Would you disclose your annual income to find the love of your life? Tokyo's new dating app is betting a lot of people will. Learn more about how prefectures across Japan are launching their own "AI-powered" dating apps in an attempt to stave off population decline.
Renho’s decision to run for Tokyo governor is extremely well-timed. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is currently stinging from a string of electoral defeats in local elections, mostly stemming from a slush fund scandal that’s gravely tarnished its image.
Mine Fujiko wasn’t the only iconic character originated by Masuyama Eiko. The voice actress was also the first to play the transforming heroine Cutie Honey in the original 1973 series of the same name, based on the manga by prolific creator Nagai Gō.
The idol group members say that Onodela will miss today’s performance, However, in the video, we see Onodela enter in her street clothes.
“I’m Onodela Popuko, and today is my last day with this group,” she announces. She then turns to her now-former colleagues and flips them a middle finger.
Suddenly, a figure darted out from the side of the steep stone stairway. Sanetomo would have recognized the man – for not only was he the head priest of Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine, he was also the Shogun’s own blood nephew and adopted son.
ICYMI: The weak yen in Japan has made it more expensive for Japanese citizens to travel abroad. That’s impacting popular tourist destinations like Hawaii - especially Japanese people who bought into expensive timeshare schemes and now can’t use their purchases.
IC transportation cards are an easy way to get around Japan. But five companies in Kumamoto say they can no longer afford to accept them. What does this mean for the ubiquitous IC card's future?
18- and 19-year-olds are the most welcoming of Japan's increase in foreign residents, with over half thinking it’s a good thing. Approval numbers stay above 30% until age 44 - after that, those who are noncommittal or think it’s a bad thing comprise well over half of respondents.
ICYMI: In 2050, Japan will have no more fish in its nets, according to experts. New data released on Friday shows that the domestic harvest of fish hit a record low last year, marking a third year of decline.
ICYMI: For most tourists to Japan these days, the price of restaurant food here is ridiculously cheap. However, with prices rising across the board, more ramen joints are throwing in the towel and emphasizing quality over price.
Authors and fans alike are criticizing reports from TV station NTV and publisher Shogakukan on the death of manga author Ashihara Hinako. Here's what each report claims to have found - and the blistering social media reaction that followed.
ICYMI: Recently, the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture responded to resident complaints by blocking off a famous view that’s been clogged by badly-behaved tourists. However, news reports say that the curtain isn’t doing the job town officials thought it would.
ICYMI: Japan’s host clubs, where young men entertain mainly female guests, have long had a system where women can pay on credit. This system, which is rife with abuse, has been held accountable for the first time as authorities shut down a club over it.
A survey released earlier this year reveals what Japanese citizens think about increased immigration - and shows a substantial split by age. Here's what Japan thinks about the increase in foreign residents - and what they think the government can do to help reduce discrimination and prejudice.
Godzilla and others take center stage in a projection mapping exhibit in Tokyo that some say isn't worth its hefty price tag of USD $11.5 million. Learn about the controversy - and what it might mean for incumbent governor Koike Yuriko - in our latest.
eSIMs are also great when you’re traveling abroad. They enable you to obtain a data plan locally and always have reliable wireless access. This is especially important in Japan, where public wifi hotspots aren’t yet plentiful or reliable.
ICYMI: Recently eye-catching stories support the belief that only foreigners are responsible for the worst manner violations in Japan. However, as some people in Japan point out, citizens shouldn’t be left off the hook.
Former Idol Onodela Popko made waves when she quit her group after just one week over bullying. What's she up to now? Racking up wins, it would seem. Here's why she went viral - and what she's been up to since.
It was one of the most infamous cases of karoshi (working to death) Japan has seen. Learn how the tragic loss of Takahashi Matsuri shook the country, and what changed - and what hasn't - since then.
ICYMI: Local legends urge couples to avoid these spots in Japan like the plague. Some are said to be bad luck. Others aren’t haunted or hexed – they’re just places you shouldn’t go until you and your partner have truly tested your relationship.
Onodera Popko gained fame in 2019 when she quit idol group asterisk* east live on stage, accusing them of bullying before flipping them off. How’d she doing now? Really well: she’s graduated from Waseda and UC Berkeley’s Haas Business School, according to her X account.
Archive: People in South Korea love Japanese food so much that they’re reliving the dining experience in Japan on the streets of Seoul. That recreation goes so far as to have Japanese-only signs and menus, which is technically illegal.
ICYMI: We’re seeing increasing reports of Tourists Behaving Badly. Now, local media is reporting on a special subclass of the annoying tourist problem: visitors who insist on speaking their mother tongue even when Japanese staff clearly don’t understand them.
Japanese police are after a notorious Chinese social media influencer who defaced Yasukuni Shrine to boost his own reputation. Here's what we know about the attack on the controversial shrine that houses Class A war criminals.
Need a better way to get around Japan? There'll be an app for that soon. Learn more about the Welcome Suica app and how it can help you navigate your first time in the country below.