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July 06, 2025
 

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Alyssa I. Smith
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Feb 27, 2020
'Followers': Tokyo life as seen through an Instagram filter
Miki Nakatani plays a high-powered fashion photographer loosely based on director Mika Ninagawa in the Netflix series 'Followers.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Feb 21, 2020
Ep. 33 'Half Blue'
Official couple alert!! It has taken 33 episodes but we finally have our first pairing in Emika and Tupas. I'm not counting Risako and Kenny because ol' Riri insisted they were still in the "talking" phase of their relationship when they moved out of the house together. Yama-chan, the resident cynic...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Feb 1, 2020
Yumi Matsuo: It's a different picture in the United States
New York-based lifestyle photographer Yumi Matsuo wants to see personalities shine through her work.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Jan 31, 2020
Ep. 31 'Publicity Stunt'
After weeks of eavesdropping, listening to second-hand accounts of conversations and dropping very obvious signals, Hana and Vivi finally come face to face with some harsh truths about their respective crushes on Ryo. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there's going to be a happy ending for either one...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jan 18, 2020
Want to know Japanese cinema? Get to know Mark Schilling
The Japan Times film critic Mark Schilling celebrates 30-plus years of reviewing Japanese cinema with his latest book, 'Art, Cult and Commerce: Japanese Cinema Since 2000.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Jan 17, 2020
Ep. 29 'About Love'
The cringy antics of the 'Terrace House' members slowly killed my will to watch to the end of this episode.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Dec 27, 2019
Ep. 27 'I Can't Be Here'
Last episode, we were bombarded with new roommates joining the house, and now it's time to see how Vivi, Tupas and Kai are settling in. It's clear that everyone loves Vivi, and who can blame them? Well, everyone but Hana, probably, because that ray of sunshine is after her man.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 2019 in Review
Dec 25, 2019
Netflix led the streaming race with original Japanese content in 2019
The battle of the streaming giants saw some first class productions on offer in 2019, from original anime series, Japanese exclusives and fresh takes on established franchises.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Dec 13, 2019
Ep. 25 'The Girls Can't Do It'
Part 3 of "Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020" is not messing around. The most recent episode was filled to the brim with surprising moments and it's hard to know what to expect in the weeks ahead.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Nov 22, 2019
Ep. 23 'Friendship Between Men and Women'
I propose a very low-stakes drinking game for watching the recent episodes of "Terrace House" — you'll probably be parched by the end credits, though. Whenever Ruka appears on screen, take a sip of your beverage of choice. His appearances have become so rare lately that he's basically making cameos...
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / Wide Angle
Nov 15, 2019
'Queer Eye' takes a peek at Japan
Netflix's new series of 'Queer Eye' sees the Fab Five hit the streets of Tokyo, where they come face to face with the restrictions of Japanese social norms
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Nov 8, 2019
Ep. 21 'Too Shy Girl'
Hold on, are we watching "Terrace House" or a spinoff of "The Bachelor"? Because it looks like everyone is receiving a rose this week, as Haruka, Emika and Hana — who all have flower kanji in their names (hence the previous episode's title "The Third Flower") — come clean about their respective crushes....
Japan Times
CULTURE / CULTURE NOTES
Oct 17, 2019
Japan's 'Beyonce' makes her mark, as the nation's influencers are revealed
With a list of the top social media influencers in Japan having been released, it appears Cool Japan is making its mark on pop culture in the country
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Oct 11, 2019
Ep: 18 'Bros Before Hoes'
"Terrace House" served up two shockers this week: the sudden disappearance of Shohei and an unexpected crash course in the mantra of immature idiots, "Bros before hoes."
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Oct 4, 2019
Ep. 17 'This is Not a Place to Slack'
The latest episode of "Terrace House" was like a cup of hot cocoa: sweet, heartwarming and the perfect thing to lull me into a peaceful frame of mind.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Oct 3, 2019
Tokyo International Film Festival to celebrate homegrown talent
The 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival kicks off on Oct. 28, and promises a celebration of local talent alongside its program of interntional films
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Sep 27, 2019
Let's talk about the best dates on 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' so far
While we not-so-patiently wait for the next episode of "Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020" to become available, we decided to pass the time by listing some of the best date locations the housemates have ventured to so far. From gardens to fireworks shows to golf, here are our top spots from the first 16...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Sep 22, 2019
'I stuck out more in Japan than in America'
Illustrator Christine Mari Inzer used her talent for drawing as a way to process identity in her homeland.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Sep 13, 2019
Ep. 15 'A Man's Worth is Determined by His Job'
Now that we have said arrivederci to Kenny and Risako, it's time to say buongiorno to two new members of "Terrace House," an Italian manga artist and a young romantic with a leather cap.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Aug 30, 2019
Ep. 13 'All or Nothing'
Welcome to Part 2 of "Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020"!! Taking Sho-chan's place in the commentators' lounge for this episode is Rui Hachimura of the NBA Washington Wizards, which left everyone visibly shook. It turns out Hachimura is a super fan of "Terrace House." He's rejected every offer for TV appearances...
Japan braces for more quakes as authorities dismiss doomsday hype
Evacuees from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecuture, arrive at Kagoshima Port on Friday.
Hidden AI prompts in academic papers spark concern about research integrity
Waseda University is one of 14 institutions in eight countries found to have used hidden prompts in research papers.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
U.S. military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault case
Col. Neil Owens (right), chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, bows in apology at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning
Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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