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24 2 20 20 25 30 5
3March
2012 No. 305
450
Japan to the WorldJapan to the WorldISSN 1348-7906
Kichijoji A Town Loved by Artists
After the Quake SupportSwells with a Varietyof Projects
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English 0120-937-711 8:00-21:00, seven days a week. Japanese 0120-771-179 8:00-21:00, seven days a week.Portuges 0120-677-871 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday. Spanish 0120-677-872 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday.
Chinese 0120-677-873 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday. Tagalog 0120-677-874 9:00-13:30 14:30-17:00, Monday to Friday.
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Topics & Events
March Issue Contents 3
Topics & Events 3-5
Spotlight, Social News
6-7
Trends 8-9
Feature
10-13
Japan Profiles 14-15
Glomaji (Global Romaji) Humor 16
Insight into Japan: 17-30
Close Up Japan, Keys to Understanding Japan, Japan Watching,Japanese History Makers, New Expressions & Buzzwords
17-30
Cover Story 34-37
Japanese Culture Vulture
38-39
Putting Japanese to Work
40-41
Masterpieces of Japanese Film & Animation, Japanese Fairy Tale
42-43
Japanese Cultural Understanding Test
45
From the Editorial Desk
46
Write the gift name, your name, address, gender, age, nationality and the article(s) you enjoyed in this issue and send it to usby postcard or e-mail. Competition closes March 5. Winners will be selected by lottery and receive gifts directly.
E
3
5
3
All Photographs 2012 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
A special exhibition called Japanese Masterpieces from
the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is to be held in Tokyo.
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, one of the oldest museums
in the US, is home to over 100,000 works of Japanese art.
One of the highlights at this exhibition will be the worlds
first showing of Unryuzu (Dragon and Clouds) by SOGA
Shohaku. Some 90 other pieces will be on display including a
Buddhist painting called Illusory National Treasure.
10
90
Gift for 5 couples (10 people)
5
10
From March 20 to June 10Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum(Ueno, Tokyo)Admission for general public: 1,500 yen
3
2
0
6
1
0
1,500
www.boston-nippon.jp/
Dragon and Clouds (detail)
13 1763
Exhibition of Japanese Art
Miroku, the Bodhisattva of the Future
5 1189
Shaka, the Historical Buddha,Preaching on Vulture Peak
8
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4
Topics & Events
Jap@n Products
O
NE P
IECE
3
2
0
6
17
1,800
2,000
Supervised by Eiichiro Oda, The Exhibition of ONE
PIECE Pictures Movies Experience, will be held at the
Mori Arts Center Gallery (Roppongi, Tokyo) from March 20
to June 17. Displays of original drawings and an exclusive
movie can be enjoyed at the venue. Tickets for a designated
date and time are available for purchase in advance. Standard
tickets cost 1,800 yen. Tickets may be purchased on the day
for 2,000 yen depending on the availability of that time slot.
onepiece-ten.com
O
NE P
IECE
Popular MangaExhibitionONE PIECE
I
FSA
2013
2
23
3
13
3
3
2012
2013
3
IFSA
The International Foreign Students Association
Recruitment Fair 2013 will be held in Tokyo and Osaka this
year. The dates are: February 23 and March 13 at Hoku Topia
(Kita Ward, Tokyo) and March 3 at International House Osaka
(Osaka City). Non-Japanese students who are graduating
from summer 2012 to March 2013 may attend. Some firms at
the event will also have openings for experienced personnel.
Those who wish to participate must register (free of charge)
on the IFSA Career Support Information Service website.
www.ifsa.jp/
Recruitment Fairfor Non-Japanese Students
Air Counter S S
Since the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, people are extremely concerned
about radiation levels. By simply pushing a button, this home use radiation meter allows
you to measure radiation in the immediate vicinity. To operate, hold i t horizontally one meter
above the ground and switch it on. It begins to show a reading after 35 seconds and within
two minutes at most, nishes the measurement. Approximate weight: 60 grams. 7,900 yen.
1
35
2
607,900
S.T. Corporation
www.st-c.co.jp/
CG
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5
JR
1
JNTO
1
1
2
m
arunouchi c
afe S
EEK
JNTO, the Japan National Tourism Organizations tourist
information center for non-Japanese has moved to the first
floor of the Shin Tokyo Building, a few minutes walk from
JR Tokyo Station. This center offers tourist information for
the entire country, including printouts and maps of tourist
destinations in foreign languages. The center is open every
day, except for January 1. In addition, events and exhibitions
aimed at visitors to Japan are organized on the second floor at
marunouchi cafe SEEK.
www.jnto.go.jp/
Tourist Information Centerfor Non-Japanese
Kenko Nigiru Gloves
N
ariTra
NariTra, an audio
translation app for smart-
phones, is free to down-
load. The app translates
Japanese into English,Chinese and Korean, and
vice versa. It works by
simultaneously translating
speech. Translation of text
is also possible. This app
was sponsored by Narita
International Airport and recognizes a lot of Narita-airport-
related proper nouns and station names.
www.narita-airport.jp/jp/fun/app/naritra/
Audio Translation App for Free
Kenko Nigiru are gloves that were developed to be used for outdoor photography. Heat-retaining
properties make these gloves exceptionally warm. Flaps on the thumb and index finger can be
folded back to free up the fingertips, allowing the user to operate the camera smoothly. Looped
fasteners ensure these aps are held in place. A non-slip material on the palm of the glove allows for
a rm grip on the camera. These gloves are also suitable for operating smartphones, or other kinds
of cell phone. Small, medium, and large sizes are available. The gloves come in chocolate or grey
colors. Recommended retail price: 2,980 yen per pair.
SML2
2,980
KenkoTokina Corporation
www.kenko-tokina.co.jp/
Gift for two people. Large size.
L 2
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XChange clothes swapping parties
for garments and accessories that
are no longer worn are becoming
increasingly popular. Some events charge an
entrance fee, but the items inside are free of
charge. Instead of price tags, the items come
with episode tags. On these tags the origi-
nal owner can write down their memories
associated with that item, instructions, or a
personal message to the next owner.
x
Change
Only fashion-related items can be brought to these events.
But they must be good in condition, any damage should be
hard to spot, if at all, and they have to be potentially appeal-
ing to others. Attendees can take home whatever they want.
Participants have commented that, This exchange party ismore fun than shopping for clothes, and, I have made new
friends through exchanging children clothes.
6
Spotlight
Spotlight
KanjiMost Chosen for Baby Names
Akachan Honpo, a corporation that sells goods for pregnant
mothers, babies and children, announced their Top Baby
Name Ranking for 2011. The list was based on a survey
of approximately 70,000 babies born in 2011. The survey
revealed that the most common Chinese character used for
boys was (boy/thick), followed by (big/plenty),and (spread wings/fly). While the most common kanjichosen for girls was (love), followed by (beauty),and (flower/vegetable).
Social News
NIWA Junko, who started this project, is an activist con-
cerned with environmental and social problems. The firstxChange was inspired by European clothes swapping parties
organized in Tokyo during 2007. Now these events are held in
a variety of locations nationwide.
2007
letsxchange.jp/
xChange: Fashionable Used Clothes Swapping Parties
x
Change
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After the Great East Japan Earthquake rolling black-
outs on a large scale made people all over Japan more
conscious of the importance of conserving energy.
This new eco-friendly attitude also had an influence on chil-
drens games.
Eco-toys are toys that can be played without using electric-
ity that includes board games such
as Othello. The new eco-toys on show
at last years Toy Show were able
to light up or make sounds without
using conventional batter-
ies. Parents are hopeful that
toys which run when the
child pushes them around, or
use solar or bio-technology
batteries, will stimulate theintellectual curiosity of their
children.
MegaHouse Corporation unveiled their Ecolo, a hybrid
mini car that does not use batteries at the show. The korogashi
8
hatsuden(rolling power generation) unit mounted on the mini
car transforms the spinning motion of the tires into electricity;
by pushing this miniature car around, its lights illuminate, its
sirens wail and music plays. Retail and department stores are
now selling the first series of these products, which includes a
patrol car, fire engine and garbage truck.
O S U O M a s a h i r o i n c h a r g e o f
Marketing and Sales Promotion, says, It
all started when one of our developers
came up with the idea for his own children. Children love toys
that flash and make sounds. We want children to be able to
enjoy a toy without having to experience the hassle of chang-
ing batteries. It was difficult to develop an energy device that
small children could charge themselves, but weve received a
really positive response from customers and that motivates us
to work harder. Were currently developing other new prod-
ucts.
MegaHouse Corporation
www.megahouse.co.jp/
Eco-friendly Toys Popularfor More Than Just Saving Energy?
