A Podcast about my writing
And on Amazon Podcast
And a Video on LinkedIn
I talk about my journalism and other thoughts. This was done in April 2026, but is being re-released August 2026.
My AP Stories for 2026
My AP Stories for 2025. My AP Stories for 2024. The links for 2023 and My AP stories from past years.
My AP Stories for 2026
My AP Story Oct. 21, 2026 about Japan’s trade data for September and the first fiscal half.
My AP Story and My AP Photo Sept. 22, 2026 about ikebana. The photo editor chose two of my own arrangements to relay with the story. The caption doesn’t say that although the editor did ask, and I said they are mine.
This Photo did not move with My AP Story about ikebana, but this is how the teacher looks in everyday life so sharing.
And this photo shows the completed arrangement.
My AP Story Oct. 9, 2026 about the rising cases of cyberattacks.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Oct. 5, 2026 about the population decline.
My AP Story Oct. 1, 2026 about the Bank of Japan “tankan” economic survey.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Sept. 20, 2026 and Oct. 3, 2026 about North Korea firing a missile.
My AP Story Sept. 18, 2026 on the Bank of Japan raising the benchmark rate.
My AP Story Sept. 16, 2026 about Japan’s trade data.
I’m a contributor to this AP Story Sept. 14, 2026 about deforestation in Indonesia.
My AP Story Sept. 4, 2026 about motor maker Nidec.
My AP Story Aug. 27, 2026, an Obit on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
My 2012 Interview with Yayoi Kusama.
My AP Story Aug. 12, 2026, an Obit on Hiroshi Okuda, a former top executive at Toyota.
And because of this story, I get interviewed by Jeremy Siegel for his radio show The World, “Remembering an Auto Industry Giant.”
My AP Story July 29, 2026, in which I interview film director Kiyoshi Kurosawa and the video link to the interview.
My AP Story July 25, 2026, in which I interview Hirokazu Kore-eda about his filmmaking.
My AP Story Aug. 31, 2026 about Honda and Nissan entering a partnership in software development.
My AP Story Aug. 20, 2026 about Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story Aug. 17, 2026 on Japan’s GDP.
My AP Story Aug. 6, 2026 about Nintendo’s financial results.
My AP Story Aug. 6, 2026 about SoftBank Group Corp.’s financial results.
My AP Story Aug. 5, 2026 on Honda making a turnaround from its first ever annual loss.
My AP Story Aug. 4, 2026 about Toyota’s financial results.
My AP Story Aug. 3, 2026 about Nissan’s financial results.
My AP Story July 31, 2026 on Sony’s results, which have yet to factor in the recent Kyushu quake.
I was also busy this week in late July writing the AP Story on the Kumamoto earthquake while my colleagues were on site.
My AP Story July 25, 2026 about school blackboard artworks.
My AP Story and My AP Photo July 16, 2026 on Japanese robotics makers and Nvidia’s physical AI.
My AP Story July 1, 2026 in which I interview Eiko Kadono, the author of “Kiki’s Delivery Service.”
Korochan and Jiji. Reminders my AP Stories go all over the place with one being the toy a 9-year-old always has at her DJ gigs (story below) and the other that cat companion of Kiki the witch, a character created by a 91-year-old writer (story above).
My AP Story July 22, 2026 about Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story July 1, 2026 on the tankan survey.
My AP Story June 28, 2026 about an earthquake, the latest in a series amid typhoon season.
My AP Video June 24, 2026, my interview of “Human Vapor” remake director Shinzo Katayama.
My AP Story June 15, 2026 about a child DJ and My AP Video.
My AP Story June 16, 2026 about SoftBank using OpenAI technology to protect against cyberattacks.
My AP Story June 17, 2026 on the Japan Fair Trade Commission raid on ice cream makers.
My AP Story June 16, 2026 about the Bank of Japan raising its benchmark interest rate.
My AP Story June 3, 2026 and My AP Photos on how to make your own sushi.
My AP Story May 28, 2026 on the Humanoids Summit Tokyo.
My AP Story May 25, 2026, an obituary on the Japanese behind the convenience store empire.
My AP Story June 17, 2026 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story May 21, 2026 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story May 13, 2026 about chips packaging going without color.
My AP Story May 19, 2026 about Japan’s GDP.
My AP Story May 14, 2026 about Honda posting its first ever full year fiscal loss.
My AP Story May 13, 2026 about Nissan reducing red ink and promising a turnaround.
My AP Story May 13, 2026 about SoftBank seeing profit growth from AI investments.
My AP Story May 8, 2026 about Toyota’s earnings for the year.
My AP Story May 8, 2026 about Nintendo’s financial results.
My AP Story May 8, 2026 about Sony’s financial results.
My AP Story May 2, 2026 on the Inoue-Nakatani fight.
My AP Story April 25, 2026 on Japan’s love for boxing as anticipation grows for the Inoue-Nakatani bout.
And the boxer I interviewed for the story at a Tokyo boxing gym. Really nice guy. And may you keep winning!
My AP Story April 28, 2026 about the Bank of Japan holding the key rate steady.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story April 23, 2026 by Matt O’Brien on a robot.
