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The Student News Site of The American School in Japan

HANABI

The Student News Site of The American School in Japan

HANABI

The Student News Site of The American School in Japan

HANABI

The Allure of Fear: The Evolutionary Role of Scary Stories in Society

Article by Nadja Petreski, Writer January 9, 2025

Why do we feel compelled to terrify ourselves with haunted houses, horror films, and ghost stories? Well, fear has always been an intrinsic part of the human experience; scary tales are essential to our...

Montpellier: Is Free Transportation an Urban Utopia?

Montpellier: Is Free Transportation an Urban Utopia?

Article by Sarah Higashio Gocsei, Writer January 8, 2025

Imagine a city where taking public transportation rather than your car is not just an eco-friendly choice but also an economical one. Montpellier, a bustling city in southern France, has made this a reality...

The Greatest Good: Exploring Utilitarianism and Moral Responsibility

The Greatest Good: Exploring Utilitarianism and Moral Responsibility

Article by Sophie Lee, Writer January 7, 2025

Imagine this scenario: your friend wants to borrow your favorite sweater. You understand the risk of the sweater getting stained or lost. However, your friend's overall happiness outweighs the potential...

U.S. Army photo / Arlington National Cemetery / Flickr

How the South Rewrote its History After the Civil War

Article by Elizabeth Rexrode, Writer November 18, 2024

"The spirit of secession is stronger today than ever," warned Frederick Douglass, the formerly enslaved activist and leader in the abolitionist movement, in 1871. Douglass foreshadowed the resilience of...

Photo by Lenstravelier on Unsplash

Man’s (Former) Best Friend: The Pigeon

Article by Mira Chandra, Writer February 29, 2024

“Man's best friend” is a phrase commonly used to describe the long standing friendship of humans and dogs. The domestic dog is certainly unique in its unwavering loyalty and centuries of devoted...

Coquette Couture: More Than an Internet Microtrend

Coquette Couture: More Than an Internet Microtrend

Article by Lily Stone-Bourgeois, Writer February 8, 2024

Pink bows and pink lace and pink lipstick and pink dresses and pink nails and pink silk pajamas and pink uggs, and did I mention pink bows? You can't escape it.  The world is seeing the resurgence...

ASIJ Alumni, By the Numbers

ASIJ Alumni, By the Numbers

Article by Sena Chang, Editor December 15, 2023

Humans of ASIJ — Naomi Almog

Humans of ASIJ — Naomi Almog

Article by Carolin Holjo December 7, 2023

Naomi Almog is a senior at ASIJ, known throughout the high school for her musical talent. She has been singing in choirs since elementary school and joined ASIJ as a sophomore in 2021. At school, she is...

Photo by Salya T on Unsplash

Is the UN Security Council Fulfilling Its Purpose?

Article by Lily Stone-Bourgeois, Writer November 29, 2023

The high school recently heard U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel assert that the United Nations requires reform. Amidst the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas wars, the effectiveness of the UN—and...

Navigating the Change From the Paper to Digital SAT

Navigating the Change From the Paper to Digital SAT

Article by Ava Piscopo November 27, 2023

The SAT, a test that has played an important role in college admissions, was recently switched from its typical paper format to a new, more flexible digital version. The digital SAT has brought major changes...

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Blackwater and Wagner: The Rise of Modern Mercenaries

Article by Noah Kanda, Writer November 16, 2023

In the past 20 years, unusual developments have been taking place within the military sphere. Governments have been privatizing their militaries, letting corporations take the place of traditional armed...

Narges Mohammadi: A Life of Activism

Narges Mohammadi: A Life of Activism

Article by Karina Kirpalani, Writer October 30, 2023

Women in Iran have long suffered from misogynistic and discriminatory laws aimed at limiting their freedoms within society. For instance, according to Time Magazine, lack of bodily autonomy is demonstrated...

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