society

Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train

While waiting for the train, there’s always one spot he hopes will be empty when it comes.

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Tokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like

Seems like the people doing on-the-street immigration checks should know what immigration documents look like, doesn’t it?

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Married Japanese man must pay 4.6 million yen after faking being single and impregnating partner

Falsifying a relationship status can land you with a massive bill.

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Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country

First increase to visa fees in nearly 50 years will affect some arriving foreigners more than others.

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Japanese soccer fans show excellent manners as World Cup opens[Pics, video]

Chants and headbands aren’t the only tradition supporters of Japan’s sports teams bring with them when attending events overseas.

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Pachinko machines get new life and become big hit in Japanese assisted care facility

Better living through chrome-plated balls.

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Order a cocktail, support a senior with Shinjuku Day Service Mojito at a handful of businesses

A new model of urban community collaboration in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho area connects the generations using mint as a bridge.

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Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform

School getting ready for its 80th birthday makes a modern addition to its uniform options.

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Japanese government postpones proposals to restrict real estate purchases by foreigners

Rising security and economic tensions prompting consideration of new rules to make it harder for foreigners to buy property in Japan.

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New littering fine now being enforced in some of Tokyo’s most heavily touristed areas

Littering in Shibuya will get you a fine that must be paid on the spot.

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What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?

Theme park prohibition strangely opens the door to a new kind of creative freedom. 

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Same name tops lists of most popular dog and cat names in Japan, and there’s probably a reason why

Cultural quirks have a hand in making the same name the favorite for dogs and cats in annual study.

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Japanese government to allow desecration of flags on kids’ meals

A victory for freedom of eats.

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Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party

Whatever happened to just faking a stomach ache?

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Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists

Combination of factors is dimming the shine of one of the stars of Japanese restaurant culture.

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Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account

Not quite as glamourous as a secret bank account.

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The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students

Plus some surprising extra requirements, like having to say “thank you” at least 10 times a day. 

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New bounty system starts in Japan, rewards reports of illegal employment of foreigners

Ibaraki Prefecture now offers rewards to whistleblowers who lead them to companies illegally employing foreign workers.

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War in Iran causing dark development for potato chip packages in Japan

Japanese convenience store snack sections are going to be looking drab later this month.

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Police cracking down on outdoor seating in Tokyo’s liveliest street market neighborhood[Video]

Tokyo Metropolitan Police officers issue warnings to pub owners in Ueno.

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