Move over Dennis Rodman–it looks like you’ve got a serious Japanese successor for all of your sports diplomacy. North Korea’s state news agency announced on May 19 that Japan’s Antonio Inoki, a retired Japanese professional wrestler, will be teaming up with officials in the reclusive totalitarian state to host an international professional wrestling tournament in Pyongyang this August. The tournament will also include athletes from two nations that have never participated in a wrestling event in North Korea under Kim Jong-un’s leadership. Find out how all this came to be after the jump.
Is Japan’s new pain-in-the-butt instant ramen also a joy in the stomach?【Taste test】
Japan Weather Association creates new words to describe merciless summer heat
We fall in love with a bucket of Japanese custard pudding【Taste test】
Saitama man’s 7M-yen Rolex stolen after leaving it alone with “potential buyer” for two minutes
We try making a low-calorie katsu with tofu instead of pork【SoraKitchen】
From watermelon to waterpizza: We tried making fruit pizza to beat the heat【SoraKitchen】
Matcha improves sleep quality, social cognition, researchers say, and you don’t need to drink it
New Kirby Cafe coming to Japan’s most underappreciated foodie town with exclusive menu items
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
The twin joys and dual sadnesses of eating ramen in the U.S.
Starbucks Japan’s new cream pie’s looks are freaking people out
Foreign Lawson employees claim unfair treatment such as forced sushi and Christmas cake purchases
Hayao Miyazaki produces animated commercial for Ghibli Park【Video】
Want to become a swordsmith? Apprenticeship opens in Japan, but the fine print might shock you
Say hello to the Big Bomb Onigiri, a beast of a Japanese rice ball
Japanese candy Hi-Chew says a heartfelt, ridiculous goodbye as it retires Green Apple flavor【Vid】
Studio Ghibli releases free bulletin board illustration to “use within the bounds of common sense”
Jimmy Choo designs limited edition Crystal Boots for Sailor Moon’s 30th anniversary
New Princess Mononoke accessory line has Kodama for your ears, wolves for your fingers【Photos】
Cases of people getting unwanted crabs skyrocketing in Japan, salmon too
The entire Pokémon Red and Blue Kanto region map, built as a 3-D diorama, looks amazing【Photos】
Princess Mononoke 25th anniversary lineup includes cute plushies, fierce magnets, expensive bowls
Japan’s new micro-houses want to be your home away from home on weekends, but we’d stay all week
We visit izakaya in Thailand billed as “Middle Aged Man’s Paradise”, try food that’s illegal in Japan
Japanese curry rice appears at McDonald’s, but not in the country you’d expect
Mandarin orange peels aren’t trash, they’re treasure! Three chimpi tips to reuse your mikan skins
Move over grilled cheese — we’ve discovered the tastiest toasted sandwich yet【Recipe】
One Punch Man manga artist’s amazing “practice” drawing is so good we think he might not be human
Sony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
How to use the new floating hologram registers at 7-Eleven
Liev Schreiber’s son deemed “too beautiful” in Japan
Japanese woman finds better way to make potato salad, we may not be able to go back to old style
Miss Universe 2021 Japan entry slammed for wearing “dead person’s kimono”
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
From watermelon to waterpizza: We tried making fruit pizza to beat the heat【SoraKitchen】
Matcha improves sleep quality, social cognition, researchers say, and you don’t need to drink it
New Kirby Cafe coming to Japan’s most underappreciated foodie town with exclusive menu items
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
The twin joys and dual sadnesses of eating ramen in the U.S.
How to make the most beautiful at-home tamagokakegohan ever with a 100 yen store kitchen gadget
We ate all eight kinds of cold noodles from 7-Eleven and here’s our favourites【Taste test】
Hut Day is just around the corner in Japan…or is it Hat Day?
Starbucks Japan’s new cream pie’s looks are freaking people out
Giant puppies frolic, play with frisbees in the Tokyo skyline in new 3-D billboard display【Video】
Want to become a swordsmith? Apprenticeship opens in Japan, but the fine print might shock you
Too Cute For Jail? Super Hot Mugshots
Spirited Away train station and submerged tracks attract Ghibli fans around Japan
Anime girl breast bread going on sale at Tokyo bakery【Photos】