How the loud-and-proud Fab Five were able to find success in a country that lags behind others when it comes to LGBTQ issues.
gay rights
Ten same-sex couples are filing a joint lawsuit against the Japanese government, calling for real marriage equality.
The new ad will bring tears to your eyes while revealing some interesting statistics about Japanese society.
Panasonic, the Japanese electronics producer and one of the Olympic Games’ biggest sponsors, announces sweeping policy changes.
On November 28, the results of Japan’s first national survey about attitudes toward gay marriage were revealed. What kind of image did they paint of the people of Japan?
In a landmark move last February, Shibuya Ward in Tokyo announced it would begin legally officiating same-sex partnerships, giving gay couples the same rights as married heterosexual couples. While the movement, set to begin in October this year, has received some scrutiny, it has also seen plenty of support.
Now, in what may be the beginning of a domino effect, one of Shibuya’s neighboring wards, Setagaya, has also announced that it will be offering the same legal recognition to same-sex couples, beginning this November.
It’s nice when something invisibly quotidian is tweaked in a way that grabs your full attention. Previously we’ve talked about slightly altered street signs and artistic renderings of subway maps, and now the humble cash machine gets an eye-grabbing makeover in the interest of LGBTQ inclusivity.
A survey conducted by a Japanese LGBT rights organization has been extremely revealing about the main political parties’ attitudes towards sexual minorities, and is something to think about for voters heading to the polls this weekend.
One of Japan’s leading dictionaries has made a significant (and arguably long overdue) step towards acknowledging and normalizing homosexuality by revising the entries for words relating to love and sex. They have removed restrictive references to these feelings existing only between a man and a woman, opening up the definition of love to everyone — gay, straight, or otherwise.












Potama serves up epic rice balls like no other, and there’s only one store in Tokyo
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Family Mart ups its convenience store food game with special burger from beef bowl chain Matsuya
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Hey! You Can Drink Sweet Potatoes, says Japanese beverage maker with new drink
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Saizeria meal hack by foreign diners introduces us to a secret dish that’s not on the menu
Fully posable “Titan Eren” figure to debut next year, looks just as nude/terrifying as expected
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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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Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
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
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Saizeria meal hack by foreign diners introduces us to a secret dish that’s not on the menu
Fully posable “Titan Eren” figure to debut next year, looks just as nude/terrifying as expected
Eight surprising things to do in Northern Okinawa
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
Retired pro wrestler Riki Choshu greets you at the door in this new line of sound gachapon toys
Snacking in Singapore — A Japanese visitor’s list of some favorite Singaporean snacks
Japanese former adult video actress’ documentary promises to show her giving birth in live stream
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
Japan’s new fashion brand for large-breasted women smashes crowdfunding goal
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 crazy things about Japanese supermarkets 【Weird Top Five】