MegaHouse booth at Tokyo Toy Show
Patrol car, Ecolo series, MegaHouse
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At the trade show, TOMY Company Ltd. introduced their
Tecology Tomica and Tecology Plarail mini-car and traintoys, both of which are powered by a micromini electricity
unit mounted on the toy that generates electricity when the toy
is pushed along. TOMY is also developing a Plarail series of
trains powered by a solar battery mounted on the roof, and a
remote controlled mini car powered by fruit juice.
In order to launch their Eco Toy activities,
TOMY Company has established an envi-
ronment department; in doing so they aim
to raise awareness through play amongst
this generation of children. The department
manager TAKABAYASHI Noriyuki says,
In order to develop new toys, we needed
to create a company standard; to figure outwhat kind of toys are ecologically friendly,
save resources, save energy, and are fit for
long term use. Environmental concerns are something that
we should address as a society. We hope our actions will take
root, and in time, bit by bit, develop and sustain this move-
ment.
Meanwhile, analog toys such as board games, card games
and three dimensional puzzles toys such as Othello, playing
cards, and Jenga are being reevaluated. At MegaHouse and
TOMY, sales of such games have increased since last year. Of
course people buy them partly because theyre eco-friendly,
but thats not the whole story, they are also in part seen as a
way to develop communication skills.
As video games have become more
common in households, it has been
said that communication through play
has decreased. Analog toys that pro-
vide opportunities for people of all
ages to interact are being reevaluated
as a way to nurture childrens com-munication skills. From now on we are
bound to see more progress in a variety
of forms for eco-toys that are built to support the three core
values of protecting the environment, developing intellectual
curiosity, and encouraging communication.
9
Tomy Company Ltd.
www.takaratomy.co.jp/
Text: HATTA Emiko
One of the Eco Toy activities by TOMY TOMY s Eco Toy
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The scars from the Great East Japan Earthquake are
still deep in the devastated areas. After the earthquake,
unique projects that look to the future were established
by people from around the world from various walks of life.
The Tohoku Kyushu Project is
an attempt to encourage the cultural
revival of disaster hit areas. Part of
this project is an art exhibition which
is touring around Kyushu for a year,
selling and exhibiting works made by
Tohoku and Kyushu artists. Paintings,
ceramics, sundry goods, clothing, music and a variety of other
works are on sale. Though artists of the Tohoku area can
exhibit items free of charge, participating Kyushu artists pay a
handling charge to fund the project.
10
T
RAVEL F
RONTwww.travelers-project.info/
After the Quake Support SwellsWith a Variety of Projects
Tohoku Kyushu Project
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not well known in Kyushu. However, Thanks to this project,
some artists feel Tohoku and Kyushu have become closer,
says MIYAZAKI Yukiko of TRAVEL FRONT. The project
is scheduled to continue until July 2012, and exhibits will be
held once every two to three months in various venues aroundthe Kyushu area.
TRAVEL
FRONT
2012
7
2 3
Another project utilizes the new media ofe-books. Available online, You Are Here:
Write for Tohoku is a collection of articles
written and edited in English by volunteer
writers from around the world. All proceeds
are donated to the devastated areas through
the Japan Red Cross.
e
-book
Y
ou A
re
H
ere: W
rite F
or T
ohoku
As e-books are not printed on paper, the whole production
and publishing process took a mere three months. In addition,
people all around the world are able to purchase the book and
start reading it right away.
e-book
3
This project was first started by the Kyushu Creative Unit,
TRAVEL FRONT. The groups leader, NODA Tsuneo started
the project after personally witnessing the difficulties in con-
tinuing with the arts in the Tohoku area. Not by relying on
charity, but by encouraging trade, the program focuses on fos-tering long term cultural links between the artists of Tohoku
and Kyushu.
T
RAVEL F
RONT
The exhibition started out in Fukuoka
in July 2011, continued on to Nagasaki in
October, and Kagoshima in November.
At each venue talk show events were held
and, at the Fukuoka venue, approximately
1,500 people attended the event. Popular
items from the exhibition includetenugui
(traditional Japanese cloth hand towels)
and smocks made from patterned fabrics of
distinctive Tohoku design, and shoehorns
made from used skateboards. Currentlyapproximately 20 artists from Tohoku are
participating in the exhibition.
2011
7
10
11
1,500
20
Since Kyushu and Tohoku are geographically distant, inter-
action between the regions was rare and Tohoku artists were
Y
ou A
re H
ere: W
rite F
o r T
ohokufortohoku.org/
ucts for Tohoku Kyushu Project
Mi amas TOHOKUSHOE PRESsSUBURBS
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The writers, who have all lived
in Japan, contributed a variety of
articles about their experience of the
country. The book contains short
stories and poems with a Japanese
theme. Humorous articles describe
experiences, such as a first encoun-
ter with a bidet toilet, or working ata Japanese company. There is also
an article about life in affected areas
after the disaster by a writer who
was one of the victims in Sendai.
Readers around the world can catch a glimpse of Japanese
culture and customs through these articles.
e-book
A n n a m a r i e
S A S A G A W A , a
Canad ian na t ivecurrently living in
Tokyo who has expe-
rience as a tour guide,
began the project .
Sasagawa has v is-
ited the Tohoku area
numerous times with
tour groups and on her
personal travels. As
more and more overseas news
outlets showed footage of the
disaster in Tohoku, I worried that people overseas
would only associate Tohoku and Japan with this
terrible natural disaster, so I decided to publish an
e-book, she says.
e-book
Jeremy BOOTH, an American living in Japan who bought
the e-book says, I was able to learn and sympathize with the
interesting experiences and hardships the non-natives living
in Japan went through. Conversely the book also serves as
an introduction to native Japanese readers to the other side of
Japan as seen through the eyes of foreigners. A Japanese ver-
sion and a sequel are scheduled to be published.
e-book
A new large-scale project to rebuild the local agriculture in
the devastated areas has been launched. The Tohoku Cotton
Project aims to consistently produce and sell items made
from raw cotton grown on tsunami stricken farms. Farmers,
apparel manufacturers, fiber spinning firms and agricultural
unions have cooperated to set up this project.
After the earthquake, the
tsunami covered farmlands
located in coastal regions of
Eastern Japan in sea water,
render ing them unf i t for
farming. Some regions were
part icularly affected: a thick
layer of sludge covered the
land and drainage facilities
were destroyed. In these regions
farmers are unable to extract salt
out of the soil, a process that hasto be carried out in order to con-
tinue cultivating rice. Companies
witnessing the situation joined
forces to start this project.
Tohoku Cotton Project
www.tohokucotton.com
SASAGAWA Annamarie
e-book
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Raw cotton has a long history of
being grown on drained land. Cotton
can be grown on land which has such
high saline concentrations that rice
cannot be grown. In June 2011, cot-ton was planted in the Arahama area
of Sendai City and Natori City both in
Miyagi Prefecture. Agricultural work
was done in cooperation with volun-
teers from all over Japan, locals and
employees of participating compa-
nies.
2011
6
Beautiful white flowers bloomed all over the cotton fields
in August 2011. KOZATO Tsukasa of the Japanese Central
Union of Agricultural Cooperatives says, The piles of sludge
make it hard for the soil to retain nutrients. The cotton is very
weak but we are relieved that flowers bloomed. It is all thanks
to the local people and the volunteers from all over Japan.
2011
8
JA
There are difficulties
unique to cotton farming
which are different from
growing rice. During last
autumns typhoon, disaster struck as a
makeshift bank burst and the cotton fields
were submerged in water. There was also
damage caused by cotton worms, and the
resulting crop was smaller than originally
expected. Still, more companies are joining
the movement and many people are lookingforward to this new Tohoku brand cotton busi-
ness. This spring, products will be sold at participating
brand store and department stores.
2012
Text: SHIBATA Rie
KOZATO Tsukasa
oku Cotton Project
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The confectionary shop Patisserie es Koyama is located
in a new residential development in Sanda City, Hyogo
Prefecture, in an area rich in natural beauty. Ever
since its establishment in 2003, their Swiss roll sponge cake
Koyama Roll has been a popular choice for customers, who
even to this day form long lines outside the store. I chose this
location because I wanted to create a product from the fin-
est materials in a natural setting, says owner and patisserie,
KOYAMA Susumu.
2003
In consideration of those queuing up, many of whom have
traveled long distances to visit the store, theres also a caf
and chocolate shop. Fruits, such as blueberries, grow in the
spacious garden outside and benches, and so forth, make for a
relaxing space.
In October 2011, Patisserie es Koyama debuted at Salon
de Chocolat, a chocolate festival held in Paris, France. There,
Koyamas chocolates, which used ingredients unique to Japan,
such as green tea powder and soybean paste, drew a lot of
interest. He became the first foreign chocolatier to receive
five tablettes (the equivalent of three Michelin stars), the
Highest Honor presented by the prestigious Chocolat Club
that hosted the show and was also the first to receive the Most
Outstanding Foreign Chocolatier award.
