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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.
Drawing of two business people without facial details - a man (left) and woman (right) - bowing.

The Myth of Japanese Indirectness and “Subtlety”

Stereotypes of Japan as a land of vague meaning and blunted expression are just straight up Orientalism that obscure a complex reality.
Ginza at night

Everyone Knew About Kagawa Teruyuki

The more we learn about the ongoing Kagawa Teruyuki scandal, the worse it gets. Some recent commentary translated for our Patreon subscribers.
Japan Travel

Beware Premature Calls of Japan’s “Re-Opening”

Many are calling Japan "open for travel" in the wake of the government's new announcements. But is it really?
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.
Picture of the title of the post over a woman talking on her cell phone and expressing various emotions in 14 separate illustrations

Yabai! Its Meaning and Versatility in Modern Japanese

There's no word quite like "yabai" in Japanese - an extremely popular slang term that can mean anything from "awful" to "risky" to "excellent, dude!" Yet the prevalence of "yabai" has some worried.
Usui Rokuro, who carried out the last samurai vendetta, with blood-splatter

The Last Samurai Vendetta: The Revenge of Usui Rokuro

In 1873, the newly-minted Meiji government banned the age-old practice of kataki-uchi: blood revenge. Seven years later, the son of a murdered samurai would take his vengeance nonetheless.
Iidesan, location of Fukushima's odd border

Iidesan, Fukushima’s Odd Border: Gods, Mountains, Lines in the Sand

In western Fukushima Prefecture, an odd salient of territory extends, wedged between Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures. So why is it there?
A Japanese bartender prepares a cocktail

Five Japanese Cocktails That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re in Ginza

Got a hankering for some luxurious Japanese cocktails, but can't get to Ginza? These recipes should do the trick.

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