The latest Japan travel and culture news

POLITICS

Why Did North Korea Arrest, Then Deport, a Japanese Man? (UPDATED)

The mystery surrounding a Japanese man whom North Korea said it arrested earlier this year only deepened when it announced they were…

ENTERTAINMENT

Manga Artist Sakura Momoko, Chibi Maruko-chan Creator, Dead at 53

The author of the manga behind one of Japan's most long-running animes is dead of breast cancer at the young age of…

SOCIETY

De-Population in Japan: No Easy Fixes?

The continued downward spiral of Japan’s population hasn't been helped by the slowdown in the Japanese economy. Emma Ford combines personal experience…

CULTURE

In Japan, Even Your Bags Get White-Glove Treatment

In Japan, it's often said that "the customer is God" - a philosophy that extends equally to customer's luggage.

LAW & CRIME

Two Men Arrested for Hibiki Whiskey Fraud in Japan

Japan's Hibiki shortage is proving profitable for some scammers.

TECHNOLOGY

Daylight Savings and the Emperor’s Abdication Have Japan IT Freaking Out

A double whammy posed by two looming events has Japan's IT community wondering how they'll ever be able to test their code…

FOOD

A Famous Manga and a Famous Sake Team Up for Disaster Relief

Production of one of Japan's most loved sake brands was halted due to the July floods. But the brewery is making the…

SOCIETY

Meet the Bad-Ass 78-Year-Old Japanese Man Who Rescued a Lost Toddler in 20 Minutes

A 78-year-old rescue worker told a camera crew he had come to the town of Suou-Ooshima to join the search for a…