After news of her affair broke, actress Hirosue Ryoko became jobless overnight. Is it indicative of a sexist double standard in Japan?
Jun 19, 2023 • Subscribe
More like this
Female Voices of Japan: Exploring Japan’s All-Female Bands and Ensembles
From jazz improv to rock riffs, classical compositions to pop hits, here are five groups to kickstart your exploration of Japan’s all-female bands and ensembles.
Female Voices of Japan: Unforgettable Projects & Performances
From heartwarming community projects to daring performances with innovative technologies, Japanese women have been pushing the boundaries of creative expression.
Wedding High (2022) [Female Gaze – Japan Society]
Akiku Ohku might not only have delivered her best narrative yet, but one of the best comedy narratives of this year.
Hell’s Paradise #04 — Fishy Affairs
Bad day to be a giant mutant fish in anime. Impressions: I continue to be very lukewarm on this show. We're four episodes in, and I'm still…
Why Does Japan Love Columbo? An Investigation
Sean Aitchison explains how Japan's love of the mystery genre and manzai comedy made for the perfect environment for Peter Falk's Columbo to take root.
STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS ARE FOR THE WEAK
Greetings, and a happy International Women’s Day to everyone! I kept going from one idea to another for today’s post. I’d either write on Kiki’s Delivery Service (because…
Salad Bowl #02 — Sex Work and Affairs
How do you make those so boring? Impressions: This too is a show that exists. Next Episode: Hoops are life.
Japan Society NY & ACA Cinema Project Announce The Female Gaze
At Japan Society New York Nov. 11 to 20.
The Nighthawk’s first Love (2022) review [Female Gaze – Japan Society]
An understated and moving exploration of the impact the demand for the other’s love has on the subject’s ‘relational’ signifiers and acts and of the importance of one’s…
How Long Does a Japan Subway Card Last, Anyway?
Got a Suica or Pasmo card sitting in a desk drawer for your next visit to Japan? Here's how long you have until it deactivates for good.
Female Voices of Japan: 10 Multicultural and Half-Japanese Women Authors
It's no secret that Japanese authors have played a significant role in shaping Japan’s literary landscape. Yet, multicultural and “hafu” authors are often overlooked.
Short Movie Time: Two Of Us (2019) [Female Gaze – Japan Society]
Negishi proves that she is ready to tackle the daunting task of making a feature film.
Why Does A Fancy Christmas Meal in Japan Involve KFC?
Have you ever wondered how Japanese people celebrate Christmas? After all, Christmas is not a national holiday, and less than once percent of the population are Christians. Nevertheless,…
She is Me, I Am her (2022) review [Japan Society – Female Gaze]
Nakamura elegantly unpacks how the corona situation disturbs the field of desire as well how important the presence of bodies is within the societal field driven by desire.
Short Movie Time: Long-Term Coffee Break (2022) [Female Gaze – Japan Society]
Fuelled by great performances and a visually pleasant composition, Fujita confronts the spectator with the subjective weight of a symbolic commitment and the phantasmatic nature of marital harmony.
Dreaming of The Meridian Arc (2022) review [The Female Gaze – Japan Society]
Introduction While Yoshiko Morishita devotes her time mostly at writing screenplays for drama series (e.g. Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World (2004), Tonbi (2013)), she…
Review—A Passion for Japan
Snippets of life from people who have all come to live and search for a passion in the Land of the Rising Sun.
5 Animals Found Only In Japan and Where to See Them
Learn more about Japan's wildlife, from rare cats and wise goats to cute snowy birds and bathing monkeys.
For Your Eyes Only! HobbyLink Japan’s Affiliate Access Sale!
Thinking of getting some hobby stuff on Black Friday? You’re in luck as HobbyLink Japan has you covered thanks to their affiliate access sale which is exclusive to…
Where Does It End?—Looking Up I See Only A Ceiling now on the Switch
A console port of the 2023 EVN Looking Up I See Only a Ceiling by Flynn's Arcade is available to buy on the Nintendo Switch for only $2.99!
Best Shrines For Hatsumode in Japan
Our choices for the top Shinto shrines to ring in the New Year in Japan.
