Nevin Thompson is the Japan Editor for Global Voices. He is a translator, writer, and journalist, and has been connected to Japan for more than twenty years.
Nevin currently lives and works on an island off the West Coast of Canada, and spends about three months each year with his family in Tsuruga, a small city on the Japan Sea Coast, just north of Kyoto.
Latest posts by Nevin Thompson
29 April 2017
“I'm Glad I'm From Tohoku” Trends on Twitter Following Japanese Politician's Cruel Words
A Japanese cabinet minister's insensitive remarks spurred a popular Twitter hashtag supporting Japan's northeastern Tohoku region, as well as the minister's resignation.
21 April 2017
Japanese Metal Legends LOUDNESS Turned Away at US Border
"After spending 27 hours in the air I'm back in Osaka. Just devastated."
14 April 2017
Amidst Political Scandal and a Hate Crime Probe, Japan’s Old Rescript on Education Is Back
When a Japanese private school was caught making racist and nationalistic remarks, the ensuing scandal started a national conversation about the relevance of a pre-war imperial edict on education.
10 April 2017
Colorized Photos Show Epic Battle Between American and Japanese Forces in Okinawa During World War II
On the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa, a Japanese researcher has made Twitter posts featuring archival photos of the battle that have been colorized using a software tool.
8 April 2017
Osaka Becomes the First Municipality in Japan to Recognize Same-Sex Foster Parents
"If you love the children you raise above all else, be you same-sex parents or parents of the opposite sex, that's all that's important to being a parent."
3 April 2017
Six Years On: How Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate Are Recovering From the Tsunami
The report includes statistics from Japan's Reconstruction Ministry as well as surveys of evacuees themselves to provide a local perspective on efforts to recover from the 2011 "triple disaster."
24 March 2017
Concrete Lovers, This Is What Social Housing Looks Like in Japan
An interesting blog devoted to documenting the concrete housing projects that have been home to several generations of Japanese since the end of the war.
19 March 2017
How One Small Japanese City Is Attracting Trainspotters
How is a small city in western Japan attracting thousands of tourists? Trainspotting.
16 March 2017
A Syrian Activist's Japanese-Language Message to the People of Japan
"Syria is witnessing a revolutionary call for freedom and dignity for its entire people." Will Japan help?
8 March 2017
Nyango Star, the Apple-Shaped Mascot Who Drums for Japan's Tohoku Region
"Anytime Nyango Star makes a public appearance it is to help Tohoku recover. The mascot isn't drumming for its personal gain but for its beloved home."
6 March 2017
Japan Tries to Get Workers to Duck Out Early—With Poor Results
When the Japanese government launched Premium Friday the goal was to allow workers to quit work early, and then go out and shop. But it hasn't worked out that way.
5 March 2017
Japanese Art Lovers, New York's Metropolitan Museum Has 300,000 Gifts for You
Anyone can use the artwork for any purpose, as long as they credit the original donors of the artwork, as well as the Met itself.
27 February 2017
Obama, Japan's Fiery Start to Spring
Spectacular images of an annual fiery festival in Obama, Japan, that marks the start of spring.
24 February 2017
Short Video Documentary Explores Japan's Flashy Art Truck Subculture
Known as "dekotora," hobbyists trick out their trucks with flashing neon lights, airbrushed murals and lots and lots of chrome.
14 February 2017
Despite What You Read, Radiation Levels at Fukushima Daiichi Aren't ‘Soaring’
A news release from Japanese power utility TEPCO generated a number of headlines across Western media that were sorely missing context.
13 February 2017
Trump and Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen Feature Among Sapporo Snow Festival's Ice Sculptures
At least two million people visit the festival each year, making for some great photo uploads on social media.
4 February 2017
‘Mad Dog’ Mattis Wins Some Japanese Hearts, Infuriates Others
The new US Defense Secretary tried hard to reassure America's Japanese ally that Trump means no harm. Some were not impressed.
23 January 2017
American Traveler Unearths Decades-Old Photos of Hiroshima and Japan From the 1970s
Japan in the 1970s. Central Hiroshima was still a slum, but the country was undergoing an economic miracle. American Larry Rosensweig was there to witness it. And he took pics.
21 January 2017
How the US Marines Spread Fake News About an Afghan ‘Terrorist’ In Okinawa
A long-term Afghan resident of Japan was accused of being a terrorist by an American military unit stationed in Okinawa Prefecture. It has since been debunked as "fake news".
13 January 2017
The Strangest Japanese “Love Hotel” Names, Ranked
What are "love hotels"? And why do they have such strange and whimsical names?
