In Japan, March is the end of the financial and school years. Graduates have a ceremony upon graduating from their schools and students progressively move up one …

In Japan, February is the peak of the cold and flu season. Infants, school children and elders are often inoculated against the flu because they are especially vu…

AKEMASHITE OMEDETO! (Happy New Year!)

As I have mentioned before, the Japanese believe everything becomes fresh and new in the New Year, so almost every Japanes…

December is the last month of the year and we Japanese are busy preparing for the New Year because New Year celebrations are the most anticipated event throughout …

We, Japanese, participate in Shichi-Go-San (literally, seven-five-three) celebrations in November. Parents go to shrines with their children to pray they g…

The exciting Rio Olympic Games concluded in late August and team Japan’s triumphant return parade was held in Ginza, Tokyo on 7 October with an audience of almost …

The third Monday of September is a public holiday in Japan known as Respect for the Aged Day in Japan. We Japanese celebrate the longevity of our elders and give gif…

August is the peak of Japanese summer and I’ve heard of some regions in Japan where the temperature sometimes surpasses 35 degrees.

Japanese schools (from Year 1 …

Japan had the election of the Upper House of the National Diet on 10^th July. As the Australian federal election was held on 2^nd July, I thought it would be great to in…

This month’s Newsletter is our 100^th issue. Thank you very much for your continuous support and readership.

CLAIR Sydney was established in 1994 and we began to i…