Stories about Japan
Japan officially rebukes Ukraine for comparing wartime emperor with Hitler, Mussolini
"You can love Japan, and be proud to be Japanese, without defending this history of fascism."
Japan's complicated response to the invasion of Ukraine
The Russian invasion has also reinforced Japan as a country unwelcoming to refugees, and has shattered the nation's rejection of nuclear weapons.
Japan confronts the problem of ‘mega solar’
Some residents who live nearby say these "mega solar farms" destroy the environment and bring few benefits to surrounding communities.
Japan's local rail lines become the latest pandemic victim
Japanese railway operators are using COVID-19 to squeeze money out of cash-strapped local governments.
Travel bans, Japan, and me
Thanks to Japan's strict, and, in some ways, incomprehensible COVID-19 travel restrictions for foreigners, it's hard to say when I'll be able to return.
An overview of Indonesia’s coal export ban and Asia’s energy crisis
All coal mining companies in Indonesia are required to reserve 25 percent of their coal supply for domestic sale, which they have been shirking since coal prices skyrocketed internationally in 2021.
Excitement, misgivings over Japan's newest bullet train
The public is questioning the very utility of the new West Kyushu shinkansen line, which complicates travel in certain areas and remains only partially completed.
Japan calls for stricter COVID-19 measures for U.S. military personnel
For some, Japan's "mambo"—the country's quasi-state of emergency—is not enough to deal with the COVID-19 threat that they percieve is being posed by the U.S. military.
Despite widespread opposition, Japan plans to dump water from Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean
"The Pacific is not and must not become the dumping ground for nuclear wastes." - The Pacific Collective on Nuclear Issues
Omicron prompts Japan to attempt “national isolation” once more
Following the identification of a new strain of COVID-19, the Japanese government briefly attempted to completely seal the country's air and sea borders.
Japan named ‘Fossil of the Day’ for ‘clean coal’ plans
Efforts by Japan to reduce carbon emissions over the next decade appear to be marginal at best.
Why can't Japan's opposition parties win?
Despite an all-out effort to coordinate campaign activities, opposition parties once again failed to gain traction with voters.
A McDonald's drive-through in Japan gets a visit from a sacred horse
A popular post on Japanese Twitter provides a glimpse into the long connection between horses and Shinto shrines in Japan.
Prefecture threatens to sue after being ranked one of the “least attractive” places in Japan
The annual survey asks respondents all over Japan to rank the attractiveness of the nation's 47 prefectures based on 84 different attributes, including natural features, cuisine, and tourist attractions.
COVID-19, vaccination and the progress of the global healthcare system
“ … obesity might soon be recognised as a vitally strategic global element in explaining varying COVID-19 levels between rich and poor.”
Quirky Japanese promo campaign launches new brand of rice, just in time for harvest season
The official Japan-wide launch of a new rice brand includes a quirky musical commercial, a social media photo contest, and feelings of anticipation for "new rice."
Athletes’ mental health is neglected in post-Olympic phase, new study finds
With the Olympic Games and the Paralympics both over, there have been concerns about what the fame and spotlight does to athletes post-Games.
What did Japanese people really think about the Olympics?
To gauge public sentiment following the end of the Olympics, Global Voices used the Twitter API to track the online conversation.
Puny opposition no threat to Japan's sickly government
Opposition parties comprising vocal anti-vaxxers and members making unsettlingly inappropriate comments do not appear robust enough to unseat an unpopular Japanese government in the October polls.
Japan's ‘Battleship Island’ hides history of wartime forced labor
"Very little of Japan's history of industrialization presented at their new UNESCO Heritage sites is true."
Belarusian sprinter sent home from Olympics by Belarusian officials says she will ask for asylum
24-year-old Krystsina Tsimanouskaya said she was not worried about being kicked off the national team, but was afraid she would be imprisoned once she arrived in Belarus.
About our Japan coverage
Nevin Thompson is our Japan editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
