Featured stories about Japan
Stories about Japan
20 August 2017
A New Documentary Shows the Human Side of Male Sex Work in Japan
"The clients are powerful," says one interviewee in "Boys For Sale." "I end up giving in... So no matter what the customer forces me to do. I cannot really refuse."
13 August 2017
On Anniversary of Nagasaki Bombing, Japanese Government Criticized For Refusing to Sign Ban on Nuclear Weapons
“Whose country are you leader of anyway?” — a representative of survivors of the 1945 bombing lashes out at Prime Minister Abe Shinzo
3 August 2017
Japan Reacts With Alarm to Venomous Fire Ant Invasion
Fire ants have never been observed in Japan before.
21 July 2017
Between Worlds: The Complicated Life of a Young Japanese Returnee
'We said "sorry" in Japanese, to which she replied, “Oh, you're Japanese? Then always speak Japanese, you foreigner!”'
20 July 2017
A Look Back at Japan's Transformative ‘Showa Era’
One Twitter account combs encyclopedias, photo magazines, guidebooks and other sources for nostalgic images from Japan's postwar recovery.
16 July 2017
15 Movies That Speak to the Complex Relationship Between Taiwan and Japan
Only since the late 1980s have filmmakers begun to examine the two countries' history, from colonial rule and World War II to present day.
14 July 2017
The Unusual, Sometimes Mysterious Bookmarks Found in Used Books in Japan
"This handmade bookmark in my second-hand book is so cool."
12 July 2017
Japan Celebrates Day Devoted to Sticky, Aromatic Cultured Soy Beans
On Monday, July 10, Japan feted its favorite food made from cultured soy beans: natto.
7 July 2017
In Effort to Stop Anti-Korean Hate Speech, Osaka Mayor Wants to Loosen Internet Privacy Laws
For more than a decade, Osaka and other communities with large populations of ethnic Korean residents have struggled to deal with far-right organizations that target ethnic Koreans and other minorities.
Early Typhoon Brings Torrential Rains and Deadly Flooding to Japan
"It's become apparent there has been massive destruction."
29 June 2017
Beatles Memorial Day Marks the Anniversary of the Iconic Band’s First Visit to Japan
The 1966 visit by the Beatles to Japan is regarded as a turning point in Japanese postwar culture.
17 June 2017
Japan's Controversial Anticonspiracy Bill Becomes Law
"It's possible that the law, which is intended to deal with organized crime groups, will expand to affect ordinary citizens."
16 June 2017
Japanese Traditional Sweets Day Means Twitter Is Full of Mouth-Watering Photos of ‘Wagashi’
Did you know Japan has observed "traditional sweets day" on June 16 for more than a thousand years?
10 June 2017
Locals Rejoice as Restart Planned for Nuclear Power Plant
The reactor restarts are welcome news to isolated host communities. However, residents of one of Japan's most densely populated regions are fearful about the potential for another massive nuclear accident.
3 June 2017
A Hashtag in Support of Victims Takes Off on Japanese Twitter After a High-Profile Journalist Is Accused of Sexual Assault
In Japan, as in other countries, many sexual assaults go unreported, but one victim has decided to go public in the hope of getting justice.
27 May 2017
On the 45th Anniversary of Okinawa's Return to Japan, People Protest US Presence
It's been 45 years since the United States returned Okinawa to Japan. But American bases still dominate the landscape, and the politics of the prefecture.
22 May 2017
In Japan, Plastic Food Models Aren't Just for Restaurants Anymore
"Is there anyone out there who is going to say, "Wow, cool, I can customize my smartphone case with salmon roe?" I think I'll be the only one."
20 May 2017
Japanese Committee Clears Path for Vague and Controversial Anti-Conspiracy Bill
The legislation will cover nearly 300 crimes if it passes. Critics have argued personal liberties are at stake.
13 May 2017
How ‘Aspie’ Is Misunderstood, Mistranslated and Misused In Japan
"Will (people living with Aspergers syndrome) be happy to hear the term asupe used as slang, I wonder?"
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