I am a Yakitorian. It is my made-up word for a connoisseur of the Japanese art of grilling skewers of chicken parts. I have, on many occasions, devoured a meal of yakitori at one restaurant and then ended the night having a little yakitori “nightcap” at a different spot. I have always preferred plentiful appetizers …
When I was much younger, I was a soccer goalkeeper. What I lacked in height I made up for with a total disregard for safety. My body was a plaything and I hurled it around, never thinking of pain or consequence. My reflexes were hair-trigger, synaptic pulses told my body to move and the response …
Japan does not know what to do with immigrants. They need immigration. They want immigration. But, Japan is a habitual half-stepper when it comes to both immigration policy and the day-to-day business of integrating foreigners into Japanese society. This is a major problem. Japan is aging rapidly and those who are not aging are …
