Back to All JITTI Journals September 2019 Feature Article Development of High-speed Rail in the United States by Shuntaro Okimoto Since coming to Washington, D.C. last summer, I have been investigating various subjects in the transportation sector. In Japan, in recent years a hot topic is the development of high-speed rail in the United States. Currently, the only high-speed rail in the United States that is universally acknowledged is the Acela Express. Those who advocate for high speed railway development in the United States voice that by having this advancement, people will gain more transportation choices and will be able to live more conveniently. In Japan, high-speed railways are set up around the country, and the network continues to expand to this day. If you have been to Japan and have been on the Japanese bullet train, Shinkansen, you know that you can travel far, fast and comfortably. From Tokyo, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to Sendai (4 hours and a half by car), about 1 hour and 40 minutes to Nagoya (4 hours and a half by car), about 2 hours and 20 minutes to Osaka (6 hours by car), and about 4 hours for Hiroshima (10 hours by car) or Hakodate in Hokkaido (about 18 hours by car). Because it is a very convenient transportation system, Japanese people (especially those who live in Tokyo, the center of the network) use the Shinkansen for business and family trips. Furthermore, because of their experience and knowledge of its usefulness, many Japanese want to recommend high speed rail to foreign countries, and especially to the US, which they feel a familiarity with. They are also ready to offer their technical skills. Therefore, there are both people in the United States who wish for the development of high speed rail, and those in Japan who are prepared to offer their expertise to make this happen. This then begs the question, “Why is there no progress for the developments of high-speed rail in the US?” Various hypotheses have been proposed as to why. Some of these include: Japanese people like railroads, but that most Americans don't as much, preferring cars and airplanes; it costs too much money for construction in the US; and that the US and Japan are too different in terms of country size, population density, and population concentration in cities to make high speed rail construction possible. In order to find the answer to this conundrum, I compared various data of both countries, such as preferences in modes of transportation, population, history, geography, and the government’s financial situation. An Acela Express high-speed train ( Amtrak Acela Express power car no. 2000, Boston South Station, MA by Michael Day is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 ) My answer to the question at the moment is that the lack of development is due to the fact that construction of high-speed rail is occurring after those of other traffic modes. In the United States, other modes of transportation developed significantly beforehand, as represented by the introduction of jet aircraft starting in the 1950s and the completion of about 65,000 km of highway in 1991 with a construction period of 35 years. For that reason, railways have been excluded from discussions for how to build comprehensive traffic modes or how to make them more convenient. The development of high-speed rail in the United States has only been considered as a means to recover the declined intercity passenger rail system. The situation is very different from Japan's high-speed railway, which has been developed to compete with highway construction. Of the specific issues deterring the development of high-speed rail in US, the biggest obstacle is finance. In particular, two major risks that occur with railway construction projects are increases in construction costs and the procurement of fare revenue. These problems are universal, and in addition the public often shares in some of the risk as well. Thus, a history of creating and maintaining rail after other modes of transportation is completed is an obstacle itself. How does one attain support for a high-speed railway when construction of said railway is continually postponed? I think that is very difficult. We cannot change the past. However, does this mean that high-speed rail development in the United States will remain a dream? I do not think so. I’ve observed that people in this country, whether consciously or subconsciously, like for travel to be convenient and comfortable. There are many services here that are not available or are not as prevalent in Japan that prove my point. For example, since coming to the United States, I've been addicted to ride-sharing services. I’ve also wanted to try riding the electric scooters in Washington, D.C. which are popular too. The Washington, D.C. subway SmarTrip Card is simple and easy to use. The buses here may be cleaner and more comfortable than Japan. The airport has many signs and is spacious. The highway has many lanes and it is easier to drive on them. I think high-speed rail will be definitely appreciated by people in this country who prefer comfortable travel. As people in the United States become more aware of high-speed railways, the solution to the difficult problem of gaining support mentioned above will be attained. I presented my research in Tokyo this summer, and introduced high-speed rail projects in the United States to a Japanese audience. It seemed interesting to them that the projects were being promoted in California, Florida, Texas, etc., despite difficulties. From the audience, I received the following comments. “It is the same as in Japan that high-speed rail projects include working with other modes of transportation and developing surrounding areas.” “ The disclosure of information, such as cost estimates related to the project, is more advanced than in Japan.” “I realized that Japan can also learn more by knowing about high-speed rail projects developing in the United States.” I want to continue to challenge myself to connect the consciousnesses of the people in both our countries through research activities. Pictured here is the Shinkansen in Japan, which has transported over 5 billion passengers ( Tokyo 4338 by tokyoform is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 )

