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Greetings from Japan, where I've been for nearly a week leading up to yesterday's launch of our latest international edition, HuffPost Japan. Japan is an amazing place -- almost overwhelming in how singular and beautiful it is. And we are fortunate to be launching HuffPost here at a remarkable time. This is a time of big transitions.gojapango.com Japan's spirit is being tested by the same recession and financial crisis afflicting all industrialized nations.creativecommons.org But some of the solutions to these new and unprecedented difficulties might well turn out to be found in the most ancient Japanese traditions. Some here are finding that, to go forward, they must go inward. By looking to their oldest customs, the Japanese can find the tools to make it through a very modern crisis.


Every country hit by the global financial crisis is going through it in different ways -- or, to borrow from Tolstoy, every unhappy country is unhappy in its own way. Japan spent much of 2012 in recession before a small uptick of .2 percent growth for the fourth quarter. The country has a much lower unemployment rate than we do -- 4.1 percent -- but that obscures other problems, like falling wages, deflation, and low growth. Also, according to the World Economic Forum, Japan ranks 101st in the "gender gap index" -- women constitute only 12 percent of new hires in career-track jobs. And last year winter bonuses fell for the first time in three years, with a decline of almost 4 percent -- the third biggest drop on record. But numbers don't tell the whole story.


There's a widespread sense that Japan's idea of itself as a country on the cutting edge of technology is slowly becoming outdated. Japanese tech giants are having a hard time keeping up in a globally competitive environment. And a report in the Tokyo Times concludes that Japanese tech firms are no longer as desirable a destination as they once were to the top ranks of young talent. Japan's new Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has vowed to restart growth through increased investment, monetary policy with higher inflation targets, and structural reform that reduces obstacles to innovation. He just passed his 100th day in office, and his approval rating remains high at 72 percent.


Some of the particular problems Japan is facing are demographic. Last year, the number of workers aged 60 or over hit a record high, growing by over 3 million. Those who are 65 or older now make up 22 percent of the country, the highest proportion in the world. But Japan's identity crisis is falling most heavily on those who must carry that identity forward -- the young. Paradoxically, there are answers to be found to all these very modern stresses in the most ancient Japanese traditions.youtube.com Japan is a place that puts great emphasis on balance and harmony, and the tools to help the Japanese find a new harmony and equilibrium in these very unharmonious times are all around them.


There are shrines and temples and gardens everywhere. It is common to see monks meditating and even to join them in meditation (which I did at 8 a.m. And even an ordinary meal can have an extraordinary power to it, with each place setting positioned in a certain way, each course presented with ceremonial beauty.youtube.com Life Artistry -- cultivating the ability to allow ourselves to be moved by small things -- is at the heart of Zen. Most fascinating is how some of these ancient traditions are being tailored to directly confront the new challenges the country is facing. In 2011, a Buddhist temple in the Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, began a program using Zen meditation, cold-water ablutions and other traditional ceremonial practices, along with lectures, to help young people looking for jobs.


More accurately, it's not just about finding a job, but finding the right job -- and to do that, a person has to truly know who they are. As the Japan Times reported recently, the practice has caught on. Shudo Abe, one of a group of Zen priests from the Soto sect who have been organizing similar sessions. The sessions are meant to help young people regain a sense of perspective. And tapping into their own ancient traditions seems to be helping. And charms from local shrines are everywhere. Even the editor-in-chief of GQ, the super-hip Masafumi Suzuki, arrived for an interview in our offices carrying a bag adorned with many charms with bells.


And our Japanese editors gave me as a present a set of IT charms from our neighborhood shrine, to protect my laptop and other gadgets (it's a lot easier than a trip to the Genius Bar!). The essence of the Japanese aesthetic is Ma -- space, the pure and essential void between "things," the emptiness full of possibilities, promise waiting to be fulfilled. No wonder the Japanese have taken to Twitter much more than they have taken to other social media platforms like Facebook. They are already used to conveying complexity and nuance in a few words. Rocky Eda of Digital Garage, which works with Twitter in Japan.weatherbase.com Like the U.S., Japan is facing huge challenges.


