A groundbreaking all-gender restroom was removed from Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, an entertainment complex in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in July 2023, only four months after the opening, in the wake of criticism. Has Tokyo moved one step away from queer urbanism...
The news that Netflix is making a live-action adaptation of “One Piece” came as a big shock to me, having grown up with the manga “One Piece” written by Eiichiro Oda. It has never once relinquished the top spot in the 25 years...
Standing on the train in Japan, most of you would realize that trains are filled with ads telling you to “lose weight,” “do hair removal and get a baby-smooth body” and “get your hair back!” Am I not allowed to stay with my current appearance? I...
It’s been a while since most of the media and non-governmental sectors have pointed out how seriously poverty influences inequality in education, and Japanese citizens who are reluctant to admit that there’s inequality within Japanese society...
Studio Ghibli, one of the most famous Japanese film production companies in the world, has recently premiered a new film titled “The Boy and the Heron” (Original title: Kimi tachi wa dou ikiruka” meaning, “How do you live” in Japanese). Both the...
More couples are forgoing the traditional customs The Japanese wedding ceremonies and reception parties have had numerous elements reflecting gender roles and expectations for centuries, and they still do. For years and years, brides have been...
The pandemic is finally over, and along with it, the border restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of diseases. The Japanese government has removed border measures for the pandemic, allowing all entrants to stay in Japan without vaccination...
Japanese manga and TV animation series, “Kimetsu no Yaiba” or “Demon Slayer” has been a huge hit during the pandemic, and a film based on the manga has broken box office records in Japan, grossing over 72 million USD in just 24 days. Demons are not...
There are as many forms of love as there are people. More and more musicians are starting to release love songs that break free from traditional notions, coinciding with an increase in awareness of LGBTQ+ identities. Here is my J-Pop playlist that...
A special drama “Mr. Period and His Daughter (original title: “Seiri no Ojisan to Sono Musume”) was aired by NHK, a Japanese public broadcaster. This drama is heartwarming yet groundbreaking in terms of making menstruation open to any gender and any...