Back to All JITTI Journals July 2021 Cultural Article Shohei Ohtani Trivia by Tetsuhiro Nakagawa If you're interested in Major League Baseball, you've undoubtedly heard of Shohei Ohtani. If you haven’t, he's the hottest player in the MLB right now. He has hit the most home runs in the league so far this season and throws a ball over 100 mph. He is the first real two-way player since Babe Ruth in the Major Leagues and Ted Radcliffe and Charles Rogan in the Negro Leagues. Here is some trivia about him. Shohei Ohtani by Erik Drost is licensed under CC BY 2.0 1. Where He is From He was born in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan. He went to Hanamaki Higashi High School, which is a powerhouse in the Japanese high school baseball world. Incidentally, it is the same high school as Yusei Kikuchi, the Japanese left-handed pitcher of the Seattle Mariners, though they were three years apart and never played together on the same high school team. 2. Family His father worked as an employee of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and played on the company's baseball team. After moving to Iwate Prefecture, Ohtani’s father served as a coach and manager for his elementary and junior high school teams. His mother was a badminton player and went to the national tournament as a student. Shohei has a brother who is seven years older and a sister who is two years older. Shohei Ohtani and His Siblings. Image from Birth Day (TBS) 3. High School and After While competing at the Iwate Prefecture tournament in the summer of his 3rd year in high school, he became the first amateur player in Japanese baseball history to throw a 100 miles per hour pitch. After graduating from high school, he announced that he would strive to join the MLB instead of going on to Japanese professional baseball. This is a very unusual decision, as almost all Japanese baseball players have played several years in the NPB before joining the MLB. In the end, however, he was persuaded by the manager of the Hokkaido-based Nippon Ham Fighters to join the team. The number the Fighters gave him was "11," the same number that Yu Darvish of the San Diego Padres had worn. 4. “Goal-achievement Sheet” In his high school years, he created a goal-achievement sheet in which he set eight goals, including "body building," "control," and "speed of 100 MPH," in order to achieve his main aim of being selected first in the draft by eight teams. One of the eight goals also included "(gaining) luck." In order to achieve this state of "luck," goals such as "picking up trash," "offering greetings," and "having a good attitude toward umpires" were set. He says that by picking up trash, he is "picking up luck." Shohei Ohtani's high school goals for succeeding in baseball. Image from Birth Day (TBS) 5. Two-way player Playing two-way is called "Nito-ryu (Two-swords style)" in Japanese. It is derived from a school of Japanese swordsmanship founded by Miyamoto Musashi, a master swordsman in the early Edo period. It means fighting with two swords, or in baseball, playing on one hand as a batter and the other as a pitcher. You may perhaps be surprised to learn that this word is used completely naturally among the Japanese when describing Ohtani. In terms of the sound and profound meaning of the word, I think it is the perfect one to describe Ohtani, who is exploring his own unique path as an athlete. Portrait of Miyamoto Musashi 6. Pitcher or Hitter There were different opinions in the Japanese baseball world when Ohtani crossed the ocean to become a major leaguer. While some gave a shout-out for his passion to compete two-way, others contended that he should give up playing two-way and concentrate on pitching, while others argued that he should concentrate on hitting. Ichiro, who played for the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, said, "There are a lot of great pitchers out there. But a hitter like him doesn't come along very often.” Knowing better than anyone else the grueling MLB game schedule, Ichiro seemed to recommend that Ohtani concentrate on hitting. 7. Final Thoughts Shohei Ohtani is currently 27 years old. With the excitement we've seen from him this season, and the many more golden years that we can expect him to continue playing at this high caliber, there will surely be more impressive performances to come. I, for one, will continue enjoying watching him play baseball and cheering him on. Image Sources Cover Image- Shohei Ohtani by Dinur is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ) Shohei Ohtani by Erik Drost is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Birth Day (TBS)

Back to All JITTI Journals May 2021 Cultural Article Going Wild: Japan’s Native Animals and Where to Find Them by Mamiko Kim When I taught English in Japan several years ago, I tasked a handful of my elementary school students to guess what types of animals might live in our region. These clever 7- and 8-year-olds were quick to name off a long list of potential candidates, including accurately naming deer and snakes, but they also had some interesting guesses, like wild boar and monkeys. The biggest shock to me, however, was that they struggled to think of one that is so commonplace here in Washington, D.C. that the Washington Post has an annual local photography contest of these creatures. Can you think of what animal it might have been? You likely see one of their kind outside your window right now. The students were able to correctly guess that eagles were in our region. Mr. President, a male bald eagle that shares his nest at the National Arboretum in NE Washington, D.C. with a rotating number of First Ladies, is a minor local celebrity with a 24/7 live cam. The answer is squirrels. I later learned how very smart and logical my students had been in their responses. Later