history

SOCIETY

The Shocking Consequences of Mental Illness Stigma in Japan

Despite having a fairly efficient health care system, Japan lags behind in providing both awareness and support for mentally ill people.

POLITICS

Resistance and Acceptance in the Allied Occupation of Japan

How the Allied Occupation plunged Japan into a national Five Stages of Grief - and how it permanently changed Japanese society and…

CULTURE

Taking Laughter Seriously: A History of Japanese Comedy

How comedy and the concept of laughter in Japan evolved from seriousness to silliness.

ENTERTAINMENT

Illegal Hero? China’s Legally Dubious Ultraman Movies Rile Japanese Fans

A Chinese production company continues releasing Ultraman movies that Ultraman's Japanese producers say are illegal. Are they legitimate - or another Chinese…

FOOD

Rice Flight: Why Japan’s Eating Less Rice Than Ever

Japan is considered synonymous with rice. So why has consumption decreased steadily for decades?

SOCIETY

Dawn of a New Era: Why Japan’s Calendars Will Change With the New Emperor

When Crown Prince Naruhito becomes Emperor this year, a new era will literally dawn in Japan. Alyssa Pearl Fusek explores the history…

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

Colors in Japanese: Not as Black and White as You’d Think

Did you know that Japanese once only had four colors? A look at the interesting evolution of color vocabulary in the Japanese…

CULTURE

Mottainai Culture: The History and Philosophy of Waste in Japan

Though sometimes honored more in the breach than the observance, Japan's philosophy of "waste not, want not" strongly influences everyday culture.