Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
trans people
Ami Takeuchi is a beauty queen with pageant awards under her belt, legions of fans and a new idol DVD out, and boy, is it sexy. She also happens to be a “new half”, which in Japan refers to a trans female. Her catchphrase, in fact, is “the new half that’s just too cute!”
Warning: Things are about to get a little bit NSFW (unless you work at RocketNews24, in which case, congratulations! Pretty much nothing is NSFW!)
Like many countries, Thailand’s military has conscription by way of a lottery. Draft day is held each April, around the time of the traditional New Year, and all men over 21 – even those who no longer consider themselves to be male – are required to attend the conscription lottery once.
Thailand is widely considered the trans capital of the world, and more gender reassignment surgery takes place there than in any other country. So Thailand’s unusually high number of trans females (kathoey or “ladyboys”) makes this conscription process somewhat unique.
Summer in Japan doesn’t feel like a Japanese summer this year, many are saying
“I couldn’t…wipe my own butt” – Hunter x Hunter manga creator discusses medical issues
Sony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
Soak your feet at the Spirited Away foot bath, in Tokyo for a limited time
Often-forgotten Totoro character is the star of these awesome two-in-one Ghibli capsule toys【Vid】
Elegant Spy x Family character hats come to the real world for in-disguise-level cosplay【Photos】
Japan’s first-ever wanko soba conveyor belt restaurant opens in Tokyo
Why is Osaka “the most livable city in Japan” according to a recent survey?
Mr. Sato goes to a Korean-style shaved ice cafe, makes several mistakes, still has a great time
Survey reveals the average monthly allowance of Japanese high school studentsSony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
Japanese city makes list of world’s top 10 most livable cities, but not one most people expected
We visit izakaya in Thailand billed as “Middle Aged Man’s Paradise”, try food that’s illegal in Japan
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past“I couldn’t…wipe my own butt” – Hunter x Hunter manga creator discusses medical issues
One Piece Red T-shirt line from Uniqlo will make fellow fans green with envy【Photos】
Our Japanese writer goes all out to get her cats an expensive exercise wheel from the U.S.
Making spicy instant ramen fried rice, Korea’s latest viral food trend【SoraKitchen】
This plastic wrap is supposed to turn supermarket sashimi into great sashimi, but does it work?
Awesome-looking Japanese whiskey maker’s snack recipe requires no booze, almost no effort【Photos】Sony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
Survey suggests about half of Japanese companies has an “old guy who does nothing”Japanese city makes list of world’s top 10 most livable cities, but not one most people expectedWe visit izakaya in Thailand billed as “Middle Aged Man’s Paradise”, try food that’s illegal in Japan
Roughly 40 percent of single Japanese men in their 20s have never been on a date, survey saysNephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
Is Daiso’s 500-yen grilling plate good enough for at-home yakiniku dinners? We find out!
Real-world forest that inspired Hayao Miyazaki to create Totoro will become a nature preserve
Harry Potter Cafe opening in Tokyo and the menu is nothing short of spellbinding【Photos】
The smallest Family Mart in Japan closes down
Mandarin orange peels aren’t trash, they’re treasure! Three chimpi tips to reuse your mikan skins
Move over grilled cheese — we’ve discovered the tastiest toasted sandwich yet【Recipe】
One Punch Man manga artist’s amazing “practice” drawing is so good we think he might not be human
How to use the new floating hologram registers at 7-Eleven
Liev Schreiber’s son deemed “too beautiful” in JapanSony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Japanese woman finds better way to make potato salad, we may not be able to go back to old style
Miss Universe 2021 Japan entry slammed for wearing “dead person’s kimono”
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
Elegant Spy x Family character hats come to the real world for in-disguise-level cosplay【Photos】
Japan’s first-ever wanko soba conveyor belt restaurant opens in Tokyo
Why is Osaka “the most livable city in Japan” according to a recent survey?
Mr. Sato goes to a Korean-style shaved ice cafe, makes several mistakes, still has a great time
Survey reveals the average monthly allowance of Japanese high school students
Japanese jam jar lids close on their own, as if by magic
World’s blackest Porsche painted with Japan’s Musou Black 【Video】
One Piece Red T-shirt line from Uniqlo will make fellow fans green with envy【Photos】
Akihabara landmark Toranoana is permanently closing, chain downsizes to just one branch in Japan
Making spicy instant ramen fried rice, Korea’s latest viral food trend【SoraKitchen】
Gifu man arrested for entering other person’s home and hanging women’s underwear to dry
Japanese Twitter user claims to have achieved “Perfect” sound on iTunes, we investigate
Yu-Gi-Oh! creator apologizes for drawing charters making political statements ahead of elections