motivation
Yahoo! Japan president Manabu Miyasaka announced at a press conference on the 25th that the company would introduce a new system by the end of the current fiscal year which allows employees to take up to one year off from their jobs. The system, which is based on the concept of sabbaticals, allows employees to spend up to one year freely pursing whatever they desire, albeit without pay. Though fairly common in the west, offering such a system of leave is very rare for a Japanese company.
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Anyone who’s ever tried to shed a few pounds knows how hard it can be to stay motivated. Sometimes you just can’t reach down and find the fortitude deep inside to put down the doughnut and pick up your dumbbells without a more immediate payoff.
A recently opened rental property in Osaka has come up with a novel idea to help dieters keep their motivation up: a discount on rent for weight lost.

Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
New Attack on Titan theme park attraction coming to Fuji-Q Highland
Kyoto raises hotel accommodation tax to fight overtourism, travelers could pay up to 10 times more
Lawson adds doughnuts to its convenience store sweets range, but are they good enough to go viral?
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Cherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
Oodles of noodles! Udon chain pays homage to all 47 prefectures of Japan with 47 dishes【Photos】
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
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Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
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Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
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Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
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Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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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
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
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Cherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
Oodles of noodles! Udon chain pays homage to all 47 prefectures of Japan with 47 dishes【Photos】
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Japanese mom considers cutting off financial support for son who wants to make porn games
Chance to play Teris on a massive staircase in Kyoto Station coming in March
How to make an epic pizza at a Japanese family restaurant
Studio Ghibli produces commercial for Japanese convenience store chain Lawson 【Video】
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?