May 02, 2008
a tomb with a view
I wrote this for National Geographic News - all about the recent research at Gosashi tomb.
"A rare visit by archaeologists to a fifth-century imperial tomb offers hope that other closely guarded graves in Japan might soon be open to independent study.
This month a group of 16 experts led by the Japanese Archaeological Association released results from their February visit inside Gosashi tomb. . ." [read more]
Posted by tony at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
April 13, 2008
sento painter
This is an article on Toshiyasu Hayakawa, a Tokyo "sento" bath-house painter.
I was pretty pleased with the photos here: two trips to the bath house, the second one with my friend Chris - his debut nude modelling shoot!
Posted by tony at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2008
Globalization on a plate
Another article on sushi, this one about the globalized sushi industry.
"Rainbow Roll isn’t a typical Tokyo sushi restaurant. Bright and spacious, it’s more like an upmarket izakaya restaurant pub. You could easily miss the traditional hinoki-wood counter at the back. The menu suggests little traditional sushi. Tokyo’s oldest New York-style sushirestaurant opened in September 2001 with a menu centered on U.S. sushi rolls, and a clientele about 40% non-Japanese. The restaurant is a product of gyaku-yunyu (reverse import) — the culinary equivalent of selling sand to the Saudis . . ."read more
Posted by tony at 09:21 PM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2008
Hot Tuna
Not about the seminal blues band I'm afraid.
An article on a sushi competition I attended earlier this year. gochisosama . . .
"It was certainly an incongruous setting for a master-class in cuttingedge cuisine. Seven sushi masters,more accustomed to wielding the knife behind long cypress sushi counters,now found themselves surrounded by oak-paneled walls and imposing portraits of nineteenth-century grandees. . ." read more
Posted by tony at 11:28 PM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2008
Yet More Robots
For the ANA inflight magazine this time . . . on humanoid robots.
Posted by tony at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)
December 30, 2007
Osaka Comedy
I was in Osaka earlier this year doing an article on comedy in the city. For ANA inflight magazine, Wingspan
Posted by tony at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2007
All the news without fear or favour
This is an interview I did with Yukiko Ogasawara, the President of the Japan Times.
The article was prompted by a blog by Debito Arudou back in October. Debito also blogged my article and there are some comments on his site.
Posted by tony at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2007
Service Robots for Bulletin Magazine
Japan has a deep-seated infatuation with mechanical friends, whether it is with the heroes of manga (comic books) and anime (animation), hard-working industrial robots, or the public relations humanoids of major Japanese corporations. Currently, all eyes are on the service-
robot sector . . . Read more
Posted by tony at 11:08 PM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2007
Second Life
An article on Second Life for Kaleidoscope. I only ever seem to be in the world when I am writing about it. But feel free to contact me there (Burton Nozomi)
"Day in, day out at the same old office? Same commute? Same old job?
Same old you? Now could be your chance to escape to a new Second
Life. Why not join the 9.5 million people who have become residents of
the 3D online world since 2003? . . ."read more
Posted by tony at 10:34 PM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2007
National Geographic article on cherry trees
Not quite the right season to be writing about sakura, but that's the point this time . . .
"Ornamental cherry trees all over the Japanese archipelago have been blossoming unseasonably this fall, according to local media reports.
A few sakura trees—as they are known in Japan—bloom in fall most years.
But with more blossoms appearing earlier this year, there is concern that climate change is affecting a much-loved national symbol of spring . . . " [More]
Posted by tony at 09:48 PM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2007
More liquid research
On shochu this time. I'm not a big shochu fan at the moment. But planning to reconsider.
Popped down to a huge shochu store near Shimbashi to take the photos.
Posted by tony at 08:24 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2007
Craft Beers
Another illustrated article for Kaleidoscope - on craft beers this time. Had fun "researching" at Ryogoku Popeye!
Posted by tony at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 09, 2007
Green Tea
Here's an article I did for Kaleidoscope on Green Tea.
It mentions a company in Kamamura that is selling gourmet tea for 100,000s of yen.
Posted by tony at 08:57 PM | Comments (0)
October 08, 2007
Wired News Article
My Tokyo Adult Expo photo story finally made it onto the Wired News Site. 22 photos and lots of caption info.
