Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
malformed dwarf dance
AKB48, the darlings of the Japanese pop scene, may have danced one step over the line sweet Jesus with their newest commercial for Puccho candy. The commercial first aired on 25 August and seems to have drawn a collective “yuggghhh” from the nation.
In it the girls dance away brandishing the product as only they can do. Except this time, all but one of their bodies have been digitally replaced by 5 and 6 year olds.
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Tokyo’s Super Mario Christmas decoration displays are super cool【Photos】
Sailor Moon and J-pop mega-star Ayumi Hamasaki team up for collaboration, pre-defeat scalpers
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Japanese train station vending machine has the best souvenirs for rail otaku
Police called out to investigate suspicious Santa in Wakayama
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Kura Sushi has a new parade-delivered whole cake dessert, but what’s it like to eat?【Video】This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glassesStation of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frostJapanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a wholeJapanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengersPossessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Police called out to investigate suspicious Santa in Wakayama
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Kura Sushi has a new parade-delivered whole cake dessert, but what’s it like to eat?【Video】
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Starbucks Japan’s Matcha & Crushed Almond Milk Tea Latte tastes better as a float
“Hey, Japanese taxi driver, take us to the best seafood joint in Otaru!”
Rush hour trains in London are worse than Tokyo, according to our Japanese-language reporter
Japanese government wants to acquire original anime and manga art for creation of national archive
Boy entering all-girls high school creates real-life harem anime
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Ranma 1/2 Cafe opening in three Japanese cities, features food with transformable flavors