The International
While Japan’s working-age population and thus national income shrinks, the number of elderly who receive pension payments is increasing at a faster rate than ever, increasingly pressuring the nation’s labor market and social security system. Photo: Pixabay
How Japan’s declining population is creating opportunities for the future of its workforce
Four years, forty-three stories
Four years, forty-three stories
Every night, 30-40 Tōyoko kids gather in Kabukicho, some of them just communicate among themselves, others conduct illegal acts, including underage drinking and underage smoking. As the clock turns to eleven, multiple Shinjuku police officers come in to bring the kids back to their homes or to the welfare center.
Abuse of OTC cold medicine is consuming vulnerable youth
More schools in the USA are moving away from AP curricula.
Beyond APs towards non-test-centered learning
As technologies rapidly develop in the modern world, so does the concern regarding the wise and balanced use of such tools in educational fields. Image: generated by ChatGPT
Smart Tools, Smarter Schools?
While Japan’s working-age population and thus national income shrinks, the number of elderly who receive pension payments is increasing at a faster rate than ever, increasingly pressuring the nation’s labor market and social security system. Photo: Pixabay
How Japan’s declining population is creating opportunities for the future of its workforce
As technologies rapidly develop in the modern world, so does the concern regarding the wise and balanced use of such tools in educational fields. Image: generated by ChatGPT
Smart Tools, Smarter Schools?
Interacting with and becoming familiar with a country's media isn’t just about broadening an individual student’s knowledge base: for international students, it is a powerful tool in forming valuable relationships with their international peers.
Shared songs, shared screens
Even in the rain, the glowing signs of Korean eateries light up Shin-Ōkubo’s streets, drawing in customers.
Shin-Ōkubo: The “Little Seoul” in Japan
Image credit: Yuki K
When bilingual students mix languages, it’s more than just communication
News from social media is no longer a supplement to traditional news; instead, it has begun to overtake it.
Instant gratification-seeking habits come at the expense of our media literacy
2024, at Starbase, Elon Musk provided an update on the company’s plans to send humanity to Mars, claiming it as “the best destination to begin making life multiplanetary.” Image: @spacex on X
Musk’s Mars
The importance of the “personal brand” is that it allows you to differentiate yourself from others and stand out from the crowd.
Do you need a ‘personal brand’ for university?
As IBDP is a two-year long program, it allows the student to delve deeper into their subject for a longer period of time. On the other hand, AP offers students the chance to learn more information over the course of one school year.
Exploring the strengths of IB and AP programs in shaping future scholars
Media lacked multi-dimensional queer characters, representing to ‘check diversity boxes’ Photo by James A. Molnar on Unsplash
Have we moved past the gay best friend?
“A Beautiful Mind” tells the story of John Nash, a mathematician who suffered from schizophrenia. Despite receiving some criticism, it is seen as one of the films with a more accurate representation of individuals with schizophrenia. Image credit: imbd.com
Films affect how society perceives individuals living with schizophrenia
Laurel Hubbard competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) should stand by LGBTQ+athletes
Simone Biles competing in the Women’s Balance Beam in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
What the 2020 Olympics taught us about the impact that mental health can have on athletes
Echo-chambers of online activism are drowning out voices
Echo-chambers of online activism are drowning out voices
Image credit: Screenshots from Pinterest
Redefining and weaponizing humor through brain-rot
Interacting with and becoming familiar with a country's media isn’t just about broadening an individual student’s knowledge base: for international students, it is a powerful tool in forming valuable relationships with their international peers.
Shared songs, shared screens
In 2017, Beast rose to fame for his high-budget high-stakes YouTube competition shows.
‘Beast Games’: the Guinness World Record-breaking show is better than it looks
A typical Pinterest feed features a soothing and uniform format with their colorful yet understated logo. Image credit: Eloise A. ('26)
Still Pinterested?
Cover picture for Whee In's summer single, "coco water" Image credit: THE L1VE LABEL
Mamamoo’s Whee In introduces a new taste of summer: “coco water”
The best of Cezars Kitchen
The best of Cezars Kitchen
Watatta Hanten: Perfect imperfection
Watatta Hanten: Perfect imperfection
Chinese Cafe 8: a nostalgic encounter with authentic Chinese food in Tokyo
Chinese Cafe 8: a nostalgic encounter with authentic Chinese food in Tokyo
From trend to neglect
From trend to neglect
Got some change? Spend your spare coins in these affordable 100 yen shops!
Got some change? Spend your spare coins in these affordable 100 yen shops!
The best of Cezars Kitchen
The best of Cezars Kitchen
Watatta Hanten: Perfect imperfection
Watatta Hanten: Perfect imperfection
Chinese Cafe 8: a nostalgic encounter with authentic Chinese food in Tokyo
Chinese Cafe 8: a nostalgic encounter with authentic Chinese food in Tokyo
Circular economy is a way to recreate the supply chain and create a sustainable economy.
elab promotes sustainability through “the power of food”
Photo credit: Prasha S.
Coffee beyond Starbucks
Poster by Yena L., class of 2028.
Live a Loving Life 
Isona Kakuchi shared her work as a pediatrician with Médecins Sans Frontières with Sacred Heart high school students. (High School Newsletter)
Healing beyond borders
Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths in front of the Sacred Heart entrance. Image Credits: Linda L, Yuki K
A farewell to the Griffiths
The Class of 2020 smiling brightly for their graduation photo! (Via ISSH Reflections 2019-20)
“We weren’t able to say our goodbyes.”
Ms Bae prepares the MS/HS orchestra for the upcoming Christmas Concert. Image credit: Yuki K
From Seisen to the USA, and then to Sacred Heart: Jisoo Bae connects students through music
Along with immense heat waves, torrential rain also affected Gahtal, India. Image credit: Samir Mondal on Facebook
Hits and Misses 2024: Climate extremes around the globe
This year, FX’s 2024 television series Shōgun received critical acclaim and widespread recognition, breaking the record for the number of Emmys won by a show in one year (18). Image credit: Goodfon.com
Hits and Misses 2024: Shōgun wins 18 Emmy awards
Paper cranes left by school students at the Hiroshima Peace Park as a symbol for recovery and a way to spread peace and hope around Japan. Image credit: Aya. N ('25)
Hits and Misses 2024: Nihon Hidankyo receives the Nobel Peace Prize
From a historic $700 million contract to groundbreaking achievements and surprise personal announcements, discover how Japanese baseball phenomenon Shohei Ohtani became 2024's most talked-about athlete both on and off the field Credit: Dodgers via Ohtani’s Instagram
Hits and Misses 2024: Shohei Ohtani
Hits and Misses 2024: The rise of podcasts
Hits and Misses 2024: The rise of podcasts

