At a time when peace appears fragile, veteran film director Nobuhiko Obayashi is not wasting any moment to remind the world's young crop of creators about their power to rid the world of nuclear and other security threats. "I am part of the last generation ...

Every photo has a story to tell, and the eldest son of Argentine-born Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara is hoping that the photographs taken by his father will give people a fuller view of his life. An exhibition starting in Tokyo next Wednesday will showcase ...

If Mari Takada has her way, women in Japan will one day be free from judgment in choosing whether or not to marry, raise children or give birth out of wedlock. In a society where marriage and motherhood traditionally go hand in hand, Takada is ...

Drinking at your neighborhood bar would appear to be inconsistent with a Buddhist's quest for clarity of mind and enlightenment. Intoxicants, after all, have the effect of clouding the senses, not to mention one's judgment. But for Buddhist monk Yoshinobu Fujioka, who operates a bar ...

An old traditional Japanese house with the charm of a countryside idyll, but featuring all the modern amenities sought by foreign travelers and young Japanese women. A home reminiscent of the old days that is still somehow up to date. This is the best of ...

With Donald Trump set to assume office as president of the United States on Jan. 20, some Japanese and American university students are coming to terms with the reality that the new leadership could be a catalyst to spur debate on uncomfortable topics. "With Mr. ...

There seems to be no stopping the soaring popularity of animated film "Your Name." directed by Makoto Shinkai, as the body-swapping fantasy continues to attract fans at home and abroad. Film critics list several reasons to the film's box office success, and the connection between ...

When Go Suzuki dances, he dances like no other, his wheelchair glides across the floor, his arms spread with dramatic flair as he spins in beautifully sequenced, perfectly timed choreography with his partner's steps. His wheelchair is no longer a tool but an expression of ...

For kabuki actor Onoe Kikunosuke and silent film narrator Ichiro Kataoka, keeping old traditions alive and sharing them with as many local and foreign fans as possible remain their mission. Kikunosuke, who performed in an onnagata female role in "Sagi Musume" ("Heron Maiden") in an ...

While hikikomori (social withdrawal) is usually seen as mostly affecting men, the current way of thinking fails to take into account the many women who are effectively — and involuntarily — cut off from society, campaigners and experts say. Kyoko Hayashi, who is leading efforts ...