Labor-strapped convenience stores in Japan are increasingly turning to exchange students to work the shifts Japanese workers don't want.
Jul 8, 2024 • Subscribe
More like this
Why Japan’s Combini Eat-In Rules are Confusing
Everyone loves Japanese combini. Foreign tourists are enjoying their eat-in spaces too. However, eat-in rules can be confusing.
Are Foreign Tourists Eating All of Japan’s Rice?
Newspapers and TV reports are blaming inbound tourists for Japan's rice shortfalls. However, the numbers don't add up.
Japan’s Earthquake Info: Are Foreign Being Left in the Dark?
This month's earthquake reignited fears of a mega-quake hitting Japan soon. Is Japan doing enough to equip tourists and foreign residents?
Is 7-11 Becoming Japan’s Worst Combini?
7-11 Japan say a new discount campaign is winning back customers. But many say the chain's offerings are still a raw deal.
Tsuki no Hansha de Miteta by Uchu Combini (Album Review) | J-Music Exchange/Rate
It’s almost the end of November already? Time has been going way too fast these past few months… What’s up and welcome back to another installment of J-Music…
Have South Korean Convenience Stores Eclipsed Japan’s Combini?
Korean convenience stores now outnumber Japanese ones per capita. But what’s behind their success, and what makes them different?
Will Eat-in Spaces in Japan’s Combini Disappear?
FamilyMart has announced it'll shutter around a third of its eat-in spaces at stores. Will this move kickstart a trend?
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.
Foreign Residents Decry Japan’s “Legal Worker” Campaign as Harassment
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is cracking down on illegal work - but some say their "awareness campaign" encourages harassment.
Foreign Residents Decry Japan’s “Legal Worker” Campaign as Harassment
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is cracking down on illegal work - but some say their "awareness campaign" encourages harassment.
Foreign Residents Decry Japan’s “Legal Worker” Campaign as Harassment
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is cracking down on illegal work - but some say their "awareness campaign" encourages harassment.
How Foreign-Born University Students Became Animation Coordinators on Wonder Egg Priority
When production began to fall apart, aspiring animators filled in to save the show. Kim Morrissy talks with FAR and Blou about the coordination effort and its reflection…
Battle Athletes ReSTART #01 — Powered by Corn
I would say potatoes, but there's no pun there. Impressions: After the last few plot 'driven' episodes today, it's weird that this one feels at least slightly paced. It's…
Japan’s Most Popular Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurants Among Foreign Residents
It may be under fire in Japan but conveyor belt sushi is still a popular way to grab a quick bite without breaking the bank.
How Are Foreign Tourists Getting Japanese Driver’s Licenses?
Think you need a residence card to get a Japanese driver's license? Turns out you don't - you just need a piece of paper from a hotel.
Japan’s Archaic School Rules Force Some Students to Freeze in Winter
Despite having to walk to school in the bitter cold, some students are forbidden from wearing scarves, warm coats, and even socks.
The Witch From Mercury #06 — Powered By Dead Children
Of course it is. It's a giant robot. Apparently this is having the same production issues as Megaton Musashi and will be off next week with a…
Port Store: When a Japanese Combini Isn’t a Combini
When is a Lawson not a Lawson? When it's a port store. Here's what's up with these "fake-looking" combini in the Tokyo Bay area.
Are Foreign Tourists to Japan The Only Ones Behaving Badly?
Media reports blaming foreign tourists for bad behavior in Japan abound. But some say they're just imitating what the locals do.
Wind powered walker
You probably have seen the videos going around of Theo Jansen's impressive wind powered walking machines. If you haven't check them out. When I saw the the videos I…
Oshi no Ko Episode 9 – An idol group powered by regrets
First of all, I would like to point out that both Minami Kotobuki and Frill Shiranui appeared in this episode after I said last week that they’ll probably…
Japan’s Imperial Family Are Becoming Social Media Influencers?!
The Japanese Imperial family is joining Instagram. Their account goes live on April 1st.
JapanKyo – Interesting news on Japan, podcasts about Japan & more
Are Japan’s Amazon Drivers at Their Breaking Point?
A series of news reports - and a new movie - have taken Amazon Japan to task for the stress it puts on delivery drivers.
Why Are Japan’s Young People Fleeing The Country?
Weak yen, stagnant wages, and economic woes are creating a perfect storm, driving more Japanese youth to look for opportunities outside Japan.
