HISTORY
A Forgotten Tohoku “Tree War” and an Enduring Rivalry
To this day, a rivalry exists between the northern Japanese prefectures of Aomori and Iwate. And its source? A bunch of trees.
Tohoku
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HISTORY
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
Zuzu-ben: How Japan’s Northern Dialects Became Shorthand for “Hick”
Why a wide range of local dialects in Japan's north are intrinsically - and unfairly - associated with rural backwardness.
TRAVEL
Promoting Prefectures Through Punny Pokemon
The Local Acts initiative is helping promote prefectures through pokemon, including many that were affected by the Tohoku Earthquake.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Japan Reacts to the Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake on Twitter
From the humorous to the reflective, people in Japan took to Twitter to share their experiences of this weekend's strong earthquake.
POLITICS
Meet the Activists Who Want the Tokyo Olympics Cancelled
Japan's politicians insist the Tokyo Olympics will happen in 2021 no matter what. We talked to activists who are fighting to stop…
SOCIETY
Survey Reveals Japan’s Enormous Dependence on Child Care Institutions
A new survey conducted by the Japanese government brings to light just how many kids are left to wallow in Japan's foster…
CULTURE
The Lesser-Known Festivals of Japan: Dangerous Edition
Bamboo battles, precarious log rides, and a literal firefight make up three festivals in Japan that'll get your blood pumping - but…
CULTURE
A Disconnected Phone in Japan Connects Survivors to the Departed
How a lonely "wind phone" in Japan's Iwate Prefecture provides a sense of solace to survivors of the 2011 tsunami.