HISTORY
Stranded: Edo Era Castaways in the Russian Empire
In the Edo era, when setting foot on foreign soil was punishable by death, 16 castaways risked it all in an epic…
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HISTORY
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…
POLITICS
Is Free Speech Under Assault in Japan?
Amidst rising anti-Korean discourse in Japan thanks to worsening trade relations, another issue is taking headlines: freedom of speech.
HISTORY
Karafuto: How Japan Gained – and Lost – a Prefecture
The story of how, for a brief period of time, the island of Karafuto controlled by Russia became an official part of…
FEATURED
Sakhalin Island: Japan’s Final Frontier
How Japan's discovery of a large northern island devastated the island's native population - and how Japan lost control when Russia muscled…
CULTURE
Why Japan’s Ainu Recognition Bill Upsets the Ainu
After all these years, the Japanese government officially recognized the Ainu. Here's why the Ainu can't take them seriously.
FEATURED
The Fall of Ezo, Japan’s “Samurai Democracy”
How Japan's samurai resistance fell to the pressure of history - and how its leader went from hatred traitor to respected leader.
HISTORY
The Last Samurai: Enomoto Takeaki and the Warrior Democracy of Ezo
The story of the samurai who fought the rise of modern Japan to the end - and who, when all else failed,…