My AP Story April 22, 2026 about Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story April 12, 2026 about economic vulnerabilities to “oil shocks.”
My AP Story April 10, 2026 about the art being passed down over generations in Kabuki theater.
Always an honor, even if you just did your very small part, to be part of the Best of AP Honorable Mention awarded in February 2026, for this AP Story about an explosion at U.S. Steel.
My AP Story April 1, 2026 on the Bank of Japan’s “tankan.”
Throughout the year, I filed a lot of Markets stories, so many there are no links here, but sharing the dramatic photos from my AP colleagues.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story March 19, 2026 on how Asian nations are responding to the energy crunch.
My AP Story March 18, 2026 about Japan’s trade data.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story March 14, 2026 about North Korea firing a missile.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Feb. 24, 2026 about China’s export restrictions.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Feb. 20, 2026 about the kimono and sustainability.
My AP Story Feb. 18, 2026 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story Feb. 16, 2026 about Japan’s economic growth.
My AP Story Feb. 6, 2026 on Toyota naming a new chief as profits decline.
My AP Story Feb. 12, 2026 about SoftBank Group thriving on the OpenAI boom.
My AP Story Feb. 12, 2026 about troubled Nissan promising it’s on the right track.
My AP Story Feb. 10, 2026 about Honda’s profits being hurt by Trump’s tariffs and EV policies.
My AP Story Feb. 5, 2026 on Sony’s earnings.
My AP Story Feb. 4, 2026 about heavy snow in Japan.
My AP Story Jan. 22, 2026 about Japan’s trade data.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Jan. 4, 2026 about North Korea firing missiles.
My AP Story Jan. 2, 2026 about the emperor and his family greeting well-wishers at the palace for New Year’s.
I usually start the New Year by covering a countdown event for our roundup story. I send a bunch of material but, by the end of the global day, it becomes one line, if even that. It’s a great way to start out the new year as a reporter, a humbling but comforting reminder that we just do our jobs. I am a Contributor to this AP Story Jan. 1, 2026.
TOKYO HUMANITIES CAFE
I’m talking about my work, both my journalism _ and my poetry _ at this event in Tokyo. I initially wrote, “Rarely have the two sides of my writing met, but they will at Tokyo Humanities Cafe FRI March 6, 2026.” But, on second thought, they have always been one and the same.
My AP Stories for 2025
My AP Stories for 2025
My AP Story Nov. 21, 2025, a co-byline with my colleague Terry, about the “rental family” business in Japan and the Hollywood film starring Brendan Fraser it inspired. Click on the link below to see the Video for the Story:
My AP Story Nov. 12, 2025 on “Last Samurai Standing,” for which I interview Junichi Okada, as in the video below:
My AP Story Dec. 8, 2025 on Japan’s revised GDP data.
My AP Story Nov. 11, 2025 on SoftBank saying it’s sold all its stock in Nvidia.
My AP Story Nov. 11, 2025 on Sony’s profits soaring because of blockbuster “Demon Slayer.”
My AP Story Nov. 7, 2025 on Honda’s profits slipping because of Trump’s tariffs.
My AP Story Nov. 6, 2025 about Nissan’s selling its Yokohama headquarters building as it reports losses.
My AP Story Nov. 5, 2025 about Toyota reporting lower profits as a result of tariffs.
My AP Story Nov. 2, 2025 about Japan celebrating the Dodgers becoming the 2025 World Series champions.
My AP Story and My AP Photo Oct. 30, 2025 on how fans are rooting for Shohei Ohtani.
My AP Story Oct. 30, 2025 and My AP Photo on the Tokyo auto show.
My AP Story Oct. 21, 2025 about the newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s economic policies.
My AP Story Oct. 22, 2025 on Japan’s trade data for September.
My AP Story Oct. 3, 2025 on the AI collaboration between Nvidia and Fujitsu.
My AP Story Oct. 3, 2025 about the cyberattack on Asahi.
My AP Story and My AP Photo Oct. 1, 2025 on Japan’s minister negotiating on Trump’s tariffs.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Sept. 22, 2025 about Nissan’s self-driving technology.
My AP Story Sept. 3, 2025 about a film about the Kabuki theater becoming a big hit.
My AP Story Sept. 3, 2025 when that former executive asserts his innocence.
My AP Story Sept. 2, 2025 on an executive’s resignation at Suntory over drug allegations.
My AP Story and AP Photos Aug. 22, 2025 on the popularity of matcha outside the tea ceremony.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Aug. 8, 2025 about bugs being pets in Japan.
My AP Story July 26, 2025, in which I interview the great Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa.
My AP Story and My AP Photos July 25, 2025 on how AI is being used in traditional weaving. I also did AP Video.
My AP Story July 22, 2025, a book review.
My AP Story July 8, 2025 on Japanese boxing star Junto Nakatani, a story relayed to the world as a Top Story for The Associated Press.
