· September, 2010

Stories about Japan from September, 2010

Japan: Hiring research talent from abroad

In “No choice but need to hire from abroad?“, Sibylle Ito outlines how some Japanese companies in different sectors are taking a multinational approach to supplement research and product development...

23 September 2010

Japan: A new cabinet, again

Tobias Harris at observingjapan comments [en] on the new cabinet that was formed after Prime Minister Kan won the DPJ party leadership election last week.

19 September 2010

Japan: Welcoming Karen refugees

Adamu at Mutantfrog reported the news [en] that by the end of September a group of 27 Karen refugees, natives of Burma, will resettle in Japan. The blogger also investigates...

15 September 2010

Japan: Reflections on normality

Kei999 reflects [ja] upon the meaning of normality. In a post titled “Is ‘normal’ ‘right'?” the blogger takes into consideration various issues such as homosexuality and the practice called fūfu...

14 September 2010

Japan: Drinkommunication, when drinking alcohol is a social obligation

Alcohol in Japan it is often used as a social lubricant in a society that still sees a gap between one's real feelings and intention and what one says on social occasions. And according to many, it is with a glass of beer or sake in hand that a new type of franker communication may occur, or a 'drinkommunication'.

12 September 2010

Japan, Korea: Traces Of Japan-Korea History Within The Zainichi Community

August 10th, 2010 will remain a historical date in the Japan-South Korea diplomatic relations as the Japanese Prime Minister apologized for past crimes during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Still, some bloggers found themselves wanting for a clearer apology and a mention of the Zainichi community, the largest Korean community in Japan.

11 September 2010

Taiwan: The Allure of Night Markets

After sunset in Taiwan, when the stars start to twinkle, night markets are crowded with people from all walks of life. To Taiwanese, night markets are more than mere eating places, and now the culture of the night market has become a distinctive and precious touristic experience for foreigners visiting Taiwan.

7 September 2010

Japan: Ancient medical woodblock prints

Pinktentacle published [en] some images of a health-themed woodblock prints collection that dates back to the 19th century. The series of 400 prints is maintained by the University of California,...

6 September 2010

Japan: Run Uncle Yamashita!

A 62-year-old Japanese man, known as uncle Yamashita, rollerbladed across the United States from the east to the west coast. During his 6000 km journey he tweeted @kenyamashita62 [ja] and...

5 September 2010