What Is a Sustainable Park? Definition, History, and Real-World Examples
There's no official definition of a "sustainable park." Here's how the idea evolved, from Central Park to Japan's satoyama, plus real examples from Singapore and Amsterdam.
Culture
What Is Animal Welfare? Reading a Social System Through the Condition of Animals
What is animal welfare? WOAH's definition, the Five Freedoms, One Health, and how Japan and the EU differ in policy. A philosophical, non-prescriptive look at the concept and consumer choice.
What Is the Ethics of Care? A Guide to Relational Ethics
What is the ethics of care? A guide to this relational moral framework, from its roots in psychology to its reach into animal ethics and environmental thinking.
What Is Kintsugi? The Japanese Art of Repair and the Philosophy of Embracing Imperfection
Kintsugi repairs broken ceramics with gold, making damage visible rather than hiding it. A guide to the Japanese philosophy, the craft technique, and what it offers sustainability thinking and repair culture today.
What Is Shinrin-Yoku? The Meaning, Science, and Philosophyof Forest Bathing
Shinrin-yoku — Japan's practice of forest bathing — was
coined in 1982 and is now referenced worldwide. This article
covers its origins, what science has actually confirmed, the
Japanese philosophy behind it, and why modern life made it
necessary.
Sustainable Finance in Japan: 5 Banks Reviewed on Transparency, Climate Disclosure, and Third-Party Accountability [2026]
A review of five Japanese banks evaluated on use-of-proceeds
transparency, climate disclosure, and third-party certification.
Based on official disclosures. Unverified details are noted as such.
Knowing Is Not Enough: Oppression, Its Logic, and the Path Forward
Oppression isn't just unpleasant — it's built on premises that don't hold up. This introductory article explores why, and what understanding that actually asks of us. A new series starts here.
What Does “Sustainable” Actually Mean? Origins, Key Concepts, and 8 Approaches Explained
You've heard "sustainable" everywhere — but what does it actually mean? This guide breaks down the origin of the term, how it differs from the SDGs, and walks through 8 frameworks shaping the sustainability conversation today: from green economy and degrowth to regenerative thinking, nature positive, and just sustainabilities. Build the clarity you need to spot greenwashing and make more informed choices.
What do you owe the places you travel to?
A sakura festival in Japan was canceled this spring — not by weather, but by overtourism. A philosophical essay on what kind of relationship travelers imagine they have with the places they visit.
What Is Degrowth? A Beginner’s Guide to Rethinking Prosperity
Degrowth isn't about economic decline—it's about rethinking prosperity. Learn what degrowth means, why it's gaining attention, and how it connects to sustainable living and real wellbeing.