As a reporter, I am privileged to meet some of the best people in the world, like this champion, Junto Nakatani. When I asked him about how he is always smiling, even in the ring, he told me matter-of-factly that it is a disadvantage to get angry because “you lose control.” Obviously, boxing is all about winning. He also said he believes winning by knockout is what is “expected” of him. And I felt like a mom, as I often do at interviews, and in life, because I am one, and couldn’t help but respond with an empathetic: “Hey, it’s OK to just win.” Which goes to say that Nakatani is a very special person _ to bring that out in you.
My AP Story and My AP Photos July 9, 2025 on Tsukudani, a traditional dish made in Tsukuda, Japan.
My AP Story and My AP Photos July 9, 2025, a recipe for Tsukudani.
My AP Story July 17, 2025 on Canada’s Couche-Tard dropping its attempt to acquire 7-Eleven.
My AP Story July 15, 2025 on Nissan ending vehicle production at its flagship Oppama plant.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story June 24, 2025 about travel disruptions because of Middle East tensions.
My AP Story June 10, 2025 on the merger of the truck units of Toyota and Daimler.
My AP Story June 9, 2025 on a sumo wrestler’s retirement.
My AP Story May 27, 2025 and My AP Photo on the new CEO approved by shareholders at 7-Eleven.
My AP Story May 26, 2025 and My AP Photos on Nissan’s e-Power technology.
My AP Story May 20, 2025 on Honda delaying its electrification strategy to focus more on hybrids.
My AP Story May 21, 2025 on Japan’s trade data that show exports falling.
My AP Video Story May 13, 2025 on collectors’ cards being authenticated and evaluated in Japan.
My AP Story May 16, 2025 on Japan’s economy contracting.
My AP Story May 13, 2025 on job cuts at Nissan.
My AP Story May 14, 2025 on record profits at Sony.
My AP Story May 13, 2025 on profits falling at Honda.
My AP Story May 13, 2025 on SoftBank reporting a profit for the first time in four years.
My AP Book Review May 6, 2025.
My AP Story, My AP Photo and My AP Video April 23, 2025 on “Bullet Train Explosion.”
My AP Story May 9, 2025 on job cuts at Panasonic.
My AP Story May 8, 2025 on Toyota’s financial results.
My AP Story and My AP Photos May 1, 2025 on May Day around the world.
My AP Photos are part of this Gallery on May Day.
My AP Story April 22, 2025, a book review on a memoir.
My AP Story April 18, 2025 on a Star Wars event in Japan.
My Co-Byline AP Story May 5, 2025 about Trump’s trade demands.
My AP Story April 30, 2025 on the collaboration between Toyota and Waymo.
My AP Story and My AP Photos April 25, 2025 on the CEO-to-be of the 7-Eleven chain.
My AP Story April 24, 2025 about Nissan’s earnings forecast.
My AP Story May 2, 2025 about a minister’s comment on Japan’s U.S. Treasury holdings.
My AP Story April 17, 2025 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story April 15, 2025 about Japanese regulators accusing Google of monopolistic behavior.
My AP Story and My AP Photos April 10, 2025 on a machine that measures the fattiness of tuna.
My AP Story April 6, 2025 on a helicopter crash.
My AP Story April 1, 2025 on a major survey about sentiments on the economy.
My AP Story and My AP Photos March 26, 2025 on Nissan’s soon-to-be CEO.
My AP Story March 18, 2025, a book review.
My AP Story March 13, 2025 on 7-Eleven.
My AP Story March 11, 2025 on Nissan replacing its chief executive.
My AP Story and My AP Photos March 10, 2025 on Nissan’s driverless vehicles.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Feb. 22, 2025 on a city Toyota is building near Mount Fuji.
My AP Story Feb. 25, 2025 on Toyota trying to add diverse views to its board.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Feb. 19, 2025 on marketing Japan’s elderly.
My AP Story Feb. 17, 2025 on Japan’s economy.
My AP Story Feb. 13, 2025 on Nissan and Honda dropping their talks for a business integration.
My AP Story Feb. 5, 2025 on Toyota’s EV initiatives in China and the U.S.
My AP Story Feb. 4, 2025 on the appeals court ruling on the case of Nissan’s former executive Greg Kelly.
My AP Story Jan. 16, 2025 on a YouTube star with eyes now on a global audience.
My AP Story Feb. 3, 2025 on the partnership between SoftBank and OpenAI for smarter artificial intelligence.
My AP Story Jan. 30, 2025 on Nissan’s job and production cuts in the U.S.
My AP Story Jan. 24, 2025 on the Bank of Japan raising interest rates.
My AP Story Jan. 23, 2025 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story Jan. 16, 2025 on bank executives taking pay cuts after acknowledging an employee stole from customers’ safe deposit boxes.
My AP Story Jan. 13, 2025 on the quake that hit southwestern Japan.
My AP Story Jan. 7, 2025 on Nippon Steel determined to push its US Steel takeover.
My AP Story Jan. 5, 2025 about a Nagasaki bombing survivor, who has died.
My AP Story Jan. 4, 2025 on the death of the world’s oldest person.
My AP Story Jan. 2, 2025 on the well-wishers at the Imperial Palace.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Jan. 1, 2025, which started out as My last AP Story for last year.
REPORTER AT WORK PORTRAITS
REPORTER AT WORK PORTRAITS Photos by my colleagues over the years that are evidence I do my best as a reporter.
