Captivated by Harajuku style and Hello Kitty as a high school student, Sarah has held a deep fascination with Japanese language and culture ever since, and went on to spend seven years living in Kyoto and Osaka.
Latest posts by Sarah Lee Stones
Japanese app that ‘translates’ wives’ words for husbands ignites fierce online backlash
"This app is no more than an easy way out for selfish men who want to avoid the responsibilities of housework and childcare."
Japanese ads aimed at women criticized for misogyny. Again.
This is the latest in a long line of Japanese ad campaigns that have sparked controversy online for alleged anti-women messaging.
Japan moves to accept more workers from abroad, but public opinion remains divided
Japan may have little choice but to accept more workers from abroad to cope with an expected shrinkage in the working population caused by an aging and low birth rates.
All about ‘osechi ryōri’, Japan's traditional New Year's food
If you're ever invited to spend New Years in a Japanese home, you can impress your hosts with your knowledge of the meanings of the various traditional New Year's dishes.
Instagram snaps of Japanese foods you may not have heard of
Raw chicken, fish sperm, raw liver, "cherry blossom meat" and other Japanese foods you may not know about.
Ready your Vaseline and face mask—it's hay fever season in Japan
It is estimated that 1 in 4 of Japan’s population of 123 million people suffer from hay fever. Why are pollen allergies so common in Japan?
Corporate Japan must now offer stress tests to overworked employees. But is it enough?
"When you work over 100 hours of overtime, you won't have time to be with your family, friends or lover...you start to think...'I don't know why I'm living this life.'"
A short history of Halloween in Japan
Halloween in Japan has become a creepy tour de force. But trick-or-treating has never caught on. Why?
Botched English translation in Kyoto implies elderly people are “terrible drivers”
"Why has the English translation ended up like this? This is offensive to elderly people and unacceptable coming from an international city."
Tokyo's first female governor won in a landslide victory, but she faces a rough road ahead
At her first day on the job, she was snubbed by Tokyo's assembly members.
Japan gears up for a hot, humid rainy season
"Good morning. Isn't it muggy? With all this rain, Kyushu seems to be having a hard time again. I wonder if they're all right. Be careful. OK?"
