‘Tokyo Junkie’: Robert Whiting recounts a lifelong addiction to his adopted city
The author and longtime Japan resident tackles his hardest writing project ever — “interviewing himself” for a memoir on his life, the changing urban landscape and, of course, baseball.
Four die in fire suppression system accident in Tokyo parking garage
The building maintenance workers were trapped in an enclosed space with high levels of carbon dioxide, police and firefighters said.
Virus threatens 'game over' for Japan's arcades
The number of such facilities plunged from 22,000 in 1989 to just 4,000 in 2019, and a number of well-known locations in Tokyo have shut for good since late last year.
'LGBTQ landmark': Pride House Tokyo opens as part of Olympics project
While Japan has some protections for sexual minorities, it remains the only Group of Seven country that does not recognize same-sex unions.
The popularity of jeans in Japan begins to fray
According to industry data, total sales of jeans of all types reached 78 million pairs in 2002. The current annual figure is believed to have fallen below 40 million.
Kabukicho host clubs under fire for spreading coronavirus
Some media outlets are weighing the pros and cons of mounting an actual "blockade" of Tokyo's well-known entertainment district.
Berg: A classic Shinjuku pit stop, 30 years on
There was already a lot to celebrate about cafe-bar Berg. Now there’s two more: Its 30th birthday and new nonsmoking status.
Debate over Japan's virus testing resurfaces amid nationwide outbreak
While the country is conducting more tests now than it was during the first outbreak, it’s still lagging far behind most nations still ensnared in the pandemic.
Tokyo urges 800 theatergoers to get tested as virus cluster found
Tokyo health officials appealed on Tuesday for more than 800 theatregoers to get tested for the novel coronavirus after a production starring Japanese boy-band members was found to be the source of at least 37 cases. As the number of virus infections continues to rise ...
Hundreds of cases, but no state of emergency: What changed in Japan?
This isn’t April, when businesses shut their doors and workers stayed home; government officials argue that another emergency declaration isn’t necessary.
Nightlife districts demonized over infection fears while grappling with coronavirus impacts
Heated media coverage has zeroed in on Kabukicho, catapulting the area to a new level of notoriety.
