Nevin Thompson served as Japan Editor and Social Media Manager for Global Voices from 2014 to 2022. He is a translator, writer, and journalist, and has been connected to Japan for nearly 30 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 from April, 2016
Five Years Ago, a Tsunami Devastated Japan. Now a Filmmaker Looks Back.
The Canadian filmmaker Estelle Hebert has produced a one-hour documentary about one village's struggle to revive after a massive tsunami devastated much of Japan on March 11, 2011.
Your Skin Is Gonna Hate Japan's Yellow Sand
Every year Japan marks the start of spring with the arrival of 'Yellow Sand' from the Asian mainland. The sand hampers visibility and can cause illness and skin problems.
Here's a Map That Shows You What the Japanese Really Think of Europe
According to Japanese stereotypes, which country in Europe has the most luxurious prisons? And which country in Europe is full of stupid people? And why can't Latvians eat potatoes?
Japan Gets Ready to Plant Rice During ‘Golden Week’
"Flooding the fields before planting really makes this a representative scene of Japan. The call of the Japanese nightingale echoes throughout the valley. I am entranced by the scene."
Japan Battles to Care for 100,000 Kumamoto Residents Displaced By Quake
Hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in the open in Japan following powerful earthquakes, torrential rains, flooding and landslides.
Large Earthquakes Continue to Shatter Japan's Western Island of Kyushu
Even more powerful earthquakes have hit a wide area of Kyushu causing widespread damage, and stoking fears of a volcanic eruption.
Chacha the Chimp Escaped a Zoo in Japan. Angrily.
An image of an enraged chimp lunges at would-be captors on live TV goes viral.
Social Media Photos Show Aftermath of Strong Quake in Kumamoto, Japan
"We're spending an uneasy night as aftershocks continue in Kumamoto City. Right now we have evacuated to the playing fields at Kumamoto University."
Japanese Social Media Goes Gaga Over Anime-Style English Textbook
"After her middle school entrance ceremony today, my daughter came home with her new English textbook. Ellen Sensei is totally cute!"
What Do People Tweet While Waiting for the Train to Go By?
Tokyo's 34,000 level rail crossings are an unmistakable feature of the city, and an unavoidable fact of urban life.
Japan and Its Wonderful Cherry Blossoms
In late March and April, Japan comes alive with beautiful cherry blossoms. Here is just a small collection of Instagram snaps of this lovely time of year.
