JAPANESE LANGUAGE
Why Do Japanese People Say That Chinese Sounds “Scary”?
A recent social media discussion that could have turned dicey instead became a referendum on a single Chinese particle.
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
WOMEN
Japanese Woman Scolded for Taking Menstrual Leave That’s Protected by Law
Why do fewer than 1% of Japanese women use legally protected menstrual leave? One viral complaint has reignited the national debate.
WOMEN
“Foul-Smelling Men”: Demand for Women-Only Shinkansen Seats in Japan Goes Viral
Should Japan's bullet trains have women-only spaces? Proponents say it would protect women, but implementation wouldn't be easy.
SOCIETY
“The Meal-Skipping Crowd”: Cute Japanese Gen Z Slang, or a Sign of Japan’s Poverty?
Are young people skipping meals because they don't want to eat? Or are they just too broke? The data paints a complex…
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
Japanese Social Media Auto-Translation: a Blessing, or a Curse?
Is auto-translation on Japanese social media breaking language barriers or creating new problems? We look at the illusion of certainty and its…
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…
ENTERTAINMENT
Why a Marcille Cosplay at Osaka Expo Resulted in Death Threats
A Japanese cosplayer opened up recently about the slander and threats she received for appearing at Expo as the popular character.
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
Kaiwai: What this Japanese Word Means – and Why it’s Trending
Trying to keep up with your Japanese slang? Then you'd better learn "kaiwai" - one of the year's most-trending terms.