TCJ Blog

Some Japanese learners may think that all Japanese people speak the same way. However, there are various dialects in Japan. Particularly in the Kansai region, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, 関西弁(Kansai-ben), the Kansai dialect, is commonly heard. For example, in standard Japanese, people often say “sō desu ne” when agreeing with someone, while in Kansai-ben, expressions such as “se yana” or “sō yana” are commonly used instead. Because of differences like these, some learners may wonder whether learning Kansai-ben is necessary when living in Osaka. This article introduces an overview of Kansai-ben, how it differs from standard Japanese, and whether learning the Kansai dialect is necessary.

For those considering working while studying in Japan, this article explains Japanese laws and regulations, popular job categories among international students, and the estimated amount students can earn. It also provides tips for learners to help them lead a safe and fulfilling study-abroad experience.

“What do you usually eat for breakfast?” This seemingly simple question can reveal aspects of a country’s culture, history, and social structure. When asking a Japanese person about a typical Japanese breakfast, one might receive an answer such as white rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and pickled vegetables—a classic traditional Japanese-style breakfast. However, modern Japanese breakfasts offer more variety than one might expect. They range from simple dishes such as tamago kake gohan (rice topped with raw egg and soy sauce) to more elaborate, carefully prepared meals reminiscent of traditional ryokan breakfasts. Breakfast is often considered one of the most honest reflections of a society’s family structure and working styles in a given era. While traditional Japanese-style breakfasts continue to be passed down through generations, Japan’s morning food culture has gradually, yet steadily, changed alongside shifts in historical and social conditions. This article takes a closer look at contemporary breakfast practices in Japan, tracing the historical development of Japanese breakfast culture. A deeper understanding of food culture can lead to a more nuanced appreciation of a country as a whole.

In Japan, it is common to see “what day it is today” featured in the news or on social media every day. Many of these days are unofficial holidays, such as Cat Day or Meat Day. These are not just random dates. They are based on a uniquely Japanese form of wordplay known as 語呂合わせ: goroawase, where numbers are read in ways that sound like words. Goroawase is a type of Japanese wordplay in which numbers are read in creative ways and turned into meaningful words. In Japanese, each number has multiple possible readings, such as on’yomi (Chinese-derived reading), kun’yomi (native Japanese reading), English pronunciation, or even onomatopoeic sounds. For example, the number “two” can be read as ni (on’yomi), futa (kun’yomi), two (English), or even nyan, the sound of a cat’s meow. By taking advantage of these flexible readings, people in Japan often assign meanings and word associations to numbers, turning them into playful expressions and even “holidays.”

Exchanging 名刺: meishi, or business cards, is often the first step when meeting someone in a business setting. In some countries, it may simply be part of a self-introduction; however, in Japan, its meaning is slightly different. Business card exchange is not just a formal gesture, but an important first step in building a strong professional relationship. In this article, I draw on my experience teaching foreign employees working in Japan to provide a clear explanation of business card exchange—a practice that can often be confusing in professional settings. I will cover its cultural background, specific manners, and how it differs from practices in other countries.