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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
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Jan 11, 2020
Take a cold weather gamble on Lawson's new ice bars
Lawson's Japan Flavors series of desserts, debuted in summer with a handful of citrus-flavored ice bars, and now the convenience store chain has rolled out two new varieties for winter in the form of grape and strawberry ice pops.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Jan 10, 2020
NHK raises the dead for 'Kohaku' to mixed reviews
After NHK brought deceased enka singer Hibari Misora back to the 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' stage, reaction from viewers was mixed.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jan 4, 2020
Predicting Japan's digital trends of the next decade
Last year was all about looking back. Between the end of the Heisei Era (1989-2019) and the decade coming to a close, people appeared to go to extra lengths to reflect on the recent and not-so-recent past (this column included). Now that we’ve entered 2020, though, it’s time to leave the highlights...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jan 4, 2020
Krispy Kreme's new Year of the Rat doughnuts are cuter than you might think
How do you make Year of the Rat-themed sweets adorable? Look to the mouse, of course.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW
Dec 29, 2019
Looking back at the most influential Japanese songs of the 2010s
Given how Japanese music takes time to receive widespread recognition, what gems would the kids of the 2040s unearth from the decade that just passed?
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Dec 28, 2019
Festive sweets to ring in the new year
Convenience stores have your cravings covered this new year with a selection of festive fruit- and cheese-based sweets.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Dec 28, 2019
Evolving debate over cultural differences worldwide leads to greater social media insight
Almost everyone who voluntarily relocates to a country besides the one they grew up in enjoys some kind of honeymoon phase in their new surroundings. Everything about their adopted home feels shiny and praiseworthy, with all of the memories of one’s past suddenly looking far rustier than it ever did...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / 2019 in Review
Dec 26, 2019
The dawn of a new era and a change in J-pop
2019 brought changes to Japan's pop scene, including established acts finally embracing the internet as a way of reaching fans
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Dec 21, 2019
Milksha: 'Fresh Milk' bubble tea gets some fresh new flavors
There's a plethora of subpar bubble tea shops out there. Fortunately, Milksha is not one of them.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 2019 in Review
Dec 19, 2019
Japanese television relied heavily on tried and tested formulas in 2019
While the Rugby World Cup and the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito brought the viewers flocking, television networks did little to offer anything else new in 2019.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Dec 14, 2019
Everything's better with butter and lobster, especially potato chips
Snack makers Calbee and Yamayoshi are bringing Japan's regional flavors to convenience store shelves ... in potato chip form.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 13, 2019
Sending Japan's 'Paprika' out to the world
The biggest Japanese children's song of recent years gets an official English translation, in the hope of boosting diversity and interest in the language.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Dec 7, 2019
The McDonald's strawberry 'chocolate' pie: Confusingly named, but a worth-it guilty pleasure
In all honesty, no one needs dessert following a meal at McDonald's.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CULTURE NOTES
Dec 6, 2019
Marie Kondo: The face of 2019
With Marie Kondo's new online store garnering mixed reactions, the year ended almost as it began, with people arguing about the tidying consultant.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Nov 30, 2019
Lawson's bread buns are going to the dogs
Lawson has tapped into its creative side for recent animal-shaped bread offerings both sweet and savory.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Nov 23, 2019
A Le Loic: Inspired gelato comes to Tokyo Disney
Gelato shop A Le Loic offers a selection of classy flavors that you can enjoy on their own or stuffed in a crepe.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / 2010s: Decade in Review
Nov 23, 2019
Social media became part of the mainstream conversation in Japan during the 2010s
Internet culture has changed significantly over the past decade. In the 2000s, sites such as 2chan and Nico Nico Douga sat comfortably on the edges of the world wide web, offering a form of alternate reality from traditional media. The 2010s, however, saw social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / 2010s: Decade in review
Nov 16, 2019
2010s: The decade Japanese food took over the world
Japanese food experienced an international boom in the 2010s, and now you can find everything from ramen to egg sandwiches across the globe.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Nov 16, 2019
The grape race: Suntory's Strong Zero chūhai tops the competition
Drink makers are embracing grape-flavored booze this winter, but not all of them hit the mark.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Nov 16, 2019
Japanese celebrities are using YouTube in new ways to connect with fans
The baseball offseason has arrived and Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish has taken up a few extracurricular activities. The Osaka-born player has expanded his social media presence, with recent posts on Twitter —  poking fun at teammates and playfully roasting other starters — being picked up by...
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
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.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
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.
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.

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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