With 1,000 units set to go on sale later this month, Japanese telecom giant SoftBank has high hopes for its domestic robot, Pepper. If the company wants to achieve its dream of a Pepper in every home, however, numerous ethical issues must be considered and overcome, one of which being the thorny matter of owners who attempt to treat their little robot like an altogether different kind of helping hand.
It seems that SoftBank is already trying to keep ahead of the curve, however, by clearly stating in its documentation for Pepper that sexual acts with the cheery robot are strictly prohibited.
Tokyo’s city hall changes dress code, workers now allowed to wear shorts[Videos]
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Japanese museum celebrates Golden Week by publicly dissecting rare sea creature 【Photos】
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
All you need to know about Japan’s unasked-for restaurant appetizers that you have to pay for
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Final Evangelion movie is finally out, and we’ve seen it! Our Eva fans’ spoiler-free impressions
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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 Tokyo
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 open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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 says
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
All you need to know about Japan’s unasked-for restaurant appetizers that you have to pay for
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Final Evangelion movie is finally out, and we’ve seen it! Our Eva fans’ spoiler-free impressions
Finnish design brand Iittala partners with Pokémon for a golden first collaborative tableware set
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Make-them-yourself Pokémon frappes arrive at Japanese convenience stores, can be mixed at home too
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo