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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
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!
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.
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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