SOCIETY
4,000 Singles, One Theme Park: How Japan’s Mass Blind Date Brought People Together
A unique event in Saitama opened up an amusement park to men and women. The catch? You needed to find a partner…
relationships
SOCIETY
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:…
CULTURE
“Friendflation”: Japanese Youth Are Saving Money By Cutting Out Friends
Japan joins a worldwide trend of limiting your social network as the cost of having friends becomes prohibitive.
ENTERTAINMENT
Why a 20-Year-Old Japanese Racing Idol Went Searching For a 50-Year-Old Fan
It's common for fans to become obsessed with their idols. But what happens when an idol is worried about one of her…
CULTURE
Rural Men in Japan Are Quitting Their Jobs to Be With Their Partners
It's traditionally been expected that women in Japan will sacrifice their careers for their husbands. That might be changing.
LGBTQ
LGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan’s Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly
After a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action.
SOCIETY
80% of Japan’s Singles are Exhausted From Seeking Marriage, Survey Shows
As Japan's population continues to decline, many singles say the pressure to get hitched is taking a toll.
ENTERTAINMENT
Japanese Idol Fired After Alleged Boyfriend’s Picture Caught in Cup’s Reflection
The controversy renews the debate around the implied (and, sometimes, contractual) rule that idols don't deserve a personal life.