News

CULTURE

The Health Mask Gets a Makeover in Japan

Japan's 100-year-old health mask culture hasn't changed much during that time. But one Japanese company's trendy new take is catching on.

ENTERTAINMENT

Funeral Parade of Roses: Five Facts About Japan’s New Wave Masterpiece

Equal parts seriousness and absurdity, Matsumoto Toshio's 1960 countercultural classic captures a tumultuous time in the history of modern Japan.

CULTURE

You Might Be In A Love Hotel in Japan If…

A trending hashtag encouraged Japan's Twitter users to share some of the common traits of the nation's iconic love hotels. What they…

FOOD

Strong Zero: Why Doctors Call Japan’s 9% Chuhai a Drug

A leading researcher in addiction joins a growing chorus of critics who say Japan's popular alcoholic drink needs to be regulated like…

CULTURE

Jigokudani: A Look at Japan’s Volcanic “Hell Valleys”

A look at how Japan's two most prominent religions' versions of hell shaped the story of its iconic jigokudani, or "hell valleys."

SOCIETY

Another Japanese Medical School Changed Women’s Scores

Another Japanese medical university stands accused of rigging its admission process in an attempt to keep women and other "less desirable" candidates…

CULTURE

Help – My Boyfriend’s an Otaku! Should I Dump Him?

What do straight women in Japan think about dating men who are seriously into manga or virtual artists? An online forum provides…

WOMEN

“Pervert Radar” Developers Seek to Protect Exam Takers

Online abusers are encouraging assault against young women on a critical day in their lives in Japan. A pair of women app…