Naomi Gingold

Naomi Gingold has lived and worked across Asia and the US. Her reporting covers a wide range of areas but specialties include: technology, international affair/politics, health, and the arts. She also has a background in music production and will be always on the lookout for the perfect bridge to play Pooh Sticks.

Recent Stories

Culture

How a Japanese American burst Japan's bubble on racism

The World

May 12, 2015

Japanese people, even some minority groups, tend to believe that Japanese society is homogeneous and racism doesn't exist in the country. But a Japanese American has drawn praise — and ire — by exposing that belief as a myth.

Belief

A Buddhist-founded university is now firmly in the mainstream

The World

April 17, 2015

In less than 15 years, Soka University of America has become one of the top 50 liberal arts schools in the country, according to the holy grail of college rankings: the US News and World Report’s annual list of best colleges.

Belief

This Japanese festival is just like thousands of others — plus a lot of penis

The World

April 15, 2015

"Kanamara Matsuri" translates literally into English as "Metal Penis Festival," and the scene lives up to its name. Phallic symbols and penis paraphernalia are everywhere, drawing crowds of locals and tourists alike. But it's one of just thousands of local Shinto festivals across the country.

Education

Michelle Obama advocates for girls in Japan while women struggle

The World

March 20, 2015

First lady Michelle Obama promoted girls education in developing countries alongside her Japanese counterpart Akie Abe. But she avoided the elephant in the room — Japan's own struggles with gender inequity.

Environment

Some of Japan's 'nuclear refugees' can finally go home — but they don't want to

The World

March 11, 2015

Not everyone who evacuated the area near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant four years actually had to leave. But four years later, despite government reassurances — and plenty of pressure — they say returning to their homes still isn't safe.

Belief

America's first all-female mosque is receiving praise — and some pushback

The World

March 04, 2015

The leaders of a new mosque in Southern California want to create a "safe space to be with their sisters" and a way to empower Muslim American women. Will all-female mosques catch on elsewhere in the United States?

Food

Honeycomb is making Asian food in Washington, DC a bit sweeter, and a lot more local

The World

February 11, 2015

Erik Bruner-Yang's already got one of the hottest restaurants in the nation's capital: a ramen shop called Toki Underground. But recently, he opened an Asian market, something he says is sorely lacking in Washington. The market's called Honeycomb, and the whole point, Bruner-Yang says, is to utilize as many local ingredients as possible.

Culture

Yes, it's a puppet show — but leave the kids at home

The World

January 01, 2015

The Old Trout Puppet Workshop does puppet theatre for adults. Their shows, with puppets in a variety of styles and designs, look at the different ways puppets die.

Culture

Meet the most famous woman in computing you've probably never heard of

The World

December 23, 2014

To prevent Ada Lovelace from acquiring the crazy poetic temperament of her father, Lord Byron, Ada's mother forced her to study the cool logic of mathematics.

Culture

The shiny Uniqlo empire has a dark side

The World

October 07, 2014

Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing store, has become a darling in the US for its design and clean, cheery shopping experience. But some workers say that's possible because of a harsh company culture that imposes strict rules and mistreats employees.

Naomi Gingold

Recent Stories

Pages