An “account of a Christmas unknown to Westerners – and to most Japanese too! Including an amusing account of Santa dressed as a Samurai.” This article follows the observance of Christmas in Japan from 1549 to the present day, with examples of “mirror customs of European traditions.” Originally written in Japanese by a writer for the Felissimo Christmas Museum in Hokkaido, Japan.
Source: “Felissimo Christmas Museum / Mariko Okawa” | Subject: Culture
This site presents articles and information about the Japanese tea ceremony. It features sections on the history of the tea ceremony, the tea room, traditional Japanese fabrics, and philosophy. Also includes a directory of tea ceremony classes and related links. From “a group of people in London and in New York who are interested in Japanese tea ceremony.” In English and Japanese.
Source: “TeaHyakka” | Subject: Culture
This is one of the free areas of the larger YesJapan.com site and it offers quite useful short cultural overviews on the following topics:
– Bed and Bath
– Currency
– Eating Etiquette
– Festivals
– Hot Springs
– Hotel Etiquette
– House Rules
– Links
– Pachinko
– … [ Read more ]
Source: “YesJapan.com” | Subject: Culture
This volume is one in a continuing series of books prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the Department of the Army. It describes and analyzes the political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examines the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. The … [ Read more ]
Source: “Library of Congress” | Subject: Comprehensive
This is the Japan country section of the World Factbook by the CIA. This is truly one of the most useful resources for quick information on any country, including in this case Japan. Categories covered include:
– Introduction
– Geography
– People
– Government
– Economy
– Communications
– Transportation
– Military
– Transnational Issues
Source: “U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)” | Subject: Comprehensive
Provides detailed information about Japanese government and diplomacy, technology and science, and culture.
Source: “Japan Information Network” | Subject: Comprehensive
The kimono is the traditional clothing of Japan. Kimono styles have changed significantly from one period of Japan’s history to another, and today there are many different types of kimono worn by men, women, and children. The cut, color, fabric, and decorations of a kimono may vary according to the sex, age, and marital status of the wearer, the season of the year, and the … [ Read more ]
Source: “JP NET” | Subject: Culture
An illustrated guide to Japan’s holidays and cultural events. Just click on the month for details of all events and holidays during that month.
Source: “JP NET” | Subject: Culture
A collection of over thirty photographs of nineteenth century Japan. Includes images of dance, and gates of temples and shrines in Nikko. From the California Museum of Photography, University of California, Riverside.
Source: “California Museum of Photography” | Subject: Images
A nice comprehensive site about Japan. Find topics including:
– Sightseeing guides
– Hotel search
– A job search feature
– Cellular Phones in Japan
– Travel News
– Living in Japan
– Information pages
– Forums
– Shopping and Business
– Photo Gallery
Make sure you also check out the members area where you can search for penpals and place/view … [ Read more ]
Source: “Kinboshi Media” | Subject: Comprehensive
Illegal CD copying and fan boredom clobber sales.
Source: “BusinessWeek / Chester Dawson” | Subject: Business / Economy
This article examines the new M&A wave involving foreign investors in Japan. Makes some interesting predictions and offers some useful statistics and analysis. We’ll see how it unfolds going forward.
Source: “BusinessWeek / Robert Neff” | Subject: Business / Economy
Established in 1997, Asia-Net has been serving Asia/Pacific-Rim business communities by helping professionals locate job opportunities, while providing companies the premier on-line recruitment service.
The Asia-Net community comprises over 140,000 professionals with unique ties to Asia, i.c., Asian nationals, people of Asian heritage (including first, second, and third generation Asian Americans), and others with professional interests in Asia/Pacific-Rim.
Source: “Japanese Jobs” | Subject: Employment / Career
Article discusses Toshifumi Suzuki, CEO of Seven-Eleven Japan, and his plan to turn his ubiquitous stores into a center for all kinds of commerce. Also offers some interesting background info and statistics.
Source: “BusinessWeek / Irene M. Kunii” | Subject: Business / Economy
Claims to be the premier diversity job destination for bilingual career professionals. From translation and localization engineers to technology and service staff, they claim to be the top choice of leading employers worldwide.
Source: “Bilingual-Jobs” | Subject: Employment / Career
Fujio Masuoka says that Toshiba tried to demote him after he invented a $76 billion product. The loss was America’s gain. Will Japan make the same mistake with the next innovation?
Source: “Forbes / Benjamin Fulford” | Subject: Business / Economy
The world’s largest (17k+ unique visitors/month to the website alone) and most comprehensive (100+ positions/issue) jobs-in-Japan magazine. Now in its eleventh year of twice-monthly publication, the free electronic newsletter O-Hayo Sensei reports the best currently available teaching (and other English language-related) positions at conversation schools, universities, jukus, colleges, public schools and companies all across Japan.
Source: “O-Hayo Sensei” | Subjects: Employment / Career, Teaching English
This excellent piece looks at Japan’s Keiretsu system – definitions, history, purposes, structure and future. If you don’t know much about the Keiretsu system, this is the article to read.
Source: “Japan Economic Institute / Douglas Ostrom” | Subject: Business / Economy
findateacher.Net helps foreign language teachers and students find each other directly anywhere in Japan without having to go to a language school. Teacher sign-up is free. findateacher.Net was made for teachers by teachers and is NOT a language school. Rather, it is a nationwide network of private teachers who run thier own classes or schools. Teachers are not obligated to make a contract with findateacher.Net … [ Read more ]
Source: “FindaTeacher.Net” | Subjects: Employment / Career, Teaching English
You can no longer safely shrug off Japan’s economic crisis. It just might drag the world into a depression.
Sources: “Benjamin Fulford”, “Forbes Global” | Subject: Business / Economy