jaremaga
Essay Contest winner

HS Honorable Mention Essay: An Unbelievable Happening

My family always watches the morning news. One morning, I thought we were watching the news as usual. I looked at the time on the TV and thought it was still early, so I got ready slowly. I don’t usually look at my smartphone in the morning, but I decided to check it this time. When I picked it up, I noticed something strange—the time on my phone was very different from the time on the TV. Confused, I asked my mom about it. She replied, “Oh? This is a recorded program.” I looked closer and saw the date on the TV. It was from last week. Of course, I was late for school. (115 words)By Aomi N. You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

February 13, 2025 No Comments
JM posts

Chocolate Everywhere

We are two days away from Valentine’s Day, and they are selling chocolate everywhere. Every year, women all around Japan buy chocolate and give it to men: their partners, their friends, and their co-workers. In western countries, Valentine’s Day is celebrated differently. Both men and women send cards and give gifts, but they only do it for the people they love. In Japan, everyone gives chocolate, but in the U.S., there are many different kinds of Valentine’s Day gifts. Red roses are the most popular gift, and perfume is the second-most popular. In fact, chocolate isn’t even on the list of the top ten most popular gifts. (107 words) You can upload a comment to YouTube or send me your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

February 12, 2025 No Comments
JM posts

Like Night and Day

Snow was falling when I got up on Saturday morning. I had to go to work, but I didn’t want to drive on snowy roads. I took the subway and a train instead. The snow continued all morning and covered the ground. A group was holding a meeting that morning at the center where I work. The leader came by car from a city 30 kilometers away, but because of the snow, it took him four hours to get there! It stopped snowing around noon, and by the time I left the center at 4:45 p.m., the sky was blue, and the snow was all gone. It was a completely different scene, like night and day! (116 words) Watch the video at https://youtu.be/lq9FgA1m7kM Leave a comment on YouTube or send me your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

February 10, 2025 No Comments
Essay Contest winner

HS Honorable Mention Essay: Cat on a Quiet Night

I love looking at the moon and stars at night. One evening, while I was alone in the garden, I found a cute cat nearby. Since I love cats, I tried to touch it. The friendly cat let me stroke it for a long time. The quiet night created a special world for us. After that, I became friends with other cats too, and I looked at the sky with them almost every night. I cherished those moments, but soon they were gone. Sometimes, I see the cats during the day, and I can’t forget those nights. (97 words)By Ranka T. You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

February 7, 2025 No Comments
Essay Contest winner

HS 3rd Place Essay: Differences in Nicknames

Four years ago, my family moved from Osaka to Tokyo. My sister was curious about the differences in daily life between western and eastern Japan. One day, my mother explained the differences in how people shorten names. She said, “In western Japan, McDonald’s is called ‘MacDo.’ In eastern Japan, it’s called ‘Mac.’” Then my mother continued, “And in western Japan, Universal Studios Japan is called ‘Univa.’ In eastern Japan, it’s called—” “Wait! I know!” my sister shouted. “In eastern Japan, it’s called ‘Uni!’” My mother and I laughed and said, “No, it’s called ‘U.S.J.’” My sister looked so confused, but we couldn’t stop laughing. (106 words)By Nanami W. You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

February 6, 2025 No Comments
JM posts

Japan’s Third Wetland City

I was happy to hear on Monday that Nagoya was chosen as a Wetland City by the Ramsar Convention. It is Japan’s third Wetland City after Niigata City and Izumi in Kagoshima Prefecture. Nagoya has one of the most important wetlands for migratory birds in Japan. Every year, thousands of birds stop by at Fujimae Tidal Flat in the spring and autumn. When they arrive, they are very tired and weak. They stay at Fujimae for a few weeks and eat crabs and other living things in the tidal flat. When they get their strength and energy back, they continue on to other countries for the summer and winter. Please contact me if you come to Nagoya. I would love to show you Fujimae.   (124 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

February 5, 2025 No Comments