Erik Lebs
Erik Lebs lives in Osaka, where he keeps busy with music endeavors, writing, and translation projects. Lover of food, media, and good conversation, topics of discussion include alternative ways of living, changing cultural trends, and the intersection of national/personal identity.
Articles
Travel Tales from Hokkaido Part 2: Discovering a New World
Erik's adventures with the Japan Explorer Pass continue as he heads further west. Part Two: An Apple desktop, marching penguins and snowshoeing in the moonlight.
Hardworking Sensationalism: How International Media Misrepresents Japan
Don't believe the hype — Japan deserves better.
Travel Tales from Hokkaido: Exploring the “Wild West” of Japan
Follow one writer's adventures to unknown corners of this wild island with the Japan Explorer Pass. Part One: Dog sledding, pork bowls, horse-racing and outdoor drinking.
Conceptions of Black and White in Japan
I can hope to shed some light on media portrayals of blackness and whiteness in Japan.
What to do When Stopped by the Police in Japan
Police can stop you for questioning and seize you if you try to escape but you have no obligation to answer their questions.
No Guide Book Osaka: Stroll Through The Tanimachi Neighborhood
A relaxed stroll through Osaka's Tanimachi Neighborhood.
The Ritualization of Everyday Life in Japan
It is bizarre to imagine a workplace full of such a degree of order and dedication, in which ritual practices like recitation are common experiences
No Guide Book: A Culinary Adventure in Osaka’s Tennoji Neighborhood
A couple of hidden food gems in the gritty tennoji neighborhood.
Does Japan Make the Person or Does the Person Make Japan?
How does a personal identity fit with the national identity of Japan?
Is Japanese Television a Tool for Establishing Social Order?
What role does the TV play in a country like Japan?
Japan’s Faltering Employment System
How will the growing fallibility of Japan's institutions affect the country's social values?
