medical treatment
“I am so thankful for our medical system. Terrifying to think what it’d be like without it.”
In the case of a cardiac arrest, every second counts, which is why over the past decade Japanese health organizations have deployed a large number of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public areas, with the current count somewhere over 300,000 units.
Eventually the country would like to see that number expand to one in every building, but for the time being the first priority is AED accessibility, leaving some foreign tourists surprised to find that AEDs in places that might seem a little odd at first: like vending machines.
The pursuit of beauty and the relentless quest to look younger is nothing new and has probably been around since the first human looked into a pool of water and realized that the disfigured beastly thing staring back was themselves. A couple of hundred thousand years and many medical technology breakthroughs later, we are spending massive amounts of money, time and pain on that quest to look younger and more beautiful. And last week a Japanese cosmetic company made an announcement that seemed to suggest they found the fountain of youth when they took 30 years off a 67-year-old man’s skin using a breakthrough technology.
A 50-year-old man who refused medical treatment after being knocked down by a car in the town of Tosu, Saga prefecture, was found dead in his apartment a month after the accident occurred, a local newspaper reports.
Why the man refused treatment is unclear, but after a routine postmortem investigation both town and prefectural police came to the conclusion that the man’s death was brought about by injuries received at the time of the road accident a month previous. Despite having immediately called for the medical assistance that the victim flat-out refused, the driver has been reportedly been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
In Japan, countless numbers of bicycles are abandoned outside stations and on roadsides each year. While many will be turned into scrap metal and recycled, a percentage that are still deemed functional after a few repairs are being put to effective use as a mode of transport for nurses and midwives in developing countries like Ghana.





Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Japanese military called in to deal with increasing bear attacks in rural prefectures
How to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto on the overnight bus and not lose your sanity
How much money do you need to raise a family with a “normal life” in Kyoto? Study investigates
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo releases exclusive Christmas goods in Japan
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Japanese military called in to deal with increasing bear attacks in rural prefectures
How to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto on the overnight bus and not lose your sanity
How much money do you need to raise a family with a “normal life” in Kyoto? Study investigates
What happens if you feed pufferfish poison to pufferfish? Japanese scientists trying to find out
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Australian on trial in Tokyo, case hinges on if he said “This is a robbery” or “Go to a door”
Can you defeat curry stains by hanging your clothes in the sunshine?【Experiment】
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
Super Sentai Series to end after this season
Huge new Ghibli chopstick series means you’ll always have company with your meals【Pics】