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Japan’s foreign resident population hits record high as Japanese population hits record low
The number of Japanese citizens falls below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, but the foreign community continues to grow.Japan’s population has been shifting more than ever in recent years, with declining births becoming a growing concern for the country. However, new data shows that the population decline is being partially offset by a growing number of foreign residents, who are taking up residence in Japan in greater numbers than ever before.According to population data released by
Studio Ghibli releases new Spirited Away earrings featuring mysterious anime bathhouse character
Cleverly designed jewellery sways while you wear it, just like Kasuga-sama does in the animated film.Japan is a country filled with stories of mysterious spirits, characters and costumes, and some of them appear in Studio Ghibli’s 2001 anime film, Spirited Away.One such character is Kasuga-sama, a spirit that crosses the bridge to the bathhouse wearing a distinctive white mask with eerie face-like marks. Despite only spending a short time on screen, its striking appearance makes it one of the mo
7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
Cold soup smoothies are good for the gut and good for the ‘Gram.Ever since 7-Eleven completed its rollout of smoothie machines at around 18,000 stores in Japan in 2024, the chain has been experimenting with all sorts of unique ingredients, giving us everything from coffee through to matcha and even sweet potato varieties.Now, the chain is rethinking the whole concept of smoothies, by announcing the release of two new “Cold Soup Smoothies” that blur the line between sweet drink and nourishi
New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
Pedestrian crossing outside Shibuya Station to lean even harder into tourist selfie appeal.Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing is one of Tokyo’s most iconic locations, and some would say that a trip to Japan’s capital isn’t complete without stopping by to snap a photo. Soon, though, tourists won’t just be taking photos at the world-famous intersection outside Shibuya Station, but displaying them too, on one of Tokyo’s largest skyscraper-side video screens.Tentatively titled Shibuya Scramble Crossing Pho
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Ghibli designs so charming they’ll be hard to peel yourself away from.Studio Ghibli fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to ways to add a dash of movie magic into their everyday lives, and now there’s a range that’ll stick with you both figuratively and literally.This latest release is a new addition to the washi tape range from Ghibli’s GBL brand, which prides itself on its cool “American casual” style aesthetic. Though they’re recoginsable to Japanese stationery fans as “washi tape”,
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
7-Eleven will finally let you buy baked-in-store pizza without making you buy a whole pizza.When 7-Eleven Japan announced that they were going to start selling cooked-in-store pizza, it felt like both a no-brainer and a head-scratcher. Let’s start with the first half of that. 7-Eleven Japan has a reputation for excellent food quality, and through their Seven Cafe Bakery System, they already offer a variety of items that are baked in the store, such as melon bread, curry bread, croissants, and co
Okayama man arrested for catching butterflies in central Japan
It’s becoming a regular Gotham City out there.Things just aren’t the way they used to be in Japan. It wasn’t too long ago that it used to be safe for a butterfly to flutter by down the street without worrying about being kidnapped and killed. Now, with all these kids getting corrupted by the likes of National Geographic, Jean-Henri Fabre, and possibly rap music, insects have to constantly live in fear of being skewered and put on display by some insecticidal collector.Luckily, police are steppin
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
New Japan-exclusive collectibles are only available at select locations.Japan is famous for gacha capsule toys, and now Starbucks is finally joining the fun with its very first collection of gacha-style collectibles.Released as part of the chain’s 30th anniversary celebrations in Japan, the new “Starbucks Joyful Capsule” collection consists of nine different plush charms inspired by some of the chain’s most iconic beverages and food items.Each palm-sized charm comes sealed inside a capsule
Kumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims
The castle itself is still undergoing repairs from an earthquake from 10 years ago.Kumamoto is still reeling from a massive earthquake that struck the prefecture on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu on the afternoon of July 28. Recovering from the magnitude-7.1 quake will not be a quick or easy process, and there are many, many difficult days ahead. In dark times, though, any symbol of hope becomes vital, and Kazufumi Onishi, mayor of Kumamoto Prefecture’s Capital of Kumamoto City, shared on
Katana of one of Japan’s most famous swordsmen goes on display to help Kumamoto earthquake victims
The sword of the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi is being called into action once again in a touching story of repaying kindness.On Tuesday morning, a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, at least 30 people are known to have lost their lives, with hundreds injured, thousands forced to evacuate, and tens of thousands dealing with power outages and water supply disruptions.In the wake
Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]
If you’ve ever wanted to take a nap while burying your face in Pompompurin’s butthole, this is the cushion you’ve been waiting for.You can make a strong argument that no other company on the planet understands the value of good visual design as well as Sanrio does. Hello Kitty and her friends largely flipped the script on character merchandising, in that instead of starting with extensive narratives in animation, books, or other media, Sanrio characters tend to debut as merchandise and build the
APEC ministers vow to balance economic growth and ecology
APEC forestry ministers agreed on Tuesday to strengthen biodiversity protection, improve forest governance and boost investment in the forestry sector to advance sustainable development.
