BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Is Japan Poor? Konbini’s New “Rice and Sauce” Dish Sparks Social Media Debate
Is Lawson Store 100's new dish a sign of Japan's dire economic straits? Or is it just responding to consumer demand?
social media
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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
CULTURE
Rail Enthusiasts in Japan Keep Causing Headaches for Passengers, Locals
Tourists aren't the only ones causing ire in Japan: incidents of badly behaved railway photographers are on the rise.
TRAVEL
Suica Penguin Retirement Announcement Sparks Fan Outcry in Japan
The character, created by a children's book author, has been the face of the popular transit card since its inception in 2001.
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.
ENTERTAINMENT
Japan’s Latest Hit Capsule Toy Is Random People
The photos of random government IDs are the latest in a long line of offbeat collectibles that span the toy's 60-year history.
TRAVEL
Eating On People’s Porches: Overtourism Overwhelms Ine, Japan’s “Venice of the East”
The iconic boat house village saw nearly 480,000 visitors in 2024 - an estimated 270 times its population.
TRAVEL
Japanese Cities Use Social Media to Teach Tourists Manners
Multiple locations across Japan are using social media and good old-fashioned pamphleteering to combat the negative effects of overtourism.
INSIDER
Modern Day Extortionists: The Scummy World of Japan’s “Exposé” Influencers
(Subscriber content) Two men invaded the home of an "exposé" influencer, beat him, and microwaved his phone. Here's why few people feel…