Some of you may have noticed during the royal rumble that ensued in the Japanese Parliament late last week, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe quietly slipped out while members of his party continued to fight back a horde of angry legislators so that they could usher in changes to the way the constitution is understood. At first, I wondered why he would duck out at such a moment, but then I remembered: it’s his biiirthdaaay♪
Yes, on 21 September, Japan’s fearless leader turned 61. Unfortunately his age is really starting to show in his lack computer savvy. We already know the PM has his own Twitter account after Abe revealed that he pays his Twitter fees just like the rest of us. But apparently he still hasn’t grasped how to use the “@” symbol properly when a message of thanks to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accidentally went to the wrong guy, who also just happened to help develop Twitter.
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All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
To beard, or not to beard, that is the question. Here are Japanese women’s answers
Ghibli Park opens final area to first visitors, with stunning new attractions and shops 【Videos】
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
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Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
To beard, or not to beard, that is the question. Here are Japanese women’s answers
Ghibli Park opens final area to first visitors, with stunning new attractions and shops 【Videos】
Foreign worker in Japan fends off armed robber with single word, gets no respect from local media
All-you-can-eat sashimi from Tokyo’s fish market, convenient location make this budget hotel great
Harvester Yakumo: A restaurant inspired by the Colonel from KFC
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Giant life-size Alolan Exeggutor Pokémon appears at Pokémon World Championships in Japan【Photos】
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Japan apartment hunting – Can you find cheaper rent by avoiding the peak spring moving season?
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Sailor Moon Sanrio partnership adds pairings for Sailor Starlights in new crossover merch line【Pics】