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UNSEEN JAPAN

History

Governor Minobe Ryokichi stands behind a podium in a black and white photograph

When Tokyo was Socialist: The Story of Governor Minobe

Japan is often described as a one-party, conservative state - and yet, for over a decade, a highly popular socialist led the government of Tokyo. Meet Governor Minobe.
Divorce in Edo era Japan

Was Divorce in Japan’s Edo Era Easy?

Divorce in Japan's Edo era was a simple affair...if you were a man. For women, "divorce temples" provided a way out.
Permanent marker

Japan’s “Oldest Known Writing” is Just Permanent Marker: Experts

A stone thought to contain Japan's oldest known writing now appears like it might just be the result of sample contamination.
A scenic view of Meiji Mura buildings near a stone stairwell, fringed on either side by lush greenery.

Meiji Mura: A Journey to Japan’s Modern Past

In Japan, the recent past is often obscured beneath endless concrete. Meiji Mura is one of the few places to discover the atmosphere of modernizing, turn-of-the-century Japan.
Sendai Tanabata decorations hanging from a sign in a covered shopping area.

Tanabata in Sendai: An Old-School Star Festival

Tanabata is one of Japan's most famous holidays. In northern Sendai, however, it's a little extra special. Discover the story of one of Japan's greatest festivals.
A faded image from Meiji Japan featuring the Asakusa Twelve Stories, also known as the Ryounkaku

The Disappearance of Meiji: Why it’s Hard to Find Tokyo’s Recent Past

In Tokyo, the recent past is often obscured beneath endless concrete. Take a journey through the city's history to discover why.
The equestrian statue of Date Masamune in Sendai.

Lost and Restored: The Equestrian Statue of Date Masamune

A massive earthquake struck northern Japan, damaging the famed statue of Date Masamune in Sendai. But Date - and Sendai - are nothing if not resilient.

Abortion In Japan: A History

A look at how abortion in Japan evolved throughout the ages, from a financial necessity to a call for the acknowledgment of women's rights.

Shigenobu Fusako, Japanese Red Army Leader, to be Released from Prison this Month

After twenty years, Shigenobu Fusako, the face of the infamous international Japanese Red Army, will see the end of her prison sentence.

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