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Japan Trends Official Facebook home for JapanTrends.com, covering the latest developments in Japanese society, cu High tech Japan? Definitely. Cool Japan? Of course. Sometimes.

From design to politics, anime to tech, JapanTrends.com is devoted to telling the rest of the world about all the things happening in Asia's most exciting place. Wacky Japan? We cover both the good and the bad about Japan, bringing you news and analysis of the latest fashions and trends bursting out of this complex but little understood culture.

YouTuber elected to Japan’s parliament is expelled for never showing up
16/03/2023

YouTuber elected to Japan’s parliament is expelled for never showing up

Yoshikazu Higash*tani hasn’t been in Japan, or its legislature, since his election. Experts say supporters don’t expect him to behave like a normal politician.

GaaSyy: Japan YouTuber MP expelled for never going to work
15/03/2023

GaaSyy: Japan YouTuber MP expelled for never going to work

The senator and YouTube blogger has not attended parliament even once since he was elected.

List of 7: Controversial Japanese Films
13/03/2023

List of 7: Controversial Japanese Films

In this month's List of 7 article, we are looking at some of the most controversial Japanese movies ever made.

HIDARI: An Epic Wooden Puppet Samurai Stop-Motion Film
13/03/2023

HIDARI: An Epic Wooden Puppet Samurai Stop-Motion Film

a still from the stop-motion film HIDARI made from wooden puppets HIDARI is an ambitious, upcoming stop-motion film from director Masashi Kawamura (previously) that tells the epic tale of legendary sculptor “Jingoro Hidari,” portrayed by wooden puppets. Working with a team of animators and sculp...

Japanese authorities want Ghibli Park theme park to crack down on visitors taking lewd selfies with character statues
11/03/2023

Japanese authorities want Ghibli Park theme park to crack down on visitors taking lewd selfies with character statues

Japanese authorities have vowed to take action following reports that visitors to a theme park showcasing scenes from beloved animated films have been taking indecent photographs of themselves with statues of the characters.

I’m a nutritionist from Japan, home to the world’s longest-living people—here are 5 longevity foods we eat every day
05/03/2023

I’m a nutritionist from Japan, home to the world’s longest-living people—here are 5 longevity foods we eat every day

Asako Miyash*ta has been a nutritionist and longevity expert for nearly 20 years. Born and raised in Japan, where some of the world's longest-living people reside, she shares the Japanese staple foods she eats every day to stay healthy and live longer.

Why Japan has so many ‘never travelers’
21/02/2023

Why Japan has so many ‘never travelers’

Despite having the world's most powerful passport, 35 percent of Japanese people say they plan never to travel again.

Japan Will No Longer Have the Developed World’s Lowest Age of Consent
21/02/2023

Japan Will No Longer Have the Developed World’s Lowest Age of Consent

The age of consent in the Asian country has remained unchanged since it was set in 1907.

Water-Activated Calligraphy Makes Shodo More Accessible
19/02/2023

Water-Activated Calligraphy Makes Shodo More Accessible

Like painting, it also requires a bunch of tools, endless practice and is typically a messy affair. Hanakosumi's range of ‘Water Activated Paper’ addresses some these issues, making Shodo more convenient.

Asia’s dangerous new arms race: Russia’s war and China’s military build-up are provoking an unprecedented change in Japa...
11/02/2023

Asia’s dangerous new arms race: Russia’s war and China’s military build-up are provoking an unprecedented change in Japan’s approach to its defence

Russia’s war and China’s military build-up are provoking an unprecedented change in Japan’s approach to its defence.

Hitozukuri: Japan’s Cold War education policy used religion to ‘make’ the ideal humans needed by its nascent economy. Di...
10/02/2023

Hitozukuri: Japan’s Cold War education policy used religion to ‘make’ the ideal humans needed by its nascent economy. Did it work?

Japan’s Cold War education policy used religion to ‘make’ the ideal humans needed by its nascent economy. Did it work?

A Spoon & Tamago Guide to Ishikawa Prefecture
06/02/2023

A Spoon & Tamago Guide to Ishikawa Prefecture

this post was sponsored by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Just quick ride from Tokyo aboard a speedy Kagayaki 505 bullet train, Ishikawa Prefecture is a hidden gem among popular tourist destinations across Japan. Offering a host of ancient gardens, historic temples, delectable dining,

Japan shrugs as Americans fume over Gwen Stefani ‘appropriation’
22/01/2023

Japan shrugs as Americans fume over Gwen Stefani ‘appropriation’

Japanese people say they are bemused at controversy over US pop singer’s fascination with their culture.

Japan was the future but it's stuck in the past
22/01/2023

Japan was the future but it's stuck in the past

The so-called lost decade has now stretched to three. What went wrong, asks Rupert Wingfield-Hayes.

Miyabi Creates Stunning, One-of-a-Kind Kimonos for Coming of Age Day
14/01/2023

Miyabi Creates Stunning, One-of-a-Kind Kimonos for Coming of Age Day

all images courtesy Miyabi The second Monday of January is a special day for youths across Japan who are turning 20. A national holiday in Japan, Coming of Age Day is meant to celebrate, congratulate and encourage those who are entering adulthood. And celebrate they shall. The Kyushu region of Ja

Japan confronts a stark reality: a nation of old people
14/01/2023

Japan confronts a stark reality: a nation of old people

Nearly every aspect of the country's life is changing to adapt to the growing elderly population, from its public spaces to its social polices.

