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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 / Music / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW
Nov 15, 2019
Through scandal and stellar sales, AKB48 dominated the past decade in Japan
Do you know the songs? 'Heavy Rotation,' 'Gingham Check,' 'Ponytail to Shushu' .... Even if you don't, you're likely aware of the sales model that AKB48 has exported to the rest of the world.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Nov 9, 2019
Shibuya Scramble Square is a dessert-lover's dream
Don't wait to check out the new desserts on offer at Shibuya Scramble Square!
Japan Times
LIFE / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW,2010s: Decade in review
Nov 7, 2019
Mascots: The secret weapon in Japan's soft power arsenal
What makes a good mascot? It used to be that being cute was enough, but 'yuru-kyara' in the 2010s needed storylines and Instagram followings if they want to make a mark.
Japan Times
LIFE / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW,2010s: Decade in review
Nov 7, 2019
Animals of all stripes (and spots) found their 15 minutes of fame in the 2010s
What do hamster behinds, a handsome gorilla and cats running train stations have in common? Hours of social media gold!
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Nov 2, 2019
It's Cupke, not cupcake: Lawson's actual cake-in-a-cup lineup
Lawson's newest concoction, dubbed the 'Cupke,' has interpreted 'cupcake' in its most literal form — stuffing a cake inside a cup.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Nov 2, 2019
Halloween festivities in Tokyo appear to embrace a softer side
Domestic news outlets and social media users love a good scare. Ever since a horde of rowdy Saitama-types turned Shibuya into something akin to “The Purge” last year, many Tokyoites have viewed this year’s Halloween festivities with trepidation.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Oct 31, 2019
'Produce 101 Japan' marks the spread of K-pop diplomacy and offers a journey for J-pop
As the action on talent competition show 'Produce 101 Japan' hots up, we look at its origins in Korean pop music and the original 'Produce 101' franchise
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Oct 26, 2019
Seven-Eleven's Koku Mune onion soy sauce ramen: Almost as good as the real thing
Seven-Eleven's Koku Mune onion soy sauce ramen has been an online hit since its debut. Konbini Watch reviews whether it holds up to the hype.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Oct 19, 2019
Don't dread the red of Starbucks's new Halloween Masquerade Party lineup
Starbucks Coffee Japan's new trio of treats brings the Halloween spirit with blood-red berries.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Oct 19, 2019
Typhoon Hagibis highlights the value of social media in a disaster
There has been plenty wrong with conversations on social media over the past decade and yet it’s hard to argue that online platforms are anything other than essential in an emergency.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Oct 12, 2019
Simple works best for FamilyMart's Earl Grey-themed collab
FamilyMart's new lineup of elegant Earl Grey-flavored desserts aim to spruce up your post-lunch snacking.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Oct 12, 2019
Social media conversation on ID checks in Japan reflects shifting awareness
It’s not unusual for foreign residents in Japan to be asked for identification. 
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 8, 2019
Hiromi Uehara drops the band and steps out alone
The pianist returns to solo work for her latest album, 'Spectrum,' 10 years after her last solo release
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Oct 5, 2019
Floresta's doughnuts get a (sort of) spooky spin for Halloween
'Nature doughnuts' chain Floresta is getting into the spooky Halloween spirit with a corporate tie-up with Sanrio's kawaii My Melody characters.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Sep 28, 2019
Social media conversation on Rugby World Cup reflects concern about 2020 Olympics
Netizens have been anticipating the start of the Rugby World Cup in Japan for months now and not just because of the action on the field. While the online masses closely followed and reacted to the Japanese team’s opening match win over Russia — not to mention anything related to the All Blacks’...
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / Wide Angle
Sep 26, 2019
Escape the usual TV snoozefest with season three of 'The Bachelor Japan'
The latest season of The Bachelor has dropped on Amazon Prime Video, bringing with it all the drama and absurdity of a Western reality show
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Sep 14, 2019
Frustrated travelers at Narita Airport in wake of Typhoon Faxai spark joy on social media
...
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Aug 28, 2019
Episode 21: The death of Johnny Kitagawa, J-pop's puppet master
On this week's episode we discuss the life and recent death of Johnny Kitagawa, the secretive mega mogul behind some of Japan's biggest music acts.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Aug 24, 2019
A people-pleasing panda pudding platter
If variety's the key to pleasing your sweet tooth, then Chateraise's new panda-themed dessert tray is the one for you.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Aug 21, 2019
The odd blunder is OK at your local dad-to-be class
Future fathers in Japan get lessons in caring for a baby at their local ward or city office. Yes, pregnancy suits are involved.
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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