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November 22, 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
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.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 23, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 3: Adapt
Pop group NiziU's “Make You Happy” became the song of this very strange summer and the government changed its tone from stay home to Go To.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 22, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 2: Isolate
When COVID-19 brought about a stay-at-home spring, Animal Crossing provided us with a digital island escape.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 21, 2020
How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 1: Collapse
In Episode 1 of Recultured, we look at how 2020 ground to a halt through the lens of "Terrace House," and hear from stars of the show about its dramatic ending amid the arrival of COVID-19.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Dec 19, 2020
Take 2021 by the horns with sweets fit for the Year of the Ox
More than over the Year of the Rat? Moo-ve into 2021 with these cow-themed cupcakes from Fairycake Fair.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Dec 12, 2020
Need some pre-holiday indulgence? These chocolate sweets have you covered.
There may not be any holiday parties this year, but that just means you have even more reason to put together a festive convenience store smorgasbord.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

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