JAPANESE LANGUAGE
2024 Kanji of The Year Is, Once Again, All About Money
The people have spoken: The Kanji of the Year for 2024 is, once again, 金 (kin, kane), meaning money or gold -…
money
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JAPANESE LANGUAGE
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Japan’s Best-Paying Hourly Jobs? Costco and IKEA
Real wages in Japan have remained pathetically low for several decades. Unless, that is, you work for Costco or IKEA. As the…
FEATURED
Japan’s Ramen Shops Are Shutting Down Faster Than Ever
Ramen shops have been struggling for years. But the combination of low prices and inflation is pushing more stores over the edge…
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
With Japan’s New Money Out, Whither the 2000 Yen Bill?
There's a lot of excitement around Japan's new money. But what will happen to the increasingly rare 2000 yen bill?
TRAVEL
The Weak Yen Has Japanese Travelers Bringing Rice to Hawaii
The weak yen is a big boon to tourists coming to Japan. But for Japanese traveling abroad, it's forcing them to economize,…
POLITICS
New Uproar Over LDP Bondage Party is Second Scandal in Two Months
An ill-considered bondage event has the Youth Division of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party reeling from its second scandal in two months.
WOMEN
New Joint Custody in Japan Law Worries Child, DV Victims Advocates
In a major shift, Japan plans to introduce joint custody post-divorce. Critics worry domestic violence victims and kids may be left behind.
TRAVEL
Is Hokkaido’s Niseko Overpriced? Tourists Can’t Seem to Agree
It's beautiful - but is it overpriced? Domestic ski enthusiasts to Hokkaido's Niseko think so - but inbound tourists beg to differ.