13 comments on the Wired News site so far. Erm . . . here's one of the latest:
"I'd like to be connected with those involved in the pleasure industry. I'm running a business down in Indonesia (www.Bodistcom). I invite people to drop an email to busdev@bodist.com to talk about anything regarding the business of pleasure."
Posted by tony at 07:21 PM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2007
Oh dear!
Posted by tony at 11:43 PM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2007
Commuterland
A couple of months ago I wrote an article on Tokyo Commuting for the Credit Suisse in-house magazine (a publication that has been going for 150 years, no less).
Here's the link. I spent a few rather uncomfortable train journeys taking the photos to accompany this article!
Posted by tony at 07:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 05, 2007
Am I an Otaku?
A question I attempted to answer in this article for Japan Spotlight:
Answers on a postcard please.
Posted by tony at 10:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 30, 2007
Iriomote cat
I just had my first story on the National Geographic News website. A fascinating one to research too.
The animal in the photo is one of less than a hundred Iriomote cats left in the wild.
"Cars, hotel development, and the threat of a deadly frog fungus are pushing one of the world's rarest wildcats closer to extinction, conservationists warn . . ." read more
Posted by tony at 11:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 21, 2007
Fish and photos
This is the second article I wrote on Japanese food and drink for the Japan Journal. All about the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo.
It's an amazing place. Barely a stone's throw from Ginza but like stepping back in time. There are plans to move the market, but at the moment the earliest that is going to happen, if ever, is around 2012.
The new site is surrounded by ex landfills, AKA "reclaimed land", and used to belong to Tokyo gas. Of course, it turns out to be soaked in of all sorts of noxious chemicals. The site isn't far from the delightfully named "dream island", another ex rubbish dump that sent a plague of flies over Tokyo one hot Summer a few decades ago! Here's hoping the market stays in its present perfect location.
I built this article around portraits of people working at the market. There are more photos here. It was so interesting that I have started a photo project on the market and am visiting every week. I will upload more portraits at some point when I go through my photos. Too many to choose from at the moment.
Posted by tony at 02:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 31, 2007
Tokyo Food Expo 2007
Lots of food and drink articles recently (burp!): wine, green tea, beer, shochu, sushi etc.
This article on Japan's changing diet was the first of 4 for the Japan Journal. The basic story is that Japan's diet is becoming more Westernized causing all sorts of health problems (although the distinction between "Western" and "Japanese" diets is not that simple it seems)
I visited Foodex 2007 back in March for the article -- definitely the most crowded expo I've been to in Japan.
As it happens, I was back at the Makuhari Messe convention center last week for the Tokyo Adult Expo. The sexpo probably had less than a 10th of the number of stalls than Foodex though; it looks like Japan has its priorities sorted out!
"For three days this March at Tokyo’s Makuhari Messe convention center, Foodex Japan 2007 offered visitors a veritable cornucopia of culinary delights. Nearly 10,000 people came to take in an array of food and drink from sixty-four countries. In the Mexican section of the international food exhibition, a young woman wearing a gigantic sombrero was advertising Mexican pork. In the Japanese section, two middle-aged Japanese ladies were ladling out bowls of noodles to a line of hungry visitors. Another company had set up a stall displaying a range of cherryblossom foodstuffs . . . Read more
Posted by tony at 11:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 19, 2007
Second Life
My Japan Journal article on Second Life was re-published in the Japan Times today.
Posted by tony at 01:43 PM | Comments (0)
May 26, 2007
Mobile phones in Japan
The third article in a series on Wired Japan for the Japan Journal. Mobile phones this time.
Posted by tony at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2007
Japan Times Article
My article on citizen journalism was reprinted in today's Japan Times.
Posted by tony at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)
May 05, 2007
Living Dolls
This is the article I wrote on bunraku for Kaleidoscope magazine. Fantastic layout!
Posted by tony at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2007
Mixi vs MySpace
this is my SNS article again - in today's Japan Times
Posted by tony at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2007
citizen journalism
This is an article I wrote on public journalism (AKA citizen journalism) for the Japan Journal
Posted by tony at 08:11 AM | Comments (0)
April 09, 2007
robo-doctor
short article in Wired Magazine
"I tell people that I used to be an engineer," says Kazuhiro Ohno as he tosses a patient's left leg into a box near the operating table. "But now I'm a doctor." . . .read more
Posted by tony at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2007
social networking sites
"Tokyo Architect Yuki Nikitaki has 28 friends on the “mixi” website. She logs on everyday, posts entries to her online diary, and sends messages to her friends. Some she knows offline, but some she has never met face to face and several live in other parts of Japan or overseas. “I don’t think I would have ever met these friends if it wasn’t for the site,” she says.
