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Mishaps at the register as Japan begins charging for plastic bags [manga]
In recent years, Japan has been stepping up its environmental efforts. The country plans to make the 2021 Olympics entirely green, companies are cutting back…
Life
Recommendations of major summer festivals in Kansai that you shouldn’t miss
Kansai is well-known for its many interesting annual festivals. The region is also home to various events, especially during summertime. If you are planning a…
Heartwarming message from parents saves son frustrated with work
You’re stressed out from work. Maybe it’s the long hours spent staring at your computer screen. Not to mention the hour commute from your home….
A stranger’s kindness saves a mother’s day in this sentimental manga
It’s painful to watch: a frazzled single parent managing an upset or out-of-control toddler. I can picture the countless times I’ve been shopping only to…
Sukumizuage: Okinawa fishing news wording leads to humorous misunderstanding online
A headline from the Ryūkyū Shimpō, Okinawa’s top newspaper, has gone viral on Twitter today due to a possible interpretation of the wording. The headline…
The Best New Cafe in Tokyo’s Hip Harajuku: Sophisticated Sarutahiko
COVID-19 has undeniably stolen a lot of Tokyo’s thunder in 2020. The Olympics has been postponed and likely downsized to 2021. This leaves stadiums, stations,…
Stay-at-home Sanrio summer goods recreate festival mood of Japanese street fair
You may have seen images of young Japanese people in yukata holding paper fans and eating shaved ice or cotton candy, or stopping by food…
Haruma Miura’s agency Amuse Inc. releases emotional statement on his untimely death
At 2:10 PM, Saturday, July 18th, 2020, Haruma Miura (30) passed away at a Tokyo hospital. The popular actor and singer began as a child…
Japanese designer invents Spidey-style wrist gadget which shoots plastic shopping bags
Charging for plastic bags As of July 1st, 2020, Japan requires all retailers to charge customers for plastic bags. While the new rule is intended…
Japan to Partially Lift Travel Ban
Amidst an apparent second wave of Covid-19 infections centered in Tokyo, the Japanese government is looking to ease travel restrictions to allow re-entry for some…
Learn the lost art of the Ainu language
Like other indigenous groups, the Ainu people of Hokkaido and the north-eastern Honshu island of Japan have experienced marginalization. After the Japanese government annexed their…
Japan pressures China over Uighur crackdown while residents support the Muslim minority
We recently covered the Ainu indigenous people of Japan. We looked at their traditional music as well as “Ainu My Voice,” a short-film following Rie…
On eve of arson anniversary, Kyoto Animation issues statement on visiting 1st Studio area
On the morning of July 18th, 2019, Building One of Kyoto Animation in Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward tragically burned to the ground in a horrific arson-murder…
Experience the traditional delights of Japanese summer nights at Suzumushi Cafe
For those who live in the Tokyo area, the novel coronavirus pandemic has put limits on summer vacation plans. Many residents do not wish to…
Being Bishōjo: A dialogue between independent Vtuber Virtual Bishōjo Nem & kigurumi artist Takurō
By – Ben K Introduction As readers of grape Japan can surely attest to, the kawaii aesthetic has become an internationally recognized commodity. But where…