Latest Japan News & Analysis

How Japan Made Christmas Mandarins a Canadian Tradition

A tradition popular in parts of Canada owes its roots to Japanese immigration. Now, some Japanese prefectures want to bring it back home.

Review: “Tokyo Cocktails” is Fascinating Top-Shelf Reading

Tokyo is truly a cuisine capital, admired worldwide. Now, the cocktail and bartending styling of Japan gets its own in-depth treatment in this new book.

Got (More) Milk? Why Japan is Encouraging Consumption

Japan isn't traditionally a large milk-consuming country. So why are politicians encouraging people to drink up?

Japan to Extend Ban on Admission of Non-Resident Foreigners

The blows keep coming for those locked out of Japan, as the government extends its entry ban following the spread of the Omicron variant.

Is James Clavell’s Shogun Accurate History – Or Pure Fiction?

UJ staff writer Dr. Nyri Bakkalian reads and critiques James Clavell's epically long-winded 1975 novel "Shogun" so you don't have to.

A Popular Japanese Bakery Chain Disappears Overnight

All 28 stores suddenly closed. Lenders and employees left unpaid. Its CEO suddenly missing. What the heck happened to Japan's Bellbe?