National | Remembering 3/11 Mar 9, 2021

'I still have dreams about it': Volunteers reflect on 3/11 aftermath

Ten years on from the disaster, expats who gave their time to help the victims have found the experience has stuck with them.

Books May 23, 2020

Fifty years of Doraemon, and still there are lessons to be learned

The original “Doraemon” comics, published in 1970, are not only a great read, but a fun resource for learning Japanese.

TV May 21, 2020

‘Conan, The Boy in Future’: Finding joy in a post-apocalyptic anime classic

For the past three weeks, my partner and I have stayed up Sunday past midnight to watch NHK’s remastered rerun of “Conan, The Boy in Future” (“Mirai Shonen Konan”). For me, it has been a chance to watch something new and delve deeper into ...

Music Mar 17, 2020

Tame Impala and The Strokes set to headline Fuji Rock 2020

With the festival set to the be held in late August, all eyes will be on whether the COVID-19 situation improves before then.

Books Feb 22, 2020

‘33⅓ Japan’ has nerdy but accessible tales of albums and artists

With the "33⅓ Japan" series, music aficionados bring classic Japanese albums and artists to life in nerdy, but accessible, prose.

Entertainment News Feb 10, 2020

Makeup artist Kazu Hiro wins second Oscar for work on 'Bombshell'

Makeup artist Kazu Hiro on Monday picked up an Oscar for best makeup and hairstyling at the 92nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Hiro — formerly known in Japan as Kazuhiro Tsuji — was nominated alongside Anne Morgan and Vivian Baker for his work on ...

Music Feb 7, 2020

Pixies: 'We're weird enough and we're catchy enough'

As the Pixies prepare for three live shows in Japan, guitarist Joey Santiago speaks of his love for the band's latest album, and his love of Denny's chopsticks.

Music Jan 30, 2020

Stiff Little Fingers' 'Inflammable Material' is still the definitive political punk album 40 years later

Stiff Little Fingers bring "Inflammable Material" to Tokyo for two shows, letting fans hear the album, which deals with Northern Ireland's 'troubles,' in its entirety.

TV | Wide Angle Dec 27, 2019

Pucker up for this year's 'Kohaku,' and brace yourself for a kiss to remember

NHK's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' New Year's Eve television song contest is embracing something a little different this year, with an international metal crossover act.

Music Sep 5, 2019

Manic Street Preachers bring best-selling album to Japan, 20 years on

Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers prepare for two dates in Tokyo at which their 1998 hit album 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours' will be played in full