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Recent Posts
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- Life In Japan: Prescription Drugs | John Rachel on Life In Japan: A Morning at the Clinic
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Silver-san, aka Jinzai Centers
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Mystery Box
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Japanese School Kids
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Vending Machines
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“Petrocelli”
Author Archives: John Rachel
A Few Things Left Out of the Russia-Bashing Narrative
I abhor violence. I abhor war. But Putin and Lavrov respectfully requested that US/NATO imperial powers grant Russia some basic courtesy and understanding. US/NATO refused. Russia did and is doing what she had to do to protect itself from further intimidation and inevitable military assault. Continue reading
Posted in Deconstruction, Political Analysis, War and Peace
Tagged Azov Brigade, bioweapons, Donbas, Maidan, NATO, Putin, Russia, Ukraine, Zelensky
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Life In Japan: National Cat Day 2-22-22
TODAY — February 22, 2022 — here in Japan is National Cat Day! This is how it came about. Continue reading
Life In Japan: Covid Care Package
This is what arrives on your doorstep here in Tambasasayama if you test positive for Covid and have to self-isolate. Continue reading
Posted in Altruism, Japan, Social Commentary
Tagged community, Covid-19, Japan, omicron variant, quarantine, Tambasasayama
1 Comment
Life In Japan: Longing For Spring
Kasai is a small town about an hour-and-a-half southwest of Tambasasayama. There’s a splendid rose garden there. We go almost every spring. Last visit, Masumi, her daughter Azusa, Azusa’s Black Labrador, JiJi, and I, arrived during the peak of the rose blossoms. Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Japan, Spiritual, Travel, Uncategorized
Tagged Japan, Matthew Henson, Michigan, North Pole, roses, Siberia, Tambasasayama
2 Comments
Life In Japan: “Let it snow . . . let it snow . . .”
Understandably, with my thousands of friends, millions of acquaintances, uncountable fans and followers, I am overwhelmed with curiosity about the details of my life here in Japan. Here’s one question I’ve gotten . . . well, hmm . . . taking a microscope to the past thirteen or so years . . . I’d say at least three times: “What’s the weather like there?” Continue reading
Posted in Deconstruction, Japan, Spiritual, Travel
Tagged Facebook, Japan, philosophy of life, snow, Tambasasayama, TikTok, Twitter, weather, winter
1 Comment
Life In Japan: Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are edible hockey pucks which very popular here in Japan. Not surprisingly they are made out of rice. Continue reading
Posted in Food, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel
Tagged community, Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese customs, Japanese holidays, mochi, rice cakes, Tondo Matsuri
1 Comment
Life In Japan: Buddhism is fun!
Okay … the title is hyperbole. No religion is actually fun. Most seem preoccupied with scary demons, suffering, sacrifice, gnashing, weeping, incantations, uncomfortable positions, and men dressed in funny clothes. But at least some Buddhists have a sense of humor! Continue reading
Posted in Deconstruction, Japan, Religion, Spiritual
Tagged Buddhism, Japan, Japanese customs, Japanese history, Jizou-ji Temple, Matsuyama, Matsuyama Castle, Shikoku
1 Comment
COMING SPRING 2022!
“Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun” is unlike any love story you’ve ever read. Set in Japan and East Africa, it is based on real events. It’ll be here Spring 2022. Continue reading
Posted in Books, Creativity, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel
Tagged Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese customs, Kenya, Love Connection, romance, Uganda
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Life In Japan: A Generous Spirit
We have a nickname for our friend Keiko Iwashita. My wife and I call her “Bangladesh Lady”. There’s a very inspiring story behind this. Continue reading
Posted in Altruism, Education, Japan, Social Commentary, Spiritual, Travel
Tagged Bangladesh, charity, education, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, wealth inequality
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A Tale of the Wild West
Some would say that the cowboy ethic is still alive and well and drives not only our dealings with the pitiable nullities who aren’t fortunate enough to live here in the “land of the free, home of the brave” — you know, foreigners — but is the key to understanding ourselves, what makes us tick. This story tries to get to the heart of the matter. As if it mattered. What is matter other than energy? Continue reading →