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More Foreign Tourists Are Causing Traffic Accidents Around Mt. Fuji
August 22, 2025
There are more tourists than ever in Yamanashi Prefecture – and they’re setting a new record for traffic accidents.
Take Pics in Tochigi’s “Shibuya Scramble” Replica This Fall
August 22, 2025
Want to take pics in Shibuya Scramble without feeling like a nuisance? A movie set in Tochigi Prefecture has the perfect solution.
Don’t Abandon Your Broken Suitcase in Japan – Do This Instead
August 17, 2025
More tourists than ever are leaving their busted suitcases in hotel rooms and even at the airport. Here’s how not to be one of them.
Why You Need an eSIM With a Japanese Phone Number
August 15, 2025
Here are all the reasons why you may need a phone number in Japan, and the best way to get an eSIM with a Japanese phone number attached.
Japan’s Gun Control Laws: How The Country Stays (Almost) Gun-Free
August 18, 2025
Japan has one of the lowest rates of gun crime in the world. How did it start, and how has it stayed that way?
Why Japan’s Disability Law Still Fails Disabled Students
July 30, 2025
An attorney who represents families in disability cases explains how gaps in the law leave some disabled students stranded.
Disabled Japanese Student’s iPad Exam Request Leads to Long Battle
July 29, 2025
In Japan, schools are supposed to make all reasonable accommodations for disabled students. One student says it wasn’t so easy.
As Japan’s Birth Rate Dwindles, Its Nursery Schools Keep Closing
July 16, 2025
Japan wants more women to give birth to counteract its declining birth rate. That’s hard to do when nursery schools are rapidly shuttering.
Japanese Ramen Store Rescinds “20 Minute-Rule” for Eating Titanic Bowl
July 6, 2025
There are many unspoken rules at Ramen Jirō. One store in the chain added one more to the list, sparking an intense debate online.
Does Loving Ramen Make Men in Japan Undateable?
May 31, 2025
It’s not the greatest turn-off, according to polls. But there’s evidence that being super into Japan’s national noodle dish is a red flag.
Is This Ramen Chain Closing Stores Because It Sucks?
May 16, 2025
Why is this chain about to close a third of its stores in the Tokyo area? Some fans are blaming its lack of consistency.
Japanese Girls Charged Over “Food Terrorism” at a Sukiya
May 15, 2025
It’s not just foreign influencers causing trouble in Japan. Two girls in Osaka are facing charges after going viral for disgusting behavior.
Japanese Women’s University Says It’ll Admit Men, Draws Mixed Reactions
June 21, 2025
The shift reflects the change in women’s education over the past century as well as the impact of population decline on enrollment.
Japanese Female TV Host Says Station Turned Her Sexual Harassment Into Content
June 16, 2025
The woman alleges the station not only tolerated the harassment but turned it into fodder for local broadcast.
2025 Gender Gap Report Finds Japan Still at Bottom of G7
June 12, 2025
While Japan made progress in several areas, it took a huge step back in representation at the highest level of government.
Murdered Woman in Japan Reported Ex Nine Times for Stalking
May 7, 2025
Why did Kawasaki police fail to act on nine reports of stalking, doubts from the attacker’s own family, and the suspect’s suspicious behavior?
Japan Prepares Official Hepburn Romanization Switch, Changing 70-Year Tradition
March 11, 2025
Japan will likely abandon its Kunrei-shiki romanization system that even most of its government doesn’t use.
Giccho?! Here Are Some Dead Japanese Words That Only Old Folks Use
March 9, 2025
You may still hear these words or see them in print – but you won’t hear them come from the mouth of a young person.
Event in Kyoto Celebrates Area’s “Culture of Unkindness”
January 29, 2025
How about some bubuzuke? A recent event in Kyoto tested people’s ability to pick up on the REAL meaning behind seemingly bland statements.
“Employee-San”: Why Japan’s Managers Are Shifting to Honorifics for Their Staff
January 22, 2025
Gone are the days of “chan” and “kun” in Japanese business. Recent research finds bosses are striking a more respectful tone.
July 5 Is the End of the World. Come Celebrate With Me on July 6
July 3, 2025
Is Japan going to sink to the bottom of the ocean on July 5th? Not likely. But what does a manga author’s prediction tell us about society?
