CULTURE
Japan Doesn’t Trust JR East’s Suica Mascot Vote. Blame the Takanawa Gateway Affair
JR East is letting riders vote on its new mascot. But some expressed skepticism that their opinion would be taken seriously.
News
CULTURE
SOCIETY
Why Renting a House With Friends Is So Hard in Japan
Japan's economy is forcing more young people to consider sharing living expenses. But many are finding that's easier said than done.
WOMEN
Why Police Advise Japanese Women Not to Claim Their Lost Property
How a legal oversight allows some men in Japan to turn a nice need into an excuse to meet - and stalk…
TRAVEL
How Much Japanese Do You REALLY Need to Know to Visit Japan?
This is a question most travelers to Japan want to know. The answer is less about memorizing vocab and more about how…
TRAVEL
Shinjuku Moves to Ban Airbnb-Style Rentals Where People Actually Live
The move by the city that hosts 9% of the country's vacation rentals is part of a wave of restrictions sweeping the…
SOCIETY
35% of Unmarried Young Japanese Don’t Intend to Marry, Says New Government Survey
As Japan works to combat population decline, a new government report says many unmarried young people intend to stay that way.
FOOD
Shime-Parfait: The Sweet Way Japan Winds Down a Night Out
Learn all about the branding of shime-parfait and how a tradition of an after-drink sweet in Sapporo spread across the country.
SOCIETY
Why Can You Still Not Buy Vapes in Japan?
Why can't vapes be sold in a country that still loves smoking? A look into the complex legal framework that keeps them…