Change comes with less than half a week’s notice, new requirements will take five more years to meet.
internationalism
Japan’s foreign resident population surges past four million for the first time in history.
One of the city’s most internationalized districts hits a cultural milestone on Coming of Age Day.
Civic leaders see economic upsides and cultural difficulties in Japan’s accelerating internationalization.
As Japan’s foreign population grows, its foreign kid count is getting bigger too, and educational systems might not be keeping up with the country’s changing demographics.
Percentage is even higher in Tokyo and other areas attractive to foreign residents, and even then doesn’t tell the full story of how Japan is becoming more international.
Lawson makes move to protect employee’s privacy, also changes policy regarding head coverings.
Study shows often overlooked prefecture has second-highest number of working foreign residents in Japan.
A trip to visit Big Sis takes Yoshio an ocean away from Japan, and in some ways a world apart.




















Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
This Mother’s Day, why not give the gift of a single, really expensive, never-picked mango?
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tokyo Station’s perfect breakfast spot might just be this izakaya Japanese-style pub
Foreigners in Japan sound off on the top four quirks of the Japanese job-hunting system
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
Seiji and the spirit of Yngwie Malmsteen barely interview Andrew W.K.【Video】
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
Seiji and the spirit of Yngwie Malmsteen barely interview Andrew W.K.【Video】
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Japan’s train travel soundscape faces sad change as JR East axes special station departure melodies
For just US$2.50, this beef bowl chain might have the best-value breakfast in Japan
Japanese Godzilla looks set to attack New York in teaser for Godzilla Minus Zero[Video]
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Seiji interviews his teenage crush Yumi Adachi with the spirit of Yngwie Malmsteen
Seiji and the spirit of Yngwie Malmsteen actually kind of interview actress Yoshiko Sengen
We’re utterly stumped by this kids’ Spot the Difference Puzzle from a Japanese family restaurant
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style