There’s a reason I don’t write for the Washington Post. Actually, there are about a thousand reasons, almost all of which pertain to my own ineptness. Another one these reasons is that I occasionally write some embarrassing joke that gets completely misunderstood and blows up in my face.
So, I can relate on some level to the Washington Post’s writer and Tokyo bureau chief Anna Fifield. Her tweet, which jokingly translated a customer request sign as “Don’t bring your dirty Korean beer in here,” has led to some considerably harsh feedback from Japanese Twitter users.

Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
McDonald’s Japan celebrates spring with… a Strawberry Shortcake Pie?!?
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Major Tokyo subway line shut down by in-train mobile battery fire
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Major Tokyo subway line shut down by in-train mobile battery fire
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Japanese teen offers to catch purse snatcher for elderly woman, but is actually helping rob her
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Daiso’s super-easy, super-cheap sushi maker lets you make sushi rolls without rolling anything
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo