Celebrities promote themselves on social media all the time. Scammers are abusing unassuming social media users with fake ads that look as though their celebrity role models put it out themselves. Enraged celebrities ask Meta for accountability Picture: Canva “It’s unfortunate and sad. I’m honestly angry. Enough is enough.” Those were the first words Yusaku Maezawa, 48, told Japan’s national broadcaster NHK in a recent interview. Maezawa is a Japanese billionaire entrepreneur, art collector, and founder of Japan’s largest online fashion retail website Zozotown. He is one of the many celebriti ..read more

Shinto, Japan’s native faith, speaks to the soul of its people. But it’s not without its share of controversy. From lively matsuri celebrations to unfortunate remarks, Shinto makes headlines. And at the center of it all stands the Association of Shinto Shrines, a powerhouse in the Shinto world. However, with shrines nationwide turning their backs, its once unshakable power is not as mighty as it once was. It all starts with a land scandal The Association of Shinto Shrines, overseeing nearly 95% of shrines nationwide, is in turmoil. Its esteemed members are defecting, with the famous Tsurugaok ..read more

With the release of the new Shogun series from FX, a lot of people want to know two things: (1) is it good television, and (2) is it good history? As an academic historian in Japan, I say you can enjoy both the story and the real history behind it. You just have to separate them from one another. Separating fiction from fact In the academic world, I study the contact between Japan and Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. For general audiences, I work on everything that has to do with Japanese history in general and the samurai in particular. So, since FX announced the new version of Shōgun ..read more

A recent survey asked 2,008 men and women in Japan if they considered their city to be the worst-mannered in Japan. The result may shock you. But probably not. And the winner is… The survey, by online language tutoring company Preply, asked people two questions: Do you consider your city to have the worst manners of any city in Japan? And what about your city makes it ill-mannered? Preply published the results of the survey in Japanese on the site PRTimes. It also included some advice for Japanese readers on how manners differ between Japan and countries they may want to visit in the near fu ..read more

How to lose weight: Burn it? Or poop it out? The Japanese pharmaceutical market saw its first over-the-counter weight-loss drug hit last week. Will its side effects turn people away? The release also raises the question: what’s the market for a weight loss drug in one of the least obese nations on Earth?  Losing weight in the gym toilet   The ad for Alli on the Taisho Pharmaceuticals Web site proclaims, “Good news for people with big tummies.” Japan’s first-ever nonprescription anti-obesity drug hit the market last week. But it may make users fart or leak oil. Under the brand name ..read more

A shady organization threatening its participants with physical harm if they don’t do as they’re told sounds like a plot from a movie. But it’s reality for many young Japanese people who fall in with the wrong crowd. Former beauty pageant contestant Kumai Hitomi found herself in that situation when she got caught up in the Luffy crime ring. Commit fraud for us, or your family gets it I’ve been listening to Liar’s Jenga (嘘つきジェンガ), a collection of short stories by author Tsujimura Mizuki. Western fans may know her for her wonderful book The Lonely Castle in the Mirror (note: affiliate link). I ..read more

It used to be that tourists could get in for a reduced rate – or even free – at some of Japan’s cultural sites. However, with the surge in overtourism, those days are ending. Prominent tourist destinations are slashing discounts for inbound visitors as local critics argue such systems are unfair.   No more foreigner privileges? Picture: takapon / PIXTA(ピクスタ) When ramen, Japan’s classic comfort food, tore above the price line of ¥1,000 (about $6.5) as the yen continued to drop, it put locals on edge.   Watching inbound tourists get free treatment pushed some off that edge into a ..read more

Coffee has long been popular in Japan. You can buy it at your local combini (convenience store) for cheap. However, the low cost hasn’t stopped some people from trying to get more than they paid for. Now, combini chains are responding to this petty crime – by pressing charges. Press wisely Self-service coffee machines at convenience stores have become a go-to for busy people, but they’ve stirred up trouble too. With incidents of theft making headlines nationwide, some have faced arrests or lost their jobs due to misuse of these machines. The process is simple: customers select their desired s ..read more

Japan has been busier than ever with tourists – and now, flesh-eating bacteria. Officials are trying to ease anxious travelers who are wondering if they should cancel their Japan trip. Health officials say to not cancel your Japan trip As the high-mortality disease streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) spreads, the Ministry of Health says “For individuals planning to travel to Japan, there’s no need to cancel travel plans due to the outbreak of this disease.” Still, the Ministry’s website advises travelers to wear masks and maintain good hygiene. A spokesperson told local newspaper Asahi ..read more

The highly anticipated launch of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen is delayed yet again. On March 29, JR Tokai officially abandoned the 2027 launch date due to continued environmental concerns posed by Shizuoka Prefecture. While there’s no new opening date, it’s possible the project won’t open until after 2034. This delay has also pushed back the construction of the Shin-Osaka route. Long expected to herald a new era of travel, the train reached an impressive 500 kilometers per hour (310 miles per hour) in test runs. The Nagoya-Tokyo route will cross seven prefectures in as little as 40 minutes — fo ..read more