WOMEN
Itō Shiori’s BLACK BOX DIARIES Will (Finally) Release in Japan After Controversy
The film, released in October 2024, has yet to screen in the filmmaker's own country due to questions around the footage it…
News
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WOMEN
ENTERTAINMENT
Real-Life Love Live!: Japanese High School To Start Official School Idol Club
Nagano Nichidai High School even says it'll fast-track non-students for matriculation if they're accepted into the club.
ENTERTAINMENT
Japanese Idol Fired After Alleged Boyfriend’s Picture Caught in Cup’s Reflection
The controversy renews the debate around the implied (and, sometimes, contractual) rule that idols don't deserve a personal life.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Double-Edged Harmony: What “Hōrensō” Reveals About Japanese Work Culture
Japan’s famous "hōrensō" work mantra promises harmony and trust. Its roots reveal a system that also silences and protects power.
LIVING IN JAPAN
Japan Will Make Some Foreign Residents Prepay Health Insurance Premiums
The move is one of a number of increasing restrictions on Japan's foreign population amidst an increase in right-wing nationalism.
SEX & NIGHTLIFE
Maid Cafes vs. Con Cafes vs. Girls’ Bars: What They Are (and Whether You Can Go)
There are more kawaii cafes and bars in Japan than you can shake a stick at. Here's a guide to what each…
TRAVEL
Japan’s Kamakura Tries Crowdfunding to Fight Overtourism. It Isn’t Going Well
The city, which hosts a famous anime pilgrimage site, is way behind in its campaign to combat street congestion and littering.
FOOD
Report: Nearly 30% of Japan’s Restaurant Managers Work 60-Hour Weeks
A new report finds that one-third of all restaurant managers are so busy that they're at risk of working themselves to death.