that year, an announcement was made over the school intercom. “Do not exit the building, as it is dangerous,” it said. “There is a monkey wandering the school yard.” Monkeys may have been an occasional visitor to these students’ schools, but squirrels were a sight rarely, if ever, seen. Animals are neighbors that we sometimes take for granted, and it is fascinating to think how the animals we see every day are not common elsewhere, and vice versa. Japan has a rich diversity of animals, and luckily there are means for travelers to learn more about them. Here are a few native Japanese animals and where to find them: Japanese Macaque Also known as the snow monkey, the Japanese macaque is perhaps the most famous Japanese native animal outside of the country. Measuring as long as 2 feet, these macaques live across the Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu regions, ranging from subtropical to subarctic climates. In fact, among nonhuman primates they live the farthest north and in the coldest climate in the world, surviving temperatures as chilling as -4° F (-20° C). With such blistering cold weather, it may be no surprise that these characteristically gray or brown furred, red faced, and stubby tailed monkeys have found ways to adapt. In a country that takes pride in its natural hot springs and bathing culture, Japanese macaques can be found soaking in hot springs as warm as 109° F (43° C). These ingenious creatures have been observed inventing new behaviors and sharing them with others in their group as well, including washing food in rivers, seasoning sweet potatoes in salty sea water, and making snowballs for fun.1) With their high intelligence and human-like behavior, they are a popular character in Japanese folklore and even appear in Japanese Shinto and Buddhist religions. The Wise Monkeys originated from Japan (source 2), with “mi-zaru, kika-zaru, iwa-zaru,” or “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” being a play on words for the Japanese word for monkey (s/zaru). The monkeys carved here are on the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, opened in 1617. Jigokudani Yaen-koen, established in 1964, is perhaps the best place for visitors to see a wild Japanese macaque up close. The park is in Nagano Prefecture within the monkeys’ natural habitat, which encompasses several kilometers of the surrounding mountain forests and valley. Within the park is a man-made hot spring, which is a popular spot for the monkeys seeking a warm soak during the winter months. While they have become accustomed to seeing humans, the park is not enclosed, and the monkeys come and go as they please. The macaques may be found in the mountainside as well, but are more apt to keep their distance, so the park truly gives the greatest opportunity for visitors to take photographs. Meanwhile, travelers can also enjoy the natural hot springs in the area themselves with two old-fashioned resort towns nearby, Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen, which boast a wide range of historic guests, from samurai to poets, and Japanese-style inns as old as 400 years.3) The monkeys do come into the villages as well at times but prefer their own hot spring. Only a 5–10-minute bus ride from the park, the towns offer a respite after the monkey-watching of the day.4) No monkey business here- just honest relaxation for human and macaque alike. Steller’s Sea Eagle As the boat captain tosses the prepared butchered fish onto ice, you hold your breath. You’ve come to see the Steller’s sea eagle, one of the least observed or understood birds in the world due to it only being found in the remote reaches of Siberia Russia and northern Hokkaido, Japan.5) These migratory birds, the largest sea eagle and the heaviest eagle in the world (wingspan up to 8 feet/284 cm and weighing up to 21 pounds/9.5 kg), only come down to Japan during the winter where they follow the Pacific cod and Alaska pollock so important to their diet.6) While generally wary of humans, they’ve been known to walk within a few feet of fishermen that they’ve seen before, and even feasted on deer killed by huntsmen. In Japan, they come close to boats and as many as 20-30 can be seen at a time. This would be a rarity in Russia, where the birds breed along cliffs and spread out into pairs as they nest, making them more elusive. You hope today’s venture will be fruitful, and you are soon rewarded. A dark brown bird is spotted, and as it gets closer you can see the white tips along the ridge of its wings and on its tail. It lands gracefully among the pieces of fish laid about and begins to enjoy the prepared spread. The Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido is registered as a World Heritage site, specifically as it is a winter nesting ground for several rare birds, including the Steller’s sea eagle, which has been named a Japanese National Treasure and is protected. Winter cruises depart from the town of Rausu on the peninsula for wildlife observation expeditions, and along with the Steller’s sea eagles, Blakiston’s fish owls, white-tailed sea eagles, spotted seals, ribbon seals, and clione (sea angels), may be seen. February and March are the best months to visit the peninsula, as drift ice floats into the Nemuro straight, essentially cutting it off from the ocean, constructing a calm surface where the wildlife gathers. If visitors come any later, these rare birds will have flown back to their breeding grounds, and hopeful bird watchers will have to try again the following year. A size comparison between a white-tailed eagle (left- about the size of the American bald eagle) and the Steller’s sea eagle (right). Both birds nest at the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido over winter. Japanese Giant Salamander If you were walking by a river, and saw something move, what would you do? Would you be intrigued and go closer, or back away in caution? Now, what if that something was almost the same size as you? If you are lucky, you may have caught a glimpse of a Japanese Giant