hacking
If you’ve used Happy Hotel to book a love hotel recently, you may want to change your password!
Even my mom practices tighter internet security than what appeared to be North Korea’s version of Facebook.
This month Osaka Prefectural Police pressed charges against a 16-year-old boy for a first-of-its-kind cyber attack in Japan.
On the morning of Sunday, 8 March terror struck the Japanese futsal world as a banner appeared of Tokyo-based futsal club Fuchu Athletic FC for approximately three hours. Apparently bearing the flag of radical Islamic group ISIS it read: “Hacked by Islamic State (ISIS) We Are Everywhere :)”
More interesting than their suspicious use of a smiley (possibly “winky” as well) emoticon, was the surprising knowledge the organization seemingly had regarding Japanese five-on-five indoor soccer. Their attack came just as the top futsal teams in Japan were gearing up for the Puma Cup finals.
Although still relatively unknown in the West, Naver Company’s Line is by far the most popular messaging application in Japan right now, with millions of active users. But when an app comes to be embraced by so many people, it’s often only a matter of time before someone with too much time on their hands decides to spoil the fun for everyone by hacking users’ accounts in an effort to make money.
Cases of Line accounts being taken over have been on the rise since May this year, with many people claiming to have received messages from both anonymous users and those already in their contact list, asking them to purchase pre-paid WebMoney cards and send a photo of the card’s number over to them so that they can claim it.
Thankfully, most Line users are bright enough to recognise a scam when they see it, and know exactly how to respond…
Have you ever gotten on an elevator in the lobby, pressed the button for the seventh floor, and then groaned with the realization that you needed the sixth? Or had to throw out a pair of scissors grown dull through years of use?
There are millions of small annoyances and frustrations that seem basically unavoidable. They’re not really serious, but wouldn’t it be nice if someone could go around making our lives easier? While that probably won’t happen until the robot revolution (come on, WALL-E!), there are a few tricks that you can use to fix these tiny frustrations, so join us after the break for some awesome life hacks from Japan!







Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Do Japanese women check out each other’s lingerie at the hot springs? Survey investigates
More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it
We hung out at one of Tokyo’s most popular pickup spots, drank our hearts out and met many men
Tokyo adding new anti-littering fines in Shibuya and Harajuku, will require more trash cans too
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Female otaku has perfectly sensible answer for when people ask why she doesn’t get a boyfriend
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
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
We hung out at one of Tokyo’s most popular pickup spots, drank our hearts out and met many men
Tokyo adding new anti-littering fines in Shibuya and Harajuku, will require more trash cans too
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Female otaku has perfectly sensible answer for when people ask why she doesn’t get a boyfriend
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Abysmal viewer ratings for Pokémon anime series does not worry its broadcaster the slightest bit
Black Thunder chocolate-bar-shaped fishing lures coming next year
We visit Evangelion’s real-life Village-3, a hidden gem where time has stopped【Photos】
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
You and your family can kiss productivity goodbye with this ginormous kotatsu futon
How to write “sakura” in Japanese (and why it’s written that way)
Permanent residency in Japan now possible after just one year