Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
special edition
Well now here’s an odd little promotion. Japanese gamers planning to pick up a copy of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, one of the prequel chapters in Hideo Kojima’s convoluted-plot-’em-up/stealth espionage action game series, are now being offered a special edition bundle that comes with a track jacket emblazoned with the logo of in-game mercenary unit “Diamond Dogs”.
Our reporter was strolling through Ginza one afternoon and found herself in an Okinawa specialty goods store. As she was browsing through the aisles, she couldn’t help but notice a brightly colored can of Coca Cola with a red shisa (lion dog) printed on the front. Upon further inspection of the can, she realized that she had stumbled upon Okinawa Coca Cola, made with the waters of Okinawa. How would this special Coke taste? She just had to buy one and find out.
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Family Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
Trial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
Japanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Japan’s newest tempura is…potato salad tempura?!? [Taste test]
America is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
Zombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this HalloweenPokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look signNew Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in JapanPokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Japan’s newest tempura is…potato salad tempura?!? [Taste test]
America is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
Zombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this Halloween
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are back at Mister Donut, with Slowpoke making dount debut! [Pics]
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Flying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Umamusume anime concerts unable to obtain visas from U.S. government, cancel L.A. shows