Salamander, who have captured the public imagination for generations. The Japanese giant salamander can be found in rivers in southwestern Japan, growing to 5 feet (160 cm) and 55 lbs. (25 kg), and living to nearly 80 years in the wild. Without gills and with poor eyesight due to its small eyes, one may wonder how well it can survive submerged, but its skin has the remarkable ability to absorb oxygen in flowing water and is also covered in hair-like sensory cells that detect vibrations. This characteristic is helpful when the salamander hunts insects, frogs, and fish at night, and its brown and black spotted skin also makes for excellent camouflage during the day when it hides under river rocks. Its name in Japanese, Osanshouo (大山椒魚), or Giant Pepper Fish, also gives a hint to another hidden talent it possesses, which when threatened, can excrete a strong smell reminiscent of Japanese peppers. "Beware of the Yokai!" from Discovery Channel Magazine June/July 2009 issue. Calligrapher: Ai Tatebayashi It is no surprise that Japanese giant salamanders have inspired legends and curiosity for ancient and modern Japanese people alike. Within Japanese mythical folklore, it is thought that the idea for kappa, or river monsters, may be based on them. With webbed hands and feet, a turtle shell on its back, and a plate on its head, kappa were dangerous creatures who were blamed for drownings. It must have given ancient Japanese people a fright to see a vaguely human-sized figure in rivers, though of course we know now that Japanese giant salamanders are generally ambivalent towards humans. More recently, the world-wide famous Pokémon franchise took an interest to Japanese giant salamanders, which were the inspiration for the cartoon creature Quagsire. Quagsire is described as carefree swimmer who likes collecting round objects, which are lucky if found by others. This certainly is an image upgrade! Quagsire from Pokémon The Japanese giant salamander’s habitats are under threat from development, with scientists estimating that further destruction will lead to the animals’ extinction (they are currently labeled as vulnerable). With this in mind, in Tottori Prefecture the Nichinan Town Office, the Daisen Oki National Park, leading Salamander Researcher, Dr. Sumio Okada, and regional expert, Richard Pearce have formed the Nichinan Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation Experience, an educational opportunity bringing participants along to assist Dr. Okada as he surveys the salamander population. Surveys are done in an ethical manner, with locations specifically selected and rotated to leave the salamanders as undisturbed as possible. Furthermore, no such expeditions are made during the breeding season (late August to mid-September). The price of the experience includes a donation to the Tari Hanzake (Giant Salamander) Conservation Group, which will further assist in conservation efforts. With the salamander’s welfare placed first in importance, travelers participating in the experience can feel good about giving a helping hand in preserving one of Japan’s important endangered creatures. These are just three of Japan’s native animals, but there are many, many more. For animal lovers, Japan offers a grand escape to see many animals up close. Including the wild animals listed above, Nara is famous for its deer that come up to ask for snacks, Okunoshima has a large population of rabbits that will hop along after you, and lounging foxes can be photographed at the Zao Fox Village in Miyagi. Of course, tame animals offer companionship in the many various cafes throughout Japan as well, including cat cafes and Shiba Inu cafes. Regardless of your length of trip, there is always an opportunity to see Japan’s native animals. References: https://blueplanetbiomes.org/japanese_macaque.php https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803104448685#:~:text=The%20Wise%20Monkeys%20originated%20in,Roads%2C%20whose%20attendants%20they%20are . https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6029.html https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6028.html https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/stellers-sea-eagle https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Steller%27s_sea_eagle#/overview https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/new-zoo-japanese-giant-salamander#:~:text=A%20supersized%20salamander%20recently%20debuted,up%20to%205%20feet%20long ! https://jpninfo.com/28101 https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Quagsire_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

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Japan's Policy on Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Shinichi Yamada 1. INTRODUCTION Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), such as drones, are used in various fields including aerial photography, pesticide dispersion, and inspection of infrastructure, and they are expected to be utilized even more in the future. On the other hand, concern about operational safety has been rising. This article introduces efforts and policies that have been implemented to ensure the safe operation of UAS in Japan. 2. CURRENT REGULATION The Civil Aeronautics Law (CAL) defines “UAS” as any airplane, rotorcraft, glider or airship which cannot accommodate any person on board and can be remotely or automatically piloted (excluding those lighter than 200 grams (about 0.44 pounds). The weight of a UAS includes that of its battery.). It requires any person who intends to operate a UAŞ in the following airspaces to obtain permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan to ensure the safety of manned aircraft and persons and/or properties on the surface of the ground or water. Airspace that is over 150 meters (about 490 feet) above the surface of ground or water. Airspace around airports. (Specifically, airspaces above the approach, horizontal, transitional, extended approach, conical, and outer horizontal surfaces) Airspace above Densely Inhabited Districts (DID) defined and published by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. (Those areas where population density is larger than 4,000 people per square kilometer (about 10,360 people per square mile) are defined as DID in general.) The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in various fields has grown, including in agriculture and pesticide distribution. It also requires all of the UAS operators to follow the operational conditions listed below, unless approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. Operation of UAS are to be in the daytime. Operation of UAS must only be conducted within Visual Lines of Sight (VLOS). 