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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Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
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Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
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