2011
10
Patisserie es Koyama
JapanProfiles
JapanProfiles
Patisserie es Koyama www.es-koyama.com
Achieving Goals Rather than Dreams
KOYAMA Susumu
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I often tell my staff that a
sense of playfulness and flex-
ibility is essential for work, but
that this is something born after
fully mastering their art. I do not like to use the word dream,
because it has connotations of escapism. I would rather set an
example to the younger generation by demonstrating how to
achieve goals one by one, says Koyama.
Koyama is not thinking of expanding his business to other
locations, but is planning to create an outlet selling dagashi
a traditional form of Japanese sweets aimed at children,
on the premises. Growing up in Kyoto, I had pleasurable
experiences in dagashiand misosweet shops, and that formed
the foundation of my manufacturing process. I want to fill
our cabinets with good quality petite cakes and cookies. It
would make me very happy if the experience of eating my
confectionery eventually inspires these children when they too
become adults. It seems that there are no limits to Koyamas
ambitions for the future.
Koyama presented five types of chocolate to the judges, to
be eaten like kaiseki ryouri(a selection of small dishes eatenone after the other), just like a work of art. Each dish bore a
detailed explanatory caption. I wanted to use ingredients that
no one has used in France before, so I chose to use the dai-
tokuji natto(a type of fermented beans made in Kyoto) in one
of the chocolates, he explains.
5
I never had any overseas training either, but I think that
was good because I was able to work on my pieces without
obsessing over trying to satisfy the tastes of non-Japanese
people. The judges commented that they felt like they were
all being entertained at a dinner party. They also valued the
meticulous approach to work, that Japanese pride themselves
on, continues Koyama.
FKAN is a booklet that can be found in Koyamas
store. It was published with the aim of motivating the young
staff working at the store. The booklet features interviews
that Koyama has conducted with people from various fields
includingsushi chefs and television writers.
F
KAN
At Salon de Chocolat
Text: KAWARATANI Tokiko
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Humor
Humor
[Oudannhodou]
(A volunteer helps pedestrians safety cross)
Ara, yada! Uchi no otousann dawa.(Yuri Asou, Japanese)
Ah no way! Thats my dad.
Ojisan, shikkari oudannsuruhito o miteitekudasai!Ohiruno
take-out menu nannka mitenaide.YukiketoHey gramps, please hang in there and keep watching the
crossing. Dont keep checking the take-out menu for lunch
ideas.
The funniest caption of this month.
16
The following photos are scenes from daily life or cul-
tural activities. Please enter your humorous comments
about the photos written in Glomaji. Photos for the
competition and a more detailed explanation of Glomaji
are available at www.glomaji.com. The eight best com-
ments will appear each month on this page along with
the entrants name. A prize of 5,000 yen will be awarded
to the funniest caption of the month.
G
lomaji
www.
glomaji.com
Glomaji
8
5,000
[Kamakura Daibutsu]
(The Great Buddha in Kamakura)
Koko de eienn ni suwattara, ashi ga shibireta.(Fred, British)
If you sit here for eternity, you end up with pins and needles.
Kono daibutsu wa kawaisou ne. Jitsubutsu no Ganndamu no tokoro ni
motto takusann hito ga iru yo. (Carlos GUTIERREZ, Chilean)
Dont you feel sorry for this Buddha, there are way more people gath-ered around the Gundam (in Yokohama recently there was a giant
model of Gundam).
Glomaji Communitywww.glomaji.com
[Onnsenn tamago]
(Eggs boiled in a hot spring, are the local speciality of Hakone
resort)
Yuzame shite aokunacchata.(Kimmy)
It went blue after an onsen(hot spring bath).
Kore godzilla no tamago desu. Totemo oishii yo.
(Hide, Japanese)
This is Godzillas egg. Its really delicious!
[Escalator]
(Many Japanese use trains. Escalators are available at many stations)
Jitsuwa kono escalator wa tomatteimasu. Setsudenn desu.
(Nobby, Japanese)
Actually this escalator has stopped. Were practicing power saving.
Minasann, kono escalator wa ushiro muki ni oriru nn desu yo.
(Riki, Japanese)
Ladies and gentlemen, on this escalator please alight from behind.
(Global Romaji)
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No. 072
Audio File Available for Premium Subscribers
www.hiraganatimes.com
G
lomaji (G
lobal R
omaji)
Multi-level Japanese Text
Insight into Japan is written also in Glomaji (Global Romaji).
What is Glomaji (Global Romaji)?
It is a new concept developed by Hiragana Times. Glomaji is the form of romajiused when inputting Japanese into a PC with Roman characters;
it can also be used as a global method of communication in Japanese.
Features of Glomaji:
1. Glomaji is a way of expressing Japanese with the alphabet and can be useful not only for those wanting to read the language, but also for learning
how to input Japanese characters into a PC using the Roman alphabet. It allows users to communicate not only with native Japanese, but also
with Japanese learners all over the world.
2. It utilizes only 21 letters of the alphabet and about 100 phonetic syllables. You can read and write it without any knowledge of hiragana, katakana
and kanji. Furthermore, unlike English, Glomaji is pronounced exactly as it is written.
3. Katakanawords adopted from English are not used. English words can be written with their original spelling within Glomaji sentences. This means
it can be used as a communicative tool after acquiring basic Japanese grammar.
By using Glomaji, even beginners can participate in the Glomaji Community. The service is free of charge. www.glomaji.com
koubann The pronunciation of the Japanese oucombination is similar to the pronunciation of oain float, NOT like the ouin
would.In Japanese, vowels are pronounced separately, as in ko u bann.
koutsuu When one uis followed by another uthey are pronounced separately, as in ko u tsu u.
*Further details about Glomaji are available at www.glomaji.com/rule/index.htmlEnglish furiganaNotes
Examples
(the) desk Words in parentheses are not translated into Japanese.
[in fact] Words in square brackets are not translated into English.
go When the English translation is different to the Japanese, the original Japanese is placed in< >after the English.
and When a sentence is continuing in Japanese, the conjunction is shown in italics.
~ indicates the rest of phrase to follow
Glomaji Text Notes
wa/ha, o/wo, e/he and zu/du
Though the Japanese characters for wa,o,e,and zuare written as ha,wo,heand du(shown in black letters in Insight into
Japantexts) when inputting Japanese text into a PC, Glomaji represents them phonetically as wa,o,eand zu.
coffee/ko-hi-
Loan English words like coffeeare written as they would be in English, therefore in Glomaji we simply type: coffee.Of course, if you
were converting these words into katakanausing a PC you would type ko-hi-in order to get .Katakanaspellings are written
in black letters in Insight into Japantexts)
youand to
Please note that when reading Glomaji, you pronounce the above spellings differently than if you were reading it as English text. Youis
pronounced as yo u(the uis pronounced as a separate consonant rather than blending with the yo.Tois pronounced the same asthe tofrom the Japanese word tomodachi(friend).
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Introduction of New Residency ManagementSystem for Non-Japanese
Close Up JapanClose Up Japan
18
According to the Immigration Bureau of Japan, a new residency management system is to replace the cur-
rent alien registration system. When this happens foreign nationals will be issued with a residents card,
instead of an alien registration card. The card will display a photo of the individual, basic personal infor-
mation, such as name and residency status, and the period of time that person is permitted to reside in Japan.
This new system is scheduled to be introduced on July 9.
7
9
H
iragana T
imes
Brochure and residentscard sample
theImmigration Bureau of Japan according to (the) current alien registration system
(a) new residency management system is to replace when this happens
(an) alien registration card instead of foreign nationals (a) residents card
will be issued with (the) card (a) photo of the individual name (and) residency status
(and) (the) period of time (that person) is permitted to reside (in Japan) such as basic personal information will display
this new system [in this year] July 9 on to be introduced
scheduled is
Nyuukoku Kannri Kyoku ni yoruto, gennkou no gaikokujinn touroku seido wa/ha
atarashii kannri seido ni kawarimasu. Sore ga hajimaru to
gaikokujinn tourokushou no kawarini gaikokujinn juuminn ni zairyuu card/ka-doga
koufusaremasu. Card/ka-do niwa/ha honnninn no shashinn, namae, zairyuu shikaku,
zairyuu kyoka kikann nado kihonn kojinn jouhou ga shirusaremasu.
Kono shinn system/shisutemuwa/ha, kotoshi no 7 gatsu kokonoka ni dounyuusareru
yotei desu.
Atarashii gaikokujinn zairyuu kannri seido ga start/suta-to
read: shichi/nana
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The Immigration Bureau says that the system will make things more convenient for foreign nationals who
legally reside in Japan with mid- to long-term residency status. The maximum period of stay on a visa will
now be five years, instead of the previous limit of three years. Furthermore, it waives reentry permit for-
malities for foreign nationals with a valid visa who leave Japan and reenter within one year of the date of their
departure.