"The thing is, I’m not really sure what happened between Serena and the umpire. And I keep getting asked questions about it, but I’m not too sure," said Osaka, adding that the penalties had not diminished her sense of accomplishment in winning the match.thepoortraveler.net "For me . . Osaka, whose next scheduled tournament is the Toray Pan Pacific Open later this month in Tokyo, said she was still too exhausted to celebrate. "It still doesn’t really feel that real. I think right now, what I’m feeling is very tired . Osaka put Japan firmly on the tennis map with her shocking victory over Williams, who was chasing a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam singles crown. Fighting fire with fire, Osaka’s game mirrors that of the American with her big serve, murderous shots off both flanks, particularly the forehand, and steely determination.youtube.com Date likened Osaka to China’s Li Na, who retired in 2014 after winning the French and Australian Opens and reaching No. 2 in the world. "Until now only Li Na had the physique to be able to tackle that kind of power. You could tell Serena was wary of Osaka’s power.


Travelers, Are You Looking for the Best Camera for Vlogging? Travelers, Are You Looking for the Best Camera for Vlogging? There may not be any world-famous landmarks awaiting you in Osaka, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a myriad of spectacular things to do in Osaka. Nestled in between Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, Osaka is quite the travel hub. However, don’t simply use this second largest city in Japan as somewhere to pass through. It has its own vast amount of character and highlights that you won’t want to miss. These things to do in Osaka mix the quirky with the historical, without leaving out spectacular sushi, seafood, and other essential Japanese things.


So, if you’re heading across the pond soon, make sure to put a few of these things to do in Osaka on your list to make the most out of your experience. We promise you, you won’t be disappointed. First, you’ll want to get oriented to this city that you’re about to spend some time in for a few days. What better way to do that then take a tour of the city? Well, if you’re up for some fast paced action and being slightly ridiculous, here you go. MariCAR lets you dress up as your favorite superhero and tour the streets by yourself or with a group.


They’ll put you in a one-seater, street legal go-cart for you to zip around Osaka’s streets. You will need a valid driver's license, but after that, you’re all set. Make reservations in advance to secure your spot. In addition, you can stream your favorite playlist using their Bluetooth system, as well as record your best action moments on their 4K camera. So, if you’re ready to cruise the streets of Osaka to orient yourself to the city, check out MariCAR. Dipping yourself into the steaming waters of an onsen is one of the most essential things to do in Osaka.


Imagine the picturesque natural spa surrounding you as you lose yourself in the steam and freeness. Yes, when we say freeness, it is the norm to bathe in this usually public bathes sans clothing. So, you might have to get a little extra comfortable with yourself and others. That being said, the moment you let yourself sink into these natural fed hot springs, you won’t even remember you’re not wearing any clothes. Our top two Onsen destinations in Osaka are the Nobeha No Yu Tsuruhashi Onsen and the Kamigata Ikkyu Onsen. The first is located in Koreatown, giving you a great opportunity to explore a unique part of the city before your relaxing dip. It also has dining and relaxing spots inside the Onsen if you want to make a whole day of it.


The latter has the largest outdoor bath, also known as a rotenboru, in the Kansai area. The hot spring water will ease your muscles when you take your dip. Choose between the Wood Bath or Stone bath, each with their own design, baths, and saunas. This onsen is next to Universal Studios Japan. So, it’s a great option if you’re needing things to do in Osaka after a long day on your feet at the amusement park. If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own owl messenger like Harry Potter, make sure an Owl Cafe is on your list of things to do in Osaka. While there are a few around the city, the largest and best is the Chouette Happy Owl Cafe. With twenty-two kinds of owls waiting to meet you, this is quite the spectacular business.


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