30 meters (about 98 feet) of operational distance between UA and persons and properties on the surface of the ground or water must be maintained. Do not operate UAS over event sites where many people gather. Do not transport hazardous materials such as explosives by UAS. Do not drop any objects from UAS In addition to the CAL, legislation has also been put in place to prevent dangerous UAS from approaching important facilities in the country by air. An aerial photo by UAS of this concert would not be permissible in Japan, as they are not allowed to be flown at night or over places where people gather. 3. POLICY FOR THE EXPANDED OPERATION OF UAS The Japanese government has created a roadmap and made efforts to expand the use of UAS in public-private partnerships. According to the roadmap, the goal is to operate UAS beyond VLOS in uninhabited areas, such as remote islands and mountainous areas, by FY 2022, and later to operate UAS beyond VLOS in DID. There are various issues to consider to bring about such flights. Therefore, the following four working groups have been established, and many stakeholders, including government, industry, and academia, are involved. WG1: UAS/Owner Registration WG2: Ensuring UAS Safety WG3: Skill Assurances of Remote Pilots and Flight Dispatchers WG4: UAS Traffic Management System (UTMS) As part of these efforts, an amendment of CAL will be submitted to the regular Diet in 2020 that requires the registration of UAS in FY 2021. Under the new system, information such as the names of owners, users, aircrafts, phone numbers, etc. must be registered online. When registration is completed, UAS IDs can be acquired, and the UAS ID has to be marked on the UAS itself. Any unregistered flight will be fined. The policy for UAS requires that regulatory studies by the government and technology development by manufacturers and academic institutions be carried out simultaneously. While looking to US and European UAS systems as models, it is expected that regulations will be expanded to enable further use of UAS in Japan. Back to All JITTI Journals January 2020 Feature Article

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Back to All JITTI Journals May 2022 Cultural Article My Mother, the Inventor of Okinawan Taco Rice by Mamiko Kim My mother would feel sheepish to know that I am writing about her. I can picture her now giving me a side glance before saying her usual 「言わなくても良い」(“You don’t need to say anything”). Over the years, her frame seems to have shrunk to reach just 5 feet, and her straight, shoulder-length hair that was once naturally and then later meticulously dyed raven black has now transitioned to a soft ivory. Yet, despite these outward changes, her inner mantra has always remained the same- to serve others generously and not boast about oneself. So here I am bragging on her behalf. According to family lore, my mother is the inventor of Okinawa’s famous taco rice dish. My family feels well-founded in our claims, but before delving into our side of the story, I should first explain the official version of how taco rice was created and became a popular dish. Official Origin Story of Taco Rice In 1984, Matsuzo Gibo opened Parlor Senri, a sit-down restaurant located outside of Camp Hansen, an American military base, serving an array of dishes to American military members missing the taste of home. Recognizing that he was in a glamorous part of town and that his clientele craved something quick and inexpensive, he began experimenting with his menu. Originally, he substituted potatoes as the base of his tacos, removing the tortilla shell. This, however, proved to be too time consuming to make. He then swapped the potatoes out with white Japanese short-grain rice, which could be kept hot and prepared in advance. This, he found, was delicious. At first, his new creation was snubbed by the Okinawan locals, but as more and more young servicemen began pouring into Gibo’s restaurant for this cheap, late-night meal, they began to take notice. Soon other restaurants also began adding taco rice to their menus. Vloggers TabiEats get a taste of Matsuzo Gibo’s taco rice recipe at Taco King. Legacy Gibo’s success allowed him to open his first King Taco fast-food restaurant in Kin, the same town where Parlor Senri was located. Eventually, he did so well that he was able to open 5 other locations. While Parlor Senri closed its doors in 2015, King Taco in Kin is still operating, and is open daily from 10:30 am- 1 pm. Additionally, dozens of other restaurants across Okinawa serve the dish. Most famously, Yoshinoya, a 14,000-strong chain restaurant known mostly for their beef bowls, has it as an item on their menu, but only in Okinawa. Even the U.S. fast-food restaurant KFC briefly served taco rice across Japan in the 1990s, furthering the dishes popularity and sealing its association with Okinawa nationally. Kin has truly embraced its heritage as the birthplace of taco rice by calling itself the “Taco Rice Town.” In 2010, they gathered some 2,000 local volunteers in a challenge to make the largest taco rice. After negotiations with the Guinness World Record, who had to create a category to recognize the challenge, the townsfolk succeeded in cooking up a 1,645 pound (746 kg) world record meal of taco rice, consisting of 683 pounds of rice, 441 pounds of taco meat, 220 pounds of cheese, 195 pounds of lettuce, and 106 pounds