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This new system will apply to those married to a Japanese national, as well as descendants of Japanese (nik-
kei), whose status of residence is Spouse or Child of a Japanese National, or Long Term Resident. It will
also apply to those working for an employer in Japan, whose status of residence is Engineer, Specialist in
Humanities/International Services, etc., as well as technical interns, students, and permanent residents.
(the) Immigration Bureau mid- to long-term residency status with legally
Japan in (who) reside foreign nationals for (the system) will make (things) more convenient that says
(instead of the) previous (limit of) three years (the) maximum period of stay (on a visa) five years will (now) be furthermore
Japan (who) leaveand (their original) departure of (the) date of one year within
reenter (a) valid visa with foreign nationals for
reentry permit formalities (it) waives
this new system (a) Japanese National of Spouse or Child
or Long Term Resident (whose) status of residence is descendants of Japanese (Nikkei)
as well as (a) Japanese national to married those to will apply
[and] Engineer Specialist in Humanities/International Services etc. (whose) status of residence is
Japan in those working (for an employer) as well as technical interns students
(and) permanent residents also to (it) will apply
Nyuukoku kannrikyoku wa/ha, chuuchouki no zairyuushikaku de seiki ni
Nihonn ni sumu gaikokujinn niwa/ha yori bennri ni naru to iimasu.
Koremade, 3 nenn datta saichou zairyuu kikann ga 5 nenn ni narimasu. Sarani,
Nihonn o/wo shukkoku shi, shuppatsu no hi kara 1 nenn inai ni
sainyuukoku suru yuukouna visa/biza o/wo motsu gaikokujinn niwa/ha
sainyuukoku kyoka tetsuzu/dukiga nakunarimasu.
Kono shinnseido wa/ha, Nihonnjinn no haiguusha oyobi sono kodomo nado
ya choukizairyuusha no zairyuushikaku o/wo motsu Nikkeijinn
oyobi Nihonnj inn to kekkonn shita hito ni tekiyousaremasu.
Mata, gijutsusha jinnbunnchishiki/kokusaigyoumu nado no shikaku de
Nihonn de hataraku hito, oyobi ginoujisshuusei, gakusei,
eijuusha nimo tekiyousaremasu.
read: sann, go
read: ichi
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China
687,156
32.2%
565,989
26.5%
230,552
10.8%
210,1819.8%
50,667
2.4%
54,636
2.6%
334,970
15.7%
687,156
32.2%
565,989
26.5%
230,552
10.8%
210,1819.8%
334,970
15.7%
Korea
Brazil
Philippines
Peru
U.S.A.
Others
Numbers of foreigners holding alien registration by nationality in 2010
2010
It will not apply to those visiting Japan for a short period of time as a tourist. While illegal residents can
be registered under the present alien registration system, they cannot be registered under the new residency
management system. Any foreign national illegally staying in Japan is advised to immediately visit the near-
est Regional Immigration Office and follow the necessary procedures.
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lomaji
Close Up JapanClose Up Japan
(a) tourist as (for a) short period of time Japan visiting those to
(it) will not apply (the) present alien registration system under
illegal residents [also] can be registered while (the) new residency management system under
(they) cannot be registered Japan in illegally staying (any) foreign national
immediately the nearest (Regional) Immigration Office to visit and (the) necessary procedures
follow is advised
Kannkoukyaku to shite tannkikann Nihonn o/wo otozureru hito niwa/ha
tekiyousaremasenn. Gennkou no gaikokujinn touroku seido no moto dewa/ha
fuhou juuminn mo tourokudekimasu ga, shinnkannri seido dewa/ha
tourokudekimasenn. Nihonn ni fuhou ni taizaishiteiru gaikokujinn wa/ha,
tadachini moyori no nyuukoku kannri kyoku ni iki, hitsuyouna tetsuzu/duki o/wo
suruyou ni susumeteimasu.
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On the other hand, the government has announced that it will be introducing a point system for highly
skilled foreign workers this spring. Those targeted are individuals with academic research, high-level tech-
nological expertise, and business management and administration skills. Their academic career, employment
history, annual income, and other factors will be counted as points.
Those with 70 points or more will be given priority treatment when applying for permanent residency.
Normally a ten year stay in Japan is required before you can apply for permanent residency, but for these
individuals, only five years is necessary. Other benefits include lifting the 28-hour work week restriction on
spouses, and conditional permission to bring parents and domestic servants over to Japan.
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ommunity
www.glomaji.com
70 points or more with those permanent residency applying for when
will be given priority treatment normally permanent residency (you) can apply for before
(a) ten year Japan in stay is required but (for) these individuals
only five years is necessary other benefits spouses on
(the) 28-hour work week restriction lifting (and) parents and domestic servants
to bring over (to Japan) conditional permission include
on the other hand (the) government highly skilled foreign workers for
(a) point system this spring (it) will be introducing that has announced
those targeted (individuals with) academic research high-level technological expertise and
business management (and) administration skills are (their) academic career and employment history annual income
other factors points as will be counted
70 point/poinnto ijou no hito wa/ha, eijuu o/wo shinnsei suru sai ni
yuusennsaremasu. Tsuujou wa/ha eijuukenn o/wo shinnsei suru maeni,
10 nenn wa/ha, Nihonn ni taizaishinakerebanarimasenn ga, gaitousha wa/ha
5 nenn de mitomeraremasu. Sonohoka no yuuguusochi niwa/ha, haiguusha no
shuu 28 jikann roudou seigenn o/wo nakusu, ryoushinn ya kajishiyouninn o/wo
doukou dekiru joukenn o/womitomeru nado mo arimasu.
Ippoude, seifu wa/ha takai ginou o/womotsu gaikokujinn ni taishite,
point/poinntosei o/wo kotoshi no haru ni dounyuusuru to happyou shimashita.
Sono taishousha wa/ha, gakujutsu kennkyuu, koudo sennmonn / gijutsu, oyobi
keiei / kannri desu. Gakureki ya shokureki, nennshuu
nado ga point/poinnto ni kuwaeraremasu.
read: nana juu
read: juu
read: go
read: nijuu hachi
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In early spring approximately one out of three people wear a surgical mask. Foreign visitors coming to
Japan for the first time might be perplexed by this spectacle. Most of them may think Japanese wear face-
masks to protect themselves from catching a cold or the flu.
In this season pollen, primarily from the Japanese cedar tree, fills the air, causing many people to suffer from
irritated eyes and runny noses. People wear masks not only to protect themselves, but also not to trouble oth-
ers with their sneezing and coughing.
3
Keysto Understanding Japan
Keysto Understanding Japan
The Reason JapaneseWear Surgical Masksin Early Spring
in early spring [Japanese] approximately one out of three people (a) surgical mask
wear for the first time Japan coming to foreign visitors this spectacle
by might be perplexed most of them (catching) a cold or (the) flu from
to protect (themselves) (Japanese) wear (facemasks) [that] may think
this season in primarily (the Japanese) cedar tree from pollen fills (the) air irritated eyes
and runny noses from to suffer people many causing people
masks wear to protect themselves not only
(their) sneezing and coughing with others not to trouble but also [wear]
Harusaki, Nihonnjinn no oyoso 3 ninn ni hitori ga mask/masuku o/wo
kaketeimasu. Hajimete Nihonn o/wo otozureta gaikokujinn wa/ha, kono koukei
ni tomadou deshou. Karera no hotondo ga kaze ya flu/infuruennza kara
mamoru tame ni kaketeiru to omotteimasu.
Kono jiki niwa/ha omo ni sugi no ki no kafunn ga mai, me no kayumi
ya hanamizu de kurushimu hito ga takusann imasu. Nihonnjinn ga
Mask/Masuku o/wo kakeru nowa/ha mi o/wo mamoru tame dake de naku,
kushami ya seki o/wo shite hito ni meiwaku o/wokakenai tame demo arimasu.
Ooku no Nihonnjinn ga harusaki ni masuku o/wo
kaketeiru riyuu
read: sann
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The pet boom continues in Japan. Dogs used to be kept to guard the house, and cats to catch mice.
However, these days they are treated like children: they have their bodies washed in the bath and are
given outfits to wear by their owners.
by Hiragana TimesEditor-in-Chief
Is a Pet a Member of the Family?
Owners out walking with their dogs is a common sight. Every owner brings such items with him as a
plastic carrier bag or pooper scooper. They do this in order to clean up after their dog when it poops.
