Fantastic Voyage
Nichi Bei News columnist Jeff Asai, a Yonsei who grew up attending the San Jose Betsuin Buddhist Church, writes from the town of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, where he serves as an assistant minister at a Jodo-shu temple, Jokokuji, teaches English and lives with his wife Yae Hosokawa with their children Madoka and Yui. He can be reached via e-mail at jeffasai@gmail.com. The views expressed in the preceding column are not necessarily those of the Nichi Bei News.
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On environmentalism in Japan
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One of the fascinating things about living in a foreign country is the apparent contradictions. For example, Japan is often seen as a high-tech country and in many aspects, it […] READ MORE
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How we care for an aging population
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We can calculate life expectancy in several ways, depending on the data we include. But one thing is consistent; any way you calculate it, Japan is always near the top. […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: The importance of looking to the past to shape the future
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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Nothing makes my eyes glaze over more than the words: “When I was young…” I dislike going on trips of nostalgia through rose-tinted glasses, mostly because it sounds like an […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: 20 thoughts of 2020
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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Here are an assortment of my thoughts, some serious, some not, about the past year: • Skills I gained this year: I am better at teleconferencing, gardening and washing my […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: Making my voice heard, even from Japan
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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On Aug. 28, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his retirement due to health reasons, and Sept. 16, less than three weeks later, his successor Yoshihide Suga had been named […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: The lesson I learned at a Black Lives Matter Peace March in Osaka
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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On June 7, I participated in a Black Lives Matter Peace March in Osaka. The event was boosted by a retweet from tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, for which she took […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: Cross-culture parenting
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Parents face many tough questions when it comes to raising a child: what to do about bed-times, allowance, screen-time, punishments, afterschool activities, diet, religion, and more. You also have to […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: New Year’s cards (Nengajo)
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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In Japan, sending New Year’s greetings cards (nengajo) is a big deal. It’s much like the American tradition of sending Christmas cards, except in Japan there is $820 million dollars […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: What is Obon for a Buddhist reverend in Japan?
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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The word Obon in America, and the word in Japan, are two very different things. Many people in America link Obon to the street festivals and dancing that takes place […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: Looking back, looking forward: Traditions on the decline
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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I’ve been teaching English in Japan for a long time, and around New Year’s, I always ask students if they eat osechi ryori. Out of the 50 or so elementary […] READ MORE
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