Why a Marcille Cosplay at Osaka Expo Resulted in Death Threats
May 18, 2025
A Japanese cosplayer opened up recently about the slander and threats she received for appearing at Expo as the popular character.
Otaku Apocalypse: Good Smile Restricts US Purchases Amidst Trump Tariff Chaos
April 24, 2025
The retailer of manga and anime figures says it won’t allow pre-orders or send shipments to the US until things settle.
Review: Detective Conan – One-Eyed Flashback Is What You Want From a Conan Flick
April 20, 2025
Yep, it’s another Conan film – but one that’s entertaining for non-fans while giving fans a deeper look at a recurring character.
The Last Time Mt. Fuji Erupted… And What Might Happen Next
May 20, 2025
What happened the last time the famed Mt. Fuji erupted? Learn about the Hoei Eruption, and the great crisis it caused during the Edo era.
What’s With the Chaos of Japanese Power Lines?
April 11, 2025
Look up in a Japanese city, and you’re likely to see a sky view partly obscured by power lines. Here’s why Japan’s utility lines are more visible than those in other advanced economies.
The Story of the Japanese Peruvians
November 20, 2024
They’re one of the world’s most important Japanese diaspora groups. Meet the Japanese-Peruvians, and learn their dramatic history.
Iboshi Hokuto: The Legacy of the Ainu Poet-Activist
October 27, 2024
Spurred by colonialist propaganda that called his people “a dying race,” Iboshi Hokuto spent his short life in service to his belief that “only the Ainu could save the Ainu.”
Support for Transgender Rights Slips Hard in Japan, Says New Worldwide Survey
June 24, 2025
While LGBTQ people in general lost support, transgender people face challenges in Japan in terms of both awareness and acceptance.
“Friendship Marriages” in Japan Give Sexual Minorities Shelter – But At What Cost?
June 5, 2025
Some sexual minorities in Japan are choosing to marry out of convenience. One expert calls it a “last resort” driven by societal inequality.
Nagoya High Court Rules Lack of Marriage Equality in Japan Unconstitutional
March 8, 2025
It’s the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?
Japanese City Will Grant Marriage Support to LGBTQ Couples
February 6, 2025
Ichikawa City in Chiba Prefecture will become the first in Japan to extend a marriage benefits program to sexual and gender minorities.
Trouble in TOKIO: Another Sexual Harassment Scandal Rocks Japanese TV
June 22, 2025
Following in the wake of the Nakai Masahiro scandal, another pop/TV star stands accused of multiple acts of harassment against staff.
The Host Is Toast: Japan Approves Law To Crack Down On Host Club Hustlers
May 22, 2025
Hosts, Japan’s grey zone version of aggressive gigolos, are about to find themselves in serious trouble. The predatory practices of these good looking guys with too much hair gel are now punishable by law.
Bold “Dark Part-Time” Thieves in Japan Are Now Stealing From Yakuza
April 17, 2025
A case in Saga Prefecture tells of a bold new example of “yami-baito” targeting Japan’s infamous (and dwindling) crime families.
Hyogo Police Compelled 12-Year-Old Girl to Confess to False Report
April 10, 2025
The incident puts a spotlight on how police interrogation tactics play a role in Japan’s lauded 99.9% conviction rate.
Village Vanguard: Why Japan’s Iconic Subculture Stores Are Struggling
August 18, 2025
Village Vanguard is a bookstore and then some. But its recent financial troubles indicate it might have stretched itself too thin.
Cold Stone Creamery May Disappear From Japan. Is It Because of The Singing?
April 18, 2025
Japan will soon only have a single Cold Stone anywhere in the country. Some are blaming the staff’s habit of breaking out into song.
Japanese Consumers Groan As Rice Prices Just Keep Climbing
April 8, 2025
Some experts say a third release from the country’s reserves might not have any effect and that prices will remain high until autumn.
Sakamichi Brewing: Crafting Japanese Beer Culture in Tachikawa
March 10, 2025
At long last, the craft beer scene is booming in Tokyo. We sat down with the craft entrepreneurs at Sakamichi Brewing to learn more about the local scene.