Nikitaki is one millions of people to join “social network service” (SNS) sites over the last few years in Japan . . . " Read article
Posted by tony at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2007
Kabuki props
This is an article Mattias Westfalk and I did on Fujinami Kodogu, the the Kabuki theatre's sole props supplier for the last 300 or so years. (photo Mattias Westfalk)
View PDF(first page is blank!)
Posted by tony at 07:39 AM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2007
Publisher arrested
article on Kami no Bakudan now on the Japan Focus website too
Posted by tony at 11:00 PM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2007
arrested for libel
This is an article I wrote about the arrest of a Japanese publisher. Updated for the Foreign Correspondent's Club Magazine.
Posted by tony at 10:42 AM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2007
article on the JET scheme
an article for the Japan Journal on the JET scheme - a goverment run program that places teaching assistants in Japanese schools
Posted by tony at 08:50 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2007
festival
This is an photo story I did on the local festival last Autumn.
Posted by tony at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)
February 05, 2007
Westbound Train
This is the main article that came out of the 16 day trip Mattias Westfalk and I made to China last year. We travelled by train from Shanghai to Urumuqi in the far West of China.
Posted by tony at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2007
Heim der Pause
This is an illustrated article I did on a European style pension up in the Japan Alps.
Watch out! the PDF is about 1.3 meg
Posted by tony at 11:04 PM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2007
Japan Times article
an article I wrote for the Japan Journal on immigration was reprinted in today's Japan Times . . .
Posted by tony at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
November 27, 2006
article: Japan goes to the moon
Visions of a moon bustling with people got a bit closer to reality recently when Japanese space agency JAXA announced an as-yet-unfunded plan to construct a manned moon base by 2030 . . .read more
Posted by tony at 05:44 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2006
article: Confucius says . . .
"Every since Japan opened its doors to the West, English has been zealously studied in Japan’s high schools, night schools, universities and companies. But now that business with other Asia economies is booming, for how much longer will English remain the tongue of choice for linguists?
In the cramped reception area of a grey office building not far from Matsudo station near Tokyo is a bookshelf packed with well- thumbed textbooks . . . read more
Posted by tony at 08:29 PM
| Comments (0)
"Bee-keeper Ye Xiulin takes my hand in a friendly, if somewhat sticky, grip and welcomes me to his farm. The two tents where he lives with his family are pitched in between seemingly boundless fields of golden oil seed rape. A chaotic brown cloud that hovers over the flowers issues a low roar like a distant waterfall. I have come here with Makoto Shibata, the president of Tokyo health food company Maruwa and Co. For over 30 years his company has been importing royal jelly from China to Japan -- and the bee farms here by the banks of lake Qinghai in central China produce some of the best in the world. . . . "read more
November 07, 2006
article: Qinghai royal jelly
Posted by tony at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2006
article: Introducing Japan
"A converted bean storehouse in a Kyoto back-street is the unusual venue for an innovative introduction to traditional Japanese culture. During just one busy day, participants in the “Origin Arts Program” can try their hand at the ancient martial art of “Waraku”, the tea ceremony, calligraphy and Noh theatre. . .read more
Posted by tony at 05:41 PM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2006
article: Japan's freelance journalists
How many freelance journalists are there in Japan? It's not easy to say, but almost certainly less than in many other countries.
One estimate puts the total at 3000 people, and the number of journalists who make a living just from freelance work could be even fewer. There are few support organizations for freelancers, and a generally low status in Japan's company-centered society may even deter many promising freelance writers from embarking on a journalism career in the first place . . . ">
Posted by tony at 12:11 AM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2006
Ageless Love
Just opposite Tokyo’s Shinjuku station is a small unassuming looking building that houses an unusual company. In the brightly lit entrance there are fresh cut flowers, and jazz piano music playing in the background. Smiling members of staff usher visitors into tastefully decorated cubicles, each fitted with a small table and two comfy chairs.
