Struggling to stay on top of fake social media posts in a disaster
Shortly after the Kansai region was rattled by a magnitude 6.1 earthquake on June 18, photos of the damage started popping up on social media. Tweets showed a bookstore that looked as if it had been turned upside-down, a damaged electronic sign at a ...
Online Japanese releases under fire after missing the mark
Even the most innocuous upload can carry political baggage online in 2018. It’s a truth Western users have become used to, where a pancake restaurant’s idiotic rebranding strategy can become a discussion about the appropriation of gang culture. Recent examples show that Japanese netizens ...
Japan's YouTubers go long with crowdfunded content
Natsuki Aso did not become a punk rock star, much to his teenage self’s regret. Around 15 minutes into the documentary “Natsuki: The Movie,” however, you’ll see that the 44-year-old was able to achieve a different kind of celebrity — replacing “concert appearances” with ...
Smartphones leading charge to shame troublemakers online
Everyone in Tokyo has a commuting horror story, but sometimes you need to see an example of some really rough behavior on the trains with your own eyes to understand just how bad some people have it. An act of violence recorded on a smartphone ...
'Westworld' slays fans with re-creation of Edo in Shogun World
With its story of life-like robots in a Wild West-themed amusement park becoming sentient, and the complications that arise as a result, the television show “Westworld” has attracted a dedicated following over the past couple of years.
Sanrio characters in 'Aggretsuko' reflect the realities of life at work — rage included
Sanrio Co. is known for churning out some of the most adorable creatures out there, including Hello Kitty and the bunny My Melody. Its characters are often cute and colorful, and usually silent. Retsuko the red panda, on the other hand, is the total opposite ...
Classical painting hashtag highlights Japanese mothers' daily frustrations
As we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 13, a hashtag highlighting the daily struggles of mothers in Japan is going viral on Twitter. The hashtag — #名画で学ぶ主婦業 (“meiga de manabu shufugyō” or “learn about homemakers through classical paintings”) — uses classical paintings to reflect the ...
Susaki otter Chiitan leads a new generation of mascots with personality
Registration for this year’s Yuru-kyara Grand Prix opens on May 7, with eyes nationwide turning to see which cute and cuddly mascot will snap up the prestigious award in 2018. Winning the competition carries plenty of weight, something that is perhaps illustrated best by the ...
With the Rugby World Cup approaching, New Zealand’s national men’s and women’s rugby teams appear to be using Japan as a backdrop to produce a series on videos that help promote their brand. On April 23, the All Blacks and Black Ferns launched a “diversity ...
'Chikan,' the Japanese term for groping, is increasingly being recognized abroad
Over the past six months, media organizations at home and abroad have published articles that have examined whether or not Japan has embraced the Me Too movement. The social media campaign, which encouraged victims of sexual assault and harassment to speak up about their experiences, ...
Handbag hashtag turns tables on misogynist social media conversation
When does posting a photo on social media of something you use on a daily basis represent more than simply sharing a slice of your life with your followers? It’s a question that took on new relevance last week as hundreds of social media ...
What's in a tweet? Startup CEO sees endless storytelling potential
96 Problems has created an app that allows you to bring stories with you wherever you go — stories that can be followed in brief glimpses at social media.
