Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata dies at 82
Japanese anime director Isao Takahata, co-founder of the famed Studio Ghibli, has died at the age of 82. Mr Takahata was nominated for an Oscar in 2014 for The Tale of the Princess Kaguya b…
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Japan's Richest 2018: A Banner Year And A Wealthier Number One
It was a good year for the super-wealthy in Japan. The Nikkei stock market rose 7% in the 12 months through late March, the yen strengthened 6% against the dollar and the country drew a record n…
Women ordered off stage at sumo contest after trying to help stricken mayor
Women who rushed to the aid of a man suffering a stroke while giving a speech at a sumo event in Japan were ordered off the raised ring due to rules banning females from the sacred space. The 66…
This Japanese Prefecture Appointed a Pokemon as it’s Governor
A Japanese prefecture that previously renamed itself Udon Prefecture (formerly Kagawa Prefecture) due to the fact that its udon noodles are so delicious has gone through another name change, but this…
A Giant Squid Visits a Japanese Harbor
Giant squid, the huge tentacled creatures that live in the dark ocean depths, were probably the inspiration for the legend the kraken and have remaind largely elusive for most of human history. The f…
Japanese AI Writes a Novel, Nearly Wins Literary Award
Authors beware, because an AI-written novel just made it past the first round of screening for a national literary prize in Japan. The novel this program co-authored is titled, The Day…
Junya Ishigami: 'I want to make the sky'
Imagine a world where buildings don’t exist. A place with no rustic cottages nor gleaming skyscrapers, no classicism nor modernism, no preconceived idea of what a house or an office block should be. …
Dragon Quest VR is coming to Japan this month
Dragon Quest, arguably the most popular video game series of all time in Japan, is getting its first VR entry. Dragon Quest VR is coming to Bandai Namco’s VR Zone in Shinjuku, Tokyo, later this month…
Photographer captures wacky Japanese public toilets
Most of us don't visit public bathrooms unless we really need to. Not Hidefumi Nakamura. This Japanese photographer travels the length and breadth of Japan to find the country's quirki…
Japan Heads Toward $1 Million Salaries in Battle for Tech Talent
Japan is joining the global hiring frenzy for technology engineers, as the nation known for modest pay and lifetime employment competes for cutting-edge talent with China and the U.S.