The Truth about Kore-eda
However, in Shinjitsu, and in Paris, Kore-eda seems to breathe easier, untethered by conventions, with a lot less to rebel against or prove. Apparently, the man doesn't speak French beyond…
Insult Comedy Goes International as Tokyo Roast Battle Takes on Shanghai
Competitive insult comedy takes a huge step forward as Tokyo Roast Battle squares off against the Shanghai League in Asia’s first ever international Roast Battle competition, the winning city taking…
Why Womenomics Isn’t Working In Japan
The Japanese government’s lip service towards gender equality and so-called womenomics is just that, a falsity. In 2015 Abe revised his goal of raising women's participation from 30% to just…
No More Dashi: Four Delicious Vegan Restaurants In & Around Tokyo
Below are four 100% vegan restaurants in or near Tokyo that I encourage you to try, or would encourage anyone to try. They are all quite different in terms of…
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Jake Adelstein
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Songs Of Winter Denial
Julie Yukiko (雪子) Buisson aka Ukico has much in common with Snow-White, other than just her name, which literally means “child of the snow”—she is charming, peaceful, a beautiful woman…
Books on Japan
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Jake Adelstein
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A Requiem For Kyoto Animation (KyoAni)
The popular multi-lingual singer, Elizaveta, has released a tribute song “Meet Again” to those who lost their lives in the terrible arson attack on beloved anime studio, Kyoto Animation (KyoAni).…
Youth Theatre Japan: Drama Changes Real Life For Kids and Adults
Over the past 10 years YTJ has successfully blended “Education” and “Entertainment” into their company and now has 35 studios and over 8,000 members in the Kanto, Kansai and Chubu…
The Muji Hotel: Where Japanese Consumerism Meets Cute With Zen Minimalism But They Don’t Make Out
By Kaori Shoji I am at the reception counter of Muji Hotel – the much touted and long awaited hotel produced by Muji, Japan’s popular minimalist clothing and household products…
Contemporary Culture
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Jake Adelstein
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Yakuza
Bloodshed, Firecrackers and Tears–The Best Japanese Movies Of The Heisei
Yakuza. Samurai. Monsters. NoFace. Lost face. Here's a guide to take you through the most memorable movies (including the bad, the good and the ugly) that adorned the Heisei era…
Heisei to Reiwa ≠ Heiwa?
On April 30th, Emperor Akihito became the first sitting Japanese Emperor to abdicate the throne in over 200 years. Then, the following day on May 1st, his son Naruhito ascended…