Government eyes making permanent residency easier for 'Cool Japan' talent
The Abe government plans to make it easier for foreign nationals with expertise in animation and illustration to obtain permanent residency in a bid to attract talent and further promote Japanese pop culture overseas. A source said Monday that the government expects to change the ...
Japan, take pride in 'Your Name.'
Two weeks ago, the United States' box office saw a surprising animated feature take the top spot and generate large amounts of discussion — and memes — on social media. That was Dreamworks' "The Boss Baby," starring Alec Baldwin as a dapper, sassy infant. Further down ...
What, if anything, makes Japan unique?
In February, American comedian Atsugiri Jason remarked on a Fuji TV talk show that one of the "demerits" of being a foreign TV personality in Japan is that he can't publicly say he thinks those aspects of Japanese culture which Japanese people believe are ...
'Cool Japan' needs to listen to its target market
As far as awards ceremonies go, the Sugoi Japan Awards were a fairly flashy affair. Held on March 22, the prizes recognized recent titles in anime, manga and fiction that an online poll of Japanese fans wanted to do well overseas. Winners included "One Punch ...
Can Japan make itself great again by 2050?
The bad news is, Japan is beset by seemingly insoluble problems. The good news is the word "seemingly." No nation whose rise to economic superpowerdom began a bare decade after being bombed to rubble in history's most destructive war will ever find anything truly ...
Japan's indie acts make an impact in New York without the help of 'Cool Japan'
Music industry extravaganza South by Southwest (SXSW) is over and, as always, some of the Japanese acts were able to make it to New York while they were in the country. First up was Mitsume, performing at Pianos, a small venue on the Lower East ...
Kyary ride does its part for 'Cool Japan'
"Cool Japan Heats Up" declares a sign welcoming visitors to an area of Universal Studios Japan (USJ) devoted to the country's hottest pop culture exports. Now in its second year, USJ's "Universal Cool Japan" event features special attractions that run until June 26. It promises ...
From 'samurai' to 'Hello Kitty,' search data show how the world's view of Japan has changed
Analytics data suggest Japan is better known abroad as the land of Hello Kitty than as a country full of swaggering samurai and mincing geisha.
Tokyo bar transformed into Sailor Moon cafe until the end of September
A cafe themed around the globally popular "Sailor Moon" manga and anime series opened Monday in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, featuring special food items, songs and goods. Located in the Kabukicho entertainment district, Anion Station, usually a bar that plays anime soundtracks, will operate as the ...
'Cool Japan' complex envisioned in Saitama
Publisher Kadokawa Corp. has unveiled a vision to turn Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, into a hub for the "Cool Japan" movement by creating a cultural complex that it claims Japan has never seen the likes of before. Calling it the "Cool Japan Forest Vision," the Tokyo-based ...
Virtual pop idol Hatsune Miku performs first 'live' show in China
Japanese virtual pop sensation Hatsune Miku has toured the world, performing "live" on stages from Singapore to Los Angeles and even opening for Lady Gaga. But despite legions of adoring fans and worldwide recognition, the computer-generated star, who made her first concert appearance overseas in ...
Japan rediscovers joy of bonsai after tiny trees put down roots in global affections
After years of withering in obscurity, the art of creating carefully cultivated bonsai potted trees is starting to show green shoots of renewal. "Recently I see signs of reviving popularity, particularly among women," said Kaori Yamada, a prominent female bonsai artist. She said this contrasts with ...
