Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
GPI
It seems like Japan is winning at everything these days, first with being selected to host the 2020 Olympic Games, then with Tokyo being chosen as the safest city in the world (and Osaka a close third!). Now, Japan has been ranked by the Global Peace Index (GPI) as having one of the top 15 least violent armed forces in the world. Did your country make the list too? Check after the jump to find out!
Kura Sushi adds new cake party train to conveyor belts at select restaurants
Japan reaches its lowest-ever ranking on Education First’s 2024 English Proficiency Index
Awesome Zelda cosplayer gets help from Smash Bros. creator Sakurai to solve costume problem【Vid】
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Japan’s new frozen sushi DIY kit – Great foodie fun, or cold-hearted abomination?【Taste test】
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Starbucks adds gingerbread cookies to its holiday lineup in Japan
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 1】
Made In Japan Fender Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster now on sale in Japan
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippersGhibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visitBeautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Flying dango: Unique tourist site where Japanese sweets are flown to you over a gorge
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a rowGhibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quitAfter cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Starbucks adds gingerbread cookies to its holiday lineup in Japan
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 1】
Made In Japan Fender Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster now on sale in Japan
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Katsu weight showdown! Which Japanese supermarket gives you the most tonkatsu meat for your yen?
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
New Japanese KitKat flavour, Sugar Butter Tree, is like cracking a chocolate tree branch
Live-action Hunter x Hunter stage play is first in almost 20 years, reveals in-costume cast【Vid】
New sushi restaurant hidden inside Tokyo Station is a secret gem
The 5 best Iwate foods and drinks to buy at the prefecture’s antenna shop in Tokyo