of tomatoes. A base layer of Japanese rice being prepared at Kin’s 2010 Guinness World Record attempt at making the largest taco rice. (Image credit: RyukyuLife.com) My Mother’s Story So how does my mother fit into this narrative? To fully understand, we have to go back to the start of my parents’ relationship. My father grew up in a small farming and manufacturing town in Washington state, and while my grandmother was known to be an adventurous cook, the area’s food scene lacked diversity. The one exception was tacos. When my father met my Japanese mother in college and began to talk more seriously of marriage, he likes to joke that his one condition was that they ate tacos at least once a week. Needless to say, my mother agreed, and they married in 1981. Whether he meant it in jest or not, since the start of their marriage tacos have been a weekly dinner item, and with my father joining the military, taco seasoning was always readily available wherever they went. However, while stationed in Okinawa in 1983, my sister was born, which brought an unexpected challenge. When my mother was introducing solid foods to her, she worried about whether the hard tortilla shells, which were the only kind sold at the time, would be much too dangerous for a baby to consume. After some thought, she substituted them with Japanese rice, which both baby and husband joyfully ate. With my brothers being born soon afterwards, this became the de facto way they ate tacos, which my mother had renamed taco rice. She even shared this new take on tacos with neighbors and friends and took the creation to potlucks for the local church congregation off-base. These friends and neighbors then began making taco rice in their own homes as well, and it became a community favorite. A Surprising Coincidence Shortly after, with a new military assignment, my parents moved away from Okinawa. They continued to thrive, had two more children (including yours truly), and kept their weekly tradition of eating taco rice on Sundays. As everyone grew older, my mother would comment on how much taco rice she would have to cook to keep up with demand. My brothers would heap their whole plates with rice, meat, and cheese during their teenage years, which us kids called taco mountains, as my mother insisted that they add more vegetables. My father retired from the military, and my parent’s time in Okinawa was a fond, but distant memory. It wasn’t until one of my brothers went to Japan that we heard the news. Cooking for himself and a roommate, it came naturally for him to make a staple from home. When the roommate joined him at the table for a meal of taco rice, however, he turned to my brother in wonder and asked him how he knew about this dish. My brother, in shock, responded in kind, puzzled by how someone outside our family would know our mother’s cooking. Turns out this roommate was from Okinawa, and our humble family tradition had become a famous regional meal. One of my favorite Japanese cooking bloggers shows how she makes taco rice. One big difference that we have in my family is in the assembly. We always put the cheese on the rice, not on top of the meat. This ensures that the cheese gets extra gooey and melty when sandwiched between the two warm components of the dish. Conclusion I don’t wish to downplay Matsuzo Gibo’s ingenuity or initiative in creating taco rice in his own right and for making it so widely popular. At the same time, it has been a bizarre feeling knowing that an entire Japanese region is enjoying something that is an embodiment to me of my mother’s love for our family. When I went to Okinawa several years ago, I was invited to dinner by some locals who had known my parents when they lived there. Perhaps fittingly, we ate a meal of taco rice, and they relayed to me how they had first heard of and eaten the dish when my mother had brought it to their community potluck. As we sat there talking, them reminiscing of times before and swapping stories, I looked across the table at their growing family. I felt the warmth of three generations of Okinawans, including grandparents, adult children, and babies, enjoying taco rice together. In that moment, it didn’t matter to me who had invented the dish or whether my mother was properly acknowledged. It just felt like home. I think my mom would agree, this is really what taco rice is about. References: https://explorepartsunknown.com/okinawa/the-story-behind-okinawas-national-dish/ https://www.visitkintown.jp/en/spot/king-tacos-kin-main-branch https://www.thehawaiiherald.com/2019/10/09/food-culture-the-taco-rice-story/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150519220526/http://okinawa.stripes.com/news/tribute-taco-rice-us-militarys-favorite-mex-oki-fusion-food

Back to All JITTI Journals May 2018 Cultural Article Miyajima by Ryoki Toku Do you know the three most famous spots in Japan, called "Nihonsankei" ? They are Matsushima in Miyagi, Amanohashidate in Kyoto, and Miyajima in Hiroshima. For this article, I would like to talk about Miyajima. Miyajima is an island located in the Seto Inland Sea, just in front of Hiroshima. It is said that Miyajima has been the object of nature worship from the time immemorial. The Ituskushima shrine, built in 12 century, is one of the symbols of Miyajima. The most recognizable characteristic of Itsukushima shrine is that it was built on the sea. You can walk to the big shrine gate which stand on the off-island side when the tide is low and, during high tide, the surface of the sea reaches just under the floor of shrine. The Itsukushima shrine took the Shindentsukuri style, and it is said that the aristocracy house of the Heian-era was its motif. The Itsukushima shrine and the surrounding area have been designated as a world cultural heritage site. The shrine uses the Seto Inland Sea and makes it resemble a pond, and the dynamic view is a must see. If you have a chance, while traveling in Japan, why don't you add Miyajima to your list of travel destinations, as it's one of the most famous sites in the country?

