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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
May 16, 2020
Understanding the need to shame someone on social media for not exercising self-restraint during a pandemic
Domestic news organizations are trying to get to the bottom of what makes the so-called self-restraint police tick.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
May 16, 2020
Plug in, power up and get into the #ZoneChallenge
With social life remaining online, Zone energy drink offers (admittedly not great-tasting) “digital performance energy.”
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 15, 2020
Shibuya's Club Asia stays steady and looks ahead to post-coronavirus clubbing
As some of Tokyo's clubs face permanent closure as a result of COVID-19, others look to the future and ways of ensuring they survive the pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
May 9, 2020
Golden Week takes a turn for the weird online amid pandemic
The current environment surrounding the emergence of COVID-19 has forced people to come up with brand new ways of enjoying time away from work.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
May 9, 2020
The quest for cute convenience store character sweets
Sometimes a slight sacrifice in overall “aww” factor is worth it for a dessert that actually tastes good.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
May 8, 2020
Live music needs structural change to survive COVID-19
With footfall having dropped dramatically at Japan's live music venues, many are turning to crowdfunding. But whether this will help mid-sized spaces remains to be seen.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 7, 2020
Yonawo brings chilled sounds to a tense Japan
The Fukuoka group has released its first major-label mini-album, and is firmly looking forward.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
May 2, 2020
Exploring Japan from the comfort of your own living room
Audiences worldwide are seeking out visual escapes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
May 2, 2020
Take a taste bud trip with Shikoku citrus and Kyoto matcha
Lawson's Uchi Cafe brand ice bars have been one of the most welcome additions to the konbini ecosystem, and the new Ehime Prefecture Citrus Iyo & Amanatsu flavor is a highlight.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Food Sustainability in Japan
Apr 25, 2020
Muscle Gyoza Veggie: Meat-free doesn’t mean missing out on flavor — or protein
Embracing plant-based foods doesn't mean sacrificing the protein benefits of meat.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Apr 24, 2020
Racking up the views on YouTube with The First Take
There’s nothing complicated about The First Take, and perhaps that’s why it has become an online hit. A notable Japanese musician enters a sparse room, banters with the crew and performs a song in front of a high-end microphone in one take.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Apr 18, 2020
When jumping on the social media bandwagon to score political points backfires
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe jumped into the fire by joining J-pop star Gen Hoshino's YouTube challenge.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Food Sustainability in Japan
Apr 18, 2020
It’s 2020: Time for Japan to end its reliance on PET bottles
Japan's intricate approach to packaging — matryoshka-like, within layers of plastic and paper — used to seem charming. In 2020, however, it now just feels annoying and wasteful.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Apr 17, 2020
'Lofi hip-hop — beats to study to' genre also provides an escape from coronavirus mania
While the world succumbs to COVID-19 panic, some musicians are keeping things calm with a range of live and recorded output aimed at retaining a level or normality.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 13, 2020
Pikotaro turns viral hit into anti-virus anthem
During tumultuous times, sometimes the best advice comes from toddlers.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Apr 11, 2020
Japan's streaming situation improved just in time to self-isolate
Doing your part to flatten the coronavirus curve by staying home? Luckily, the streaming situation has improved over the past few years so you don't have to be bored. And with local options, maybe you can pick up some Japanese while you catch up on pop culture?
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Food Sustainability in Japan
Apr 11, 2020
Mos Burger goes vegan with its Plant-based Green Burger
This March, Mos Burger debuted a vegan “Mos Plant-based Green Burger” in Tokyo and Kanagawa prefectures. But does this veggie burger's flavor live up to the chain's original beef offering?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 11, 2020
Shizuoka's Rainbow Disco Club to stream online
On April 18, Rainbow Disco Club will host a 12-hour paid-streaming party featuring artists performing sets from Izu.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Apr 10, 2020
Celebrities and influencers using social media platforms to keep people at home
A handful of well-known personalities have been out in front of the pandemic on social media.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Apr 6, 2020
Episode 45: Ken Shimura — Japan loses a comedy legend
On March 29, Ken Shimura, one of Japan's most celebrated comedians, passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. JT entertainment writeru00a0Patrick St. Michelu00a0discusses Shimura's life and death with host Oscar Boyd.
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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