controversy (Page 9)
When a teenage girl from a band with “baby” in its name does a better job of acting like an adult than you do, you might want to work on your manners.
Producer of When Marnie Was There pontificates on psychological differences between men and women.
We comb Japanese comments and interview some native Japanese to see what The Incident That Exploded The Internet has people here saying.
Pikachu and Nintendo find themselves in the middle of a cultural controversy in Hong Kong.
Qiaobi detergent promises to fight stains and wash away any faith in humanity you might be feeling at the moment.
Backlash is swift for plan which offered in-flight companionship from one of five young, intelligent women.
Once again, boobs block the path between Japan and the West.
Food fight! Are these foods cultural adaptations, or abominations? Students take up issue with their university’s menu.
Tourism association makes change in response to complaints that original poster was inappropriate.
A retailer in Singapore swung and completely missed with their advertisement that was trying to catch some of the Black Friday shopping buzz.
The city of Dazaifu, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, has a couple of nice cultural sites, such as the Tenmangu Shinto shrine and Komyozenji Buddhist temple. It’s pretty short on modern, youth-oriented attractions, though, so many of the city’s younger residents were probably thrilled when they heard that Momoiro Clover Z, one of Japan’s most popular idol units, would be holding a concert in their relatively sleepy town.
Many of them were less thrilled, though, when it was announced that the concert would be held only for male fans, a decision that’s drawn complaints from a local women’s group.
If you hail from one of the many developed nations that comprehensively frowns on the practice of whaling, you may have the image that an appalling number of people in Japan eat whale meat. And while that may be true in relative terms compared to extremely low number of people who regularly eat whale meat in several parts of North America and Europe, whaling can be a divisive topic even within Japan. Some Japanese have no problem with dining on whale from time to time, treating it like just a meatier, gamier fish. Others think eating whale is a custom that’s long past its time and needs to be rethought.
To get a preliminary understanding of some of the many different opinions on the issue that exist in the country, we interviewed a number of Japanese people and asked them whether they were in favor of or opposed to whaling and eating whale meat.
Remember that manga we talked about a while back which was a thinly veiled erotic retelling of beloved children’s story Doraemon? Or, perhaps more specifically, have you been unable to completely repress the memory and knowledge that it exists?
Nozoemon, which prominently featured an android of the same name that looked like an elementary school girl and whose moniker and design were clearly inspired by robot cat, was sure to be a decisive work. But while controversy can help generate attention and sales, it’s generally a good idea to keep the publisher on your side. Nozoemon, though, wasn’t able to do that, and it looks like the “Slightly Fakkin’” (the manga’s words, not ours) tale has come to an abrupt end.
Last Friday the logo was revealed for Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was received with mixed reviews, with many of the opinion that the aesthetic thought that went into the logo wasn’t quite as deep as the message behind it.
As if there wasn’t already enough debate about the execution of the logo design itself, now there are rumors that the design could possibly be a plagiarization of the work of French designer Oliver Debie.
Japan’s always had a soft spot for the dashing, regal couple of the U.K.’s Prince William and wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The warmhearted admiration got kicked up a notch when the prince (who’s also a duke, just for good measure) made his first trip to Japan this spring, and the infatuation went into overdrive this week with the news of the birth of the couple’s second child.
That exuberance has manifested itself in many ways, including visitors to an animal park in Oita Prefecture deciding that the facility’s newborn baby should share the infant princess’ name, Charlotte.
Not everyone agrees that’s such an honor, though.
Angelina Jolie’s latest war movie, Unbroken, has been facing criticism recently from Japanese conservatives for its portrayals of brutality in World War II prisoner of war camps. While the film hasn’t even been released yet, there are some people who want to make sure it never sees the light of day in Japan.
Readers in the West may not have heard much about it, but the 17th Asian Games were held between September 19 and October 4 in Incheon, South Korea. As the largest multi-sporting event after the Olympics, the Asian Games bring together athletes from all across the Asian continent only once every four years. By the end of this year’s competition, China had racked up the highest medal count, followed by host South Korea and Japan. However, this year’s Games were also plagued by rampant rumors of suspicious refereeing, fixed matches, and host country favoritism, leaving many nations with a bitter aftertaste upon their conclusion.
In response to the multiple stories of alleged corruption, one irate Thai viewer created a parody video to vent his frustrations. As of this writing, the video, with its scornful lyrics yet surprisingly bubbly nature, has been replayed over 2 million times on YouTube, despite having been published less than a week ago. Judging by the comments, it seems the rest of the world seems to sympathize with its message…
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Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
As rumors swirl of 7-Eleven shorting customers on rice ball fillings, we check on their sujiko
Giant pipe mysteriously rises up through street in downtown Osaka
Heinz Japan finds its perfect pitchman: Pokémon’s Pikachu!
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Private open-air bath is the crowning gem at this Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
Real-life Professor Oak? Pokémon Company recruiting PhD holders in science and agriculture
15 years after Tohoku tsunami, Japan’s free disaster phone message number is important to remember
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Weekly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
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Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
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Monthly
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026- Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
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Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Yearly
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
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Private open-air bath is the crowning gem at this Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
Real-life Professor Oak? Pokémon Company recruiting PhD holders in science and agriculture
15 years after Tohoku tsunami, Japan’s free disaster phone message number is important to remember
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Wizarding World Cafe: First ever official Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts cafe opens in Japan
How do fans in Japan feel about the new One Piece Netflix live-action trailer?
University Student Gets Great Deal on an iPod Only to Learn Its Hers
Japan’s Super Colossal Mega Parfait is so freakishly huge it comes in a beer pitcher【Taste test】
Why this centuries’ old Shinto shrine is suddenly also a hot spot for anime fan art【Photos】
Our Osaka native taste-tests the extra-expensive, extra-large Bikkuri Takoyaki octopus balls
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
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