Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
November, 2015 (Page 6)
WIN Gallup International recently announced the results of their international survey on people’s willingness to fight for their country. Despite recent changes to the constitution, it turns out Japanese Johnnies are least likely to get their guns among all nations surveyed.
Nestlé Japan is famous for producing unusual Kit Kats but this December they’re set to release their most unique version yet: a Kit Kat encased in real gold.
Show your off your love for cats and awesome fashion this winter with an adorable “cat scarf” from Felissimo!
With December less than two weeks away, Japanese companies are beginning to make preparations for their annual bounenkai (end-of-year) and shinnenkai (New Year) parties. Even if they’re the kind of people who sometimes duck out on after-work drinks with the boss, most Japanese employees are painfully aware that skipping the biggest corporate celebrations of the year is tantamount to career suicide.
Because large-scale events usually require more space than your average drinking party, many Japanese companies have recently been moving away from typical sit-down enkai banquets and are holding more Western-style events where staff are encouraged to move around freely and interact over a few drinks.
But according to a recent survey, these Western-style work socials are overwhelmingly unpopular in Japan. Here are the top seven reasons why.
If you take a seat on the Yokohama subway next month don’t be surprised if a warlord from China’s Three Kingdoms period advises you on proper public transport behavior.
Wei leader Cao Cao showing you how to give up your seat, or legendary warrior Lu Bu advising you not to run onto trains are but two of the nine posters recently previewed online. Let’s take a look at them all!
If we had to pick one thing that represented how Japanese food maybe isn’t quite as healthy as generally perceived, it would probably have to be the bento lunchbox. Bento are readily available practically everywhere in Japan—when not being handmade for you by a parent or spouse, usually in the shape of Pokémon characters and the like—and are widely consumed by office workers and other day laborers as a cheap, convenient lunch.
Despite healthy origins back in the old days, bento—perhaps by design—have become increasingly unhealthy, with your standard box available from a retailer or food truck usually weighing in at a thousand calories (or frequently even more) and containing a bunch of fried food in addition to huge portions of rice.
But heck, when a filling, albeit cholesterol and calorie-packed bento sets you back only a measly 200 yen (US$1.50) over at discount supermarket Lamu, well, we’ll happily do the extra time on the treadmill.
Looking for something tooty-fruity for your booty? How about these tasty-looking fruit toilet paper rolls?
Pirate manga pirates promptly pinched by prefectural police.
After these passengers got stranded, they walked the rest of the way in such a precise line they practically became a train themselves.
Yohjo Simulator was released into the world this week, but it seems that the world might not have been ready for it.
So hungry you could devour an entire onsen resort’s worth of food? Time to make some noodles—with a twist!
Sniper Wolf figure hits the bullseye where a love of boobs, video games, and dogs overlap.
This video quiz just might be the first step to acquiring the speed and precision to become a revolving sushi master.
Working at RocketNews24 sort of desensitizes you to craziness, but even we were surprised when we found out our two new coworkers are gigantic eight-foot-tall teddy bears. Things just got weirder as we heard the story of how they found their way to our office, but hey, it’s not like we mind having two new cuddly heartthrobs to share our workspace with!
Despite Japan’s relative safety, abundance of delicious food, fascinating culture, and friendly people, the country still lags behind as a tourist destination for foreign travellers. So the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are the perfect opportunity for Japan to show off its famed omotenashi hospitality to the droves of foreign visitors who’ll be pouring into Tokyo to spectate.
As foreigners who’ve been living in Japan for a while, we think we might have some pretty good ideas about certain things Japan could do in order to make things a little easier on this influx of foreign guests…
Ready to troll your friends by sending them a traditional incredibly inconvenient Japanese gift? Then read on!
Halloween has already passed, but when you’re talking about amazing steampunk-inspired outfits and accessories, like these custom-made motorized goggles, who needs a reason to dress up? Check out how this crafty Japanese Twitterer turned some spare parts into a work of art!
One of the artists for popular light novel and manga series Gosick posted these amazing popup-style drawings on Twitter recently, where they were immediately shared hundreds of times by impressed otaku. Using just pencil, paper, and an open book they’ve been able to bring the characters into the 3D world with clever techniques.
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
New cafe in trendy Tokyo neighborhood is staffed by grannies and grandpas with average age of 73
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Japan now has stricter requirements for foreigners applying for citizenshipPokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the countryPokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New cafe in trendy Tokyo neighborhood is staffed by grannies and grandpas with average age of 73
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Japan now has stricter requirements for foreigners applying for citizenship
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
The Almost All Lettuce Burger from Dom Dom Burger really lives up to its name
Every weekend is an itasha car show at Akihabara’s UDX parking garage
Starbucks Japan unveils epic Frappuccino hunt with five to find in new Star birthday campaign
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Electric conveyor belt sushi kit brings the fun of a revolving sushi restaurant into your home
