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July 16, 2024
 

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Patrick St. Michel
Patrick St. Michel is a Tokyo-based writer with a focus on Japanese music. He runs the blog Make Believe Melodies, which has focused on Japanese independent music since 2009. Besides The Japan Times, he also contributes to MTV 81 and The Atlantic.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Mar 10, 2021
From AC Japan ads to 'Your Name.': The impact of 3/11 on pop culture
The triple disaster of 2011 still looms large in the collective memory of those who were in Japan at the time. How society remembers it, though, has been influenced by films, music and art.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Mar 6, 2021
Increasing angst on social media may point to a silver lining as Japan looks to leave 2020 behind
The outrage expressed on Twitter has been noticeably worse than normal over the first two months of the year.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Feb 27, 2021
Family Mart serves up a game-changing dessert
Family Mart was never a go-to shop after dinner, but two new treats promise to change all that — as long as you eat all your vegetables.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 25, 2021
For Tracy Hyde balances idyllic nostalgia with political unease on ‘Ethernity’
Guitarist Azusa Suga based part of the sound for the Tokyo rock band's new album “Ethernity” on American suburbia and pop culture from the 1990s.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Feb 20, 2021
Garigari-kun, Japan’s best-selling popsicle, turns 40
The first of 2021's special Garigari-kun flavors is the crunchy, sweet-tart “Adult Garigari-kun Kiwi.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Feb 19, 2021
Why is Japan so intrigued by the audio app Clubhouse?
Invitation-only app offers exclusivity while also making conversations available for a limited time.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Feb 13, 2021
Treat yourself to a culinary 1UP
Feast like Mario with themed sweet, savory and even spicy dishes from your local Seven-Eleven.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Feb 9, 2021
New trends in 'J-vlogging' allow for a more diverse range of views on Japan
YouTubers based in Japan are focusing less on the 'slice of life' videos that defined past content and are catering to smaller communities within the non-Japanese audience.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Feb 6, 2021
On the hunt for chocolate cake? Surprisingly, Sushiro has you covered.
With its new double-chocolate cake, the famous sushi chain is the Valentine's Day destination we didn't know we needed.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Jan 30, 2021
There’s a mini Mexican food moment happening in Japan’s convenience stores
Pro tip for any konbini giving tacos (or burritos) a try: Don't serve them cold.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Jan 28, 2021
Geisha-turned-YouTuber Kimono Mom taps into the heart of parenting
The life of a geisha in Japan is often perceived as being shrouded in mystery, the exact opposite of what you'd imagine life is like for a YouTuber. It's a contradiction that “Kimono Mom” knows well.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Jan 24, 2021
It’s a fried food showdown between FamilyMart and Lawson
It's the time of year where we all crave stick-to-your-ribs snacks, and “Konbini Watch” investigates the two chains' latest offerings.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jan 23, 2021
The social media creators in Japan to keep an eye on in 2021
With parts of the country entering a second state of emergency, here's four digital producers that could define the year u2026
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jan 17, 2021
Mister Donut’s Pierre Marcolini collaboration gets a jump on Valentine’s Day
The six limited-edition doughnuts pair classic flavors like chocolate, hazelnut and raspberry.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 14, 2021
What does 2021 have in store for J-pop?
While K-pop and TikTok will sway trends in the music industry, rock looks set to be Japan's best chance at producing global hits.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Jan 10, 2021
FamilyMart spices up the classic Famichiki
This mala-spiced snack is the perfect tongue-tingling pick-me-up.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jan 4, 2021
Streetwear meets sandwich cookies in this sugary, luxe collab
Fashion brand Wind And Sea has collaborated with pastry creator Pierre Herme for a particularly tasty drop.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Dec 26, 2020
Have a sweet, strawberry end to 2020
Need an alternative to the typical Christmas cake? Give these two colorful convenience store desserts a try.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Dec 24, 2020
Collapse, isolate, adjust and rebuild: How Japanese pop culture fared in the pandemic of 2020
Japan began 2020 with Olympic glory in its sights, with artists and musicians ready to take the spotlight. Then, the pandemic hit and pushed things in a much-needed direction.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 24, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 4: Rebuild
Two anime films — ”Demon Slayer” and “Violet Evergarden” — offer a dash of optimism to end 2020, as Japanese pop culture moves towards the beginning of a new era.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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