Photo during my interview of Japanese prosecutors for My AP Story March 8, 2023.
Photo during my interview of Yayoi Kusama for My AP Story Aug. 7, 2012.
At the FCCJ front row, brown hoodie for My AP Story April 12, 2023.
Photo during my interview of Akio Toyoda for My AP Story March 6, 2013.
My AP Story Sept. 23, 2016, when I spoke with a rock legend, who kindly called me “AP’s journalist of conscience.”
Sometimes my sources are a bit mechanical but cute. My AP Story July 13, 2015 on the Pepper robot when I am in an AP Photo, which is unusual.
Sometimes the photographer and I end up in pretty abandoned areas like the no-go zone in Fukushima. My AP Story April 29, 2014 that I filed from this trip.
And at other times, the photographer and I end up meeting extraordinary people who were hidden in their moments of glory. My AP Story May 18, 2014 when I interview Mr. Haruo Nakajima. My AP Obit Aug. 8, 2017.
A shot from the interview for My 2024 AP Story in the studio of the artist in Shikoku.
We also do 360 video and end up being in that circle. This is from My AP Story Nov. 16, 2017 at a Toyota plant. Turn your cursor in the video below to see a 360 degree view of the plant:
A Photo by Shizuo of Andy and myself interviewing a Nissan executive for My AP Story Sept. 12, 2017.
Takashi Murakami took this selfie after our interview for this AP Story Dec. 31, 2015.
From 2014 when I visited Nezu Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma, and speak with the curator for My AP Story about Japanese architects. I still like this story.
My AP Stories for 2024
My AP Stories for 2024
Link to My AP Stories for 2023 and previous years
Here goes for 2024, a year that I start out as a Winner for The Associated Press Best of the Week for my quake coverage. And I win The Associated Press Best of The Week again in September for My AP Story that’s part of a package about Chinese migration in the 21st Century. In November, an AP Series compiling spooky stories from around the world, which includes my contribution, wins Best of The AP Honorable Mention.
For the final one for the year, I contributed these paragraphs to the Dec. 31 AP Story (I’m repeating them here since they are unlikely to survive in full all the updates throughout the day):
Asia gets ready for the Year of the Snake
Much of Japan has shut down ahead of the nation’s biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning, including swatting floor mats called “tatami” with big sticks. The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth — alluding to the reptile’s shedding skin. Stores in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from Jan. 1, have been selling tiny figures of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products. Other places in Asia will start marking the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.
My AP Story Dec. 12, 2024 on Nissan’s management reshuffle meant to fix its money-losing business.
My AP Story Dec. 6, 2024 about Nippon Steel and its planned acquisition of U.S. Steel.
My AP Story Nov. 24, 2024 about a weasel taking kindergarteners’ shoes and the link to the Video.
My AP Story Nov. 19, 2024, an Obit on poet Shuntaro Tanikawa.
My AP Story Nov. 18, 2024 in which I interview the executive heading Uniqlo.
My AP Story Nov. 14, 2024 on sake hoping to win UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition.
My AP Story Nov. 15, 2024 on Japan’s economy.
My AP Story Nov. 7, 2024 on Nissan slashing 9,000 jobs after sinking into quarterly losses.
My AP Story Nov. 6, 2024 on Nintendo and its Switch.
My AP Story and My AP Photo Nov. 2, 2024 about automated transport in Japan, where labor is short.
My AP Story Oct. 31, 2024 on how Hello Kitty is as cute and lucrative as ever at 50.
My AP Story Oct. 31, 2024 is part of a compilation of spooky stories from around the world that wins Best of The AP Honorable Mention.
My AP Story Oct. 8, 2024 on the Netflix series about a real-life professional wrestling legend Dump Matsumoto.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Oct. 2, 2024 on Japanese denim from my recent trip to Kojima.
My AP Story Oct. 19, 2024 on an attack on the ruling party headquarters.
My AP Story Oct. 2, 2024 on Japanese companies dropping out as Olympic sponsors.
My AP Story Sept. 19, 2024 on Greg Kelly’s appeal case, related to pay for former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn.
My AP Story Sept. 17, 2024 on the craft of temari.
I am one of the 12 journalists who won the Best of the AP award Sept. 14, 2024, the first year in my more than 30 years at the AP I win the award twice in a year. My AP Story and AP Photos that were part of the package:
My AP Story and My AP Photo Sept. 5, 2024 on Chinese choosing to live in Japan.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Oct. 27, 2024 about deforestation in Indonesia.
My AP Story Aug. 8, 2024, my debut Music Review, on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Opus.”
My very first AP Book Review, My AP Story Sept. 9, 2024.
My AP Story Aug. 31, 2024 and My AP Photo below on Japan and the four-day work week.
My AP Story Sept. 6, 2024 on the parent company of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain turning down Couche-Tard’s takeover offer.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Sept. 3, 2024.
My AP Story Aug. 31, 2024 on Japan’s complaint over a Chinese ship in territorial waters.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Aug. 31, 2024.
My AP Story Aug. 22, 2024 about the world’s oldest person, a Japanese woman who loves bananas.
