Rugby Sep 5, 2020
Can Japan make the most of its Rugby World Cup legacy?
by Andrew McKirdy
One year after the global tournament kicked off, the impact of COVID-19 is hampering efforts to build on the hugely successful event.
Commentary / Japan Aug 29, 2020
What Abe leaves behind for Japan and the world
by Brad Glosserman
Shinzo Abe will likely be haunted by the goals that remain beyond his grasp when he officially steps down as prime minister.
Commentary / Japan Aug 29, 2020
Navigating geopolitical uncertainty in a post-Abe world
by Stephen R. Nagy
Japan, under Abe’s stewardship, proved to be a source of stability and balance. What's next?
National / Social Issues Aug 22, 2020
Yellow brick roads: How Japan's tactile paving aids solo travel
by Kathryn Wortley
Revolutionary tiles may have given the visually impaired more independence, but developers aren’t content to rest on their laurels just yet.
Food & Drink Aug 15, 2020
How COVID-19 has reshaped Japan's drinking culture
by Alex K.T. Martin
Suit-clad office workers are no longer flocking to Japanese-style pubs en masse to unwind after a long day at the office. Where are they drinking instead?
National / History Aug 1, 2020
Is time running out to preserve Japan’s A-bomb legacy?
by Peter Chordas
75 years on, Hiroshima and Nagasaki scramble to preserve the memories of those who survived the atomic bombings
Style & Design Jul 25, 2020
Redefining the kimono in modern times
by Andrew McKirdy
While many associate the kimono with Japanese tradition, renewed interest in the garment at home and abroad is giving it a new lease on life.
National / Social Issues Jul 18, 2020
Call of the wild: The challenges of rural migration in Japan
by Kathryn Wortley
The surge in new COVID-19 cases in urban areas has had some residents weighing opportunities in more isolated communities. But what sort of life can they expect?
Culture Jul 11, 2020
Pac-Man: How a faceless character based on eating changed video game history
by Russell Thomas
Examining the cultural and commercial legacy of Japan’s iconic arcade game on its 40th anniversary.
National / Science & Health | Longform Jul 4, 2020
The history behind Japan’s love of face masks
by Alex K.T. Martin
In Japan, it's sometimes said that the eyes speak as much as the mouth. Perhaps the proverbial phrase captures the essence of the nation’s affinity for face masks, a relationship that can be traced back centuries and a custom to which is attributed Japan’s lower ...
National / Social Issues Jun 27, 2020
Fighting for the right to recognize same-sex marriage in Japan
by Andrew McKirdy
The notion of legal partnerships is gaining acceptance and yet entrenched political obstacles remain.
Culture Jun 20, 2020
Rethinking summer in Japan amid a pandemic
by Alex K.T. Martin
Japan struggles to deal with the cancellation of annual seasonal events that serve as a lifeblood for local communities.