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Japan Train Molester Arrested After Climbing “Unclimbable” Fence
A groping incident on a Tokyo train involved a dramatic escape attempt. Sadly, too many other molestation cases in Japan end in silence.
Shinjuku Restaurant Serves Kimchi – But Not to Korean or Chinese People
A restaurant in Tokyo's Shinjuku proudly says it won't serve Korean or Chinese customers. Is that against Japanese law?
In Japan, It’s Not Just the Elderly Dying Alone
Japan is seeing a spike in people - even the young - dying alone in their homes. And authorities say they expect the problem to get worse.
Kuroyanagi Tetsuko: Japan’s Queen of TV Talent
An institution in Japan, Kuroyanagi Tetsuko has been on Japanese TV for as long as it's existed. But her beginnings were less promising.
Inside the Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s Biggest Literary Award
The Akutagawa Prize has made the career of many up-and-coming Japanese writers - but it's not without its controversies.
Bad Benches: Shinjuku Uses Hostile Architecture Against Street Drinking
Has hostile architecture come to Japan? Social media users decry the rise of benches that make sitting impossible.
The Boyfriend: Japan’s First Same-Sex Dating Reality Show’s A Global Hit
Critics worldwide are hailing Japan's The Boyfriend as great TV - and LGBTQ advocates say it's just the message that Japan needs right now.
Hokkaido Urges Businesses to Adopt Two-Tier Pricing for Travelers
Hokkaido joins the call for two-tier pricing for tourism in Japan, calling on businesses to give prefectural residents a discount.
Do These Summer Heat-Beating Japanese Products Actually Work?
Japan has a slew of products on shelves aimed at dealing with the intense summer heat. Are they worth it - and do they work?
Why Kyoto Tourists are Happily Paying $63 for Rice Bowls
Two-tier pricing is trending in Japan. Kyoto isn't immune, with some stores charging inbound travelers up to $63 for rice and fish.
Japanese Atomic Bomb Survivor Memorial Desecrated in Seattle
A statue of atomic bomb survivor Sasaki Sadako in Seattle was cut off at its feet in an apparent robbery for its precious metals.
$650 Watermelon?! The History of Luxury Fruit in Japan
Would you pay $20 for a bunch of grapes? Many people in Japan do. Here's more on the history and purpose behind luxury fruit.
Mt. Fuji Claims Four Victims as Hiking Season Starts
Four people have died this year already on Mt. Fuji, and more have needed rescuing. (And the victims don't appear to be foreign tourists.)
Toyoko Kids: The Dangers Faced by Japan’s Street Youth
How a lack of options leads the so-called "Toyoko Kids" to hang out in the streets of Kabukicho - and a look at the dangers they face there.
Morioka’s Sansa Odori Festival Dances the Demon Away
It's a must see event if you'll be in Japan in August. Learn about the history and tradition behind the Morioka Sansa Odori Festival.
Osaka Court Again Overturns Asylum Denial for LGBTQ Refugee
Is Japan warming up to refugees? An Osaka court has overturned a denial of a gay man's request for asylum - the second time it's done so.
Will These Japanese Towns Be Mostly Foreigners by 2050?
As Japan welcomes an increasing number of foreigners per year, one report predicts these towns may be mostly immigrants in a few decades.
Japanese Idol Fujisaki Nagi Takes Break After Home Intrusion
The break-in of Japanese idol Fujisaki Nagi's home highlights the ongoing struggle in Japan against Internet harassment.
With Japan’s New Money Out, Whither the 2000 Yen Bill?
There's a lot of excitement around Japan's new money. But what will happen to the increasingly rare 2000 yen bill?
Racing into Trouble: The Real-Life “Mario Kart” Saga in Tokyo
Ever wanted to drive a real-life "Mario Kart" around Tokyo? You can - but many people who live in Tokyo really wish you wouldn't.
Japan’s Combini are Increasingly Powered by Foreign Exchange Students
Labor-strapped convenience stores in Japan are increasingly turning to exchange students to work the shifts Japanese workers don't want.
Could Japan Become Anti-Child as Population Declines?
More people are remaining single and childless than ever in Japan. Could that feed into existing anti-child sentiments in the nation?
New Survey Reveals Top Tourist Troubles in Japan
What do tourists struggle with the most in Japan? A new survey by the Japanese government contains some intriguing answers.
Exchange Students to Japan Warn: Japan Isn’t Like Anime
A Japanese reporter asked exchange students what they thought about life in Japan. Their answers, she says, are sobering.
Japan’s Supreme Court Rules Forced Sterilizations Were Unconstitutional
Japan's Supreme Court says that the country's former eugenics law violated the country's Constitution, opening the door for compensation.
