By John Lewis– When most Americans hear the word “Kawasaki,” they likely think of the renowned motorcycle company, with its famous advertising slogan: “Let the Good Times Roll.” But every…
By John Lewis– It’s sakura or cherry blossom season in Japan! I’d never been in Japan at this celebratory time of the year, so for weeks I eagerly anticipated seeing…
By John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney– Two magnificent 103-year-old camphor trees stand together aside the majestic gate to the Meiji Shrine in the heart of Tokyo. A plaque underneath their…
By John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney– His words were searing. “I would hate it if [an LGBTQ couple] lived next to me. I would hate to even see [them].” So…
By John Lewis– The powerful Japanese giants, weighing as much as 350 pounds and clad only in their mawashi (loin cloths), dig their heals into the compressed clay surface of…
By John Lewis — Happy New Year 2023! In Japan, that means marking the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit with celebrations, gatherings of family and friends, and traditions…
By John Lewis– A few weeks ago, I was with hundreds of other LGBTIQ people and supporters outside the Tokyo District Court building awaiting the court’s decision in an historic…
By Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis– “Regressive,” “outdated,” and “abusive.” These are three of the words that Human Rights Watch has used to describe Japan’s requirements for transgender people to…
By Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis– “Taking what is there just as it is and presenting it ‘just as it is.’” That’s how the masterful modern artist Lee Ufan describes…
By John Lewis– “Oh My God Osaka!” Those were the words I heard belted out joyously from the stage at the recent annual Rainbow Festa (or Osaka Pride) on October…
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