GirlTalk Japan-- A Mini Guide For Women

The following news item published by airwise.com was forwarded to our office by Anne B, a Journeywoman in Boston, USA. It reads as follows...

Japanese carrier Skymark Airlines is introducing women only seats on some of its planes as some female passengers say it's too stressful sitting next to men.

Women who fly with Skymark will now be able to request the seats for flights between Tokyo and Fukuoka in the south of the country.

From next month, ten seats on each flight will be reserved for women aged 12 and over who find it more "relaxing" to sit next to someone of their own sex.

A Japanese rail company recently said it would start women-only night trains after complaints about unwanted attentions from male passengers.

On the internet
We thank the Japan National Tourist Organization for supplying Journeywoman with some of the above female-friendly travel tips and for helping us to inspire women to travel safely and well in Japan. Want more info? Visit their website: www.japantravelinfo.com

Thinking about teaching in Japan? Visit: Teaching English in Japan, a guide -- www.wizweb.com/~susan/japan/

Books to track down
Doing Business With Japanese Men, A Woman's Handbook (Stone Bridge Press)

Too Late for the Festival, An American Salary Woman in Japan (Academy Chicago Publishers)

Memoirs of a Geisha (Vintage Canada)

P.S. Looking for something to read while you're in Japan? Good Day Books in Ebisu, Tokyo is excellent for new (7,000 titles) and used (30,000 titles) English books. They're located just a minute walk from JR Yamanote Line Ebisu Station East exit. They also exchange and buy books. E-mail: goodday@gol.com (Sonda C.)

Ask a Journeywoman living in Japan
Our mentoring system is located at www.HERmail.net.   There are 48 women living in Japan who have listed their e-mail addresses in this directory. Send one of them an e-mail and ask your female-centered travel questions. If they're not travelling themselves you should hear from them with your answers. Any other women living in Japan willing to play big sister to a female visitor? Just log on to HERmail.net and register your name.

Lisa in Tel Aviv, Israel writes...
Women who are planning to spend time in Tokyo will find that "Being a Broad in Japan," by Caroline Pover, is a valuable source of information on everything from finding clothes to fit to finding a job in Japan. There is also a website by hosted by the author: http://www.being-a-broad.com. The site offers networking for Western women in Japan, a regularly updated list of events, and more.