Will Toyota Implement a Four-Day Work Week?
As workers continue to struggle with work/life balance, Toyota may become the latest Japanese company to implement a flexible work schedule.
As Tokyo’s Subway Suicides Spike, Where Are The Platform Doors?
An apparent spike in self-harm incidents at Tokyo subway stations in June raises the question: why do some stations still lack platform doors?
Japanese City Prosecutes Resident for Riding Electric Suitcase
A Chinese resident of Osaka learned the hard way recently that, in Japan, you can't ride your luggage on the sidewalk.
Tokyo Marathon 2025 To Include Nonbinary and Disabled People
The Tokyo Marathon, saying it wants to be the most inclusive race in the world, is adding nonbinary and Duo categories this year.
Review – “Illusory Dwellings: Aesthetic Meditations in Kyoto”
Mystified by the depths of Japanese aesthetic tradition? Then Allen S. Weiss' new book, "Illusory Dwellings", may be for you.
Pets OK, No Foreigners: The Reality of Housing Discrimination in Japan
What's it like renting in Japan? For many resident foreigners, it's a humiliating ordeal - and it's even worse if you aren't white.
The Best Way to Get Around in Japan
You're coming to Japan! But how do you get from point A to point B? Here's a guide to the best ways to get around the country.
Tokyo’s Election Poster Boards are Out of Control
A legal loophole has enabled one party to "hijack" the official election boards for the Tokyo governor's race - and the result is pure chaos.
Shinjuku and Shibuya Introduce New Street Drinking Bans
Shibuya will ban street drinking all year around, while Shinjuku will bar it during Halloween. Not everyone thinks it's a good idea.
Yosakoi Festivals: The Global Phenomenon of a Local Dance
Kochi's Yosakoi festival has spread around the world due to the way it uniquely centers creativity and freedom.
New Silent Cafe in Osaka Employs Mostly Deaf Staff
A new cafe in Osaka that employs mostly deaf and hard-of-hearing staff builds on Japan's growing tradition of cafes that revel in silence.
Men in Japan Harass Female Athletes with Infrared Cameras
Some men in Japan have been violating female athletes with nonconsensual photography for years. But this...
Himeji Castle’s Two-Tier Pricing Proposal for Tourists Sparks Backlash
Himeji Castle says it may charge foreign tourists four times more than locals. Is two-tier pricing in Japan sending mixed messages?
Just how LGBTQ-friendly is Japan in 2024?
In 2024, Japan crept closer to equality and acceptance for LGBTQ people. However, full equality still remains out of reach for many.
Japan Can Now Revoke Permanent Residency for Missed Taxes, Forgotten ID
Don't leave your wallet at home: a new law means Japan can kick out permanent residents for not paying taxes - or even not carrying ID.
When in Japan, Avoid the Bar Barkers at All Costs
It's illegal in Japan to target people on the street and lure them into a bar. So why do so many businesses do it anyway?
On Azabudai Hills and Japan’s New Tallest Building
The major Azabudai Hills development, home to Japan's new tallest building, opened late last year. What's it like - and what does it mean for Tokyo?
Report: Japan’s Gender Gap Fails to Improve in 2024
The latest report on the world's gender gap shows Japan has failed to make any meaningful progress for several years running.
Akihabara: Why Otaku are Fleeing Tokyo’s Geektropolis
Akihabara is Japan's geek epicenter. Or is it? Some say that, as geek culture changes, the former otaku paradise is losing its luster.
Japanese Police Encouraged Racial Profiling, Plaintiffs’ Evidence Shows
Plaintiffs in a racial profiling case in Japan have submitted damning evidence that the Aichi police made profiling foreigners a policy.
Are More Tourists Getting Defrauded in Japan?
More tourists to Japan report getting overcharged or just plain ripped off for goods and services. Here's how to avoid getting fleeced.
Sayonara, Doctor Yellow: Shinkansen Test Train Headed for Retirement
It's said that "seeing it brings happiness." But no more: Japan's famous "Doctor Yellow" diagnostic Shinkansen train is entering retirement.
The Most Popular Sushi Ingredients: How Japanese & Foreign Tastes Differ
How does Japan like its sushi? Here are the most popular ingredients for the dish - and how its consumption differs abroad.
Separate Spousal Surnames: Japan Business Group Says Law Must Change
Japanese spouses can't legally have separate last names. The head of Japan's most powerful business group says that's a real problem.
When Eating Kaiten Sushi, Don’t Make This Fatal Mistake
It's easy to breach etiquette when traveling. But even 1 in 10 Japanese people say they've made this error with revolving (kaiten) sushi.