Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
RIAJ
In the year since revisions to copyright law in Japan made illegal downloading a crime punishable with jail time and heavy fines, the music industry hasn’t experienced a significant increase in profits. In fact, police have yet to prosecute anyone for the crime! It kind of make you wonder if they know that Internet pirates don’t have peg-legs and eye patches…
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Tokyo’s most famous arcade announces price increase, fans don’t seem to mind at all
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!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 Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen communityStarbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ballMcDonald’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
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Our 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 disappoint
Princesses, 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
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Tokyo’s most famous arcade announces price increase, fans don’t seem to mind at all
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
New book teaches Japanese people English to help out foreign travelers
Vegetables are smarter than fruits: Three high IQ Japanese veggies
Sengoku samurai warlords transform into easy-to-brew, fruity flavored tea tablets
New 800-yen bill artist concept brings Shiba Inu to canvas of Japanese currency
Shinkansen driver disciplined for taking poop break while train was going 150 kilometers an hour
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
School Kids from Tsunami-Struck Town Visit US to Convey Thanks and Strengthen Ties
Every weekend is an itasha car show at Akihabara’s UDX parking garage