WOMEN
Why Police Advise Japanese Women Not to Claim Their Lost Property
How a legal oversight allows some men in Japan to turn a nice need into an excuse to meet - and stalk…
law
WOMEN
INSIDER
25 Years Later, School in Japan Fires Teacher for Sex with Student
A former student said her teacher had sex with her in high school. The school fired him - but many online aren't…
SOCIETY
Why Can You Still Not Buy Vapes in Japan?
Why can't vapes be sold in a country that still loves smoking? A look into the complex legal framework that keeps them…
CULTURE
Why You Still Need Cash in Japan: A Cautionary Tale
You just finished your meal at a Japanese restaurant. Then you realize the store only takes cash. Don't panic - here's what…
LGBTQ
In Japan, LGBTQ Protections Depend on Which Town You Live In
Japan just approved its first national LGBT plan. But with no anti-discrimination law and partnership certificates that carry no legal force, a…
LAW & CRIME
Japan’s Internet Wants Uchida Riko Executed. Here’s Why That Won’t Happen
The Internet is calling for blood in the brutal murder of a 17-year-old girl. But prosecutors are following decades of precedent.
LAW & CRIME
“Accidental” Affair? Japan Supreme Court Reconsiders Cheating Damages Award
On June 5, 2026, Japan's Supreme Court issued its first-ever ruling on a question most Westerners don't know Japanese law even asks:…
TRAVEL
Shibuya’s Littering Fine Targets Both Tourists and Trashy Locals
Who's making Shibuya a worse place to live? The ward rolls out a new fine targeting not just tourists, but messy locals.