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Japan Subculture Research Center

A guide to the Japanese underworld, Japanese pop-culture, yakuza and everything dark under the sun.

Month: January 2012

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  • Tatsumi: Not all comics (or movies) are for children. The Post-War Life & Loves of A Manga God

Tatsumi: Not all comics (or movies) are for children. The Post-War Life & Loves of A Manga God

Tatsumi is an animated gekiga film of sorts, inspired by and based on Yoshihiro Tatsumi’s life. In order to create the film, director Eric Khoo had his animators reproduce specific…

The Japanese Police Department Diet: 20 Yakuza A Month

According to this month’s Jitsuwajidai, a yakuza fanzine, and other sources, late last year the National Police Agency sent out a notice to every Prefectural Police Headquarters, notifying them that they…

A Virtual Hatsumode (初詣) for our readers. Happy New Year!

The first visit to a shrine at the start of the New Year is important in Japan. We went and filled out a votive tablet (絵馬) for you. Good luck…

Harness The Cosmic Power Of Meiji Shrine! Tokyo Power Spot Review #1

  The Kiyomasa Well (清正井), located in the Meij Jingu (明治神宮) Inner Garden is believed to be one of Tokyo premier power spots. No one is sure when the rumors…

The Buddha of Fukushima's Forbidden Zone: A Photo Essay

Mr. Matsumura is willing to live in a nuclear wasteland to take care of the 400 cows, 60 pigs, 30 fowls, 10 dogs, 100 cats and an ostrich that the…

Young Japanese Men and Women Reject Marriage, and Ultimately Each Other

According to this article, Japanese over 35 may find it “impossible” to wed. In 2005, the percentage of unmarried men between the ages of 35-39 was 30.9%. 5 years later,…

It's no ordinary sale. It's a FUCKIN' SALE!

Zarina Yamaguchi discovers the ultimate clearance sale in Osaka, Japan: A FUCKIN' SALE!

What Japan Needs To Do in 2012: Op-Ed and My 2012 Wishes

The Japan Times kindly asked Kathy Matsui, equity strategist, Adam Fulford, NPO leader/good samaritan, and myself to look back on 2011 and look forward to 2012 in a piece published…

Year of The Dragon Begins With Earthquake But Godzilla Remains Dormant

Major earthquake fails to waken Godzilla from his slumbers. Prime Minister assures Japanese populace Godzilla not technically a dragon.

RIP 2011. Happy New Year 2012

Sayonara 2011. Welcome 2012!