Starbucks Japan unveils new coffee drinks… for people who don’t drink coffee
Created with Shibuya109 Lab, this new release aims to bridge the gap between traditional coffee and sweet Frappuccinos.This year marks the 30th anniversary for Starbucks in Japan, and the chain is celebrating the milestone with a number of new and innovative creations. Its latest release is particularly special, as the chain worked with Shibuya109 lab, a youth marketing organisation based in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, to help create it.The collaboration sought to understand how younger generation
Official Final Fantasy beers are going on sale in Tokyo this month, giant Aetheryte appearing too
Two brews, inspired by the world of Final Fantasy XIV, are joining the taps at an Akihabara craft beer bar.Back in the spring, Final Fantasy VII’s Seventh Heaven bar popped up in real-world Tokyo, letting fans stop by Tifa’s tavern for lemony cocktails personally endorsed by Soldier First Class Sephiroth. Sadly, Tokyo’s Seventh Heaven is now closed, but luckily there’s another spot in the city that’s going to be serving up some brand-new Final Fantasy-themed liquid refreshment.Later this month,
Maximum entry fee for sento public baths in Tokyo increases slightly for adults next month
The rise in the entry fee comes amid an increase in public bathhouse users in Tokyo and a decrease in the total number of sento.The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced that the maximum entry fee that can be charged by sento, Japanese public bathhouses, will increase by 50 yen to reach 600 yen (US$3.66)per adult (ages 12 and up) in Tokyo Prefecture. The fee for children ages 6-11 and those under 6 will remain the same, at 200 yen and 100 yen respectively. The new fee will go into effect o
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
The average overseas visitor now consumes more rice in a day than a Japanese local.On 27 July, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) released its fiscal 2025 data on rice consumption by foreign visitors to Japan, and the results revealed that foreign tourists are eating significantly more rice than anticipated.According to the data, collected through questionnaires completed by visitors from 14 countries and regions, MAFF now estimates that overseas visitors consume an a
Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]
Mega Rayquaza comes to Shinjuku from the stratosphere.Seeing a Rayquaza is a pretty special occasion for Pokémon fans. According to franchise lore, the Dragon/Flying-type spends most of its time soaring through the stratosphere and munching on meteorites, so Rayquaza sightings are rare, whether we’re talking about within episodes of the Pokémon anime series, battles in the video games, or packs of the trading cards. Encountering the species’ evolved form, Mega Rayquaza, is an even rarer experien
JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
Suspension of unreserved seat tickets on some bullet train classes means planning ahead is especially important.Japan is a famously hard-working country, but it’s got a major vacation period coming up next month with Obon. Observed in early/mid-August, Obon is traditionally celebrated by going back to your hometown to reconnect with extended family members, but in the modern era it’s also a major leisure travel season. Either way, though, Obon is a rare opportunity to travel for an extended peri
Starbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life
Exclusive range includes a planter cover, smartphone stand and a unique coffee-dyed Japanese tenugui.A cup of coffee has a story that continues even after the final sip. That’s the idea that Starbucks Japan had in mind when it created “Afterword”, a new collection of everyday goods that’s set to hit stores in Japan on Friday.Stylised as “AfterWaord” but pronounced “Afterword” – Starbucks hasn’t revealed the true reason for the “wa” in the title but it co
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
“Small manor in the Izu highlands” is getting ready to welcome guests once again.At pretty much any hotel in Japan, you can count on cleaning staff to come in to vacuum the floors, empty the wastebasket, and change the linens on a daily basis. However, if the sort of “maid service” you’re looking for goes beyond such mundane housekeeping and instead encompasses the sort of polished personal attentiveness enjoyed at manor houses in classical eras, then you’ll be glad to know that Japan’s maid hot