The International

The International
Megu J (11)

Megu J (11), Writer

Megu is a junior at ISSH. She is half Japanese and half British but has lived in Japan most of her life. During her free time, she loves to read books or watch TV shows, but if she could she would ride horses all day long. She is excited to learn about  what it takes to be a journalist as she may become one in the future.

All content by Megu J (11)
The Varsity volleyball team at Yokota for Far East, proudly wearing their varsity jackets.

Sacred Heart varsity jacket investigation

Mia K (10) and Megu J (11)
May 26, 2016
Their original “Shack burger” and “Crinkle Cut Fries”.

“Meating” Shake Shack was far from a “mis-steak”

Megu J (11) and Darya
March 10, 2016
The two girls wait to represent their country, Denmark, in the Parade Of Nations.

One World Day in a bite

Megu J (11)
February 11, 2016
How to have a successful Valentine’s Day

How to have a successful Valentine’s Day

Mia K (10) and Megu J (11)
February 11, 2016
Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Busy yourself with these winter activities!

Megu J (11), Darya, Haruka, Mina, Mia K (10), and Reshma
December 18, 2015
The event was not only a tough game against one of our greatest rivals, but it was a great opportunity to spread awareness and donate.

Take a shot, make a change

Megu J (11), Writer
December 17, 2015
Photo Credit: "Realty Roundup" Website

December Hits and Misses

Haruka, Darya, Sarah W (12), Mizuki (11), Megu J (11), and Reshma
December 11, 2015
Photo Credit: Virgo Media

November Hits and Misses

Mizuki (11), Mina, Theint Theint (11), Sarah W (12), Megu J (11), and Reshma
November 19, 2015
Junior school children perform the Bon odori eager for the middle and high school students to join in.

Japan Day in a nutshell

Megu J (11), Writer
November 9, 2015
Photo Credit: Creative Commons

October Hits and Misses

Darya, Megu J (11), Haruka, Reshma, and Mizuki (11)
October 29, 2015
"Once I flew a single engine plane" Mr.Thompson

Get to know your new junior school teachers

Saya, Mina, Megu J (11), and Haruka
October 2, 2015
In search of new doctors: the ISSH Medical Society

In search of new doctors: the ISSH Medical Society

Megu J (11), Writer
September 24, 2015
Get to know your new middle and high school teachers

Get to know your new middle and high school teachers

Megu J (11), Mina, Saya, and Haruka
September 17, 2015
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