Lessons on mindfulness and self-discovery from Japan’s mountains
12/01/2023

Lessons on mindfulness and self-discovery from Japan’s mountains

Paid and presented by Japan National Tourism Organisation. Walk through the mountains of Dewa Sanzan and Koyasan for lessons on the Japanese approach to peace and mindfulness.

Naomi Osaka says she's pregnant; plans tennis return in 2024
11/01/2023

Naomi Osaka says she's pregnant; plans tennis return in 2024

Naomi Osaka is pregnant and plans to return to competition in 2024, the tennis star announced Wednesday. The former world No. 1 posted what she called “a little life update for 2023” on social media, including a picture of an ultrasound. The 25-year-old Osaka has been dating Cordae, a rapper,…

Japan must work with the Pacific to find a solution to the Fukushima water release issue – otherwise we face disaster
04/01/2023

Japan must work with the Pacific to find a solution to the Fukushima water release issue – otherwise we face disaster

Based on our experience with nuclear contamination, continuing with ocean discharge plans is simply inconceivable

Japanese Designer New Year’s Cards of 2023
02/01/2023

Japanese Designer New Year’s Cards of 2023

Welcome to the frolicking year of the rabbit! We love all of Japan's quaint traditions around New Year's: eating toshi-koshi soba on New Year's Eve, having ozoni on New Year's morning, visiting a temple or shrine for hatsumode. Well, we have a tradition of our own: admiring New Year’s cards (nanga...

Photographer Irwin Wong Captures the “Obsessed” Subcultures of Japan
13/12/2022

Photographer Irwin Wong Captures the “Obsessed” Subcultures of Japan

In his new photobook, The Obsessed, Tokyo-based photographer Irwin Wong turns his lens on the intense all-consuming passions of Japan’s otaku “tribes” of ultrafocused subculture fans.

Japan’s climate policy ‘failed to build on the legacy of Kyoto’
11/12/2022

Japan’s climate policy ‘failed to build on the legacy of Kyoto’

More than two decades on from the protocol, country shows enthusiasm for nuclear restarts over renewables

Alibaba founder Jack Ma hiding out in Tokyo, reports say
29/11/2022

Alibaba founder Jack Ma hiding out in Tokyo, reports say

Billionaire rarely seen in public since criticising attitude of China’s regulators towards tech firms in 2020

Beauty Over Brains: Japan’s Skin-Deep University Pageants
28/11/2022

Beauty Over Brains: Japan’s Skin-Deep University Pageants

The contests reflect a culture that often judges women by their appearance and slots them into rigid, gender-defined roles.

Moriyasu defends decision-making after Japan's loss to Costa Rica showing
28/11/2022

Moriyasu defends decision-making after Japan's loss to Costa Rica showing

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu defended his decision to shake up his starting lineup for Sunday's World Cup clash with Costa Rica, saying he had no regrets despite the disappointment of the 1-0 loss. "The result was a shame but it does not mean what we have done was wrong," Moriyasu…

Kimono Portraits Were Popular Souvenirs for Sailors Visiting Japan in the 1800s
27/11/2022

Kimono Portraits Were Popular Souvenirs for Sailors Visiting Japan in the 1800s

Horyu Goseda was a Japanese artist who lived from 1827 to 1892. He spent the majority of his career working in Yokohama, a port town distinguished by a strong presence of foreign sailors and western influence. Although he worked in a traditional Japanese style, painting narrow silk wall hangings, he

Japan gets 2 late goals to upset Germany 2-1 in their World Cup opener
23/11/2022

Japan gets 2 late goals to upset Germany 2-1 in their World Cup opener

Another World Cup day, another World Cup shock. Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late goals Wednesday to help Japan come from behind and upset Germany 2-1. Both Doan and Asano play for German clubs. "I believe it's a historic moment, a historic victory. If I think about the develo...

Every Fall This High School Art Teacher in Nara Sweeps Fallen Leaves into Ephemeral Art
12/11/2022

Every Fall This High School Art Teacher in Nara Sweeps Fallen Leaves into Ephemeral Art

this year's fall foliage creation is the cat bus from My Neighbor Totoro | all images courtesy hamacream Over a decade ago a high school art teacher in Nara asked himself the question, what are some free activities that would inspire students to take an interest in art? The answer lay at his feet

Ghouls, demon slayers and socially anxious students: how manga conquered the world
02/11/2022

Ghouls, demon slayers and socially anxious students: how manga conquered the world

They range from science fiction epics to high-school romance and are selling faster than publishers can print them. But what has driven this new appetite for Japanese comics?

Why More Foreigners in Japan Should Work for Japanese Companies: Six reasons why you should consider working for one
28/10/2022

Why More Foreigners in Japan Should Work for Japanese Companies: Six reasons why you should consider working for one

Six reasons why you should consider working for one

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