Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Zulfiya Chinshanlo
During the London Olympics, two young ladies from the Kazakhstani team Zulfiya Chinshanlo (19) and Maiya Maneza (26) each earned gold medals in their respective weight classes as well as setting a World and Olympic Record respectively.
However, their celebrations were short lived as China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency declared that they are in fact secret Chinese nationals, Zhao Changing (19) and Yao Ling (26) who were sent on a clandestine mission to Kazakhstan to spread the sport.
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Sanrio’s best-loved butthole defies physics in adorable sumo collaboration[Photos]
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global pollWisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful gardenJapan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special featureInjuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration eventsWisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Japan’s most mysterious vending machine sells fukubako, boxes filled with…something【Photos】
Japanese Godzilla looks set to attack New York in teaser for Godzilla Minus Zero[Video]
We got our first “rail seal stamp” and an extra splash of happiness at a train station in Fukuoka
Pokémon becomes fine art with series of two hand-crafted Pikachu woodblock prints fans can buy
Totoro ocarinas on sale from Ghibli Museum online shop, and no two are exactly alike【Video】
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Turn a rainy forecast into a blast at the Naruto & Boruto Ninja Village May Rain Festival 2026