Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
DARPA
DARPA, the American agency commonly known for its hilarious supervillain-esque laser projects and weaponized dolphins, took time out of its wacky military inventions schedule to hold its Robotics Competition in Miami, Florida, where a humanoid robot from Japanese company Schaft, Inc. took top prize.
Robotic Firm Boston Dynamic working with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) made a splash with a demonstration video of a highly functioning quadrupedal robot called LS3 (Legged Squad Support System).
When many internet fiends in Japan laid eyes on it they couldn’t help but think of Homo, a parody of girls into homoerotic art (fujoshi). It was developed on Twitter from ASCII art (┌（┌＾o＾）┐ﾎﾓｫ). Since then it has become something of a subculture phenomenon spawning various merchandise.
A few months later, has the US military improved LS3 enough to quell the giggling of otaku everywhere? Let’s see.
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Japan’s newest tempura is…potato salad tempura?!? [Taste test]
Family Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
Tokusatsu hero “Moonlight Mask’s” pocket change donations help traffic accidents victims in Japan
Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi named Composer-in-Residence of Los Angeles Philharmonic
Trial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole timePokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside AsiaNew Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look signFamily Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fallFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in JapanJapanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese personPokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Tokusatsu hero “Moonlight Mask’s” pocket change donations help traffic accidents victims in Japan
Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi named Composer-in-Residence of Los Angeles Philharmonic
Trial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto to receive Order of Culture from Japanese emperor
America is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Zombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this Halloween
Police in Japan likely to gain authority to hack phones to check messaging apps
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are back at Mister Donut, with Slowpoke making dount debut! [Pics]
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]