Filmmakers Dianne Fukami and Debra Nakatomi are sansei (third-generation Japanese Americans) from California who met while serving on the 2009 Japanese American Leadership Delegation, a cross-cultural program sponsored by the U.S.-Japan Council. When the triple tragedy of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster hit the northeastern region of Japan on March 11, 2011, Fukami and Nakatomi decided to make a documentary that told the stories of survivors.
They met a woman who managed to recover her old kimono and makes dolls out of the fabric; a struggling organic farmer in Fukushima; a cafe owner who cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner to refugees in a shelter during the first six months after the disaster; and mothers in Fukushima who commute to a kindergarten an hour away so that their children can play outside.
Tokyo pub explicitly soft-bans customers older than 39 from entering
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Japanese city to deploy anti-bear drones against ursine adversaries, stages adorable demo【Vid】
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japanese politician caught watching crocodile video in parliament meeting finally explains himself
Sugakiya ramen chain’s inventive spork design is hip enough to be sold at NYC’s MoMA Store
Visit the mythical cave that hid the Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology
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Mummified remains of monk found inside 1,000-year-old Buddha statue
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
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
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
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
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Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
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Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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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
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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 politician caught watching crocodile video in parliament meeting finally explains himself
Sugakiya ramen chain’s inventive spork design is hip enough to be sold at NYC’s MoMA Store
Visit the mythical cave that hid the Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology
Seaweed lovers can rejoice at this bento with almost nothing but ultra-premium nori
Mummified remains of monk found inside 1,000-year-old Buddha statue
British man arrested for biting Japanese police officer during shokumu shitsumon questioning
New Tokyo restaurant charges higher prices to foreign tourists than Japanese locals
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
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Have you ever noticed how much Totoro looks like New Year’s mochi? This plushie’s designers did, and the result is adorable!
Denny’s Japan created crazy split-in-half parfaits to target social media photo-snapping foodies
Rental grandma service growing in Japan, can help cook or break up with boyfriends
All-you-can-drink deal for US$4 in Shinjuku is one of the best finds in Tokyo