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Why the Japanese Media Would Rather Not Talk About Brett Kavanaugh

There are millions of women on the archipelago of Japan who have been assaulted, groped, raped, harassed and discriminated against. There are probably thousands if not more, of Kavanaugh equivalents…

We’re Stuck With ‘The Last Samurai’ While Everyone Else Gets Crazy Rich

Hollywood executives hear the word 'Asians' and immediately conjure an image of sweating maidens in rice paddies, or yakuza with swords in Shinjuku, or maidens and yakuza hooking up in…

HodoBuzz: New York-based Japanese Filmmakers Tackle Japan’s Sexism and Press Freedom With Crowdfunding

A new show “HodoBuzz” made by Japanese filmmakers based in New York City aims to confront Japan's dwindling press freedom, sexism and media malfeasance. Help fund some original programming that…

Sayonara, Robuchon-san: A Eulogy to Japan’s Beloved French Chef

In 1978, 33 years after the Japanese surrender, Joel Robuchon was appointed master chef at the Hotel Nikko de Paris (now the Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel) Coincidentally, Robuchon himself…

New Movie “The Trial” (審判)Shows The Kafkaesque Side Of Japan’s Often Criminally Unjust Justice System

On another level, "The Trial" shows up the very Kafka-esqueness of Japan's judicial system - the long, grueling process of scrutiny between arrest and indictment, and how, once indictment kicks…

Child Abuse In Japan. Why Japan Keeps Returning Abused Kids To Their Parents Until They Are Killed

With Yua, the social workers who had been in charge of her case had also been understaffed, which led to carelessness and cutting corners. Yua's parents moved the family from…

Help Support Japan Subculture Online. Reporting on the strange side of the Rising Sun since 2007!

Japan Subculture Research Center was founded in 2007 to expose the hidden side of Japan – its underground economy, its transient and strange trends, its robust sex trade, wacky politics,…

HOW TO BE ICONIC: Onitsuka Tiger’s World Domination Strategy

限界に挑む会社として継続的な経済成長を達成し、グローバルリーチを支えるための構造を整備するオニツカタイガー。世界征服する日は近い。This past year Onitsuka Tiger celebrated the 50th anniversary of the original Mexico 66, arguably the flagship and best-selling shoe from the storied Japanese brand — The company touts it…

Snake Venom, Bee Toxin, Horse Oil, Snail Slime: Saving Face in Japan is Icky Fun

Japan is a country where saving face is paramount—even if that means covering it with snake venom, bee toxin, horse oil, or snail slime. One company in Japan has been…

Update! Larceny Is Part of Family Love in Cannes Winner “Shoplifters”–Showing With English subtitles on June 21 (木)

The titular family in "Shoplifters" give a new slant to the term "living in squalor." Their house looks more like a bizarre crime scene than an actual dwelling for normal…