Angelia HinkleAngelia Hinkle

Author · Cross-Cultural Mental Health Storyteller

Illuminating Japan’s hidden mental health crisis through history, culture, and human stories.

Behind hospital walls, patients lived quiet, restricted lives. Few had opportunities for education, employment training, or even outdoor activity. Overmedication was common. Isolation was standard. Recovery, in many cases, was not even the goal.

Chapter 2: The Silent Epidemic – Mental Health in Modern Japan

For Angelia Hinkle, education has always been part of the calling. As a mother raising four children in Japan, as a program analyst serving at Camp Zama, and as an author giving voice to Japan’s hidden mental health struggles, she has lived at the intersection of resilience, culture, and opportunity. It was this same spirit that led her to create a place where learning could feel personal, supportive, and liberating: Fun Time English Academy.

Fun Time English Academy

In June 2019, Angelia opened her second school in Chuorinkan, Yamato City, after starting with her first classroom in Odakyu Sagamihara. What began as lessons at home soon grew into a community hub where students of all ages — from babies to seniors — could learn practical, conversational English in a welcoming space.

What makes Fun Time different? Small, homely classrooms designed to feel personal and flexible. Group lessons and private sessions tailored to every stage of life. Courses ranging from everyday conversation to business and travel English. A native American teacher who offers clear, natural English without accent barriers. A community spirit where learning continues beyond the classroom walls. At Fun Time, the goal isn’t just fluency — it’s confidence, connection, and growth.