Insider
[Insider] How “Cool Japan” Ruined Japan’s Cool
Japan could have won big by embracing "Otaku Japan." Instead, it tried to redefine a cool it already had. Here's how it…
Articles by Jay Allen
1,153 articles
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Law & Crime
“He’s a Victim Too”: People Defend Japanese Man Convicted of Female Streamer Mogami Ai’s Murder
Takano Ken’ichi stabbed Satō Airi, known online as Mogami Ai, 55 times. A brutal murder. So why are men online defending him?
Travel
“Insta-Pests”: Why A Kyoto Temple Reportedly Banned Kimono-Clad Visitors
The temple's crackdown on visitors wearing flashy clothing isn't aimed just at tourists, but at influencers in general.
Sex & Nightlife
Why Japanese Nightlife’s “Attention Economy” Is Better Than Sex
Why do people in Japan pay so much for non-sexual companionship? A look at how an industry born in the Edo Era…
Insider
[Insider] The Yani Neko Mirror: Why Japan Won’t Look at Poverty
A new anime tells a complex story of addiction and discrimination. It also sheds a light on a problem many in Japan…
Travel
MUJI Opens “Anti-Tourism” Hotel in Busiest Tourist Location in Kyoto
MUJI's latest BASE hotel pitches itself as "anti-tourism." So why is it in one of the most heavily touristed parts of Japan?
Insider
[Insider] Fuji TV Fails Again in Japan Sexual Harassment Scandal
Fuji TV is once again dealing with a public relations crisis. And, once again, it's showing how unequipped it is to handle…
Sex & Nightlife
Is Kabukicho Safe? How to Navigate Tokyo’s Raucous Nightlife District
The answer is yes - but you should be aware of a few rules and these common traps before stepping foot inside…