My co-byline AP Story Aug. 23, 2024 on Kiribati.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Aug. 25, 2024 on wearable devices.
My AP Story Sept. 1, 2024 on the storm.
My AP Story Aug. 31, 2024 on a storm.
My AP Story Aug. 21, 2024 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story Aug. 19, 2024 on graffiti at Yasukuni Shrine.
My AP Story Aug. 16, 2024 as evacuations are ordered over a typhoon.
My AP Story Aug. 17, 2024 as the typhoon moves away.
My AP Story Aug. 15, 2024 on Japan’s economy.
My AP Story Sept. 9, 2024 on the revised GDP data.
My AP Story Aug. 6, 2024 about Nissan’s “cool paint” with My AP Photo.
My AP Story July 31, 2024 on how a Sega game “Like A Dragon” is now an online series.
My AP Story Aug. 1, 2024 on how Nissan and Honda are working together to quickly catch up in the electrification age.
My AP Story Aug. 9, 2024 on Toyota’s promise to improve vehicle certification.
My AP Story Aug. 1, 2024 on Toyota’s earnings.
My AP Story and My AP Photo July 31, 2024 on Nissan’s sustainability efforts.
My AP Story July 12, 2024 in which I get close to Kabuki superstar Danjuro.
My AP Story July 3, 2024 on the new bills.
My AP Story and My AP Photos June 28, 2024 on what will become of the old Tsukiji fish market area.
My AP Story June 23, 2024 on the rice ball.
And I make my debut as AP’s recipe writer with My AP Story June 23, 2024.
My AP Obit June 19, 2024 on Japan’s “beat” poet Kazuko Shiraishi.
My AP Story June 19, 2024 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story June 18, 2024 on the Toyota shareholders’ meeting.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story June 15, 2024 about the price of orange juice.
My AP Story June 12, 2024, an obituary on architect Fumihiko Maki.
My AP Story June 10, 2024 on Japan’s economy.
My AP Story June 16, 2024 on Toyota facing some unhappy shareholders.
My AP Story June 3, 2024 on Toyota apologizing for faulty tests on cars.
My AP Story May 30, 2024 in which I interview George Takei.
My AP Story translated into Spanish.
My AP Story May 29, 2024 on a working group under the U.N. issuing a report on human rights abuses in Japan.
My AP Story May 28, 2024 on Toyota’s talking about the ecological engine in the works.
My AP Story May 23, 2024 on Sony’s strategy centering around its creative businesses.
My AP Story May 22, 2024 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story May 19, 2024 on the bear attacks.
My AP Story May 16, 2024 on Honda’s EV strategy.
My AP Story May 16, 2024 on the economy.
My AP Story May 5, 2024, an obituary on Juro Kara.
My AP Story April 29, 2024 about a 1990’s TV reality show.
My AP Story April 25, 2024 on ramen noodles.
My AP Sidebar Story on an easy ramen recipe with My AP Photos.
My AP Story May 14, 2024 on Sony’s earnings.
My AP Story May 13, 2024 on SoftBank Group in the red for the fiscal year.
My AP Story May 10, 2024 on Sega Sammy selling a resort to a U.S. fund.
My AP Story May 8, 2024 on Toyota’s booming profit and investment for future growth.
My AP Story May 7, 2024 on Nintendo promising an announcement on a Switch successor.
My AP Story May 3, 2024 on Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel.
My AP Story April 22, 2024 on Japan’s antitrust body telling Google not to undermine competition.
My AP Story April 19, 2024 on a damages lawsuit filed by Japanese doctors against Google.
My AP Story April 17, 2024 on Japan’s March trade data.
My AP Story and My AP Photos April 16, 2024 on Nissan’s EV ambitions.
My AP Story and My AP Photo April 15, 2024 on a lawsuit accusing Japanese police of racial profiling.
My AP Story March 29, 2024 on “Oppenheimer” opening in Japan.
My AP Story April 6, 2024 on the Japanese prime minister’s visit to a semiconductor plant.
My AP Story April 1, 2024 on the Bank of Japan “tankan” survey.
My AP Story March 29, 2024 on the news conference by Japan’s prime minister.
My AP Story March 27, 2024 when I interview the designer of the Godzilla shoes.
My AP Story March 26, 2024 on Markets.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story March 25, 2024 about North Korea saying Japan seeks summit.
My AP Story March 25, 2024 about Nissan’s aggressive electric vehicle push.
My AP Story March 21, 2024 on Japan’s trade data.
My AP Story March 19, 2024 on the Bank of Japan ending its negative interest rate policy.
My AP Story May 9, 2024 on Nissan’s earnings for the fiscal year.
My AP Story March 15, 2024 on Nissan and Honda working together on electrification and intelligence technology.
Watch the Video here.
My AP Story March 13, 2024 on the failed rocket launch by Space One.
My AP Story March 12, 2024 on Hayao Miayazaki and Japan’s Oscar wins.
My AP Story March 8, 2024 about Kyoto’s geisha district fighting over-tourism with keep-out signs.
My AP Story Feb. 25, 2024 on the opening of a semiconductor plant.
