The Japanese diet is known worldwide for being healthy. Not only are Japanese dishes full of natural ingredients and very nutritious, but Japanese people's attitude towards food is also very meticulous. This mindfulness around food and a healthy diet is one of the reasons behind Japan's low obesity rates. In fact, Japan is among the top 10 least obese countries in the world. While the estimated percentage of individuals with obesity in Japan is expected to be 5.01% in 2024, in the US, 41.9%...

Today I am going to share with you all the behind-the-scenes stories and how Portraits of Life in Japan has had a real impact on my life. According to my analytics, over 600 listeners around the world enjoyed Portraits of Life in Japan over the past six months. I just want to thank you for being here. Although I can't see your faces, I can feel your love and support. Join Portraits of Life in Japan on Patreon by clicking here! Follow Portraits of Life in Japan on ⁠Instagram⁠ Leave your...

Even though the red sun is in Japan's flag, I was surprised when my Japanese language teacher came up with the phrase "the sun is extremely red" when she was teaching us the word "Makka," which means "extreme red." I raised my hand and asked her, "Isn't the sun yellow? At least that's how I usually draw it." My classmates from other countries agreed with me. And they added, "Kids draw the sun yellow with a smiley face." The Japanese teacher didn't know about this. "Kids in Japan draw the sun...

Integrating as a foreigner into a new culture can be challenging and frustrating, especially in Japan, where people like to keep harmony among the group and don't feel comfortable complaining or expressing their true feelings. Making friends at work can be even more difficult. In the last company I worked for, the boss gave each one of us a paper in Japanese that said, "Please refrain from talking about personal matters or your private life with your coworkers." Even though overall Japanese...

"Kawaii" is a Japanese word that means "cute" or "adorable." From anime to food and fashion, it is one of the most frequently used Japanese words, even among foreigners. However, “Kawaii” culture can be seen by many as not very mature. After all, the childish stigma that surrounds anime and cartoons is especially strong in Western culture. But what happens in Japan, a country that uses animation as a tool to effectively communicate messages to people of all ages? Even in the most serious...

Going to an onsen can be a nerve-wracking experience for some foreigners. The idea of taking a bath with a bunch of strangers can be overwhelming for some of us, especially if we are going to stand out for our Western features, which will draw more attention to us. Today I am going to share with you all the details about my first time going to an onsen. Join Portraits of Life in Japan on Patreon by clicking here! Follow Portraits of Life in Japan on ⁠Instagram⁠ Leave your comments and...

One of the best things about Japan is its food. Not only is Japanese food delicious, but it is also very nutritious. After moving to Asia, I have tried a bunch of new dishes that I've fallen in love with. Recently, I discovered that there is a Japanese word to describe a particular taste found in Japanese food: "umami." "Umami" is a taste different from sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Today, we are going to talk about what umami flavor is and whether taste is connected to ethnicity. Join...

When I came to Japan, I started working as an English teacher. Although I majored in journalism in college, I started a new career path here. I worked at two public high schools in Saitama and then at three nurseries in Tokyo. At that time, I had more than 100 students. Until today, I can still remember most of their names and faces. Being a teacher was a fun and new experience, and even though I was the one teaching them English, I learned many things from them. Today I want to talk about...

My husband was born and raised in Japan. Meanwhile, I was born and raised in a country in South America called Colombia. Not only are our cultures different, but so is our perspective of the world. We met in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, in 2019, when he was working there as an elementary school teacher. I was a college student in love with Japanese culture, and he was a foreigner in love with Latin American culture. Eventually, we got married, and I moved to Japan to start a new life...

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Thanks to this, the meticulous planning and preparation from the government and the population's continuous efforts to become one of the most natural disaster-resistant countries keep surprising the international press and foreigners like me living here. On top of Japan's excellent prevention measures, I am impressed by how calm and thoughtful Japanese people are in life-threatening situations, especially during earthquakes....

When I moved to Japan, I discovered a new part of myself that I didn’t like and didn’t know how to control. I took an airplane and flew to the other side of the world, leaving my family and friends in Colombia. The life that I used to know completely changed. And so did I. I used to think I was a pretty positive, strong, and cheerful person. But in Japan, I got to know a weak, depressive, and vulnerable side of me that I didn’t know how to control. I felt like the Pandora's box inside of me...

The first three days of 2024 have been chaotic for Japan. On January 1st, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture, triggering a tsunami warning. The next day, a Japan Airlines plane burst into flames at Tokyo's Haneda airport after it was in collision with an aircraft operated by the Japan Coast Guard. Then, on January 3rd, a fire broke out in Fukuoka, and a woman stabbed four people on a train in Tokyo. In this episode, I will talk about the latest news surrounding Japan and...

