Japanese high school girls may be some of the thinnest in the world, but more than half think they’re fatties, and only a third are happy with their bodies.
Richard Simmonds
Originally from Sussex in the UK, Richard came to Japan for the first time in 2011 to teach English. Deciding that only one stint as a student wasn’t enough he returned to go to university in Osaka where he still lives, working slowly towards his inevitable destiny of being killed in an avalanche of manga and textbooks, surrounded by the discarded wrappers of assorted matcha-flavour sweets and biscuits. Whilst continuing his love-hate- hate relationship with the Japanese language he works as a translator, writer and sometime bar pet gaijin.
Posted by Richard Simmonds (Page 3)
Can comedians Takashi and Saito-san use their power of alopecia for good, and get kids studying kanji?
The (culinary) world goes topsy-turvy with mint chocolate chip sushi and fish-flavoured doughnuts.
Hint: marriage might be more likely to go well if the sight of your beloved-to-be doesn’t make you throw up a little in your mouth.
Bathe in the warm glow of owning something recycled, and a light bulb, with these magic cardboard lamps.
Students rejoice and adults gripe as the government Agency for Cultural Affairs declares some writing “rules” undecided.
Normally feel a bit peckish during an ultra-marathon? Then stop for some udon noodles, six times!
Japanese exam writers have a sense of humour, confound students who studied rather than pursued romance.
Feel like Vulcan in his forge and work metal with your bare hands with just a roll of cheap foil.
The slide in a children’s playground in Ehime, not suitable for children, will be no more after injuries and safety worries.
Manners maketh the man. Unless he’s at a convenience store, according to some Japanese social media users as debate over manners erupts.
According to one little sister, the key to getting a girlfriend or boyfriend? Loneliness, and not going to amusement arcades on your own.
As the old saying goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, not through sewage pipes.
The universe’s cutest Star Warrior, and star of Nintendo games, Kirby uses his Copy Ability to become huggable…that or it’s an adorably soft toy.
Solve the puzzle to unlock a door, surely! …what do you mean “maybe we should take a break from gaming?”
Who needs love, when you’ve got friends, and 15.2 people’s worth of chocolate? And we can at least help with the last one, with a yummy recipe!
Clearing snow is hard work. Besides, you don’t need to see where you’re going when you’re driving, right?
Father-to-be from Arizona gets more than the one million Facebook likes needed to persuade his wife to call their newborn Son Goku.
Survey reveals foreign visitors of different nationalities have similar tastes when it comes to Japanese experiences, but not Japanese food.
Hokkaido-based chocolatier Royce‘s limited-edition Valentine’s Day chocolates will have you salivating, and dusting off your Gollum impression.
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Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
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New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
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East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
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Monthly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
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Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]- Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Yearly
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
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
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Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
7-Eleven Japan debuts new black-and-white rice ball packaging…but is it because of a naphtha shortage?
Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
These rare eggs cost more than a typical meal in Japan but are they really that special?
Family Mart’s new Gyoza Dog proves Japanese convenience store food hits different
Sizzling on a hot plate?! American sushi rolls break all the rules at this Japanese restaurant
Japan’s Pikachu and Eevee Pokémon mailboxes to be removed at end of month
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New research reveals that the key to efficient memorization may be in exhaling
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
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