Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Events Outside Tokyo Sep 5, 2013
Manga fans to gather in Kyoto for annual fair
by Magdalena Osumi
Kyoto is well-known for temples, geisha and other pieces of Japan’s past. This weekend, though, the city will be abuzz with the country’s present treasured artifacts. The annual Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (also known as KYOMAF) will be held Sept. 7 and 8 ...
Music | Strange Boutique Aug 28, 2013
Twenty years ago, Cornelius releases the track that defined Shibuya-kei
by Ian Martin
The song “The Sun is My Enemy,” released 20 years ago on Sept. 1, 1993, may have only reached No. 15 on the Japanese singles charts, but its importance lingers. This was the first single released by musician Keigo Oyamada under his nom de ...
Business Aug 25, 2013
Two big banks commit to funding 'Cool Japan' cultural export project
Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank will invest in a public-private “Cool Japan” fund designed to promote exports of cultural assets, including animated movies and traditional craft work. By providing financial support, the two banks hope to aid the spread of Japanese goods ...
Culture | Culture Smash Aug 13, 2013
Otakon celebrates 20 years of anime fandom in the U.S.
by Roland Kelts
The American anime convention, Otakon (“Otaku Convention”), begins with a costume parade before it officially opens. Last week I had a bird’s-eye view of the spectacle from my 14th-floor hotel room in Baltimore, Maryland. An endless army of imaginary characters trudged across the elevated ...
National Jul 31, 2013
Panel plans strategy for overseas Japanese language education
by Hiroko Nakata
Experts discussing ways to increase the number of Japanese language learners overseas propose promoting "Cool Japan" pop culture and online services to provide more opportunities for speaking the language.
National Jul 31, 2013
Foreign 'cosplayers' visit Foreign Ministry before Nagoya competition
Costume players from China, Italy and Brazil paid a courtesy call Wednesday on the Foreign Ministry, expressing their excitement about competing at the 11th World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya. Three pairs dressed in the costumes of their favorite characters from Japanese anime, manga and ...
Culture | Culture Smash Jul 9, 2013
Can METI's ¥50 billion fund unfreeze 'Cool Japan'?
by Roland Kelts
Naysaying is almost always risk-free, especially if you do it online. If you’re a cynic, you’re usually right, and if you’re wrong, you can just delete those errant tweets and posts and join the party. So last month, when Japan’s Upper House rubber-stamped a ...
Film Apr 26, 2013
Murakami's 'Jellyfish Eyes' blends kawaii and creepy into a postquake critique
by Kaori Shoji
In the West he's been referred to as "the other Murakami." To those in Japan, the difference is so prominent that very few would ever confuse artist-cum-filmmaker Takashi Murakami with novelist Haruki Murakami.
National Apr 4, 2013
Cool Japan campaign needs to sweeten the pot: Taiwanese critic
by Tomohiro Osaki
The government should take the initiative to promote made-in-Japan Western confectionery overseas as a part of its Cool Japan campaign, Kin Bi-leng, a well-known Taiwanese critic based in Japan, said Wednesday during a government-hosted meeting to discuss promotional strategies. Spearheaded by the Ministry of ...
Business Mar 14, 2013
Sake may get Cool Japan treatment
Alcoholic beverages are among the items being discussed by various government agencies seeking to promote exports as part of the Cool Japan campaign to turn Japanese culture and traditions into industries and help promote them abroad. At the first meeting of the agencies Tuesday, ...
Economy Mar 5, 2013
New entity in works to promote Cool Japan themes for export
The government plans to establish a public-private entity this fall with the aim of promoting exports of “anime,” fashion and other goods under its Cool Japan initiative, informed sources have said. With the Cool Japan promotion being one of its key policy measures, the ...
Music Feb 21, 2013
The nations that make it easier for bands to leap overseas
by Eriko Arita
At the end of last November, a flock of Canadians descended on concert venue Duo Music Exchange in Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district. It wasn’t an attack of any sort; the Canuck invasion was only peppered with spirited calls to “Clap with us!” The event ...