NEWSWORTHY
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 ...
'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 ...
Japanese media face hostility in disaster coverage on social media
Typhoon Jebi caused all sorts of damage when the storm — the most powerful in 25 years to hit the country — tore through western Japan earlier this month. The typhoon wreaked havoc wherever it went, and even damaging the roof of Kyoto Station, sending shards ...
Video gamers from across Japan, and the world, put down their controllers and head to Yokosuka
The city of Yokosuka, located south of Yokohama, is mostly famous for feeling at times like a slice of America, as it is home to a large U.S. naval base. (Some stores in Yokosuka even accept U.S. currency.) For foodies and fashionistas, Yokosuka is ...
Japan's celebrities are using social media to turn criticism on its head
Social media present a tightrope for celebrities in Japan. An increasing number of high-profile people are becoming savvy with platforms such as Instagram and Twitter, helping them to develop an online fan base. However, the internet also opens them up to criticism, and the ...
TikTok video app has become a petri dish for youth culture
It’s a question that haunts almost everyone over the age of 30 as they grow older: What exactly are the kids into today? If you put this question to young people in Japan this summer, the answer appears to be La Bouche’s 1995 smash hit “Be ...
Debate over Fukushima statue takes on a life of its own online
Few topics have proven to be more sensitive online than the present state of Fukushima Prefecture. Years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster wreaked havoc in the region, the topic of radiation continues to spark intense debate from all corners. A statue that ...
Social media takes a dim view of the daylight saving proposal for the 2020 Olympics
People in Japan have been complaining about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics since Japan’s capital was awarded the games. Netizens have railed against everything from the apparent insensitivity of hosting the two-week competition while the Tohoku region continues to recover from the Great ...
