anti-Japan
This is no April Fool’s joke: on April 1, a group of anti-Japanese protestors gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul, Korea to rally against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addressing the U.S. Congress later this month.
Things started to get out of control when an effigy with Abe’s face was beheaded ISIS-style, and a Japanese imperial flag was sliced to pieces with a knife. The protest is being called “too extreme” even by those sympathetic to their cause.
If Japan and South Korea were on Facebook, there is no doubt that their relationship status would be “it’s complicated.” Between territorial spats, historical disputes and arguing over a pop star’s table manners, these two countries have a lot of uncomfortable diplomatic moments. But they do have one very major thing in common—mutual defense treaties with the United States. Although we doubt (and very much hope) that Tokyo and Seoul never resort to war to solve these issues, some South Korean netizens recently took to the Internet to ponder who Uncle Sam would back in such a fight.
In the past few months, several of the anti-Japan demonstrations in China have turned into riots, many of which resulted in extensive damage to Japanese companies all over China.
But what is it that got the Chinese people so worked up? Surely not everyone is that passionate about the Japanese nationalization of the disputed Senkaku Islands. Perhaps people just got carried away in the mob mentality?
According to one Chinese demonstrator, the Chinese government may have something to do with it, claiming that Chinese officials mobilized people to join the Anti-Japan demos by offering them payments of 100 yuan, or about $15 US.
Over 200 companies from 19 countries are said to be operating booths at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, but visitors to the four-day long event may notice that one major world power turned out to be a no-show.
Anti-Japanese demonstrations have been sweeping across China since Sunday in response to Japanese activists unfurling Japanese flags on a disputed island in the South China Sea, four days after Chinese activists landed on the same island.
Undoubtedly the most high-profile of the protests was in Shenzen, where some Chinese protesters burned Japanese flags and even turned violent, vandalizing Japanese cars and breaking into a local Japanese restaurant.
What the angry Chinese mob didn’t realize was that, like most Japanese eateries outside of Japan, the restaurant they ravaged was owned and operated by Chinese.






Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Clear tonkotsu ramen becomes a cult hit at “Ramen Runway” in Japan
Man arrested in rural Japan on charges of leaving obscene DVDs in stores as gifts for “healthy men”
Naruto jerseys coming to Major Leage Baseball theme nights, Hello Kitty to take over a field
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Man arrested in rural Japan on charges of leaving obscene DVDs in stores as gifts for “healthy men”
Naruto jerseys coming to Major Leage Baseball theme nights, Hello Kitty to take over a field
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
Japan Railway to allow dogs to ride without cages on special Tokyo-Izu train
Gorgeous Japanese hiragana script accessories return with new words plus necklaces and bracelets
Starbucks Japan releases a new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino…with a special dipping waffle cookie
Chocolate Totoro cream puffs and cakes coming to Japan’s Ghibli bakery for Valentine’s Day【Pics】
Escape from downtown Tokyo! How far from the city center can you get by rental bike in 8 hours?
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
Family Mart bartender robot Milly is here to serve you coffee…but not in Japan