I love what the Asian University for Women (AUW) is doing to help women from South East Asia and the Middle East further their educations, gain independence, and increase their political and economic power. Though the campus is in Chittagong, Bangladesh, there is an active community supporting this initiative here in Japan. This group is [...]
BY CAROLINE POVER I’ve always said that Japan is a great place to live, and for many reasons: it’s generally safe, the people are usually friendly, and there are so many opportunities to meet interesting people and do interesting things. I’m lucky enough to often be presented with opportunities to do things I would never [...]
I love Pepper Lunch! Vegetarians, stop reading now! If you want a quick, well-priced, and tasty way to satisfy a meat craving, then look no further than the popular Japanese chain Pepper Lunch. The cozy, diner-style restaurants are now popular in Singapore, Taiwan and as far away as Australia. Using only Aussie beef, you can [...]
In this issue we feature Toriizaka Art’s Karen Thomas as our cover girl. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Karen’s home-based gallery, then I highly recommend going. She has a beautiful home where every bit of wall space is covered in artwork—it is quite breathtaking! We have a new section starting from next [...]
BY KAREN REGN Pose, flash, pose, flash. “Lift your arm higher, now keep your chin down and look at me without turning your head.” My voice sounds confident as it rings out into the studio. At a rate of one shot per two seconds, the flashes fire and the model in front of me changes [...]
Name: Alena Eckelmann Nationality: German Qualifications: MA Southeast Asian Studies; Diploma in Market Research Job title: I am not sure whether to call myself a freelance writer or a journalist Employer: self-employed Salary: no fixed salary but payment on a commission basis per article, which ranges from ¥0 to ¥70,000 per 800 to 1,000 words [...]
BY KATHLEEN SHIGEOKA I have never been to Tokyo. To be honest, I’m not sure if I ever want to go. Just the thought of me amidst all those people and buildings gives me a bad case of vertigo. I guess I have always been a small-town girl at heart. Five years ago I came [...]
BY GABBI BRADSHAW “Do you believe in God?” asked 17B. I’m en route to Tokyo after a week away and dread going back. What do I say? The truth? I want to believe in God. I think of an older Japanese man who believes. Every morning on my way to the train station, I see [...]
BY DANIELLE TATE-STRATTON As it is one of the first cities you hit when flying from Japan to the US, I’ve long loved Seattle. It’s a perfect city to stop over for a few days on your way to or from home, wherever that might be. With lots of public art, the world-famous Pike Place [...]
BY CLAUDIA WERLIN AND LISA BACHMANN As most expats know, many friends come and go. We, Lisa and Claudia, are a couple of moms who met on the playground of Yokohama International School and got to know each other during many PTSA meetings and countless hours of watching our sons play basketball. Prior to moving [...]
