Society
Japan’s Hikikomori “80/50” Crisis is Putting a Strain on Elderly Parents
Japan coined the word "hikikomori" for its withdrawn young people. But its reclusive population has quietly aged.
Articles by K. Lou
36 articles
Society
Business and Economy
Genericide, Japan Edition: How Japan’s Famous Names Slipped Into Common Speech
Like escalator and aspirin, Japan has its own list of trademarks that have succumbed to popular usage. But while some companies aggressively…
Travel
How Much Does a Private Guide in Japan Cost?
What does a private guide in Japan actually cost? Here's what you need to know and how to evaluate different types of…
Women
Why Japan’s Kyushu Got Labeled The Country’s Most Sexist Region
In early 2025, the net slang “sasu-kyū” branded Japan’s Kyushu its most male-dominated region. When Japanese gender experts and critics dug in,…
Travel
Ashiya: How to Visit Japan’s Most Exclusive Small Town
Ashiya, a leafy enclave between Osaka and Kobe, carries a cachet no other Japanese town quite matches: old money, hillside mansions, and…
Travel
JR East’s New “Luna Azul” Overnight Express Revives Japan’s Sleeper-Train Era
Do you miss Japan's sleeper trains? If JR East has its way, they may be mounting a comeback. Learn how to ride…
Society
4,000 Singles, One Theme Park: How Japan’s Mass Blind Date Brought People Together
A unique event in Saitama opened up an amusement park to men and women. The catch? You needed to find a partner…
Food
Japan’s Bear Crisis Is Putting Bear Meat on the Menu
As bear populations expand and attacks increase, Japan is looking to turn an environmental challenge into a culinary trend with bear meat.