Patrick St. Michel - The Japan Times

November 25, 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

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...

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!

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

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