Our boss gives us a generous winter bonus, but makes us work for it with a team challenge.
bonus
This special, lovingly crafted issue was released in celebration of Doraemon’s 50th anniversary. Even its price is symbolic.
This bonus comes with a special set of conditions: you must prove you used up the entire amount by April 30, or it’s null and void.
It’s customary for companies in Asia to hold year-end parties (bounenkai in Japan, weiya in Chinese-speaking countries), and these often reflect the state of the companies. In a good year, employees will be treated to lavish affairs complete with lotteries, extravagant performances and attractive prizes. However, one Chinese company stole the limelight this year with their ‘cash grabbing game’ that guarantees everyone a winner!
The World Cup is not just a battle between nations to determine who is the strongest in the world. It is also a momentous celebration of international exchange and an opportunity for citizens of the world to display their national pride. Heart-wrenching and heartwarming stories alike are born from the event, which remain in people’s minds long after the final score has been forgotten. Some of the most memorable stories from the tournament don’t even take place on the pitch during gameplay; rather, they materialize in other acts of chivalry off the field.
Although Greece was defeated by Costa Rica on Sunday, Greek citizens couldn’t have been prouder to see their national team advance to the Round of 16 for the first time ever. The Greek athletes also seemed content just having served as representatives for their home country, as they incredibly refused individual monetary bonuses and instead asked for a joint venture that should further unite them in spirit with their fellow countrymen.
In Japan, summer and winter mean bonus time, which is kind of like getting Christmas twice a year. Japanese workers often use the extra money to take a well-deserved vacation or to buy something big they’ve had their eyes on for a while.
R25, a website focused on business professionals and their lifestyle, conducted a survey with 300 businessmen to find out about last year’s bonuses. Let’s see what they discovered! Read More
“Why do I have to study English? I’m never going to use it… there’s no point,” whines at least one Japanese student in any given English class on a daily basis.
Now, thanks to one company’s clever new initiative, instead of the usual spiel about the benefits of English being an “international language,” teachers can tell their students that knuckling down and mastering the language could bag them 1 million yen.





China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
Sexy new Japanese lingerie sets are inspired by 50-year-old horror anime【Photos】
Meet Asuna, the hyperreal android that will leave your jaw hanging 【Video】
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Bandai to release life-like posable plastic figures to help you draw “realistic” epic poses
Studio Ghibli’s truck from My Neighbour Totoro now available as die-cast Takara Tomy car
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Bandai to release life-like posable plastic figures to help you draw “realistic” epic poses
Studio Ghibli’s truck from My Neighbour Totoro now available as die-cast Takara Tomy car
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Japanese high school boys hold annual beauty pageant, look as cute as ever【Pics】
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
All-you-can-eat oboro tofu restaurant in Kyoto is a guilt-free experience
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Former sushi chef serves onigiri rice balls for breakfast at new morning restaurant in Japan
We eat Japan’s oldest sweet, available at only one store in all of Japan
Virtual YouTubers in our world? Giant signs at Tokyo stations show Hololive talent and human fans
We deeply regret spending five hours on this artistic Japanese island (we should have spent more)