My AP Story Feb. 20, 2024, an obit on the founder of the Daiso 100-yen shop chain.
My AP Story Feb. 9, 2024 in which I interview Mika Ninagawa, and do Photos and Video.
My AP Story Feb. 3, 2024 on the Japanese Embassy’s message about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl.
My AP Story Jan. 30, 2024 about a pig cafe.
My AP Story Jan. 31, 2024 on the Olympic trial, where the defendant denies the payments were bribes.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Jan. 29, 2024 on a lawsuit demanding a stop to “racial profiling.”
My AP Story Feb. 13. 2024 on a new president at a Toyota subsidiary fighting a scandal.
My AP Story Jan. 30, 2024 on Toyota’s Akio Toyoda stressing a global vision.
My AP Story Jan. 29, 2024 on Toyota apologizing for cheating on testing _ again.
My AP Story and My AP Photo Jan. 23, 2024 on a film that documents how single moms are poor.
My AP Story Feb. 15, 2024 about Japan, now the world’s fourth largest economy.
My AP Story Jan. 22. 2024 on a Toyota subsidiary cheating on vehicle safety tests.
My AP Story Jan. 19, 2024 on the poetry reading at the Imperial Palace.
My AP Story Jan. 18, 2024 on Uniqlo’s lawsuit against a rival retailer over a hit bag.
My AP Story Jan. 15, 2024 and My AP Photos of the men alleging sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa expressing dissatisfaction at the company response.
My AP Story Jan. 10, 2024, updated Jan. 11, 2024, on how people are dying after getting rescued from quake damage.
My AP Story Jan. 9, 2024 on a woman who runs a fish store telling us how determined she is to rebuild Wajima. The neighborhood cat below:
My AP Story Jan. 8, 2024 about the thousands of people who have lost their homes.
My AP Story Jan. 7, 2024 on the rescue operations in the snow.
My AP Story Jan. 6, 2024 on a miracle rescue.
My AP Story Jan. 5, 2024 on survivors being found beneath rubble.
My AP Story Jan. 4, 2024 on the losses people are enduring.
Click on the link below for heartbreaking video of the man in the photo above seeing the body of his wife.
https://apnews.com/64165a70a05c4d628681647d99acd202
My AP Story Jan. 4, 2024 on rescue efforts after the quakes in Ishikawa Prefecture.
The version that appeared Jan. 3, 2024 in The Stars and Stripes, without the updates that continued into the following day.
My AP Story Jan. 2, 2024 on the death toll from the quakes in Ishikawa climbing.
My AP Story Jan. 1, 2024 when the major quake and tsunami hit.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Jan. 1, 2024 that’s a global New Year’s roundup.
WHY I REPORT IN ENGLISH by Yuri Kageyama
Why I Report in English by Yuri Kageyama
This is something I just happened to find in my desk, typed up (yes, typed _ remember those days?). It’s an essay about why I am a reporter, and why I report in the English language that I wrote I think in the 1980s. Perhaps I was applying for work? It is long before I joined The AP. I am not changing the wording, but have put it down exactly the way it is typed on the sheet of paper, except for the four changes made in red in pen that were already there. I might write it differently today. But I feel exactly the same. So here goes:
Ever since I can remember, I have been of both worlds _ American and Japanese. As a child of a Japanese “salaryman” who had dreams of pioneering science by crossing borders, years before the Japanese business Establishment decided “internationalization” was fashionable, I was constantly thrust back and forth between two very different, sometimes clashing, cultures.
I will not pretend that the experience was always pleasant. It was often stunning, confusing and painful. One moment, for instance, I was expected to be the submissive, demure Japanese girl, who laughed shyly covering her mouth. The next moment, I found myself having to turn into an assertive, no-nonsense American, who could outtalk and outperform any male.
Gradually I have come to accept this dichotomy. In a sense, I now cherish it as a privilege. I took to switching cultural allegiance for convenience. I would claim my “Japaneseness” when watching Ennosuke Ichikawa Kabuki, but I would, with no qualms, claim “Americanhood” while appreciating soul rhythms at an Earth, Wind and Fire concert.
It is, after all, an eyeopener to perceive that many of society’s rules are arbitrary. What passes as positive in one culture may be absolutely taboo in another, and vice versa. As a perpetual outsider, one can see through much of the false pretentious aspects of social norms and values and hope to grasp more accurately the universal human essence.
Reporting in English about Japanese matters, therefore, came naturally to me. Explaining the East to the West has been my persistent pastime. It is something I do well, I think, because it is part of my fate.
Earlier this year, I flew to Iwo Jima to cover the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s annual services for the war dead there. The sandy island speckled with gnarled tropical vegetation appeared, at first glance, barren except for the military bases.
Yet, upon closer inspection, strange voices seemed to fill the hot, dry air _ chants verging on song, rising and falling. So many people, both American and Japanese, have died here, the voices seemed to be saying. Their blood covers this island. Even if it has been washed away, the fact of history that thousands died here will never be erased, the windlike voices were saying.
