I had not posted anything to this blog for quite a while. However, I am here as there is something I definitely want to mention today. It is 6 August today; yes, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima 76 years ago. We all wish for peace and happiness in the world. ここのところ、ずっと忙[いそが]しくて、全然[ぜんぜん]ブログを書いていませんでした。でも、今日は書かないわけにはいきません! 今日は8月6日、76年前に広島に原爆[げんばく](= atomic bomb)が落[お]とされた(= […]
Continue readingIt is April now; time flies indeed… ４月です。月日の経つのは本当にはやいですね。。。 April means to us, people in New Zealand, Autumn. Most people in Japan would think of Spring; therefore, it is all about (maybe not all but) cherry blossom🌸. Also April is the beginning of an academic year. 4月は私たち、ニュージーランドの人にとって秋です。日本の多くの人たちにとっては春、そして、もちろん、桜です🌸！4月は学校の新しい年の始まりです。 All levels of schools and universities start their academic […]
Continue readingTrimester A will start next month at the University of Waikato. Are you, by any chance, interested in studying at the university this year? If you are but not sure where to start etc., why don’t you contact us and just ask? Asking a question (or two!) does not mean you have to enroll. It […]
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I read an article reporting an interesting experiment for the Shinkansen users (the article is written in Japanese). It is still at an experimental phase and you cannot have this service in every single Shinkansen. Apparently, some particular compartments of Shinkansen allow you to use the space a bit like your own office; wi-fi is […]
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It is Setsubun today! 今日は節分[せつぶん]です! According to the Lunar Calendar, tomorrow, the 3rd of February, is the first day of Spring this year and this is called Risshun in Japanese. The day before Risshun is Setsubun and Japanese people have all sorts of rituals on Setsubun to welcome Spring . One of such rituals is […]
Continue readingHave you thought of your cultural identity? How important is it for you? I found the following article, which Crystal, a Waikato student, talked about her own precious experience in regard to her cultural identity. This is not about Japan or Japanese culture, but I thought I should share with you! https://www.asianz.org.nz/leadership/thailand-visit-inspires-search-for-cultural-identity/ 自分の文化的[ぶんかてき](= cultural)アイデンティティって考えたことがありますか。文化的アイデンティティは大切[たいせつ]だ(= important)と思いますか。今日、文化的アイデンティティについてのすばらしい記事[きじ](= […]
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Japan has lately experienced heavy snow fall; particularly in the northern areas; many vehicles were stuck on snowy roads in the Hokuriku area. Hopefully, the situation will improve soon. It is summer in New Zealand and has been quite warm. The photo shows a plant called ‘Kyochikuto‘ in Japanese (I do not know what it […]
Continue readingHappy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございます🎍 I am pretty sure many of you ate quite a lot over the end-of-year/new year holiday (I did, anyway…) I happened to find the following short video; this is a nice park located in Hamilton, New Zealand. If you want (or need!) to take a walk, this would be a nice […]
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It is now December; time flies indeed… At the moment, we, people in New Zealand, are in a privileged situation; we have not had the COVID-19 community transmission for a while and been having a sort of normal life these days (the Government and Ministry of Health of course, constantly remind us that we should […]
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It is the 6th of August again; 75 years ago today, an atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, Japan. Due to COVID-19, the peace memorial ceremony, which is held in Hiroshima on the 6th of August every year, will be delivered in a smaller scale this year. No matter how big or small, we will […]
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