This refuge of calm from the heaving streets outside is “Akanekai”, an introduction agency for middle-aged and elderly singles. For four decades the family-owned company has been helping older customers find their ideal partner. And today, with divorce and remarriage rates in Japan at record highs, they have never been busier. . . . read more (PDF)
Posted by tony at 01:20 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2006
Iori
"Standing outside the modest entrance to my lodging for the night, I’m reminded of a previous visit to the Japanese city of Kyoto. That time a taxi driver had pointed out a similarly non-descript wooden frontage: “The most expensive restaurant in Kyoto.”
Today too, the 1200 year old city isn’t giving away much at first glance. From the outside this building looks much like hundreds of other similar town-houses in Kyoto. But when I step over the threshhold I leave the hectic modern city behind . . ."
Posted by tony at 01:23 PM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2006
Japan's baby boomers and tourism
"In the historic city of Kamakura near Tokyo, the thatched roof of Sugimoto temple nestles under a canopy of early summer greenery. A steady stream of visitors ascend the steep steps to the temple and arrive panting in the tranquil courtyard. After catching their breath, they approach the altar to make their prayers . . . "
another article for the Japan Journal on the baby boomer generation.
Posted by tony at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2006
never too old to learn
This is an article I wrote for the Japan Journal, the second in a series on Japan's baby boomer generation.
In the three years since NGO “Senior University” was established, over 500 amateur lecturers have signed up to give talks to audiences over Japan. Speakers, who are mostly in their early retirement years, can choose to talk on any subject they want. Deputy-director Fujii Keizo recalls how one speaker once brought“a big lump of something”with him to the lecture. “What do you think this is?” he asked, and let the puzzled audience pass it around amongst themselves. When no one answered, the speaker cheerfully told them. “It’s elephant poo. . . . .
Posted by tony at 12:49 PM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2006
interview with Yuji Yoshitomi
this is an interview I did with Osaka journalist Yuji Yoshitomi for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2006
earthquake warning
an article for Discover magazine on Japan's earthquake warning system
Posted by tony at 08:24 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2006
second lives
the first of four articles I wrote for the Japan Journal on Japan's baby boomer generation.
Posted by tony at 02:03 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2006
conspiracy law
an article on the anti-conspiracy law being debated in Japan
Posted by tony at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2006
"toys for adults come of age"
an article on toys for adults (ACCJ Journal)
Posted by tony at 09:00 PM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2006
meet the geek elite
this is an article I wrote for Wired magazine on last year's Otaku test
Posted by tony at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2006
silver surfers
I've been writing about older internet users for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)
May 31, 2006
coffee shops
a recent article on coffee shops for the Japan Journal
Posted by tony at 07:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 25, 2006
"Oook Ook"
An article I wrote for Discover magazine on "monkey dialects"
Posted by tony at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2006
portable shrine
took some B&W pictures at the festival too. some of the portable shrines had women amongst the teams
nikon FE2, 50mm, neopan400
Posted by tony at 10:25 AM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2006
toys for adults
an article on toys for adults for the Japan Journal
Posted by tony at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2006
Tamiya
Went down to Tamiya's HQ in Shizuoka to write this article on plastic kit models . . .
Posted by tony at 10:04 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2006
Japan Journal Article
an article for the Japan Journal on Digital TV.
Posted by tony at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2006
gender-free
an article I wrote on the "gender free" issue for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2006
Trendy Witches
a short article for Wired Magazine
Posted by tony at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2006
article on Hachijojima
An article I did with Mattias Westfalk on traditional drumming from the island of Hachijojima. For the ANA inflight magazine.
Posted by tony at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2006
Japan's Hayabusa probe
article for Discover magazine on Japan's ill-fated (?) Hayabusa space probe
Posted by tony at 07:45 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2006
Interview with Terrie Lloyd
interview with Terrie Lloyd on the Horie Takafumi/Livedoor affair
Posted by tony at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)
January 31, 2006
Japan Journal article
article on earthquake-resistance technology for the Japan Journal.
Posted by tony at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
giant squid
an article I wrote recently for Discover magazine
Posted by tony at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2006
Japan Media Review article
An interview with US journalist Dan Gillmor for the Japan Media Review. He has just set up an organization called the "Center for Citizen Media" and we talked about grassroots journalism in Japan and the US.
