Stories about Japan
‘Please kill me now': Japanese Twitter reacts to Osaka Expo 2025's unusual new mascot
Japanese Twitter nicknamed the logo "koroshite-kun", which roughly translates as "Mr. Please Kill Me Now."
How the world's six largest economies are faring amidst the global political economy of COVID-19
"The political economy of any one nation, however, is interlinked with the global economy, and because of this the scale of activities in the largest economies really does matter."
Japan reacts to tennis star Naomi Osaka’s protest in support of Black Lives Matter
Before I'm an athlete I am a black woman. And as a Black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand.
Hiroshima Timeline project under fire for racism, fabricated history
An innovative project about the August 1945 bombing of Hiroshima has come under fire for using racist epithets to describe Koreans, political interference, and for potentially fabricating historical source material.
‘Hiroshima Timeline’ uses tweets to portray real-time experience of world's first atomic bombing
Three Twitter accounts use an "on-this-day" format to share observations and experiences of daily life from 75 years ago in the months leading up to the August 6, 1945 bombing.
Popular YouTube channel documents what it is like to be black in Japan
Popular YouTube channel and website The Black Experience Japan features interviews with dozens of Black residents of Japan.
As COVID-19 infections surge, Japan launches travel subsidy campaign
Even as COVID-19 cases continue to climb in major cities in Japan, the government launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging tourism in local communities.
COVID-19 outbreak highlights unaccountability of American military based in Okinawa
Since July 11, COVID-19 transmission has been detected at U.S. bases throughout Okinawa.
Short film demonstrates what it can be like to be black in Japan
A boy must endure and somehow learn, own his own, how to deal with the racist taunts of his new classmates.
June 2020, a month of #BLM in Japan
Black Lives Matter rallies and marches were held in cities across Japan throughout June, part of a global display of solidarity with demonstrators in the United States and other countries.
Tour little-known tourist spots in Japan on YouTube
YouTube channel Anna Film Production produces short videos of interesting and scenic spots in the Kansai region in western Japan.
Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan accused of censorship after taking down Tokyo Olympics parody
The April issue of the club's magazine featured the Tokyo Olympics' emblem depicted in the shape of a coronavirus, which reportedly prompted copyright complaints from the Olympic Organising Committee.
Following COVID-19 closure, Ghibli Museum posts mini-tours online
One of Japan's most beloved tourist attractions is offering short virtual tours on YouTube.
Are Japanese ‘murder hornets’ invading North America?
It's unlikely they will murder you, but they pose a serious threat to apiaries.
Japanese superfood can't combat COVID-19, but may prolong your life
In mid-March, a consumer research company in Japan found that nearly 40 percent of Japanese people they surveyed incorporated special foods into their diet in order to "boost their immune...
Top Japanese pop stars upload music to YouTube to boost spirits during lockdown
With their spring and summer stadium tours canceled, a variety of Japanese pop superstars decided to help lift the spirits of fans who were now largely confined to home.
As Japan's COVID-19 cases jump four-fold, Abe government launches response
Although Japan seemed to have largely contained COVID-19 in February and early March, confirmed cases nearly quadrupled since March 23.
Japan resurrects ‘Amabie’, an ancient supernatural creature, to fight COVID-19
"Was there a monster that was loved so quickly in such a short time?"
‘Comfort women’ documentary generates worldwide interest—and a lawsuit against its director
"My film is about how the 'comfort women' issue is discussed now, and why there are so many people who have devoted so much time and resources towards erasing it"
Battered by criticism, Abe government scrambles to save Japan from COVID-19
"Just cancel it!" (#中止だ中止), a line from the 1988 animated film Akira about the cancellation of the fictional Olympics, accompanied by a screenshot of the movie, trended on Japan Twitter.
About our Japan coverage
Nevin Thompson is our Japan editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