Overview of the Japanese Government's Tourism Policy for Foreign Tourists by Hirokazu Nishikawa 1. History of the Japanese Government’s Tourism Policy The Japanese government's tourism policy began in earnest in 2003. In January of that year, the then prime minister set a goal of doubling the number of foreign visitors to Japan by 2010 from the approximately 5 million at that time, followed by the launch of the “Visit Japan Campaign” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) in April of the same year to strategically promote the Japanese brand overseas. The reason behind these moves by the government was that since 1964, when overseas tourism was liberalized, the number of Japanese tourists traveling abroad increased due to the strong yen and rising national income, while at the same time witnessing a significant gap between the number of Japanese tourists traveling abroad and that of foreign tourists visiting Japan. It is conceivable that the current situation is far from reaching the policy goal of the time, which was to "improve the international balance of cashflow and promote economic and cultural exchange with foreign countries.” The number of foreign visitors to Japan has been steadily increasing since 2003. In 2008 the Japan Tourism Agency was newly established as a bureau under MLIT, and in 2016 the government set a goal of achieving 40 million foreign visitors to Japan annually by 2020, further strengthening the system to achieve the aim of becoming a tourism-oriented country. Graph by Hirokazu Nishikawa (JITTI USA) via data from the Japan Tourism Agency In 2019, Japan was ranked 12th (3rd in Asia) in terms of the number of incoming foreign tourists (31.88 million), increasing its popularity as a tourist country and steadily growing its visitor numbers, but due to the coronavirus, was forced to significantly decrease its numbers the following year. 2.Outline of the Japanese Government's Tourism Policy for Foreign Tourists (Introduction of the FY2022 Budget Request) Since the spread of the COVID-19 virus, domestic and international tourism demand has decreased significantly, and the tourism industry has been severely affected. Against this backdrop, I would like to introduce some of the major policies aimed at improving the environment for and the gradual revival of inbound tourism within the budget outlined for the next fiscal year by the Japan Travel Agency, as follows. Emergency Project for Improving the Environment for Foreign Visitors Traveling to Japan In order to create an environment in which foreign visitors traveling to Japan can fully enjoy their trip in a stress-free and comfortable manner at tourist spots, accommodation facilities, and public transportation, and to create a safe and secure travel environment in case of emergencies such as disasters, the following measures will be supported: enhancement of multilingual tourist information provisions, development of free Wi-Fi services, dissemination of cashless transactions, promotion of barrier-free environments for disability accessibility, improvement of countermeasures against the COVID-19 virus, and strengthening of multilingual responses in case of emergencies. (Some examples of measures) Utilizing a contactless check-in system using Digital Transformation Signage in multiple languages Free Wi-Fi in transportation facilities and vehicles Image Source: Japan Tourism Agency Sustainable Tourism Promotion Project As the interest in sustainable tourism* is increasing worldwide, Japan will promote it, as well as addressing overtourism and carbon neutrality, by establishing a management system that can be used as a model across other regions in order to become the tourist destination of choice for travelers around the world. (*) The World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) definition of sustainable tourism: tourism that fully considers current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts while responding to the needs of visitors, industries, the environment, and the communities that host them. As an example of efforts, by implementing the Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D), a best-practice for sustainable tourism destination management has been developed and is being implemented nationwide. (Examples of overtourism in each region) Crowded and congested tourist spots (The two pictures on the left) Residents picking up trash left by tourists / Traffic obstruction in tourist areas (The two pictures on the right) Image Source: Japan Tourism Agency (The Role of these Guidelines) Use as a Self-Assessment Tool: a guideline for tourism policy making and tourism planning Use as a Communication Tool: an opportunity for the community to work together to create a sustainable region and tourist destination Use as a Promotional Tool: branding as a tourist destination and improving international competitiveness Implementation of Strategic Promotion for Foreign Tourists Focusing on a post-COVID-19 virus future, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will work on strategic promotion for inbound tourism to Japan in order for it to easily recovery, increase travel spending, and attract more visitors to regional areas. By doing these, Japan aims to achieve its goals of 60 million foreign visitors and 15 trillion yen in foreign travel spending by 2030. In particular, the following five measures will be taken. 1. Implementing promotions to stimulate the desire to revisit Japan among repeat visitors A large-scale campaign to stimulate the desire to revisit Japan will be conducted for repeat travelers in the Asian market, who are expected to resume visiting Japan at an early stage. In addition, JNTO will promote an increase in consumption by strengthening the dissemination of experiential tourism in local areas. 2. Strengthening promotions based on changes in demand due to Covid Promotions of experiences that are expected to have increased demand in the post- COVID-19 virus era, such as sports and adventure tourism, will be fortified to take into consideration local lifestyles and nature. 3. Thoroughly utilizing market-specific strategies based by country In order to strategically attract visitors from key markets to Japan, JNTO will accurately grasp the trends in each and conduct detailed promotions based on market-specific strategies. Specifically, in the Asian sector, since Japan is already well known as a travel destination, detailed promotions tailored to individual travel demands will be implemented. For the European, U.S. and Australian markets, the promotion will focus on appealing to interests such as attractive activities. 4. Bolstering dissemination of regional tourism offerings Consultations will be made to improve the quality of local attractions to meet post- COVID-19 demands and to advertise these regional offerings according to the needs of each market in order to interest tourists. 