Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
good-natured
A research group from Kyoto University conducted an experiment into the behavior of babies when shown an animation depicting a scene of bullying. During the experiment, a high percentage of the babies showed a deep interest in the party being bullied. It is thought that the tendency to sympathizing with the weaker party reveals the essentially benevolent nature of humankind.
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the wordWe try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyersForeign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Uniqlo opens its first Furugi Project secondhand clothing pop-up shop in Tokyo
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
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekendNew definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird trainOur Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
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 disappointPrincesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Which of these three terrifying characters do you want as the mascot of Osaka’s World Expo?
At this Kyoto shrine, be careful what you wish for—and how—, because you just might get it
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Tokyo restaurant’s crazy huge rice omelet has 600 grams (1.3 pounds) of rice
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
AKB48’s new idol outfits are so stylish everyone’s talking about the company that makes them
We visit Tomonoura, the scenic harbor town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s “Ponyo”【Photos】
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo