News

SOCIAL MEDIA

“Shut Up!”: How A Viral Song Has Parents Worrying for Their Kids

A rock-vocaloid song released by Ado back in 2020 is sparking controversy for its harsh lyrics and popularity among youth.

POLITICS

The Odd Candidates of the Chiba Gubernatorial Election

This year's election features a clown that wants to turn Chiba into Disneyland, and a man who simply wants to marry the…

LGBTQ

Miwa’s Plight: A Discussion About Trans and Immigration Rights

In an interview with UJ, Pato-Chan, a trans Filipina woman in Japan detained for 15 months, explains her ongoing struggle.

ENTERTAINMENT

Japanese K-Pop: A Musical Twist or a Cultural Riddle?

Is it K-Pop...or J-Pop? How the emergence of all-Japanese K-Pop-style groups highlights some unique differences between the two genres.

HISTORY

Becoming Japanese: The Story of the Indigenous Uilta of Sakhalin

How the Japanese government attempted to erase and assimilate a small indigenous people - in one case, even using them as spies.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

10 Useful Japanese Social Media Slang Terms Worth Learning

Before you give your next ii ne in the ripuran, study our guide to online Japanese slang and start tweeting like a…

SOCIAL MEDIA

Tiny, Complicated Nauru Becomes the Most-Followed Country on Japanese Twitter

Nauru has more Japanese Twitter followers than it does citizens. It also has a dark and complicated history with Japan.

FOOD

Bikkuri Donkey: An Unfamiliar Family Restaurant Favorite

How a restaurant originally created to compete against McDonald's is truly becoming a "surprise" hit in Japan.