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June 04, 2025
 

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CULTURE

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"Dandelion's Odyssey" an animated film by Japanese director Momoko Seto, won the International Federation of Film Critics' award on Saturday at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Japan's Seto wins International Critics Award at Cannes
The French-Belgian production tells the story of dandelion seeds that travel the universe after surviving a nuclear explosion.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Iranian filmmaker Panahi urges 'freedom' as he wins top prize at Cannes
The dissident filmmaker's "Un Simple Accident" tells the tale of five Iranians confronted with a man they believed tortured them in jail.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
At Cannes, Fukada spotlights J-pop’s ban on idol romance
Director Koji Fukada’s new film, "Love on Trial," explores Japan’s idol industry and the contracts that ban young women from dating.
Thai film "A Useful Ghost" won top prize in the Critics' Week sidebar section of the Cannes film festival.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 22, 2025
LGBTQ Thai ghost story wins prize in Cannes
By Alice Hackman
Film director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke says he hoped his LGBTQ story could touch more on politics.
Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, celebrates with the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest trophy after winning the grand final at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 18, 2025
On a high: Austria's JJ wins Eurovision 2025
After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel on 357 and Estonia on 356.
Netflix has announced it will start streaming "Hotaru no Haka" (Grave of the Fireflies), an animated film produced by Studio Ghibli, from July 15 in Japan.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 16, 2025
Netflix to stream Studio Ghibli's 'Grave of the Fireflies' in Japan
It will be the first work by the Japanese anime powerhouse to be streamed on Netflix in Japan.
Arashi is known for massive hit songs such as “A・RA・SHI,” “Love So Sweet” and “Happiness.”
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 7, 2025
J-pop group Arashi to disband after going on tour next spring
By Yukana Inoue
Current fan club members will be given priority to purchase tickets for the last concert tour.
Boy band Epex is set to play an event at a 1,000-capacity hall in Fuzhou, Fujian province.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Apr 30, 2025
China’s first K-pop concert in years signals efforts to mend ties
By Hyonhee Shin and Shinhye Kang
In the middle of a trade war, China extends a cultural olive branch to its Korean neighbors.
Hiroyuki Sanada poses with the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series for "Shogun" at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 5.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Apr 17, 2025
Actor Hiroyuki Sanada among Time's 100 most influential people
Contemporary artist Yoshitomo Nara and musician Yoshiki also made the list.
American rapper Post Malone performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 13.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Apr 17, 2025
Music, revolution and Y2K: Coachella 2025 takeaways
By Maggy Donaldson
Highlights from the California music festival included an appearance from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and an increase in leather pants.

How Japan's youth are slowly changing the country's work ethic
After the asset-price bubble crash of the early 1990s, employment at a Japanese company was no longer necessarily for life. As a result, a new generation is less willing to endure a toxic work culture —life’s too short, after all.
Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima dies at 89
Shigeo Nagashima (left), then the manager of the Tokyo Giants, waves to fans with players and coaches during a victory parade in central Tokyo in 2000. Nagashima died at the age of 89 on Tuesday.
Lee Jae-myung projected to win South Korean presidential election
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's candidate in South Korea's presidential election, speaks during his final campaign event in Seoul on Monday night ahead of Tuesday's vote.
U.S. Marine in Okinawa pleads not guilty to sexual assault
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki (center) takes part in a joint patrol by the U.S. military and the Okinawa Prefectural Police in the city of Okinawa in April in response to a series of sexual assault and other incidents involving U.S. service personnel.
Two Japanese nationals killed in Dalian, China
A case in which two Japanese nationals were killed in China’s northeastern city of Dalian last month is still being investigated, with local police saying the incident arose from a business dispute between acquaintances.
‘A garden is a grand teacher’: The Kamakura Gardener nurtures via YouTube
American Robert Jefferson runs a YouTube channel called The Kamakura Gardener that invites viewers to enjoy the pleasures of gardening, cooking and slow living.
Waves of umami: Awaji Island's culinary trove
Silversea Cruises' culinary program takes guests on a rich gourmet experience at wellness retreat Zenbo Seinei, where the local produce is presented in an eight-course meal.
Hegseth to prioritize China and more allied spending in Asia — but questions remain
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a trilateral meeting between Japan, the U.S. and Australia at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday.
'Godzilla The Art Exhibition' reimagines film icon as monstrous muse for modern art
Artists offer their own interpretations of Japan's most famous monster at "Godzilla The Art Exhibition."
Atsuko Okatsuka brings big 'dad' energy to new special
Atsuko Okatsuka tries out some of the jokes from her new special, “Father,” at the Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya in January.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

After the asset-price bubble crash of the early 1990s, employment at a Japanese company was no longer necessarily for life. As a result, a new generation is less willing to endure a toxic work culture —life’s too short, after all.
How Japan's youth are slowly changing the country's work ethic
By Alex K.T. Martin

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