Japan in (the) pet boom continues used to
dogs (the) house to guardand cats mice to catch
be kept however these days children like (they) are treated
(their) owners by (the) bath in (they) have (their bodies) washedand outfits are given to wear
owners (their) dogs with out walking [scene] is a common sight
owner every (a) plastic carrier bag or
pooper scooper such items as brings (their) dog (it) poops
when clean up after in order to (they) do this
Kainushi ga inu o/wo tsurete sannpo suru koukei wa/ha dokodemo miraremasu.
Ka inus h i wa/ha mina b in i - ru no re j i bukuro to
tenohira size/saizuno scooper/sukoppu nado o/wo motteimasu. Inu ga funn o/woshita
tokini atoshimatsu o/wo suru tame desu.
Nihonn dewa/ha pet boom/pettobu-muga tsuzu/duiteimasu. Katsute
inu wa/ha ie o/wo mamoru tameni, neko wa/ha nezumi o/wo toru tameni
kawareteimashita. Shikashi, ima ya kodomo no you ni kawaigarareteimasu.
Kainushi ni ofuro de arattemorattari, ifuku o/wo kisetemorattari shiteimasu.
Petto wa/ha kazoku no ichiinn?
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However, one day the cat suddenly disappeared. Ns family searched here and there, but could not find
him. Worried, N turned to a company that specialized in searching for cats. They posted his photo up on
telephone poles around the area and searched for five days in places a cat might stay.
In this respect, house cats are easier for owners to keep, as they are trained to do their business in the same
place. Because of that, one of my friends, a certain N-san, keeps a cat, but he spoiled his cat rotten. This
round fat cat does just as he pleases in the house.
however one day the cat suddenly disappeared
Ns family here and there searched but could not find (him)
worried N cats specialized in searching for (a) company (that)
turned to they his photo (around the) area telephone poles
on posted up and for five days (a) cat might stay in places searched (in)
in this respect house cats the same place in to do (their business)
(they) are trained as owners for are easier (to keep) because of that
one of my friends (a certain) N-san (a) cat keeps but
(he) spoiled (his cat) rotten (this) round fat cat in (the) house just as (he) pleases does
Tokoroga, aruhi sono neko ga totsuzenn inakunatteshimaimashita.
Nsann no kazoku wa/ha achira kochira o/wo sagashimashita ga mitsukarimasenn.
Shinnpaina Nsann wa/ha, neko o/wo sennmonn ni sagasu gyousha ni
tanomimashita. Gyousha wa/ha neko no shashinn o/wo chiiki no dennshinn bashira
ni hari, itsukakann ni watari neko ga isouna basho o/wo sagashimashita.
Sonotenn, ie no naka de kawareru neko wa/ha kimatta basho de suru youni
shitsukerareteiru node, kainushi ni totte wa/ha ki ga raku desu. Sonnnawakede
watash i no yuujinn no Nsann wa/ha, neko o/wo katteimasu ga
amayakashiteimashita. Futotta neko wa/ha, ie no naka de suki kattena koto o/wo shiteimasu.
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lomaji
The fee was 50,000 yen. Even so, they could not find the cat. Ns family members were depressed.
Some time later the cat returned home unexpectedly. He had lost so much weight that he looked like a dif-
ferent cat. But the N family was very happy.
Back home, the cat is back to behaving just as he pleases. The N family does not understand why he left
home. So they take care of him even better than before so as not to hurt his feelings. Before him they
look just like the servants of a king.
the fee fifty thousand yen was even so (the) cat
(they) could not find Ns family members were depressed
some time later (the) cat unexpectedly returned home so much~ that
(a) different cat (he) looked like (he) had lost weight but (the) N family very happy was
back home (the) cat [again] (just) as (he) pleases is (back) to behaving (the) N
family why he left home does not understand so
his feelings so as not to hurt even better than before (they) take care of (him)
they him before of (a) king (the) servants
look (just) like
Sono hiyou wa/ha 5 mann enn deshita. Soredemo neko o/wo
mitsukeru koto ga dekimasenn. Nsann Kazoku wa/ha ochikonndeshimaimashita.
Sorekara shibaraku suruto, neko ga hyokkori modottekimashita. Marude
betsu no neko no you ni yaseteimashita. Demo, Nsann kazoku wa/ha ooyorokobi desu.
Ie ni modotta neko wa/ha, mata kimamani furumatteimasu. Nsann
kazoku wa/ha, naze neko ga iede o/woshita no ka wakarimasenn. Sorede,
neko no kibunn o/wo sokonawanai youni, izenn nimo mashite ki o/wotsukatteimasu.
Nsann kazoku wa/ha neko no mae dewa/ha ousama ni tsukaeru meshitsukai
no you desu.
read: go
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Hero who Achieved aBloodless Revolution
KATSU Kaishu
26
In 1868, in Japan, the revolution was reaching its climax. The Kangun a force fighting for the restora-tion of the Emperors government advanced to Edo (present-day Tokyo). On March 15, they planned tolaunch a full-scale attack on the city in order to defeat the Tokugawa shogunate, whose reign had lasted 265
years. The event would plunge Edo into chaos and cause a great deal of bloodshed. In order to prevent atragedy, General KATSU Kaishu of the Tokugawa shogunate army requested a meeting with SAIGO Takamori,
the military leader of the Kangun.
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in eighteen sixty-eight [year] Japan in (the) revolution (its) climax
was reaching (the) Emperors government (the) restoration of (a) force fighting for
(the) Kangun Edo (present-day Tokyo) to advanced
they two hundred and sixty-five years had lasted (whose) reign (the) Tokugawa shogunate
defeat in order to March fifteen on (the) city on to launch (a) full-scale attack
planned the event Edo would plunge into chaosand
(a) great deal of [people] cause bloodshed (a) tragedy prevent in order to
(the) Tokugawa shogunate army of General Katsu Kaishu (the) Kangun of
(the) military leader Saigo Takamori with (a) meeting requested
1868 nenn, Nihonn dewa/ha kakumei ga yamaba o/wo
mukaeteimashita . Tennnou ni yoru seikenn o/wo kaifukusaseru seiryoku no
Kanngunn wa/ha Edo (gennz a i no Toukyou) n i susumi mash i t a .
Kanngunn wa/ha 265 nenn tsuzu/duita seikenn, Tokugawa bakufu o/wo
taosu tame ni 3 gatsu 15 nichi ni Edo o/wo sou kougeki suru
keikaku o/wo tateteimashita. Sono jisshi wa/ha Edo o/wo dai konnrannsase,
ooku no hito no chi ga nagasaremasu. Sono daisanj i o/wo sakeru tame,
Tokugawa bakufugunn no sousai, KATSU Kaishuu wa/ha Kanngunn no
shikikann, SAIGOU Takamori ni hanashiai o/wo yobikakemashita.
Muketsu kakumei o/wo jitsugenn saseta eiyuu
read:senn happyakurokujuu hachi
read: nihyakurokujuu go
read:sann, juu go
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On March 14, the day before the battle, the historical Katsu-Saigo summit was held in Shinagawa, Tokyo. Assuming negotiations wouldnt go well, Katsu prepared for the worst. He hatched a secret plan to burnEdo to the ground and attack the enemy in the confusion. In order that the citizens of Edo could escape, he
brought a huge number of boats into Tokyo Bay.
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Katsu told Saigo, If you call off the attack, the Tokugawa shogun will surrender the castle to your army. But the majority of the Kangun army was keen to completely sweep away the shogunates army and rebuildthe government from scratch. As their leader Saigo couldnt easily accept Katsus suggestion. Katsu pas-sionately argued that the soldiers of the Kangun and Shogunite armies were all Japanese; it was ridiculous for
them to needlessly kill each other.
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(on) March fourteen (the) battle the day before (the) historical Katsu-Saigo summit
Tokyo Shinagawa in was held Katsu negotiations
wouldnt go well assuming the worst [situation] for prepared Edo
to burn to (the) ground and (the) confusion in (the) enemy attack (a) secret
plan (he) hatched [furthermore] Edo of (the) citizens could escape in order that
Tokyo Bay into (a) huge number of boats (he) brought
Katsu (the) [tomorrows] attack (you) call off if (the) Tokugawa shogun
(the) [Edo] castle (your) army to will surrender [that] Saigo told but
(the) Kangun army of (the) majority (the) shogunates army completely sweep away and from scratch
(the) government rebuild was keen to Saigo
(their) leader as easily Katsus suggestion couldnt accept
Katsu (the) Kangun of (the) soldiers and Shogunite armies [of] [soldiers] were all Japanese
needlessly each other to kill (it) was ridiculous (for them) that passionately argued
3 gatsu 14 ka, kougeki no zennjitsu, rekishitekina Katsu, Saigou kaidann ga
Toukyou no Shinagawa de okonawaremashita. Katsu wa/ha hanashiai ga
shippaisu ru koto mo kanngae, saiaku no jitai ni sonaemasu. Edo o/wo
hi no umi ni shite, konnrann no naka de teki o/wo kougeki suru himitsu no
sakusenn o/wo tatemashita. Mata, Edo no chouminn ga hinann dekiru youni
Toukyouwann ni tasuu no fune o/wo mochikomimashita.