![Featured image for #3010 / RIOBOT / R-2/Powered [Real Personal Trooper Type-2/Powered]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220921/1663726740.43983.74542.jpg)
#3010 / RIOBOT / R-2/Powered [Real Personal Trooper Type-2/Powered]
As of this post, I have taken photos for all three RIOBOT SRX Project units, so I can say I have enough leeway to finally release these two…
![Featured image for #3011 / RIOBOT / R-3/Powered [Real Personal Trooper Type-3/Powered]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20221007/1665108541.44902.75628.jpg)
#3011 / RIOBOT / R-3/Powered [Real Personal Trooper Type-3/Powered]
As of this post, I have completed taking and editing all photos for RIOBOT SRX itself, which means I can release all the galleries related to this set.…
BlueGuns by FantasticYouth (Album Review) ► J-Music Exchange/Rate
Hello and welcome back to another album review in the J-Music Exchange/Rate segment! If you happen to be new here, this is a fun thing I’ve been doing…
NEWPOESY by TAMTAM (Album Review) | J-Music Exchange/Rate
You should always give music a second chance! Hello and welcome back to yet another J-Music Exchange/Rate review! First off, I wanted to apologize; you may have noticed…
![Featured image for eyes by milet [Album Review] | J-Music Exchange/Rate](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210102/1609625668.434.21883.png)
eyes by milet [Album Review] | J-Music Exchange/Rate
Hello there! Before we start, I hope everyone is still doing well, both physically and mentally. The multitude of events that have occurred these past couple months have…
J-Music Exchange/Rate: Shade by iri (Album Review)
All Day, All Day~ All Night, All Night~
xYZ by ExWHYZ (Album Review) ▸ J-Music Exchange/Rate
Of course we start off the year with some idol music 😋 Hello and welcome back to another installment of the J-Music Exchange/Rate, and also welcome to the…
J-Music Exchange/Rate — Chime by sumika (Album Review)
Checkin’ in on everyone’s summer :D
Plagiarism by Yorushika (Album Review) | J-Music Exchange/Rate
It’s wild to me how fast this year went by. 😅 Hello and welcome back to another edition of J-Music Exchange/Rate! In case you’re new, this is a…
Kokkaque by hockrockb (Album Review) | J-Music Exchange/Rate
Reminds me of the times I get jealous whenever I see people get their hands on autographed bromides from buying seiyuu/idol CDs… …anywho, hello and welcome back to…
Dungeon by muque (Album Review) ▸ J-Music Exchange/Rate
Ending the year with a bang(er)!
J-Music Exchange/Rate — DADASTATION by DADARAY (Album Review)
Because you never really do forget your firsts after all ;)
Portrait by chilldspot (Album Review) ► J-Music Exchange/Rate
Ending off yet another great year! Hello and welcome back to J-Music Exchange/Rate! In case you’re new here: this is a fun little segment that I do alongside…
Unmei by V.W.P (Album Review) ▸ J-Music Exchange/Rate
Giving music videos their flowers 🎥
amputasion by SITUASION (Album Review) ▸ J-Music Exchange/Rate
A very special, Valentines-themed edition of the E/R!
Kokyuu by Arekun (Album Review) ▸ J-Music Exchange/Rate
The acoustic guitar: a singer-songwriter’s best friend
BlueGuns by FantasticYouth (Album Review) ► J-Music Exchange/Rate
Hello and welcome back to another album review in the J-Music Exchange/Rate segment! If you happen to be new here, this is a fun thing I've been doing…
J-Music Exchange/Rate ー Sainandawa by Wata Megumi
As they say, better late than never? (XD)
Yoakemae by Atarayo (Album Review) | J-Music Exchange/Rate
The final album review of the year! Hello and welcome back to another installment of J-Music Exchange/Rate! In case you don’t know what this is about: each month,…
J-Music Exchange/Rate — HappyEND by HoneyComeBear (Album Review)
What’s *your* New Year’s resolution? ;)
Gekijo by natori (Album Review) ▸ J-Music Exchange/Rate
Does the ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ idiom apply here?
LOOK by ao (Album Review) | J-Music Exchange/Rate
Happy new year!!! Hello and welcome back to another J-Music Exchange/Rate review! In case this happens to be the first time checking out one of these posts, this…
Queendom by Awich (Album Review) ▸ J-Music Exchange/Rate
"aye bro pass me the aux"
Palette by eill (Album Review) | J-Music Exchange/Rate
♡＼(￣▽￣)／♡ Hello and welcome to another J-Music Exchange/Rate post! In case you’re not sure what this is about: basically me and my good friend/fellow Japanese music fan Leap250…
Why Tourists Are Smitten with Japan’s Popular Egg Cuisine
Forget sushi and ramen. More than ever, tourists to Japan are discovering the delectability of the country's egg-based dishes.
Why Are Universal Studios Japan’s News A Big Deal?
USJ (Universal Studios Japan) took the world by surprise by announcing an expansion to its Super Nintendo World area. Super Nintendo World opened in early 2021 to much…