The latest Japan travel and culture news

History

Japan’s “Oldest Known Writing” is Just Permanent Marker: Experts

A stone thought to contain Japan's oldest known writing now appears like it might just be the result of sample contamination.

LGBTQ

Tokyo Court Denies Transgender Parent Legal Rights To Own Child

How an outdated Japanese law and no same-sex marriage rights denied one transgender parent legal guardianship of her own biological child.

Women

Japanese Woman’s “Death by Housework” Goes Unacknowledged

A woman was worked to death - but since it was "just housework", Japan's government won't acknowledge it. How her family is…

Entertainment

‘Bullet Train’ is Fantasyland-Japan Action Pulp

David Leitch's 'Bullet Train' is the latest in a long line of Hollywood films to portray 'weird Japan.' But is it any…

Japanese Language

Japanese Language School That Padlocked Student Gets Stiff Penalty

The government of Japan sanctions a language school for its horrific treatment of a student - but the school's fighting back.

Food

Mugicha: A Short History of Japanese Barley Tea

It's been a staple since Japan's Heian era. Learn about the history of mugicha (Japanese barley tea) and why it remains so…

Business and Economy

The Number of Vending Machines in Japan is Dwindling

It's been known as the "kingdom of vending machines" for years. So why is the number of vending machines in Japan falling…

Patreon

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.