Katsu wa/ha, Asu no kougeki o/wo chuushi sureba, Tokugawa shougunn wa/ha
Edojou o/wo Kanngunn ni akewatasu to Saigou ni tsutaemasu. Shikashi,
Kanngunn no ooku wa/ha, bakufu gunn o/wo kannzenn ni torinozoki, ichi kara
seifu o/wo tsukurinaosu koto o/wo tsuyoku nozonnde imashita. Saigou wa/ha
shikikann to shite, kanntannni Katsu no moushide o/wo ukeireru koto wa/ha dekimasenn.
Katsu wa/ha Kanngunn no heishi mo bakufu gunn no heishi mo onaji Nihonnjinn,
muyamini tagai o/wo koroshiau nowa/ha orokanakoto to, atsuku katarimasu.
read: san,juu yokka
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Katsu was born in Edo as the eldest son of KATSU Kokichi, a member of the Hatamoto a group of samu-rai responsible for guarding the shogun. In addition to studying Dutch and Western military strategy, he wasalso an excellent swordsman. On top of this he studied Zen, in order to gain the spiritual strength to remaincalm no matter what the circumstances. 1860, seven years after Perrys black ships appeared in Japan (open-ing up the country to the outside world), he visited the USA as the representative of Japan leader to ratify the
Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan.
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After a while Saigo replied, It will be difficult to convince my compatriots, but I will accept your proposal. Thus the meeting between these two great men prevented a tragedy in Edo. Political power was trans-ferred from the shogunate to the Imperial court without bloodshed. Later, in Hikawa Seiwa, Katsu men-tioned that Saigo was an exceptional man, capable of seeing the bigger picture.
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ommunity G
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represents Japan
represents the USA
after a while Saigo (my) compatriots to convince
(it) will be difficult but I (your) proposal will accept [that] replied
thus (these) two great men (the) meeting (between) Edo in (a) tragedy
prevented political power without bloodshed (the) shogunate from (the) Imperial court to
was transferred later Katsu Saigo capable of seeing (the) bigger picture (an) exceptional
man was that Hikawa Seiwa in mentioned
Katsu (a member of the) Hatamoto (the) shogun (responsible for) guarding samurai of (a) group
Katsu Kokichi of the eldest son as Edo in was born
Dutch [Holland of study] and Western military strategy studying
in addition to (an) excellent swordsman also (he) was on top of this no matter what (the) circumstances
to remain calm (the) spiritual strength gain in order to Zen [also] (he) studied
(the) country opening up to (the) outside world Perrys black ships Japan in appeared
after seven years 1860 [year] he
between the United States and Japan (the) Treaty of Amity and Commerce to ratify
(the) representative of Japan leader as the USA visited
Shibarakushi te, Saigou wa/ha Doushi o/wo settokusuru no wa/ha
muzukashii deshou ga, watashi ga moushide o/wo ukemashou to kotaemasu.
Koushite, futari no idaina jinnbutsu no kaidann ga Edo no higeki o/wo
sakemashita. Seikenn wa/ha chi o/wonagasazu ni bakufu kara choutei ni
utsurimashita. Nochi ni, Katsu wa/ha Saigou wa/ha ookina koto ga mieru taishita
jinnbutsu datta to Hikawa Seiwa no naka de nobeteimasu.
Katsu wa/ha Hatamoto (shougunn o/wo mamoru bushi no ichidann),
Katsu Kokichi no chounann to shite Edo ni umaremashita.
Ranngaku (Holland/Orannda no gakumonn) ya seiyou heigaku o/wo manabu
dake de naku, kenn no tatsujinn demo arimashita. Sarani, donnna bamenn demo
douji nai seishinnryoku o/wo minitsukeru tame ni, Zen/Zenn mo manabimashita.
Nihonn o/wo kaikokusaseta, Perry/Peri- no kurofune ga Nihonn ni arawarete
kara 7 nenn go no 1860 nenn, Katsu wa/ha
Nichibei Shuukou Tsuushou Jouyaku o/wo mitomeru tame ni
shisetsudann no leader/ri-da- to shite Amerika o/wo otozuremasu.
read:nana/shichi,senn happyaku
rokujuu
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SAKAMOTO Ryoma, who was revered as being one of the leading figures of the Meiji Restoration wrotea letter to his sister, saying, I am working now as a disciple of Katsu Kaishu, the greatest man in Japan.
Katsu was recruited as advisor to the Meiji government and given the title of count. He had strived to rec-oncile the new government and the Tokugawa family. And in 1898, this wish was realized: the last shogunYoshinobu was given an opportunity to meet with the Emperor
After witnessing the civilization of the USA, Katsu realized that the feudal shogunite system couldnt com-pete with the rest of the world. During that period western countries were looking for a chance to invadeJapan. After returning to Japan, the shoguns retainers, who enjoyed displays of power, asked him about hisimpressions of the USA. Katsu told them, Unlike our country, the higher up their position, the wiser theyare.
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the USA of (the) civilization (after) witnessing Katsu (the) feudal
shogunite system (the rest of the) world with couldnt compete that realized
(during) that period western countries Japan to invade were looking for (a chance)
returning to Japan after power (who) enjoyed displays (of) (the) shoguns
[important] retainers the USA of (his) impressions about him
asked Katsu them told our country unlike
the higher up (their) position the wiser (they) are [that]
the Meiji Restoration of (being) one of (the) leading figures as (who) was revered
Sakamoto Ryoma I now (in) Japan the greatest man Katsu Kaishu
of (a) disciple as am working saying (his) sister to (a) letter wrote
Katsu the Meiji government to advisor as was recruitedand (the title of) count
given he (the) new government and the Tokugawa family to reconcile
had strived and (in) eighteen ninety-eight [year] this wish was realized
the last shogunn Yoshinobu the Emperor with to meet (an) opportunity was given
Meiji Ishinn no saidai no tateyakusha no hitori to hyouka sareru
Sakamoto Ryouma wa/ha, Ore wa/ha ima, Nihonn daiichi no jinnbutsu, Katsu Kaishuu
no deshi to natte hataraiteiru to, ane ni tegami o/wo kaiteimasu.
Katsu wa/ha Meiji seifu de soudann yaku ni shuuninn shi, hakushaku to
narimasu. Katsu wa/ha shinn seifu to Tokuga wa ke to no wabok u ni
doryoku shimashita. Soshite 1898 nenn, kono negai ga kanaimashita.
Saigo no shougunn, Yoshinobu ga Tennnou ni au kikai o/wo ataerareta no desu.
Amerika no bunnmei o/wo mita Katsu wa/ha, houkenn tekina
bakufu no taisei dewa/ha sekai ni tsuuyou shinai koto o/wo satorimasu.
Kono jidai, seiou shokoku wa/ha Nihonn e/he no shinnryaku o/wo neratte imashita.
Kikoku go, kenni o/wo misetsuk eru dake no bakufu no
juuyou na chi i ni tsuku hitotachi ga Amerika no inshou ni tsuite Katsu ni
kikimashita. Katsu wa/ha karera ni iimashita. Watashitachi no kuni towa/hachigai,
takai chii ni nareba naruhodo, kashikoku narimasu to.
read:senn happyakukyuujuu hachi
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This word is used in conversation among young people. People usually respond to others with, A- soui-ukoto ne (Oh! Its like that), or A- naruhodo ne (Oh! I see); these responses can be shortened to simply,
A- ne. However, some people think it sounds cold and gives the impression that that person is not listening
properly to the speaker. Theres a theory that this expression originated from the dialect of Fukuoka.
New Expressions& Buzzwords
(I see)
In the Kansai dialect doya (douya) means douda (you see?). The phrase can also mean Im great.
So doya-gao means proud looking. It became popular nationwide after comedians from Kansai began
to use the word on TV variety shows.
(Proud Looking)
Text: KINOUCHI Hiromichi
G
lomaji
young people among conversation in (this word) is used usually others
to A- souiukoto ne (Oh! Its like that) or A- naruhodo ne (Oh! I see) with (people) respond
these responses simply A- ne can be shortened to however cold
(it) soundsand (the) speaker properly (person) is not listening to that gives (the) impression some people think
Fukuoka [Prefecture] of (the) dialect (that this expression) originated from (a) theory theres
doya (douya) (the) Kansai dialect in douda (you see) means the phrase
Im great can also mean so doya-gao
proud looking means Kansai from comedians
TV variety shows on began to use (the word) after nationwide
(it) became popular
Doya (douya) wa/ha Kannsai no hougenn de douda? no imi desu. Soko niwa/ha
sugoi darou no imi mo fukumarete imasu. Sorede, doya gao wa/ha
j imanngena kao o/wo imi shimasu. Kansai no owarai geininn ga
Terebi no variery/baraethi-banngumi de tsukaihajimete kara, zennkokutekini
hiromarimashita.
