SOCIETY
Japan’s My Number System Suffers Data Leaks, Backlash
Japan's government really wants you to get a My Number card. But a series of high-profile data leaks is cause for concern.
technology
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SOCIETY
NEWS
Will Japan’s Cigarette Vending Machines Soon Fade Away?
You can still find public cigarette vending machines here and there in Japan. But an upcoming change could drive many into extinction.
NEWS
Japan-Invented Selfie Stick Turns 40 – But The First One Was a Failure
Selfie sticks are now ubiquitous. But did you know that the first one appeared on the scene in Japan way back in…
TECHNOLOGY
Twitter-Addicted Japan Laments the Service’s “Ice Age”
A spate of account freezes has Japanese Twitter users lamenting the service's "Ice Age" and once again asking: should we stay or…
HISTORY
How Odaiba Got its “O”: A Brief Tokyo History
The island of Odaiba is one of Tokyo's major landmarks. Not long ago, however, it didn't even exist. Discover Tokyo history rising…
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
The Galapagos Effect: How Japan Sometimes Ends Up Standing Alone
What happens when technology in Japan develops independently from the rest of the world? A brief history of the Galapagos Effect.
CULTURE
Loose Socks and the Rise of the “Heisei Retro” Trend
Wanna feel old? The Heisei Era just ended and it's already considered "retro". A look at loose socks and other Heisei "throwbacks".
TECHNOLOGY
Will New Law Mean More Delivery Drones in Japan?
Japan has authorized a new tier of drone operations allowing for autonomous flight over residential areas. Here's why that's a game-changer.