“When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.” – Herophilus Health is so easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of life, and we often take it for granted.  Yet it is the very thing we have that allows us to do all that we do and love to do.  Today, we celebrate World Health Day and the ways science and health can go hand in hand to advance medicine and eradicate di

Wars.  Famine.  Water shortages.  There are so many issues in the world today that are beyond our control.  However, there is one issue that we all can begin to tackle today: food waste.  “Households across all continents wasted over 1 billion meals a day in 2022, while 783 million people were affected by hunger, and a third of humanity faced food insecurity. Food waste continues to hurt the global economy and fuel climate change, nature loss, and pollution” (United Nations E

The winter cold melts away and spring peaks its way through to welcome new life and a new year for Japan.  Out with the old and in with the new.  To welcome spring, Japan celebrates Shunbun no Hi (春分の日) also known as Vernal Equinox, or even simpler, Spring Equinox.

Since 2014, World Wildlife Day has been celebrated on March 3rd with the goal to “celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora”(United Nations).  In simple terms, the goal is for us to see the beauty and importance of the animals and plants that make up our ecosystem.  Every animal, reptile, amphibian, and sea creature has a unique role to play, as do the plants that are necessary for their survival and ours.  

Social justice is a term that we have all heard when discussing politics and humanitarian efforts.  A word used so often, yet its meaning tends to be lost in the sea of other important issues impacting society today.  What is social justice, and why is it so important?  “Social justice is the idea that all people should have the same rights and opportunities and that a country's wealth and resources should benefit everyone in that country” (Cambridge Dictionary).  Today, as w

Jinjitsu no Sekku (Human Day or Mankind Day), also known as Nanakusa no Sekku (The Seven Herbs Festival), is one of Japan’s five seasonal festivals.  Every year on January 7th, after the hustle and bustle of the New Year, this day serves as a reminder to slow down and prioritize health. While Jinjitsu no Sekku has been celebrated since the Nara period, did you know that its roots can be traced back to China?

As the days grow shorter and the year nears its end, Japan welcomes the winter solstice, or 冬至 (Tōji). This is a time to prepare for the cold, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the return of spring. Though the shortest day may feel shrouded in darkness, Tōji is a celebration of warmth, renewal, and the hope that light will come again.

If you are from a coastal town or a maritime nation that is plagued by earthquakes, it is something that you must be mindful of and prepared for.  Today, as we observe World Tsunami Awareness Day, let’s look at the history and ways we can be prepared.