FAO continues to support Member Nations in advancing smart farming solutions. Building on the momentum of the Global Conference on Smart Farming, the Organization will also deepen its focus on ...
Not every Baskin-Robbins Japan branch has it, but it’s very much worth tracking down.Among the frozen treat faithful Baskin-Robbins, or “Thirty-one” as fans in Japan call it, is known for being a quick, casual, and youthful place to get your ice cream fix. So imagine our surprise when we found out that the chain also serves up desserts that are elegant, sophisticated, and worthy of being enjoying at a leisurely pace.We made this discovery while shopping at the Baskin-Robbins branch at the Bay Qu
Things did not turn out how this creep had planned.Without delving too in depth into the mindset of sexual predators who prey on victims on trains in Japan, their basic M.O. is to stay subtle as they being to commit their despicable acts, whether groping or voyeuristic photography. If everything goes according to plan, if and when their target does finally realize what’s happening to them, they’ll not only be too paralyzed with fear, confusion, or embarrassment to directly resist, by the time th
The styles of six virtual idols, one modern-day illustrator, and one legend of Japanese art history come together in beautiful ways.Earlier this week, we took a look at a new project for Hatsune Miku that’s steeped in the Japanese tradition of high school extracurricular clubs kicking things up a notch in the summertime. But now the original virtual idol is getting even more traditional, as she and her Vocaloid friends are stepping into the works of Japan’s most famous painter, ukiyo-e master Ka
New report shows a worrying trend, but is it the beginning of the end for Japan’s popularity as a tourist destination?In recent years, Japan has been experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom, with the number of overseas visitors setting new record highs in 2024 and 2025.Now, though, the number of foreign visitors to Japan has dipped for the first time in five years.According to figures released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on 15 July, Japan welcomed an estimated 21,0
Plus, we share our recommendations for off-the-beaten-path places to visit in each of them.The Economist Intelligence Unit announced the results of its annual Global Liveability Index on July 7. This year’s report considered a total of 173 cities throughout the world. Ratings were based on a combination of factors that each carried a different weight towards the total achievable score of 100: Stability (25 percent), Healthcare (20 percent), Culture and Environment (25 percent), Education (
New economic realities are coming to the place that bills itself as the land of dreams.A lot of times, when Tokyo Disneyland makes an announcement, it’s something that puts smiles on fans’ faces. The park continuously cycles in new parades, shows, food, and themed merch throughout the year, often previewing them months ahead of time to help people plan their visits.The announcement this week from Tokyo Disney Resort operator Oriental Land didn’t fall into any of those fun categories, though, as
China will host the 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on July 23. [Photo provided to ...
This “Kyushu soul food” also has a fun connection to the creator of a manga/anime series of titanic proportions.For 70 years, the Hita, Oita Prefecture-based restaurant Sofuren has been filling the bellies and hearts of locals with legendary yakisoba noodles. The chain is the originator of Hita-style yakisoba, which are made by placing uncooked noodles directly onto a grill plate so that the end result is pleasantly crispy.In a new development, beginning this month for the first time
Japanese convenience store chain makes us rethink the fruit sando with a beautiful new release.When you walk into a Japanese convenience store in search of a beautiful sandwich, or “sando” to use the Japanese term, your eye will likely be drawn to the fruit sandwiches, with their gorgeous fillings of whipped cream and carefully placed slices of fruit.Soon, though, you might find yourself drawn to the savoury sandwiches, because 7-Eleven has just unveiled a variety that’s every bit as
Exclusive drinks showcase two fruits, done three ways. It was just the other day when Starbucks Japan unveiled the final peach drink in its early summer lineup, but now the chain is already moving on, with the announcement that a trio of new drinks will soon be on its way.This time, two fruits will be sharing the spotlight, appearing as the main ingredients in three very different beverages.▼ The star of the show is the “Gyugyutto Orange & Mango Frappuccino” (Tall size only; 707 yen [US$4.75
Fujin and Raijin take a break and leave divine duties up to the Eva units.Before solidifying their reputations as some of the most iconic designs in the history of anime, back when Evangelion first started airing on TV in 1995, the series’ robots looked pretty weird to a lot of viewers. Instead of taking styling cues from suits of knightly armor like so many other animated robot series, the major inspiration for the Eva units were oni, the horned demons/ogres of Japanese legends.But as Evangelio
From Nausicaä to Earwig and the Witch, this collection celebrates all but one of Ghibli’s major feature films. Part of what makes a Studio Ghibli film so memorable is the cast of characters you meet along the way, with each one bringing an individual charm to the storyline.While these characters stand out in our memories long after the credits roll on the film, there’s now a way to make them stand out on our desks too, thanks to a massive new wooden clip collection from specialty Ghibli re
Some passengers are grateful for the warmer carriages, while others say they’re the last thing Japan needs during an excruciatingly hot summer.One of the unique quirks of train travel in Japan is the ability to hop on a moderately air-conditioned carriage. These carriages, which have the air conditioning set at a higher temperature than the rest of the train, are commonly found on a number of commuter railways across Japan, offering a more comfortable environment for passengers who are sen
If you don’t want to travel if you can’t see your oshi, JCB understands.Before we get to our main topic, let’s start with a quick linguistics refresher. In Japanese, oshi literally means “support,” but in modern pop culture circles it’s taken on the meaning of a fan’s favorite character or performer, especially in the idol and anime spheres. The idea is that a fan is earnestly devoted to the continued success of their oshi, making them especially active about attending meet-and-greets, concerts,
The just-concluded APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, achieved multiple results and consensus, with 2026 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Joint Statement ...
“TKG Anywhere in Seconds!?” promises to taste like tamago kake gohan, so we put it to the test. Raw egg on rice, known in Japan as “tamago kake gohan” or simply “TKG”, is one of the easiest and tastiest meals you can make, but taking it to work or packing it in a lunchbox can be innately difficult. Either you have to bring a raw egg with you, and hope to God that it doesn’t crack during the journey, or transport it premade, which runs the risk of having stools as runny as the yolk later on.There
Osaka’s popular street food gets a new life in sandwich form.Takoyaki is one of Osaka’s most famous specialties, instantly recognisable to foodies as piping hot octopus-filled balls topped with sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes.However, the other day while browsing through gourmet food options online, we came across something that made us do a double-take.▼ A takoyaki sandwichThis was one of the most unusual sandwiches we’d ever seen, and what made it even more surprising was the fact th
Taste-testing a unique mix of two things Japan loves, but may or may not be meant to be enjoyed together.In Japan, pudding, or “purin” as it’s called locally, isn’t just a dessert. It’s also a flavor, denoting the strong eggy sweetness specific to custard pudding. While you can find puddings with additional flavors such as matcha or strawberry, many Japanese sweets fans are of the opinion that the baseline purin flavor is the best way to enjoy the treat, so it’s kind of a bold move by Japanese c
There have been a lot of dumb hikers needing to be rescued from Japan’s tallest mountain recently, but this time the circumstances are a little different.With June usually being a month of rainy, gloomy weather in Japan, you’ve really got to pack as much summer fun as you can into your July and August weekends. Sometimes that means doubling up on seasonal activities, like going to fireworks shows or shrine festivals on a Saturday and then right again on Sunday.However, one Japanese man spent las