Two monuments stand on Iwo Jima _ the one put up by Americans with the Stars and Stripes and the other of gray stone built by Japanese with a graphic depiction of the map of Japan. As though staring into two alien worlds with unmoving granite eyes, the two monuments remain apart on opposite sides of the same hill.
The visit held a revelation for me. Obviously, Japan and the U.S. are two separate countries that have even waged war against one another. Today, many of the misunderstanding and barriers that divide the two nations are still close to insurmountable. But thanks to a slightly aberrant upbringing, the two worlds are totally at peace within myself.
It is this unconditional yet effortless peace between Japan and America I know so intimately that I want to keep in mind when I work as a reporter.
My AP Author Page
My AP Author Page
This is the link to My AP Author Page, that one place where you can see all my stories, photos and video for The Associated Press:
MY AP STORIES 2023
MY AP STORIES 2023
My AP Author Page where you can see all my stories, photos and video in one place.
My AP Stories for 2022 with links on the site to some earlier years. And My AP Stories for 2023:
My AP Story Dec. 14, 2023 on the Olympic bribery trial, in which the main defendant Haruyuki Takahashi asserts his innocence.
My AP Story Dec. 8, 2023 on Nintendo canceling and postponing events over threats.
My AP Story Dec. 5, 2023 on the ongoing Tokyo Olympic scandal trial.
My AP Story Nov. 18, 2023, an obit on religious leader Daisaku Ikeda.
My AP Story Nov. 8, 2023 on Nintendo working on a Zelda live-action film.
My AP Story Nov. 3, 2023 with my photo and video when I interview the director of the new Godzilla film.
My AP Story Nov. 29, 2023 on Toyota selling part of its stake in Denso.
My AP Story Nov. 1, 2023 on Toyota’s earnings getting a big boost from the cheap yen.
My AP Story Oct. 29, 2013 on the G-7 trade meeting.
My AP Story Oct. 25, 2023 on the Tokyo Mobility Show.
My AP Story Oct. 10, 2023 on the latest in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics bribery trial.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Oct. 7, 2023 when I interview director Yoji Yamada.
The story gets highlighted in Kabuki by Shochiku Oct. 14, 2023.
My AP Story Oct. 12, 2023 on Toyota’s move on EV batteries.
My AP Story Oct. 2, 2023 on the ongoing Johnny’s story whose name is now Smile-Up.
My AP Story Sept. 21, 2023 on Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli becoming Nippon TV’s subsidiary.
My AP Story Sept. 16, 2023, an obit on Kabuki actor and innovator Eno Ichikawa.
My AP Story Aug. 29, 2023 about Ryuichi Sakamoto’s final film.
My AP Story Sept. 2, 2023 with My AP Photos on Vocaloid star Hatsune Miku, 16 from 16 years ago.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Aug. 23, 2023 on digital clones in Japan.
My AP Story Oct. 6, 2023 in which I interview the CEO of major Tokyo developer Mori, and My AP Photos.
My AP Story Sept. 21, 2023 with the tender offer completed.
My AP Story Aug. 7, 2023 about Toshiba announcing a buyout offer.
My AP co-byline Story Sept. 15, 2023 on Arm’s IPO.
My AP Story Sept. 13, 2023 with the company setting up the compensation panel, foregoing pay.
My AP Story Sept. 7, 2023 on Johnny’s apologizing and promising compensation.
My AP Story July 13, 2023 about people coming forward alleging sexual abuse at Johnny’s.
My AP Story Sept. 4, 2023 about how the men who have come forward are hopeful, and fearful, ahead of the company’s first news conference on the scandal.
My AP Story Aug. 29, 2023 about a team looking into sexual assault allegations at Johnny’s and demanding Julie resign.
My AP Story Sept. 12, 2023 about companies dropping Johnny’s stars from ads.
My AP Story and My AP Photos Aug. 4, 2023 about a U.N. group looking into the allegations at Johnny’s and how seven men saw that as a big step forward.
My AP Story and My AP Photo Aug. 14, 2023 on the men who came forward on the abuse speaking to the special team set up by Johnny & Associates.
My AP Story and My AP Photo Aug. 31, 2023 on Nissan Leaf batteries being reused for a portable power station.
My AP Story Aug. 31, 2023 on a retail chain being sold to a U.S. fund.
My AP Story Aug. 15, 2023 on Japan’s economic growth surging on strong exports and tourism.
My AP Weather Story Aug. 6, 2023.
My AP Story June 29, 2023 on Fender’s first flagship store opening in Tokyo, and My AP Photo below.
My AP Story May 29, 2023 about the comic who poses naked but, don’t worry, is wearing … pants.
My AP Video and My AP Photos that go with My AP Story. Thanks to Tony for sharing his Story.
My AP Story Aug. 9, 2023 on Sony’s financial results hit by a strike in the U.S. movie sector.
My AP Story Aug. 8, 2023 on SoftBank Group’s earnings report.
My AP Story July 6, 2023 on MyNumber in Japan.
My AP Story June 12, 2023 about Johnny’s in-house investigation on sexual abuse.
My AP Story June 19, 2023 on how wages and prices are rising.
My AP Story June 14, 2023 about how Toyota shareholders rejected a proposal on climate change.
