Japan is well-known for being a mostly homogenous nation. However, it’s aging population necessitates change. So far, the measures taken to address the issue haven’t worked well. Regardless, relying ...

If you’re like me, a large part of the joy of conversation comes from the ruffle-and-tumble exchange of thoughts and the joint race to the next new idea or twist in the discussion. But Japanese ...

When you’re at the hairdresser’s, the pressure is at its greatest: You’re trapped and there’s no choice but to make conversation — unless you’ve specifically asked your stylist for the “silent ...

It’s not unusual for foreign residents in Japan to be asked for identification. It can be problematic for police officers to make such requests because, while foreign residents are required by law to ...