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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
May 30, 2020
Salted egg potato chips: Rich, crispy and craveable
One recent food fad in Singapore has been salted duck-egg potato chips. Now, snack maker Calbee has gotten in on the action.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
May 23, 2020
Crowdfunding campaigns offer hope to ailing firms facing COVID-19 insolvency
Communities rally behind their favorite establishments, but can they save them all?
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
May 23, 2020
McDonald’s ramune McShake: Summery, sweet and nostalgic
McDonald's Japan's ramune-flavored McShake is a creamy take on the candy version of the citrusy soda.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 22, 2020
Daiki Tsuneta: From the top of the charts to the great unknown
King Gnu frontman, Daiki Tsuneta, heads for further glory as he pushes forward with his side project, Millennium Parade.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
May 22, 2020
Ayumi Hamasaki TV drama stays on the right side of absurdity
A new drama series highlighting the life of the J-pop star at her peak has fascinated viewers with its hammed-up acting and over-the-top antics.
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.
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.
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.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
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.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals
Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

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