Hiragana Times Archive
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Radio Show Introducing J-Pop to US Jun. 15
When we feel passionate about something, we often want to tell people about it. Whether it’s a hobby, a philosophy, or an opinion, people have always felt the need to share their thoughts. Sean ROBBINS’ passion is Japanese music, and he’s spreading the word over the radio waves. ...
Using Hobbies Makes English Learning Fun Jun. 15
Combining English skills and cooking skills picked up in America, NODA Erina opened an English conversation school called Amoretto Lounge in Hiroo, Tokyo in 2004. She has developed what she calls “Hobbenglish,” a unique method of learning English through hobbies, and her school has been offering English lessons in a friendly and homey atmosphere that is true to its name “amoretto,” an Italian word meaning “more than friends.” ...
Introducing “Japan’s Treasure” to its People and the World
Born in Lyon, France, Stephane DANTON immigrated to Japan 16 years ago. He is now the director of Planning Gene Co., Ltd. In 2005, he opened Ocharaka, a café serving Japanese tea, in a shopping arcade in Kichijoji in western Tokyo. Going beyond typical Japanese tea, Ocharaka offers a variety of tea flavors. ...
New Robot Shop Opened in Akihabara
Two-legged robots are manufactured in Japan for robot contests, research, and even as a hobby. And now a new store that specializes in two-legged robots,
“Vstone Robot Center,” has opened in Akihabara, Tokyo. ...
Tour Producer of Ryoma’s Dappan Road, Which Led to Japan’s Modernization
In Japan, historical figures are booming. Dolls, books and games featuring warriors are on sale and selling well, especially among women. As part of this trend, a tour featuring “Sakamoto Ryoma’s Dappan Road” is now being organized. ...
A Bridge Between the Unimpaired and the Handicapped
NAKAZAWA Makoto, who was born with intractable muscle disease, is the president of Barrier Free Company Co. Ltd. The company offers consultation to help spread barrier free and universal design and assists clients with such things as merchandising, shop renovations, creating manuals for educating employees, travel plans, and website improvement. ...
Tennis Weekends Target Business Skills
When you think of executives learning how to improve their business and communications skills, chances are that images of PowerPoint presentations and uninspiring seminars come to mind; not tennis. It is through tennis, however, that Jean-Pierre FELIX is trying to help business people in Tokyo get more out of themselves and get better business results. ...
Pakuchi Restaurant
Inspired by “Travel & Peace”
Despite its prevalence in Asian cuisines such as Thai and Indian, coriander (or pakuchi as it is known in Japan) is far from a staple of Japanese cooking. Because of this, many Japanese have a strong dislike for the taste and even smell of the herb. ...
Rent it, not Buy it: Brand Rental “Cariru”
“Sex and The City” is an American TV series which gained overwhelming popularity with young women. In the Sex and The City movie released in August 2008, there is a scene where the leading character Carrie’s young assistant has a Louis Vuitton bag. When Carrie asks her assistant about the expensive bag, the assistant admits that it is rented. ...
Health Conscious Food in an International Atmosphere
In Tokyo’s Roppongi there is a cafe called “M Café de Chaya Ark Hills Annex” (run by CHAYA Macrobiotics Co., Ltd.) that is always packed with young women during lunch time. Celebrities sometimes drop in or they receive lunch orders for film crews on location. This is a cafe where people can enjoy macrobiotics in an international atmosphere. ...
Alternative Health Advice in Foreign Languages
New Western medicines are frequently created and medical expenses increase every year. At the same time the financial burden on patients is increasing, yet the number of patients never seems to decrease. OGI Hideyuki set up Isshindo Kampo Pharmacy in l996, a pharmacy which specializes in kampo, with the belief that kampo can cure the underlying cause of disease. ...
Cheerleading Used for Management Training
Some management consultants have their clients’ employees taking on assault courses, some have them meditating; NAKAYAMA Makiko gets hers cheerleading. The former NFL (National Football Association) Washington Redskins cheerleader is the inspiration behind Cheerleadership, ...
Readdressing the Work-Play Balance
Not so long ago, for every twinge you felt in your back, for every sniffle of a cold, or when you felt a little fed up with life, you would make an appointment with your local doctor. The number of different medical approaches to keeping a healthy body and mind can at times seem overwhelming, and for every complaint a number of alternative medicines claim to provide the solution. ...
International Company Having a Positive Impact on Society
The 21st century has brought with it a multitude of challenges for mankind. Not only are the planet’s natural eco-systems being stretched to breaking point, society is being ravaged by a raft of issues too. Fortunately, some companies are getting proactive and facing up to their social and environmental responsibilities. ...
Boston Red Sox-themed Bar in Kyoto
It’s a hot summer night and I’m happily drinking an ice-cold Samuel Adams. I’m surrounded by t-shirts bearing names like Ortiz, Ramirez, and Pedroia. My friendly bartender and I are talking about the Red Sox game this week and discussing their chances of going all the way this year. Previously, this was a scene which could only have happened in my native New England. ...
