Contributor
Mina Otsuka
Mina Otsuka is a translator and writer living in Tokyo. Partially raised in Southern California, she often misses the warm climate but not the Fahrenheit scale. She enjoys writing about the Japanese language and culture.
Articles
10 Nuanced Japanese Expressions for Advanced Learners
Understanding subtle, contextual nuances might be one of the most challenging aspects of language learning.
5 Things I Wish My English Teachers Had Taught Me
Many Japanese students are eager to learn English, but not everything they want to know can be found in a textbook.
What’s in a Name: Honorifics, Titles and Nicknames in Japan
How do Japanese people address each other at school and work?
Soften The Blow: How to Make Your Japanese Sound More Polite
Simple tricks for speaking humble Japanese.
Swearing in Japanese: Why Formal and Informal Speech Is Important
It’s not a word, but the delivery of the language that makes for insulting and derogatory speech.