The New National Stadium Takes a Bow
Article by Serena Landers, Writer
January 24, 2020
As we enter 2020, the year of the Tokyo Olympics, we have gotten one step closer to the much-awaited event with the completion of the New National Stadium, which will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics as well as a few of the sports events. The construction process for...
The School Lunch Crisis
Article by Kokoro Igawa, Writer
January 8, 2020
For many of us, three hot meals a day is a given. But for millions of students in the United States, this is not the case. In low-income households, school lunch costs throughout the year add up and end up becoming a substantial economic burden, leaving parents with no choice but to send their childr...
Japan’s Consumption Tax Climbs
Article by Serena Landers, Writer
December 4, 2019
Store owners in Japan were tasked with more than just turning a page of their calendars when October 1 arrived: the new month marked an increase in the consumption tax rate from 8% to 10%. Many store owners throughout the country stayed until late at night to update registers and change signs. The Japa...
The Retail Apocalypse: Forever 21
Article by Selina Drysdale, Writer
October 29, 2019
One factor making us at ASIJ stand out among other international schools is our uniform — or lack thereof. Students fill the halls every day, using their clothing choices to reflect their personal style and mood, but it’s also hard to miss the commonalities linking many students to the latest fas...
The Rundown on the Trump Impeachment Inquiry
Article by Lisa Neureiter, Writer
October 27, 2019
It came as a shock to everyone when Donald J. Trump won the U.S. presidential election back in 2016. Few expected him to pull through, especially against the political experience of someone like Hillary Clinton. During Trump’s time in the White House, many norms have been broken. The impeachment ...
The Rugby World Cup is Here
Article by Serena Landers, Writer
October 13, 2019
Most ASIJ buses pass in front of it every day: Ajinomoto Stadium, otherwise known as Tokyo Stadium. It’s usually a quiet area, but this month there’s more activity surrounding the stadium, with signs and construction workers encircling it. That’s because a number of the 2019 Rugby World Cup gam...
Final Hours: Brexit and the UK’s Parliamentary Crisis Explained
Article by Sylvan Lebrun, Writer
October 12, 2019
On the final day of October, the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union, after three years of fruitless negotiations. Following the result of the “Brexit” referendum in June 2016, where the public narrowly voted to leave the EU by 52%, it was assumed by pro-Brexit politicians that a deal could b...
Global Climate Strike and Youth Activism
Article by Kokoro Igawa, Writer
October 10, 2019
As flames continue to engulf rainforests and devastating typhoons make their landfalls, students around the world came together in September to march in the streets for one shared goal: global action against the impending doom of the climate crisis. From Tokyo to Senegal to Italy, there were over a million report...
The Olympic Games and Public Transportation
Article by Take Zoot, Writer
October 5, 2019
In less than 300 days, we the residents of Tokyo have a lot to look forward to: the Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics will bring many riders to the Tokyo subway system, which is known for its versatility, cleanliness, and ease of use. However, it also happens to be known for its train cars that overspill w...
An ASIJ Alum and His Investor, Jeffrey Epstein
Article by Kai Kurosu, Writer
October 3, 2019
One of the many things that the #MeToo movement taught us is that if Ronan Farrow is writing an article about you, you’re in trouble. That’s what happened to former M.I.T. Media Lab director and ASIJ alumnus Joi Ito (‘84). Ito resigned his position as the director of the Media Lab on September 7, “after giving...
Convenience Stores Test Shorter Hours
Article by Serena Landers, Writer
May 28, 2019
When leaving students are asked what they’ll miss about Japan, one of the things that come up often are the convenience stores, or konbini. With a multitude of products and services, these stores are ever-present on Tokyo’s streets. One notable feature of these convenience stores is that they are...
Spilling the Green (New Deal) Tea
Article by Astrid Wihman, Writer
May 3, 2019
As students at ASIJ, we are frequently faced with questions about our futures — particularly relating to our college choices and careers. Though much of it is needless worrying, it’s all well intended. But perhaps it’s time that our tendency for planning ahead takes on other considerations. We nee...
