The arrival of Spring marks a new beginning and a new look for The Foreigner - Japan. Over the past several months, our team has worked hard trying to lay the ground work for a sleeker, more functional online magazine. I believe we've done it.

The new TFJ Magazine works a little differently than the old system of seperate editions. Over the coming weeks, The Foreigner will be adding new articles as we receive them, updating old material with fresh articles and photos on a continuously rotating basis. Our readers will still have access to the articles and photos from earlier weeks or months by accessing our archives section.

The content focus of our publication has broadened as well. With the permission of Author Darren Armstrong, The Foreigner will be publishing his work Hanami, chapter by chapter, with updates every two weeks. Also new is a work of short fiction entitled Mr. Graves' Evening Class by writer and English Professor Michael Narron.

Our feature articles will also be updated regularly reflecting the changing nature of the publication. To christen the newly refurbished look of The Foreigner, we start with Sarah Richards' fascinating The Ever-Changing Face of Leisuren.

I hope you enjoy our efforts, as we continue to publish stories and photographs from one of the most interesting and vibrant cultures on the planet.

Matt Goerzen
Editor