Have you ever wondered what it is like to study Japanese in Tokyo? In my case, it's a dream come true. However, before moving to Japan, I started learning the language in my home country, Colombia. Although I had native teachers in Bogota, nothing compares to the unique and eye-opening experience of learning Japanese in Tokyo. If you are interested in coming to Japan to study the language soon, this episode is for you! Join Portraits of Life in Japan on Patreon by clicking here! Follow...

Rina is a 26-year-old Japanese woman living in Kanagawa and she currently works at a travel agency. In 2016 she traveled to Colombia for the first time to study Spanish for a summer program. She liked the experience so much that she returned as an exchange student. During her time in South America, Rina lived in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, for 6 months. In this episode, my friend Rina talks about her time living in Colombia and the biggest cultural differences that caught her attention...

Since I moved to Japan, I have witnessed several times people having public meltdowns and struggling with mental health issues. However, the lack of awareness regarding how important it is to practice emotional containment and the overall indifferent reactions of people witnessing these issues make it clear that stigma is still there.  In an interview with Arab News, Dr. Machizawa said, "Mental health issues in Japan are often perceived as a sign of personal weakness that one should resolve...

The Land of the Rising Sun approved the production and sale of the oral contraceptive pill in 1999. Nevertheless, 24 years later, its use remains limited. After visiting a women’s clinic in Tokyo for the first time, I realized that only one pack costs USD 20. In a research conducted by Meiji University, Maki Hirayama explains: “In Japan, the prescription and sale of the pill is not covered by health insurance. The monthly cost of the pill, including testing and guidance fees, ranges from...

Work-related deaths are common in Japan. The Japanese word for describing this phenomenon is “Karoshi.” According to BigThink.com, “death from overwork, has been a recognizable social problem in Japan since the 1970s.” Today I am going to talk about what is it like to work for a Japanese company as a foreigner. Join Portraits of Life in Japan on Patreon by clicking here! Follow Portraits of Life in Japan on ⁠Instagram⁠ Leave your comments and reviews on ⁠Podchaser.com⁠ Music by Jason...

According to the Global Peace Index of 2023, Japan is the ninth safest country in the world. Nonetheless, after working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) at two schools in Saitama, I realized that attack threats sent to universities and high schools across Japan are pretty common. When the bombing threat happened at my high school I was nothing short of horrified. Since then, I have wondered: Why is not the international press talking about this? Is Japan as safe as the entire world...

According to Bloomberg: “In Japan, small children take the subway and run errands alone, no parent in sight. The reason why has more to do with social trust than self-reliance.” As a former English Teacher at three nurseries in Tokyo, I can confirm this. Japanese babies are very independent. This happens not only because of the way they are raised at nurseries but because society itself encourages them from as early as they learn how to walk to do things by themselves. Today on Portraits of...

In Japan, women often face sexual harassment on public transportation, especially on crowded trains. As reported by Asia Media International: “More than 75% of all Japanese women have been groped. And yet, less than 10% actually report these crimes.” I was sexually harassed at the train station near my hotel when I visited Kyoto two months ago. Today, on Portraits of Life in Japan we are going to talk about the Japanese word "Chikan" which means "unwanted touching," and how common is on...

According to a survey conducted by The Nippon Foundation in 2016, one in four people in Japan seriously considers taking away their own life. In fact, "suicide is the leading cause of death among young people." During my time as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) at two schools in Saitama, I was concerned by the heartbreaking life stories of some students that I heard from my Japanese colleagues. Today, Aki, a high school English teacher who has been working for seven years at a public...

Welcome to Portraits of Life in Japan! This is a solo and interview podcast for global citizens like you aiming to discover Japan through a new lens. I am the host, Monklou Karoline, a 26-year-old writer from Colombia living in Japan. Embracing a new life overseas can be very challenging and forces you to grow in unimaginable ways. That's why I want to share with you stories that portray the complexity of Japanese society. Join me in this adventure full of heartfelt storytelling where you can...

Today I am going to share with you all the behind-the-scenes stories and how Portraits of Life in Japan has had a real impact on my life. According to my analytics, over 600 listeners around the world enjoyed Portraits of Life in Japan over the past six months. I just want to thank you for being here. Although I can't see your faces, I can feel your love and support. Join Portraits of Life in Japan on Patreon by clicking here! Music by Audionautix.com Portraits of Life in Japan OFFICIAL...

The Japanese diet is known worldwide for being healthy. Not only are Japanese dishes full of natural ingredients and very nutritious, but Japanese people's attitude towards food is also very meticulous. This mindfulness around food and a healthy diet is one of the reasons behind Japan's low obesity rates. In fact, Japan is among the top 10 least obese countries in the world. While the estimated percentage of individuals with obesity in Japan is expected to be 5.01% in 2024, in the US, 41.9%...