake is thought to be building.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 30, 2024
Did you feel that? It may be time to refresh your disaster kits ¡ª and vocabulary.
Part of Japan got a scare when the first-ever megaquake alert was issued earlier this month, a reminder that knowing the right terms in a disaster is crucial.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 15, 2023
Despite a taxing year, 2023¡¯s top kanji still draws questions
In a year of major crises around the world, Japanese voters pick the kanji for ¡°zei,¡± meaning ¡°tax,¡± based on a plan yet to be implemented.
Sometimes just saying that you won't break a promise isn't enough. You may need the power of the pinky finger.
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Nov 3, 2023
Breaking a promise comes with sharp penalties in Japan
An interesting element that is present in both Japanese and English rhymes around pinky promises is the idea of needles.
Trendy buzzwords tend to be most at risk of dying out as they often reflect ideas and trends that are fleeting.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 31, 2023
A foray into the realm of Japanese ¡®dead words¡¯
Old slang and problematic terms are prime candidates when it comes to slipping out of usage and disappearing from the Japanese lexicon.
PODCAST / deep dive
May 17, 2023
Yes, crime is on the rise in Japan. No, you don¡¯t have to panic.
The year so far has been marked with several high-profile crime stories and, according to the numbers, crime is on the rise. However, the types of crime we¡¯re seeing are different from before.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Mar 30, 2023
Know the shady Japanese vocabulary that will help you avoid ¡®dark¡¯ part-time jobs
Even if the turnover for them is quick, knowing the code words people use to refer to possibly illegal activities will give you some insight into the Japanese language.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 16, 2022
If you thought 2022 was a battle, this year¡¯s top kanji pick shows you weren¡¯t alone
The kanji of the year for 2022 is used for wars and struggles, while this year¡¯s buzzwords referenced sports lingo and a Norwegian pop tune.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Sep 8, 2022
Climate talk reaches ¡®crisis¡¯ mode
Are you clued in to the ¡°GX¡± taking place in Japan? If not, it¡¯s time to review your environmentally focused vocabulary lists.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jul 22, 2022
A shocking incident provides an unexpected language lesson
When former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed this month, the Western media called it an ¡°assassination.¡± So why did the Japanese media avoid the term?
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 3, 2022
Looking to make an escape in Japanese? You¡¯ll need to know your kanji.
As the war in Ukraine looks far from over, there is no shortage of discussions on how to ¡°get out¡± of such a dangerous situation. Here¡¯s a closer look at some escape-related terms.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Jun 3, 2022
Returning a pencil, returning to work and the return of Okinawa
Last month marked the 50th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japanese control. But the word used for ¡®return¡¯ in this case wasn¡¯t the same as what you¡¯d use to ¡®return¡¯ a pencil.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 8, 2022
A well-crafted speech is powerful in any language
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been delivering a series of online speeches to various countries. Here¡¯s a closer look at how his speech in Japan was different.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Mar 22, 2022
Describing an invasion and expressing unity in Japanese amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, Japanese-language learners are discovering that there¡¯s no shortage of terms relating to ¡°invasion¡± and ¡°unity.¡±
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Mar 11, 2022
Military words are back in the headlines after Russia launches an invasion of Ukraine
Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine has been all over the news in Japan, which means we¡¯ll be seeing a whole new set of kanji and conflict-related terms.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Feb 18, 2022
The rules for deciphering the Japanese words for regulations
While the Olympics are proving fun to watch, it seems not many fans have checked the rulebook.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Jan 14, 2022
Language roars to life in 2022, the Year of the Tiger
The arrival of the Year of the Tiger is an opportune moment to go over a few idioms and sayings that involve the animal of 2022.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Dec 17, 2021
24 confirmed dead in suspected case of arson in Osaka
One source said police received a report that the fire started from a liquid that came out of a paper bag held by a man who appeared to be in his 60s.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 10, 2021
Sports, silent meals and ¡®Shut Up!¡¯: What Japan was talking about in 2021
The year¡¯s top buzzwords were announced to great fanfare, but the real word on everyone¡¯s lip last week was ¡®omicron.¡¯
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Dec 10, 2021
How do this year¡¯s English buzzwords translate into Japanese?
Collins Dictionary announced its ¡®Word of the Year¡¯ and technology-related terms came out on top.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Dec 1, 2021
Buzzwords in Japan 2021: Ohtani and Tokyo Olympics loomed large
The language of the pandemic, while still present, took a back seat to phrases and words inspired by Shohei Ohtani, Thomas Bach, Yoshiro Mori and other sports-related figures.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Intervention is the word after yen moves beyond ?163 and sits there
The government could prop up the yen at any moment, though its signaling is hard to read.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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