If you’ve ever ridden a public bus, you’ve probably seen the little waves of acknowledgement that bus drivers exchange as they pass each other while…

An episode of Japanese variety show ‘Odoru! Sanma Goten’ held a generation gap special, inviting celebrities of all different ages to talk about differences between…

Tokyo Medical University were embroiled in a scandal earlier this year when they were discovered to be systematically changing grades in their entrance exams. Female…

Despite being one of the richest and most developed countries on this planet, Japan is not the perfect heaven of modernity the inner parts of…

In the Japanese workplace, being invited out to drink with a coworker can often be regarded as a burden as heavy as any job task….

Despite often being praised as one of the most crime-free countries in the world, for some reason when it comes to illegally parked bicycles, Japan’s…

In Japan, the term hikikomori (literally, pulling inward or being confined) refers to the phenomenon of reclusive teenagers and adults who cut themselves off from…

As children we all played make-believe, imagining all the cool jobs we could do as adults. It’s amazing to think now, how powerful kids’ imaginations…

The neighborhood of Shinagawa, with its high-rise buildings, is a vibrant heart of business in Tokyo. Large groups of salarymen in black suits seemingly rushing…

This summer unprecedented temperatures have swept Japan resulting in over 60 deaths and thousands hospitalised. It’s been so bad that the heatwave has been declared…

Japan’s problem with overwork and unpaid, endless overtime is well documented. ‘Karoshi’ is the word for death by overwork and media often point to the…

Japan is hailed as an incredibly safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Many anecdotes are told about returned lost…

Japan is often lauded for its social custom of omotenashi, or sense of hospitality and concern towards customers. And while far from perfect (look no…

While some may take issue with the bureaucratic dealings and “do as the manual says” methods of some service systems, the sense of hospitality one…

As the U.S. deals with the aftermath of a deadly and horrifically tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, the discussion of stricter gun control laws…