Language Dec 26, 2016
A Tokyo arcade operator unveiled a new virtual reality facility on Wednesday, aiming to showcase high-end virtual reality in a casual setting and boost shrinking industry profits.
Language | BILINGUAL Dec 19, 2016
Japanese buzzwords capture the zeitgeist of then, now and what's to come
by Mark Schreiber
Take a journey through the buzzwords of years past and present — and hazard a guess at what's coming in 2017.
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Dec 19, 2016
A museum honoring Katsushika Hokusai, a ukiyo-e artist in the Edo Period, has opened in Tokyo's Sumida Ward.
Language | BILINGUAL Dec 12, 2016
To email in Japanese, take a layer cake of etiquette and stuff it with meaning
by Daniel Morales
Having set up a bunch of standard remarks at the beginning and end of your email, your job is then to fill it with meaning.
Language | WELL SAID Dec 12, 2016
Coming to a logical conclusion with 'wake da'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Introducing the sentence-ending expression Xわけだ, which is used when the speaker wants to explain a reasonable conclusion based on what they have seen or heard.
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Dec 12, 2016
Skygazers were treated to an extra-bright "supermoon" on Nov. 14, the largest in 68 years.
Language | BILINGUAL Dec 5, 2016
'Tis the season for 'tegami' — and for facing your Japanese letter-writing fears
by Daniel Morales
There are elements of etiquette involved in letter-writing that can make students of Japanese stop before they even start.
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Dec 5, 2016
A team of researchers has failed to develop a robot smart enough to get into Japan's top university.
Language | BILINGUAL Nov 28, 2016
Some Japanese find frustration, others freedom in foreign tongues
by Kaori Shoji
The Japanese have never been skilled at communication, but they have been able to fall back on the belief that everyone understood each other without saying anything. Unfortunately, this has never applied to non-Japanese.
Language | WELL SAID Nov 28, 2016
Be inspiring, break the news gently or just buy some time with versatile 'saa'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Introducing some uses of the interjection さあ (saa), which is often heard in spoken language.
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Nov 28, 2016
Record 20 million foreign visitors to Japan estimated for year so far
The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan this year has already surpassed last year's record 19.74 million, topping 20 million in only 10 months.