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Kat Joplin
Durian Lollobrigida and his co-hosts — actors Megumi and Chiaki Horan, singer Thelma Aoyama and former “Terrace House” panelist Yoshimi Tokui — offer in-studio commentary on the contestants’ footage in Netflix’s new reality dating show, “The Boyfriend.”
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Jul 13, 2024
Durian Lollobrigida puts a face to queer joy
The drag queen joins the in-studio panel on Netflix's new reality dating show, “The Boyfriend.”
Japan has a long history of parasol use, and there's no time like the present to see if they can help you get a bit of heat relief.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jul 6, 2024
Parasols are an age-old solution to today’s crippling heat
By Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1868), bamboo and waterproofed paper ‘kasa’ (umbrellas) and ‘higasa’ (parasols) were everyday tools and props in kabuki plays.
While Japan may not have a large market for English-language publications, there's still hope to grow your career overseas while living here.
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Jul 1, 2024
How to make it as an English-language author in Japan
Some writers find career stability in teaching, while others find that the culture and vibrance of this country inspires their imaginations.
Here are a handful of places around Tokyo where you can treat the dad in your life to the pampering they deserve.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jun 12, 2024
Retro barbers, executive facials: Pamper dad with a Tokyo spa day
Despite forward-thinking on male grooming, Japan markets these pampering services largely toward women — but here are a few places dad might enjoy this Father's Day.
Korean skincare routines tend to be more complex than Japan’s counterpart beauty industry of “less is more,” making K-beauty something of a sweet spot between Japan and the West.
LIFE / Style & Design
Jun 9, 2024
K-beauty or J-beauty? The two 'are not so different these days.'
In early 2024, imports of Korean beauty products to Japan topped French cosmetics for the first time.
A typical show for the Derek Toro persona features Ice Elloso as a suave, macho hero straight from a Schwarzenegger film, along with a trademark goatee and tons of props and gadgets.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Apr 20, 2024
‘Drag is my superpower’: A night of pride for Filipino kings and queens
Sparkle: Road to Opulence, an April 19 lip-sync and drag performance, kicked off Pride weekend in Tokyo with a bang.
Seoul may be a cosmetic surgery mecca, but Tokyo has its fair share of high-quality clinics as well.
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Feb 12, 2024
A wrinkles-and-all guide to cosmetic surgery in Japan
Japan is uniquely positioned between two opposing hot spots of the beauty industry: Seoul and Tokyo.
The Tokyo Kiki Lounge is a queer pageant, dance competition and party, known in the ball culture as a “kiki ball.”
CULTURE / Stage
Feb 1, 2024
You're free to be yourself at the Tokyo Kiki Lounge
The pageant, dance competition and party is a thriving safe space for Japan's queer community.
Drag queen Kylie Sonique Love performs at the third edition of Opulence. While the LGBTQ community suffered a few setbacks this year, there were also many occasions in which people could let loose and celebrate the scene.
LIFE / Lifestyle / 2023 in Review
Dec 10, 2023
Politics and pageantry for Japan's LGBTQ community in 2023
The year was one in which more Japanese members of the LGBTQ community began to push for rights such as marriage equality.
Drag queens (from left) Trinity the Tuck, Manila Luzon and Kylie Sonique Love headlined the most recent edition of Opulence, Tokyo's fast-growing drag performance extravaganza.
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 10, 2023
The opulence of Manila Luzon
The Asian American drag queen who rose to stardom after a stint on "RuPaul's Drag Race" pays things forward with her Philippines-based show "Drag Den."
Yvie Oddly poses in front of Eagle Tokyo Blue, a Ni-chome bar instrumental in organizing many events around the Japan visits of "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars.
CULTURE / Stage
Oct 2, 2023
A 'Drag Race' tour brings inspiration and profits
When the competitors of "RuPaul's Drag Race" come through Tokyo, the local scene gets a major boost.
Nobody wishes for a medical emergency, but preparing for one while you're in a foreign country can only make things easier.
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Sep 18, 2023
How to avoid medical purgatory when hospitalized in Japan
Much like a legal will, a visit to the hospital is the last thing for which you want to prepare — yet doing so will save you stress and worry.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage / Reviews
Jun 13, 2023
Opulence: Glitter, glitter and a lot of gold
Seeing Tokyo-based drag queens perform with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' royalty would definitely make any local drag fans proud.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
May 26, 2023
Opulence: The international drag show that owns everything
'Drag Race' stars and Tokyo-based queens set the stage for a spectacle that aims to put Japan’s drag scene on the global map.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Apr 30, 2023
Anger, joy and feelings of pride: Tokyo's biggest LGBTQ event returns in full form
Amid 'rainbow washing' and 'counter marches,' drag queen Le Horla writes about what the return of Tokyo Rainbow Pride means to them.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Apr 20, 2023
We're coming out: Tokyo Rainbow Pride is back, back, back, back, back again
After three years of muted celebrations, Tokyo's main LGBTQ party hopes to roar back to life with an in-person, public event.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Mar 10, 2023
Japan’s first 'Drag Race' contestant hits the stage
Tokyo-based Swedish drag queen Endigo is representing the country's pop culture on “Drag Race Sverige,” a Swedish off-shoot of drag queen RuPaul’s award-winning reality television show.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Nov 20, 2022
Tokyo marks Transgender Awareness Week with march
According to organizers, around 1,000 people joined an event that kicked off a week of events in the capital meant to bring awareness to the rights of transgender people.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Oct 31, 2022
Yamathoners once again take to the streets of Tokyo for charity
The annual Tokyo Yamathon event draws 1,155 participants and raises more than u00a54.5 million for charity.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Oct 25, 2022
Booked, cooked and shook: My experience getting LASIK in Japan
Writer Kat Joplin provides a first-hand account of getting LASIK at a medical center in Japan, and reveals whether it was worth it in the end.

Longform

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