Author Archives: Eryk Salvaggio

On the Psychic Abilities of Japanese Salarymen

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

The first thing you’ll do at a new job in Japan is sit for weeks without instructions. You will show up to work and sit at a desk. You’ll have lunch around 12:30, then sit at your desk. Your supervisors … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Weird | 14 Comments

J-Cin Sundays: “Linda Linda Linda”（リンダリンダリンダ）

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

J-Cin is a new, semi-regular weekend feature for This Japanese Life discussing Japanese Cinema. This is the first installment.

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

On Japanese Funerals

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

My first conversation about the earthquake was a week and three days after it struck. In the office, we talked about the peripheries of disaster: Blood donations, fundraisers, TV coverage. We didn’t talk about victims. When the media focused on … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquake, Photography, Shinto, Shrines, Temples and Ruins, Thinking, Tradition, Uncategorized, Zen | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

On Watching the News in Japan

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

Watching the Western media explain Japan can feel like watching a caveman explain the future.

Posted in Earthquake, Tradition, Uncategorized | 21 Comments

After Disaster, Laundry.

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

I went to work today. Normally that wouldn’t merit a blog post, but in a country with nuclear emergencies, multiple earthquakes, rolling power outages and an active volcano, the normal stuff starts to get noteworthy. As I write this, rescue … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquake, Tradition, Uncategorized | 31 Comments

Explaining Fukushima to a 12-year-old

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

Nuclear Power Plant Explodes As of 12:41 a.m. JPT Saturday, a nuclear power plant had exploded, though there wasn’t a “meltdown.” As of Sunday, there was a second nuclear power plant with reactor problems, also in Fukushima. Ninety people who … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquake, Video | 4 Comments