Enthusiasm over new year cards wanes as online options grow
Once a tradition firmly entrenched in the national consciousness, the nengajō (new year cards) is facing extinction. If myriad media reports are to be believed, an increasing number of Japanese are deciding not to send any new year cards to family, friends or acquaintances. Online magazine ...
Netflix hopes to attract new anime fans with old favorites
After launching in Japan in September 2015, Netflix has aggressively gone after the nation’s streaming market with an array of content. Original programming such as “Aggretsuko,” “Terrace House” and a reboot of “Ainori” have helped capture the attention of many cordcutters who want the ...
Kaparu's victory in 2018 mascot awards gives Saitama a reason to shine
The Yuru-kyara (Promotional Mascot) Grand Prix in Japan has become one of the internet’s most anticipated events of the year. The 2018 edition lived up to expectations, and even featured a little voting drama. In the end, the city of Shiki’s Kaparu captured the ...
Live-action Pokemon trailer reaffirms Pikachu's enduring popularity
Ever since the original release of the “Pokemon” games for the Nintendo Game Boy back in 1996, the series’ central character — the electric, yellow rodent Pikachu — has found a permanent place in the world’s pop-culture zeitgeist. Pikachu has since shown up everywhere, ...
Illustrators use social media to highlight the minutiae of everyday life in Japan
Garbage collectors perform a service that is essential to the functioning of society, and yet their contributions are often overlooked. Whatever a person’s social standing, however, it doesn’t mean their observations on life aren’t worth examining. Social media allows anyone to attract attention if they ...
Shibuya's Halloween havoc may tarnish future festivities
Less than a decade ago, finding any sort of Halloween celebration in Tokyo would have been tough. Then, suddenly, October revelry was everywhere you looked in the capital. And in 2018, the spookiest event of the year has evolved once again in Japan: It’s now ...
Some YouTubers in Japan have taken going for a drive to the next level
Ever wanted to escape the stress of life in the big city, spend some time in the countryside and just … cook up a Philly cheesesteak and play video games? Well, that’s what the creator behind YouTube channel TerusanTV does on a regular basis. ...
'Terrace House' opens its doors to LGBTQ members in Japan
Warning: The following may contain minor spoilers for "Terrace House: Opening New Doors." If you live in Japan and have either a passing interest in pop culture or a Netflix account, you’ve likely heard of “Terrace House.” The basic premise of this Japanese reality show is ...
Kizuna AI's NHK appearance sparks debate on social media
Do virtual YouTubers dream of online controversy? Maybe not but they sure are good at courting it. One of the most buzzed about developments in online culture in Japan over the past 12 months has been a boom in virtual YouTubers, animated characters operating their ...
Social media lambaste 2020 Olympic volunteer program
Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have started accepting applications from those hoping to volunteer at the games a little less from two years from now. As you might suspect, Japan’s online community had plenty to say about the issue from the ...
TV shows look to piggyback on the success of social media
A growing number of people in Japan are turning to the internet as their main destination for entertainment. Younger folk in particular opt for YouTube and Instagram as a first choice over TV. So how is traditional media adjusting to this new reality? In recent ...
Social media falls in love with Naomi Osaka as tennis star sparks debate
Naomi Osaka’s women’s singles final victory at the 2018 U.S. Open on Sept. 6 excited netizens in Japan, turning the young tennis superstar into one of the most popular figures online. Her trip to Japan last week only generated more buzz, with users being ...
