The Japanese don't generally move as much as North Americans, though there are some people who are forced to move regularly because of their jobs. Once one buys a house, one usually lives there forever. I've never experienced moving until I left Japan. My parents still live in the same house I grew up in and it is nice that I can go back to it. It has not changed much and it is full of memories of my childhood. Most Japanese probably don't think about moving much. As a result, they tend to keep many things (including unused or unnecessary things) in a rather small house. I am sometimes surprised to find some of things that my mom kept for all these years.

Japanese translation

Have you heard about "Kuku"? "Kuku" is a Japanese method for memorizing multiplication tables by using a rhythmic chant. Japanese students are supposed to learn "Kuku" by heart in the second grade. For example, "two times three equals six" is said as, "Ni-san-ga-roku," which refers to "two-three-six". Try listening some examples of "Kuku". Just as the name implies, "Kuku" goes all the way to "ku-ku-hachijuuichi (9 x 9 = 81)". The short phrases and rhythm of the kuku make it easier to memorize. Most Japanese memorize and use them for the rest of their lives. Do you have something like "Kuku" in your country?

Japanese translation

In Japan, most children go back to school on September 1st, but September is not the beginning of the school year. The Japanese school year starts in April and ends in March. There is about a five-week vacation in summer. Children are usually given some homework to do during this time. The common homework for elementary school children is "enikki (a diary with drawings)," and "dokusho kansoubun (to write an opinion or impression of a book that you read)". Also, there is often, "jiyuu kenkyuu (open research - sometimes it is hard to choose a topic)." I remember two of my "jiyuu kenkyuu" were an observation of the growth of morning glory and of the moon's waxing and waning. I always enjoyed summer vacation, but I also looked forward going back to school and seeing my friends in September.

Japanese translation

August 15^th is the day that World War II ended. There are quite a few Japanese children books that talk about the war. "Kawaisouna Zou," which was published in 1970, continues to be a popular book. It is a true story about three elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo during World War II. I read it for the first time when I was in elementary school. I remember it was very sad and I strongly hoped that a war would never happen again. I haven't read it for a quite a long time, but I recently had the opportunity to read the story again. I still found myself with tears in my eyes while I read it. Chieko Akiyama, a 93-years-old journalist, has been reciting the story on the radio every August 15^th for over 40 years. The CD of her reciting it was released two years ago, along with the English version, which was read by the American singer, Cindy Lauper. I hope the story will continue to help spread an antiwar message.

Japanese translation