News

FOOD

Strong Zero: Why Doctors Call Japan’s 9% Chuhai a Drug

A leading researcher in addiction joins a growing chorus of critics who say Japan's popular alcoholic drink needs to be regulated like…

CULTURE

Jigokudani: A Look at Japan’s Volcanic “Hell Valleys”

A look at how Japan's two most prominent religions' versions of hell shaped the story of its iconic jigokudani, or "hell valleys."

SOCIETY

Another Japanese Medical School Changed Women’s Scores

Another Japanese medical university stands accused of rigging its admission process in an attempt to keep women and other "less desirable" candidates…

CULTURE

Help – My Boyfriend’s an Otaku! Should I Dump Him?

What do straight women in Japan think about dating men who are seriously into manga or virtual artists? An online forum provides…

WOMEN

“Pervert Radar” Developers Seek to Protect Exam Takers

Online abusers are encouraging assault against young women on a critical day in their lives in Japan. A pair of women app…

ENTERTAINMENT

Fujoshi Poetry Contest Celebrates Boy’s Love Manga

A poetry contest for women who love homoerotic male fiction generates a series of laugh-out-loud winners that can be appreciated by anyone.

FOOD

Japan’s Non-Alcoholic Boom

A drop in drinking in Japan has more bars and restaurants turning towards non-boozy options - and even sake manufacturers are boarding…

FOOD

In Japan, Says Survey, Food Matters (Way) More Than Sex

A survey by a Japanese sex toy manufacturer provides some (maybe not-so-surprising) results around how much Japan cares about its cuisine.