Contributor

Alex Sturmey

Alex came to Japan in 2015, after getting too annoyed at the constant rain in the UK, but quickly realised the summers here were even worse. He currently works as a teacher in Tokyo, after spending a year in rural Ibaraki. Alex mainly writes about teaching and surviving the countryside in Japan, but in his spare time, enjoys writing about politics. He also once lit a candle, in his school assembly, with the women who played Hyacinth Bucket in "Keeping up Appearances".

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5 Unnecessary Things Tourists Do When Traveling in Japan

Don’t be like that guy. Navigate Japan’s tricky travel landscape like a boss by avoiding these common travel mistakes.

By 7 min read

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This Disaster-Preparedness App Could Save Your Life

Pocket Shelter is a multilingual app that aims to take the worry out of disaster preparation in Japan, helping you ensure you’re as safe as possible if something does happen.

By 5 min read

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Money for Nothing: Bitcoin, Japan & I

While bitcoin faces suspicion and turmoil across the globe, Japan has embraced the digital cash in a way only it could — with extreme passion and an idol group.

By 8 min read

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What Happened When Trump Came to Japan

Trump’s Asia tour was all about sending a message: in this case, a saber instead of an olive branch, but there was plenty of unavoidable (and unfortunate) comedic relief along the way, too.

By 6 min read

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Election Dissection: What Happened When Japan Went to the Polls

Now that the election vans have stopped blaring candidate’s names, the ballots have been cast and the results are in — what can Japan expect from a resurgent Shinzo Abe and his cronies?

By 5 min read

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North Korea: Dispelling the Fear of Nuclear Threat For Japan

With “Rocket Man” building nuclear bombs, Trump threatening to “destroy” North Korea and Japan caught in the middle, are you worried? Here’s some insight that might help dispel the fear.

By 5 min read

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Need a Change? Over 10 Different Job Types for Foreigners in Japan

There are a hundred different reasons that people come to the land of the rising sun, but once you fall in love, you’re going to need to find a job.

By 5 min read

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5 Things in Japan that I Really Got Used to

Living in Japan for a few years inevitably means you'll learn to love things that might have otherwise easily annoyed you back home. Here's what's grown on me about Japanese culture's multitude of quirks.

By 5 min read

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After Last Train: A Late-Night Konbini Odyssey

What mysteries await in the Japanese convenience store after hours? This is the tale of what happened when curiosity turned into a graveyard shift exploration of retail hallowed ground after missing the last train in Tokyo.

By 7 min read

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5 Things in Japan I’ll Never Get Used To

From how certain foods are consumed to the way people sneeze — there are certain quirks of Japanese people that still perplex me to this day.

By 5 min read

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What Happened For Abe At The G20 Summit

Shinzo Abe is preparing himself for a new era in Asian politics — one in which regional, not international, alliances will be the key to success. His Group of 20 discussions with world leaders reflected much of that.

By 6 min read

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5 Adventure VR Games To Try At Joypolis in Odaiba

The virtual realities you’ll experience at this game-themed amusement park will have you battling attacking zombies, racing luxury sports cars or escaping from a locked room. Just another memorable afternoon in Odaiba.

By 4 min read