tournament
With each battle lasting less than five seconds, these merciless machines are perhaps the future of sumo.
Move over Dennis Rodman–it looks like you’ve got a serious Japanese successor for all of your sports diplomacy. North Korea’s state news agency announced on May 19 that Japan’s Antonio Inoki, a retired Japanese professional wrestler, will be teaming up with officials in the reclusive totalitarian state to host an international professional wrestling tournament in Pyongyang this August. The tournament will also include athletes from two nations that have never participated in a wrestling event in North Korea under Kim Jong-un’s leadership. Find out how all this came to be after the jump.
It was a normal day at the RocketNews24 office. Writers were writing, editors were editing, and webmasters were…well, no one knows what webmasters do, but they were definitely doing it like crazy. A quiet and peaceful Tuesday, it was…but not for long!
Suddenly, the front door flew open, and a dark figure filled the frame. “PILLOW FIGHT!!!” screamed Mr. Sato as he charged into the room. “Eat my Pillows Officially Recognized by the All Japan Pillow Fighting Association!” he shouted, flinging bedding with as much skill as twenty experienced sleepover tweens combined.
“I wiiiin!” our rampaging Japanese writer cackled before sprinting out of the office for another cup of Starbucks, leaving his co-workers baffled and defeated.
Picking ourselves up, we looked around and could but only wonder: “What the heck is a Pillow Officially Recognized by the All Japan Pillow Fighting Association?”






12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Google’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Pokémon donuts are coming to Krispy Kreme in the U.S. [Photos]
7-Eleven Japan has a “Super Spicy! Taiwan Mince Cutlet” that’s fiery red… but how hot is it?
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
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]
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Pokémon donuts are coming to Krispy Kreme in the U.S. [Photos]
7-Eleven Japan has a “Super Spicy! Taiwan Mince Cutlet” that’s fiery red… but how hot is it?
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
This beautiful Okinawa beach gives you the best of both worlds when visiting the prefecture [Pics]
Starbucks releases tear-jerking new video inspired by heartwarming encounters in Japanese stores
Body of missing foreign tourist in Japan found floating off coast of town he was last seen in
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
Shinto shrine in downtown Tokyo announces cosplay ban
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
This Japanese chopping board sanitising bag might be the handy kitchen gadget we never knew we needed