There are days you wake up and just want to table-flip the entire world. You want to scream at the top of a mountain about how people are such dumbasses! You’re just so irritated with everything that the next person you come in contact with will feel your wrath. Your conscience kicks in (usually before anything terrible happens) and whispers that Golden Rule in your ear: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” However, sometimes the lack of face to face contact during text message conversations allows us to forget that there is a real person on the other side. Just because you can’t see the reaction of the other person, it doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want.
For Japanese speakers, the solution is here. And it comes in the form of Shizuka-chan, our favorite character from Doraemon, and a smartphone app.

Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Pokémon menstrual pads appear in Japan【Photos】
Bear meat noodles?!? Tokyo restaurant adds a new kind of niku soba to its menu【Taste test】
Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Japanese city to deploy anti-bear drones against ursine adversaries, stages adorable demo【Vid】
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
Japanese convenience store serves up steamed buns…with a whole custard pudding inside
We traveled almost 400 miles to get popcorn from this ninja machine, but do we regret it?【Photos】
Studio Ghibli adds anime aircraft from Laputa: Castle in the Sky to its merchandise shop in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
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
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese city to deploy anti-bear drones against ursine adversaries, stages adorable demo【Vid】
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
Japanese convenience store serves up steamed buns…with a whole custard pudding inside
We traveled almost 400 miles to get popcorn from this ninja machine, but do we regret it?【Photos】
Studio Ghibli adds anime aircraft from Laputa: Castle in the Sky to its merchandise shop in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Is it OK to split the bill on a date in Japan? Survey asks what women and men of different ages think
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Centuries-old Japanese store revolutionises the fragrance world with new incense cord
We spent over US$400 at a Tokyo premium capsule machine, and we’re not sure how we feel about it
Mr. Sato eats luxurious fish from a vending machine, doesn’t get food poisoning
Mr Sato’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Doo Wop Chicken Burger in Tokyo