Author Archives: philipbrasor

July 2015 movies

Posted on June 27, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here are the movie reviews I wrote for the June issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last Thursday. Avengers: Age of Ultron Just as the huge box office success of this second installment in the Marvel superhero … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, June 21, 2015

Posted on June 21, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, which is about the fires in Kawasaki in May that killed 10 people living in a kanishuku hakujo. Though I mentioned it only in passing, the day lodgings in Sanya tend to be made of … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, June 14, 2015

Posted on June 14, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, about Japan’s very qualified response to the idea of allowing more immigrant workers into Japan to alleviate the labor shortage. Of course, the last time the government tried to import laborers without actually giving them … Continue reading →

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June 2015 albums

Posted on June 4, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here are the album reviews I wrote for the June issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last week. The Magic Whip -Blur (Parlophone/Warner) Danger in the Club -Palma Violets (Rough Trade/Hostess) You have to hand it to … Continue reading →

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June 2015 movies

Posted on June 2, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here are the movie reviews I wrote for the June issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last week. The Congress Ari Folman was obviously hard put to follow up his stunning 2008 tour de force, Waltz With … Continue reading →

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Yen For Living, May 24, 2015

Posted on May 24, 2015 by philipbrasor

It’s probably obvious that most of the posts for our Yen For Living blog, which since April has morphed into a twice monthly column in the Japan Times, originated with our own experiences as consumers. This week’s piece, about mobile … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, May 17, 2015

Posted on May 17, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix about the improved fortunes of the Japan Communist Party in recent elections. As stated in the article, the media generally doesn’t take the party seriously, even though they are paying closer attention. Maybe that sounds … Continue reading →

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May 2015 albums

Posted on May 3, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here are the album reviews I wrote for the May issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last week. Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit -Courtney Barnett (Milk!/Traffic) Carousel One -Ron Sexsmith (Cooking Vinyl/Imperial) … Continue reading →

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May 2015 movies

Posted on April 30, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here are the movie reviews I wrote for the May issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last week. Akahama Rock’n Roll Haruko Konishi’s documentary about the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture has already attracted some controversy … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, April 26, 2015

Posted on April 26, 2015 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix about a town in Iwate Prefecture that is struggling with the central government over a proposed seawall. Yesterday, several media reported that the government will definitely ask Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures to take on … Continue reading →

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