Shopping for Children’s Clothes in Japan
Shopping in Japan for all ages is great fun once you know your way around the different sizing and cultural expectations. Read on for a guide based on…
Only Tezuka…
Young Okuchin, a good-for-nothing student with no prospects for the future, is visited by a strange young man who tells him he’s a thief that steals the futures…
Only Yesterday
Only Yesterday is a 1991 Slice of Life Drama anime film by one of the most beloved animation studios in the world, Studio Ghibli. Compared to other studios…
Only Yesterday
Only Yesterday is a 1991 Slice of Life Drama anime film by one of the most beloved animation studios in the world, Studio Ghibli. Compared to other studios…
Only Tezuka…
Young Okuchin, a good-for-nothing student with no prospects for the future, is visited by a strange young man who tells him he’s a thief that steals the futures…
What Does the ‘U’ Stand For? “Grendizer U” Anime Announced
Every now and then, we get a good couple of years where classic super robot properties get modern treatment. In the late 2000s, we got Kotetsushin Jeeg and…
Olympic Torch Relay’s “Men-Only” Boat Ride Lambasted for Sexism
The Olympic Torch Relay was planned to take a course through a "Men Only" festival boat, but was quickly changed after intense public outcry.
My Darkest Secret, Revealed on Youtube for Okazu Patrons Only!
Become a Patron and enter an exclusive world with me, to learn about the shockingly few things I have ever recommended without reservation here on Okazu! I needed…
That time I only read isekai mangas for a month
I have been pretty much gone for the last month on this blog. But unlike previous times, I have a reason. I have been reading isekai manga lately.…
Travel Plan For Japan 2022 / 2023 For Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
When I heard that Japan was re-opening to general tourism in October 2022 I was happy. There are new procedures and documentation that ar...
Camera Japan Announces Complete Programme for 2021
Runs in Rotterdam 23rd to 26th September & in Amsterdam 30th September to 3rd October
Japan is Back: What’s new for 2023
Japan tours 2023: Japan is well and truly back so here are some exciting places and experiences up for grabs in 2023.
Camera Japan Announces Complete Programme for 2023
In Rotterdam 21st to 24th September and Amsterdam 28th September to 1st October
Practical Advice for Staying Connected in Japan
A reliable mobile connection is vital for staying connected in Japan. Learn how Mobal can help with these practical tips.
Super Hot Jobs in Japan for August
Tech and travel, kitchens and clinical studies, localization and security—we’ve definitely got you covered this month!
When Will Japan Be Open For Travel?
With increasingly brutal restrictions on foreign expats living in Japan now lifted, just how long will an entry ban last on those wishing to visit Japan for tourism?
Camera Japan Announces Complete Programme for 2022
In Rotterdam Sept. 22 to 25 and Amsterdam Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.
Vallejo Mecha Paint Review: How Does It Measure Up For Gunpla?
As we know from Paint Types 101, the type of paint you use for Gunpla matters. In this review, contributor Megaplamo weighs the positives and negatives of using…
The only torture is waiting for 2nd season: Tis time for torture princess Mini Review
As the title says, the real torture is waiting for the second season of Hime-sama “Goumon” no Jikan Desu
Sushiii’s Top 5 Female Characters
March 8th is known as International Women’s Day, so happy Women’s Day readers! A perfect day to appreciate all the women in our lives, whether it’s in real…
Female Empowerment and Strawberry Eggs
Where are the eggs???
I Married My Female Friend
by Shio Usui In this sweet, slice-of-life yuri tale from the creator of Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon (also from Seven Seas), two women go from friends to…
Does Anime Matter?
It’s like asking if fiction matters, or imagination matters.
Spiraken Motion Picture Review: James Bond 007- For Your Eyes Only
In this Twelfth installment of Spiraken Review Podcast's "Bond Marathon/Bond-o-Thon", Xan & Gretta review one of the more divisive Bond Films, where they combined two different Bond Short…
Kageki Shojo!! Manga Review, Vols. 0-5 (for manga-only readers)
I’ll admit it: I have an agenda. It is my goal to spread the word about Kageki Shojo!! and inspire more anime and manga fans to check out…
Re:ZERO vs Japan Sinks: anime for fans vs anime for everyone
A few weeks ago, I made a second attempt to watch Re:ZERO. It’s not exactly an unpopular show, so I figured that maybe the first time around it…
Wordsmiths Wanted for Gaming and Translation: Jobs for June in Japan
Kick off a career in videogames and translation with these Jobs for June in Japan.
Seven Random Characters I’m Not a Fan of, and How I Would Punish Them
There are some anime characters who either do bad things or are just really annoying and for that, I want to punish these characters. I hate these characters…
Is It Sexist To Assume A Cute Art Style Is For A Female Demographic?
Am I being sexist in this situation?