Pie Maker Brings British Tastes to Japan
Gerry O’DONNELL’s resume makes interesting reading. Born in Newcastle in the north of England, he left home for London at 19 and has since traveled the world, taking in some 40 countries. In that time he’s been a miner, a freelance writer, a lecturer, a taxi driver, and even a slaughterhouse worker among other things. ...
Company Director Enjoys her Dream Job
“I’m enjoying my life doing a job I want to do,” announcer and director of SUCCEED Inc, ONO Keiko, says with a smile. You may not know ONO, but you have possibly heard her voice at places like vending machines and your bank’s automated telephone message system. ...
Indian Software Developer Breaking into Japan
SmartData Enterprises was founded in Silicon Valley, California, USA in 1996 by current president Dr. Sanjai TIWARI. Today, the company has a staff of 300 in offices in the US and India providing offshore software development services that include Internet, database and e-commerce development. So how did Sanjai grow smartData into the success it is today? ...
The First and Biggest Q&A Site in Japan
When you want to know something, what do you do? Have you ever had the experience of becoming confused by an overload of information after searching for something on the Internet? In such case OKWave’s Q&A site is very useful. Anyone can easily take advantage of the site for any problem, ranging from small matters to life counseling. ...
Welcome Furoshiki – 25 Years Serving Newcomers to Japan
What with the different language, different culture and often no family or friends to turn to for support, moving to Japan can be a daunting prospect. Thanks to the people at Welcome Furoshiki, however, it needn’t be. Welcome Furoshiki is a non-profit ommunity service that provides new foreign residents to Japan in the Tokyo-Yokohama and Osaka-Kobe metropolitan areas with essential information for making the most of their new surroundings. ...
Young Entrepreneur Succeeding in the Travel Industry
At present one company is receiving much attention in the online travel business – Tabi Capital Corp led by 25-year-old president, YOSHIMURA Hideki. Mr. Yoshimura set up Valcom Co. Ltd. in 2003 while he was a student of the University of Tokyo, and launched domestic travel site “Airs Gate.” He later expanded his company and in 2007 set up holding company Tabi Capital (company capital: 12.5 million yen), and branched out into overseas travel. ...
Success After Overcoming Discrimination, Broken Love and Hardship
If you get off the train at Shinagawa station in Tokyo and walk along the modern main street, you will see a beautiful 31-story building. On the 12th floor of the building is a company running a Chinese language class and an erhu class. Chinalinear Inc. was created by GONG Cui, a representative executive who has achieved her childhood dream of working overseas. She came to Japan in 1997. ...
Financial Consulting for Retirement
As the number of retiring baby boomers in Japan increases, we are faced with a number of financial considerations. These days there are fewer young people around to support their parents in retirement. Furthermore, the Japanese bank rate is near zero and the Social Insurance Agency has not inspired a lot of confidence recently. Under such circumstances, a financial consulting company can be your reliable partner. ...
Rapidly Growing with the Needs of Mobile Phone Users
Recently a mobile phone Web site called “Mobage” is gaining in popularity. Since it appeared in 2006, its subscribers have grown to number more than 10 million and numbers still continue to increase. The provider of the service is DeNA Co., Ltd. (CEO, NAMBA Tomoko). ...
Mobile Music Application Development on the Move
Wherever you travel by train in Japan’s major cities, you will see hundreds of people listening to their favorite music on their iPods and other musical devices. While it is widely known that most of the major mobile phone companies sell downloadable music, were you aware that a foreign-run company was one of the first to launch an official music download service on all three major Japanese carriers? ...
Promoting Overseas Musicians in Japan
If you’ve been to Fuji Rock over the last few years, chances are you’ve seen some of the artists Douglas ALLSOPP and Buffalo Records have helped make popular in Japan. Launched in 2000 and based in the laid-back setting of Kamakura, Buffalo Records is a record label that primarily licenses albums and releases them in Japan, as well as working with promoters to bring their artists over to Japan for festivals such as Fuji Rock and for concert tours. ...
The First Canyoning Adventure Company in Japan
If you ever have an urge to throw yourself off a cliff into a canyon or waterfall, there is a dangerous way and a safe way to do so. Canyons, an outdoor adventure company run by New Zealander Mike HARRIS, offer a wide range of outdoor adventure tours throughout the four seasons – and can demonstrate how to jump off a cliff safely and come back alive to tell the tale. ...
SNS – You can Enjoy International Exchange at Home
Many people want to be friends with other people around the world! Now that dream can come true easily through the Internet. If you are interested in skiing, just click “ski enthusiasts,” and you will see a list of ski enthusiasts by region, with photos. In order to take advantage of this site, you are required to create an Internet profile, however your privacy will be protected and no registration fee is charged. ...