Wakai hito no kaiwa de tsukawarete imasu. Ippanntekini aite
ni taishite A-,souiukoto ne toka A-, naruhodo ne to aizu/duchi o/wouchimasu.
Korera no aizu/duchi ga ryakushite a-ne to mijikakunarimasu. Shikashi, tsumetaku
kikoe, aite no hanashi o/wo kichinnto kiite inai to kannjiru hito mo imasu.
Fukuokakenn no hougenn da to suru setsu ga arimasu.
A-ne
Doyagao
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Makoto Visa Office Immigration Lawyer
SUGITA Makoto
TEL: 03-5858-8491
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Taking the Chuo Line from JR Tokyo Station for about
30 minutes, you will begin to see a lot of greenery out
of the train window as you arrive at JR
Kichijoji Station. Kichijoji is located almost in
the center of Tokyo.
JR
30
JR
Most people asso-
ciate Kichijoji with
Inokashira Park and this
jus t goes to show how
well-known Inokashira
Onshi Park is. There
are about 20,000 treesplanted in the park, and
here you can enjoy the
beauty of nature all year around. You can observe seasonal
flowers and small animals, such as wild birds, at the botani-
cal garden inside the park.
Many people bring their
lunch and spend all day in
the park.
2
Kichijoji A Town Loved by Artists
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been renovated and now offers fashionable caf-s tyle set
lunches.
Walking along Nanaibashi Street from JR
Kichijoji Station toward the park, you will
come upon some Asian or ethnic-style shops
and second hand clothing stores, this area can
get really crowded with people on weekends
and holidays. In the evenings theres always
a long line of people waiting to buy yakitori
(char-grilled chicken on a skewer) outside
Iseya, a reasonably-priced bar that is one ofthe oldest establishments on the street. Next
to a flight of stairs leading down to the park
is Donatellos, a shop famous not
only for its gelato, but also for its
resident cats.
JR
As you head toward Mitaka no Mori through the park, the
Ghibli Museum gradually comes into sight. In the museum,
there is a caf and an area where originals goods are available
for sale. With short movies to enjoy, you can spend a wholeday there and never get bored. To visit the museum, reserva-
tions are necessary.
Numerous swan boats and rowboats float upon a large pond
within the park. The pier is crowded with couples and fami-
lies, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, or the
trees begin to change color. The park also boasts of spacious
tennis courts and has swings and other playground equipment,
so visitors can enjoy light exercise as well as serious sports.
O n w e e k e n d s a n dholidays, crowds of people
gather to watch perfor-
mances held at locations
throughout the park. The art market,
where artisans sell handmade accessories
and knick knacks, is also held on week-
ends. A few artists also set up shop, and,
because of their outstanding talent, there
are always scores of people queuing up
for a portrait.
Within the parks grounds is Inokashira Park Zoo, which
contains an area for petting guinea pigs, and a small amuse-
ment park. Although the zoo mostly houses small animals, itsbiggest animal, an Asian elephant named Hanako, has become
a symbol of Inokashira Park. The food stand in the zoo has
Watching a performance
Inokashira Park Zoo
Art Markets
Iseya
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Walking along the railway tracks of the Chuo Line from
the north exit of the station toward Nishi-Ogikubo, you will
come upon Cafe Zenon, a caf that has patio seating. The shop
fuses manga and art, and
is overseen by mangaart-
ist HARA Tetsuo, known
for his comic Fist of the
North Star, and HOJO
Tsukasa, the author of
City Hunter. Because
the caf offers an excel-lent menu of food and
drinks, i t has a wide
appeal.
Heading from Cafe Zenon toward the north exit of
JR Kichijoji Station and turning into Nakamichi-dori
Street, you will find Animate, an animation goods
store, located at the intersection in front of the sta-
tion. Carrying a wide variety of anime DVDs and computer
game products, ranging from well-known, to cult titles, the
shop offers special goods and services not available anywhere
else. Also, events featuring voice actors and mangaartists are
held there regularly.
JR
DVD
Kichijoji is famous for having a number of cafs that
offer authentic coffee, but the most unique is
Ocharaka, located on Nakamichi-dori Street.
This caf specializes in Japanese tea, and there
you can enjoy a delicious cup of green tea, or
other kinds of tea. Owner Stephane DANTON
is from France. He opened this shop after
studying green tea for many years.
In Kichijoji, all kinds of com-
mercial buildings, such as depart-
ment stores and discount shops,
stand side by side. Another build-
ing Coppice has recently joined
their ranks, representing the new
face of Kichijoji. The building also houses the Kichijoji Art
Museum and Kyara Park, a store which carries character mer-
chandise and is popular with young people.
Musashino City Tourism Promotion Organization
musashino-kanko.com/
OcharakaCafe Zenon
Coppice
Animate
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Along Heiwa-dori Street in front of the station, there is ashopping arcade with small stores called Harmonica Yokocho.
The arcade was given this name because the stores lined up
together resemble the mouthpiece of a harmonica. With tachi-
nomiya (drinking establishments where
customers drink while standing), ramen
shops and ethnic food restaurants, the
arcade is popular with customers who
like to casually pop by for a rest in the
middle of a shopping trip and with peo-
ple who come for a quick drink.
Walking down Harmonica Yokocho, you will see long
queues around Daiya-gai (Diamond Street). These queues
are a common sight in Kichijoji and are formed outside the
meat store, Satou, or the Japanese sweet store, Ozasa. At
Satou, they sell menchi-katsu(deep fried minced meat) using
Matsuzaka beef, and at Ozasa, sweets containing ingredients
such as azukibeans or youkan(sweet bean jelly), and monaka
(a wafer cake filled with bean jam), are sold.
Stretching from the north exit of the station is a shopping
street called Sun Road. Covered with an arched roof, you can
enjoy shopping there even in bad weather. At Gessoji Temple
in Area B of Sun Road, a zazen-kai is held every Tuesdaymorning for participants to practice Zenmeditation. There is
also a dojo (a practice hall) for aikido, where you can come
into contact with Buddhist teachings and Japanese martial
arts.
B
Kichijoji is so popular that it
invariably comes first place as the
town in Japan that most people want
to live in. This is partly down to thetowns excellent public safety and its pleasant green spaces,
such as Inokashira Park. Moreover those who love Kichijoji
actively participate in events and community development
projects in order to make the town even more comfortable for
its visitors and residents.
Text: BOTAMOCHI Anko
Harmonica Yokocho on Heiwa St.
Harmonica Yokocho
Sun Road
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As a journalist from England involved in the world of
Japanese fashion I am often asked how I came to spe-
cialize in such a niche world. Doubtlessly my interest
in English designers, such as Vivienne Westwood, who werealso popular in Japan, played a part in bridging that gap to
Japan, but my initial interest in Japan actually came from a
rather unlikely place 17th Century Japan.
17
Given that fashion is usually thought as existing
in the moment, the fact that my initial attraction wasto an ornament that hadnt been part of Japanese
dress for the last century may surprise. But it was the
humble netsuke that started the journey that led me
to live and work in Japan today. Due to the absence
of pockets in traditional Japanese dress, netsukewere
invented as an effective clasp that attached to the obi
(belt) which could then have a cord passed through it
to allow the wearer to hang pouches and other con-
tainers from it.
This issue of practical necessity was vital to the evolu-
tion of the netsuke from a functional object to a meticu-
lously carved masterpiece. Japanese dress, and menswear
in particular, did not allow much opportunity for adorn-
ment or accessories. Because netsukewere functional, they
were exempt from the customs and laws of the Tokugawa
(Edo) era that forbid excessive public displays of wealth
and status in the lower and merchant classes. This made the
netsukean avenue of self-expression for the rapidly emerg-
ing wealthy merchant class of the time and also an antidote
to the minimalism and refinement
typically preferred by the upper
classes.
Text : Samuel THOMAS
:
Passion for FashionInspired by Edo Era
Accessory
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would not. I was entranced by the cackling demons, the
heroism of warriors riding into battle, and the macabre ofskulls intertwined with snakes. It is art of unparalleled qual-
ity of workmanship that explores the serious and the playful
with ease. The darker subjects in particular pose the impor-
tant question: just what kind of man was walking around in
Tokugawa era Japan with such imagery hanging around his
waist for all to see? Perhaps myself in a former life?
This love affair with this partic-
ular Japanese aesthetic eventually
led me to a career in fashion, ever
in search of a hint of the beauty
that grew out of Tokugawa Japan. Even today I wear my own
wallet attached to a netsukeof fish, lanterns and flowers.
