Stupid videos continue to flood the Internet in Japan, while one company is looking to send a message.
lawsuit (Page 2)
Verdict handed down in multi-year fight between facial hair and Municipal Transportation Bureau.
Either a double dose of caution or passive-aggressiveness against Nintendo has MariCar’s go-carts looking weirder than ever.
Court orders halt to cosplay rentals, payment of fine for copyright infringement.
Lawsuit claims Tepco misled scale of 2011 Fukushima disaster, causing relief workers to be exposed to radiation.
High Court hands down ruling in three-year legal dispute stemming from different attitudes between hard-core idol singer fans.
Latest Evangelion-related desire is less “Get in the damn robot!” and more “Pay the damn royalties!”
Suit tossed out of Tokyo district court in rare win for idols’ romantic freedom.
On November 18 a young woman was spotted on the streets of Shenzhen City in Guangdong, China carrying a sign which read: “Overnight and overtime work has made me into an old lady. Both my love and work lives are miserable. I request approval for workers’ compensation.”
It was an unusual yet straightforward demand that triggered debate and reflection on the state of working conditions in the country.
With famously low crime rates and an honest society that returns wallets full of cash, Japanese cops usually have it a bit easier than their overseas counterparts. But while they may have some extra time on their hands, Japanese police officers still are put in the line of danger catching the bad guys and keeping Japan safe.
One cop in Saitama Prefecture was reminded of this reality when he was got banged up pretty badly and broke his expensive Rolex watch a couple of years ago while pursuing a man suspected of exposing himself to a young girl. This cop shocked his colleagues and the public last week when Japanese media reported that, after arresting the suspect, the police officer took the man to court and sued for him for damages including more than 700,000 yen (US$5,949) to repair the watch!
Last year, we brought you news of a court ruling in Yokohama which stipulated that anyone who owns a device capable of receiving a TV signal, regardless of whether they’ve entered into a contract with NHK (Japan’s public broadcasting station) or not, is legally obligated to pay the NHK licensing fee. An important point to note is that the fees are only paid once per household, and not according to the number of TV sets or devices capable of receiving a signal in the house.
However, a recent court decision seems to be taking the issue of NHK licensing fees in a whole new direction. On October 9, Tokyo District Court ruled in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that the management company behind three Tokyo hotels must first enter into a contract with the public broadcaster. Furthermore, the hotels, all three of which had refused to enter into contracts despite repeated requests from NHK, must also pay their overdue licensing fees in proportion to the number of hotel rooms with TVs.
Just wait til you read how much money that all comes out to be…

















Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Immersive ukiyoe exhibition in Osaka adds some scented flair
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Starbucks celebrates Halloween with new Frappuccino, tea and drinkware in Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Semi-secret fried chicken from Japan’s big-three beef bowl chain Sukiya is worth tracking down
New anime train and bus ready to receive the love of Love Live! Sunshine!! fans in Shizuoka
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
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
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Starbucks celebrates Halloween with new Frappuccino, tea and drinkware in Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Semi-secret fried chicken from Japan’s big-three beef bowl chain Sukiya is worth tracking down
New anime train and bus ready to receive the love of Love Live! Sunshine!! fans in Shizuoka
Kyoto in summer: A special trip to Kifune shrine recharges the soul
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie reveals cast for roles of Link and Zelda
Retired sumo champion swaps loincloth for a baker’s apron and their bread wows us 【Taste Test】
What was this Attack on Titan giant doing at a protest in Hong Kong?
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Massive manga mural takes over Tokyo station to celebrate Jujutsu Kaisen【Photos】
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry