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How musical roads in Japan came about – and where to find the most scenic ones with a Japanese pop culture connection.
Some are calling for a more rigorous crackdown on tourists who disregard Japanese laws after the footage came to light.
As more people require rescue from the mountain during the off-season, both prefectures contemplate responding to public outcry.
Going to Japan just because the mood took you? Here’s how to pull together an enjoyable trip quickly and safely.
Following in the wake of the Nakai Masahiro scandal, another pop/TV star stands accused of multiple acts of harassment against staff.
The Kurdish community in Kawaguchi faces growing hostility, blamed by locals for neighborhood unrest. But how do they see it?
Some say the act was generous, but others question whether he should’ve established a trust rather than trust the city.
The city of Nagoya and the 2025 Osaka Expo may be instrumental in reversing a habit that the 1970 Osaka Expo helped popularize.
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.
Why is this chain about to close a third of its stores in the Tokyo area? Some fans are blaming its lack of consistency.
It’s not just foreign influencers causing trouble in Japan. Two girls in Osaka are facing charges after going viral for disgusting behavior.
Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s ambassador to the UK, caused a stir when he brought together two British tastes that some insist don’t go together.
The shift reflects the change in women’s education over the past century as well as the impact of population decline on enrollment.
The woman alleges the station not only tolerated the harassment but turned it into fodder for local broadcast.
While Japan made progress in several areas, it took a huge step back in representation at the highest level of government.
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 will likely abandon its Kunrei-shiki romanization system that even most of its government doesn’t use.
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.
How about some bubuzuke? A recent event in Kyoto tested people’s ability to pick up on the REAL meaning behind seemingly bland statements.
Gone are the days of “chan” and “kun” in Japanese business. Recent research finds bosses are striking a more respectful tone.
A Japanese cosplayer opened up recently about the slander and threats she received for appearing at Expo as the popular character.
The retailer of manga and anime figures says it won’t allow pre-orders or send shipments to the US until things settle.
Yep, it’s another Conan film – but one that’s entertaining for non-fans while giving fans a deeper look at a recurring character.
Here’s what’s made the Detective Conan series so popular – and the silly things you should ignore to enjoy it.
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.
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.
They’re one of the world’s most important Japanese diaspora groups. Meet the Japanese-Peruvians, and learn their dramatic history.
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.”
Some sexual minorities in Japan are choosing to marry out of convenience. One expert calls it a “last resort” driven by societal inequality.
It’s the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?
Ichikawa City in Chiba Prefecture will become the first in Japan to extend a marriage benefits program to sexual and gender minorities.
The government is still investigating whether same-sex couples in common-law marriages are covered by an additional 130 laws.
Following in the wake of the Nakai Masahiro scandal, another pop/TV star stands accused of multiple acts of harassment against staff.
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.
A case in Saga Prefecture tells of a bold new example of “yami-baito” targeting Japan’s infamous (and dwindling) crime families.
The incident puts a spotlight on how police interrogation tactics play a role in Japan’s lauded 99.9% conviction rate.
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.
Some experts say a third release from the country’s reserves might not have any effect and that prices will remain high until autumn.
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.
There are only 36 Costcos in Japan – but there are nearly three times as many stores whose whole business is reselling the company’s products.
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