5. Strengthening digital marketing The foundations of digital marketing will be strengthened through collecting and analyzing the information obtained by foreign tourists from websites, etc. to effectively develop promotions. 3. Summary The initiatives introduced in the previous section are only a small part of the budgeted projects scheduled for the next fiscal year. The overall basic policy for next year's budget is to do its utmost to maintain employment and continue business operations, and to provide support for thorough measures that prevent the spread of infection. At the same time, the government will revitalize tourist attractions by renewing accommodation facilities and removing abandoned buildings, refine local tourism resources through cooperation with various stakeholders, and stimulate travel demand by supporting local tourism businesses. In the next fiscal year, it is necessary to realize a full-scale recovery of tourism that supports the local economy with an eye on the time post-COVID-19 virus, while taking all possible measures to ensure the survival of tourism areas and industries that are in danger. In addition, promotion of these efforts will continue, as well as those to increase the number of mid- to long-term visitors and repeat visitors, and content that will become the signature products of profitable regions will be created. In addition, necessary measures to cope with the COVID-19 virus will be considered in the budgeting process, taking into account the future infection situation and trends in tourism demand. The Go To campaign promoting domestic tourism, which was introduced in this journal last year, is not being considered in the initial budget for the next fiscal year, at least at this point. To read last year's article, please click here: JITTI Journal- November 2020 Feature Article. References Efforts and Challenges toward the Realization of a Tourism-oriented Nation Microsoft Word - 20130701048.docx ( sangiin.go.jp ) A Study on the Changes in Japan's Inbound Tourism Policy 268407547.pdf ( core.ac.uk ) Japan Tourism Agency 訪日外国人旅行者数・出国日本人数 | 統計情報 | 統計情報・白書 | 観光庁 ( mlit.go.jp ) スライド 1 ( nihon-kankou.or.jp ) ①.表紙・総括表_２ver2 ( mlit.go.jp ) Image Sources Japan Tourism Agency Back to All JITTI Journals November 2021 Feature Article

Back to All JITTI Journals September 2021 Feature Article A Private Workspace in Train Stations by Akito Okabe Introduction Do you know what these strange boxes are that have been popping up across train stations in Japan? Image Source: Tokyo Metro Co.,Ltd They are private workspaces made for one person and are used for various situations, such as when you have spare time while going out and about, or when you need to hold a quick web conference. These workspaces can also be used not only for work, but also for reading, studying, etc. This article introduces a unique approach to manage privacy needs in Japan, where these facilities inside stations have become well developed. Background: Diversification of Work Styles Japan is facing a "decline in the working-age population due to the falling birth rate and aging population" and greater "workforce need diversification, such as balancing work with childcare and nursing care.1” In order to solve these problems, Japan has been striving to create a society where people can choose various ways to work so that each individual can have a better vision of his or her future.1 Against this backdrop, telework, a flexible work style that is not restricted by location, has been gaining attention as a part of corporate work style reforms. In addition, in recent years, the spread of coronavirus infections has restricted people's mobility and discouraged them from coming to the office, resulting in a rapid acceleration of telework. On the other hand, there are challenges in promoting telework. In particular, in Japan, unlike in the U.S., due to the small size of houses, many disincentives are cited, such as the lack of dedicated workspaces, and the inability to concentrate due to the close proximity of family members. In addition, although it is not impossible to work in cafes, there are still inconveniences such as the lack of available seats, inability to concentrate due to noise, and inability to do highly confidential work within view of others. Companies in various industries are devising ways to solve these problems. While private workspace set-up in train stations are described in this article, there are many other initiatives being launched by companies, such as hotels and karaoke bars offering plans for telework stays. Overview of Private Workspaces In Japan, train stations are not just a place to catch a train or make a connection, but also a place where you can do many things, such as going to eating and drinking establishments, pharmacies, convenience stores, and many other commercial facilities. Private workspaces are also a unique feature of Japan's well-developed stations, and several companies are currently producing them. CocoDesk is one such workspace, and is a joint project between Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. and FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp. The installation of CocoDesk booths started in February 2020 and are currently underway mainly in subway stations. They are 51 inches wide, 39 inches deep, and 83 inches high, making them large enough to be used comfortably. In addition, the room is equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi for mobile devices, and the temperature can be adjusted by the air conditioner, so you can make phone calls or prepare documents without worrying about your surroundings. Moreover, a ventilation fan is in place along with all items covered with an antibacterial coating, so even if you are wary of the coronavirus, you can use it having peace of mind. The service hours are from 7:00 to 22:00, and the fee is approximately 2.50 USD per 15 minutes, so users can freely choose the time of use according to their purposes. The above figure is reprinted and translated from the FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp website. Conclusion Post-pandemic, teleworking is expected to take root to a certain extent, and I believe it is important for the government and companies to continue to work together to create an environment that facilitates teleworking. Tokyo Metro has announced that it will continue to install CocoDesk booths in stations and will consider various initiatives to make stations more convenient and comfortable to use as a part of business and daily life in order to more closely match customers' various ways of working.2 Why don't you experience this unique service when you visit Japan? ※CocoDesk is a registered trademark or trademark of FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp. References 1.Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000148322.html 2. Tokyo Metro Co.,Ltd. press release https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/2021/210791.html Image Sources 1. Tokyo Metro Co.,Ltd 2. FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp