Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
marshmallow girl
Recently, in what we might call the ‘marshmallow movement’, we’ve seen chubby girls start to shed some of their stigma in Japan. A chubby Japanese idol group has already arrived on the scene, and now we can also introduce a dedicated plus-size magazine. And as if marshmallows weren’t enough, they’re apparently also pushing for a new, and rather creative, label.
In Japan, being an idol is serious business. Getting caught in anything that has the potential of crushing a fan’s dreams could easily result in the idol getting fired. Simple things that common people partake in without as much as a blink of an eye, such as dating, smoking, or even putting on weight, are huge taboos for many members of Japanese idol groups.
But recently, a new idol group that overturns the conventional concept of weight-watching has surfaced. Instead of watching their weight to keep slim, the chubby idols from Chubbiness are required to maintain their well-rounded figures, or risk getting sent out of the group!
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
Does the eel from these cheap takeout shops pass the buyobuyo quality test? We find out
Japanese travel agency reveals summer 2022’s most popular destinations domestically and abroad
Burger King Japan offering all-you-can-eat quadruple cheeseburgers
One Piece Red T-shirt line from Uniqlo will make fellow fans green with envy【Photos】
Crowdfunding campaign for Nara World Heritage temple surpasses 100 million yen in 8 days
Quality-spaghetti making robot starts working in Tokyo at the end of the month【Video】
Awesome-looking Japanese whiskey maker’s snack recipe requires no booze, almost no effort【Photos】
Tokyo Police apprehend the “Lego Kid” and accomplices
Receipt from Japanese kid’s first shopping trip is a heart-melting symbol of his love for his mom
Is Daiso’s 500-yen grilling plate good enough for at-home yakiniku dinners? We find out!
Is roughly half of Japan preconditioned to hate mint chocolate sweets?
Fuji-Q Highland theme park is opening its newest attraction next month: The Fujiyama Slider
Ruling reached in lawsuit between 7-Eleven Japan, rogue owner who didn’t stay open 24 hours a day
We spend 24 hours trying to keep a Tamagotchi alive, it ends up doing something weirderReceipt from Japanese kid’s first shopping trip is a heart-melting symbol of his love for his mom
First copy of centuries-old ninja training manual discovered, doesn’t understand dogs【Video】
Site of the worst bear attack in Japanese history is a chilling place to visit
Make Fried-Chicken-Pepsi-Fried-Chicken with our slow and difficult recipe!【SoraKitchen】
Tokyo’s Imperial Palace to hold Floating Lantern Ceremony for first time in three years
We bought a low-rated levitating speaker on Amazon that made us want to cry
Survey suggests about half of Japanese companies has an “old guy who does nothing”
Roughly 40 percent of single Japanese men in their 20s have never been on a date, survey says
How much money do you need to live in your own apartment in Japan?【Survey】
How long should you date someone in Japan before going on a trip with them?
This unstaffed Japanese train station is like a Ghibli anime come to life
Four (actually five) important manners tips for attending anime stage shows in JapanIs Daiso’s 500-yen grilling plate good enough for at-home yakiniku dinners? We find out!
Real-world forest that inspired Hayao Miyazaki to create Totoro will become a nature preserve
Harry Potter Cafe opening in Tokyo and the menu is nothing short of spellbinding【Photos】
Mandarin orange peels aren’t trash, they’re treasure! Three chimpi tips to reuse your mikan skins
Move over grilled cheese — we’ve discovered the tastiest toasted sandwich yet【Recipe】
One Punch Man manga artist’s amazing “practice” drawing is so good we think he might not be human
How to use the new floating hologram registers at 7-Eleven
Liev Schreiber’s son deemed “too beautiful” in Japan
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Japanese woman finds better way to make potato salad, we may not be able to go back to old style
Miss Universe 2021 Japan entry slammed for wearing “dead person’s kimono”
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
Engrish mistake turns innocent sign into X-rated notice at Japanese store
Crowdfunding campaign for Nara World Heritage temple surpasses 100 million yen in 8 days
Quality-spaghetti making robot starts working in Tokyo at the end of the month【Video】
Awesome-looking Japanese whiskey maker’s snack recipe requires no booze, almost no effort【Photos】
Tokyo Police apprehend the “Lego Kid” and accomplices
Receipt from Japanese kid’s first shopping trip is a heart-melting symbol of his love for his mom
Is Daiso’s 500-yen grilling plate good enough for at-home yakiniku dinners? We find out!
Pocky on the Rocks: A new (but also old) way to beat the heat with Pocky sticks at home【Recipe】
First copy of centuries-old ninja training manual discovered, doesn’t understand dogs【Video】
Sasuke: Ninja Warrior may be coming to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028
Nine reasons some Japanese women *only* date foreign guys
Boro the Caterpillar anime now showing at the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo 【SoraReview】
Elderly Kyoto man detained by police for three hours because of hammer in his car
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 most difficult Japanese tongue twisters (with videos!) 【Weird Top Five】
Pro gamer has perfect comeback to Sega exec’s “He looks like he eats cheese beef bowls” insult