Like a star athlete who just won a championship, video game heroine Lightning has followed up on saving the world of Final Fantasy XIII by landing an endorsement deal.
Global (Page 13)
Admirers of the virtual female form are claiming victory as they point to the growing discrepancy in the view-count between promotional videos starring the bikini-clad vixens of Dead or Alive Xtreme and the battle-ready Princess Zelda of Hyrule Warriors Legends.
Beyond silly mistakes like wearing toilet slippers on tatami or forgetting to add “san” to someone’s name, what other things do foreigners unknowingly do to reduce their chances of living happily in Japan?
And just like that, 2015 was no more! It’s now January 1 all the way across Asia, which means it’s officially the Year of Monkey! Happy New Year, everyone!
We’ll be putting our feet up for the rest of today, but we promise we’ll be back tomorrow with more of the news, cuteness, cats, food, fukubukuro, Mr Sato and all the weird and wonderful stuff from Japan and Asia that you know—and hopefully love—us for.
Thank you for continuing to visit our site, share our stories and follow us on Twitter and Facebook (281K and counting!!), and for helping us to grow and grow. 2015 was very good to us, but here’s hoping that 2016 will fill us all with the sprightly energy of a whole mess of merry monkeys and that we can continue to make our little site even better—although hopefully without any poo-slinging.
Stay tuned, Rocketeers, and have yourselves a great New Year’s Day!
Our favourite family of Munchkin cats (and a dog!) do battle with a motorised duelling Yoda in this adorable video!
An amazing scale model artist has created a rideable steampunk mecha for a Sylvanian Family doll, out of… a tub of chewing gum?!
What do you like to get from your coffee, relaxation or focus? Apparently, the type of beans can change the affect on your brain, but which does what?
Episode 2 of our new video series, Ask Mr. Sato, is here! Join us after the jump to hear the advice of RocketNews24’s very own agony uncle!
The publisher of Shonen Jump + is teaming with digital distributor MediBang to hold an amateur manga submission contest. Those who make the cut will see their manga on the virtual pages of the magazine!
When a reporter for popular social news site BuzzFeed ate at Ramen Jiro recently, Japan’s netizens had plenty to say about it!
Luxury designer brand Moschino has come out with a line of Super Mario apparel and accessories, but the prices may make you think twice!
Comic Con, a festival of pop culture and entertainment, will be coming to Tokyo next year, and they’ve already put on a huge announcement bash!
Level-5 head Akihiro Hino, designer Yoshiyuki Momose, Miyazaki’s composer Joe Hisaishi return.
Video game localization company Sekai Project explained to the Hardcore Gamer website its reasons for removing DEADFACTORY’s Yohjo Simulator game from Steam on November 20.



















Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
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]
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
KFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi collection that takes moon-viewing to extreme levels
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
Masturbatory aid maker Tenga releases officially licensed anime versions in Japan and U.S.
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Two Americans decide to hike Mt. Fuji before trails open, both need rescues on back-to-back days
Why do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?