Posted by tony at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2005
internet suicide pacts
article in the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)
December 07, 2005
Japan Journal article
article in the Japan Journal on manga
Posted by tony at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2005
Japan Media Review article
article in the Japan Media review on Japanese NGOs and the media
Posted by tony at 11:13 PM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2005
article on Japanese beer
Posted by tony at 06:22 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2005
Japan Focus article
extended version of the Arthur Szyk article on the Japan Focus website
Posted by tony at 05:52 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2005
photo story on the Japanese election
photo story for the Correspondent's Club magazine. pics on pages 3, 14 and 15
click here(1.75MB modem users beware!)
Posted by tony at 04:55 PM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2005
interview with Alex Kerr
interview with writer Alex Kerr in today's Japan Times . . .
Posted by tony at 11:52 AM | Comments (1)
October 24, 2005
article on Arthur Syzk
interview I did with Rinjiro Sodei for the Correspondent's Club magazine. click here(pdf)
Posted by tony at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2005
interview with Ofer Feldman
Posted by tony at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2005
shop and change
article on shopping arcades in the Japan Journal
Posted by tony at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2005
digital kills the celluloid star
article on digital cinema in the Japan Journal
Posted by tony at 03:05 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2005
publisher arrested
an article for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2005
machine translation
article on machine translation in the Japan Journal
Posted by tony at 09:36 PM | Comments (0)
the finest print ever
another short article in this month's Wired . . .
Posted by tony at 09:25 PM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2005
Livedoor News
An article I wrote for Livedoor's "public journalism" website. It was on the Livedoor News top page today.
click here (Japanese)
Posted by tony at 09:24 PM | Comments (0)
July 15, 2005
political cartoons
an article for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2005
Newsweek article on AIDS in Japan
(a bit of extra reporting by me)
Posted by tony at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)
article on hot springs for the Japan Journal
Posted by tony at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2005
Japan Times article
the article I wrote on hacking-wars is reprinted in todays Japan Times
Posted by tony at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
June 06, 2005
Political Tensions in East Asia Mirrored Online
article for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)
June 04, 2005
underground farm
I have a (pretty short)article on an underground farm in this month's Wired magazine
Posted by tony at 12:31 AM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2005
more articles online
I have put some more articles online. Here are a couple:
Human Trafficking (Newsweek)
High Speed Elevators (Discover Magazine)
Posted by tony at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2005
article for the Japan Journal on plastic kit models
Posted by tony at 06:33 PM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2005
Japan Times article
article in the Japan times on the Filipino community and measures against human trafficking
Posted by tony at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2005
Article for the Japan Media Review
Article for the Japan Media Review on Horie Takafumi's attempted takeover of Fuji TV
Posted by tony at 07:44 PM | Comments (1)
March 22, 2005
new Japan Times article
my article on foreign journalists working in the Japanese media was reprinted in today's Japan Times
Posted by tony at 10:55 AM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2005
Newsweek Japan article
I had an article on Human Trafficking in this week's Newsweek Japan. Only Japanese I'm afraid, and not online yet so you'll have to go and buy it to read it!
Posted by tony at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2005
talking politics
new article for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 06:10 PM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2005
Japan Times article
new article in the Japan Times on Sumo wrestlers
Posted by tony at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2005
Japan Media Review article
new article on Expats working in the Japanese media
Posted by tony at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2005
new Japan Times article
Posted by tony at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2004
Gay and Lesbian Internet
Another article for Japan Media Review
"The Net offers a window onto the world of Japan's sexual minorities, providing one important means of access to a large number of individuals, groups and communities."
Posted by tony at 09:58 AM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2004
Freelance journalists in Japan
An interview I did with Yu Terasawa for the Japan Media Review.
"If someone asked you what you did for a living and you say you are a freelance journalist, writer, manga artist or designer, it's almost the same thing as saying you are unemployed."
Posted by tony at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2004
Japan Times article on language school unions
an article I wrote on unions for English teachers
Posted by tony at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2004
Old articles online
I've put a few links to some of my old articles on this page (left sidebar)
Posted by tony at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2004
China
BBC article on the internet in China
China racing ahead!
Posted by tony at 12:43 PM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2004
Reporting Japan's Royals
Article on the Japan Media Website
Posted by tony at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)
August 31, 2004
"I want to clear my name"
I had an article in the Japan Times today.
Posted by tony at 05:53 PM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2004
Article on Japanese Internet
An article I wrote for the Japan Media Review
Posted by tony at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)