Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
personal space
Industrial designer Siew Ming Cheng has evidently had enough of being pushed and shoved on the Singapore subway. Those space-invading commuters have brushed up against, knocked and pushed her one too many times, and now the young creative is declaring war on space snatchers with special body armour: the Spike Away vest.
Studio Ghibli releases new Howl’s Moving Castle goods that capture the magic from the anime movie
Starbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Japanese karaoke chain brings singing in the bathroom to a whole new level
Every piece of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli anime concept art to be published in new book series
Starbucks Japan reveals new Halloween goods for 2024, with black cats and a costumed Bearista
Tokyo go-kart rental company charged for renting to foreign tourists “without driver’s licenses”
Yakuza member arrested on charges of using insurance to pay for severed finger treatment
Suntory’s famous Yamazaki whisky returns to canned cocktails with new highball version
Dove ad slams Japanese beauty ideals, backfires with complaints from public instead
Japanese convenience store releases a new bento sandwich, but is it better than a bento rice ball?
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
After 21 years, Harajuku’s famous Lolita fashion and cosplay shop is permanently closing
Japanese government wants to acquire original anime and manga art for creation of national archive
Pizza Hut Japan creates Landmine-type Pizza to celebrate Japan’s dark jirai-kei fashion
“Shibuya is closed for Halloween” – Hachiko to be covered, monitoring towers put up on October 31
Japanese izakaya serves up cheap breakfast…and morning drinks in TokyoStarbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winterJapanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading JapaneseStudio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Studio Ghibli lets you cosplay as Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle with cosy anime fashion range
New Hello Kitty McDonald’s Japan Happy Meal toys are here, and Kitty’s sister is part of the set
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mugEvangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens gets its own moon for moon-viewing season
Right now is the peak time to go to Tokyo’s most-beautiful-view beer garden【Photos】
Pizza Hut adds a “Guilty Secret” sandwich to its menu for a limited time
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
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
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in JapanJapanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Tokyo go-kart rental company charged for renting to foreign tourists “without driver’s licenses”
Yakuza member arrested on charges of using insurance to pay for severed finger treatment
Suntory’s famous Yamazaki whisky returns to canned cocktails with new highball version
Dove ad slams Japanese beauty ideals, backfires with complaints from public instead
Japanese convenience store releases a new bento sandwich, but is it better than a bento rice ball?
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winter
Muji’s Sofa Made From Air review: Is Japan’s most sought-after portable couch worth the hype?
Defrost a steak in 5 minutes without using heat or the microwave? What is this sorcery!?【Video】
Clear tonkotsu ramen becomes a cult hit at “Ramen Runway” in Japan
We go on our own hunt for “the biggest mountain” to climb in the style of Tokyo Swindlers
Tokyo’s Shibuya district bans public drinking on New Year’s Eve, cancels countdown celebration
New sanitary panties for crossdressing men come complete with sanitary pads!