Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Zawachin
We’ve seen Twitter celebrity Zawachin work her makeup magic before to transform into pretty much any ethnicity or gender. She’s turned into AKB48 members, all the members of Japanese boy band Arashi, and love-them-or-love-to-hate-them British boy band One Direction.
And for Halloween, Zawachin has been blowing netizens’ minds with her pitch-perfect Avengers Black Widow costume. Some are claiming it’s the actual Scarlett Johansson in disguise, but we have the pictures to prove otherwise.
Zawachin has made a name for herself online by recreating the makeup of celebrities and now has legions of Twitter followers as well as multiple cosmetic and real-world advertising deals. She’s known for covering her mouth with a face mask or other convenient objects and really focusing on what makes the eyes of her subject distinctive. We’ve introduced her and her skills before, but today we have a slightly different look of hers to show off.
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
We stuff our faces with Wednesday night all-you-can-eat fried chicken from KFC Japan
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
Muji’s Sofa Made From Air review: Is Japan’s most sought-after portable couch worth the hype?
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
Yakuza-themed love hotel rooms! Great for couples, friends, and business meetings, owners say
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot mealsNintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerkJapan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answerJapan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
Muji’s Sofa Made From Air review: Is Japan’s most sought-after portable couch worth the hype?
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
Yakuza-themed love hotel rooms! Great for couples, friends, and business meetings, owners say
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese convenience store chain has beer and sake dispensers that few people know about
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Everything you need to know about climbing Japan’s second-highest volcano
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New Nintendo capsule toys put video game history in your hand with mini NES, Famicom controllers