Moved to Tokyo & Started Business in 3 Months!
If someone asked you to pack your bags and move to the other side of the planet, locate and completely refit new business premises while dealing with frustrating communication hurdles, and open your doors to customers in only 90 days, would you think the person was absolutely crazy? ...
Popular 10 Language Internet Shopping Mall
A new website has recently been launched that allows you to find food and daily use products – very possibly from your country – that are not readily available in Japan, as well as hot Japanese products and items that are suitable for souvenirs. Better still, information about the items is displayed in 10 languages: Japanese, English, German, Russian, Chinese, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Turkish and Portuguese. ...
Today Decides Tomorrow
When Patrick NEWELL and his wife Ikuko learned how much it was going to cost to send their children to an international school in Tokyo, they did what no one would have expected – they built their own school. ...
Achieving Top Rank listings in Search Engines using SEO
Recently, TV programs and commercials have begun displaying search engine boxes containing keywords to help people find the advertising company’s website on the Internet. It has now become common practice for people to search for information using the Internet. To take advantage of this trend, it has become very important for companies to be highly ranked on the major search engines such as Google and Yahoo as a prominent ranking will greatly affect their sales. ...
Succeeding at "Selling Snow to Eskimos"
With approximately 5.6 million vending machines already spread throughout the land, you might think that setting up a company operating vending machines in Japan would be as logical as trying to sell snow to an Eskimo. Brian TANNURA’s story will make you think again. ...
Company Stating ‘We Need Foreign Staff’ Made Me Decide to Work There
Aplix Corporation is a leading Java technology company that produces software for use in cellular phones and digital electrical appliances. To the company’s credit, communications giant NTT DoCoMo is using a Java function developed by Aplix, which is an international enterprise that supplies software to foreign cellular phone manufacturers as well. ...
Large Leap of Faith to Set up Specialized Ski Site
It takes a lot of courage to give up a good job and follow a dream, but that is exactly what Neil RILEY did when he swapped his finance job in Tokyo for an entrepreneurial life in Echigo-Yuzawa. ...
American Man Opens Ramen Shop in Japan!
Ramen, originally brought to Japan from China, has long been familiar to Japanese people due to its popular taste and cheap price. The dish, comprising noodles in a unique broth combined with other ingredients, has experienced such a big boom in Japan that in Tokyo, competition has been fierce between ramen from different areas with different tastes and broths. ...
Job Support Service for Non-Japanese Launched in Japan
The size of Japan’s labor pool is decreasing. The combined trends of a shrinking birthrate and an increasing number of elderly people have now become a serious issue. According to a survey carried out by Nikkei Shimbun (newspaper) in 2006, 40% of Japanese companies answered that they are short of workers. ...
Proud to Show Kimono and Obi Designs to the World
There are many “machiya” in Kyoto. A machiya is a wooden house with a narrow but deep frontage that also doubles as a shop at the same time. Since machiya are usually built very close to neighbors’ houses, one of their distinct characteristics is that they have an earth floor and a courtyard in order to maximize the amount of light and breeze entering each room. ...
Foreign Women Home Helpers Supporting Japan’s Welfare Community
“How was it?” says MOTOYAMA Roselle, a Philippino woman working as a home helper at a special Tokyo nursing home for the elderly called “Silver Wing” as she talks cheerfully to an elderly woman she is bathing. Philippino women are known for their caring nursing skills and have subsequently become vital laborers in Japan’s welfare nursing industry. ...
Japan has one of the Highest Design Traditions
Galvani Creative Co., Ltd, produces a diverse range of media including multimedia products, TV, print, websites, videos, photography, advertising, packaging and much more. ...
Tokyo Government's Free Business Support Services for Non-Japanese
Starting a business is always a risk and it may be especially daunting in Japan if you are unfamiliar with the legalities, logistics and language. This doesn't mean it is impossible or you shouldn't dive in, but where do you start? ...
Lessons from the Shop Japan Success Story
How did a company launched by a "couple of gaijin in Nagoya" find their rhythm and end up with 230 full-time employees, several very profitable subsidiaries, a 200-booth call center with over 400 contract employees, and after-tax earnings in 2005 of US$23 million? ...
Learning the Importance of Trust - Cleaning up in Persian Organic Soap Sales
OKAKURA Tenshin (1862~1913), an artist and philosopher who lived in the Meiji Era, preached to people that "Asia is one." In fact, Asia is large. It covers area from Japan in the east to the Middle East in the west, and many different races and cultures coexist side by side. ...
Keeping Traditional Japanese Crafts Alive
Shokuninn.com, a bilingual English/Japanese Web business founded by president SAKURAI Shinya in September 2004, acts as a bridge between traditional Japanese craftsmen and artisans, and anyone around the world who has an appreciation of quality Japanese arts and products. ...