While they did in time permeate all areas of society, most
netsukewere originally carved into the shape of subjects rep-resentative of the popular tastes of normal Japanese people.
There are a wealth of depictions of animals, monsters from
Japanese fairy tales, mythical warriors, and even the cruder
subjects of sex and drinking. These subjects are worlds apart
from the flower and tea ceremonies that we think of char-
acterizing the era. In many ways they bridge a gap between
the brashness of neon lit modern Japan, and the perceived
minimalism and modest grace
of ancient Japan. When you
look at the netsuke beloved
of the normal, working class
Japanese people, you can seethat, culturally, very little has
changed after all.
When I encountered the netsuke collection at the V&A
Museum in London, it opened a door to a wider view of
Japanese aesthetics. It moved me in a way a rock garden
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Before landing a job as a content planner for a design
company in the toy industry, American Andrew
HALL worked as a gourmet reporter on TV Asahis
evening news show, as a columnist writing about stock trad-
ing, and as a translator of the Yakuza video game series.
I can only assume it was my language skills
that landed me these jobs, because Im sure no
expert on gourmet cuisine, stock trading, or
yakuza, he says.
Hall is, however, no amateur when it comes to toys. I had
always wanted to work in the toy industry, he says. I was
born in 81, which means that I was the right age to experi-
ence some of the most memorable American cartoons of the
80s, with The Transformers being at the forefront. Little
did I know that many of them originated from
Japanese animation studios or toys I was
stunned to find that many of the ideas that
had captivated me so greatly as a child had allcome from the same distant country.
1981
80
Andrew (center) and his colleagues at Part One meet with a foreign contact
Part One Co., Ltd.
www.part-one.jp
Text: Gregory FLYNN
Transforming a Hobby Into a Dream Job
Andrew HALL
-
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Grimlock, a character in Transformers, is a tough leader.
Note
Hall now translates and plans content for Part One Co.,
Ltd., a design company that does work for some of the largest
toy companies in Japan. He landed the job by contacting the
president of the company directly, an approach which initially
landed him a small translation job. At Part Ones online shop
e-HOBBY, his work now includes creating proposals for new
Transformers exclusives, doing research for manufacturers
and developing new international projects.
e
-HOBBY
Hall f inds working in Japan
enjoyable. Something Ive always
respected about Japan is the culture
of craftsmanship present in work. The
concept of adhering to great quality
and design despite the pressure of
cost-performance. I love being a part
of that.
Overall, this kind of passion is central to Halls success.
He explains, What I learned getting where I am now is that
an MBA is not a necessary qualification to being hired in
most Japanese industries. It turns out that the most important
qualifications are great Japanese ability and more guts than
Grimlock.
MBA
Right after graduating with a B.A. in Japanese he moved to
Tokyo. I envisioned that becoming fluent in Japanese would
allow me to become a translator, letting me work closely with
the various media I enjoyed so much. Still, it would be some
time before Hall landed his current job. I had gained lots of
interesting language experience, but didnt seem much closer
to working in my dream industry. You cant exactly just go
knocking on someones door, I thought.
His determination to acquire the language made for a steep
learning curve: The important thing is to aggressively learn
and adapt through this. Make an error once, its understand-
able. Make the same error again, and thats on you. Hall
applies this approach to all aspects of his life and feels that its
helped him get to where he is today.
During my years of study in college, I remember feeling
challenged by upper level courses where there tended to be
more focus on public speaking than on kanjicomprehensionand writing, he explains. Motivation filled in those gaps,
as I had my own intense interests. Hall doesnt measure
success in terms of academic qualifications, but instead puts
more emphasis on practical ability. You can have a black
belt in the dojo, but if you dont know how to use your skills,
suddenly when things get rough, its not going to count for
much.
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This movie was originally released in 1957. Nikkatsu
movie studios, which produced and distributed this
work, is now celebrating its 100th anniversary. To
mark the occasion, since May last year, this film has been
screened as part of a tour of America, Asia and Europe. It was
re-released in Japan in late December. More than 50 years
have now passed since the movie was made, but it is still quite
popular; in 2009 it was ranked fourth by a movie magazine in
a list of all-time best movies.
1957
100
5
12
50
2009
4
Set 150 years ago in 1862, the
Edo era which had lasted for
265 years is about to end. The
location is Sagamiya, an inn in
Shinagawa which actually existed.
Sagamiya was the first stop for
travelers on the Tokaido Road that
linked Nihonbashi in Edo to Sanjo-Ohashi in Kyoto. The plot,
which mixes in historical fact and fiction, is a fast-paced com-
edy based on several classic rakugo(comic stories).
150
265
1862
Even though hes broke, our hero, the merchant Saheiji
visits Sagamiya. Ignoring his friends concerns, he orders lots
of alcohol and delicious treats, and encourages his pals to
fool around with prostitutes. That night, he lets all his friends
return home. The next day, Saheiji honestly confesses that
he does not have any money. Angered by Saheijis attitude,
which is not at all contrite, the owner throws him into a small
room full of spider webs.
However, Saheiji slips out of
the room and, by doing things
like serving customers and solv-
ing problems involving prosti-
tutes, manages on each occasion
to make some cash. Although
some employees consider Saheiji
to be a threat to their livelihood,
nobody can match his sharp tongue and quick wit. After some
time, the owner, prostitutes, and customers of the inn start to
ask him for advice.
Sun in the Last Days of the ShogunateDirected by KAWASHIMA Yuzo
Human Interest Comic DramaPortrays Turbulent Times
110 minutes. 110
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In this milieu, Saheiji hears about two big plots. One
is cooked up by the samuraiTAKASUGI Shinsaku and
his followers, who have been staying at the inn for a long
time. Aiming to prevent the country from opening up to
the West by any means necessary, the group plots to set
fire to the British legation. This part of the drama is based
on historical fact: on December 12, 1862, Takasugi and his
men did actually leave Sagamiya in order to set fire to the
British legation.
1862
12
12
Another plot involves a girl who plans to elope. To pay
off her fathers debts, the girl has been sold into a life of
prostitution at Sagamiya. In order to save herself from
such an intolerable fate, she encourages the owners son,
a notorious playboy, to elope with her, despite the fact that
she does not really like him. When the girl asks him for
help, Saheiji gets the girls father, who works at the British
legation, to draw a plan of the building. In exchange for
the plan, Saheiji gets thesamuraigroup to help the couple
run away.
One of the attractions of this movie is that the cast fea-
tures many stars of that period. Though many big stars,like ISHIHARA Yujiro (who plays Takasugi) had support-
ing roles, in contrast, the lead part of Saheiji was played
by Frankie SAKAI, an actor who despite being popular as
a comic actor, was not considered to be particularly hand-
some. This creative casting is one of the factors that con-
tinues to attract movie fans of today.
Text: MATSUURA Tsuneo
Once upon a time, there lived an old man and his wife.
One day, the old man went into the mountain to cut fire-
wood, and his wife went to the river to wash clothes.
Presently a giant peach came floating down the river, so
the old woman picked it up and took it home. A baby boy
sprang out from inside the peach. The two named him
Momotaro (peach boy) and raised him with great care.
Once he grew up, he told his parents, Im off to do away
with the evil ogres on Onigashima (Ogre Island). The
old woman made kibi dango(millet dumplings) for him to
take on his journey. On his way he met a dog who asked,
Momotaro, where are you going? I am going to get rid
of the ogres on Ogre Island, Momotaro replied. MayI have a dumpling? I will join forces you, said the dog.
Momotaro then recruited a monkey and Japanese pheasant
the same way. Once the group arrived at the island, they
defeated the ogres, recovered the treasure that had been
stolen and went home. From then on, Momotaro lived hap-
pily ever after with the old man and his wife.
Japanese Fairy Tale
43
Momotaro
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How do you read/pronounce, and what is the meaning
of, the kanjicharacters in photo one?
What is the name of Japanese food in photo two?
Where do you see this kind of bell in Japan?
March is the season for graduation ceremonies. What
is the Japanese name for the Scottish folk song Auld
Lang Syne, that is usually sung at graduation ceremo-
nies?
A rise in consumption tax is being discussed in Japan
now. Do you know the current percentage of con-
sumption tax?
In 2011 a big earthquake and tsunamioccurred in the
Tohoku region. What is the name of the largest city
in the Tohoku region? Hint: it is located in Miyagi
Prefecture.
Who is the present governor of Tokyo, also rumored to
be forming a new political party?
In the 12th century, two great Japanese forces (the
Genji and Heike clans) fought. Who was the leader of
Heike clan, later called daiakunin (devil).
Baruto won the January sumotournament for the first
time. Which country is he from?
March 3 is the date of Hinamatsuri, a festiva