![Juri Kimura, ’21 “First I went to this school called Aoba. It was an international school, but basically everybody there speaks Japanese so it was very unhelpful. If you don’t speak [English] with people who are much more fluent than you then you just don’t get the vocabulary you need. But then, luckily, I got into Nishimachi [an international school in Tokyo], and then there I grinded.
I tried to learn English at school. I worked really hard, and even outside of school I tried to never speak Japanese, even to the people that spoke Japanese. I would talk back in English or listen to English music, read a lot of English books. It was a conscious effort.
But now I feel like recently when I talk to my mom, parts of my sentences become English. My mom and my dad have been adapting and trying to learn, but in a way that’s bad for my Japanese, because I get used to mixing. But sometimes I want to speak in English because I’m so much better at debating in English. In Japanese, I feel like I’m so powerless.
But it’s about becoming a global person. It’s hard to do that when you can’t speak or understand one of the most spoken languages. A lot of Japanese people speak less English than in other Asian countries. We have to catch up to the global trend, which is English. Anyway, I was really lucky to be able to come to ASIJ.” (Site link in bio, then Campus Life section.) #asij #asijHighSchool #花火 #hanabi #studentpublication](https://hanabi.asij.ac.jp/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
This week, Humans of ASIJ focuses on language learning, speaking with junior Juri about becoming a global person. https://tinyurl.com/w548cb6 #asij #asijHighSchool #花火 #hanabi #studentpublication
If it were not for her grandmother’s risk-taking, senior Cora wouldn’t have led an international life. Find out the story. (Site link in bio, then Campus Life section.) https://tinyurl.com/qqpnnor #asij #asijHighSchool #花火 #hanabi #studentpublication
Get to know sophomore Su, who has made ski slopes a second home since she was three. https://tinyurl.com/svs23pp #asij #asijHighSchool #花火 #hanabi #studentpublication
What’s the harm in watching a little reality TV? Hannah will tell you. https://tinyurl.com/u4cuvay #asij #asijHighSchool #花火 #hanabi #studentpublication
Wondering why you're paying more at the combini these days? Serena's on it. https://tinyurl.com/taog8q5 #asij #asijHighSchool #花火 #hanabi #studentpublication
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Article by Kokoro Igawa, Writer
January 8, 2020
For many of us, three hot meals a day is a given. But for millions of students in the United States, this is not the case. In low-income households, school lunch costs throughout the year add up and end...
Article by Marine Savoure, Writer
December 17, 2019
Every culture seems to have them: the Jewish bar/bat mitzvah, the Korean Gwanrye/Gyerye, the Latin Quinceañera, the Japanese Seijin no Hi ―coming-of-age traditions are a rite of passage around the world....
Article by Lizzy Rekate, Writer
December 17, 2019
When asked about what her greatest passion is, ASIJ sophomore Su Nakashima automatically said, “Alpine skiing.” Su has been downhill skiing nearly her entire life and has also been competing for...
Article by Maia Macek, Writer
December 17, 2019
It’s that time of year when many of us are feeling the pressure of being a high school student at ASIJ. When a few days left until winter break we can sometimes slip out of some of the good habits that...
Article by Take Zoot, Writer
December 17, 2019
As our world changes due to climate change, so does the Italian school curriculum. Recently, Italy became the first country to make climate change a required course in its public school curriculum. Starting...
December 17, 2019
In early October, ASIJ alum Robin Lewis ('07), spoke to ASIJ students about his high school life and the progression of his career. Lewis works as a consultant at the World Bank's Global Facility for Disaster...
The Harsh Reality of Reality TV
December 11, 2019
From the dramatic outbursts from contestants on Love Island to the tense elimination process on Hell’s Kitchen, reality television has undoubtedly become significant in modern culture. Reality television...
Technology and School, for Better and Worse
December 10, 2019
On ASIJ’s campus, technology is everywhere: iPads, computers, and iPhones are used from the ELC up through high school, in the classroom, on the buses, in the hallways. The primary use of technology...