So, it seems like winter has finally come to an end. Isn't this time of the year lovely? It's pleasant to be outside, no longer need to wear a coat inside, electricity bills come down drastically, and the gokiburi come out again to play… Well, like every season in Japan, it has its positive and negative side.

This month has been an eventful one for most JETs and OSETs. Many have been off travelling to exotic places and many have come back to find that they have had to move schools due to budget cuts in the Board of Education. A few JETs, however, have found the time to write articles for The Saitama Mama and I'd like to say a big thank you to those people.

I hope you enjoy reading the articles in this month's issue. If you feel inspired to write something yourself, please e-mail submissions as a Word attachment to: [email protected]

Cherry Blossom in Chichibu

This month's contributors:

Alisha Griffiths
1st year ALT, Ryugasaki-shi

Joe Kern
ALT

Dave Long
ALT, Saitama-shi

Inside this issue:

A love affair with Nihongo

Don't believe the hype: a case for war on Iraq

A perfect day in Ikebukuro

Upcoming Events

Saitama Mama Editor
Katie Anderson
1st year ALT, Tokorozawa-shi