Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
nationalism
WIN Gallup International recently announced the results of their international survey on people’s willingness to fight for their country. Despite recent changes to the constitution, it turns out Japanese Johnnies are least likely to get their guns among all nations surveyed.
We here at RocketNews24 occasionally get hit with accusations of having an anti-China or anti-Korea slant. And while we don’t think a story about a young Chinese man getting a seatless bicycle wedged in his butt is inherently anti-Chinese, we can see how it might be interpreted that way. We can also see how we get labeled as anti-other-Asian-countries since we largely get our information from Japanese sources, and it would be naive to say there aren’t anti-Chinese and anti-Korean forces at play within the Japanese media. You couldn’t hope for a better example than the following story that was said to have been posted by a Chinese person on a message board. The anecdote has a lot to say about how Chinese children are raised to view Japan. However, the reaction to the story itself is more revealing about what it’s like on the other side.
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Seaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at homeThe average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merchSamurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to TokyoJapan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at homeThe average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now openJapan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency saysJapan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Seaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
49-year-old Japanese shut-in spends weeks living with corpse of mother who died at home
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate