Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
early
Despite Japanese news programmes just this morning stating that North Korea would likely delay the launch of its “long-range rocket” until the end of the month, South Korean news sources have revealed that the launch went ahead earlier today at around 9:50 a.m. Japan Standard Time.
Debris from the rocket is believed to have fallen into the sea between South Korea and China, with additional parts crashing down close to the Philippines.
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
Hamster abandoned at Tokyo ramen restaurant gets new home
“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
Track the stylistic evolution of Eiichiro Oda’s most famous One Piece characters
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in TokyoMore foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen communityMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitelyMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
Hamster abandoned at Tokyo ramen restaurant gets new home
“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
Track the stylistic evolution of Eiichiro Oda’s most famous One Piece characters
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
The top 11 Japanese summer festivals, according to travellers
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Yamagata police tell residents not to worry about knife-wielding man roaming the streets
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte finally arrives in Japan!
Huge Pikachu plush heavy enough to use as exercise weight, other Pokémon as big as a person
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Is Japan’s massive Shizuoka steak sandwich really as delicious as it looks in promo photos?
This Mother’s Day, give Mom some panties, Japanese lingerie maker suggests