My AP Story June 13, 2013 on Toyota’s EV initiatives.
My AP Story, My AP Photos and My AP Video June 2, 2023 about Maholo, who is French and Japanese _ and a Kabuki star.
My AP Story June 1, 2023 about Toyota’s liquid hydrogen racing car.
And My AP Photos when I get close to Akio Toyoda aka Morizo, who drove the hydrogen racing car.
My AP Story May 27, 2023 about Le Mans to include hydrogen vehicles.
My AP Story May 30, 2023 about Toyota, Daimler Truck, Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso joining forces in ecological technology.
My AP Story May 20, 2023 about Toyota disclosing improper crash tests.
My AP Story May 18, 2023 about Japan’s prime minister meeting with chip makers.
My AP Story May 15, 2023 about the apology from the talent agency mired in a sex scandal.
My AP Story May 17, 2023 on Japan economic growth.
My AP Story May 11, 2023 on Nissan’s earnings.
My AP Story May 11, 2023 on SoftBank’s earnings.
My AP Story May 11, 2023 on Honda’s earnings.
My AP Story May 12, 2023 on a data breach on 2 million Toyota vehicles.
My AP Story May 10, 2023 on Toyota’s earnings results.
My AP Story May 2, 2023 on BYD EVs starting to crack the Japan market and My AP Photos.
My AP Story May 1, 2023 about Jack Ma being a professor at a Japanese university.
My AP Story April 26, 2023 on Honda outlining its EV strategy.
My AP Story April 21, 2023 with My AP Photo, in which Toyota’s new president vows to push ahead with EVs.
My AP Story April 21, 2023 on a verdict in the Olympic bribery trial.
My AP Story April 15, 2023 on Takeshi Kitano’s latest film headed to Cannes.
My AP Story April 14, 2023 in which I interview Makoto Shinkai about his filmmaking.
My AP Story April 12, 2023 on a former Johnny’s Junior alleging sexual abuse.
My AP Story April 11, 2023 on climate change in Japan.
My AP Story April 3, 2023, an Obit on Ryuichi Sakamoto.
My AP Story April 6, 2023 about the Olympic scandal and the Sapporo election.
My AP Story March 24, 2023 on Toshiba’s tender offer.
My AP Story March 19, 2023 on how the hit WBC pepper-grinder move is out in high school baseball.
My AP Story March 8, 2023 on how women prosecutors are fighting crime, gender inequality.
My AP Story March 6, 2023 and My AP Photo (below) on One Piece going Hollywood.
My AP Story March 7, 2023 on Roki Sasaki at the World Baseball Classic, which makes it into the Stars and Stripes.
My AP Story March 17, 2023 on business leaders from South Korea and Japan agreeing to work together.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story March 19, 2023 on a North Korean missile launch.
My AP Story March 14, 2023 on Trevor Bauer signing with a Yokohama club.
My AP Story Feb. 26, 2023 on a young Ukrainian making Japan his new home.
My AP Story and My AP Photos March 9, 2023 on Nissan’s electrification move.
My AP Story Feb. 28, 2023 about Dentsu and others getting charged in the Olympic bid-ridding scandal.
My AP Story March 9, 2023 about Japan’s economic growth staying flat.
My AP Story March 10, 2023 on the next central bank governor.
My AP Story Feb. 14, 2023 on a scholar being nominated to head Japan’s central bank.
My AP Story Feb. 27, 2023 about Nissan accelerating its shift toward electric vehicles.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Feb. 18, 2023 about North Korea firing yet another missile.
My AP Story Feb. 17, 2023 on an Olympic bribery scandal trial opening in Tokyo.
My AP Story Feb. 14, 2023, an Obit on Shoichiro Toyoda, the son of Toyota’s founder.
My AP Story Feb. 13, 2023 on Toyota’s new leadership team.
My AP Story Feb. 6, 2023 with Kelvin Chan in London about Nissan and Renault balancing their mutual shareholdings.
My AP Story Feb. 4, 2023 on the prime minister’s aide being forced to leave over discriminatory remarks.
My AP Story Feb. 8, 2023 on arrests, now in a bid-rigging investigation into the Olympics.
My AP Story Feb. 2, 2023 on Kadokawa promising better governance in the Olympic scandal.
My AP Story Feb. 2, 2023 on Honda’s hydrogen plans.
My AP Story Feb. 2, 2023 on Sony’s new managerial leadership.
My AP Story Jan. 30, 2023 on Nissan, Renault balancing out the shares they hold in each other.
My AP Story Jan. 20, 2023 on Japan’s inflation.
My bit on the Japanese minister is part of this AP Story Jan. 18, 2023 on the Davos World Economic Forum.
My AP Story Jan. 13, 2023 on Akio Toyoda talking about converting old cars into ecological ones.
My AP Story Jan. 26, 2023 on Toyoda stepping aside as CEO.
I’m a Contributor to this AP Story Jan. 6, 2023 on Samurai Japan at the World Baseball Classic.
I’m also a Contributor to this AP Story Jan. 10, 2023 about a Rangers pitcher signing with SoftBank.
My AP Story Jan. 2. 2023 on the Emperor greetings well-wishers.