Cosmetics Supported by Geisha Gain Popularity
When Japan’s top geisha prepare for a party, they rely on one company — Chidoriya. An international success story, this family business sells traditional, organic products and beautiful accessories to both working geisha and elegant ladies worldwide. ...
'One of Japan’s Largest Internet Job Media —DIP— has Started Providing Job Information to Non-Japanese
Housing and job information are among the most important things foreigners need for living in Japan. Hiragana Times is providing this information on its website and in terms of job information for non-Japanese, the company is tying up with DIP Corporation, which operates one of Japan’s largest internet job media. ...
Japanese are pragmatic and sensitive to change!
When a company is in serious trouble, the management may have to choose between undergoing a restructuring, or even worse, bankruptcy. But when many people think of restructuring or “corporate turnarounds” as they are sometimes called, they automatically picture mass job cuts, bitterness and misery. ...
Vacuum Cleaner Revolution Launched in Japan
Vacuum cleaners have never really captured peoples' attention like they do now. Dyson, a British company, is leading the vacuum cleaner revolution and while its products are known for their efficiency, there is a fascinating story behind the company's success. ...
Too Hot! - Japanese Paper-wear about to Burn up the Market
One of great Japanese products is fine Japanese paper, which is used in many kinds of products. Among these, perhaps the most well-known use of paper is "shoji" which is used in Japanese houses. Shoji is a sliding door made of latticed wood into which Japanese paper is pasted. ...
“There’s Nothing Like a Taste of Home”
When Chuck GRAFFT, CEO and Founder of the Kobebased Foreign Buyers’ Club (FBC), wants a taste of home, he doesn’t have to buy an air ticket and fly there. In fact the San Francisco-native doesn’t even have to go shopping. ...
A Moving Restaurant with no Set Menu
YOSHIDA Tomonori, a Yokosuka, Kanagawa-born Japanese chef and owner of "Kimagureya," does not focus on any particular cuisine, since he places more importance on seasonal food. ...
Xbox vs. PlayStation, Coming to a galaxy near you ...
This summer, millions of young Japanese will enter theaters to see the latest Star Wars movie release, eager to watch the forces of good and evil battle each other in space. Meanwhile, here on planet earth, a real battle is taking place between Sony and Microsoft over the future of the video game market, which not surprisingly is filled with lovers of Star Wars. ...
For Fitness Guru American Dream is "Made in Japan"
Though he charges a steep fee for his services, fitness trainer Jeff LIBENGOOD doesn't need to advertise. He lets his clients do that for him. Bob SAPP, K-1 kick-boxing's biggest superstar, has called him "the best in the business." ...
Cooking up a Storm in Japan's Catering Industry!
Let's be honest - the big question on most peoples' minds at seminars and official events - whether they like to admit it or not - is, "When is dinner being served?" ...
What Do Women Really Want?
While many frustrated men have been asking this very intriguing question seemingly since time began, perhaps it is best to discover what women read. And who best to ask than new Harlequin KK Managing Director Belinda HOBBS? ...
Foreign Exchange Trading Becoming Popular Among Foreign Residents
Saving money in foreign currencies is becoming more common among foreign residents in Japan. Mr. WHITE, a businessman who came to Japan two years ago from New Zealand, has saved some of his yen income in his country's currency, New Zealand dollars. ...
TOKYOPOP - Leading the Way in U.S. Manga Revolution
One of the many surprises that greet foreigners when they come to Japan is the sight of Japanese businessmen reading comics. Aren't comics for kids?Not in Japan. Manga, the Japanese word for comics, represents a genre that is not only big in Japan, but quickly becoming a worldwide phenomenon. ...
Internet Giant began over BBQ
"If I haven't succeeded by 35, I think I will sit down and reassess my life." So said New Zealander Mr. Tim WILLIAMS, Founder and Chairman of ValueCommerce, a global provider of innovative, high quality internet business solutions. ...
Internet has created “Mosquito net boom”
The mosquito net used to be a common sight in the Japanese
summer but disappeared for a long time due to the introduction of air-conditioners. Now they are making a comeback. ...
I CAN!
Can you remember what you wanted to become when you were a child? An astronaut? A jet pilot? Most people have had their childhood dreams destroyed by the time they are 25, says Lance LEE, instructor and President of IGC Japan Ltd., a business combining gymnastics and confidence building to help children lead better lives. ...
American Maverick in Japan - Rick ROA
There are very few foreigners in Japan like Brooklyn-born Rick ROA. His 35 years in the “Big Mikan” has seen him working on some of the biggest events ever in Japan, bringing him into contact with many Ambassadors, former Prime Ministers, as well as jobs such as “Director of Licensee for Playboy,” and was the “International Manager for the KANO Sisters,” whom he holds the highest respect and admiration for. ...
