Aziz Ahmed came to Japan from Pakistan at the age of 9 and remembers the hardships he faced interpreting for family members who do not speak Japanese. Read more
Hitting up the local convenience store before or after work can wind up becoming habitual, and there are a number of grammar points to help describe it. Read more
When it comes to serving their customers, convenience store workers tend to all read from the same mannerly script. Read more
Hiring for new recruits usually takes place in time for an April start, but Japanese companies are increasingly looking to hire in the autumn. Read more
Part of Japan got a scare when the first-ever megaquake alert was issued earlier this month, a reminder that knowing the right terms in a disaster is crucial. Read more
The move is seen helping local efforts to protect critical infrastructure and strengthen industrial competitiveness without relying on other countries. Read more
When following the Olympics in Japanese, knowing all the buzzwords that spring up could be a competition of its own. Read more
Japanese people tend to travel to their hometowns around this time of year, and asking where they went is an easy conversation starter. Read more
A new Haruki Murakami novel, the first in six years, is getting its English release this autumn. Described as bewildering and moving in equal measure, “街とその不確かな壁” (Machi to Sono Futashikana... Read more
Have you scrolled to the end of the emoji keyboard, looking for those peskily faraway hearts, and accidentally sent a mysterious “NG”? Asked a friend in Japan if they want to go out for hiba... Read more