Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Akio Toyoda
The ice bucket challenge has gone viral this summer with everyone from your average Joe to celebrities and business moguls such as Oprah, Charlie Sheen, and Bill Gates getting on board. Now it’s even spread across the pond to Japan, and started circulating among the business bigwigs over here. Yesterday Toyota President Akio Toyoda took on the challenge with a brave face, while also keeping the charitable spirit alive.
When Akio Toyoda took the helm of Toyota Motor Corporation in 2009, he was faced with a collapsing economy and a recall scandal that now seemed to have been blown out of proportion.
Still, he was able to steer the company through these stormy waters by being something more than just the founder’s great grandson who took over the company. He was a guy who truly loved cars.
As proof, it came to light on 30 April that he will participate in this year’s 24 Hours Nürburgring, a grueling endurance race on one of the most challenging circuits in the world.
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Joshi or josei? Japanese netizens discuss the age at which a “girl” becomes a “woman”
Mister Donut teams up with Sumikko Gurashi for the first time for adorable goods and donuts
Tokyo’s Shibuya district bans public drinking on New Year’s Eve, cancels countdown celebration
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
Find a red envelope on the ground? Here’s why you should never pick it up
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in JapanJapanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in TokyoGhibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in JapanSanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Joshi or josei? Japanese netizens discuss the age at which a “girl” becomes a “woman”
Mister Donut teams up with Sumikko Gurashi for the first time for adorable goods and donuts
Tokyo’s Shibuya district bans public drinking on New Year’s Eve, cancels countdown celebration
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
Find a red envelope on the ground? Here’s why you should never pick it up
Here’s what Japanese netizens think of the U.S.’s top 20 most-picked karaoke songs
McDonald’s adds new watermelon frappe and fruity macaron to its menu in Japan
A trip down one of Japan’s most terrifying park slides【Video】
Japan’s only blue old-school post box: Where is it and why is it there?
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Nissin offers chance to try rare cans of fresh, non-instant cup noodles in huge giveaway
Anime girl virtual YouTuber unmasked as middle-age male otaku, loses some fans, gains others【Vid】
The 5 best Iwate foods and drinks to buy at the prefecture’s antenna shop in Tokyo
Everyday Japanese names that make English speakers chuckle