Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Casey Baseel spent his formative years staring in frustration at un-subtitled Japanese TV programming shown on Southern California’s international channel. Taking matters into his own hands, he moved to Tokyo to study the language, then found work in Yokohama a decade ago teaching, translating, and marketing hotels he can’t afford to stay in. When not participating in the eternal cycle of exercising to burn the calories form his love of Japanese food, Casey scours used comic and game shops for forgotten classics, drags his wife around the country in a quest to visit all its castles, sings karaoke not nearly as well as he thinks he does, and counts the days until the summertime bars open on Enoshima Beach.
Posted by Casey Baseel (Page 528)
Earlier this month, we looked at a collection of photos taken by the late Kusakabe Kimbei that showed the cityscapes of Japan as they looked in the late 1800s, right before the country’s rapid modernization. But Kimbei didn’t just photograph Japan, he also photographed the Japanese, so today we’re taking another trip back in time, but with a more personal touch, with dozens of photographs that show what daily life was like for the people of Japan generations ago.
What happens when your “prank” isn’t really a prank, but it is kind of awkward? This might take a while…
Does that beautiful breakfast look like it came from the kitchen of a high-class ryokan inn or loving Japanese family? Guess again – it’s all from 7-Eleven!
With its brushstroke-style Japanese text, this T-shirt might look cool, but it’s literally ridiculous.
Because sometimes a sweatshirt with a kitty cuddle pouch isn’t enough. Oh, and also you have to poop.
A rubber suit monster, surreal humor, and a heaping helping of sexual subtext that has nothing to do with the product itself? This might be the alpha and the omega of Japanese commercials.
2-D heroines get a boost from 3-D perspective and an extremely talented fan.
Oxford Dictionaries, the online arm of the publisher of the Oxford Dictionary of English, has announced that its 2015 Word of the Year is an emoji. No, not the word “emoji,” but a single, specific emoji.
If you ever thought you’d have to go to a galaxy far, far away to sit in the cockpit of a Star Wars X-wing fighter, you were wrong. All you have to do is go to Singapore.
You know all those cool-looking anime warriors with a katana strapped to their back? It turns out some of them would be really easy to beat in a fight, and it’s all the artist’s fault.
Satoshi Tomizu calls his amazing creations Space Glass, and there’s really no better way to describe them.
If you’ve got a cat or dog you love, odds are you’ve got a few pictures of your animal companion on display around the home you share. But what if you could give those visual reminders of your precious pet a loving pat on the nose?
Java sparrows are pretty popular pets in Japan, where they’re called buncho. But even though buncho literally means “literature bird,” some of the cute little creatures apparently have more of a gift for music, like in this video of one Java sparrow dancing adorably to the sounds of one of Japan’s most popular rock bands and singing along like he’s at karaoke.
When running a full marathon, you want to make sure you’re outfitted with the proper equipment, like supportive, well-cushioned athletic shoes, sunglasses to keep the glare out of your eyes, and, of course, a frilly anime magical girl skirt so you can cosplay as you run.
Now in its third year of testing, the artificial intelligence just earned its best mock entrance exam score yet.
There’s a long backstory to this figure inspired by virtual idol Hatsune Miku, but here’s the condensed version: She’s got no pants, or underwear, for that matter.
Last weekend, Tokyo’s two most famous structures switched their usual lighting to blue, white, and red in a showing of solidarity with the French people.
“I never thought this day would come,” says the Final Fantasy VII hero. Neither did we, Cloud. Neither did we.
The world’s biggest virtual idol is returning to the U.S. on a new concert tour, and also making her Canadian performance debut.
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know aboutFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
New Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Giant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goodsFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
