News

LIVING IN JAPAN

Ibaraki Prefecture to Pay Residents a Bounty for Reporting Illegal Foreign Workers

The bounty-style reporting scheme is unprecedented at the prefectural level - and it's drawing some obvious criticisms.

LAW & CRIME

Japanese Cosplayer on Trial for Mutilating Partner

A Japanese cosplayer appeared in court wearing panda pajamas as she reversed her not-guilty plea on charges of mutilating her boyfriend.

FOOD

Why Combini May Become a Tourist Luxury in Japan

As inflation keeps rising in Japan, more residents are deciding that there are better ways to spend their money.

POLITICS

Uniqlo Pulls Pokémon Collab in China Over Yasukuni Shrine Controversy

The incident, along with another anime-related collab controversy, is a sign of increasing tensions between Japan and China.

HISTORY

Hanafuda: How a Banned Card Game Defined the Pre-Pokémon Era

Before Mario, Nintendo sold hanafuda cards to the yakuza. Read the 400-year forbidden history of the flower cards that tricked the Shogun.

SEX & NIGHTLIFE

Japanese Sex Toy Firm Tenga Suffers US Data Breach

The company took pains to reassure its Japanese customer base that information about their masturbatory habits was safe.

FOOD

Japan’s Ramen Shops Repel Women. One Store Wants to Change That

70% of women surveyed in Japan don't feel comfortable going into a ramen shop alone. Here's why - and how one store…

ENTERTAINMENT

Swimsuit Snow Performance Lands Japanese Idols in Hot Water (and They Don’t Give a F$*!)

Planck Stars isn't a group to shy away from controversy. Indeed, it seems to be reveling in its latest affront to Japanese…