1. Christianity in Japan: The Weight of Being a Minority Christians make up only about 0.8% of Japan's population—a number so small it’s almost negligible. I myself attended church for a time, but if you were to ask me, "Are you a Christian?"
1. Introduction: Bears, Whaling, and the Need for Rational Debate In recent years, bear-related incidents have been increasing in Japan’s Tohoku region and Hokkaido, with six lives lost this year alone. Bears have an extraordinary memory, repeatedly returning to a discovered food source. Unfortunately, when bears encroach on human-inhabited
1. Introduction “Assassin’s Creed Shadows: DEI Principles or Distortion of Japanese Culture?” Some of my foreign gamer friends recently asked me for my opinion on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, scheduled for release on February 14, 2025. My opinion on this work is extremely negative. This is because the game
In the past, taking photos of artwork in museums was strictly prohibited. Using flash? Absolutely unthinkable — even today, it’s still off-limits. Back in my university days, one of my art history professors shared a story. In the era of film photography, he once found himself in an Italian church,
1. Introduction: Overview of the Moribito Series Among the 200+ books I read annually, one I highly recommend is Moribito by Nahoko Uehashi. This series has received high acclaim both in Japan and abroad, with the first installment, Guardian of the Spirit, recognized as a masterpiece of adventure fantasy. Interestingly,
Traveling to foreign countries is an exciting and refreshing experience. Encountering unfamiliar cultures can invigorate your perspective. However, while exploring these new territories, sharing content on Instagram or YouTube without proper understanding of cultural nuances can lead to unexpected backlash — or even serious consequences. What risks might be lurking when
Asia is home, but let’s face it — sometimes it’s a little nerve-wracking. Take China, for example. I speak Chinese, but I avoid traveling there unless absolutely necessary. Why? Because you never know how your words or actions might be interpreted. For China, 2024 was a rough year economically
From Japan eyes Let’s talk about the Middle East. For many Japanese people, this region feels distant. It’s not an everyday topic unless you’re discussing oil prices or global politics. But the Israel-Palestine conflict? That’s a tough one. Even for me, someone who studied briefly in
”A Look at 2024 and Beyond from far east” The war in Ukraine is still dragging on as we head into 2024. Honestly, no matter who’s in power, it doesn’t look like this conflict will end anytime soon. President Zelenskyy might hint at compromises over territory, but it’
Exploring Cultural Backgrounds and Examining the Friction Between Tourism and Society Have you ever unknowingly angered locals during your travels? Imagine climbing or playing on a torii gate at a Shinto shrine in Japan to take a photo. (This has actually happened.) While it may seem like a fun memory
The theme of SIGGRAPH 2025 is “Connecting Nature, Art, and Technology”!!! How wonderful. Doesn’t it feel like the world is finally moving toward peace? But take a closer look at the SIGGRAPH homepage. To summarize: “Focus on sustainability while showcasing VR and AR technology.” …Wait. Doesn’t that sound