Music Sep 4, 2020
‘Aggretsuko’ brings her rage to the world of idol pop
by Patrick St. Michel
The third season of Netflix’s “Aggretsuko” shifts its focus from everyday drudgery to the music industry and offers a nuanced take on idol fandoms.
TV | Television Aug 25, 2020
Actress Son Ye-jin is overwhelmed by Japanese interest in 'Crash Landing on You'
Actress Son Ye-jin has scored a hit with her portrayal of a South Korean heiress who accidentally winds up in North Korea in "Crash Landing on You."
Business / Corporate Aug 18, 2020
SoftBank bets $3.9 billion on U.S. giants, from Amazon to Tesla
SoftBank is expanding investment activities from private startups to publicly traded equities at a time the biggest technology stocks are near record highs.
TV Jul 24, 2020
Get chills and thrills with binge-worthy miniseries on streaming
by Tom Hanaway
Summer heat and self-isolation got you down? Cool down with these six miniseries that you can stream in Japan.
Business / Corporate Jul 17, 2020
Netflix completes Hollywood transformation as Ted Sarandos becomes co-CEO
by Lucas Shaw
His ascension symbolizes the transformation of Netflix from a technology company into the world’s most valuable movie and TV company.
Business / Corporate | FOCUS Jul 12, 2020
Competition between streaming services heating up in Japan amid pandemic
Online subscription-based streaming of films and television programs has seen an uptick in Japan in recent years, and with the coronavirus pandemic keeping more people at home, that trend appears to be intensifying. The growth in the market is led by foreign companies globalizing operations ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jul 4, 2020
Korean drama successfully crash-lands on a Japanese audience
by Philip Brasor
A drama about a romance that bridges the gap between two countries that are still at war comes with its own interpretive pitfalls.
Film Jul 3, 2020
‘Japan Sinks: 2020’: When disaster strikes, keep your family close
by Matt Schley
Masaaki Yuasa’s new anime series about the literal sinking of Japan may hit close to home for viewers, but the main takeaway is that love is the key to survival.
TV May 29, 2020
Seeking kindness after a 'Terrace House' tragedy
by Alyssa I. Smith
The death of 'Terrace House' star Hana Kimura gives new impetus to discussions about cyberbullying.
Entertainment News May 26, 2020
Notes uncovered detailing 'Terrace House' star Hana Kimura's suicide
Top politicians in Japan have spoken up about the need to deal with cyberbullying following the death of Hana Kimura, who apparently killed herself after facing hundreds of hateful messages online. Kimura, a 22-year-old pro wrestler and star of the popular reality show “Terrace House,” ...
TV | 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps May 22, 2020
Ep. 42 ‘Woman Who Makes Everyone Dream’
by Tom Hanaway
I enjoy a good cliffhanger as much as the next person, but I wasn’t eager to see how Toshiyuki and Yume’s night in Sapporo would unfold. When we last saw these two, they were sitting close to each other in a dark bar. Toshiyuki ...
Film May 21, 2020
Think you streamed everything? Dig deeper on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime
by James Hadfield
Cinemas have cautiously started to reopen in parts of Japan, but many of us are still having to sit tight and do all our movie-viewing at home. If, by now, you’re feeling like you’ve reached the bottom of the streaming barrel, fret not: There ...