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Julie Mitrovic, a French coach living in Japan as a foreigner

I LIVE IN JAPAN INTERVIEW POPULAR

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Julie Mitrovic / Coach & Facilitator

japanup_akane 06/30/2026

May 2026 (VOL.223) Julie Mitrovic What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan? I’m a coach and facilitator working with women navigating major life or career transitions. I help them reconnect with themselves and move forward with clarity and confidence, using a blend of somatic coaching and Positive Psychology. I support them in those in-between moments where the old version no longer fits, but the new one hasn’t fully emerged yet. After 10 years working in Admin and HR, I wanted to deepen my impact, so I started a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology…

History LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

JAPANESE SAMURAI / Masaoka Shiki

japanup_akane 06/29/2026 Samurai

1867 – 1902 正岡子規 Masaoka Shiki A Literary Figure Who Revitalized Modern Haiku and Opened New Paths for Language from His Sickbed . Early Life and the Formation of His Literary Interests Masaoka Shiki was born in 1867 in what is now Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. His real name was Masaoka Tsunenori. From an early age, he loved reading and grew up immersed in Chinese poetry and classical Japanese literature. After the death of his father, he was raised by his mother and grandmother. Although the family was not wealthy, he was fortunate to grow up in a culturally rich…

EXPERIENCE Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Samurai Blue Stun Brazil with an Early Lead, Then Fall to a Last-Gasp Goal (6/29)

japanup_akane 06/29/2026

For 90 minutes in Houston, it looked like Japan might pull off the upset of the World Cup. Facing five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 32, the Samurai Blue did not just defend. They struck first, led for nearly half the match, and pushed the favorites to the very last seconds. In the end, it took six minutes of stoppage time for Brazil to escape with a 2-1 win. Quick Answer: On June 29, 2026, Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32 in Houston. Japan’s Kaishu Sano scored first in the 29th minute, but Casemiro…

ANIME EXPO EVENT EVENT IN LOS ANGELES INTERVIEW LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

The Front Line of Anime Music “Yoko Takahashi × Yoko Kanno” Special Interview

miwako3 06/28/2026

Anime Expo 2026 Special Feature The Front Line of Anime Music Yoko Takahashi × Yoko Kanno Special Interview Anime Expo 2026, one of the world’s largest anime events, will take place in Los Angeles from July 2 to 6. Among its most anticipated stages is J-POP SOUND CAPSULE, where acclaimed Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi and celebrated composer Yoko Kanno will appear. Yoko Takahashi continues to captivate fans around the world with “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” the iconic theme song from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Yoko Kanno, meanwhile, is the composer behind the music of landmark anime works such as Cowboy Bebop…

EXPERIENCE Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Why Are Japanese Teens Obsessed with “Setlog,” the No-Filter Vlog App? (6/26)

japanup_akane 06/26/2026

If you have spent any time around Japanese or Korean social media lately, you may have noticed a smiley-face icon popping up everywhere. It is called Setlog, and over the past few months it has gone from unknown to the No. 1 free app in Japan. What makes it strange is that it does the opposite of what most social media promises. No filters, no editing, no looking your best. Here is why young people cannot get enough of it. Quick Answer: Setlog is a Korean-made social Vlog app where you film a 2-second clip once an hour, share it…

History LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

JAPANESE SAMURAI /Yosano Akiko

japanup_akane 06/26/2026 Samurai

1878 – 1942 与謝野晶子 Yosano Akiko The revolutionary Tanka poet, progenitor of 50,000 works and mother of twelve children . The Literary Awakening of a Merchant’s Daughter Born December 7, 1878, in Sakai City, Osaka, to a family running a prosperous traditional confectionery shop, Surugaya. Her given name was Shiyou. Though raised in a merchant-class setting, her household fostered a strong cultural atmosphere thanks to her father’s extensive book collection. From a young age, Shiyou was exposed to classical arts, including the koto and shamisen, alongside rigorous studies at a Chinese classics school, where she learned Confucianism and Zhu Xi…

ATT. JAPAN Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR TRAVEL

Japan Now! What Is Typhoon Season in Japan, and Should Travelers Worry? (6/25)

japanup_akane 06/25/2026

If you are planning a summer trip to Japan, you have probably pictured warm evenings, festivals, and clear skies over Mt. Fuji. Here is something that does not always make the travel brochures. Summer is also typhoon season, and right now two of them are spinning near Japan at the same time. If you are visiting between roughly June and October, this is worth understanding before you go. Quick Answer: Japan’s typhoon season runs from about June through October, with the peak in August and September. Typhoons are powerful tropical storms (the Pacific cousin of hurricanes) that can bring extreme…

I LIVE IN JAPAN INTERVIEW POPULAR

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Mathilde DUBOIIS / Co-founder of tokimeki LLC

japanup_akane 06/25/2026

April 2026 (VOL.222) Mathilde DUBOIIS What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan? I co-founded tokimeki LLC with Alice Agnellet. We support foreign entities’ operations in Japan, mostly events-related. We do language and cultural support, and action our networks to best support our clients’ needs. Some of our main projects include : international competitions pre-camp (Olympics, World Aquatics), product launch on-trade dinners (Baron Philippe de Rothschild), Project Management (Cezars Kitchen for Osaka EXPO)… Before tokimeki, I worked for Kanazawa City as a Coordinator for International Relations for 7 years which forged most of my…

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Why Did Male Artists Just Sweep ALL 10 of Japan’s Mid-Year Music Charts? (6/24)

japanup_akane 06/24/2026

Japan’s Oricon 2026 Mid-Year Ranking is out, and all 10 sales charts went to male artists. See why BTS, Kenshi Yonezu, Arashi, Snow Man and more topped the list.

EVENT IN LOS ANGELES PLACES TO GO POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

The Best eSIM for Japan in 2026: Hello Japan SIM, Now on Amazon

japanup_akane 06/23/2026

. Planning a Trip to Japan? Stay Connected from the Moment You Land ✈️ If you’re heading to Japan soon and wondering how to stay connected, here’s an easy solution to consider. No contracts. No hassle. Ready to use as soon as you arrive. Introducing Hello Japan SIM, a data-only eSIM you can conveniently purchase on Amazon before your trip—even while you’re still in the U.S. Skip the hassle of swapping SIM cards and get everything set up in advance with a simple eSIM activation. 💡 Why Choose Hello Japan SIM? Activate instantly with a QR code—no complicated sign-ups or contracts…

I LIVE IN JAPAN INTERVIEW POPULAR

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Bernard McEntee / Teacher

japanup_akane 06/23/2026

March 2026 (VOL.221) Bernard McEntee What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan? I’m recently became a licensed teacher in Hokkaido, Japan. Before that I was a JET ALT for 4 years and was the prefectural advisor to the 5th largest city (Sapporo) for my last year as a JET. What do you find different about living in Japan over the term compared when you first arrived or come as a tourist? So some really important advice if you come here to actually live is to know how to seek out help. Especially your…

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

Japan Now! Why a Tiny Japanese Rubber Stamp Just Took Down Asia’s Biggest Cyber-Crime Syndicate (6/22)

japanup_akane 06/22/2026

If you have been following global security news, you likely know that the US and UK governments recently slapped heavy economic sanctions on the Prince Group—a massive, Cambodia-based Chinese conglomerate flagged as one of Asia’s largest criminal syndicates. But today, the story took an unexpected turn right in the heart of Tokyo. On June 22, 2026, Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested a top executive of this notorious group. The charge? Legally speaking, it is “making and using a false entry in an official electromagnetic record.” In plain English: falsifying official corporate registry documents to hide their tracks. “【BREAKING】Executive of One of…