The latest Japan travel and culture news

WOMEN

Journalist Ito Shiori Sues Alleged Rapist for 11 Million Yen

She blew the doors off the silence towards rape in Japan, but never received her own justice. But a new lawsuit proves…

CULTURE

Ainu to Receive Grants for Cultural Promotion

Japan's native Ainu residents will receive financial support from the government for the first time - a move that has some right-wing…

WOMEN

Tanaka Mitsu and Japan’s Second Wave Feminist Movement

Bold, outspoken, and controversial. How Tanaka Mitsu became the face of the 1970s Feminist Movement in Japan - and why that rubbed…

SOCIETY

Is It Too Soon for Joint Custody in Japan?

Joint custody might become more common in Japan - but family advocates say the country should do more to protect women and…

FOOD

Baby Star Ramen: The Queen of Japanese Snacks

Who would have thought a bag of dried noodles could taste so good? The origin story of the unlikely Japanese snack that's…

FOOD

“Weird Japan” Strikes Again with Fake McDonald’s Ad

A popular food Web site alleges that McDonald's is running racy ads in Japan. In reality, they're just the latest pub to…

WOMEN

Japanese Women Are Fleeing to Cities in Droves

Everyone, it seems, is fleeing Japan's countryside for the cities - but women greatly outnumber men in the exodus. How are local…

FOOD

Bringing Back Neolithic Japanese Food

How did people in Japan eat 15,000 years ago? One museum in Iwate Prefecture seeks to bring the culinary joys of ancient…