Ai Fukuhara, the Japanese former Olympic table tennis player, recently announced that she has started a social contribution company. In her own words she said, “I wanted to help create an environment where children can pursue their dreams and help …
Yoshiro Mori
Japan’s aging population often means the chosen way of thinking is not progressive but this often allows for amazing traditions to remain. This makes Japan a very endearing and special country. It’s one of the reasons I really enjoy living …
February 2nd Setsubun
Setsubun seems to fall on February 2nd this year because of a slight deviation of the cycle of the Earth orbiting the Sun. This hasn’t happened for 124 years! I had no idea that Setsubun was based on the position …
Entrance Exams
Today private schools in Tokyo started their entrance exams for middle school. They say we are moving into the “entrance examinations peak period”! To tell you the truth I loved exams growing up, and I still do for certain reasons. …
20 Minutes a Day
I recently saw a company advertising a year of free 20 minute English lectures delivered to your email everyday. It’s funny that they will be offering 20 minutes a day because that is exactly what we recommend our elementary school …
Eiken Test Postponed
The Eiken test was postponed until March 2021. Although safety is the number one concern we are all so sad over here! Many of our elementary school students were excited to take it and show their skills off! Weeks of …
Smartphone Brain
We know that parents must be aware, and worried, about the impact of frequent screen time or internet use. And rightly so! But we are also aware that technology, computers, and the internet are going to be in their future …
Stay Home
It seems the Japanese government is getting stricter about the penalties for people who don’t self isolate when returning to Japan. With the increase in Coronavirus numbers, we should all be staying home as much as possible! Thankfully we are …
Children’s Curiosity
I recently read an article about how parents, and perhaps teachers as well, need to develop their children’s curiosity in order to survive in the rapidly changing world that we live in these days. Being a teacher, I cannot turn …
The First Week Back
Japan has entered another State of Emergency in three prefectures in Japan. The same day many elementary school students went back to school after their winter vacation. There must be a lot of different emotions welling up. Everyone must be …